In the meantime, Charlie and the twins had also left the apartment. They were eager to start looking for a suitable location for the studio. The three were so excited they didn't want to wait until morning when it was light again.

So it was just Taylor and Colby left. The Ghost Boy had snuggled up to his girl, and they were enjoying their time together.

"Our nest is finally empty again after a long time," he grinned and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

Taylor smiled softly and snuggled closer to Colby's chest. "It's like we suddenly became parents to four kids, all at once."

Colby chuckled quietly, but his thoughts seemed to drift. Taylor noticed immediately and looked at him with concern.

"Is it about the FBI?" she asked softly, her eyes searching his.

He hesitated for a moment before sighing. "What did they want from me? Sure, now I might understand, but what did they want before I disappeared? And the FBI isn't just some small agency, this has to mean something."

Taylor gently stroked Colby's arm as she watched his pensive expression. She knew he was deeply troubled by the FBI. Colby wasn't the type to be easily intimidated, but this seemed to really bother him.

"You are powerful, Colby," she said firmly. "You have abilities that many can't even imagine. If anyone can find out what the FBI wanted, it's you."

Colby looked up and met Taylor's eyes. "You think I should really look into it?"

"Absolutely," she nodded decisively. "We need to find out what the FBI wanted from you. If it's something dangerous or if they have any information about you that we don't know, we need to find out. Besides, the FBI might be a big problem for normal people, but for you? It's a piece of cake."

Colby smirked at her last sentence, but he knew she was right. "A piece of cake, huh?" He leaned back and crossed his arms behind his head as if contemplating his own greatness. "You're right, for someone like me, the FBI is no match. I mean, they might have their high-tech gadgets and secret agents and all that crap, but against my abilities? Pfft, they don't stand a chance." He looked at his girl with a mischievous grin. "You know, it's not easy being as powerful as I am. People just can't understand what it's like to always be in the spotlight, so irresistible and..." he paused dramatically, "so incredibly talented."

Taylor couldn't help but giggle and roll her eyes. "Oh really? Tell me more, Mr. Incredible." She should show him that movie next.

"Well, it all started when I was born," he joked. "Even then, people knew something big was happening. The doctors, the nurses, everyone was fascinated. Even the doctor said, 'This baby is amazing.'"

Taylor couldn't help but laugh. "Oh really? And what did your mother say?" Colby's grin immediately faded, and Taylor realized she had stepped into a sensitive area. "Sorry."

"It's okay." He gently stroked her cheek. "How would you know, we've never talked about our families."

"I won't ask if you don't want to talk about it. But maybe it helps if I tell you my relationship with my family isn't great either."

Colby looked at her surprised. "Really? I thought you got this apartment from your uncle?"

"Yeah, but he's the only one who still talks to me. And he's traveling around the world and hardly ever gets in touch. Okay, there's my little sister, but my dad forbids her from calling me, it's not her fault."

"You have a sister? I had a little brother... had? Have? I don't know. Honestly, I've never thought about checking up on them."

Taylor held up her phone. "We could check right now if you want."

Colby thought for a moment but then shook his head. "Nah, it's okay."

"We could just keep ignoring our families if you want." Taylor smiled gently. "It's worked well so far. They didn't even contact me when I almost died."

Colby nodded. "I can live with that."

"From now on, we're just our own family."

The frat boy smiled and pulled Taylor closer. He gently stroked her hand and said softly, "You know, I probably won't change, right? That I'll always be this fuckboy. Sure, I'm loyal as fuck to you, and please personally cut my dick off if it ever gets hard for another woman, but..."

Taylor looked at him seriously but with a loving gaze. "Colby, I know who you are. Of course I do. And yes, you have your ways, but that also makes you the man I love. You're funny, charming, and always there when it matters. You may not be perfect, but who is? I know how you tick. For all I care, make your dirty jokes about other women, whistle at them, brag about your past sex life, drink, snort or smoke with Charlie, or piss off the Great Wall of China a second time. Because that's who you are. And I know you would never cheat on me, so I trust you. So don't change. If I wanted a boring boyfriend, I would have picked Alan."

"Alan?" Colby laughed mockingly. "The guy from the reception at Kai Lani? Alan, with the stick up his ass? That would have been your second choice?"

