They all stood in the driveway, staring the front door down. Well, one of them was sitting in a wheelchair, but everyone stared.

Home.

So much had happened in such a short amount of time that the fact the threat is over hadn't sunk in until then. Relief was on the other end of a battle zone filled with tensions and anxieties. Relief behind the door they all refused to go near, trapped in the whirlwind of individual worries and traumas.

The worries

The ability to move on

The reality of what is to come.

A different future than planned.

A life after life.

An uncertain road ahead.

The trauma

My crazy ex is living with us and might have a thing for my owner.....

The ex I've forgotten no longer loves me, and loves my friend who killed him, and it's all my fault....

My crazy ex just so happens to be in loyalship with a girl I'm beginning to grow fond of, who happens to be related to the ones who separated us in the first place....

My only, thinks he's to blame for my death...we killed the demon that did this to us, but apart of my soul still blames him...im always mad at him...I had to make him relive his worst experience...i-I feel so out of place...maybe staying dead would have left them better off...it would have been better if I just disappeared....

My best friend loathes the fact I have a relationship with her ex boyfriend. My other best friend, whom I killed, loves me unconditionally...and I'm entirely undeserving. I was possessed by the thing that helped me kill him, and to suffer getting my arm torn off again...im pathetic...im hurting everyone all over and it's all my fault. I should just dissappear.

"Well, no time like the present. Are we going in or are we going to stand here having a staring contest with the front door?" Shiromori folded her arms over her chest.

"R-Right! Let's get inside and in our own beds." Vivi hummed after snapping out of it and rolling forwards.

Shiromori stuck beside her, and beside them both was Mystery, trotting forwards with a wagging tail, semi hopeful that being home would help everyone recover quicker and lighter their spirits. He had originally seen the outcome of this situation play out a lot happier in theory than it actually is at the moment. He just hoped happiness would surface from everyone soon.

"Fuck I can't wait to shower..." Lewis grunted as he stretched his arms over his head with a loud yawn.

"Tell me about it, I feel greasy, and I can't wash my legs until the casts come off." Vivi whined in complaint. "Which means baths."

"I can help you get baths going if you have any troubles getting around." Shiromori offered. "I can also grow some herbs for you to help quicken the healing process and better your mood. All of you can have some if you'd like." Shiromori offered and looked around at everyone.

"Kind offer." Mystery chimed.

"Maybe at some point." Arthur huffed and moved forwards towards the building as well, with Lewis following close behind.

Arthur had a bag slung over his good shoulder, a bag of his stuff his uncle had brought him, mostly just his clothes. He had also sent Galahad home with Lance as well, unable to muster up the energy to tend to his pet. He needed to focus on getting over what had happened to them all, and to fully recover from his injuries. He also needed to help Vivi around since she was currently unable to walk.

Everyone got inside and the door was shut by Lewis, and a silence defended the house for only a moment before Vivi was rolled of towards her room with the plant spirit aiding in pushing her there. Arthur glanced at them as they moved out of sight down the hallway of the one storied home. His eyes then traveled to the couch, and to the floor.

This place is a mess from when we had to leave in a rush to Lewis's place. Arthur thought to himself as he already began devising a plan to clean everything. The floor comes first so Vivi can get around better. I'll have to push some furniture around to make room for her, and put away a chair at the table so she can roll up and eat with no problem and-

"The house can wait Arthur, i can already tell you're stressing about it. Let's get our things put away alright?" Lewis set a gentle hand on what was left of Arthur's left shoulder. "We can worry about it after we settle in."

Arthur blinked up at him before nodding. He  proceeded forwards, leading the way back to the male side of the home, opening Lewis's bedroom door before moving into his own room to set his things down and unpack the bag of mostly dirty clothes. Lewis entered his own room, and placed his belongings down as well, allowing three deadbeats to flutter about the new space to get comfortable.

His eyes traveled along the old memories before an idea sparked in his head. Lewis hummed with the idea of possessing this portion of the house. It wouldn't be a problem since he could fabricate a mansion for over a year and still have an abundance energy left for whatever. Like permanently altering a space without it being permanent.

"Should probably ask first." Lewis hummed before exiting the room and moving to Arthur's, giving the door a firm knock before entering inside.

Arthur was sitting on the edge of his bed staring tiredly up at Lewis with a raised brow. Lewis coughed softly before moving over and plopping down beside him on his right side.

