Chapter 10 - Beanbags & Bombshells  

The room flooded with light, revealing two unexpected visitors standing awkwardly in the middle of Billy's bedroom.

"Ana?" Seraphina's voice held a mix of surprise and amusement.

"Bastian?" Raphael squinted, as if confirming what his eyes were seeing.

Then, as if someone flipped a switch, their expressions morphed from stern to downright ecstatic. In an instant, Seraphina flung her arms around Anastasia while Raphael all but tackled Bastian into a bear hug. Bastian stood stiff as a board, arms hovering mid-air, blinking rapidly in shock. Raphael, oblivious to his hesitation, squeezed tighter before pulling away—only for the two of them to suddenly swap. Now Raphael had Anastasia in his grip while Seraphina latched onto Bastian, who let out a startled chuckle at the unexpected enthusiasm.

"It's so good to see you both," Seraphina gushed, then leaned back, cocking her head at Bastian. "Although, you're supposed to be dead."

Bastian blinked. "Oh."

"Oh?" Seraphina echoed, smirking. "That's all you have to say?"

Raphael let out a deep laugh, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I'd say he's causing quite the ruckus up there, Seraphina."

Anastasia's brows knitted together. "Wait—you know what's been happening?"

Raphael scoffed. "Oh, you mean sneaking into the Celestial City? Defying the Council? Leading a rogue rescue mission in the Ethereal Battlefield?" He ticked each event off on his fingers. "Yes, dear. The entire Archangel Order is quite entertained by your reckless antics."

Bastian stiffened. "Archangels?" Then, without hesitation, he bowed so abruptly it was almost comical.

"Oh, get up, boy." Raphael waved dismissively. "You may have lost your memories, but you've known us since you were barely out of diapers."

Bastian straightened awkwardly, clearing his throat, while Anastasia stifled a giggle behind her hand.

Just then, a thud at the window made them all whip around.

Billy. Climbing through. Looking winded and absolutely unamused.

"Mom? Dad? What's the emergency?" His eyes landed on Bastian and Anastasia. A beat of silence. Then his gaze flicked around the room. "And why, exactly, are you two in my bedroom?"

Bastian blinked. "Wait. This is your room?"

Billy's eyes narrowed, slowly pointing between the two of them, his finger switching like he couldn't decide who to accuse first. "Hold on—what were you doing in here?"

Anastasia, trying very hard not to laugh, cleared her throat. "We were flying past, and then Bastian suddenly—uh—landed. Right into your room. Like he's done it a thousand times before."

Billy arched a brow, turning to Bastian. "Did you now?" A slow smirk crept onto his face.

Bastian, looking utterly mortified, scratched the back of his head. "I—well—I don't know. It just felt… familiar."

"Oh, this is too good." Billy folded his arms, clearly enjoying this a little too much. "So you storm into my house, break into my bedroom, and immediately claim my beanbag like some long-lost king returning to his throne?"

Bastian opened his mouth, then shut it. Opened it again. "...Maybe?"

Anastasia, barely containing her laughter, shrugged. "I wanted to see how long it would take him to figure it out." She then turned back to Billy, blinking innocently. "Wait. You still stay here?"

Billy huffed. "Only on occasion. Quality time with the folks. They refused to change my teenage room, and honestly, who am I to stop them?" Then his face lit up like he'd just discovered gold. He turned to Bastian. "Wait—dude. Why don't you stay the night?"

Bastian took a cautious step back. "Oh, I don't kn—"

"Great idea!" Anastasia cut in enthusiastically.

Bastian shot her a betrayed look. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, come on." Billy was practically bouncing. "We can dust off my old game station. Just like old times."

"I don't even know how to play," Bastian pointed out, but his protest was weak.

Billy waved him off. "You'll figure it out. Muscle memory, my guy."

Anastasia turned to Billy's parents. "Is that okay with you?"

Seraphina beamed. "Of course, dear! Why don't you help me make some tea and coffee while they set up?"

"Ooooh, coffee!" Billy clapped his hands like a child. "And one for Bastian! He used to love the stuff."

Bastian shot him a confused look, and Billy just grinned wider.

As Anastasia and Seraphina disappeared into the kitchen, Bastian found himself dragged—quite literally—onto the bean bag in front of the TV. Billy thrust a controller into his hands. "Alright, let's see if your instincts kick in."

Minutes later, Anastasia returned, three mugs balanced in her hands, only to find the two completely absorbed in the game. Bastian, against all odds, was absolutely demolishing Billy.

"I see you remembered well, Bass," she teased, settling onto Billy's bed like she had a hundred times before.

Bastian, eyes glued to the screen, smirked. "Didn't even take two seconds."

Billy groaned. "Unfair advantage. Angel instincts should be banned."

Anastasia giggled, sinking further into the mattress. The familiar scene—the banter, the ridiculousness of it all—made her chest ache with nostalgia. For the first time in a long time, things felt… normal.

Slowly, sleep tugged at her, and she curled into the blankets. The rhythmic clicking of game controllers and the occasional grumbled curse from Billy became a comforting lullaby.

And just as she was drifting off, she caught the tail end of a conversation between the two boys.

Billy's voice, soft and sincere. "I'm really glad she found you, buddy."

A pause. Then Bastian's voice, quieter, but filled with something deep and unshakable.

"Me too. She's an amazing woman. Her finding me… was probably the best thing that ever happened to me."

Anastasia smiled into the pillow.

Sleep claimed her, but her heart was wide awake.