"No second choice." Taylor kissed her Ghost Boy on the mouth. "Only you."

"I love how you always stand by me, even when I'm sometimes an idiot," he murmured, resting his forehead gently against hers. "And you're right. I'll always be me, with all my quirks and my ways. But you're the only one who accepts me as I am."

Taylor smiled and gently stroked his cheek. "Damn right. And yes, I'll keep my promise," she grinned. "If you sleep with someone else, it's coming off." She grabbed him between the legs. "I promise you that. And Charlie, Sage, Vic, and Harper would all help me."

Colby grinned back. "Living Girl, don't you think at least Charlie would be on my side?"

Taylor sat up, leaned over her boyfriend, and started kissing him passionately. "Whatever, Ghost Boy."

Almost a whole year later, the atmosphere in Taylor's apartment was truly electric, as anticipation filled the air. The friends had gathered to celebrate together on the eve of the big day.

The opening of Doro Apex Gym, named after Sage and Vic's old ship, was just around the corner. Originally meant to be called the Alpha Spirit Battleground Gym, it was Colby's idea, but that was vehemently rejected by everyone.

The apartment was adorned with string lights, soft music played in the background, and the scent of Sage's cooking filled the air.

The group had been together all day. They even went shopping. Not on Amazon, no, in real stores. All of them. Vic, Sage, Charlie, Harper, Colby, and even Taylor. Her fears were almost no problem at all, because she knew Colby would always be at her side.

Harper had said goodbye to her hair cat ears and bought herself a cap. Okay, that also had cat ears and Colby thought they were absolutely terrible to this day, but according to the Ghost Boy it was at least a step in the right direction.

Colby himself had bought a really cool leather jacket. He was never much of the type for that sort of thing, but Sage had suggested it to him and he had to admit, it looked pretty damn cool.

Vic had taken refuge under a cap, and with her new sunglasses, she looked like an undercover agent, but somehow it suited her.

Sage had found a straw hat. And immediately fell in love with him. He'd been wearing it all day. Even indoors.

Taylor got the command of the Vix, slash, proposal to slip into this retro jacket immediately. It was very wide, but somehow really comfortable. And it suited Taylor, who otherwise never really paid much attention to fashion.

Charlie had been advised by Colby and Sage. Ultimately, he'd also, like Harper, opted for a cap. However, not with cat ears, Colby would have thrown him out the window once more, no, it was a simple sports cap.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

It was just a great day.

Now Taylor stood in the kitchen while meeting the last preparations for dinner. She was overjoyed that she and her friends could experience this moment together. Charlie, Sage, and Vic had put a lot of work into the studio and now, tomorrow, it could finally open its doors. Taylor, Harper, and Colby naturally also helped day and night to finish everything.

All gathered at the dinner table, and Sage proudly placed a huge bowl of Poke, a traditional Hawaiian dish of raw fish, rice, and various spices, on the table. Taylor took the first bite and passed the bowl to her steady friend.

But Colby skeptically looked at the dish. "What kind of crap is this? Get away from me with the slop," he commented and slightly grimaced when he put a forkful on his plate.

His girl laughed lightly and took a small bite of the Poke. She closed her eyes for a moment and actually began to groan.

"So Taylor seems to like it," grinned Sage and looked at Colby. "Has she ever moaned like that because of you, hm, buddy?"

The Ghost Boy looked at Taylor and shook his head. "You can't be serious." She groaned again.

Harper laughed and grabbed her own portion. "Colby, be nice. Sage put a lot of effort into it."

"Dude, then at least pretend to like it. I've eaten something like this before, it's really good." Charlie took a generous portion and slapped it on his plate.

Sage raised a challenging eyebrow as he handed the bowl from his sister to him, who didn't stop stuffing herself with food. "Vic is similarly picky and look at her. She nodded with a full mouth. "Scared, man?"

Sage knew he'd hit a nerve. Colby threw his cutlery on the ground behind him, looked annoyed at Sage, bent over the bowl and instead of eating the portion on his plate, he grabbed a huge blob of Poke from the bowl and greedily stuffed it into his mouth, never taking his eyes off Sage for the moment. It didn't take long before his eyes widened due to the wonderful taste explosion in his mouth.