"Wanna merge rooms? I'm gonna sleep in your bed anyway, it would be nice to have the extra space to do whatever as well. The bathroom will merge as well and the placement of the door would change to in here Instead of the hallway." Lewis offered.

"Won't that change the construction of the house?" Arthur questioned.

"The inside, yes, but it only affects the walls." Lewis nodded. "And the beds. They'll merge into a king size."

"Sounds nice." Arthur gave a weak smile.

Lewis hummed, and a harmless warmth engulfed the entire room, before spreading through the walls and coating everything in a magenta flame. Before Arthur's now stunned eyes, the layout of the room transformed into an even larger one. A door  appeared and a wall fell away. The bed grew wider until it was a full king size. His closet was moved to the far end of the room and extended into a walk in to merge their stuff together in one place. Arthur's desk was pushes to the end of the area an widened a little bit, and a bunch of Lama themed decor was thrown up everywhere along with the old photos of memories they shared.

"Wow." Arthur whistled as the flames vanished to expose everything clearer. "That was a spectacular experience." Arthur hummed before flopping backwards.

"Yes, I am awesome." Lewis chuckled.

"Hehehe." Arthur chuckled before looking over to the bathroom door. He shuddered a little before touching his left shoulder. "Is the bathtub larger?"

"Room for two, it's also deeper in the ground so we can stand up. There are stairs to it as well, and the shower head is by it too for showering in order to save space. If that's okay?" Lewis asked then.

"Sounds amazing. I need to bathe and get myself clean." Arthur sat up with a grunt. "I also need help unwrapping and wrapping my arm back up. The bandages go backwards in an angle I can't reach."

"I don't mind helping you at all. In fact I might join your bath. I could use some cleaning up as well." Lewis shrugged and stood before making his way inside the bathroom.

Arthur turned bright red before slowly following him. "L-L-L-Like together!?" He stammered out.

"Sure, I've seen everything already, as have you." Lewis shrugged, before smirking in a predatory way. "Awe, how cute, didn't know you were still shy. Afraid to be in the presence of a nude God now are we?" Lewid chimed before flexing his arms and puffing his chest.

"N-No! Not afraid! J-Just...I dunno." Arthur whispered out as Lewis proceeded to pull him in the bathroom before shutting the door.

"Don't worry Artie. I'm only teasing you, hehehe. It's just a simple bath in some hot water. Baths with me, means no cold water allowed. Warm bath for forever." Lewis soothed as he hugged Arthur gently. "It won't be anything lewd, just a bath, maybe some cuddles if you feel brave enough."

"Promise me you won't try anything?" Arthur narrowed his eyes.

"As fun as it would be to mess with you in a tub, I think we both need some time to relax and heal from both physical and mental injuries. I can tell you're exhausted." Lewis explained and crossed his finger over his chest in promise.

"Alright." Arthur hummed before taking off his shirt, his eyes focused on his reflection.

His eyes moved to Lewis's hands as they steadily removed the bandaging as gently as possible. Lewis's face visibly grew saddened when the wound was revealed, guilt crossing his features. Arthur observed the change in expression, before looking away with a face of disgust.

"Yeaaah, it's pretty bad. The old scar tissue is still there around the base, along with the new scarring that's forming over the wound. It looks narly. They use any and all extra skin tissue to pull up over the wound. They didn't have enough this time like they did the first time around so all they could do was sew it shut in places and it left some muscle exposed. It's why I had put a metal cover over the skin after it healed up the first time...". Arthur mumbled.

"It looks painful." Lewis whispered, hands ghosting over it.

"It's very painful, yes." Arthur grinned weakly. "My shoulders always been in pain since the first time, so I've gotten used to it. The doctor sent me home with prescription meds for a reason Lew."

"You are tougher than you look." Lewis hummed.

"Why thank you." Arthur hummed. "Let's stop staring at it now." He ground out before moving over to the tub.

He reached over and opened the bathtub door, stepping down into the tub before leaning down and closing the drain. He then looked to the wall to the knobs and turned on the hot water before quickly rushing out before his sock covered feet could get wet. Lewis watched him do all of this in silent amusement before beginning to strip, removing his clothing to reveal his boxer shorts.

Arthur removed everything as well aside from his boxers and sat on the toilet, waiting as Lewis put the soap into the water as it filled the tub. Arthur looked back down at his regular arm, noting all of the small scars now covering it from the ordeal that everyone recently went through. Arthur looked at the space where that green arm had been, and could swear he could almost see it.

