A.N: spoiler warning for Tales of Vesperia's ps3 version since it contains information on Patty and some of her past.

Family

One day and a half of travel hadn't been as boring and plain as they'd expected. It was starting to get warmer, a clear sign winter was finally over and spring was rapidly begining its blossoming cycle. The sky was clearing out to let thin, light red sunrays slide through the clouds that were slowly being chased away by a fresh breeze. Even though dusk would soon catch up to them, it was as if everything was letting out a breath they've been holding all winter long.

Yuri sighed. Finally, they were reaching Halure. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy riding with Flynn; quite the contrary, he was glad for the moments of travelling with his best friend, whom he'd seen quite rarely as of late. That was what had spiked this all actually. Yuri had been craving for a good week of vacation, and since he hadn't needed to check to know Flynn wouldn't take a break for himself if no one reminded him that he could, what had ensued was pretty obvious. And so they had ended up heading for Halure to seek tranquility and leisure, spending the ride chatting and bantering lively. No, that wasn't why Yuri felt relief upon spotting the City of Blossom's highest tree; as much as he was pleased with having some fun after all his guildwork, he itched for a warm bath and a bed.

As soon as they passed the town's gates, Yuri jumped off his mount and streched his sore legs.

"Man, I can't wait to call it a day!"

"We haven't even gotten anything to eat yet, Yuri. I'm afraid you're going to have to wait until we check at the inn and get ourselves some dinner before you turn in." Flynn almost yawned, rather tired himself.

Yuri huffed and hung his head, looking for an answer that would spare him the effort of staying awake one more hour. Checking in was done quickly and the innkeeper, a charming lady in her mid-fourties, helped them getting comfortable. Yuri was still complaining by the time they left the building.

"Can't I just wait here while you get us something?"

"Only if you want to eat your sheets tonight."

"Hmph. It's so nice to be in your stuck-up company again." he pouted, for lack of better retort.

Flynn shook his head but didn't comment any further; he knew Yuri was just out of excuses and only being led by his weary mood.

The sky above Halure had darkened since their arrival and the air felt refreshing against their skin. It carried a pleasant smell of grass and cherry blossoms, as well as a hint of wood fire. Further into the town was held a market that opened until late at night. Flynn was glad for the close outlet, it meant they could grab something to eat and return quickly to the inn. The trip and his work in general had taken quite their toll on him, hence he longed for a nice night of rest as well.

He hurried to the market, when after a few steps he heard Yuri halt behind him.

"Wait a minute, is that- heh yeah, what do you know, it's Karol!"

Flynn turned around in surprise and looked to the direction Yuri was pointing at, namely Halure's main tree. He had to squint to notice, but his friend was right: there, on one of the tree's large roots was sitting Brave Vesperia's young leader, Karol. And- wait. He was not alone but talking to someone else. But that was-

"Patty?! What is she doing here too?" Yuri exclaimed.

"I don't know." Flynn shook his head. "We should see what they're up to."

The swordsman didn't need to be told twice and in no time he crossed the distance to the children, Flynn following suit. Once they were close enough Yuri called out to Karol, who turned around sharply and waved happily when he recognized them.

"Yuri! What are you doing here? And hi Flynn!"

"Hello Karol, Patty, it's good to see you both. Well, we were about to ask you the same question."

"We asked you first." the blonde girl smirked.

Yuri rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'm here on vacation and I somehow convinced mister workaholic over here to come with me."

"Hey! You dragged me along more than anything and I'm not a workaholic. I'm just doing my job correctly." Flynn glared.

"Yeah, right, whatever." He waved him off and turned to the children. "Anyways, what about you?"

"I just happened to pass by." Patty replied with a malicious glint in her eyes. Flynn felt she had other reasons for her presence but he merely nodded and left it at that.

"And you, Karol?" he smiled.

"I'm visiting Estelle since she told me she'd spend a few days here. I need her help for...erm, stuff." his cheeks reddened the slightest bit, and Yuri couldn't help but laugh.

"Nan, huh?" he winked.

"Well I-... er, no- shut up!"

Flynn chuckled at Karol's flustered face and decided to save him from his best friend's unmerciful teasing.

"Where is Lady Estellise anyway?"

"She said she had a few things to take care of with some people in town, so I'm waiting here for her. I'm sure she'll be back soon though."

