#part 6

Dmitry proceeded to take her somewhere new each night Nari exited the painting whilst waiting for their ankle to heal. The historical section, the new sculpture exhibit, the rotating collection that had just arrived. He would carry her there and then carry her back to her painting every night for almost the whole of the week that followed their first real meeting. 

Whenever they went into the more crowded areas, Nar noticed that the other pieces gave him a wider berth, and that a group of other portraits seemed to follow the two of them around at a distance. 

She had tried asking about it once, and Dmitry had smiled and said that she had garnered quite the number of admirers. 

“If you get any more ill become jealous,” he laughed. “But I can fight my way to the front of the watching crowd to see you dance.” 

She didn't wholly believe him; most of the art here already knew of her and of her fellow dancers. She wasn't any more beautifully painted than they were. No, she thought, the stares were probably from the fact that Dmitry was carrying her all over the whole gallery after she hadn't been seen outside her canvas for years. 

But at the mention of dancing again, she stopped thinking about it; her thoughts spilled onto the stage that waited for her in her canvas. 

Soon, she thought to herself, soon she would be able to spend the nights dancing to her heart's content again! Her ankle was already feeling much better; Dmitry’s correction and his constant insistence on carrying her everywhere had helped it along quickly. She would be back to her nightly rehearsals soon enough indeed. 

“Will you see you again tonight?” Dmitry asks when he brings her back to her painting. The other dancers were still absent from it, leaving the two of them alone in the secluded hallway. 

“You can always see me?” Nari replies, “If you watch me dance or if I leave the canvas.” 

“Yes, but… will you be out tonight? So I can be with you again?” 

Nari flushes at his phrasing as he helps her into the canvas that holds her eternal audience and stage. She answers him with a small nod before she disappears fully into the artwork and he smiles. 

By the time the others arrive, he’s disappeared down the hall to return to his own portrait before the gallery opens. 

“Nari…” one of the dancers asks her cautiously, “Are you two… involved?”

“Involved?” She asks in turn. 

“Romantically, she means,” another dancer clarifies. “Everyone’s seen him carrying you around, and his men guard the two of you constantly.” 

“He's emptied whole gallery rooms for you too!” A third chimes in. 

Nari laughs and murmurs a soft, “I think you’re all exaggerating again. Dmitry’s just like that.” 

There were no ‘his men’ or emptying of gallery rooms. Dmitry was just helping her as she recovered; that's why he carried her around. He would have done it the first night he brought her to the sculpture place if he had known her ankle was broken. 

And they were simply acquaintances, maybe friends, maybe turning into something more. But what painting wasn't with another? How many times had one of Nari’s troupe been caught up in some dramatic affair before? 

*

AITA for losing my shit when I realized my "friend" has been lying to me and everyone else for over a decade?

Basically what it says in the title.

I've known this kid my whole life. Our families are close. We haven't been close ourselves for a few years, but we used to be attached at the hip when we were younger. We even planned to become heroes and start an agency together.

I was pretty set on that plan, even though he was pretty useless at just about everything and would probably only slow me down. I figured I was good enough to carry the both of us, and he was pretty good at reading me and following my lead. Even if his quirk had ended up being lame, there's support items and shit.

Thing is, he didn't get a quirk. Like at all. And that sucked and changed all our plans. He was even more weak and useless than anyone thought, but he was still my friend and I would look out for him, so it wasn't the end of the world. Or it wouldn't have been.

Except he acted like it didn't change anything. Acted like he was tough shit and started fights he couldn't win and acted like I was the weak one who needed his help. His ego must've been the size of the goddamn moon, right? It pissed me off, and we stopped hanging out after that.

Even then, he was always around. Same neighborhood, same classes, same general proximity.

Even without being especially close, I figure he probably knows me best out of everyone, even my own parents. (he was like kind of obsessed with me growing up) And I was pretty sure it was the same the other way around. No one knows this kid better than me. I'm like the unofficial Loser Boy expert.

But apparently not! Apparently it was all bullshit!

We both got into a prestigious high school program and we're in the same class, and this motherfucker walks in DAY ONE with a quirk! It's not even something lame and embarrassing, it's like a really strong quirk that he's showing off to everyone and had no possible reason to hide before now except to play mind games with everyone.

