Shantae smiled down at the boy in her arms. He had fallen asleep as she rocked him, and she hadn't moved from that spot in well over an hour, gazing down at him lovingly. She liked this...taking care of kids was fun! Little Harry was just SO UNBEARABLY warm and snuggly and tiny, and GRRR, SHE JUST COULDN'T TAKE IT! Such a fragile little thing. One that needed to grow...like a sapling. She felt like she had to be careful how she held him, lest she snap his little bones in two... She adjusted the rather bony child into a more raised position, then continued to enjoy herself. She would give him a kiss on the nose every ten seconds or so as she held him lovingly. Soon enough, the boy began to stir. His nap had been short and he was ready to do more things. He was groggy, however, and momentarily forgot his surroundings. He was warm...comfortable...definitely not near Vernon Dursley. Whoever was holding him was FAR too slim to be his uncle... And whoever it was smelled like...Like... Like a beach...and flowers. He liked it.. Then he remembered. It was Miss Shantae! He tilted his head up groggily to see her with a kind smile, looking down on him. "Morning, sweetie." She cooed, ruffling his hair. "Well...afternoon. Did you like your nap?" She asked, the little boy yawning and cuddling into her.
"Uh-huh...Th-Thanks for holding me..." Harry replied softly. "You're comfy..."
Shantae giggled and kissed his head. "Thank you little one!" Harry was delighted at the kiss. He loved them...They were a sign of affection, something he wanted desperately. He giggled at the kiss, then recieved another kiss. This was the best!
He happily accepted them, before she stopped suddenly. "Sooo...Wanna see what your new hometown is like?"
"H-Hometown...? Uh..." Harry didn't particularly like this...what if they didn't like him?
Shantae frowned. "Don't worry...You're gonna love it here! I promise."
"B-But what if they hate me..?" he whimpered, fearful
Shantae giggled. "Aw, don't be silly! No one is going to hate you! If they do, I'll kick their butts!"
"P-Promise..?" Harry asked, still worried.
"Cross my heart and hope to die." Shantae said, crossing her heart.
Harry shook his head. "D-Don't die..."
Shantae smiled. "Oh, don't worry, I wasn't planning on it!" Harry looked Relieved, and was carried away out into the sun. He smiled. The warm sun felt so nice... Shantae laughed and sauntered into the limits of Scuttle Town. There was so much to see, and Harry was going to see all of it. She decided to check out the docks first! Harry could look out at the blue ocean! As she stepped onto the docks, spotting a green skinned friend of hers. Shantae blinked in surprise. "Rottytops! I didn't know you were coming over!"
"Shantae! I just decided to drop in..see how you were.. Maybe grab a bite to eat when you weren't looking...who's the kid..?" the zombie asked
Shantae smiled proudly. "THIS is Harry! Say hi, Harry!"
Harry looked at Rotty uneasily, and did a half-wave, before hiding in Shantae. "Um...Miss Shantae, she's all green...Is she sick?" He asked, concerned.
Shantae laughed. "No no no, she's a zombie Harry!" she said cheerfully
Rottytops looked at Harry with a grin. "That's right. So...Uh...Who's the lucky guy?"
"My new child." Shantae giggled.
"Oh, no I mean..who's the dad?" Rotty asked, pressing forward.
Shantae blushed violently and shook her head. "N-No! I found him getting picked on, and he had nowhere to go!"
"Aaaah. You always did have a huge heart, so it doesn't surprise me you took him in." Rottytops chuckled.
Shantae laughed, then kissed Harry's forehead. "Yeah...he's already such a great little guy."
Harry let out a small squeak and blushed. Rotty grinned. "Oh...you're already so good with the squirt!"
Shantae smirked. "Well, sure. He brings out the best in a person."
Harry blushed again, violently. "Y-You're too nice..." He squeaked out.
"Nope! Moderately nice!" Shantae giggled
"But...You're REALLY nice!" Harry protested. "You give me hugs!"
"Hugs should be a standard dear..." Shantae chided.
"Not back home..." Harry mumbled sadly.
Shantae looked at him with sadness in her features... "Aw, that's NOT your home anymore. Your home's with Miss Shantae." She said gently.