"Geez, am I some kind of magnet or why do I keep bumping into you all?" Yuri yawned, turning to Flynn. "I say we wait here for her and see what to do then. Sounds good?"

"Yes, sure." the knight agreed.

Soon enough, they were sitting down next to the kids on the hefty roots, with Karol leaning against Yuri's left arm and Patty having made herself comfortable on Flynn's lap. It was nice, to lay down and enjoy the moment for once. Doing nothing but listen to the town's low racket, and let their mind wander. Children's laughter and lively chatting was heard from further away in the city. The scent of flowers rose even stronger under the tree, especially since it was blooming better now that spring had begun.

Comfortable silence strechted for a bit longer until Patty, who was playing with the ends of Flynn's tunic, murmured thoughtfully:

"It feels nice like this you know. Almost...like a family. I never really had one of my own."

Yuri cracked one eye open, bewildered by that sudden confession. He was about to ask her what she meant when he felt Karol budge next to him.

"Yeah...I kinda miss that feeling too." he had taken a sad tone that the swordsman didn't really like. Looking at Flynn, who was frowning slightly, so did he.

"You don't have anyone like that?" the knight asked cautiously.

Karol shook his head. "Not really. I'm an orphan so I was more or less always on my own. I don't think I could consider the Hunting Blades my family. Brave Vesperia's very close, but it's still different." he sighed and turned to Patty. "But what about you? Didn't you tell us once you were very close to Seifer?"

The little girl smiled and nodded, making her long blonde braids bounce up and down. "I guess he was the only one I could imagine calling family. But he's dead now." she finished with a wistful look.

Troubled silence weighed over them for a moment, until it was broken by Yuri's unusually gentle voice.

"You know...we can be your family." he started slowly while trying to catch Flynn's gaze. The blond didn't say anything, but his blue eyes were looking at him with curiosity and, to Yuri's irritation, suspicion.

In the meantime Karol and Patty had also turned to him and were staring with wide eyes.

"Huh? What do you mean?" the boy asked, confused.

Yuri shrugged, although the corner of his lips betrayed his apparent nonchalance in a smirk.

"Well you said you had no real family...but it's not always a matter of being related by blood, and I speak from experience. What do you say we become yours? It's better than being alone."

Slowly, a huge smile formed on Patty's lips as she gripped the tunic she was sitting on.

"Wait, Yuri, are you serious? Really really serious?!" she beamed, her voice full of hope and exitement.

"Why wouldn't I be? I mean..." he looked at Flynn again, hoping the knight had gotten behind his reasoning. As soon as he laid eyes on him however, his worries faded as he found understanding in his partner's gaze. Flynn was now smiling from ear to ear.

"I see absolutely no reason why not."

Patty was the first to react and she threw herself on Yuri in a tight embrace.

"Aye! So that means we have two dads now?!"

The dark haired paused and blinked, taken aback. "Er...well I was thinking about siblings, but I guess parents work too." he spoke carefully. After all, they were adults and the kids were orphans so this kind of adoption didn't seem to be a problem either way. "Right?"

Since Flynn was the Commandant, being a dad sounded like it required more effort than the job of a sibling did and he wasn't sure his friend could handle all of it. Karol spun around at that.

"Right? Right?" he stared at Flynn with wide happy eyes.

The blond didn't have the heart to turn him down. And he really was fond of the two of them; they were full of energy and held this spark of adventure that reminded him of Yuri and himself way back in the past. Karol was brave and kindhearted, while Patty was as dynamic as lovely.

"I think I'll manage somehow." Flynn chuckled as he gently ruffled Karol's hair.

The young boy jumped into the air, arms up and grinning.

"That's so awesome!"

- o -

When Estelle returned to Halure's blossoming tree, she was more than surprised to find not only Karol, but Patty and her two other friends Yuri and Flynn talking exitedly. The princess wondered how they could have all gathered there in her absence, but waited a while longer before deciding to join them. As she watched her friends laugh, Estelle felt a warm sensation spread within her chest. She'd noticed from the very begining how much the children appreaciated playing with either Yuri or Flynn, even if the latter was harder to get through at times. The affection always seemed to be mutual though and she couldn't help a fond smile gracing her lips.

As she approached the group, Estelle faintly heard Yuri shouting for he'd been tackled by Patty and was now lying on the ground with both Karol laughing wholeheartedly and Flynn trying to hold back a laugh of his own. Chuckling, she shook her head and wondered just how well it would all go.