The receptionist listened kindly before taking them to Ro's head of year down in the year 8 staff room.
Ro's year leader was a rather large lady with a warm smile and kind eyes. When she saw Ro's sore eyes and Alfred's lingering anger, she invited them into her office immediately. He sat explaining how Ro was having difficulties and how the teacher pinned her because of it. The fire bubble was a rather pressed topic for the moment.
"Well, the bubbles are a treat for our year 8 students," she assured him gently, her accent thick and comforting. "When Rosie was offered a place here, no one mentioned her issues with fire, or the science department would have been informed. I'm so sorry."
Ro just curled up in her seat, hugging her legs.
Al rubs her back. "I guess that's partially our fault too though.." He didn't even know about it till recently..
"If you feel there is definitely an issue in Mr. Cripley's class, I can request for you to be moved," she spoke to Ro this time. "But the only other class at that time is a lot more advanced than the one you're in right now..."
"I can help catch her up if she needs it."
"I don't mean to sound rude, but Rosie doesn't seem to have the same understanding of Science as she does for other subjects... I can see your good intentions, but she needs someone qualified to help her catch up. Tutoring, maybe?"
"Maybe.."
Ro hid her face in a mixture of shame and embarrassment.
"Rosie, dear, don't be embarrassed," her year leader comforted tenderly. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone struggles in one subject or another. I personally hated P.E." she chuckled to herself.
Al smiles softly.
"I'll have a word with the science department about getting you moved, why don't you go home and just relax for the night."
"Thank you."
Ro just nodded numbly, picking up her bag. They headed to the car and drove home. Ro sat quietly the whole way.
"You ok?"
"I guess," she shrugged uncomfortably. "I just feel a little useless after the while science thing..."
"...Iain had a job for you.."
"Oh...?" Her unease grew. "Um... If its about that vase I knocked over last month, I still don't know how to fix it...?"
"No it's not that. ...Remember the goblin that bit him?"
"Y-yeah..?"
"It's only if you feel up to it.. But he wants you and me to distract it while he moves the fairy tree.."
She sank in her chair, fidgeting. Al sat silently, worried himself.
"How many goblins are there?" she whispered.
"I'm not sure.."
"One caught my uncle back on my old tree..."
"...Iain says they've taken a lot of the kids... He's gonna move the tree into the house till he's healed up enough to get rid of them.."
"I have to really, don't I..." She looked anything but willing, but grim determination shone in her tired eyes.
Al sighs. "Neither of us like it either but we don't have much of a choice.."
"I'll do it..." She couldn't save her own tree, but she could help save another.
Al reached over gripping her hand. She gripped tightly, little hand shaking slightly. They pulled into the drive walking inside.
"I swear they're watching me," she whispered, pressing against Al.
"I know.. I feel it too.."
"I want them to go away..."
Al squeezed her hand pulling her in the house.
"Um, Al..." She stopped him just inside the door.
"Huh?"
"Please don't tell anyone about science," she asked softly. "I... I don't want them making a fuss over it..."
Al smiled, "Sure thing."
She sighed with relief, hugging him tight. He hugs her back.
"Everything alright?" Arthur came out into the hall. "I heard the door shut them nothing...?"
"Yeah we're good."
Ro smiled softly, but Arthur's gaze made her uneasy. She knew he could tell.
"I'm gonna.. Go change ..."
"Alright."
She slipped off, hurrying up.
Arthur frowned softly. "Why was she upset?"
"She agreed to help Iain with the fairies.."
"Why would that upset her? You didn't force her, did you?"
"No but she's nervous about it.."
"Understandable," Arthur muttered. "She just looked kind of teary..."
Al smiles softly hugging him. Arthur looked a little surprised but wasn't one to turn his children away.
"I took care of it, don't worry."
"If you say so," Arthur squeezed him warmly before pulling back.
Al grins and went to find Iain.
He found the redhead outside again, staring icily out at the woods. Al walks up beside him.
"Aye?" the Scot grunted.
"She said she'd do it.."
"Then we'll do it Friday when she comes home..."
He nodded.
"Help her practice her flight. She'll need all her strength."
"Sure thing."
"Make sure she isn't bitten..." It almost sounded like a hidden threat...
"I will."
"Francis is doing dinner. Amuse yourself til then."
Al nods going back inside
Ashe met him at the door, whining.
"What's up?"