Taylor laughed. "Look at that."

"I knew it," Sage said confidently.

"Bro, aren't you going to tell him something?" Charlie teased and Harper giggled.

Colby grunted annoyedly.

"First swallow, you greedy pig," Vic ironically threw him … while she lost some Poke out of her mouth.

"Igood," Colby mumbled quietly to himself after he had swallowed.

"What?" Sage raised a hand to his ear with a grin. "I can't hear you."

"For fuck's sake! Is good! Satisfied?!"

"Yes," everyone answered laughing.

It didn't take long and everything was polished off. Everyone was completely stuffed, and the friends now sat comfortably around the table.

Colby leaned back, rubbing his belly with a satisfied smile on his lips. "Okay, I admit it, that was fucking good."

Taylor grinned, placing her hand on his. "I knew you'd like it once you tried it, you picky eater."

Harper stretched and sighed contentedly. "I can hardly move. Sage, that was really fantastic."

Charlie nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you silenced us all – and that says something."

Vic, looking equally full and happy, raised her glass. "To my brother and the amazing food. And to tomorrow, the big day!"

Everyone raised their glasses and toasted. "To the Doro Apex Gym!"

Taylor then got up to clear the dishes when she noticed Colby's cutlery still on the floor. She bent down to pick it up and noticed something peeking out from under the sideboard. Curiously, she reached for it and pulled out an old photo.

"Hey, guys. Look at this." She showed the photo around. "This must be from your stuff, Harper. Must have overlooked it when we cleaned up back then."

The picture showed Colby sitting under a tree in a park. He wore a loose white sweater with "Boston" written in green letters and dark pants that casually fell over his white sneakers. A green cap with the familiar NY logo shielded his eyes from the glaring light, while his wild and untamed hair peeked out cheekily from underneath. A strand fell right into his eye.

He looked relaxed, his hands loosely crossed and his legs bent, as if finding refuge in the peaceful silence of that summer afternoon. The slight smile playing on his lips hinted at inner calmness and perhaps a touch of pensiveness.

The sun played through the leaves, dancing over his face and clothes, as if nature itself was reaching out to him, inviting him into its play. It was a moment of tranquility and peace, a silent pause amidst the bustling activity of the world around him, captured in a photo.

"I don't want to fall back into old habits, but this is really cute," Harper grinned. "It was always my favorite picture."

"As if there are moments when I don't look cute," Colby retorted.

"You know, I've seen so many pictures of you by now." Taylor ruffled her boyfriend's hair. "But if I had to pick one that describes you best, it would probably be this one."

"Why?" he asked, intrigued. "Are you sure you wouldn't choose the one where I'm oiling up my abs? Yeah? Absolutely sure?"

She placed the picture on the table. "It shows your sweet side. It shows your playful side. With those clothes, it also shows your sporty side. And with that expression on your face, you can already see the fuckboy behind it."

Colby smiled warmly and touched the photo. "That was on a Tau Alpha Nu trip to Boston. With the boys."

"He bought that sweater on the first day and didn't change it the whole week. You can't imagine how bad it smelled," Charlie explained, grinning. "Even Brad noticed it, and it takes a lot for him to smell anything."

"Have you ever visited the guys? Brad? Levi? Toby?" asked the fratboy nostalgically.

Charlie shook his head. "No. Unfortunately, I stuck with you, asshole, and you just had to sleep for so long." He picked up a piece of poke that had landed on the table and flicked it straight at Colby's face, causing everyone to laugh.

"If you knew who you just yeeted food scraps at," suddenly spoke a new voice, and everyone jumped up in shock.

"How did you get in here?!" Taylor shouted breathlessly, clutching her heart, just like Harper.

"Oh my God, you bitch! I have a weak heart!" Harper sat down immediately, it was all too much for her.

With any other intruder, they might have been more scared, but they knew this person. Elphira Celestii, Medium of the Stars, was now standing in the middle of the apartment, dusting Taylor's floor with sand as if she had just come from the beach.

"You're still not working," she said, pointing at Taylor. "No woman with a job can keep her place this clean. Especially if you have two college students hanging around. Okay, they're ghosts, but still. College students are pigs."

