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Devin gently placed Revin on the red, fluffy bed on the second floor. The bed was large, adorned with oversized pillows, making it look like a soft cloud.

“Mom, tell me a story!” Revin beamed, her excitement making Devin chuckle softly.

“Alright, alright,” Devin said with a small smile, conjuring a book from his imagination magic. It was a simple children's book titled "How to Find Treasure by Going Exploring." He blinked, unimpressed with the title.

“I really need to work on these titles,” Devin muttered before opening the book.

Before he could begin reading, footsteps creaked up the stairs. Devin glanced over to see Brandon climbing up to the second floor.

“Devin,” Brandon greeted.

Both Devin and Revin turned toward him. Devin looked mildly annoyed, but Revin’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Uncle! Uncle! Uncle! I finally met Uncle Micheal today!” Revin exclaimed, jumping up and down around Brandon in delight.

Brandon smiled as he crouched to lift her up by her hands. “Oh? You met Micheal?”

Devin crossed his arms. “Brandon, why are you here?”

“I need to talk to you,” Brandon replied, setting Revin down.

Devin sighed and stood. “Talk about what?”

Brandon hesitated for a moment before sighing. “Micheal and Lucas… they’re trying to bring Ritchie back to life.”

Devin froze. His thoughts spiraled as he tried to process what he’d just heard. Slowly, his hands went to his mouth, and his breathing quickened.

Brandon took a step forward. “Devin, calm down.”

“No, no, I’m fine. I’m fine,” Devin reassured, lowering his hands and steadying his breath.

“Ritchie’s soul is already in this realm. They’re just figuring out how to bring back his body,” Brandon explained softly.

Devin sat down heavily on the bed, letting out a long sigh. “Does Flurry know about this?”

Brandon shook his head. “Not yet.”

“This… this is a lot to take in,” Devin murmured, rubbing his temples.

Revin climbed back onto the bed with Brandon’s help. She crawled over to Devin and wrapped her arms around him in a comforting hug.

Brandon placed a hand on Devin’s shoulder. “I don’t know how or when, but Ritchie is coming back.”

Devin hugged himself, shaking his head. “I… I can’t see him until he’s fully back in his own body.”

Brandon nodded in understanding. “Fair enough. Also, Oakley is coming over for a playdate with Revin.”

Devin quietly nodded as Brandon stood up. “I’ll leave you to it,” Brandon said, waving goodbye before leaving the house.

Devin exhaled deeply, covering his face with his hands.

“Mom, I don’t need a story,” Revin said softly.

Devin looked down at her and smiled weakly. “No, that’s not how this works. Let’s finish the book, alright?”

Revin nodded, and Devin picked up the book to read. Before long, Revin’s eyes fluttered shut, and she fell asleep beside him.

---

The next morning, Revin woke up and eagerly jumped off the bed. She padded downstairs to find Devin asleep on the couch in the living room.

“Mom,” she called softly, grabbing Devin’s arm and gently shaking him.

Devin groaned, turning to face the back of the couch, still half-asleep.

Revin sighed and ran to the front door, jumping to try to reach the knob. She couldn’t quite get it, but before she could try again, the knob turned on its own.

The door swung open, revealing a pale woman with fluffy, light green hair, pink eyes, and clown makeup. She wore a colorful clown costume.

“HEY, DEVIN! IT’S TIME!” the woman shouted cheerfully.

Devin jolted awake. “Huh? What? Oh… Flurry, you’re early.”

Flurry grinned, stepping inside with an eleven-year-old boy trailing behind her. The boy had blue hair and pink eyes, wearing a blue and green clown outfit.

“Mom! Oakley’s here!” Revin squealed excitedly, running toward him.

Devin stood and stretched. “Yeah, yeah. Good morning, Oakley.”

Flurry spun dramatically. “La Carnival has a show early today, and I have a date tonight.”

Devin raised a brow. “You know, I could set you up with someone—”

“Don’t even finish that sentence,” Devin interrupted, scowling.

Flurry giggled. “Fine, fine. I’m off. Oakley, be good, okay? I’ll be back at midnight.” She gave Oakley a big hug before waving goodbye and leaving.

Revin turned to Oakley with a wide grin. “What do you want to play?”

Oakley shrugged. “How about ‘Hit the Target?’”

Devin shot him a warning glare. “Absolutely not. Last time, you used a dagger and almost hit Revin.”

Oakley rolled his eyes. “It missed her by a few inches.”

“A few inches is still too close,” Devin retorted with a stern look.

Revin pouted. “I want to play something fun!”

Devin sighed, then snapped his fingers. “I know. How about designing your own clothes?”

Oakley raised a brow, intrigued. “Clothes?”

“Yes. I wasn’t sure what to get you both for your birthdays, so here’s the deal—you design your outfits, and I’ll make them real. Your Uncle Brandon actually gave me the idea,” Devin explained sheepishly.

Revin clapped her hands in excitement. “Yes, yes!”

Oakley shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Alright.”

Devin grabbed some paper, markers, and pens, spreading them out on the table. The two kids eagerly got to work, sketching out their designs while Devin watched them with a fond smile.

For a moment, everything felt peaceful.

(This took 887 words)