Chapter 1: AKI
It is a Thursday morning in the dead of winter. The streets are now free of snow, and people are starting to pack up their Christmas decorations in anticipation of Valentine's Day. In a spacious two-bedroom apartment, a woman and her son make their home. The room was permeated by the aroma of lavender.
Lucy Heartfilia, a 25-year-old lady who needs to get up soon, is only half awake in bed. Lucy refuses to get out of bed because it's so cozy. But the sound of bare feet on the hardwood floors gave her a little tingle, and she knew what was coming.
A small voice murmurs, "Momwe," shaking the woman.
To herself, she mutters, "Mhmm," before returning her attention to her pillow.
Golden locks scream "Momweeee" from the boy's head.
'Yes? What can I do for you, my darling Aki? Lucy props herself up on her knees, still resting her stomach on the bed. He sat up, his front teeth missing, to meet her brown gaze.
"I'm starving." To underscore his point, he rubs his hands across the Elfman pajamas printed on his stomach like a fan of the comic book hero.
"All fine, let's get you some food." Lucy gets out of bed with a saunter. She was naked save for her panties and a t-shirt that read "Grimoire Heart" from her favorite rock band.
She picks her way carefully through the scattered action figures and colored pencils as she makes her way down the corridor. While waiting for his mother to put waffles in the toaster and prepare coffee, Aki picks up his favorite toy, Elfman, and brings it to the kitchen table.
She feeds her toothless monarch waffles and then sits down with him, across from him, and enjoys a cup of coffee.
When asked, "Did you have a nice dream last night?" Lucy queries as she sips her preferred blend of coffee, Brazilian nut.
"Yes. Elfman and mwe were battling his evil sister!" With his waffles in his mouth, he is forced to eat on his knees because his short stature prevents him from reaching the entire height of the seat.
"Really!? Again, did he attempt to take your Oreos? Lucy says audibly as she watches him rub syrup into his cheek.
Don't make me shake my head. And thank goodness you defeated him! After she winks at Aki, he responds with palms up.
For Lucy's daily commute to work, she outfits Aki in casual, at-ease clothes after breakfast.
"Are you mandatory working today?" Saddened, Aki stares down at his footwear.
"Hey." Lucy lifts his jawline and gazes into his enchanting blue eyes.
"If Grandpa scares you, it's alright." Lucy rubs his head and says, "Grandma told him to be polite."
"Okey," he says, flashing a shy grin at her.
Lucy waves goodbye to her mom and boy before heading off to her internship at Sorcerer Magazine in her car. The money is nice, but she desires to be a journalist. She completed college with a major in writing and a minor in criminology before she became pregnant. She dreams of publishing her works one day. However, Aki already occupies all of her time. If her son were to be attacked, she would murder them without hesitation to protect him. As long as she's still alive, she has to be his rescuer.
She drives to her designated parking space and double-checks to make sure she has everything she needs. A bun was tucked into the rear of her head. Lucky for her, there are no hard and fast rules about what she can and cannot wear at work. She was dressed in her usual attire of mom denim, a pink hoodie, and white sneakers. She threw her iPad, laptop, and essentials into her backpack and was ready to go.
She smiles as she enters the building and waves to everyone before going to her office. After hearing her supervisor yell "Kooooool!" she knew she was in for a long day.
It was dusk, and the roads were crowded with people heading home from work. The sunset colors twirl in the heavens. A moment of solitude in which she could gaze up at the clear winter sky and enjoy it was finally here. She gently tapped the wheel with her palms. Although she had to wait. For the past five years, Aki has been the focus of her daily life. Aki's day typically consists of the following: work, pick up Aki, feed Aki, wash Aki, and then hope for at least 15 minutes where she can get some time to herself, but here comes Aki. Repeat.
She pulled into her parent's driveway after a lengthy journey, seemingly out of habit but later confirmed by their doorbell. The blue houses she'd lived in since she was a kid were showing the same signs of wear and tear as she was. She had slipped out of her parent's house so many times she had lost count, and the once vibrant green door was asking to fade.
After taking a few blows, she found herself holding an infant form of her germline, whom she could not help but adore.
Excited to see his mother, Aki stretches out and hugs Lucy, burying his head in her neck.