So I obviously lost it. Yelled, made a mess... just made a real ass of myself.

Can you blame me though? I was in shock! He's a liar and a cheat and obviously some kind of psycho to have lied about something like that for so long, right? He ruined our childhood for some fucked up long con. He deserved to be called out, didn't he?

" The Centaur and the Copper Star"

Chapter 6 – The First Journey

From that night on, time lost all meaning.

The Centaur guided her beyond the borders of the known world, across seas that reflected the stars and beneath skies where the moon seemed painted with the light of copper.

Every step was a discovery.

Every breath erased another fragment of the sorrow that had imprisoned her heart for so long.

She did not speak.

There was no need.

The Centaur's embrace spoke more deeply than a thousand words.

For the first time in a very long while, she was no longer afraid.

Not of the darkness.

Not of loneliness.

Not of the future.

She allowed herself to be guided without asking a single question, like a child who finally feels safe again.

Later that night Samira gets up, looking for Kaida and the girls. She sees Kaida on the chair with Ziranna and the baby in each arm, both are asleep. “Kaida?” She whispers.

            Kaida looks over at her. “Mira? You’re supposed to be in bed.” She comments.

            “I-I’m well rested.” She tries to convince her.

            Kaida gives her a doubtful look. “Mira, you have to stay in bed for at least a week.” She replies.

            “A week?!” She exclaims.

            “It’s supposed to be six weeks, but because you’re stubborn, we’ll settle for a week,” Kaida informs her.

            “You’ll settle for a day.” She replies.

            “No, YOU’LL settle for a week and that’s final,” Kaida argues.

            “I’d like to see you t-” Kaida levitates Autumn and takes her back to bed, laying her on top of her, still asleep, as she and Ziranna lie next to her. “Us three can and will keep you in this bed for a whole week if we have to.” She gives Samira a smug look. Samira crosses her arms and huffs. Kaida giggles. “Love you.”

            Samira lightly smiles and rolls her eyes. “Love you too.” Kaida leans her head on her shoulder. Samira looks down at Autumn when she notices her tail. “…Are those spikes on her tail?” She asks in shock.

            “Oh…yeah, she cut Mortus’ leg.” She replies with a sheepish look.

            “Is he okay?” She asks.

            “He said he was; he took care of it with his healer kit.” She reassures her.

            Kaida kisses her cheek. Samira blushes. “Hm?”

            “Heh, time to sleep,” Kaida replies.

            “But I just woke up.” Samira whines.

            “And it’s later and time to go back to sleep and get more before the new baby wakes up.” She reminds her. Samira groans in annoyance. Kaida giggles. “Goodnight, Spitfire.”

            “Goodnight, Firefly.” She sighs, hugging the three closer to her.

            A few months pass, Samira is taking care of Autumn, and Ziranna helps her where she can. Mortus and Zarus have been taking turns helping around the house. Today, Samira is getting Autumn dressed in a onesie, and Ziranna is watching, while Zahir is helping to sweep around the house. While getting Autumn dressed, Samira begins to feel light-headed. She groans, laying a hand on her forehead.

            Ziranna looks up at her. “Mommy?”

            “Hm?” She hums in response.

            “Are you okay?” She asks, worried.

            Samira’s vision starts to blur, and she leans on the table, losing her balance. Autumn starts crying loudly, sensing something is wrong, making it worse. “A-Autumn it’s o-okay i-it’s…” She suddenly blacks out and collapses.  

            Zahir hears a thud followed by Ziranna’s scream and Autumn crying. “MOMMY!”

            “Samira?!” He runs to the nursery to check on her. He sees Samira on the floor unconscious, and Ziranna and Autumn crying, scared. “Shit! Samira!” He kneels next to her and checks her condition. “Kaida?!” Zahir calls out through their family bond.

            “Zahir? What’s going on?” She asks.

            “Samira passed out!” He shouts.

            “Shit, can you take her to the healer? I’ll meet you all there as soon as I can.” Kaida tries to stay calm.

            “On it!” Zahir looks down at Ziranna. “Zirry, get Autumn.” He instructs.

