Kate's eyes watered as a servant placed a tray of breakfast food over her lap in bed.
She had been eating through a tube for almost 4 weeks, and this was her first real meal. The smell and presentation of the food, as well as her excitement brought her to tears.
Cutter watched her, the ravenous look on her face making him worry. "Okay, kid. Don't over do-" He wore a shocked expression as Kate seemed to inhale the whole meal. He didn't know if he should be disgusted or impressed.
The servant removed the tray as Kate leaned back, holding her belly. "That was amazing! But damn, I think I'm going into food coma now." She covered her mouth as she yawned.
Cutter sighed. "I told you not to- never mind." He stood beside her bed. "So, you wanna try walking?" He figured she might not be too keen on the idea, but the doctor had recommended trying.
Kate's sleepiness was quickly replaced by excitement. "Really?! I can?!" She swung her legs over the bed, stepping down before Cutter could stop her. "AH!" Her legs felt like jello as they gave in under her.
Cutter caught her with two hands, carrying her princess style before placing her back on the bed. "You idiot! Did you think you'd be able to run right away?!" He gave her a look over to make sure she hadn't gotten hurt. He looked at her in confusion as she started to laugh.
Kate placed her palm over her face. "Wow that was dumb. I'm sorry." She continued to laugh.
Cutter rolled his eyes. "You need to take it slowly. I'll help you, but you'd better listen to everything I say. Got it?" He waited for her response.
Kate nodded before sitting up with her feet draped over the edge of the bed.
Cutter stood in front of her, holding her underneath her arms. "Okay, grab on to me and then step down one foot at a time." His body tensed, realizing how close he was to her.
Kate nodded her head, grabbing onto the cloth near his biceps. She was taken aback by how muscular he was.
Well, at least I know he'll be able to catch me for sure!
She looked at Cutter before lowering one foot at a time. Her legs buckled as soon as she went to stand, but Cutter lifted her so that her feet were dangling a few centimeters off of the ground.
He shot her an annoyed look. "Slow-ly." Cutter furrowed his brows, Kate replying with a nod.
He lowered her down gently. "Tell me if it hurts." Once both her feet were on the ground, he looked to her for a reaction.
Kate took a deep breath, feeling the cold floor beneath her feet. "I...want to try walking." A fierce determination filled her eyes.
Cutter was impressed by her drive to recover. For most people that was the hardest part. "I'm here. Just take it slow." He tensed as Kate took her first step, her head crashing into his chest for a brief moment.
Kate blew out some air to help her focus. "I feel like a baby deer." She bit her lip.
The sooner I recover, the sooner I can go home to Kaku.
She nodded her head and took another step, except this time- she didn't falter. She stopped herself from celebrating too early as she prepared for the next step.
Cutter raised his brows, amazed at what sheer determination could do for the body. "You've got this." He nodded at her, signaling her to proceed.
Kate took 10 steps before collapsing into Cutter, hugging him as she laughed triumphantly. "I did it!" She tried to catch her breath.
He chuckled slightly at the beauty in his arms. "Good work." He patted her back before carrying her back into her bed. "Don't overdo it. We'll try for more steps in a few hours." He tucked her in before taking his place in his chair. Kate was already worn out and fell asleep, the triumphant look still on her face.
It took only 3 days until Cutter and Kate were able to go for walks around the castle garden. Kate wore a long green short sleeve sundress with a white belt. She would miss a step every now and then, so she held Cutter's arm for support. They'd chat non stop about the kids at the orphanage, and share random stories about their lives.
That day, Kate was telling Cutter a story about how there was a mouse in her office and how she tried to impress her new boss by catching it...but failed miserably.
Any castle staff around the two turned their heads at the rare sight of General Cutter laughing. Kate's eyes lit up as she watched him, causing him to stop immediately. "What's wrong?" Did he miss something in the story?
She shook her head, a cheshire smile across her face. "You laughed!"
Cutter's face turned a dark red, and returned to its usual scowl. "Yeah, so what." He had even shocked himself. It had been years since he last laughed like that...
Kate continued to look up at him. "Your laugh is so...sweet sounding." She tried to think of another way to describe it. "Like a prince!" She would've been proud if she had made him smile, but this was an even bigger deal.
Before Cutter could make a snarky reply, he turned his attention to movement coming from a nearby bush. He signaled for the staff to clear out, unsure of what the noise was. He held Kate's hand as he hid her behind him. If it was an ambush, Kate wouldn't be able to defend herself. "We're going to go see what that was... don't let go of me." He looked at her sternly.
She nodded her head, her body tensing up as she squeezed Cutter's hand.
In one swift move, Cutter ripped a section of the bush. Hiding within it was an Asian man in his 30's with a mustache and a high ponytail. His tattered clothes indicated that he was homeless.
Cutter growled "how the hell did you get in here?!"
The man awoke, winking before proceeding to run away. He was extremely fast, and this made it hard for Kate to see where he was.
Cutter looked at Kate, his eyes apologizing to her. "Stay here. I need to catch this bastard." He squeezed her hand before taking off.
