Shadow Slave : Shadow Clan

The sun was bright outside, casting golden streaks through the white curtains of her bedroom. The light danced on the floor, playful and warm. But Cassie didn't feel warm. She sat curled up in the corner of her bed, knees drawn to her chest, her phone resting screen-down beside her.

She hadn't slept well.

Every time she closed her eyes, the image returned—Nephis leaning into Sunny's shoulder, and Sunny… letting her.

No, more than that. Welcoming it.

That peaceful expression on his face—Cassie had never seen him look at her that way.

A knot had settled in her chest since that moment. Not anger. Not bitterness. Just… quiet sadness. The kind that didn't cry or shout. The kind that simply made you feel like you were disappearing.

I was the first one to say hello to him at the academy. I was there all those times he fell asleep in class. I taught him how to write physics answers properly, for crying out loud…

She squeezed her hands tighter.

And yet, I'm still not the one he looks at like that.

She hated herself for thinking it. For feeling jealous. But it hurt. It really did.

Because for all her quiet smiles and teasing words, Cassie had hoped. Maybe not boldly, but deep down.

She looked at the clock. Ten past eleven.

Then, her phone buzzed.

She stared at it for a few seconds before flipping it over.

Sunny:

Hey Cass. Want to meet me and Nephis at the mall later?

Her breath caught in her throat.

She sat frozen, rereading the message once… twice… three times. Her heart had stopped, then jolted forward again like it had remembered how to beat. Slowly, she touched the screen with trembling fingers.

He hadn't forgotten her.

He still wanted her there.

Her lips parted in a breathless smile. Not a triumphant one. Not even relieved. Just… genuine. Fragile and stunned and small, but real.

Cassie:

Yeah. I'd love to.

She placed the phone gently beside her, eyes misting just a little. She let her head fall back against the wall and whispered softly to the silence, "Thank you."

Then she stood, walking over to the mirror.

She didn't want to look perfect today.

She wanted to look herself—the girl who once made Sunny laugh so hard he cried, the girl who still remembered the scar on his palm before it faded, the girl who never stopped showing up.

She pulled her golden hair into a loose braid, letting a few strands fall free. Then she opened her closet, heart still fluttering.

Whatever today brought… she was going to show up. Not just for Sunny. But for herself, too.

——-

(Scene shift to this I am too lazy to right the entire meet up plan🥲)

The café was tucked into the corner of the mall's top floor, all soft cushions, hanging lanterns, and the scent of sugar and vanilla in the air. A small waterfall bubbled along one wall, giving the space a gentle hush that made everything feel a little more private.

The trio sat around a round table by the window. Waffles stacked high with whipped cream and fruit sat untouched for a moment. Sunny sat between Nephis and Cassie, though he was leaning a little toward the table, his fingers lightly tracing the rim of his plate.

Nephis took a small bite of her food, chewing slowly. Cassie stirred her hot chocolate in silence.

Sunny finally broke it.

"I just… wanted you both to meet," he said quietly. "That's all."

Cassie looked at him, her blue eyes softer than they'd been all day. "Why?"

Sunny's eyes lowered. "Because you're both important to me. Not just as friends or training partners. But as… people who've stayed. Even when I didn't know what I needed."

There was a pause.

Cassie looked down, her voice quieter now. "Will you still be my friend?"

Sunny looked at her quickly, surprised that she'd even need to ask. "Yes. Of course."

Cassie smiled—small, a little sad, but genuine. "Okay."

Nephis didn't say anything for a moment. She simply watched them both, her expression unreadable. But her next words came gently, without sharpness.

"I don't understand everything. But I can try."

Cassie turned toward her, surprised.

"That's all I want," she said quietly.

Nephis gave a small nod. It wasn't much—but it was enough to bridge the unspoken.

Sunny exhaled slowly, some of the weight on his chest lifting.

For a long moment, all three just sat there—steam rising from mugs, warm light brushing across their faces, and the sound of rain beginning to fall gently on the skylight above.

Something was healing. Maybe not fully. But it had started.

——-

The glass doors of the boutique swung open with a soft chime, letting in the scent of clean fabric and faint cologne. Racks of neatly arranged clothes stood in perfect rows, everything from formal jackets to streetwear in soft neutrals and bold pops of color.

Sunny stood in front of a mirror, frowning slightly as he held up yet another black shirt.

Cassie, arms crossed, sighed in theatrical frustration. "Sunny. That's the fifth black shirt. Try something else. Just once."