Apart of me forever...He thought to himself tiredly. Maybe not in a literal sense, no. In some ways that's worse, plaguing my head with the things you did. I can see flashes of Vivi's legs being snapped...I can feel it almost too, the vibrations of breaking bones beneath layers of skin and muscle. I'd rather have it with me still, unable to take over, torturing it slowly until eventually breaking underneath the weight of my hatred for thst sick fu-

"Earth to my string bean, the water's ready." Lewis snapped his fingers in front of Arthur's face to gain his attention back. "Arthur are you okay?"

He could still hear its words ringing in his head, torturing him, eating away at his sanity and will to live. He could almost feel it's raw anger and bloodlust in his veins. He could still remember feeling that pulling sensation of his mind being dragged off into some void he'd never know when he'd escape from.

It's shadow still loomed over his head even after it's death.

"Fine." Arthur pushed himself up before removing his boxers, his mind still wandering someplace else, no longer caring about his state of undress.

"You don't seem-" Lewis tried to speak but Arthut shot him a cold warning stare. Lewis shut his lips into a tight line to prevent himself from saying anything else as they entered the bathtub

Arthur remained silent and stared down into the water, at his reflection through the suds. He could only see it present. Green eyes and a terrible smile fueled by the thoughtless intent to kill. Lewis observed Arthur's decline in mood, and shifted over to sit on the step he was, and wrapped an arm around him in comfort. Arthur silently leaned against him as a show of thanks, and together they sat in a heavily silent room, trying their best to show comfort to one another.

**********

Vivi had just gotten out of the bath herself and dressed with Shiromori's help. She was in the process of drying her hair, her face in a permanent state of stress. Her eyes kept darting down at her legs, before shooting back up to her hair as it dried out with her blow dryer making it flip around this way and that. Shiromori was standing beside her, watching as a silent observer, saying nothing, much to Vivi's liking as she didn't feel much like talking either.

It was all still so unreal.

Arthur had completely relived his horrors, and she was completely clueless to all of it until after it was dead, until after it was all over. The grief that had come back hit her so hard, and the fact the man she loved, whom she watched die, came back to life and fell for Arthur instead of her left her heartbroken and betrayed. She had woken up after a long time of mindless living, clueless, and they, in front of her, fell for one another and became closer and closer.

She even encouraged them, because she always wanted Arthur happy. She had to watch him recover and rebuild himself after his arm was removed. She had to watch him readjust to living and work himself nearly to death. She had to watch him relive the nightmare again and it was all from behind an odd curtain.

She didn't know what to make of thus situation, and she needed time to process everything by herself. She needed space from them to get her thoughts straightened out. She can see the guilt and pain in Arthur's eyes when Lewis shows affection to him in front of her. She can see his conflicted feelings, knowing she was making his life harder for him. She has only done nothing but make everyone's lives hell ever since they've been a group. Even before Lewis's death in the cave, she can now recognize why he was always depressed around her and him.

His heart had been breaking for years before being possessed.

It was all her fault.

"Uhg." Vivi groaned and set her hair dryer down before pinching her nose.

"Want some Japanese food? You have the stuff to make some dishes I enjoy eating. I don't mind cooking comfort food for everyone. The amount of depression in this household is actually beginning to suffocate me." Shiromori grunted out, her face frowning and hair shriveled a little.

"Only if you don't mind making it." Vivi smiled faintly in appreciation.

"I know how you feel, by the way, if you ever need to talk about it and cope." Shiromori spoke as she wheeled Vivi into the dining room.

"Thanks for the offer, but later." Vivi sighed heavily.

"Pushing it off only makes it worse. Trust me. And the two lovebirds are in their side of the house doing whatever. We have privacy from them, and although Mystery  can hear everything in this house he will respect your want for him to stay out of it." Shiromori explained.

Vivi was about to respond, before her words died on her tongue. Her eyes slowly widened and her face grew increasingly red, until it turned into a deep crimson.

"EVERYTHING!?" Vivi shrieked aloud.

"Uhm, duh? He's a kitsune darling, puleeeeaaaase! His sense of smell isn't the only thing that benefits him. He can hear across a house if he can hear across a distance of about a mile. I've tested it." Shieomori rolled her eyes. "You should know this, as alarmingly informed you are, a human, on the supernatural creatures of this world."

