"Ahhhhh, no...." Ryker muttered.

"No. No I don't." he said.

"My days off are a little wonky because of a scheduling nightmare, but I have tomorrow off this week." he confirmed.

It was at that point, Aly returned with the popcorn, some butter, and some spices, as well as a few smaller bowls.

"So we can all have popcorn the way we want." she reasoned with a smile.

Aly paused for a moment and thought about it.

"A few little pats of it should be fine." she said.

"You've been healthy about your diet." she went on. "So a little indulgence is all right." she smiled.

"Besides, butter is all right, for the most part." she added.

"Just don't soak your food in it." she chuckled.

Ryker just nodded.

"You got it." he said.

"One high fantasy binge, comin' up." he said further with a small laugh, before getting the TV onto the proper channel and starting the first movie.

"It's only 3 movies, but they're pretty long."

Aly and Ryker looked at Eke as he slept, and smiled at each other.

"He's so adorable when he sleeps." Aly commented.

"Heh. Yeah." Ryker replied.

"...Ryker...? Are you really prepared to protect Eke at all costs?" Aly then asked him, seemingly out of nowhere.

"I will willingly give my body, mind, and soul to the darkness, if it means Eke lives that little bit longer." Ryker responded with absolute resolution in his tone.

"...he's lucky to have a brother like you." Aly said with another smile, before she leaned in and gave Eke a soft kiss on his cheek.

When he woke up, Aly was sleeping, and laying on him.

Ryker, however, was still awake.

"Yo." he said when he saw Eke stir.

"Sleep well?" he asked.

"You looked like you were really out of it." he commented further.

"Yeah, jeans are uncomfortable to sleep in." Ryker agreed.

He was then silent, and smirked.

"Heh." he chuckled.

"I'm sure Aly would like to bed down somewhere comfortable as well." he said.

"Care for a female companion in bed?" he asked Eke.

Ryker just chortled to himself, and stifled a laugh.

"Heh." he then chuckled.

"All right then." he said.

He then got up and gently lifted Aly in his arms, making sure he didn't wake her up.

"Let's go." he told Eke.

"You both need some sleep."

When he stopped, the storm outside continued to rage.

And it seemed to show no signs of stopping.

There was a crash of thunder, a flash of lightning, and it seemed to cause the power in the house to flicker, which meant that there was a chance that the power would go completely.

But Aly continued to sleep soundly.

Ryker, on the other hand, was outside in the pouring rain. He was standing in the backyard, seemingly staring at the sky as the heavy rain soaked him through his clothes.

"......" Ryker was silent as Eke asked his question.

"Nothing." he replied.

"Watching the sky." he said.

"Why are YOU out here?" he asked.

"It's not good for you to be out here in the rain without an umbrella."

"........" Ryker was silent, and just sighed heavily as he grabbed Eke's hand in response.

"I'm just contemplating things." he said.

"The dragon you mentioned earlier. I'm wondering about it." he told him.

"I'm wondering about the depths of the power that sleeps within me." he continued.

"I guess... I'm wondering what the future holds for all of us..."