"Bro, it’s almost midnight."

Amber pointed toward the large wall clock. She stretched lazily, the soft fabric of her pink and white pajamas rustling as she moved.

"Jade and I came to check how your quest is going," Amber continued. "We’re about to head to bed."

"Yeah, Marcus," Jade added, gently tugging his sleeve with playful insistence. "We’re almost done with the Newbie Village already. Do you know when you’ll finish the Four Spirits’ Guard quest?"

Marcus blinked, finally pulling himself out of the lingering rhythm of battle still echoing in his mind. Hours spent grinding monsters inside the Mystic Turtle’s Tomb had swallowed his sense of time completely. The maze on the first level alone had cost him far longer than expected, and only now did he realize how late it had become.

He also noticed, perhaps a little too late, that both girls had already changed for the night.

Their relaxed expressions, loose hair, and comfortable sleepwear gave the moment a domestic warmth that felt strangely grounding after a long day inside a virtual battlefield. Amber leaned lightly against his shoulder while Jade rested close on his other side, both clearly unwilling to leave just yet.

Marcus smiled helplessly. These two really knew how to disarm him.

Looking at Jade’s bright, expectant eyes, he reached out and lightly tapped the tip of her nose.

"The quest’s a bit troublesome," he admitted, "but I’ll finish it soon. I’ll meet you in the game before long."

"Don’t forget about me!" Amber quickly protested, tugging his arm.

Marcus laughed softly.

"How could I forget my Amber? I’ve still got your Violet Thunderwing Steed with me, don’t I? And once Lily gets back to the city, you two will probably be flying around showing off."

Amber’s eyes sparkled. "Jade already agreed to ride the Pegasus with me!"

"Of course she did," Marcus said. "And no matter what happens, big bro can’t do without his precious Amber."

He gently pinched her nose the way he always had since she was young. Amber puffed her cheeks in mock annoyance, though the smile she tried to hide betrayed her happiness.

"My Nightmare Dragon Steed can fly now too," Marcus added. "When the time comes, we’ll all fly together."

Jade immediately leaned closer, unwilling to be left out. "Marcus, I’m precious to you too, right? Just like Amber?"

Marcus chuckled, shaking his head at her competitive pout.

"Of course. Amber and Jade are both precious."

Despite growing older, the two of them still slipped easily into childish rivalry whenever affection was involved. Watching them bicker gently over his attention filled Marcus with a quiet warmth he rarely felt anywhere else.

After a moment, he glanced around the room.

"Where’s Lily?"

"She’s taking a shower," Amber replied. "She’ll sleep soon."

Marcus nodded, though the information stirred an unexpected restlessness in him. Lily carried herself with calm confidence and maturity that naturally drew attention, and even the thought of her presence nearby was enough to make his thoughts wander. He quickly cleared his throat, forcing himself back to the present.

"Tired yet?" he asked, trying to sound casual. "You two should get some sleep."

"We’re not sleepy," Amber said immediately.

"We wanted to talk a little longer," Jade added, clinging to his arm again.

Marcus suppressed a sigh. Their company was comforting, but after an exhausting day, part of him longed for quiet solitude. Still, refusing them outright felt impossible.

He resorted to acting.

Stretching exaggeratedly, he yawned. "Big bro’s been grinding monsters all day. I’m exhausted."

The reaction backfired instantly.

"Then you really should rest," Amber said seriously. "Even if the gaming pods let you stay online all day, you still need real sleep."

Jade nodded firmly, adopting the same lecturing tone.

Marcus stared at them, stunned. Somehow, he had gone from older brother to patient under supervision.

Thankfully, they finally relented.

"Alright, bro," Amber said. "You should sleep."

Relief washed over him as the two girls slid off the couch. Just as he thought victory was secured, Jade hesitated and looked back, her expression shy.

"Marcus... if you didn’t sleep well last night because of me, it’s okay. I’ll sleep with Amber tonight instead."

She lowered her gaze, clearly disappointed. "I was hoping you’d hold me again."

Marcus nearly choked.

Before he could respond, Amber’s expression changed. She crossed her arms, lips forming a small pout.

"Bro... you haven’t held me while sleeping in ages."

Her voice softened.

"It’s been almost three years. I miss it too."

She leaned gently against him, and Marcus felt the weight of his past decisions collapse all at once. Years ago, convincing Amber to sleep independently had felt like a major victory in responsible older-brother parenting.

Now it seemed completely undone. His peaceful nights were officially over.

"...Alright," he surrendered at last, raising both hands. "When I’m not too tired, I’ll make time for both of you. Fair?"

The reaction was immediate.

"Yay!"

"Big bro is the best!"

"Marcus is the best!"

Each girl kissed his cheek before pulling back, smiling brightly at him. Their happiness was simple, sincere, and completely disarming.

Marcus looked at them and felt something settle quietly in his chest.

These two were his family, his responsibility, and in many ways his greatest comfort. Whatever chaos filled the outside world, moments like this reminded him how fortunate he truly was.

"Darlings," he said softly, wrapping an arm around each of them.

No grand words were necessary. They understood.

Amber and Jade leaned into him, holding him just as tightly. The room fell into a gentle silence filled with familiarity and trust, the kind that came only from years of shared memories.

Eventually Marcus cleared his throat.

"Alright. Time for bed."

This time, they obeyed without protest. Though reluctant, both girls stood, kissed his cheek once more, wished him goodnight, and headed back to their room together.

Marcus waited until their door closed, only then did he exhale deeply.

Thank goodness they finally went to sleep. Another few minutes of emotional ambush and he might have completely lost control of the evening’s schedule.

He ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head with a helpless smile. They really were dangerous in their own way.

After confirming the apartment had quieted and everyone else had settled in for the night, Marcus stood and stretched. The exhaustion from hours of gameplay lingered in his muscles, but so did a restless energy he couldn’t quite ignore.

He changed quickly, the cool night air brushing against his skin as he stepped out of his room and crossed the dim living room.

Soft light spilled from beneath the bathroom door.

Marcus paused there for a moment, gathering himself, then knocked lightly before reaching for the handle.

’Time to end the night properly and finally relax.’