#erekio

“I wish to be happy.”

Those were the last words Snatcher said before slamming the Time Piece on the ground. A bright light flashed into Hat, Bow and Moonjumper’s eyes. The trio covered their eyes and as soon the light faded, they looked at Snatcher in shock.

Right in front of them was Snatcher; not ghost Snatcher not kid Snatcher, but Prince Snatcher.

The former ghost looked at himself in surprise as he saw he was human again wearing the same clothes he wore before he became a kid during the battle with Vanessa.

Hat Kid slowly walked towards Snatcher, and stood there for a bit before Snatcher grabbed the young girl and pulled her into a tight hug. The young child felt tears in her eyes, as she slowly wrapped her arms around Snatcher and buried her face into his shoulder. The former ghost had tears forming in his eyes letting out a sniffle as he held the young girl in his arms.

“So,” Hat Kid started. Snatcher slowly let go of his grasp and looked at the alien child. “Are you staying like this then?” She asked.

Snatcher took one more good look at himself and smiled. “Yeah, kiddo.” Snatcher answered. “Hope that’s alright?”

“Oh cool. Yeah, that’s okay I guess.” Hat Kid replied. Snatcher gave a soft chuckle before letting the young girl go. He then looked at Bow and Moonjumper, now holding hands ready to be teleported back to the ship, or in Snatcher’s case; home.

Just before they could teleport Snatcher turned to see Hat Kid collapse on the ground, breathing heavily. Her face red, and she started to sweat despite it being cold outside. “K-kid? Are you alright?” Snatcher asked, worried about the state the young girl is in.

Hat Kid couldn’t speak, just letting out a few moans as her eyes slowly opened and closed. The last thing she heard was Bow’s cries and Snatcher calling her name before passing out.

Back on the ship, everyone was outside Hat Kid’s room waiting for answers on the young girl’s health. They all agreed that it was due to the kid frozen by Vanessa, and from what Moonjumper told Snatcher she was the first to freeze. The guilt ate at the ghost that he couldn’t save the young girl in time.

“I’m.” Moonjumper started, but Snatcher put his hand over the ghost’s, which caused him to look up at him.

“I forgive you. It wasn’t your fault.” Snatcher told him. Moonjumper gave a smile at the former ghost. Soon the trio heard the door open and Cooking Cat coming out.

“How is she?” Bow Kid asked, rushing towards the cat chef. The other child was worried for her sister, more than Snatcher was worried for the kid. It didn’t surprise him, Snatcher knew those two have stuck together like glue for like forever.

Cooking Cat put a paw on the young girl’s shoulder. “Hat Kid is fine, she doesn’t have a high fever. Just a day or two of rest and she’ll be back to normal.” She explained.

Bow and Snatcher both sighed in relief seeing Hat Kid wasn’t in too serious condition. Snatcher was glad he didn’t have to lose another loved one due to Vanessa. “Could I go see her?” Snatcher asked. Cooking Cat nodded and allowed the former ghost to check up on his obligated contracted bff.

Hat’s room light was dimmed, except for a small lamp turned on. The child was lying down reading through a book of fairytales, however at times she let out a cough and after coughing she’d shiver and pull the blankets closer to keep her warm.

“Hi kiddo.” Snatcher said.

Hat Kid looked up and smiled. “Snatcher!” She exclaimed, in a hoarse voice. Though that appeared to be a mistake as she coughed harder. The former ghost quickly went towards the child, and rubbed her back to relax her.

“Don’t push yourself kiddo, you're sick.” Snatcher told her. Hat Kid nodded and lied back down. She closed the book and placed it right between her and Snatcher. “How are you feeling?” He asked as he pushed a stray hair from her face.

“My head no longer hurts,” Hat Kid started. “but my stomach hurts, I still feel hot, and my throat hurts at times.” She explained as she rubbed her neck.

“Well don’t worry, Cookie said you’ll be fine in a few days. Just some rest and her cooking should do the trick.” Snatcher explained. Hat Kid giggled before letting out a cough. She nodded, as her throat felt hot to speak. Snatcher thought for a second, and got up to leave the room. “I’ll be right back.” Hat Kid nodded and lied back down to wait for Snatcher.

Snatcher then made his way to the kitchen to see Bow and Cooking Cat making some soup for Hat. Moonjumper was sitting down watching the two cook. The moon ghost turned around hearing Snatcher come in. “Oh Snatcher! Is Hat alright?” He asked again, making sure Hat Kid’s fever didn’t spike up.

“She’s fine, but I just need to make her something for her throat.” Snatcher explained.

Cooking Cat smiled. “Well, you're in luck. I’m making some soup for the kid.” She told him.

“I’m helping!” Bow added.

Snatcher smiled and nodded, seeing that will help Hat Kid. He then went over to the pantry and looked for some tea bags. “ So do you have any tea bags or tea leaves?” Snatcher asked.

Cooking Cat nodded and opened a drawer and pulled out a few tea bags. “Here.” She said. Snatcher smiled and looked through the tea bags. Once he found chamomile tea he quickly grabbed a mug from the shelf, opened the tea bag and soon went to boil some hot water.

