I'm home II

The door creaked open as Felix stepped into the house. The familiar smell of home—freshly brewed coffee and the lingering scent of his mother's lavender candles—washed over him. But the comfort he expected didn't come. Instead, the air felt thick with tension.

He stood in the entryway for a moment, listening. His heart pounded in his chest. There were soft sounds from the kitchen—footsteps, the clinking of dishes—but no one had noticed his arrival yet. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves.

His mother's voice floated through the air, calm but with an edge of worry. "You think he's okay, Jim? It's been so long… I just want him home."

Felix's throat tightened. He wasn't sure how to do this. How could he explain everything that had happened? The battles, the danger, the new friends, the impossible threats they had faced. He felt older than when he'd left, as if years had passed instead of just months.

But before he could think any further, his father's deep voice cut through his thoughts. "He'll come back when he's ready. We raised him to be strong. If anyone can handle what's out there, it's our son."

Felix swallowed hard, his father's words offering a strange sense of comfort. He was ready. He had to be.

He stepped into the kitchen, his boots tapping lightly against the hardwood floor. His parents, standing at the sink, turned as one when they heard him. His mother's hands flew to her mouth, eyes wide with shock and relief.

"Felix…" she breathed, rushing toward him. Her arms wrapped around him tightly, and Felix felt the familiar warmth of his mother's embrace. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes, but he blinked them back.

"I'm home, Mom," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

His father, standing just a few feet away, gave him a nod, his stern expression softening into something that almost resembled a smile. "It's good to see you, son."

Felix pulled back from his mother, giving her a reassuring smile. "I've missed you both so much."

His mother finally let go, but not before brushing a stray tear from her cheek. "We've missed you too, Felix. We were so worried… where have you been? What's happened?"

The question hung in the air, heavy and unavoidable. Felix took a deep breath, knowing there was no easy way to explain the things they had been through. But his parents deserved the truth.

"It's a long story," Felix began, rubbing the back of his neck. "A lot has happened since we left. But we were never in danger we couldn't handle."

His father raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly couldn't you handle that left your armor looking like it went through a meat grinder?"

Felix chuckled nervously. "There were a few… battles. A lot of them, actually. But we weren't alone. I had Bella, Owen, Diego, and Lyra with me. We fought together, and we made some powerful allies." He paused, his voice softening. "I know I've changed, Dad. We all have."

His father looked him up and down, clearly assessing him. "You've grown, I can see that. You're stronger. But strength comes from more than just fighting." His father's tone was calm, but there was a deeper meaning in his words. "So, what's next? You didn't just come back for a visit, did you?"

Felix shook his head. "No, we didn't. We've still got a job to do. But we couldn't keep you in the dark any longer. You needed to know that we're safe."

His mother, who had been listening quietly, spoke up, her voice trembling with concern. "And what is this job? Is it dangerous?"

Felix nodded slowly. "It is. But we've come too far to turn back now. The people we've met—they're counting on us to help stop a greater threat. We couldn't just abandon them."

There was a long pause as his parents exchanged glances. His mother looked as if she wanted to protest, but his father was the first to speak.

"You've always been headstrong, Felix. I knew from the moment you left that you wouldn't come back until you'd finished what you set out to do." He sighed, placing a hand on Felix's shoulder. "Just promise us that you'll come back when it's over. And don't make us wait too long this time."

Felix smiled, grateful for his father's understanding. "I promise, Dad."

His mother wrapped him in another tight embrace, her words muffled against his chest. "I just want you to be safe."

"I will be, Mom. I've got good people by my side."

After a few moments of quiet, his father cleared his throat. "Alright, enough of the heavy stuff. Let's get you cleaned up. I think your mom made your favorite breakfast."

Felix chuckled, the tension in his chest easing. For a brief moment, things felt normal again.

---

Meanwhile, across town, Bella stood outside her family's house, her heart hammering in her chest. She hadn't been sure what to expect when she returned, but seeing the familiar front door felt overwhelming. It had been so long since she had felt like she truly belonged anywhere.

She took a deep breath, steeling herself, and stepped onto the porch. The door opened before she could knock.

"Bella?"

Her mother stood there, eyes wide, her face a mixture of shock, joy, and disbelief. Bella felt her own eyes sting with unshed tears.

"Mom," she said softly.

Her mother rushed forward, pulling her into a fierce embrace, the scent of home filling Bella's senses. Her father appeared behind her, his expression mirroring her mother's.

"Bella… you're back," her father said, his voice heavy with emotion. "Where have you been?"

Bella pulled back slightly, looking at both of them with a shaky smile. "It's a long story."

Her mother shook her head, still holding onto her. "You're here, that's all that matters. You're safe."

Bella closed her eyes, letting the warmth of their embrace calm the whirlwind inside her. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt safe. Truly safe.

---

As the guardians reunited with their families, the weight of their journey slowly began to lift. But in the back of their minds, they knew their return home was only temporary. There was still much to be done, and their duty awaited them beyond the portal.

For now, though, they would cherish the moments of peace, the warmth of their families, and the quiet before the storm that still loomed on the horizon.