"BUT IVE NEVER STUDIED KITSUNE BEFORE! GOD HE HEARS EVERYTHING!" Vivi screamed into her scarf, face aflame.

"He's respectful about it, and keeps silent. Try not to dwell on that if you can help it." Shirmori hummed.

"I'll never have a sense of privacy again." Vivi gripped her hair tightly. "None of us gets any privacy. Which means he knows about...a-about-" Vivi stammered.

"About what?" Mori gave an amused smirk and a raised brow to Vivi.

"N-Nothing!" Vivi screeched.

"You're lucky I'm not a snoop." Shiromori rolled her eyes as she began to boil some things.

"I must purge the closet." Vivi mumbled to herself with an intense glare to the floor. "Can Lewis hear across a house?" She whimpered out.

"Not unless he possesses part of it. Which he has, soooooo" Shiromori snickered.

"Bitch how do you know!?" Vivi cried out in an embarrassed panic.

"I can sense his auras swallowed the entirety of that side of the house. Most likely he morphed the bedrooms together. Yup, that's what it feels like...both of them are in the bathroom bathing." Shiromori explained.

"How come Mystery didn't save me from thst fucking arm than!?" Vivi growled in alarm, worry flooding her.

Shiromori's body tensed before relaxing, looking over her shoulder with a grim set to her face.

"Demons...can't be detected by the likes of others. They can only be felt if they are within seeing distance. You can always feel the chill...a weird unsettling threat...a ghost of a knife or claw pressed against your neck." Shiro explained softly, rubbing her neck lightly. "I felt it when Arthur got possessed. The moment it happened I could feel it's presence become known. I could sense Arthur's as well....that kid...has a lot of trauma.

"I've never met a human as depressed and as self loathing as him. He was hoping that the experience would kill him the entire time it was happening. His mind was weak...broken...clearly having been tampered with by a demon. You can always tell when a human's been in contact with one. Most comit suicide within a year of contact. The fact he has been cursed by the same thing twice over the span of several years is concerning, I'm sure Lewis can sense his emotions. He probably feels to afraid to leave the poor thing alone."

She noticed Vivi's silence and looked over to her, only to find a look of pure guilt.

"He hold no blame towards you whatsoever. He finds ghost hunting as exciting as it is scary. He doesn't want to stop. In fact it might help him..."

"How the fuck can it help?" Vivi scoffed.

"It gives him an outlett. By helping others it erases some of the self hate and gives him a purpose. It's like a coping mechanism more than a chore. Like a very stupid hobby or habit he can't kick despite knowing it's probably unhealthy." Shiromori hummed. "You all need a break, but, I'd like to join your little gang of ghost chasers...it sounds rather humorous and enjoyable." Shiromori giggled into her hand softly as an embarrassed blush formed on her blue cheeks.

Vivi stared stupidly at her before shuddering.

Damnit you bisexual harlot! Vivi loudly hissed to herself in her head as she gently patted her face to fan away the thoughts intruding her mind.

"I-I'm not sure Lance would support it." Vivi informed her.

"Okay, but you are all adults. He can't say anything since you live on your own together. It's your lives, he doesn't get to decide what you do like you're a bunch of children." Shiromori rolled her eyes as she threw in some chicken.

"Whatcha making?" Vivi asked.

"Ramen." Shiromori hummed.

Vivi nodded and watched yet as she cooked, feeling a little bit better after talking with Shiromori. It was weird considering the first time they met, Shiromori was trying to kill her dog. Now that the green demon thing was gone it felt like everyone was on the same side instead of divided like things were previously. It made Vivi wonder how one being could cause this much damage to people.

"Are you sure that thing is gone?" Vivi asked in a weak and unsure voice.

Shiromori paused, turning to look at the blue haired female with surprise. Her face then softened and she gave a nod.

"Yes, Lewis consumed its soul. It's gone." Shiromori nodded.

"It doesn't affect Lewis at all?" Vivi asked, still not fully at ease.

"No, not at all, other than an increase in power. It's like a level up in a video game to put it in a different light." Shiromori shrugged a shoulder as she began to make home made noodles. "His anger is only a byproduct of being a poltergeist. As you know they haunt individual people after death with the sole purpose of driving them mad out of hate and vengeance for their deaths. They can often wield an elemental power, and in his case its fire. Due to the vengeful nature of his type of ghost, he carries great anger with him, and will never be fully happy, ever."