It's too late, darling; he's already eaten. To put it simply, you won't need to worry about anything for the next hour. Such a kind heart, Layla. The t-shirt and sweatpants she wore made her face scarcely crinkle.
Thanks a lot, mum. As Aki nods off in Lucy's arms, she says, "See you tomorrow." Aki snores gently in her ear as he sleeps.
Please hold on a minute. Lucy faces her mother once again. She was in her forties, but despite a few gray locks, she looked remarkably youthful.
Inquiringly, "Yes mom?" Lucy spoke softly to not wake the sleeping child.
"Speak with your dad about... Layla states with sadness in her eyes, "You know he's hard-headed and won't apologize first." They haven't spoken to each other in five years.
Lucy frowns as she recalls the time her father became so furious that he cut her off and told her she was a disappointment and that she knew who would sell her to support his addiction.
When I said, "I know dear, but he's genuinely sorry I know-" Lucy interrupts her mother because she is fed up with the subject.
I have to leave, Mama. I hope Aki stays healthy. She loads Aki into the vehicle and heads back to the house.
It was a Friday night, and Lucy was giving Aki a thorough shampooing.
"Aki, stay still!" Mommy is attempting to wash your hair," Lucy yells, her clothes wet to the bone from Aki.
Saying, "Momwe, it burned mi eyes!" When she washes his hair, Aki groans and tries to wash the shampoo from his brow.
"Well darling, I told you to keep your head back, but you didn't listen did you," Lucy says, failing to conceal a grin on the face of her child who was pushing his bottom lip forward into a pout.
Lucy says to him, "You're so cute," and she gives him a quick peck on the face, making him laugh.
The baby, please lean back for mother. Lucy says as she washes the shampoo out of the five-year-blond-old's hair and helps him recline back into the water.
As she pulls the plug on the sink and exclaims, "All done!" she helps him out of the tub.
Aki calls out, "Momwe," as Lucy dries him off with a towel.
Lucy looks at him and answers yes.
As his grin spread across his face, he said, "I lowe ju," making Lucy's heart expand with happiness.
She squeezed his hand and said, "I lowe ju too," and he squeezed hers back, taking in the aroma of her mango shampoo.
After bathing Aki he skips into the living area giggling at the fact he had just farted. Lucy falling close behind her son
"Are you hungry?" the five years turn his mouth dropping at the thought of his mother cooking his stomach growling, Aki bobs his head as if he had never eaten food before.
Lucy pondered for a while, debating whether or not she should prepare dinner. She must go food buying soon, and she'd rather not spend any more money on takeout.
"Chicken and pasta, perhaps?" After asking and receiving a vigorous nod from him, jumping into the air in excitement anything with chicken he was not going to throw down.
"Oreios?" he clasped his hands together as though to beg his mother for the sweet treat, hoping she'd purchase it.
"Alright, let's get you clothed," she says watching him rush into his bedroom
"kids" she sighed happily.
While one hand clings to his mother's trousers, Aki uses the other to add realistic sound effects as his Elfman soars through the air. Lucy has all the staples, like milk, cheese, and cereal, in her shopping cart and only missing a few items before purchasing.
The child cries out, "Momweeeeee," begging his mother to go get the Oreos.
We're almost there, honey; just hang on a sec. As they approach the meat section, she attempts to comfort her son trying to ensure him that the Oreos will be bought.
"But I want it now!" he stomps his feet and crosses his arms over his chest, drawing stares from passers-by.
Lucy inhales deeply and squats down to his level. With a grin that could frighten crows, she tells Aki that if he continues his current behavior, "I won't get the Oreos," and that he will have to go to bed immediately following supper.
His face drops at the disapproval that his mother. he begins to mutter insults about her to himself while looking at his feet; which do not affect Lucy.
"You've got a banana head momwe"
She rolled her eyes and went back to check out the chickens again to see which ones stood out. After this, she goes back to the produce section to ensure she had everything she needs, despite Aki's protests.
"All right, let's go get some ore-, Aki?" When Lucy turns, he's gone. Her mind begins to panic. The worst fear for a partner. Losing your child. All the new reports and documentation she watched begin to play in her mind. Especially those related to missing children
She begin to return to the meat section hoping he was there. Nothing
"Aki?" Lucy calls the boy's name and looks in the next lane over, but as if he turned into the air itself, nowhere to be found.