The man had jumped over the castle gates and the chase went into town.
Cutter was finally able to catch up to him in a dark alley.
The man was perched on top of a garbage can. He smiled as he looked at Cutter. "It's been a while!" He pulled a cigarette from his breast pocket.
Cutter groaned, clearly annoyed. "Why do you have to do this every time?" He leaned against the brick wall. "What do you want, Rado?" He raised a brow.
Rado took a puff of his cigarette. "2 things. Thanks to you and your little friend; we're one step closer to finding out where the Red Ravens are hiding the antiques they stole from the Celestial Dragons." He took another puff. "I still think it's over kill having a whole Cipher Pol unit here for data gathering, but whatever." He flicked his cigarette as he jumped down to talk to Cutter face to face. "They're asking if you've changed your mind about taking the job." He sighed, knowing Cutter's answer.
Cutter punched the wall, leaving an indent. "Like hell I will!" He took a breath to calm his nerves.
Rado shrugged his shoulders. "Hey man, don't shoot the messenger. You're crazy, you know that? Who doesn't want to live like a God? Anyways, I'll see you again soon, I'm sure." Rado removed his tattered robe, revealing a black suit underneath as he walked away. "Oh by the way, your girlfriend is cute. Never thought you were the holding hands type."
Cutter's face was red from both anger and embarrassment. Rado vanished before he could reply.
The General took a minute to think about what Rado had said. There was nothing they could offer him that would convince him to take that job. It went against everything he believed in and was fighting for.
Also-he liked it on Monogatari. Especially now.
He smiled as he made his way back to Kate.
It was already evening. Kate had been waiting in the very spot Cutter had left her.
Cutter had made up a story that the man had jumped into the river to get away to avoid further questioning.
Kate beamed, failing to contain her smile. "I have some amazing news!" She bit her lip to prevent the news from slipping out.
Cutter raised a brow, unsure of what it could be.
She held a small paper towards him. "The doctor happened to come by and took a look at my progress so... I'm going home tomorrow!" She began to laugh, her excitement coming through.
Cutter froze, an odd smile now on his face in an attempt to hide his disappointment.
He knew that her recovery was inevitable, but he had wanted these days to last a little bit longer...
Kate noticed the odd look on his face, causing her smile to drop. "Cutter...is everything okay?" She stepped closer to him.
He snapped out of his trance, panicking at the fact Kate had noticed.
I need to change the subject...
He had often noticed Kate staring out the window at the moon before bed. Perhaps this was something he could use.
Perfect.
His face was back to its expressionless state. "Kate, you like the moon, right?" He punched himself internally, realizing how silly the question sounded.
Kate nodded, a soft smile on her face. "It's my favourite." She watched as Cutter searched for something in his pocket.
Cutter pulled out a pocket watch, flipping it open to see the time. "Ah shit. We don't have much time!" He grabbed her hand. "Come on!"
They ran across the garden, past the main courtyard and up a lonely hill justbbehind the castle walls.
Kate tried to catch her breath, her whole body burning from the run. Her head was throbbing and she thought she might vomit. "Cutter...I don't feel-" She gasped as the moon slowly began to rise over the hill, looking almost close enough to touch. "Wow." She covered her mouth, the sight bringing her to tears.
Cutter watched Kate, happy she had enjoyed it. "One of the late queens adored the moon, and they had this spot specifically made for her. Unfortunately, it seems none of her descendants shared the same passion. They thought it didn't fit in with the castle's aesthetic and had the walls moved just to get rid of it." He sighed. "It's fine. Some nights I'll come here to clear my head." It was the only spot close to the castle grounds where he could be alone.
Kate smiled at Cutter. "It's wonderful. Thank you for sharing your spot with me. I promise I'll keep it a secret!"
Cutter's heartbeat was almost deafening. The way the moon reflected off of Kate's face, her smile, and the fact that she was still holding his hand made the moment almost too perfect.
He turned his body to face Kate, squeezing her hand slightly. "Kate..." He closed his eyes as he leaned down towards Kate's lips. He could feel her breath on his as he got closer.
All of a sudden, her breath was gone.
He felt her hand go limp in his as she collapsed. Cutter had barely managed to catch her.
It was too perfect.
He picked her up gingerly, moving her hair out of her face as he held her princess style. "Kate, I'm so sorry." He had been so frustrated and embarrassed earlier, that he had completely forgotten about Kate's condition.
Cutter carried her back to her room, apologizing the whole time although she was passed out. "Kate, I'm...selfish. I'm sorry. This is the second time you're paying for my mistakes." He sighed. "I promise I'll be better...just...give me a chance to stay around you." He checked to make sure she was still asleep. "You see it as a chore, but looking after you wasn't a chore at all. I'm happiest when I'm around you." He smiled. She said he had the laugh of a prince, but he had always seen her as a princess.
They finally reached her room. He had asked a servant to have Kate changed and for the doctor to check her vitals.
He looked back at her one more time before exiting the room. He would never see the moon the same again.