As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and red, Faro and Rita lounged in the rooftop pool, the cool water reflecting the fiery glow of the sunset. The cityscape stretched around them, distant sounds of Thundarr City humming in the background.
Rita, as always, enjoyed her freedom, floating effortlessly in the water, completely bare, while Faro swam around in his shorts. They had spent the evening chatting and laughing, teasing each other like they often did.
Suddenly, with a mischievous glint in her emerald eyes, Rita dove beneath the water. Faro barely had time to react before he felt a tug at his shorts.
“Hey!” Faro shouted in surprise, kicking his legs as Rita surfaced, twirling his shorts in her hand with a playful grin.
Rita (smirking): “Oops.”
Faro groaned, reaching for his shorts, but Rita playfully tossed them to the edge of the pool.
Before either of them could say anything else, a slow, sarcastic clap echoed from the rooftop entrance.
They both turned sharply—Flint Faros stood there, leaning against the doorway, his usual smug grin stretched across his face.
Flint (mocking): “Well, well, well… what a cozy little family moment.”
Faro’s jaw clenched, and Rita’s playful expression quickly faded, replaced by a knowing, unreadable look. The warm sunset glow did nothing to hide the tension suddenly thickening the air.
Flint (chuckling): “Don’t let me interrupt. Please, carry on.”
Rita narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms under her chest as she floated in the pool. “What the hell are you doing here, Flint? And who let you in?”
Flint smirked, stepping closer to the poolside. “Oh, come on, Rita. You think a locked door can keep me out?” He glanced at Faro with a mocking tilt of his head. “Besides, I had a little chat with Albort downstairs. Let’s just say… old butlers are very easy to convince.”
Faro clenched his fists, still half-submerged in the water. “You’re trespassing, Flint. Say what you came to say and get the hell out.”
Flint chuckled. “Relax, little cousin. I’m just here for a friendly visit. Besides, I had to see it for myself.” His eyes flicked between Rita and Faro, amusement dancing in them. “Looks like the rumors were true. You two are getting… cozy.”
Rita’s expression didn’t waver, but her voice turned sharp. “If you came here to throw around accusations, you’re wasting your time.”
Flint ignored her, turning to Faro with a smirk. “Tell me, Falcon, does it feel like a victory? Ronda’s moved on, and you’ve… well, let’s just say, you’ve found other ways to occupy your time.”
Faro glared at him, his jaw tight. “What do you want, Flint?”
Flint’s smirk widened. “Oh, I just wanted to deliver a little message. From Mr. Clown.” He leaned in slightly. “He’s keeping a close eye on all of you. And trust me, he’s loving every second of this little family drama.”
Rita’s green eyes darkened. “Tell your boss that if he wants to play games, he should know by now—I don’t lose.”
Flint laughed. “We’ll see about that, Auntie.” He gave one last lingering glance at Faro before turning toward the exit. “Enjoy your swim.”
And with that, he headed for the penthouse, leaving Rita and Faro alone in the water, tension thick in the air.
Then suddenly Flint took a few slow steps back, a smirk still playing on his lips. Just as he reached the door, he paused and glanced over his shoulder at Faro. With a mocking tone, he said, “Mother would be proud of this moment.”
Faro’s expression hardened instantly. His hands clenched into fists under the water, his body tense with anger. “Don’t you dare bring our mother into this, Flint.” His voice was low but filled with warning.
Flint chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Oh, but why not? She always wanted the best for us. And look at you now—living in luxury, keeping close company with dear old Auntie Rita all naked. Quite the success story, wouldn’t you say?”
Rita’s gaze sharpened, her patience wearing thin. “Enough, Flint. Get out.”
Flint winked at her. “As you wish, Auntie. But trust me, the fun is just getting started.”
With that, he turned and strolled out of the penthouse, leaving behind an air of unease.
Faro exhaled sharply, his eyes still burning with anger. Rita reached out, gently touching his arm. “Don’t let him get to you, Faro.”
Faro didn’t respond immediately, his mind still turning over Flint’s parting words. Finally, he muttered, “He’s up to something… and I don’t like it.”
Rita nodded. “Then we stay sharp. We don’t let them win.”
Silence settled between them as the city lights flickered outside, a storm of trouble looming on the horizon.
As the tension from Flint’s visit lingered in the air, Rita leaned back against the edge of the pool, watching Faro’s expression. The city skyline reflected in her emerald-green eyes as she spoke softly.
“Do you miss her?”
Faro turned his gaze toward Rita, his jaw tightening. “My mother?”
Rita nodded. “Angel Faros. Your real mother.”
