When she woke, she went to check on him and found he had grown a lot. He looked to be Kaia's age. She stared in shock for a few moments but soon realized with magic in the mix, things weren't going to be normal. She was sad she didn't have her tiny baby anymore though.
"Yuki?" She said softly.
He raised sad eyes to her. "I am sorry. I should have told you."
She shook her head, "It's okay." She gave him a small smile, "Let's get you something to eat."
He gave her a shy smile, climbing out of the crib.
"You know, even if you keep growing this fast, you're still going to be my little baby."
He blushed happily before becoming serious. "Mother?"
"What, baby?"
"Are you sure you are not angry with me? I was forced upon you, it was not a choice." He stood staring at the ground, body tensed.
She crouched down in front of him and lifted his chin so he'd look at her, "I am not angry with you. I know I didn't choose you, but I love you anyway. The only person I blame for this is Dakron."
He gave a trembling nod, then wrapped his arms around her. "I love you too."
She smiled, holding him tightly, "Thank you."
Tsukasa was waiting in the hall. If he was surprised, he didn't show it.
Andy led Yuki down the hall, grabbing a large shirt from one of the nearby rooms and throwing it on him, "You'll grow into it, but for now it'll do. We can get you more clothes when you get bigger." She looked at Tsukasa, "How are you today?"
"Under less strain than you seem to be." He regarded Yuki quietly. "He's growing faster than expected. This may work to our advantage though."
Andy nodded slowly, "I guess." She went into the room and pulled out a chair for Yuki.
He quietly sat, swinging his legs slightly.
Tsukasa sighed. "If Dakron's intention was to lengthen his lifespan, he'll have to come before Yuki is mature. Otherwise, Yuki's soul will be more difficult to dislodge."
Andy sighed, "Let's talk about all this after breakfast. Let's just have a nice peaceful morning," she requested as she made a plate for Yuki and handed it to him.
The Fae Prince bowed. "My apologies." He turned and left.
After he was gone, Yuki looked up at her. "He is correct."
She nodded, "I know. Is it bad though for me to want just a bit more peace before worrying about all that?"
He chuckled. "No, I guess not. Are you joining me?"
She grabbed herself a plate and settled into a chair. "So.. you're already speaking like an adult. You'll probably be one soon too." She sighed. "I don't mind, I just always imagined spending more time with my child while they grow up. At least I can still watch Kaia grow at a decent rate."
He stopped eating and looked sad. "I'm sorry. I wish I could stop. I would like to spend more time like this." He looked about to cry.
Andy reached over and wrapped an arm around him, "It's alright. We have forever to spend together, even if you aren't teeny tiny anymore." She moved to kiss his forehead.
He clung to her, tears streaking his cheeks. "I'm scared."
She wiped his face, trying to get all the tears away, "I know baby. But I'm going to do everything I can to protect you."
He shook his head. "I'm not scared for me. I'm scared for you, and the others. Dakron wants to hurt all of you, whether he gets me or not."
She nodded, "I know. But we'll do everything we can to make it through this together."
He sniffled. "I don't want to lose you."
She gave him a sad look, "I'm going to stay with you as long as I possibly can, okay?"
He nodded, then let go of her and began to eat again.
Andy went back to eating, quietly watching Yuki with a small smile.
When he was done, he placed his plate in the sink and returned to the table. "I know I'm a disappointment, but I'll try to be the best son I can."
Her eyes filled with tears, "Baby, you're not a disappointment. You aren't what I was expecting, that's for sure, but you aren't disappointing me. I'm glad I get to be your mom and I hope I can be a good one for you while you need me."
"You mean that? You wouldn't rather forget me and have a normal child?" His eyes watched her, looking lost.
"I'll never lie to you. I mean what I say. I love you and want you. Even if I eventually have another child, I will love you the same as I love them."
Hope flared briefly in the dark orbs. Then he asked a final question haltingly. "Will you.. Will you still love me if I die?"
"I'll love you whether you are alive or not, but I hope you will long outlive me."
He gave a small hesitant smile, his eyes far away. A minute later, he burst into laughter.
She raised an eyebrow, "What's so funny?"
He looked at her. "Tet just dunked Kiba in the horse trough."
Andy laughed, deciding not to question how he knew that.
A few minutes later, Kiba came in soaking wet. "You mind if I throttle him?"
She chuckled, "Why did you get dunked in the first place?"
He looked down. "I may have messed with his saddle.."
Yuki nodded. "And Tet fell off. You should have run faster."
Kiba's eyes narrowed. "Did you take in a stray kid while waiting for Yuki to get out of diapers?"
Andy shook her head, "Magic baby, remember? Apparently he grows fast."
Kiba's jaw dropped open as he stared.
Yuki raised an eyebrow. "No wonder Tet caught you."
