The next morning...

I woke up to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the crystal walls.

The room was bathed in gentle shades of lavender and gold, reacting to the peaceful emotions lingering in the air.

Seraphiel was still curled up against my chest, one of her wings draped over us like a blanket.

Her breathing was slow and even, her face peaceful in sleep. I stayed still for a while, simply watching her, my fingers tracing lazy patterns along her back.

The night had been long, gentle, and filled with many firsts for her.

She had been shy, curious, eager, and incredibly responsive. I had taken my time with her, guiding her through every new sensation until exhaustion finally claimed us both.

Now, in the quiet morning, a different kind of atmosphere settled over the room.

I heard soft footsteps approaching from the hallway.

The door creaked open gently.

Seraphiel’s mother peeked in first, followed closely by her father.

They both froze when they saw us... Seraphiel was still naked and tucked against me; thankfully, we had the sheets covering us, but the crystal bed was still glowing a soft, satisfied pink from last night’s activities.

An awkward silence filled the room.

Seraphiel stirred at the sound, slowly waking up. When she realized her parents were standing in the doorway, her eyes snapped wide open.

"Mom?! Dad?!" she yelped, quickly pulling the sheets up to cover herself even though only her bare shoulders could be seen, her face turning bright red.

Her wings flared out in panic, knocking a pillow off the bed.

Her mother’s eyes widened, then sparkled with mischief. She tried, and failed, to hide a smile.

"Oh my... Well, good morning, you two," she said, voice sweet but clearly teasing.

"I see you two had... quite the night."

Seraphiel made a mortified sound and buried her face against my chest, trying to disappear.

"Mom, please! Don’t look!"

Her father cleared his throat, trying to look stern but failing miserably as a grin tugged at his lips.

"I told you she was grown up," he said to his wife, though his eyes were twinkling.

"Look at her. Our little star finally found someone who can handle her stubborn shadow side."

Seraphiel peeked out just enough to glare at her father.

"Dad! Stop it!"

I couldn’t help but chuckle softly, keeping one arm around her protectively.

Her mother stepped further into the room, still smiling warmly.

"We came to wake you for breakfast, but it seems you two were... busy last night." She winked at me.

"The crystal walls don’t lie, you know. They were glowing quite passionately until very late."

Seraphiel let out a mortified groan and hid her face again.

"M-mom! Please stop talking!"

Her father laughed heartily.

"Ah, don’t be embarrassed, sweetheart. We were young once, too. Though I have to say... you picked a strong one, Seraphiel. The walls were practically singing last night."

At those words, I raised an eyebrow in interest.

"Singing?"

"Oh yes," her mother said cheerfully.

"The house reacts to strong emotions. Last night it was all warm pinks and deep reds. Very... romantic."

Seraphiel looked like she wanted the bed to swallow her whole.

I gently rubbed her back, trying not to laugh too obviously.

Her mother clapped her hands together.

"Anyway! Breakfast is ready downstairs. We made extra star-fruits and shadow bread. Come down when you’re... decent."

Her father gave me a thumbs-up behind his wife’s back before she dragged him out of the room, still chuckling.

The door clicked shut.

Seraphiel stayed hidden against my chest for a few more seconds, then slowly peeked up at me, face burning.

"...They’re never going to let me live this down," she mumbled.

I laughed softly and kissed her forehead.

"They seem happy for you. That’s a good thing."

She sighed, but a small, shy smile appeared on her lips.

"I know... but it’s still embarrassing."

We stayed in bed for a few more minutes, enjoying each other’s warmth. Until eventually, Seraphiel sat up, holding the sheet to her chest.

"I should get dressed before they come back," she mumbled, still blushing from being caught by her parents.

I nodded and got up as well, pulling on my clothes from last night.

Seraphiel changed into a simple but pretty dress, glancing at me every few seconds with a mix of shyness and affection.

When we finally went downstairs, her parents were waiting at the dining table with a big spread of food.

The moment we appeared, her father grinned widely.

"Well, well! Look who finally decided to join us. Sleep well?"

"Dad..." Seraphiel groaned, already hiding her face behind her hands.

Her mother laughed warmly and began serving us both generous portions of star-apples, shadow bread, and glowing twilight stew.

"Eat up, you two. You must have worked up quite an appetite last night."

Seraphiel made a mortified sound and sank deeper into her seat. I simply smiled and thanked them both.

"Thank you for the meal. It looks wonderful."

Her father waved it off with a big laugh.

"No need to be so formal! You’re family now, son. Dig in!"