Once the tea was ready, Snatcher poured it into a cup and put a spoonful of honey. However, his tea wasn’t done yet. “Do you have any fruit or berries?” He asked.

“I know where they are!” Bow exclaimed. She got off from her stool and went over to a basket where a bunch of fruit sat. Snatcher looked at the fruit and found oranges and lemons. Just what he needed! Carefully, he cut slices of the fruit and put it in the tea.

“Perfect.” Snatcher said.

“Here.” Cooking Cat started. She brought over a tray where the soup was and Snatcher put the tea next to it. “Careful, don’t spill it.” She warned him. Snatcher nodded, knowing he was careful and quickly went to Hat Kid’s room.

The kid was still awake, not getting an ounce of rest as her fever kept her from sleeping. She heard her door open and saw Snatcher with a tray of soup and tea. “Cookie, made you some soup and I made you some tea.” Snatcher said. He then handed the tea to Hat Kid, and the steam opened her nose.

She took a sip and her eyes widened at the taste. The chamomile mixed with the citrus made her throat not hurt as much. It wasn’t fully better, but at least it won’t be as painful. “This tea, it’s good!” Hat Kid exclaimed. “Hey! I can talk better!”

Snatcher chuckled. “My mother made me this tea anytime I was sick, and if it helped me. It could help you.” He explained. Hat Kid smiled, thankful Snatcher did this for her.

She then took a sip of her soup, and it felt like her body warmed up a bit. She let out a happy sigh as the tea and soup were making her feel better. After finishing her meal she felt she would be able to talk to Snatcher. “Snatcher,” Hat Kid started.

“Yeah kiddo.” Snatcher started.

“What are you going to do now?” She asked. Snatcher was confused by Hat Kid’s question. “I mean you choose to stay in prince form, but now you're no longer a noodle ghost, what are you going to do about souls, contracts, everything you were when you were a ghost.” She explained.

Now that she mentioned it, Snatcher was for certain he’d still rule Subcon, but now that he can’t steal souls or poof up contracts there will be some changes to Subcon soon. “Well,” He started. “I’m still going to rule Subcon, but…” His voice trailed off.

“But?” Hat Kid asked, tilting her head.

Snatcher chuckled and turned away. “It's nothing. Its stupid.”

“I won’t know if its stupid unless you tell me.”

Snatcher turned to Hat Kid, and looked into her eyes. They were filled with honesty and care. This little time traveling alien and her sister cared so much for him. He never felt this care since he still had his parents, who are now long gone and during his early days with Vanessa.

God this kid was turning him back into a softy. “Well, would you like it if you and Bow came to live with me and Moonjumper in Subcon?” He offered.

Hat Kid’s eyes widened and glistened with tears. D-Did she just hear her BFF right? Was he offering her and Bow to live with him in Subcon? “Y-you want us to live with you?” She asked.

“W-well that’s up to you! I-if you need to head back to whatever planet you came from t-then its fine-oof!” Snatcher stuttered until Hat Kid pulled him into a hug. Snatcher was confused until he heard sniffling from the young girl.

“I’d love to Snatcher.” She whispered. If she wasn’t so sick right now, she’d be cheering, bouncing off the walls. Snatcher blinked, and smiled as he pulled Hat Kid closer to him.

All this time he dreamed of having a family. He and Vanessa always talked about having a little princess or a young prince, and watching their child grow. However, after the incident he’d given up on having a family, even the Subconites and Dwellers were never seen as children to him, just minions that were told to do work around Subcon.

When Hat and Bow came to Subcon, he just saw them as more fools to do his contracts and at the end steal their souls. However, he secretly grew to care for the two kids, even if they do cause mischief and he denies that he did care for them.

However, after turning human again and spending time with these kids, he did show his care for them, especially Moonjumper. However, the thoughts of losing them again worried him, as he remembered Bow crying locked up in a cage, and Hat Kid and Moon being frozen ice statues right in front of him.

“Does this mean I can call you dad?” Hat Kid spoke up. This snapped Snatcher out of his thoughts, and was now blushing in embarrassment.

“W-Well I mean? If you want to, b-but I-I don’t mind. J-Just your sick and well-” Snatcher was sputtering so much nonsense that it made Hat Kid laugh a bit, despite letting out a cough or two. Snatcher gave a small smile and pulled the young girl close to him. “You can call me whatever you want.” He said.

Hat Kid nodded and hugged Snatcher once more. “Okay, Dadtcher.” She joked. Snatcher laughed and hugged the young child close, snuggling her. Hat Kid giggled and was soon put back to bed. Once she was back in bed she handed Snatcher the fairytale book she was reading. “Read to me, please?”

Snatcher chuckled. “Alright.” He took the book from the kid and turned to the story Hat Kid was reading earlier. Before he could read it, the duo heard the door open to see Bow and Moon right outside. With a smile, Snatcher asked, “Want to join me?” He asked.

Bow nodded and ran towards Snatcher sitting right next to him. Moonjumper floated by and sat on the pillow pile as Snatcher went to read the fairy tale to the girls. As he read the story, Hat Kid quickly fell asleep and soon Bow fell asleep on his lap. He should have stopped reading and let the two sleep, but he continued.