Nyxian had a plan.
Technically several plans.
Most involved:
flirting aggressively
confusing Jax emotionally
looking incredibly attractive
and somehow avoiding admitting how much she actually liked him
Unfortunately—
the moment she saw him waiting outside the inn, most of those plans immediately became useless.
Jax leaned casually against the railing near the street wearing the black coat Bunny had picked for him earlier.
Relaxed.
Confident.
Annoyingly handsome.
And smiling the second he saw her.
"There you are."
Nyxian folded her arms carefully.
"You sound relieved."
"I am."
That answer hit harder than expected.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Nyxian recovered quickly.
"Well obviously," she said smoothly. "You'd be devastated missing out on all THIS."
She gestured dramatically toward herself.
And honestly?
The gesture was fair.
Her outfit was devastating.
Black dress.
Sharp cuts.
Dangerously low neckline.
Elegant enough to be respectable.
Indecent enough to start fights.
Jax looked her over once.
Then smiled.
"You look incredible."
Nyxian blinked.
"…That's it?"
"What were you expecting?"
"At least minor panic."
"Oh there's panic."
He pointed toward himself calmly.
"I'm just hiding it professionally."
Nyxian burst out laughing immediately.
Much better.
"That," she decided, "was a good answer."
Together they started walking through Solmere's crowded festival streets.
Music drifted through the air from performers while colorful lanterns hung between buildings overhead. Vendors shouted over one another while children darted through crowds carrying sweets and glowing charms.
The town felt transformed.
Alive.
And everywhere Nyxian looked—
people were smiling more.
Interesting what hope could do.
Interesting what Jax was already doing.
"So," Jax asked casually, "what's today's plan?"
Nyxian smirked immediately.
"Oh no."
"What?"
"You gave ME control of the itinerary."
"That sounds threatening when you say it out loud."
"It should."
She immediately grabbed his sleeve and dragged him toward the festival square.
For the next several hours—
chaos happened.
Nyxian made him:
throw knives at targets
gamble at rigged festival games
try spicy demon food that nearly killed him
dance once against his will
and participate in a magical trivia contest they absolutely cheated in
At one point Jax accidentally won her an enormous stuffed wyvern from one of the strength games.
Nyxian stared at the oversized plush creature.
Then at him.
"…I hate how attractive competence is."
"You're carrying it."
"No."
"You demanded it."
"It's yours emotionally."
Bunny would absolutely steal this thing later, Jax realized.
Eventually they escaped the crowds briefly and wandered toward the quieter southern streets of Solmere.
Nyxian walked slightly closer beside him now.
Comfortable.
Relaxed.
The playful energy softened naturally the farther they got from the festival noise.
Jax glanced toward her.
"You seem happier today."
Nyxian smiled faintly.
"…I am."
No teasing.
No performance.
Just honesty.
Interesting.
They eventually settled at a small outdoor restaurant overlooking the lower canals of Solmere.
Warm lanterns reflected across the water while distant festival music drifted through the evening air.
Nyxian stretched comfortably across the booth beside him instead of taking the seat across the table.
Naturally.
Jax looked down at her.
"You really don't believe in personal space."
"I believe in selective personal space."
The waitress arrived.
Nyxian immediately ordered the strongest mead available.
Then paused thoughtfully.
"And whatever dish Jax hasn't secretly improved yet."
The waitress laughed.
"That narrows it down surprisingly little."
Jax sighed.
"I've become a problem."
"Yes," Nyxian agreed instantly.
The food arrived quickly afterward.
Rich broth.
Fresh noodles.
Spiced grilled meat.
Actual seasoning.
Nyxian took one bite—
then narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"You touched this kitchen too."
Jax looked innocent.
"…Maybe a little."
"You're infecting the town with flavor."
"I regret nothing."
Nyxian laughed softly into her drink.
Then after a few quieter moments—
Jax gently shifted the conversation.
"So tell me something real."
Nyxian looked toward him carefully.
"That sounds dangerous."
"It probably is."
She studied him another second.
Then sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
Her fingers traced lightly around the rim of her glass.
"My family comes from the southern demon enclaves."
Jax listened quietly.
