my cheeks as I pulled them into a tight hug. This was something I never would have imagined was possible, and yet it made so much sense.
How amazing destiny was in all of this. We'd lost our opportunity at life after being abused by lovers who only wanted us for their personal agendas. Through the pain we'd endured walking two different paths, we'd somehow found one another and created a sense of loving comfort worthy enough for commitment.
All of that was ripped from us with death and destruction, and yet, our child was willing to wait centuries for the slight chance we'd be reborn again and summon her.
"MewMewMew," Elsa happily declared and purred in our embrace, which Fuwa quickly translated as, "Don't cry about the past. She's happy to be here to help Mom and Dad when they need her the most. Let's have fun in the present."
I pulled back as Brianne slowly nodded and tried to calm her uncontrollable sobs.
"I'm glad you know the truth, but for now, that's as much as I can say. There'll come a time when we can reveal all and more, but that's not today. I'd like to save some energy for Professor Phoenix," Fuwa acknowledged.
"Hmph. Still remember me," Professor Phoenix commented and we looked to see her eyes were closed in concentration but her lips were curled up in a tiny smirk.
"Sorry, Professor Phoenix," I apologized for holding her up for so long. I could see the slight beads of sweat on her forehead, which made me wonder how much energy she was draining as she used such a heightened level of magic.
"It's fine," she answered and opened her eyes. They were a mesmerizing silver with pink magic circles spinning rapidly. "Remember to keep this on the down-low. I'm going to reverse time just slightly to right before things were revealed, but neither of you will be affected. Simply go with the flow. Fuwa will change the subject and hopefully not slip up." The last part had a little warning in it that made Fuwa shiver before he poofed back into his little form.
"Wah. Don't blame me! I'm innocent. Innocent!"
"MewMew!" Elsa beamed.
"See! Elsa agrees with me!"
Professor Phoenix rolled her eyes. "Of course she agrees with you. You're like her uncle," she acknowledged.
"Ewww. That makes me sound old," Fuwa whined. "Refer to me as her uncle in my older form. I'm her familiar friend in this form!"
"Does your mind go back and forth from kid to adult when you switch like that?" I asked.
"Sort of." Fuwa put his hands on his hips as he floated in the sky. "It's complicated, but I'm more childish in this form, and I like fluffy, glowy stuff."
"And candy," Professor Phoenix randomly noted.
"Don't tell them that!" Fuwa whined.
"Why do I feel as though she bribes you with candy?" I muttered while glancing at Brianne to make sure she was okay. She was wiping her face and taking a few deep breaths to ensure she didn't look like a sobbing mess.
"N-N-NO!" He pointed right at me. "You’re lucky my sister likes you and all. Otherwise I'd zap you!"
"What are you, a Pikachu?"
"No! Though I like playing that classic game when I'm bored."
"Gods can play videogames?"
"We can do whatever we-"
"Do you two want to have this conversation at another time?" Brianne kindly offered. "I don't think Professor Phoenix can hold onto time much longer."
"Oh shit, sorry," I apologized and Fuwa flinched and looked at Professor Phoenix to give her a bow. "Sorry, Aurora," he genuinely apologized.
"At least you're actually sorry," she teased. "You never use my first name unless you actually mean it."
"That's not true," he whined.
"Sure, sure," she brushed it off and looked at Bri and me. "I promise upon graduation we'll have a lot more wiggle room in terms of what we can discuss. If you have further questions, we can talk about it privately once I've rejuvenated some of my energy, though I'm going to suggest you all enjoy the summer break instead of worrying too much. You'll discover more of who you are all meant to be soon enough," she reassured us.
"We understand," Brianne answered for us before she looked my way. "I'm just happy we found one another again."
"Me too," I whispered back and leaned in to press my lips onto her forehead. I moved back to my previous spot, and we took a few deeper inhales before preparing ourselves for time to go back to the present.