Feeling her temperature rise, she calls out once again, loud enough for people four aisles down to hear, but still receives no answer.
"Aki!" her stomach turning, she abandons her cart and goes in quest of the Aki
She looks in the toy section, but he's nowhere to be found. Asking random strangers if they've seen anything. No luck.
"Where could he be?" Her head begins to bang against her chest. She just wanted to make sure everything was in order and now he's gone. She could never forgive herself if anything happened.
No tiny blondes have been spotted in the restrooms or anywhere. But she could not lose hope
The young mother prayed, "Mavis, please tell me he's safe" and sped up her pace.
While his mother was running around the store looking for him; Aki is making his way through with his action figure tucked safely under his arm and a small cup of Oreos (or, as he calls them, "oreios"). When he saw an employee carrying a bag of cookies over, he had to go get his hands on one of his favorite treats. His quest was a success, as evidenced by the oreo crumbs stuck to his lips and fingers as he returned to his mother.
He returns to the meats to find her gone. He investigates the area but finds no trace of her there either. He whirls around, expecting to see her, but she never appears. He begins to weep, worried that she may have forgotten about him. He scurries away hoping to find her, leaving his cookies behind.
The little boy cries out, "Momweeeeee," still clutching his beloved toy in the vain hope that it will lead him to his mother. He falls flat on his face after tripping over his own feet. Screaming, "AHHHH- Mpmekewwww," he lays on his side, holding his thighs tightly. The poor boy saddens that he could not find her, laying hopelessly on the floor feeling like his life was over.
"What's up, little man?" As Aki wipes away his tears, he sees a guy kneeling beside him, holding a basket.
The man says, "Hey, what's wrong?" as he helps Aki to his feet, a scratch on his forehead from the fall.
He cries, "I lost my momwe," his eyesight blur from tears.
"Just relax. it's okay" The man says to Aki as he lifts him off the ground, "Let's go locate her." The stranger patted Aki back in search of her mother
"What is mommy's name," the man asked
"Mommy" Aki stated as though that was the answer. The man felt a little dumb asking that question because this would be a common answer for children of that age
"What color is her hair?" Aki pointed to his own adding one "banana" as though to ensure the stranger the goal to find his mother.
Stranger nods his head and says, "Okay," before jogging around the store hoping to find the mother soon.
"AKIIII!" Lucy honestly did not care if she looked a mess. Any parent would understand how much fear was in her body at the moment, she breaks down in the center of the walkway and sobs, oblivious to the stares she is receiving.
"Ma'am?" Lucy glances up and sees an older woman with red hair carrying a small basket and a teen with the same red hair sitting next to her, absorbed in their phone
"What's the matter? Is there anything I can do to assist you?" The woman said to Lucy, "I've seen you running around a few times," and she put her palm on her shoulder.
Lucy begins to sob harder, "I lost my son,"
"He was with me and next I know he's gone!" She tells the woman feeling as though she was being judged.
"I'm a good mother. I swear. I looked away for two minutes and POOF he's gone" ranting to the woman that she is not neglectful.
The older woman understood the fear that Lucy was under "Oh, no! Describe him" The older woman says to worried mother, "Don't worry, we'll assist you out," as she grabs the phone from her son's hands.
She described the adolescent as "blonde like me and is wearing a gray hoodie, blue pajama pants, and crocs," the teen gave her a startling look.
Lucy looked at the boy hoping that ranged a bell.
"I saw a little boy like that with a man with pink hair, but that was fifteen minutes ago" she hoped Aki was still in the building
"Where?" Lucy gasps, grabbing the younger boy by the arm. As if he was the answer to all her prayers
"Around the kitchen appliances," he pointed in the direction and Lucy did not waste a second.
"Appreciate it!" Lucy screams before she runs to the kitchen area, leaving the two of them alone there.
"It's been a while, but I'd like to have my phone back." the redhead teen stated reaching his hands out
The mother grins, placing his phone in her purse, making him groan.
"mommmmmmmm"
Lucy is on the lookout for pink.
That creep had best not have gotten away with Aki and me with- "
"MOMWE!"
When Lucy finally turns around, she sees Aki walking towards her, tears in his eyes and a grin on his face.
Lucy quickly and effortlessly lifts him and holds him in her arms.