"My mother's important there. Powerful. Respected."
Nyxian smiled faintly.
"My sisters married wealthy men."
"That sounds normal."
"Oh it is."
Then her smile sharpened slightly.
"They also cheat on them constantly."
Jax blinked.
"…Less normal."
"For succubi? Very normal."
The teasing slowly faded from her voice after that.
"In my homeland, relationships are transactional."
She stared out toward the water quietly.
"Power. Status. Influence."
Her expression softened slightly.
"I never wanted that."
Jax remained silent.
Just listening.
And somehow—
that made it easier to continue.
"I always hated how everyone treated affection like currency."
Nyxian laughed quietly to herself.
"Honestly? Most succubi think I'm defective."
Jax frowned slightly.
"Why?"
Nyxian hesitated.
Then answered honestly.
"…Because I never liked men."
The words settled quietly between them.
No tension.
No judgment.
Just truth.
Nyxian watched his face carefully afterward.
Waiting.
Bracing.
But Jax simply nodded slowly.
"…Okay."
She blinked.
"That's your response?"
"Should it be different?"
Nyxian stared at him.
"…No."
That somehow felt worse.
Not because it hurt.
Because it didn't.
Jax rested his arm casually along the back of the booth behind her.
"You don't seem defective to me."
Nyxian looked away immediately.
Dangerous.
Way too dangerous.
So naturally—
she pivoted directly into chaos.
"I CAN sense dirty thoughts though."
Jax blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
"Not minds," Nyxian clarified smugly. "Just intent."
Jax immediately narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"You're lying."
"Oh?"
She leaned closer.
"You just tested it."
"…Anyone would."
Nyxian's grin widened.
"I'm also not entirely sure what a 'motorboat' is."
Jax nearly inhaled his drink.
Nyxian straightened her dress slightly with devastating precision.
"But judging by the mental imagery…"
She smirked wickedly.
"…you seemed enthusiastic."
Jax covered his face instantly.
"This world is unfair."
Nyxian laughed so hard she nearly spilled her mead.
For the next two hours they simply talked.
Not flirting constantly.
Not seduction.
Just…
conversation.
Jax told her about his homeland.
Machines.
Vehicles.
Cities without magic.
Instant communication.
Movies.
Music.
The internet.
Nyxian listened to every word like she was hearing stories from another universe.
Which technically—
she was.
"And people just carried tiny magical communication boxes everywhere?"
"Basically."
"That sounds horrifying."
"It absolutely was."
She believed him completely.
That surprised him slightly.
Most people probably wouldn't have.
By the time they finally stood to leave, the festival lights had fully illuminated Solmere.
The city glowed beneath hanging lanterns and magical lights drifting through the sky like floating stars.
Nyxian walked quietly beside him now.
Closer than before.
Eventually they reached the inn.
The moment they stopped near the entrance, Nyxian turned toward him slowly.
No teasing this time.
No games.
Just honesty.
"You know," she admitted softly, "this was the first real date I've ever had."
Jax blinked.
"…Seriously?"
"I told you. Succubi don't really do 'real.'"
Then after a small pause:
"…But I liked this."
Jax smiled warmly.
"So did I."
Nyxian stepped closer slowly.
Close enough to feel his warmth.
Close enough to hear his breathing.
"You're dangerous, Jax Darquebane."
"I'm starting to hear that a lot."
"No."
Her voice softened.
"I mean emotionally."
That hit harder than expected.
Nyxian gently took hold of his collar.
Then kissed him.
Not aggressively.
Not playfully.
Not seductively.
Just real.
Warm.
Soft.
Terrifyingly sincere.
When she finally pulled away, her usual confidence looked slightly shaken for the first time all day.
"…Well," she muttered weakly.
"That's probably going to become a problem."
Jax smiled slightly.
"Maybe."
Nyxian stared at him another second.
Then pointed a finger directly at his chest.
"For the record, if you break my heart…"
Jax raised an eyebrow.
"…Yes?"
"I'll absolutely become a supervillain."
Jax laughed immediately.
Nyxian smiled too.
Then together they stepped back into the lantern-lit warmth of the inn—
both pretending their hearts weren't beating much faster than before.