"So anytime he smiles or acts happy...it's fake?" Vivi whispered out as a pang went through her chest.

"Not entirely. He can find joy in things, and have fun and a good time. His emotions are just constantly tied in with anger. Everything he does he does with slight anger towards. His personality is still preserved and in tact, though, anything at all that upsets anyone is twenty times worse for him to feel. It takes a long time to learn restraint and he spent a chunk of his time drowning in his anger. He is a little different than most though, he can morph structures and materialize buildings...he may be something different. Or transitioning into something else. Only time will tell us, however." Shiromori answered.

"Well that's a releif." Vivi heavily signed. "So, when Arthur brought up his death it must have really hurt him."

"Yes it did. I thought he was going to kill him then. I could definitely sense his bloodlust and instant want to murder Arthur the moment the dumbass mentioned it." Shiromori nodded. "He's still pissed about it, but he's calming down."

"Yeesh..." Vivi shook her head as stress took ahold of her, making her eyes travel to her bandages.

"Yeesh indeed." The blue bonsai spirit agreed as she proceeded to continue with her cooking.

******

Several hours had passed and Lewis and Arthur had still not left the room they were both in. They had bathed and Lewis had helped Arthur with patching his wounds, which was actually a very painful process considering the skin was severely sensitive and the nerves were still intact in many places despite the burns and marred flesh.

They had talked for a bit about their agreement and settled things on a simple apology before playing some video games together to get their minds off of things. Lewis won the majority due to his competitive nature, and Arthur had let him, loving the smug look on Lewis's face each time he'd won or achieved something new.

Currently Lewis was going through their merged closet, rummaging around for old memories and items he wanted to hang up or display. Digging up old memories just for the fun of remembering things or jock his memory of fun times he's forgotten. He had already managed to find his and Arthur's graduation caps and some of their old clothing.

Arthur however, was with him keeping his eyes peeled for any of his..."other" items. Arthur was after all, an adult gay male with needs. He owned some things he kept hidden for a reason. He watched as Lewis shifted some boxes around, and his heart leapt to the ceiling when he spotted the metal box. Arthur yelped and dove, literally, over Lewis and snatched the box with his arms rolling forwards before scuttling backward with it in his grasp.

"N-Now this doesn't have anything of use inside." Arthur nervously chuckled, clutching it with an iron grip, wishing he had another arm to stop Lewis from trying to take it.

Lewis was staring at him in puzzlement and surprise before raising a brow.

"Jesus Arthur what are you hiding there? The bodies of your enemies~?" Lewis tried to joke. "If it wasn't important you wouldn't have dove over me like a swimmer to snatch it. Seriously don't do stuff like that so soon after the ordeal we experienced."

"S-Sorry!" Arthur hissed as a blush formed on his face at the very idea of Lewis discovering the contents of the box.

"What are you hiding in there anyway? I can't help the overwhelming curiosity swallowing me." Lewis growled out and floated closer, making Arthur tense and shuffle backwards until his back hit the wall. "We're both mature adult men. Is it something Lewd~?"

"N-No! Ew ehehe, g-g-gross!" Arthur stuttered out, his face turning a few shades darker.

Lewis paused before a smug smirk formed on his face. He then licked his teeth with a predatory glare in his eyes.

"It's totally lewd stuff. Come on...if I'm gonna be fucking you I wanna at least know the stuff your into Arthur Kingsman."  Lewis purred out in a husky tone as he loomed over Arthur as if he were hunting prey.

"N-N-No!" Arthut yelped and sat himself on the box with a heavy thud. "Pleeeaaase save me the embarassment Lewis!"

"Nah. Consider it payback for being a dick." Lewis chuckled before yanking the box out from underneath the orange head.

Arthur's butt hit the floor, making him 'umph' with a gasp of shock as Lewis proceeded to open the box, making Arthur cover his face in mortification. Lewis's brows slowly rose as a dark blush spread across his face, his mouth parting slightly.

Inside the decently sized box was quite the collection if items. Arthur curled up and peaked through his fingers of his hand to see Lewis's dark blushing face as he slowly set the box, still opened, down on the floor.

Within were several vibrators, a bunch of bondage rope, small to medium dildos and some lube bottles, and one whip.