The poor pooch must be getting lonely. Everyone kept forgetting him. Al picked him up petting. He snuggled in, tail wagging sadly. Al smiles going to sit with him. All the pup wanted was a bit of love.
They curled up on the couch and watched tv for a while.
Ro came back down just before dinner. Al and Ashe walked up with a pout.
She instantly melted with guilt. "I'm sorry..."
"It's fine."
She reached for her puppy. "I haven't played with you in ages.."
"Maybe go for a walk after you eat?"
"We usually walk in the woods," she sighed. "I suppose we could run along the road until the goblins are gone...?"
"That'd be best."
"I don't really like the roads... The cars make the air taste funny..."
"I could go with you?"
"You don't have to," she shrugged. "We're usually okay."
"If you're sure.."
"You can come if you want to," she smiled softly.
He grins. Her smile brightened at that.
They settled in for dinner. Ro still wasn't eating much, but at least everyone seemed to be in growing spirits. Chatter fluttered across the table, smiled returning to their faces.
After wards the two of them headed out the door. Ashe bounced off excitedly as they walked up the road. Ro giggled at him as he stopped to sniff everything in their path.
"So other than science how's school been?"
"Pretty good, I guess," she shrugged. "Jamie hasn't been bothering me much lately, but there's still a few people..."
"That's better than her though."
"Yeah... I'm getting really good on the trampolines though," she offered, trying to lighten the conversation. "Coach thinks I might be able to compete soon."
"Awesome. Sounds like fun."
"Do you think anyone would come watch...?" She wanted to think they'd be interested in her achievement, but she knew nations got awful busy too...
"I would. I'm sure the others would come too if they're free."
She smiled gratefully. "I just wonder what the point in learning all this stuff is sometimes..."
"You never know.."
She gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?"
"You never know when knowing something will come in handy."
"I suppose," she smiled softly. "Did you have to go to school too...?"
"Yeah at one point. Though the first time I went it was a lot different than today."
"How?" she stumbled as Ashe tried to dash after a cat.
"Well mostly I learned to read and write."
"Did you have evil teachers...?"
"My teacher was ok but punishments were a lot meaner than today. If you misbehaved they swat you with a paddle and stood in the corner."
"Being humiliated in front of everyone," she muttered under her breath.
He nodded.
"How much longer until I get Christmas break?" she asked tiredly. "I just want to be with everyone again..."
"Two weeks or so I think?"
She sighed softly. "I love school, but I just need a break..."
"Almost there."
"Could I... I wanted to get a little present for Layla," Ro hummed softly. "Maybe Jordan too. They've been so nice to me since I got here..."
"That's nice. Remind me when you're ready and I'll take you shopping."
"Friday? We could go after school?"
"Sure. We can get that done after we help the tree."
"Okay," her smile faltered a little. "How exactly are we doing that, anyway...?"
"I'm not sure.. Iain probably has something though."
"Okay..." She'd just have to trust Iain then...
Al wrapped an arm over her shoulders. She leaned in, nuzzling gently.
They walked along the road for a while before heading back. Ashe was happy again but was still determined to stay with her. As soon as Ro sat down in the lounge, Ashe wiggled his way into her lap. Al sat next to her.
She hugged the pup and leaned into Alfred's side. He smiles hugging her.
Arthur came in to offer them a cup of tea, smiling warmly when he saw them.
"Hey."
"Either of you want a drink? I just put the kettle on.."
"Sure."
"Do we still have cocoa?" Ro asked hopefully.
"I think so," Arthur smiled. "Do you want me to ask Francis if he'll make you his special again?"
She nodded softly, smiling meekly. Al grins. Arthur slipped off to sort drinks. They settled back in.
Arthur went to find Francis. Said blonde was finishing the dishes from earlier.
"Hey," Arthur came up behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist.
Francis smiles turning to peck him.
Arthur smiled tenderly. "Ro wants cocoa. Would you mind making it?"
"Not a problem."
"Thanks," he kissed his cheek lovingly. "I think she just needed a bit of attention."
Francis hugs him before fixing it up. They took the drinks back through to the lounge, passing them out. Ro took hers with a sleepy smile. She looked like she needed it. She sipped her drink and snuggled into Alfred.
Arthur cuddled with Francis. They each got hugs.
It was a nice way to wind down. Ro fell asleep on Alfred's lap. He sat petting her hair. She smiled softly, peaceful.
She needed some peace..
Arthur pottered around them quietly, cleaning up odds and ends. Al stayed for a while before taking her to bed. When he tried to put her down, she clung to him needily.