            She nods and picks up Autumn and Zahir gently picks both of them up in his tail and runs to the healer’s. When they get there, the healers take her in immediately. Zahir sits down with the girls, nervously waiting for Kaida and new about his little sister. Autumn starts to loudly cry again. He gently takes her into his arms and rocks her. “Sh, Sh, Sh, it’s okay, Autumn, it’s okay.” He reassures her.

            Kaida runs in. “How is she?” She asks

            Zahir looks up at her. “I-I don’t know. They j-just took her…”He informs her.

            “Shit…” She whispers to herself. She sits down with them. “Here, I’ll take her.” She reaches for Autumn. Zahir nods and gently hands her to her. Kaida gently rocks her and calms her down.

            Zahir sighs when she stops crying before he lays his head in his hands. “Will Mommy be okay?” Ziranna asks.

            “I hope so, Zirry.” Zahir replies.

            Ziranna leans on Kaida. Kaida uses her free arm and hugs her to her.

            After a while, a healer finally walks out. “Samira Lumine?” The healer calls out.

            “Is she okay?” Zahir asks, him and Kaida standing up.

            “She’ll be okay. We got her some more medicine and have her on bedrest. She is awake if you want to go see her. Um, right now she will be kept here for a couple if nights for tests.” The healer informs them.

            Zahir looks at Kaida. “O-Okay, thank you.” The healer nods and leads them to Samira’s temporary room. They peek in and see her resting and waiting for them.

            Samira looks over at them and sees them. “H-Hey…” She weakly greets them.

            “Mommy!” Ziranna runs to her.

            “H-Hey, baby girl.” She tries to sit up.

            “Easy, Samira, don’t push yourself.” Kaida Ziranna up on the bed with Samira and Ziranna gently hugs her.  

            “A-Are you okay?” Samira asks.

            Ziranna nods. “Are you?” She asks.

            “I-I’ll be fine. I-It’s nothing t-to worry a-about.” She reassures her. Kaida gives her a worried look.

            Ziranna lays her head on Samira’s shoulder and Samira sees Zahir and Kaida both looking concerned. “W-Whats wrong?” She asks them.

            “Um…nothing.” They sit down with them. “Just a little worried and shaken up.” Kaida replies.

            “I-I’ll be fine, you two.” She tries to reassures them.

            “Y-Yeah, we know.” Zahir replies.

            After a while a healer walks into the room. “Um, w-who’s Mrs. Samira’s spouse?” They ask.

            “That would be me.” Kaida stands up.

            “May I speak with you?” They ask.

            “O-Of course.” Kaida follows the healer outside of the room and into the hall. “I-Is everything okay?” She asks.

            “Unfortunately, no…the tumor near her brain has grown larger and is in need of immediate surgical attention.” They report.

            Tears form in Kaida’s eyes. “O-Oh…I-I see.”

            “I will give you all some time.” Kaida nods and goes back inside and see Samira telling Ziranna a funny story to cheer her up.

            Samira giggles. “-and then the changeling chased his imp boyfriend all around the house with a spatula shouting ‘I told you not to eat the cake!’ and the imp screamed for his life as he ran.” She narrates, using exaggerated voices and faces, making her older daughter laugh.

            Ziranna giggles. “Silly imp.”

            “Silly indeed.” Samira chuckles. She then notices Kaida walking in.

            “What’s wrong, Kaida?” Samira asks.

            “Um…w-we have to go soon. They…” She tears up again, trying to think if how to explain.

            “…Zahir, can you take the girls to go get a snack, please?” Samira asks.

            “Um…sure.” He takes Autumn into his arms and leads Ziranna out. Kaida rubs her arm trying to gather her thoughts as they leave, Zahir closing the door behind them.

            “What happened?” Samira asks.

            Kaida takes a deep breath to calm down. “Th-They told me…y-you’re going to have to go into immediate surgery soon…t-the tumor…I-it g-grew.” She stutters out, trying to refrain from crying.

            “Oh…” She looks down, processing the information. She takes a breath, staying strong. “I-It’s gonna be okay, Kaida.” She tries to reassure her.