Nephis stood beside her, holding a folded cream sweater in her arms. "You blend into shadows already. Maybe try blending into the living?"

Sunny looked over his shoulder with a faint smirk. "Black is efficient."

Cassie rolled her eyes. "So is a trash bag, but we're not dressing you like one."

"I am not wearing yellow," Sunny said defensively, clutching a black coat like it was armor.

Nephis, ever calm, took a dark forest green hoodie off the rack and held it toward him. "Try this."

He hesitated.

"You trust me, right?" she added softly.

That did it.

He took the hoodie and disappeared into the changing room. From behind the curtain, they could hear mild rustling… and a muttered curse.

When Sunny stepped out, the green hoodie actually looked good on him. It brought out the warmth in his skin, softened the darkness of his hair, and gave him a more casual, almost relaxed look.

Cassie clapped slowly. "Wow. He does have color receptors."

Sunny gave her a flat look but turned slightly in front of the mirror. "It's… not terrible."

Nephis tilted her head. "You look warm."

He blinked at that. "Warm?"

She nodded. "Like someone who belongs."

Cassie bit her lip, her expression softening. "You should wear it more often."

Sunny looked between them. Then, reluctantly, he nodded. "Fine. One color. But just this one."

They spent the next hour weaving through the mall—Jet would've teased him for letting the girls dress him like a doll, but even Sunny had to admit: it was oddly… nice. The laughter. The teasing. The almost-normalcy of it all.

For once, the weight of war, shadows, and unanswered questions faded behind shelves of folded cotton and soft music over the speakers.

It wasn't forever.

But today, it was enough.

The sky outside the mall had turned a soft blend of gold and lavender. Warm light spilled through the glass doors as shoppers thinned, their laughter and footsteps fading behind.

Sunny stood near the entrance with Nephis and Cassie, a small bag of newly bought clothes hanging from his hand.

Nephis stood quietly at his side, her white eyes reflecting the colors of the setting sun. She hadn't said much since they left the last store, but her presence was steady—anchoring.

Cassie smiled up at him, her golden hair catching the last of the light. "So… thanks for today. I guess."

Sunny looked at her, guilt and warmth both caught in his chest. "I should be the one thanking you… for coming. And… for still being here."

Cassie shrugged, but her eyes softened. "It's what friends do, right?"

There was a beat.

Then, before she could turn, Sunny stepped forward and gave her a quick hug—brief, a little awkward, but real.

Cassie blinked, caught off guard. Then she smiled, truly smiled, and hugged him back just as quick. "See? Color and hugs. You're evolving."

Sunny gave a small, embarrassed laugh. "Just don't expect more hugs anytime soon."

Nephis stood silently through the exchange, unreadable… but when Sunny turned back to her, she reached out and lightly touched his sleeve.

"I'm staying with you for one month , remember?"

"I didn't forget," he said, looking at her with a faint smile.

Together, they turned to leave, walking into the golden evening light.

Cassie watched them go, her smile slowly fading into something quieter.

Not sadness exactly.

Just the ache of a heart still figuring out where it stood.

She whispered softly, to no one in particular: "See you tomorrow, Sunny."

——

The house was still asleep. Pale light crept in through the curtains, turning shadows soft. Jet sat on her bed, legs folded, a book lying unopened beside her. She hadn't really been reading. Not since she'd heard the quiet footsteps in the hall.

There was a faint knock.

"Come in," Jet said softly.

The door opened, and Nephis peeked in. Her white eyes caught the faintest glint of light. She was still in her dress from the night before, though it was slightly wrinkled now, her shoes in her hand.

"I didn't mean to wake anyone," Nephis said, voice low.

"You didn't. I don't sleep much," Jet replied, sitting up straighter.

Nephis hesitated at the door for a moment, then stepped inside and quietly shut it behind her. "Is it okay if I stay here… just for a little?"

Jet patted the edge of the bed. "Sure. You can sit."

Nephis nodded, walking slowly over and sinking onto the mattress. She stared at the floor for a while, her hands in her lap.

Jet studied her in silence. Then gently asked, "You're not used to sharing space with people, are you?"

Nephis looked up, a little surprised. "Yeah?"

A quiet pause passed between them.

"I saw you with Sunny," Jet said softly. "Last night. In the garden. And again, earlier. You leaned on him."

Nephis looked away, her fingers curling around each other. "I didn't mean to make anyone uncomfortable."

"You didn't." Jet's voice was calm. "But I saw the way he looked at you."