Faro was quiet for a moment, staring into the rippling water. Finally, he let out a slow breath. “I can’t remember much about her… all I know is that I was only thirteen when she and my father died in an accident.” His voice was steady, but there was a trace of something deeper beneath it.
Rita studied him carefully. “But you remember some things, don’t you?”
Faro hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. I remember her singing when she thought no one was listening. And her smell… like fresh jasmine. Like your smell.” His expression softened for a brief moment before he clenched his fists. “But what does it matter? She’s gone. Remembering doesn’t change that.”
Rita reached out, gently brushing a damp strand of hair from his forehead. “It matters because she was your mother. And because you still carry a part of her inside you.”
Faro swallowed hard, looking away. “Do you miss her Aunty?”
Rita sighed, glancing up at the night sky. “I do. She was my sister… my big sister.” A small, sad smile crossed her lips. “She was strong, just like you. And she loved you and her family more than anything.”
Faro’s heart tightened at her words, but he simply nodded.
Rita let the silence stretch for a moment before softly saying, “She would want you to be happy, you know.”
Faro didn’t reply. He just stared into the water, lost in thoughts of a mother he barely remembered… and the complicated feelings that surrounded her absence.
Rita saw the distant look in Faro’s eyes, the way his jaw tensed as he fought back emotions he refused to show. Without hesitation, she moved closer, wrapping her arms tightly around him.
“Come here, sweety,” she whispered, pulling him into a warm embrace.
At first, Faro stiffened, his body resisting the comfort. But as Rita gently stroked his back, something inside him cracked. His breaths grew uneven, his shoulders trembled, and before he could stop himself, tears began to spill down his face.
“I miss her…” he finally admitted, his voice breaking.
Rita held him tighter, resting her chin on his shoulder. “I know, sweety. I know.”
Faro buried his face against her neck, his tears dampening her skin. Years of bottled-up grief, of pretending he didn’t care, of pushing away the past—it all came rushing out. Rita didn’t say anything else. She just held him, letting him grieve the mother he lost so long ago.
As the city lights shimmered in the distance and the warmth of Rita’s embrace surrounded him, Faro finally allowed himself to feel what he had buried for years.
As Rita felt something hard brush in between her legs underwater, she flinched slightly, then abruptly broke her hug with Faro to quickly swim toward the edge of the pool. Without hesitation, she climbed out, water glistening on her bare skin as she reached for a towel.
Wrapping it snugly around herself, she shot a quick glance at Faro, her expression unreadable. “Dinner should be ready by now,” she said casually, as if nothing had happened. Then, raising her voice slightly, she called out, “Albort, dear!”
From inside the penthouse, Albort’s composed voice responded, “Yes, madam?”
Rita smirked, tossing her wet hair over her shoulder. “Get the dining table ready. We’re coming in.”
She turned to Faro, still floating in the pool, and gestured toward the penthouse. “Come on, sweety. You don’t want to keep me waiting.” Then, without another word, she walked inside, leaving wet footprints across the marble floor.
Faro climbed out of the pool, grabbing his soaked shorts as the cool evening breeze brushed against his damp skin. Shaking his head, he let out a deep breath before heading inside the penthouse.
The warm glow of the interior lights welcomed him as he made his way to the bathroom. Turning the knob, he let the hot water cascade over him, washing away the lingering chill from the pool. Steam filled the space, enveloping him in comfort as he ran his hands through his wet hair, his mind still lingering on the moment before Rita abruptly left the pool.
As the water streamed down his body, he exhaled, allowing himself to relax. “Just another evening in Thundarr City,” he muttered to himself before reaching for the soap to soften his hardness for the night, preparing for the dinner that awaited him.
Faro stepped out of the shower, a satisfied smile on his face as he dried off and slipped into a fresh pair of clothes. Feeling refreshed, light and lighthearted, he made his way to the dining room, where the aroma of a lavish meal filled the air.
Rita was already seated at the elegantly set table, dressed in another stunning evening gown, her hair perfectly styled. She looked up as Faro approached, a playful glint in her green eyes.
Without hesitation, Faro leaned in and kissed her on the lips, lingering just long enough to make her eyebrows rise in amusement.
Rita chuckled softly, tilting her head as she looked at him. “What was that for, sweety?” she asked, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
Faro smirked and shrugged, taking his seat beside her. “Just felt like it.”
Rita let out a light laugh, picking up her wine glass. “Well, aren’t you charming tonight?” she teased, taking a sip.
Albort, standing nearby, cleared his throat. “Shall I serve the main course, madam?”
Rita nodded, still gazing at Faro with amusement. “Yes, Albort, let’s eat. It’s been quite an eventful evening.”