            Kaida looks up at her, tears streaming down her cheeks. “B-But… What i-if-”

            “It will be fine. I’ll be fine. I know I will…and we’ll all head home and celebrate with the family.” She gives her a confident smile, trying to calm her nerves.

            “T-That still won’t stop me from worrying about you…” She states.

            Samira looks down. Kaida gently takes her hand. “I-I’m sorry.”

            “I…I just don’t like thinking of the negative…please.”

            “I-I know…I’m trying not to…” She gently hugs her.

            Samira hugs her back. “I love you…”

            “I love you…we’ll be here when you get back…” Kaida comments.

            “I know…” They break the hug just as the healer walks in with a wheel chair.

            “It’s time, Mrs. Samira.” They inform.

            Samira takes a breath. “Alright…” Kaida and the healer helps her up and into the chair and the healer takers her away.

            “See you soon, Firefly.” Samira states through their marriage bond.

            “Yeah, see you soon, Spitfire.” She goes out and sits down with Zahir and the girls.

            “What happened?” Zahir asks.

            Kaida sighs. “They found that the tumor grew…they took her into surgery.” She reports.

            “Oh…”

            “Yeah…”

            “W-Will she-”

            “I-I don’t know…” She replies.

            Zahir looks down. They wait for a few long hours when the healer finally come out. “Samira Lumine.” Zahir and Kaida stand up at full attention.

            “Is she okay?” Kaida asks.

            “The surgery went well. We got the tumor out. Um, she will have to stay here for a while longer than originally planned so we can run more tests and make sure everything is okay and for her to rest.” They inform.

            Kaida sighs, relived. “C-Can we see her?” She asks.

            “I’m afraid not right now…She’s resting and under watch.” The healer replies.

            “I-I see…” She nods.

            “You can come see her tomorrow if you’d like.” She offers.

            “Th-Thank you.” Kaida replies. The healer nods. Kaida shakily sighs.

            Zahir puts a hand on her shoulder. “She’s gonna be okay, Kaida.” He tries to reassure her.

            “Y-Yeah.” They leave. Zahir helps her take the girls home and tuck them in. “Thank you for your help.”

            “Of course. Anything for you guys.” He replies. She nods in response. “You gonna be okay here, by yourself?” He asks.

            “Yeah, I’ll be alright.” She reassures him.

            Zahir sighs. “Well…you know you can call on me anytime you need.” He reminds her.

            “I know…thank you. Goodnight, Zahir.”

            He nods. “Goodnight.” He leaves.

            The next day, Kaida, Ziranna, and Autumn go to Samira’s room. They look in and see her lying down, resting, looking pale and weak. “M-Mira?” Kaida softly calls out to get her attention.

            Samira weakly turns her head towards them. “K-Kaida?”    

            Kaida walks over to her with the girls. “Hey…”

            “Mommy?” Ziranna gives her a worried look.

            “H-Hey, Z-Zirry.” Samira quietly greets her.

            “Are you okay?” She asks.

            “I-I’m okay, S-Sweetheart.” She reassures her.

            Zahir and Mortus arrive to check on them. “Samira?”

            “Are you doing okay?” Mortus asks.

            “I-I’m fine.” She replies. Mortus nods in response.

            Samira talks to Ziranna for a little bit. Zahir sees her and Kaida want to speak. “Hey, why don’t we take the girls to get a snack?” He offers.

            Mortus nods. “Yeah.”

            Kaida and Samira agree. The boys take the girls and leave Kaida and Samira alone in the room. Kaida sighs and sits down in a chair by the bed. “W-What’s wrong?” Samira asks.

            “Just…worried and relieved that the surgery went alright.” She replies.

            “T-They said it w-worked?” She asks.

            “Yeah, they removed it. However, you will have to stay here for a while. To make sure there isn’t anything else.” She pauses for a moment and smiles a little. “Heh, so you’ll be on more bedrest.” She lightly jokes.

            “Hm…”

            “Sorry.” She gently takes her hand.

            Samira barely squeezes it. “I-It’s okay.” Kaida gently squeezes her hand. “W-Will you b-be, okay?” She asks.

            “Yeah, as long as you are,” Kaida replies.

            “I-I’ll be fine…just a h-headache is a-all.” She replies.