"I was planning to look for work after the opening. But again, what are you doing here and how did you get in?"

Colby and the twins looked at their friends confusedly. "You know this hag?" Vic asked.

"This is the medium we told you about," Harper explained. "Colby, Sage, Vic, this is Elphira Celestii. Elphira Celestii, these are-"

"Colby Vance as well as Sage and Vic Nohea. I know, bitch. Seriously, haven't you figured out yet that I'm a fucking medium?"

"You still haven't said why you're here," Sage tried this time.

"I'm here for him." Elphira pointed at Colby. "Finally, we meet, Colby Vance."

"Hi." He raised his hand casually and then looked at his girl confused. "What about me?"

Elphira snorted. "Interesting question. What about you. About. You."

"I don't understand-"

"You've seen things around him. In the hospital, last year. Beings. You must be wondering what those things were. They never showed up again. Well, that was Colby. No one was with him. Sort of. You've heard of Sigmund Freud, right? What you saw was Colby's id. The unconscious part of his mind that seeks immediate gratification of lust and desire without regard to morality or reality. The id only cares about pleasure. And it would kill anything and anyone for even a second of satisfaction. But believe it or not, Colby defeated his id. And I didn't think that was possible. Of course, it's still there, it's a huge part of Colby, as arrogant as he is, but your Ghost Boy has dominated it, and he dominated it the way I always wish my dominatrices in Laguna would, but those pussies are too prudish for my desires."

Charlie made a disgusted face but Colby grinned. "Kinky, I like it," he said mischievously.

"You never have to worry about that again. You gave your id such a massive bitchslap that it's no longer a problem. Even if you get incredibly angry in the future, you will always be in control from now on. Congratulations."

"It wasn't a bitchslap, more like a jab," Sage grinned.

"Why are you coming now, a year later?" Taylor asked. Understandable question.

"I'm very busy. The sea can be such a bitch, always wanting something. Be glad I could fit you into my schedule today, otherwise, you would have waited another six months for me. But what do you want now, you want to know. Colby. Your Ghost Boy. The fratboy. The fuckboy. He is, in fact, a god." Elphira made a deliberate pause. "Yeah, you heard right. You've always wondered, ever since you started this adventure. What is Colby. Why is he such a powerful ghost. Is he something else? Is he perhaps even a god? Yes, he is a god. Now you have the answer to that question, but so many more questions are now popping up in your little peanut brains. No, he was a human and now a ghost, blah blah, I can practically hear your thoughts churning. I'll just say this: There's a reason the FBI is so interested in him. Rather, was interested, they've lost track of him. And you, sweetheart, you are the reason." She pointed at Taylor. "I said I didn't want to interfere, but the universe thought I should indeed interfere. They love random factors and spice in their games. Typical universe."

Colby stared at her, baffled. "The ... universe is non-binary?"

"Seriously?" Charlie asked. "That's the first question you come up with?"

The medium ignored that. "Anyway, I have new instructions from the boss, the decidedly non-binary universe. Used to be female, but never really liked it. I digress. I'm supposed to interfere. Yep, me. Now it’s getting interesting because Momma's playing now. So forgive me if I do this." She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out some sand, which trickled from her hand onto the floor. Then she took a deep breath and aimed at Taylor, but Elphira, Medium of the Stars, hadn't expected Sage to throw himself in front of her, hitting them both with the sand.

As soon as the sand touched Taylor and Sage, they disappeared.

"What the fuck?!" Vic screamed.

"Where are they?!" Colby immediately grabbed Elphira by the jacket and effortlessly lifted the small woman up. "What did you do to them?!"

"Oh, this is new. I didn't know he would be dragged along. Hey, fucking universe!" the medium shouted annoyedly at the ceiling of the apartment. "I would've liked to know that spoiler! You and your damn random variables, you and your damn spice all the time! That's how Trump became president, asshole! Next time I'd like the whole picture!"

"Where are they?!" Colby shouted again, shaking the woman in his anger.

"Where they need to be so you can become who you are today." She winked. "We meet two more times in my life. See you the second time. Clean up nicely, your girl there hates sand."

With that, Elphira crumbled into sand in Colby's hands, leaving him, Charlie, Harper, and Vic completely shocked in Taylor's apartment.