~September 20, 2024~

Darien sighed as he returned to bed. He was not looking forward to the morning.

"'Night." He whispered.

"Night," Diana whispered back.

Darien closed his eyes...

And had just enough time to realise how amazing it was that he was able to go to sleep easily, before his mind sped away into the comforting darkness of sleep.

Diana cuddled up to Darien before she too drifted of to sleep...

((About ...3hours later?))

Darien forced his eyes to open, and blinked at the light seeping in through the windowpane.

I don't like MORNINGS!

Sighing, he remained where he was, suddenly remembering he had to go tell Ana today...

Fun.

He glanced across at Diana, and smiled.

Diana moved slightly closer to Darien, still fast asleep.

Darien wrapped his arm protectively around Diana, keeping her close.

He listened carefully for any sound, but hearing none, relaxed.

Maybe Nick had managed to get some sleep too...He sighed again.

Bloody Purgers.

Good thing Ana liked to sleep in; He wouldn't have to get to Vaight Manor too early...

Diana started to come into consciousness and hugged Darien. "G'morning..." she said sleepy.

"Good morning."

Darien kissed Diana on the forehead.

"The dreaded morning has arrived. I shall be forced to relinquish you to your cousin for a few days." He pouted.

She snuggled him. "Why don't you come with me?"

Darien sighed.

"I have to go tell Ana. Plus, comforting is not what I do best."

"But you comfort me..." Diana supplied.

"Because I love you." Darien hugged Diana closer. "And I'm sorry but I don't love Nick." He grinned.

That made Diana laugh. "I'd be really worried if you did, Darien."

"So would I." Darien pulled a face.

"Then I wouldn't have my darling Diana." He smiled...and kissed her.

Diana returned the kiss, and was enjoying it fully before...

The door opened to reveal Nicolas in the doorway, fully dressed.

Diana pulled away from Darien. "Nick?"

He didn't seem to be at all as affected as he'd once was. He merely looked at them emotionlessly and said, "I was going to knock but the cat..."

As if on cue, Cassie jumped on the bed with Darien and Diana.

"I'm going to go now..." Nick said quietly, "Just thought I'd say good bye." He turned to leave.

Diana looked at Darien before saying, "Nick wait!"

She pulled the covers and jumped out of bed.

Nicolas stopped.

"I'm coming with you." Diana said.

Nicolas looked like he was about to protest but Diana went inside the bathroom and closed the door before he could.

Darien tried to smile. "Yeah, I don't think you have a say in the matter."

He pushed himself out of bed, and wandered over to his wardrobe, pulling on a shirt. ((He was not wearing one before this. lol))

((lol. For some reason, I didn't think he was either.))

Nicolas was silent. Then he said, "I'll be downstairs."

"Alright." Darien nodded. "Will you two want any breakfast before you go?"

He directed the question partly at Nick and partly at the bathroom door.

"No, it's okay Darien." Came a muffled reply from the door.

Nicolas shook his head and made his way downstairs.

Moments later, Diana came out of the bathroom and went straight for her wardrobe. "Where's Nick?"

"He's downstairs." Darien replied, speedily changing into jeans.

He then grabbed his favourite brown jacket off the back of a chair and shrugged it on.

"I'll miss you." Darien sniffed overly dramatically and held out his arms for a hug.

Diana put on a pair of brown pastel pants, a long-sleeved striped shirt and a purple jumper before hugging Darien.

"I'll miss you too." Diana said.

Darien smiled. "I love you." And he kissed her.

Diana wrapped her arms around Darien before pulling away. "I have to pack a few things."

With a flick of her wand, her bag appeared and with another flick, a few articles of clothing went inside.

Darien laughed. "Magic saves so much time."

He darted past and picked up the bag, grinning.

He smiled. "Have fun...I'll see you when you get back."