"I-it is..? You promise...?" he asked
"Of course! You wished for it, remember? I DID say I'd give you your wishes." Harry whimpered and gave her another hug. She was like...like... No. He couldn't. He would seriously be overstepping his bounds. So he settled for hugging. Yes...He would give her hugs like she gave him hugs. Maybe she liked them as much as he did. He wrapped his arms around her neck and happily teared up. "Oh, Harry, don't cry." Shantae cooed gently, drying his tears.
"Y-You're so nice..." He replied
Rottytops was watching the scene play out with a smirk and crossed arms. "Oh Shantae..why didn't you adopt earlier?"
Shantae heard her mumble something and looked at her with a tilted head. "Sorry, what?"
Rotty grinned and turned away. "Nothing!"
Shantae smiled and put a hand on her hip. "Well, I was just showing the little guy around town. Wanna come?"
"You know I do! But I get to hold him!" Rotty declared. Shantae raised a brow. "...What? He's cute!"
"Harry, do you wanna be held by Rottytops?" Shantae asked
Harry hesitated. "Um...If...If she's gentle..."
Rotty promised she would be, and Harry was handed over. He flinched at being held in a pair of arms that wasn't Shantae's... "Aww..he's so fragile looking." Rotty commented.
"Yeah...He's just little." Shantae agreed, patting his head. Harry blushed as he was carried about by the two women. They were taking turns carrying him, and they were both gentle and comfy, even if Rottytops was a bit stinky. Soon Harry had effectively been lulled into a state of safety. NOTHING could hurt him when his new friends were around! He was shown around the town that was covered in sunset light. It really was a beautiful town... Harry loved it! "And this is my favourite place to eat out." Shantae said, pointing out a small diner. Harry nodded as the smells filled his nose. It smelled so yummy he almost started drooling. "Wanna go eat there?" she offered
"Um...If...If YOU want to...I don't think we should do it because I want to...If you don't want to, we should keep going..."
Shantae laughed, took Harry back to he arms, and entered the diner. "We're eating here because YOU want to." She told him gently.
"But but but-"
"Shh..." She chided. "Now let's eat!" Soon, they were sitting around a table, chowing down on fish and happily enjoying one another. Rottytops was content to just watch. It was so sweet... She just watched, drinking in the sight of Shantae fretting over Harry's messy face. "Tsk...You're a messy eater, silly." She cooed with a smile.
"S-Sorry Miss Shantae.." he apologized, covering his face
Shantae giggled and gently pulled his hands off of his face so she could smile at him. Harry blushed as she wiped off his face. Rottytops laughed. "Seriously, who'd've though you'd be such a MOM?"
"Hey! I'm just being nice!" Shantae sighed
Rottytops smirked. "Yeah, you sure are, mama Shantae."
She blushed greatly and hugged Harry She even let out a squeak as she did so. Rotty laughed heartily, and Shantae returned to cuddling Harry. "Rotty's a meanie." She mumbled to the little boy.
"Meanie Rotty!" Harry replied
"Wh-What?! No! I'm NOT mean! I'm nice, really!"
"Meanie." Shantae whispered
"No! Nicie!"
Harry giggled at the interaction Then he blushed and looked down, feeling guilty. Shantae kissed his cheek and hugged him a bit more "SUCH a cutie!"
Harry laughed and he was hugged tightly. After a few more minutes of chatting between one another, Rotty and Shantae returned to speaking. "Did you hear about the Tinkerbat attacks?" Rotty asked
Shantae stiffened. "...Wait...What?"
"Yeah...they've been harassing some tourists here and there, and being a nuisance." Rotty grimly said.
Shantae scowled. "Am I gonna have to teach them a lesson again?"
Rotty nodded. "But...your genie powers.."
Shantae's shoulders sagged. "Oh...Right...My powers..."
"Sorry Shantae...we're still searching to get them back.."
Shantae shook her head. "I'm telling you, there's no way...I destroyed my genie half..."
"Well..there has to be..some way..." Rotty said, trying to be confident.
"I don't think so, Rotty..." Shantae replied forlornly.
Rotty sighed, laying her head on the table. "This really sucks..." She muttered.
"I know...I should know."
Harry was confused. "Um...Miss Shantae?" He asked.
"Yes, sweetie?"
"G-Genie powers..?" He asked
"Yeah...I WAS half genie." Shantae told him.
"I-Is that why I get wishes..?"
"Yes...But I don't have magic anymore. So I have to grant them the old fashioned way." She winked.
"Um...i-i'm sorry...that's sad.." HArry sighed
Shantae smiled warmly. "Such a sweetie." She cooed.
