You swallow harshly, standing just outside the bedroom door as you listen to him put your child to sleep. His voice is soft, filled with affection that almost outweigh the apprehension that clung to his words. Almost. He lets out a chuckle as your child responds to him with a cheerful voice. And all of a sudden it’s too much. You swallow harshly once more, hurrying down the hallway, determined not to betray what was truly happening. He isn’t just putting your child to bed. He’s also saying goodbye for who knows how long. War was waging across the three realms. But you couldn’t let your fear show. After all, he insisted that the innocence of your child be protected.
Once you feel that you were far enough, you lean against the wall, tears slipping down your cheeks. Why was this happening? Things had been so peaceful, for so long. So why now? Why did the ones against Diavolo’s plan to unite the three realms reveal themselves now? Why now, when you had a child to raise together, when you were finally happy together? You bury your face in your hands, your shoulders shaking as you let out a muffled sob.
It wasn’t fair.
You barely register the quiet sound of footsteps approaching you, and before you can look up, you feel his warm embrace. The feeling of his arms around you helps you relax, and you bury your face in his chest, taking in all the comfort you can.
He holds you silently for a few moments, slowly rubbing your back until you catch your breath. When you let out a quiet sniffle he pulls away, his gaze filled with sadness even as he gives you a reassuring smile. Your eyes flutter shut as he kisses the top of your forehead, explaining once more why he had to go.
He reminds you that he wasn’t going alone, that he would have the support of the others. One arm wraps around your waist, holding you close as his other hand cups your cheek, gently guiding you to meet his gaze. You know he’s trying to reassure you. And you know that it’s hard for him to.
You lift your own hand to place it over his, holding it against your cheek for as long as you can. Your gaze takes him in as you give his hand a squeeze, attempting to commit everything to memory. Pain and affection mingled together in your gaze. You feel pride that he was going to protect the dream of peace and unity between the three realms. The dream that brought the two of you together in the first place.
He smiles softly at you as you move your hands to cup his cheeks instead, pulling him closer to you. Your eyes flutter shut as you press his forehead against his. The anxiety and fear of losing him still swirled within you, but holding him in your arms brought a sense of peace washing over you. He kisses you gently, every unspoken word poured into the kiss and you smile against his lips. You had faith in him.
Your eyes are brimming with unshed tears, and you hastily wipe them away, determined to send him off with a smile. He ruffles your hair, appreciating your effort to support him. You walk him to the door, holding his hand for as long as you can. You hear the quiet voices of the others outside. They were waiting for him. You couldn’t delay it any longer. He squeezes your hand, as if reading your thoughts, giving you his best attempt at a reassuring smile. With his free hand, he pulls out a sealed envelope, and written in his handwriting, is the name of your child.
With a final kiss on your cheek, he pulls away, walking towards the others. You clutch the envelope to your chest, hoping that you’ll never have to give it to your child. Hoping against hope that he wouldn’t be gone that long. When he looks back, you smile brightly, waving as you lift the letter to your lips. You kiss it with a silent prayer for his safety, watching as he waved back before following the others onto the path illuminated by the soft moonlight. And as their figures became smaller, the hope within you changed to faith.
Faith that he would succeed. Faith that he would return.
Faith that he would return to his family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Years later, the world is at peace once more. Relations between the three realms are better than ever. You’re in the kitchen, unaware of the fact that your child is going through old papers. They come across an envelope that looks older than the other papers around them. Curiosity fills their gaze as they pull it, their fingers tracing over the letters that spell out their name. Sitting down where they are, they open it carefully, afraid of damaging the old letter in their hands.
They scan the letter, barely able to pick out some phrases, the words faded with age.
I’m dedicating everyday to you.
When you smile, I fall apart.
I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll make a million mistakes.
Their eyes narrow, trying to make out the last sentence on the page.
I’ll make the world safe and sound for you.
Their eyes are round with wonder as their fingers trace the faded writing on the worn paper. They slowly stand up, making their way to the living room, unable to lift their gaze. With every step, memories seem to come back to them. Lulled to sleep by a soft and affectionate voice. The faint sounds of crying, and the quiet words of reassurance. The confusion of waking up to see their father gone. Things they had brushed off as dreams, now returning clearer than ever. They reach the living room, looking up to find their father.
Their gaze lights up when they find him, and they hurry over to his side, waving the letter in their hands. They speak with excitement, telling him about their find, asking him for the story behind it. He laughs lightly, patting the spot beside him, telling them to sit down. He gives them an affectionate smile, noticing the curiosity and excitement in their gaze.
He knew then, that it had all been worth it. And you, who was listening outside the doorway once more, knew it too. Tears of happiness slip down your cheek, so different from the tears of pain you had shed all those years ago. A fond smile graces your features as you listen to him tell the story, knowing that you were thinking the same thing together.
We’ll give the world you. And you’ll blow us all away, someday...
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