            “I-I know.” She sees Samira falling asleep. She stands up and helps her get comfortable. “Get some sleep.”

            “B-But I…”

            Kaida gently lays a hand on her cheek, stroking it with her thumb. “It’s okay. You need to sleep. We’ll visit you again, I promise.” She gives her a small kiss on the lips.

            “O-Okay…”

            “Love you, Spitfire.”

            “L-Love you…too…Firef- “She falls asleep.

            Kaida sighs and walks out of the room. She finds Mortus and Zahir and walks over to them.

            “She, okay?” Zahir asks.

            “Yeah, she’s getting some sleep,” Kaida replies.

            Mortus sighs in relief. “Good.”

            “Yeah…” Autumn whines and reaches for her.

            Kaida gently takes her from Mortus. “Hey, baby, it’s okay.”

            “You sure you can handle being at home alone without Samira?” Zahir asks.

            “We can still help.” Mortus offers her.

            “I’ll be okay. I’ll let you know if I need help.” She dismisses.

            “Hm…” Mortus gives her a concerned look.

            “I promise, I’ll be okay,” Kaida reassures them.

            “Okay…” They leave the healers and return to their homes.

            A couple of weeks pass by, Zahir and Mortus are waiting at the healers for Kaida and the girls. A couple of hours pass, and Kaida finally arrives with Autumn and Ziranna to visit Samira. Mortus and Zahir take note of how exhausted Kaida looks, and Ziranna keeps her distance from her, looking upset.

            “Hey, sorry it took so long. We had a bit of a rough morning.” She apologizes.

            “Are you okay?” Zahir asks.

            “You look awful,” Mortus states.

            “I’m fine, I’m fine. I just didn’t have time to brush my hair or fix myself up today.” She dismisses. They both give her worried looks. “Anyways, let’s go see Samira.”

            “Alright…” They follow her inside and to Samira’s room. They go in and see Samira looking better than she did before.

            “Mommy!” Ziranna runs to her with her walker.

            “Hey, baby girl.” She hugs her.

            “Careful, Zirry.” Kaida reminds her.

            Ziranna does not respond to her, hiding in the hug. “It’s okay, Kaida,” Samira reassures her.

            Autumn starts crying loudly in Kaida’s arms. Kaida flinches, “Ah, ok, ok.” She looks over at the others. “I’ll be right back.” She quickly walks out to try and calm Autumn down.

            “K-Kaida?” Samira raises a brow. Kaida does not hear her as she walks outside with Autumn, pitching a fit. Samira looks up at Mortus and Zahir. “I-Is she okay?” She asks.

            “Mama been mean…” Ziranna mumbles before they can answer.

            Samira looks down at Ziranna in her arms. “W-What?” She questions.

            “Mama yelled at me this morning…” She replies.

            “Why?”

            “I don’t know…I was trying to help her with Autumn because she was screaming again. I heard a knock at the door, so I answered it for her…” She tears up. “She pulled my arm and yelled at me to not open the door without her…” Samira, Mortus, and Zahir see the hand-shaped bruise on her arm where Kaida had grabbed her.

            “Oh, no…” Samira looks it over.

            Ziranna looks down. “I-I didn’t mean to make Mama mad…” She looks down, trying not to cry. Samira gently hugs her.

            “…I’m gonna have a talk with her…” Mortus goes outside to search for Kaida. He finds her outside trying to calm Autumn down. “Kaida…”

            Kaida looks over at him. “Oh, hey, I’ll talk in a minute. I need to get her calmed down.” She replies.

            “We need to talk.” Mortus states.

            “Okay, in a minute.” She repeats.

            Mortus sighs and goes inside to get Zahir. “Zahir, I need you to come get Autumn.”

            He nods. “Alright.” He follows him outside. “I got her Kaida.” He offers.

            “No, no, I got her, but thanks.” She dismisses.

            “I wasn’t asking Kaida.” He states.

            “And I’m answering, I got her. Just go back inside to Samira. We’ll be back soon.” She replies.

            “Kaida, you need a break and Mortus need to talk to you. I got her.” Zahir states.

            “I-” Zahir cuts her off and takes Autumn. He gently rocks her, calming her down.  Kaida sighs, aggravated. Zahir goes back inside with Autumn.

