Felix/Matthew bonding for Galdr!
"Felix…" The tired Jenna says next to a smiling Isaac, "meet your nephew: Matthew."
Reluctantly, the stoic warrior extended his arms to accept the little ball of flesh that was babbling stupid noises. He didn't understand what the big deal was. Yes, he understood that Jenna had always wanted a child and a family, and yes, he understood the concept of a baby being cute, but to him it was just a little… thing, without anything yet. A blank canvas.
He cradled in his arms so as not to anger Jenna or Isaac. He looked down at it. It had a big head for a child, tiny blonde spikes. Seems less of his family had come to this baby. He rocked it gently, as he had seen many mothers do during his lifetime. The baby opened it's big eyes and looked up at him, it's mouth opening wide in a smile and it extended its tiny hands upwards.
Felix looked down at it, into the big blue eyes, so like Isaac's. Behind them, he saw a spark, a light, something he did not fully understand. That is until he lifted his hand to meet the baby's. It grabbed on to his finger with both of its tiny hands and squeezed, and for such a small thing it squeezed so tight.
Felix found himself biting his lip and smiling. He looked down at the baby, at Matthew, his nephew, smiling up at him and squeezing his finger. He felt tears in his eyes, but he refused to let any of them escape. He didn't understand it. Why was Matthew making him cry? He rarely cried.
He shook his head, laughing at how foolish he must look, and hugged the baby closer, watching as he yawned and slowly drifted into a peaceful slumber. When he did, Felix passed him back to the parents and rushed out, but not before he spared one last glance at the child.
Felix smiles wide as five year old Matthew stumbles as he runs to him. He picks him up and hugs him.
"Matthew, did you miss me?" He asks sarcastically from the way the toddler is hyperactively laughing and bouncing in the hug.
"Where were you this time, Uncle? Did you fight monsters? Find any treasure? Meet other adventurers?" Matthew assaults him with all form of questions to do with Felix's latest trip into the wilderness surrounding Kalay and its changing landscape.
Felix chuckles as he is dragged into the living room where Jenna is sitting watching the doorway expectantly. She smiles and hugs her brother and the three sit down as Matthew continues to beg for details of his 'quest'.
Felix finally gives, and exaggerates the details, turning a simple battle with an armoured rat into a three hour battle with a legion of monsters, his cursory examination of a cave into one about a sprawling dungeon filled with traps and treasures, and so much more. Matthew is completely attentive to the whole thing, oblivious to the obvious lies, amazed by ever word his uncle tells him.
"And then I rescued the family from the tribe of goblins and we all escaped safely." He finishes finally, having completely turned his exaggerations into a completely fictional story.
Matthew cheers and claps his tiny hands together, still begging for more information.
"I got you a present." He cuts in, when Matthew pauses for a breath.
From beneath his cloak he produces a small training blade and shield, nothing capable of harming anything, but it would be good practice for the adventurer in the making. Matthew literally squeals and runs off with the sword to show Tyrell next door, shouting many, many, thanks to his uncle as he hurries off.
Jenna then asks him to tell the real story of his quest. He gives the bare details, how nothing happened, how small things have changed over the past few years.
"But… I did find several vortexes." He sighs, "If this is anything like it was ten years ago, the same catastrophe is coming, and we still do not know how to stop it."
"Isaac is studyi-"
"We're all studying it." Felix cuts in, frustrated. He did not want any husbands to lose their wives like he had ten years ago, "But I fear the answers are not to be found on Angara, or Gondowan. I think I will leave… search… any answers I find could help."
Jenna frowns and nods to him, holding her brother close, feeling his pain. No words are said between the two, they just hold each other and let the pain out.
Two weeks later, Felix was all packed, but he made sure to visit Jenna, Isaac, and Matthew first. Matthew as always was ecstatic to see him, thinking he was just ready to go on another great quest. His parents were much more sombre.
"Matthew, I don't know how long I'll be gone." He said, being sure to sit the boy down and explain everything beforehand, "But, I need you to be strong, take care of your mother and father for me." The young blonde nodded slowly, "To help you when, when you're old enough, I'd like you to use this."
Felix produced an old blade, it's metal shine dulled by years of use, the detail in the hilt and scabbard long since worn.
"This was my very first sword, it helped me a lot, and I know it will help you."
Matthew took it with quiet reverence, completely unable to lift the weapon.
"Good luck." Isaac said simply.
Jenna said nothing, she simply hugged him.
Matthew looks out over the Goma Plateau, down into Tanglewood Forest were Tyrell crashed. He grips the blade Felix had given him ten years prior. He had not seen him since then, but with his sword, it felt as though he had been with him every day.
Hope you enjoyed it!