Prompt #46: Family
Series: X/1999
Characters/Pairings: Karen, Nataku (Kazuki). No pairings.
Summary: Karen takes Nataku in and together they learn what a family is. Companion to Gift from God.
The reason she had taken him in was to save herself.
Well, perhaps it was not exactly the reason why. But he reminded her of how she had looked many years ago, a lost child with no one in the world who would care for them. No one who would notice that they were gone. But she had the Father of the church, and she would pass the Father's kindness to this boy.
In a sense, it was as though she was saving herself. The child in the church, trying to scare away the person who would care for her. It was a repeating kindness that she hoped maybe this boy would also show in the future.
"Please take a seat, Nataku." He did so without complaint. Karen sat across from him, pouring two cups of tea. It was lukewarm. She could have warmed it with her fire, but she didn't want to frighten him. The only time he had seen her power was when she was fighting him. That was what the ability was meant for.
They sat in silence. Karen sipped her tea while Nataku stared at her blankly hands in his lap and teacup ignored. Karen was not particularly bothered by the pale child's gaze. If she were in his shoes she would probably be doing the same thing.
"I will make us something to eat. Is there anything you have a taste for?" No reply. That didn't prevent the Dragon of Heaven from getting up and taking the dishes with her to the kitchen, including Nataku's still full cup. Karen made a simple dish of curry and rice, making sure that the taste was mild. She preferred her food spicy but she wasn't sure how Nataku would react to it, and it would be bad for him to think she was poisoning him.
Karen set the food down, one plate for her and one for Nataku. She clasped her hands in front of her to pray, and watched through slight eyes as Nataku slowly did the same. "Thank you for the food." Karen took a bite and after a moment Nataku took a small nibble. They ate in silence, and Nataku finished eating with still half a plate of food left. Karen didn't push him, and simply finished eating her fill. That was when Nataku looked up from the plate to her face, his eyes burning with unasked questions.
"Ah…"
"Yes? Don't be afraid to speak. Tell me exactly what you want to say."
"My father…called me…Kazuki…"
"Kazuki?" At the boy's nod, Karen tapped her lower lip thoughtfully. And then she smiled, her gaze leveled at the boy's. "That is a good name. Kazuki."
There was a flash of surprise in his expression but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. Yet Karen was satisfied, and she smiled throughout dinner.
She had a feeling that they were going to be alright.