            Mortus turns to Kaida. “There. See? She’ll be fine.” He states.

            “Yeah…What did you want to talk about?” She asks.

            “Are you okay? Zirry just said your morning was worse than you said.” He asks.

            “Like I said it just started out bad. Autumn was having a tantrum and then Zirry let a stranger inside the house and I had to get him out.” She explains.

            “Maybe she was just trying to help?” He questions.

            “Mortus, we told her time and time again not to open the door without us. She knew better.” She argues.

            “But you’ve been working all by yourself at home. You can’t blame her for trying to-”

            “Mortus stop. I don’t need this right now. I need to check on Autumn.” She goes to walk back inside.

            Mortus grabs her arm. “Kaida, she’s fine.” Kaida snatches her arm away and shives him back, not thinking. “Stop! Don’t touch me!” She shouts in a panic.

            Memories of their mother shoving Mortus into the basement alone in the dark, flashes through Mortus ’mind. Mortus steps back away from her, terrified.

            Kaida’s eyes widen when she realizes what she did. “M-Mortus…” She steps towards him. “I-I’m sorry, are-” He steps away from her again, in tears. Kaida tears up. “I-I’m sorry…”

            Mortus rubs his arm, looking away from her. “Y-You need t-to go r-relax…before you go b-back in there…”

            “W-Wait-” He goes back inside before she can finish. She tears up and looks down and sits down at a bench.

            Inside, Mortus comes back into the room with the others. “Everything okay?” Zahir asks.

            “S-She’s…gonna take a minute.” He replies, still trying to get the memories out of his head.

            Autumn reaches for him from Zahir’s arms. “Hey, Autumn.” He gently takes her. She clings to him.

            “What happened?” He asks.

            “…She’s stressed…” He replies.

            “W-What happened?” Samira asks.

            “She…yelled at me…and…I saw a g-glimpse of our m-mother in her eyes…” He replies.

            “Shit…are you okay?” Zahir asks, laying a hand on his shoulder.

            “I-I’m fine…but she needs help.” He replies.

            “Yeah, but she won’t accept it.” He comments.

            “…She will if I tell her to.” Samira adds in.

            “Are you sure?” Samira nods in response.

            After a while they see Kaida at the door, looking down. “Kaida?” Samira gets her attention.

            Kaida looks over up at her. Mortus and Zahir turn to look at her and Ziranna hides herr face in Samira’s shoulder, clinging to her. “Can you all give us a moment?” Samira requests.

            They nod in response. Zahir takes Ziranna into his arms and they walk out of the room. Kaida hesitantly walks in, rubbing her arm and avoiding eye contact with Samira and keep her distance. Samira sees that Kaida has been crying.

            “Kaida?”

            Kaida looks up at her. “Y-Yes?”

            “What’s going on?” She asks.

            “Nothing…just trying to take care of the house and the girls.” She replies.

            “By yourself?” She questions.

            “Y-Yeah…”

            “Kaida, you can’t handle all of that yourself.” She states.

            “But I have to…Zahir has his own work he needs to take care of and so does Mortus.” Kaida replies.

            “They’ve told me they offered to help but you turned them down…” She points out.

            “Because I can handle it…” She argues.

            Samira sighs. “Kaida…”

            “I-I have to do this alone…I-I’m their mother.” She replies.

            “I am too. And even I know I couldn’t handle all that…” She comments.

            “But-“

            “No buts, Kaida…you bruised Zirry’s arm…” She informs her.

            Kaida looks surprise at that information. “I-I did?”

            “It wasn’t too horrible…but yeah.” Kaida looks down, tearing up.

            “…You need help and time away from everything.” She comments.

            “I can’t…I-I’ll let them help…but I can’t take a break.” She replies.

            “This isn’t negotiable, Kaida.” Samira states.

            “I can’t just take a break. I have to-”

            “Kaida! Enough!” Kaida freezes, standing straight out of habit with her parents. “Zirry is scared of you, Kaida. Is that what you want?” She asks harshly.

            Tears fall down her cheeks. “N-No…”

            “Then you’ll stop…and get help.” She states. Kaida rubs her arm, scared to move. Samia sighs. “Come here.” She hesitantly walks over to her. Samira holds out her arms for a hug.