The breakfast was hearty and full of life.

The food was delicious, with the star-fruits bursting with changing flavors, the bread had a perfect balance of sweet and savory, and the stew warmed me from the inside out.

Not to mention that the conversation between us flowed easily around the table.

Her father asked me about my work, my organization, and even playfully grilled me on how I planned to "handle" his daughter’s stubborn side.

Her mother kept refilling my plate, smiling every time I complimented the food.

I answered honestly, sharing light stories about Crimson Moon and how Seraphiel had become an important part of it.

I even mentioned how her loyalty and sharp mind had helped me more times than I could count.

Seraphiel stayed mostly quiet at first, but as the conversation went on, she slowly relaxed, occasionally adding her own comments with a soft smile.

I noticed her watching me the whole time... she had a strange yet gentle, almost wondering look on her face.

She seemed genuinely happy seeing me talk with her parents so naturally, like we had been family for years instead of hours.

Her father clapped me on the back at one point.

"You’re a good man, Aestrea. I can tell. Just make sure you keep our girl smiling, alright?"

"I will," I promised, glancing at Seraphiel.

She blushed but smiled back at me.

The meal stretched on comfortably, filled with laughter, teasing, and warm stories.

By the end, even Seraphiel was laughing along, her earlier embarrassment fading into complete joy.

After breakfast, while her father was helping clear the table, Seraphiel’s mother gently took her daughter’s arm and pulled her aside into the adjacent sitting room.

....

Click...!

Seraphiel’s mother closed the door behind them with a soft click, then turned to her daughter with a teasing, knowing smile.

The older woman crossed her arms, tilting her head playfully.

"So..." she began, her voice dripping with mischief.

"How big was it?"

She made an exaggerated stretching gesture with both hands, moving them apart dramatically.

Seraphiel’s face flushed bright red in an instant. Her wings flared out in embarrassment as she covered her cheeks with both hands.

"Mom!!" she squeaked, voice pitching higher than usual.

"You can’t just ask that!"

Her mother laughed, clearly enjoying her daughter’s reaction.

"Oh come on, sweetheart. We’re both grown women. I saw the way the house was glowing last night. That wasn’t just ’talking.’ So? Spill it. Was it impressive? Did he know what he was doing?"

Seraphiel looked like she wanted to melt into the floor. She peeked through her fingers, still blushing furiously.

"I... I can’t believe you’re asking me this..." she mumbled, but after a moment, she lowered her hands slightly. Her voice dropped to a shy whisper.

"It was... really big. And thick. I thought it wouldn’t fit at first. But he was so gentle... He kept checking if I was okay. He went really slow..."

Her mother’s eyes softened with both amusement and affection.

"Good. I’m glad he was careful with you. Your first time should be with someone who cares." She stepped closer and gently brushed a strand of hair from Seraphiel’s face.

"And? How did it feel? Be honest with your mother."

Seraphiel hesitated, then let out a tiny, embarrassed laugh.

"It hurt a little at the beginning... but then it started feeling really good. Like... really good. Every time he moved, it rubbed something deep inside me. I came so many times I lost count. He was so patient... He kept praising me, telling me I was doing well. It made me feel... wanted. Loved."

Her mother smiled warmly, pulling her into a gentle hug.

"I’m happy for you, my star. You deserve someone who makes you feel that way." She pulled back and gave her a playful nudge.

"So... are you sore this morning?"

"A little. But it’s a good kind of sore. Like my body remembers him," she nodded with pink cheeks.

Her mother laughed softly.

"That’s normal. Drink plenty of water and rest if you need to. And if you want any tips for next time, like about new positions, how to make it feel even better, just ask me. I may be old, but I still remember a thing or two."

"Mom, please..." Seraphiel groaned, hiding her face again.

"Oh, don’t be shy now! You let him inside you all night. You can talk to your mother about it." She winked.

"Did he finish inside you?"

"Yes... a lot. It felt so warm... I could still feel it leaking out this morning," Seraphiel nodded shyly.

Her mother’s smile turned fond.

"Good. That means he enjoyed it too. Just be careful if you don’t want a little one yet. Though I wouldn’t mind grandchildren someday."

"M-mom!!" Seraphiel’s eyes widened.

Her mother laughed and pulled her into another hug.

"I’m only teasing. Mostly. But seriously... he seems like a good man. The way he looks at you... It’s clear he cares about you. Hold onto that."

"I will. He’s... everything I didn’t know I needed," Seraphiel hugged her back tightly, whispering softly.