Lewis shuddered violently and coughed into his hand. His eyes slowly moved over to Arthur to find him staring through his hand at him. Lewis blinked several times as he tried to get his barings. He currently was barely holding himself back from fucking Arthur into the floor.

"You are into some seriously hot shit, Artie..." Lewis breathed out in the same husky tone, his eyes swimming with lust.

"I-I-I told you n-n-not t-to open-n the box." Arthut stuttered out, his legs pulling closer to his body.

"Well, now I now you are definitely into some things I am." Lewis tilted his head before smirking. "And, I also know I'm the biggest you're ever gonna take~." Lewis moaned out before covering his mouth, his hair beginning to slowly morph into fire." When I'm was choking you up on that hospital roof, did you enjoy it? The tight hold I had on you...?" Lewis then asked.

Arthur silently gave his answer by nodding, flinching when Lewis suddenly went from where he was to right in front of him in a moment he missed. Arthur grunted in surprise when his wrist was grabbed and slammed into the wall. His face darkened even further, which didn't seem possible, as Lewis brought his face dangerously close to his own.

"Uh...Lewis?" Arthur panted out, heavily turned on, feeling Lewis's emotions flooding through him and vice versa for the taller man. "Th-That's overpowering..." Arthur whimpered out, his body feeling warmer and warmer.

"I wanna fuck you right now...but I'm afraid I'll hurt your shoulder." Lewis growled out in frustration.

"Th-The rough stuff c-can wait a week or t-two." Arthut shivered as he reached his hand down and cupped Lewis's crotch, making him shiver. "B-But there are other ways I can help out. I-I have a functioning mouth." Arthur informed instinctively licking his lips, a motion Lewis's eyes traveled to in order to watch.

Lewis grunted when Arthur raised a brave brow and began to message his goods delicately. Lewis's locket throbbed a pretty golden beat as he hummed and sat down, laying his back against the wall. Just before Arthur could attempt to remove Lewis's pants, there was a series of knocks on the door, making Arthur flinch to a hault and Lewis groan in annoyance.

"What?" Lewis called.

"Dinner is ready! Both of you come out and grab something to eat. Now. That's an order not a request." Shiromori's voice called from the hallway beyond the door.

"Uhg..." Arthur sighed and rubbed his face with his hand.

"Well, you need to be taking more pain meds soon anyways, and you can't take them on an empty stomach. Sort of convenient, but at the wrong time." Lewis pouted playfully.

"We can always continue this later." Arthur chimed before pushing himself up to his feet with a grunt of pain spiking from his shoulder.

"You okay?" Lewis asked with concern.

"Yes, it just hurts like it did last time. It takes a while for the nerves to readjust to things. The whole phantom limb thing. The nerves act like the arm is still being ripped off and it lasts for several months." Arthur rubbed the back of his neck with a stressed sigh. "It's a sensation I definitely don't miss."

"Oh...uh, I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds pretty awful." Lewis mumbled as they exited the room.

"That's because it is." Arthur gave a nod, his eyes traveling to the space where his severed arm had been reattached only to be ripped off again. "Dismemberment is probably the most painful experience a human can feel... and I've been stabbed, broke my bones by being crushed under a vehicle and blown across a room. It takes the cake." He gave an awkward chuckle.

"What!? When did you get stabbed!?" Lewis gasped.

"You missed quite a lot when you were missing." Arthur shrugged again as they entered the living room and then the dining area. "I'm the bait guy remember? Head first into danger on paranormal investigation and cleansings."

"Remind me to body guard you should we ever become dumb enough to do that shit again." Lewis groaned before sitting himself down since Shiromori was passing everything out.

Mystery hopped up onto a chair and was given a bowl of Ramen as well, humming with delight as he immediately dug into the food, drinking the broth before getting to the noodles. Vivi was at the other end of the table, picking up her chop sticks and began to eat, her eyes flicking up to the two males who joined them. She wasn't missing the fading blush on their faces, and felt awkward and oddly alone. Shiromori sat beside her and patted her shoulder however, in a display of comfort, which cheered her up a little bit.

Her eyes then moved to Arthur's, watching as he used his teeth to part the sticks Lewis offered to break for him, having been turned down. Arthur placed them flat before grabbing them up like one was supposed to before eating, albeit slowly as if he weren't hungry at all.

He probably wasn't with all the stress he's been through.

"So, how did the moving back in go for everyone?" Mystery asked with a smack of his maw.