            Kaida shakes her head, stepping back. “I-I can’t…I’m s-sorry.”

            “It’s okay.” Samira comforts her.

            “It’s not…I-I didn’t want to hurt anyone…Especially out kids. I-I’m turning out just like Mother.” She cries.

            “You’re just stressed, Kaida.” She tries to comfort her.

            “That’s no excuse.” She argues.

            “Then work on it.” She states.

            She silently nods. Samira sighs and puts her arms down. She sees Kaida trying to stop crying. “I-I’ll go…I-I’ll see you n-next time…” She starts to leave. Samira shakily gets up. She catches her and gently pulls her into a hug.

            Kaida tenses up a little before relaxing and hugging her back. “Y-You need to lay back down…” She states quietly.

            “It’s fine.” Kaida sighs, tightening the hug. “Please, try to get help.” Samira pleads.

            Kaida nods in response. “I-I will…” She replies.

            “Thank you.” Kaida nods. They break the hug. Samira gently wipes her tears.

            “I-I love you.” Kaida whispers.

            “I love you too.” Samira gives her a small kiss on her forehead.

            A couple more weeks pass, Samira finally gets cleared to go home. Mortus and Zahir arrives with the girls to take her home. She walks out. “Mommy!” Ziranna runs over to Samira and hugs her.

            “Hey, Sweetheart!” She hugs her back.

            Ziranna looks up at her. “Are you feeling better?” She asks.

            “A lot better.” She replies.

            “Yay!” Ziranna cheers.

            “Ready to head home?” Mortus asks.

            Samira nods. “Let’s go.” They walk home. They go inside and see everything is clean, just a small bit messy with toys. “Wow. It looks so good in here. Better than when I left, that’s for sure.” Samira comments.

            “We helped mama.” Ziranna replies happily.

            Samira giggles. “…Speaking of, where is Kaida?” She asks, looking around for her wife.

            “She’s with Miss Martha.” She replies.

            “I see. How has she been doing?” She asks.

            “Well, she hasn’t had an outburst in a while.” Zahir replies.

            “Mama is nicer.” Ziranna adds.

            Samira sighs in relief. “That’s good.”

            After a few minutes of talking, Kaida returns home. “Hello, Mama!” Ziranna greets her.

            Kaida hugs her. “Hey, baby.” She returns the greeting.

            Ziranna giggles. “Mama, Mommy’s home!” She exclaims.

            Kaida looks up and sees Samira and smiles. She stands up, holding Ziranna’s hand and walks over to them. “Hey…how are you feeling?” She asks.

            “I’m fine now…How about you?” She asks.

            “I’m doing alright…” She replies.

            Samira nods. “Good.” She stands up and hugs her.

            Kaida smiles and hugs her back. “I missed you.”

            “I missed you too.”

            Autumn reaches for them from Mortus’ arms. “Ah!”

            “Looks like someone else missed you.” Mortus points out.

            They break the hug and look over at her. Samira takes her into her arms. “Hey Autumn.”

            Autumn babbles as if she is talking. Samira giggles. “I missed you too.” Kaida giggles as well.

            Samira hugs Autumn. “Love you, my baby girl.” Autumn giggles, clinging to her.

            “M-M-Ma!” Autumn stutters out with a giggle.

            Samira laughs and Kaida smiles proudly at her. “Aw, good job, Autumn.” She cheers.

            “You’ll be talking heads off soon.” Samira jokes. Autumn giggles in response. “Anything else while I was away?” She asks.

            “Heh, we’ll catch you up. First, let’s eat.” Kaida states.

            “Please, I need something else other than healer food.” Samira agrees.

            Kaida giggles. “Well, good thing I made your favorite.”

            “Really?!” She asks.

            “Yep.” She replies.

I know what you want

You may try to hide it but you don’t 

You tell me “I wish this or that”

I know would have preferred her

Her the one you lost

To be honest she would probably be on my side

I know I was a surprise

A wish of a child

I know you were done with children 

I know you didn’t expect me

Is that why you act this way?

Why do you act like I am just your puppet?

I know you 

You think you know me 

I know