Nephis met her eyes. "You don't mind?"

Jet smiled gently, almost like an older sister. "It's not my place to mind. I'm just here to protect him. And maybe… to make sure he doesn't break himself chasing shadows."

Nephis was quiet again, the emotion in her throat too close to speak past.

"You like him?" Jet asked, more gently this time.

"I don't know what it means to like someone," Nephis admitted. "But when I'm with him… I don't feel afraid. I feel… lighter."

Jet nodded slowly. "Then you're already ahead of where I was at your age."

Nephis looked at her. "Will you be okay with me staying?"

Jet's expression softened further. "Nephis, you're already part of this family. Rain's claimed you. Olivia's wrapped you in her strength. And Sunny… Sunny's heart beats louder when you're around. I think we all feel it."

Nephis stared at the floor again, the words sinking in like warmth into cold skin.

Then she whispered, "Thank you."

Jet leaned in and gently bumped her shoulder. "Now go get some real sleep. You're safe here. You don't have to keep standing guard."

Nephis hesitated a moment longer—then reached over, and to Jet's quiet surprise, wrapped her in a brief, awkward but sincere hug.

Jet blinked, then smiled and returned it.

"Good night," Nephis murmured.

"Night," Jet replied.

As Nephis left the room and walked down the hall toward the guest bedroom, she glanced once over her shoulder—finding Jet still watching, still quietly guarding.

And for the first time in a long time…

She felt like she belonged.

———

(Time skip 2 months rn it is December , winter solstice)

The cold had settled over NSQC like a shroud. Snow blanketed the streets, trees stood bare and silvered, and the skies hung low with the weight of winter. It was the kind of morning that bit through coats and turned breath to mist.

Inside the Shadow residence, however, warmth lingered.

The fireplace crackled faintly, casting golden light over the soft rug where Sunny and Rain were huddled together. She was building a little tower of wood blocks. He was carefully trying to stack another without knocking them over.

Rain giggled as the tower swayed.

"Don't breathe," she whispered dramatically.

Sunny stuck his tongue out in concentration, gently placing the last block… and watched it lean—then stop. Stable.

"We did it," he said softly.

Rain clapped. "We're amazing!"

Snow swirled gently outside the frosted windows, but inside, it felt peaceful. Quiet. But beneath that quiet was something else. Something missing.

Sunny glanced toward the empty hallway. His eyes lingered there longer than necessary.

Nephis had left a month ago.

She'd gone home—back to her father's estate. Said it was time. That she needed to refocus, that she couldn't stay forever. But she'd hugged Rain. She'd nodded at Jet. And she'd looked at Sunny with something unreadable in her white eyes and hugged him before walking away.

And now…

Jet was leaving, too.

She stood near the door, wearing the City Police-sleeved uniform once again. Her black-and-blue coat was zipped to the top, her badge polished, her expression composed.

But her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted the straps on her duffle.

Olivia stood beside her, resting a hand on her shoulder.

"You're ready," Olivia said calmly. "You've trained. You've fought. You've survived worse."

Jet exhaled, her voice low. "It's not the fight I'm worried about. It's what I might become."

Olivia met her eyes. "Then you fight for who you are. Not against what you fear."

Sunny stood up, walking over to her. Rain followed, a blanket still draped over her shoulders like a cape.

Jet smiled faintly at them.

"You're coming back," Sunny said. Not a question. A promise.

Jet chuckled. "You trying to order me around now?"

He smirked. "Someone has to. You're terrible at resting."

Rain gave her a tight hug around the waist. "Bring back something cool!"

"I'll try not to die first," Jet teased gently, ruffling her hair.

Olivia handed her a sealed envelope—one marked with an old wax sigil, familiar and strange.

"Be Safe in the dream realm, also use the memories I provided you , It is your's now"

Olivia said seriously

Jet nodded. "I understand."

Outside, the car pulled up, its engine humming low. A figure stepped out, clipboard in hand, calling my name

It was time.

Jet turned to face them one last time.

"Thanks for everything," she said, softer now. "You gave me… a life I didn't think I'd ever have."

Sunny's voice cracked just a little as he replied, "We'll be waiting."

Jet smiled—wider this time, more like herself. She gave one final nod and turned toward the door.

Then she was gone.

The door closed behind her with a soft click.

Sunny stood still for a moment.

Rain tugged at his sleeve. "Will she be okay?"

He swallowed. "She has to be."

Just like that she was gone