"Good, I've gotten settled in, starting a garden in the yard when I'm able." Shiromori's smile widened a little in excitement.

"Good. I've gotten my room adjusted so I can get around better, the living room is a different situation however." Vivi's eyes traveled from Arthur to the cluttered living space.

"I'll clean i-" Arthur began, but Lewis loudly cleared his throat, making Arthur fall silent.

"I'll sort everything for you and clean. I'll dust while I'm at it since I can hover and reach high places. I'm the most capable of doing that. I'll also clean the garage enough to move the van in there." Lewis spoke with his eyes hardening when he glared at Arthur, who shrunk slightly in his chair.

"Thank you Lewis." Vivi gave a soft smile. "Are you healing up okay Mystery?"

"Yes, nearly fully healed actually." Mystery hummed in relaxation. "Thank you for asking. And you?"

"Better than when we entered the hospital." Vivi chuckled faintly before looking to Arthur, visibly annoyed at the unasked question.

"And you Artie?" Vivi asked in a smaller tone, making Arthur's eyes lift to the center of the table.

Everyone paused and looked straight to his destroyed shoulder hidden beneath a bundle of bandages. Arthur felt their eyes drilling into him and he visibly tensed.

"It's manageable." He muttered before stuffing Ramen noodles into his mouth to excuse anyone from talking to him.

Old habits really die hard for him...is this the old him or from the demon contact Mori was speaking about? I need to study him more closely. Vivi thought with determination boiling within. He's had part of one inside him for well over a year...it's concerning.

"Well, sounds like everyone's managing just fine. How about you Lewis? How does it feel to have your revenge?" Mystery asked, his eyes hardening into a serious glare.

"..." Lewis hummed and set his already empty bowl on the table. "Oddly light...but heavier at the same time is the best explanation. I've gotten it but priorities have changed within my soul...but it's nice. My powers are doubled since devouring that demon, and it's a rush." He shuddered before relaxing. "I'm doing great."

"Good. It should stay that way from here on out. Update me should you experience any weird or odd changes though. Just for safety reasons." Mystery shook his head.

"Understood." Lewis chimed before his eyes traveled to the skinny man who had stopped eating. "Not hungry?"

"Not really...no. It's good though." Arthur looked to Shiromori, who was eyeing him oddly with the same expression Vivi was wearing. "Wh-What's with that look?"

"Nothing." Mori shrugged a shoulder, before pointing her chopsticks to his bowl. "Eat."

Arthur huffed and stuffed a boiled egg into his mouth before chewing it, his eyes flicking over towards Vivi to find her eating had reduced to nibbling, her eyes flicking up to meet his stare.

Her Ramen turned into a popsicle as a result, literally freezing along with her chopsticks. She blinked down at her food in surprise before groaning.

"Ahg, damn it." Vivi griped and crushed the chopsticks into crumbled ice.

"I can thaw that for you." Lewis offered and held his hand out, flame igniting on his palm.

"No, it's ruined...Ramen isn't made to freeze. I'll go make a new bowl." She sighed and grabbed her popsicle bowl and backing up and away from the table.

"It's alright, let me-"

"I'VE GOT IT LEWIS!" Vivi snapped loudly, making everyone flinch at the sudden volume.

Lewis sunk into his seat with a frown, holding his hands up in surrender, his expression shifting into a stressed pain that Vivi noticed before sighing to herself.

"Sorry..." he spoke in a quiet voice.

"..." Vivi silently rolled out of the room, leaving everyone at the table in an awkward and tense silence.

Arthur reached and patted his arm in silent reassurance. Lewis looked down at his empty bowl, clenching his teeth together behind closed lips in leashed anger. He had completely ignored Arthur's silent comforts as he grew lost in his head. His expression was a helpless pain, and anger, and also a sadness that someone his age shouldn't have been feeling yet.

His face was one of grief and helplessness that made Arthur feel more and more horrible about causing by loving him. Mystery also shared the look of guilt.

They knew they should have told her...before...but it was too late for that, and Vivi's feelings were sacrificed as a result. She had every right to be angry with them and everyone knew. Now that they were out of the hospital it would more than likely get very heated and fast with everyone living under the same roof.

Lewis deflated then, and covered his face with his hands, shaking lightly in guilt snd anger. Lewis completely and silently became unglued as all of this weight crashed into him at once.

"I-I can't help it...i-i...im sorry..." he whispered in a choked voice, silently sobbing.