I do not own magi or the characters. I do own my oc.

Chapter 16: Little Girl Part 5

—Esra's POV—

"Just let me help."

"No."

I watch Leila and Sinbad as he continues to pout and she continues to make…well attempts to make a flower crown. A few of the children are sitting with the two teenagers, making their own. Since Leila had a abnormal childhood she had never done something that simple before. All the little kids immediately took it upon themselves to teach her and dragged Sin into it too.

It especially cute knowing how the two got a day to not do anything but simple things like this.

Sin has been working very hard to make sure that we could still afford my medicine and to take care of Leila during her difficult recovery. Leila would ask him repeatedly if he was okay, and every single time Sin told her that he was. It took a while, but Sin finally admitted to me that he wasn't as okay as he said. Sin's back and shoulders were starting to make it hard to do what he needed to. The plan became Sinbad staying in the village for a few days and helping around a bit. There were things that needed done but he could take his time and get some rest.

Apparently, Leila found out though.

After Sin left the next day she went for a walk. She'd been quiet and I figured she just needed to clear her head, so started on some housework since I hadn't been feeling well enough to go with her. After an hour I was worried, but after a few I was about to panic and went in search of her. After asking around, and her avoiding me, I found her on a roof helping another villager make repairs that Sin was going to help with. I nearly had a heart attack.

After she came down, I made her come home, scolding her the entire way. I felt bad for doing it, but she could have hurt herself. Leila explain that she wanted to do what she could so Sinbad could actually use those few days to rest. It was very sweet, but did also get her scolded by Sinbad when he got back home and found out what she did.

So now here the two of them are with some time to just be the kids they never really got to be.

"Give it back."

I focus on the group again finding Sinbad holding Leila's flower crown just out of her reach as she tries to get it back. She stops and turns away pouting a little. He then hugs her tightly muttering an apology. She relents and forgives him quickly, not forcing him to let go. It's nice to see her calm and not nearly as anxious as usual.

It reminds me of when they were little.

Even though Vartan hasn't said anything, I can tell. Her eyes are the same when she has a rare smile on her face and when she's upset as they were then. Even now I can see some of the other sign. When she was little, she must not have been held all that much or gotten much positive physical touch, because she loved to cuddle. Now, when she has something she wants to say to Sin, she'll touch his arm really shyly to get his attention not letting go immediately.

She doesn't hiccup when she cries anymore though.

"Hi Esra." I turn slightly as Vartan comes over before ignoring him and watch Sinbad actually help Leila now. I can't help but smile slightly as he gently guides her fingers to weave correctly. "Still mad at me?"

"If you have to ask."

"Fair point."

As Leila finishes the little crown, she holds it up. I watch as Sinbad playfully teases her. Leila just shoves him a little, still with a small smile on her face. I like watching them interact. They'd be a cute couple. I can practically imagine them married, having a few children. Sin having given her the ring that Badr gave me for the Baleh Borān. I should probably clean the ring and tell him sooner rather than later since it's gone unworn for years once it stopped fitting me.

"What are you thinking about?"

I turn slightly towards Vartan. He looks genuinely worried. What happened to Leila got to him and he's been a bit of a mess according to Sin.

"Thinking about giving Sinbad the ring Badr gave me. I want him to be able to give it to the person he falls in love with."

"He spent hours picking it for you," laughs Vartan. I hadn't realized he helped Badr. "He felt awful though because he could afford something better for you."

"I love that ring. It is and always has been perfect. I just wish it still fit." I remember seeing the gray stone set in silver with two small blue ones. Badr was nervous and I was just over the moon that he proposed.

"You have someone in mind for him then," asks Vartan. "I do know you pretty well Esra. This wouldn't just come for out of thin air."

"I'm getting worse." Vartan tenses up but nods. We both knew it was coming, but had hoped not this soon. "I don't know how much time I have left and I have wanted him to have it for that reason anyways."

He falls silent, his jaw clenched.

"They'll end up hurting each other."

"You're being ridiculous."

"She's damaged, Esra." I watch as he frowns continuing to observe Leila and Sinbad. "She's been so broken there's no putting herself back together. And Sinbad's not exactly a good influence or-"

"Or what?"

"Esra, I'm not trying to-"

"You don't see them everyday," I warn him. He turns towards me. "I've seen her do everything she can to help Sinbad take care of me. I've watched Sinbad stay up all night with Leila when she was in too much pain to sleep. Seen them share stories and joke around like their supposed to. They feed off each other and make the other stronger. Leila isn't the only one of them with a bad past."

We fall silent turning and watching the two teens interact. If only Badr could have seen this. He'd have been so happy to see her again. Regardless of how Vartan feels.

"I was thinking about something else, Vartan."

"Which was?"

"She doesn't hiccup when she cries anymore." I watch as he flinches, his eyes squinting as as though I just slapped him. "I guess she outgrew it."

"Oh…that."

"Yes."

He stays silent for a while, clearly not sure what to say.

"Did you know that Badr and I couldn't have anymore children," I say turning towards him. "We wanted to, but I wouldn't have survived. Leila was so sweet and fragile. She's was so scared and all she wanted was to be held and comforted. That moment when she felt safe and she laughed and smiled I couldn't imagine her getting sent back somewhere she wasn't safe. She started to get along so well with Sin and she just fit so perfectly into our family. And then she was taken away. Top that off with you coming and not saying a word about her…. I'm furious with you."

"Esra-"

"It's too late Vartan. It's too damn late to apologize. There wasn't a day that went by where Badr or I didn't mention or wonder if she was okay."

"I know, but how was I supposed to tell you she wasn't."

"You've known me and Badr too long for lying to be okay. It was worse not knowing if she was dead or not."

"Uncle Vartan."

He turns and smiles as Leila comes over. She wraps her arms around his waist and hugs him as he pulls her close before kissing the top of her head.

"How are you feeling," he asks her letting go.

"She's been a little anxious," remarks Sinbad coming over. I cover my mouth to suppress a laugh. He's wearing the flower crown.

"I am starting to feel better physically," she comments quietly. "I can't lift my arm much though."

"You're healing well," I tell her. She shifts a little, not sure if that's true. "It will take some time, but you'll get there soon."

"Plus if you can get up onto a roof, you're better than you admit." I elbow Sin to quiet him as Vartan looks at Leila for an explanation.

"Come on," I remark gesturing for Leila to come with me. She steps forward so I grip her arm and pull her closer. "Let's go home."

"Are you feeling better," asks Leila as we start to walk back. I can hear Vartan interrogating Sin about what happened.

"I'm okay. Don't worry about me." She looks down. "You know I'm proud of you. Leila, you're one of the strongest people I know. I couldn't have endured what you did and survive."

"Ms. Esra, thanks. It means a lot for you to say that. But you and Sin deserve most of the credit for helping me."

"Leila, I need you to promise me something." I watch as she nods. "You won't leave unless absolutely necessary. I can't stand the idea of you ending up alone again."

"Okay," replies Leila. "I promise."

"And let me make something clear." She looks up at me, clearly confused and a little nervous. "As long as Sin and I are around, you can will always be able to come to us."

"That goes both of ways," comments Leila. She's clearly a little unsure how to say it. "I promise that if you or Sin need-"

"Thank you Leila." I pull her into a side hug. She nods as I let go, making sure to stay close to her.

"Things have really come full circle."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing you need to worry about, Leila."