"You must never separate yourself from your mom." She lets out a long sigh of relaxation as her muscles relax.
He tightens his hold on her and mumbles, "I'm sowry," into her chest.
"Good! I'm relieved we came across you." Upon seeing the guy, Lucy raises her head.
The man was taller than Lucy and casually attired. As he approaches, smiling at the mother
Her grin broadens as she shakes his hand while still clutching Aki.
Yes, I found him sobbing in the snack aisle with a scratch on his brow.
"What!?" Lucy notices some dried blood on Aki's brow and that his lip is a little chapped.
"Ah baby," she said, kissing his face.
"The pink boy gawe me a lollipop momwe, I'm alright now!" the boy smiles.
"Oh baby, what did I tell you taking candy from a stranger- but not that I don't appreciate it... Um?" Lucy stops, silently asking the guy to introduce himself.
"Natsu. I get it; he was terrified, and I needed to get rid of the excess candy. "It aided in our finding you," he says apologetically, rubbing his head.
"Lucy and I apologize." She sighs again as she rubs her hands through Aki's hair, comforting him as he sleeps with his head on her bosom.
"To the contrary, he's quite amusing. He was describing you to me and he said you have banana hair," he grinned at the little boy, whose eyes were watering from his mother's embrace.
Lucy gives her son a displeased roll of her eyes and realizes she forgot her phone, wallet, and groceries in the shopping cart.
"Again, my sincere gratitude to you. I'm so sorry—I forgot everything in the basket, and I hope I don't have to cancel all my cards". Her hasty goodbye gesture is returned by Natsu. Luckily, all of her belongings are still secure, and she has the resources to make any necessary purchases.
While Aki was still sleeping, she loaded up the vehicle with groceries and headed out. She is so thankful to the stranger that he is the only thing she can think about right now. Imagining a future without Aki is too painful for her. Since the child only has one parent, she felt terrible losing him.
She looked in the rearview mirror and saw that the boy was occupied monitoring the road outside the car. His elfin seating on his lap. She looked at the tiny bundle she was glad to call her own.
When she finally gets home, she puts Aki on the sofa and gives him a quick once-over to clean up his cut before she begins to unpack the groceries and prepare dinner.
When she's finished taking care of Aki, she'll slip him into his bed, surrounded by his favorite toys and book. She kissed him goodbye and then spent the evening alone.
She turned on the hot water and let the vapor fill the bathroom before stripping off. She washed the day away in the shower.
She recalls her father and the icy relationship they possessed. She rubs her belly, and the stretchmarks are still visible on her skin. Having Aki was a blessing she was always grateful for. Even though altered the dynamics of many of her relationships, she believes that it was ultimately worthwhile. When her father believes no one is looking, her mother will send photos of him treating Aki to snacks and sitting him on his lap to watch games. That brought back memories of when she was the same age. Her father, she knows, silently regrets the way the last convention ended. Every spare second they have is spent to pretending the other does not exist. Both were completely unwilling to express their feelings.
She mutters, "Dick head," and continues showering.
With a stumble, she makes her way to the living room, which Aki has repeatedly messed up by saying "fuck you" and throwing things around. She stretched out on the sofa and turned on something in the background. She reached up with one hand and stared at her pink fingernails, her thoughts drifting to the guy who had discovered Aki. Her grin spread across her face.
Magenta locks? For a man? She was taken aback by how well it complemented him. She found herself thinking, "He's quite attractive," but her mood quickly soured. And even if she did run into this charming stranger again, it wouldn't change a thing. She has no desire to pursue romantic relationships. The past begins to gather in the crease of her eye, and she quickly wipes it away.
Her life before was nothing compared to what she had now, and she couldn't risk a relationship with a man ruining it. She rubs her eyelids and shifts to one side to observe, well, Mavis knows what she has turned on.
She sensed the germline's presence, almost like a sixth sense, just as she was about to drift off to sleep. She looked up and her five-year-old big pupils met hers.
"Yes, Aki?"
"I threw up."
Hey , guys long time no see. Does any even use this anymore? IDEK it's been almost 6 years since I posted anything. I hope I can keep up! I haven't been up to date with any new trends on this website. Also, forgive me for my grammar! I haven't written in 6 years and I'm not sure how everything going to look.
Love you guysss