He sighs softly. She didn't mean to be a bother, but she was lonely.
Al settled in next to her. She curled up, relaxing in relief.
Thursday morning, they'd move the fairies tomorrow. Ro woke with anticipation bubbling in her chest. She still had a full day, but the knowledge of what was to come scared her.
It shouldn't be that bad should it? Maybe she suffered an acute form of anxiety? It would explain how she reacted under pressure.
Al would be with her, it'll be fine.
She had a glass of orange juice for breakfast before getting a ride to school again. Normal enough day so far.
It looked like it would be a good day until they got a call from Ro's school around lunch. Al frowns watching Arthur answer it.
Arthur's face went from confused to livid. He set the phone down and exploded into a rant of swearing and anger. Al flew around his head trying to get an answer.
"Someone was teasing her at lunch, they figured out she didn't like fire."
"What?!"
"Playing with a lighter," Arthur explained on his way out the door. "They managed to catch her hair with it. A good chunk of its been singed apparently."
Al landed on his shoulder with a groan, hands covering his face.
He paused just by the car. "Should we take Francis?" He was the only one that took beauty seriously...
"I think he might help.."
Arthur ran back in, grabbing him. They took off rather quickly. The route to Ro's school was second nature at this point. They pulled up and piled out.
Al had morphed into bird form having not been dressed. They headed in, being directed to the nurses office. Ro sat on the bed in the corner, her long red hair singed up to her shoulder on one side.
Francis pulls her into a tight hug as he looked it over. They would have to cut most of her hair off to get rid of the burnt bits...
Francis held her tight, Al nuzzling under her chin. She hugged back, most frustrated that she'd gone through all that effort this morning for it all to be worthless. He'd fix it though.
Arthur muttered to the nurse softly before nudging Francis. "Home?"
They nudged her into the car and headed off. She gazed out of the window all the way home, fiddling with her short bits.
Once there Francis started working.
By the time he'd snipped away the charted pieces and levelled out her bangs, she was back to her short pixie cut that she'd had when she first met the twins.
Francis smiles gently. Ro touched it curiously, a soft smile spreading over her face.
"Alright?"
"I feels like it used to..." She whispered.
He ruffles the locks gently as he started to clean up. Ro grinned and got up, ending up outside.
Al was staring of in the distance in the yard. Ro kicked off her shoes on the porch and joined him barefoot.
"..You ok?"
"I feel great," she admitted, laughing softly.
He smiles softly.
"I don't know why," she giggled. "I feel... More myself than I have I'm a while."
"That's good." She wasn't going to need him much longer was she...
Would he be entirely sad though? She did get very time consuming... Al did have responsibilities still..
Maybe things would finally settle down once she stopped needing them so much...?
He's miss her, but at the same time she wasn't a nation. He couldn't hold onto her forever.
Even if she did stay, she'd pass on eventually. The fae be met under the kitchen sink were proof enough. They aged. They might live a long time, but they still aged.
Al sighs leaning over and hugging her. She turned to him and smiled, hugging back.
"..You'd never forget me right?"
"Not intentionally," she frowned curiously. "Why? Oh... Are you leaving again?"
"Not yet.."
"Probably soon though, right? I mean, you've got a lot to keep up with, so..."
"Not till after Christmas at least."
She nodded quietly. "Okay..."
She wasn't thrilled by the thought of him leaving, but she knew he didn't have the time to babysit her anymore. Not that she acted like she wanted it anyway. She wanted his trust, she just didn't know how to ask.
They sat for a while cuddling while they could. Eventually, Iain called them in. Francis already had dinner going.
Ro looked at it with a lingering doubt. Al still didn't get why she was so off about it.. It was like she'd just gone off all food... He hadn't seen her eat properly for nearly a week now... It worried him..
Still, what did he say? He knew she wasn't eating at school either, he'd seen it when he was going on her and she'd been forgetting to pack a lunch. And she refused even when he pressed her that morning
Even fruit, she didn't pick at like she used to, so it wasn't an issue with grains or dairy... Al sits at the table mulling it over.
Even now, she nibbled odds and ends, drinking more water than anything. If only she'd talk. Honestly, it was a wonderful she still had the energy to go to school at this rate.
Al ate rather quietly. The others were absorbed in their own thoughts. Tomorrow they'd move the tree.. Did he leave it til after then?
Maybe.. She was honestly starting to be quite concerning...
