A few decades later, the current day.
Sunlight filtered into Sophia’s bedroom, catching the dust motes in the air. Ignis sat down on the edge of her bed, and a moment later, Sophia sat down right beside him.
He looked at her, holding her gaze with a calm, steady stare. "So, why did you call me here?"
Sophia offered a small smile. "Aren't we friends? I just called you here to talk."
"Talk about what?" Ignis raised an eyebrow.
Her smile widened. "Anything."
"Okay," Ignis said, his expression turning serious. "Then let's talk about our gems."
Sophia let out a loud laugh, her eyes crinkling. "Seriously? Is that all you ever talk about?" Her amusement softened into a teasing smirk. "I heard my little Iggy was single throughout our entire second year of university."
Ignis rubbed the back of his neck, looking away. "I guess so."
"Why?" Sophia tilted her head, studying his face. "You're very handsome." A sudden rush of heat hit her cheeks, and she looked down, whispering, "Really handsome."
Ignis smiled. "Thanks."
"Doesn't any girl interest you?" she asked, her voice hopeful.
"Well... I have a crush on this girl at school. Sarah," Ignis admitted, a faint smile touching his lips. "She's really pretty."
Sophia’s heart sank. She kept her face perfectly still, but her mind was racing. He already likes someone. Maybe today isn't the day to confess after all. I called him here for nothing. Shit.
Forcing a bright, encouraging look, she said, "Then why don't you shoot your shot?" This story is hosted at novelping.com.
Ignis sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Come on, I can't. This world is too dangerous."
Sophia nodded slowly, the playful energy leaving her. "It's true. Different kinds of monsters are always after our gems. Why does everyone want them?"
"The power," Ignis said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Look at how powerful we are, protecting the world from different beings. Imagine that power in the hands of an evil person."
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"True," Sophia agreed. She looked at Ignis closely. "But enough about this gem stuff. I know our enemies will tear our loved ones apart just to get to us. That's the whole point of keeping our identities secret. But..." She bit her lip, suddenly quiet.
"But what?" Ignis asked, blinking in confusion.
"If..." Sophia started, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "This is not real, just an example. Like an assumption."
"What?"
"If, let's say... we were a thing," she blurted out.
Ignis tilted his head. "Like, dating?"
Sophia nodded quickly, her eyes wide. "Yes! Yes, that. Exactly that. Would there be a problem?"
Ignis thought for a moment. "It’s like us with our suits or without."
"No," Sophia pressed, gesturing with her hands. "Like, if the Red Ranger dated the Pink Ranger. Think about it."
"Look, you can protect yourself," Ignis said plainly. "But you're my friend and my teammate. You are a very pretty girl, but you don't like me, and I don't like you. We see each other as friends, right?"
Sophia’s face flushed again, and she forced a stiff nod. "Yes. Obviously, yes. You are my friend. I see you as my friend."
"Am I your type?" she asked softly.
Ignis frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Do I have the attributes you like in girls?"
"Yes," Ignis said honestly. "But I like Sarah. And I know you couldn't go for someone like me."
Sophia’s brow furrowed. "Why? Why do you think that?"
"I don't know." He chuckled lightly. "Maybe because you like hot men."
"You are very hot," Sophia said instantly. Her eyes went wide as she realized what she just said. "No, no, no! I didn't mean it like that."
Ignis just laughed, his face relaxed. "It's okay." He looked around the room, taking in the neat decor. "Your room is so beautiful. And it smells so nice in here."
"Thank you so much," Sophia said, offering a shy smile as her blush faded.
Ignis stood up from the bed, stretching his arms. "I'll be leaving for training soon. Aliens could arrive anytime for our gems."
Sophia looked down at her hands. "It feels kind of weird. We just claimed them, even though we know nothing about them. I just found mine by luck."
Ignis looked back at her, his expression entirely serious. "No. It was destiny. And we don't need to know everything about them. All we need to know is that such power shouldn't be in the hands of just anyone—including us. Why do you think I didn't give them to the government?"
Sophia watched him, captivated by the quiet intensity in his eyes.
"We are destined to protect the world from harm," Ignis continued. "We were gifted this power from above. Let's just continue doing what is right."
Sophia smiled warmly. This is why I love you, she thought.
"You're right, Ignis," she said aloud. "Anyone that comes to Earth has to answer to us. It is our duty to protect this world. With great power comes great responsibility."