Harry blushed throughout his whole face. "I'm not that cute..."
"Yes you are!" Shantae laughed
"The cutest of the cute!" Rottytops agreed.
Harry blushed, giggled, and his in Shantae's chest "You two are so nice..."
"We know! But you deserve it Harry..." Shantae reminded
"But why? What have I done to deserve it?" Harry asked.
"You've been treated...SO wrongly...you're polite, and empathetic...you just..you're adorable!" Shantae told him
Harry teared up. "I...I just...Thank you..."
"No problem Harry..." She cooed, hugging him. "Always remember that this is the treatment you deserve..."
"Yes Miss Shantae..." He promised
"Good boy." Shantae cooded.
Harry laughed and cuddled back into Shantae. His tummy was now full, and he was content. They paid for their food. Shantae grumbled about Rotty's food costing too much. "You were buying!" Rotty protested.
"So you go straight for the most expensive thing on the menu."
"Well...yes." Rotty sighed.
"Next time it's on you." Shantae said simply.
"Yeah ok.." Rotty sighed. "Fair enough, I guess..."
"Ok! I'll take Harry home!" Shantae laughed, twirling Harry.
"I should probably head back too." Rottytops replied.
"Oh! I still have to see Uncle Mimic!" Shantae grinned, taking off. "Bye Rottytops!"
"Later, Shantae!" Rottytops waved.
Shantae moved throughout the town, the area lit by street lamps. "It's getting dark out." She mused.
"I-It's pretty..." Harry said.
The lamplight, people, and faint Viola music provided a lovely mood. Shantae giggled. "Yeah, I love this town." She danced around a bit as she continued her way. She couldn't help it, the sound of music always brought that out in her. Harry laughed as she twirled about. Shantae blushed slightly. "Oops...Did it again, huh...?"
"No! It's fun..." Harry said, matter-of-factly
Shantae giggled. "Oh? Someone likes to dance, huh?"
"I-I like it when you dance..." Harry said, hiding in his hands again.
"Well then, I guess I'll be dancing a lot!" Shantae cooed. Harry clapped and Shantae returned to dancing with him. "C'mon! Let's see if we can find the music!" Harry nodded and Shantae took off. "Let's see...I can hear the violins..."
They entered the town square where a man stood on a pile of crates, tearing it up on the Viola, making the people clap and grinned broadly. This was amazing! She immediately rushed into into the fray, setting Harry on her shoulders and performing her dances. The people cheered, "Shantae!" Yes, the half-genie hero was very popular amongst the townspeople for her dances. Harry laughed, but started feeling eyes on him. He began to feel uncomfortable. He heard people talking from here and there, saying things of the likes of,
"Shantae has a son?"
"Does that make him quarter genie?"
"Who's is dad?"
"He's so cute..."
"And Shantae looks so happy!"
Harry blushed and hid behind Miss Shantae's ponytail. Shantae giggled. "Aw, Harry..." She took him off her shoulders and held him up to her face. "Don't be shy. These people are all nice."
"T-They're talking bout me.." Harry whimpered.
"Yeah. But are they saying anything BAD about you?"
"N-No..." Harry admitted
"You should be proud! They're saying nice things about you!" Shantae said, assuringly.
"N-Nice things..?" Harry asked
"Uh-huh! They called you cute!" Harry blushed and hid again. Shantae just giggled and patted his head.
"Aww, she loves him!"
"No seriously, who's dating Shantae?"
Shantae giggled at the townspeoples reactions. Harry yawned and Shantae giggled and cooed. She gave his forehead a kiss. "Maybe you can meet Uncle Mimic tomorrow..."
Harry nodded and stayed cuddled up to her . He wanted to close his eyes and sleep. It was a long day... Shantae carried him off, eventually arriving back at her home through the darkness. She smiled as she remembered the cheerful farewells of the people at the square. Harry was half asleep though, so nothing was remembered. Shantae gave him a tender smile. "Okay sleepy...bedtime!"
"Yay..." Harry replied softly.
She carried him to her bed and gently tucked him in. She giggled as he snuggled into her mattress and clutched the sheets close to himself. She slipped in next to him, then calmly hugged him close. "So tiny..." She whispered softly. And then, they both fell into exhausted sleeping... Shantae subconsciously pulled the little boy closer. And Harry smiled as he was hugged tightly. He had sweet, happy dreams.