Andy laughed, getting up to put her plate in the sink. She kissed Kiba's cheek as she passed.
He closed his mouth, catching her when she returned toward the table. He kissed her hard, grinning as Yuki made a disgusted face.
Andy gave a soft laugh before looking at Yuki, "So, what do you want to do today? Should we go talk business with Tsukasa or do something fun?"
He thought for a moment. "Something fun."
Kiba chuckled. "Yup. He's your kid alright."
Yuki stuck his tongue out.
"We could swim, or play with the horses, or go play games outside.." she looked thoughtful.
"Games, at least right now." He slipped out of his chair, frowning at the shirt.
Andy nodded, "Let's go see what we can fit you in better.."
He nodded before suddenly hugging Kiba's legs. "Thank you for being with her."
Kiba looked startled for a moment, then ruffled the boy's hair. "You're quite welcome. Though I think you should be thanking her for being with me."
Yuki stepped back, his expression unreadable for a split second. Then it was gone, a wide smile covering his face. He ran to Andy's side and took her hand.
She smiled at him before leading him down the hall. She went into a room and searched through clothes until she found something that looked like it'd fit him. "Can you change or do you need help?" She asked softly.
"I can change..I think." He gave her a smile as he pulled off the shirt and began dressing. In the end, buttons proved difficult.
She knelt in front of him and buttoned him up. "So what kind of games do you want to play? There's more sports like games such as basketball or we have board games."
"I'm a little short for basketball. What kind of board games?"
"Checkers.. chess.. I'm not sure what else. Let's go look," she smiled.
He followed, taking her hand and smiling. "What would you like to play?"
"How about checkers?"
"Okay." He beamed at her.
She smiled down at him, "I love you."
He hugged her one armed. "I love you too."
They went and got the game, sitting out on a patio and setting it up at the table. They played a couple games before Andy asked, "What do you want to do when you're an adult? I mean, you are a prince, you'll rule one day. But other than that, is there anything you dream of?"
He paused, his eyes troubled. "I wasn't meant to grow up.. I don't know. I haven't considered it."
"Well, you will grow up as long as I have anything to do with it. But you don't have to decide anything yet, just wondered if you'd thought of it."
He gave her a small smile. "I will now. Play again or something else?"
"What do you want to do? I picked checkers so you make the next decision."
"I think..I'd rather hear you read. That way I can sit on your lap." He gave her a smile.
"Okay," she nodded, standing up. She led him to a small library, pulling out a book to read. She sat down in a large chair before pulling him into her lap. "This was one of my favorites."
He snuggled into her chest, his eyes on the book.
She read it to him, doing different voices for the different characters.
He eagerly listened, laughing at different parts.
When she got done, she set the book aside, "Thank you."
"I like listening to you." He wrapped his arms around her neck and kissed her cheek.
She hugged him tight, never wanting to let go.
He stayed in her arms for a while, then blinked sleepily.
"Why don't we lay you down for a nap?" She picked him up and carried him down the hall, finding a room for him and gently laying him on the bed. She tucked the blanket up around him and kissed his forehead.
"I love you." The words were heavy with sleep, his eyes straining to stay open.
"I love you too, baby," she whispered. She watched him fall asleep before leaving the room.
Tet was waiting in the hall. "How's being a mommy treating you?"
"He's wonderful. I wasn't expecting to wake up to a basically six year old but.."
"Yeah, I was kind of startled when Kiba told me. What's he like?"
"He knows so much already. He's worried about us and was worried he was a disappointment to me. I tried to calm him down and assure him he's loved."
"A disappointment? What the hell.. And aren't we supposed to be worried about him?"
"It's like in some aspects he's an adult, but others he's still a child. It's really complicated."
Tet sighed. "Did he say anything about Dakon?"
"Just that he knows Dakon wants to hurt us and that's why he's worried."
Tet scowled. "He should not be worrying about us. He's just a kid dammit."
She nodded, slowly starting down the hall.
Tet caught up to her, wrapping his arm around her waist. "You look like you need a drink."
She chuckled, "A week ago, I never would have expected this. Now I have a child already and he's growing so fast."
"Yep. Definitely need a drink. Come on." He steered her into a study, sitting her down and pouring her a glass of brown liquid. "Sip, don't gulp or you'll be sorry."
Andy took a small sip after smelling it. She gave a small wince at the taste.
Tet laughed, knocking his own drink back. "Relax, alright?"
She nodded, "Just so much going on. And with Yuki growing so fast, I want to spend as much of his little bit of childhood with him as I can."
"I know. And with the specter of Dakron hanging over him, it's hard to enjoy anything. But we'll try to make sure you only have to worry if he's eating enough and has enough fun."
She nodded again, "Thank you."