#dad!hunter

especially for a little six-year-old full of curiosity and excitement. it was a rule that forbade the little long-haired child from leaving the ship, plotting them right at the doorway where they longingly stared beyond the ramp. no matter what planet, they always found themselves right there, sitting at the top of the ramp with their hands in their lap, feet swinging side to side as they wondered what lay beyond.

but tonight, by some miracle, the little one found themself alone. there were no uncles or aunt to hover; no sign of their father to remind them of the rule.

it was just hunter's child and the ramp that dropped down to a forest full of bioluminescence and fireflies.

temptation at its finest.

so when the little one found themself alone, all of their family huddled in the cockpit, they noticed the opportunity and took it, sneaking away without a single word. hunter's distracted state was almost too good to pass up, leading his child down the ramp and into the woods.

the minutes felt short the moment they wandered into the tree line. there were beautiful bugs and flowers to look at. croaking frogs that glowed like glowsticks and plants that shimmered like glass when the wind blew. the trees sang with each breeze and the chittering animals that flew above were so full of beauty that the little one spent a few minutes just sitting on the tree floor, gazing up with big eyes of wonder and awe.

it wasn't before long that a voice suddenly shattered the peaceful forest silence.

"adi'ka!!"

they froze.

in the moment, they didn't understand the worry that laced their father's voice. they didn't understand that the cadence of their father's tone meant nothing but fear.

in the moment, they went still with guilt. they broke the only rule.

certain that they were in for a scolding, little adi'ka glanced left and right, searching for a place to cower from their father's disappointment. when they discovered a glowy brush full of fireflies, they crawled into it, grimacing at the scratches that the branches caused on their arms.

they waited.

"adi'ka!"

and waited.

"adi'ka!"

when the echo of a crunching branch suddenly split the silence, the little one sucked in a sharp breath, fearfully peeking out of the bushes...

...only to see their father staring right at the place where they hid.

hunter's shoulders sagged with relief the moment he saw his child. he approached the brush and gently pushed aside the twigs, offering his child the smallest, smallest smile when he noticed the fear in their eyes.

"hey-hey-hey," he murmured softly when his adi'ka began to sniffle, struggling to hold in their tears. "come on out, scout. let me see you."

slowly but surely, the little one climbed out of the brush, sniffling harder when they saw the thin red scratches on their arms. hunter crouched down, cupping both sides of his child's face before turning their head left and right, quickly checking for any other signs of injury.

when he noticed the angry red cuts, he gently lifted their arm to his lips and kissed them, frowning deeply when his little scout began to cry.

"i'm sorry, buir," they whimpered, rubbing their fists into their weeping eyes. "i did'n mean to run away an' make you angry. i'm sorry-"

hunter sighed, gentle thumbs swiping the tears away.

"i'm not mad, adi'ka," he spoke as softly as he could. "i'm a little bit frustrated, but i'm not mad. things could have been a lot worse, but i'm just happy you're okay."

they sniffled, wiping their arm across their nose. "y-you're not mad at me, papa?"

hunter chuckled, shaking his head. "not at all, little scout. i was scared."

another faint sniffle. "i'm sorry, i don't want to get you scared."

"everything's okay now," hunter assured, exhaling sharply when his adi'ka jumped into his chest, little arms wrapped around his neck in a choking hug. "i'm glad you're okay... but do you see why i don't want you to go off on your own? i know you're strong enough to take care of yourself, but i'm not strong enough to be without you."

he felt their head rise up and down in a rushed nod. "i know now, papa. i'm sorry."

hunter cupped the back of their head, lifting them up into his arms as he stood. his adi'ka rested their head on his shoulder, forehead pressing against his neck.

"it's okay now, adi'ka," he whispered, rubbing an assuring hand up and down their back. "it's okay. papa's got you. i've got you."

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