~~~~~~~~~Aiden's POV~~~~~~~~~

Around an hour or two had passed since we started.

We mostly worked on looking for the information we needed, though sometimes the conversation would derail into small talk. I did my best to let the conversation carry on, but I was so used to my quiet nature that sometimes I'd stop it with a simple answer on accident.

I hadn't realized so much time had passed until I felt my stomach growl, making my bite my lip. Her ears perked up at the sound before looking up at me. "Hungry?"

"A-a bit.."

"Maybe it's time we finish for today, then." She stood up, offering me a hand. "Would you like to stay for dinner? Mom's making lasagna."

"I-I wouldn't want to intrude.."

"I'm sure they won't mind."

I thought for a while, and soon let out a sigh as I took her hand, letting her help me up. "Well, it would be rude to decline an invitation.."

She let out a small snicker. "You don't have to talk so formal all the time, ya know."

"I-I'm sorry.."

She was about to open her mouth to speak again, only for the door to suddenly open, making me jump a little. "Hey sis, dinner's-"

The boy from last week, the one with the green eyes, now stood behind the doorway, open the door as he stared at us with a serious expression. It didn't take long for that seriousness to turn into a sharpening glare, a glare directed straight at me, forcing me to shrink a bit at the threatening gesture.

He had helped me twice before, but by how others reacted to him at school, he was definitely not a guy that I should mess with. His glare alone was quite frightening, and his words were even sharper.

"Why is there a boy here with you?"

Wait a minute...

He called her 'Sis'. Was this the twin she mentioned earlier? I had already met her brother without even realizing it, and their resemblance was noticeable.

I relaxed a little at that thought, he was just being a protective sibling. I've been in those shoes a few times with my sisters, just as Iv has been in those shoes with me as well.

Still though, I was frozen in his glare, unable to move an inch, afraid of what he might do to me. However, Sage only rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Calm down. This is Aiden, we're working on that history project I told you about?"

"Then why are you holding hands?"

I hadn't even realized that she still had a grip on my hand until Noah mentioned it, and she seemed a bit flustered when she pulled it away. I could've sworn I even saw a bit of pink on her cheeks, which made me a little nervous..

"I was helping him up, and you startled us before I could pull my hand away."

"Uh-huh."

"Anyways, he's staying for dinner, so be a good host and go back downstairs."

He shot once last glare at me before walking away, and I let out a heavy sigh. Sage rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment, her ears flattened back a little. "Sorry about him.. Ever since my last relationship, he's been really skeptical whenever I bring a boy over.."

"I-it's alright, I understand.."

She then nodded for me to follow as she left the room, and we both headed downstairs to the dining room. The table was big enough to fit up to twelve people at once, but the five family members all sat in one side of the table.

Placing the plates down was a beautiful woman who seemed to be in her late thirties, with long platinum blonde hair tied in a ponytail, light skin, and lavender eyes. She had a kind smile on her face as she prepared everything around, moving elegantly and gracefully.

Noah was already sitting at the table, and beside him was a little boy with an excited smile as he waited for his food. His hair was golden blonde, with brown roots, tanned skin, and the same green eyes as his brother, along with little freckles under his eyes. He also had two tiny bear ears on his head, which slightly twitched around at the sounds.

Not a second went by before a very, very tall man walked into the room fixing his sleeves. My eyes widened, recognizing him almost instantly.

Bill Cipher. The Bill Cipher. He was very well known in this town, known to be one of the most powerful beings in the universe, all knowing, too. The blonde half of his hair covered half of his face while the black half was tucked back, the freckles barely noticeable in his tanned skin, and his bright yellow eyes scanning around the place.

He didn't have his tux on, just a simply buttoned up yellow shirt, some black pants and black shoes, his usual cane and hat nowhere to be seen. I guess he didn't need them if he was in his home.

Walking over to the woman, he placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "Hellu, ma love." He said, purposely trying to be as cute as a young child as he gave puppy eyes.

The woman let out a giggle, placing down the last plate of food. "Hi, sweetheart."

I gripped my sleeve, trying to hide behind Sage, though that was impossible considering I was much taller than her. She gave a smile to her family, and a wave at her dad. "Hey, so late news: is it okay if my friend eats with us?"

They all looked over at me, my blood running cold as I felt all the eyes around me, but gulped down the fear. Bill's gaze soon turned into a small glare, and Noah's glare had never even left his face.

Giving into the pit of fear in my stomach, I looked at the ground as I attempted to hide my face with my bangs, my voice coming out as more of a whisper. "Y-you know what, I th-think I'll just g-go h-home..."

However, the mother softly smacked her hand against her husband's chest with a small glare, then turned to me with a small smile. "Of course he can stay, the more the merrier."

Sage then grabbed my arm and dragged me over to the table, letting me sit in the seat beside her. Unfortunately, it was also the one facing Noah, so I still had his glare on me.

Trying to calm myself down, I took a deep breath. The food did smell delicious, and I hadn't had a proper meal in a long time.

This'll be over sooner than later..

'Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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