Phantom perched on a table in Lania's house, meeting Luminous's scathing look with a smirk. Lania stood back and smiled as she washed the dishes, glancing over her shoulder. Phantom was almost surprised that she hadn't grabbed a bag of popcorn by then, with how interested she seemed to be in he and Luminous's mock arguments.
It was one of the few times Phantom and the other heroes had wound up in Ellinia. It had been several months since Mercedes, Evan, and Phantom had joined up together to hunt down the Black Wings, commanders, and their cruel leader.
Aran was missing, and Luminous still refused to fight against the Black Mage with them. Instead, he preferred to stay in his oh so perfect little house with his precious girl, whose life he was endangering by staying with her. Phantom held nothing but scorn for his former companion on that matter, but on the other hand, there was a kind of bickering affection the two shared.
"I'm telling you," Phantom boasted, "I could have anyone I wanted. Even you."
"Would you, mister Phantom, would you? Luminous won't get me a mom!" Lania piped in, her long blond hair whipping her back with how fast she turned around. Soap suds dripped onto the floor from her little clasped hands, as her face lit up as if it was Maplemas. The blond thief sniggered. He nimbly hopped off of the table and ruffled her head, leaving her with blond strands sticking up cutely. The little girl giggled and shooed his hands away.
Luminous proceeded to bury his head in his hands and release a long-suffering sigh. "Who would want a pesky thief for a lover?"
Phantom slowly raised an eyebrow. The corner of his mouth tipped up, showing a hint of teeth in a grin, "Ask that of my adoring fans, Lumi."
"You continue to showcase your idiocy by being unable to say a simple name. 'LU-MI-NOUS'," The mage slowly enunciated.
"Lighten up," Phantom paused, and then started laughing. "Get it? Get it? Lighten up. And you're a light mage."
"You disgust me."
Luminous paused, an idea coming to mind to get the ridiculous man out of his home before the blond disappeared with something that didn't belong to him attached to his sticky fingers.
It could have repercussions, but...
The scheming hero decided it didn't matter, it wasn't like Phantom would actually be able to.
"If you're so irresistible, then why aren't any of the other heroes in love with you?"
Phantom crossed his arms over his chest and grinned, before uttering the four words Luminous knew were coming.
"Is that a challenge?"
After all, Phantom could never resist a challenge.