Cold wind passed over her cheek, as Arturia barely managed to crane her head to the side to avoid a punch to the face. It was both fast and heavy.
Backpedaling, she flicked her sword to bat away her opponent's arms before chambering from a thrust that was diverted by a kick to the left.
Dirt and grime flew up into clouds of dust from rapidly shifting feet, Arturia and Bazett constantly changing their stances. One attacked, the other defended in one instant, and in the next, the roles would reverse.
Gritting her teeth, Arturia had a second to notice Bazett grab a handful of dirt, and toss it towards her face.
"Do you not know of curtesy!" Arturia hissed, sweeping down to let the dirt pass overhead while lashing out towards Bazett's legs.
"I know of winning," was the aloof reply.
Arturia's countenance fell, but could only focus as Bazett renewed her assault, forcing Arturia to defend.
Left, right, upper cut, reverse step into spinning hook kick, Bazett's attacks were unrelenting. In contrast, Arturia had always been something of a technical fighter. Bidding her time, she was waiting for an opening to form between the gaps of Bazett's strikes.
Finally, when Bazett chambered back and revealed a hole in her defence, Arturia immediately reacted.
She swung her sword horizontally, trying to aim at the gap for a liver shot.
Thunk!
You can't be serious.
Right there. Between Bazett's right knee and elbow was her sword trapped in place.
A smirk played on Bazett's lips. She'd caught Arturia's swing on reflex and this pleased her greatly. It showed that Scath's training and advise wasn't just for Bazett to share in Cu's torment.
Arturia's eyes widened, a grimness coming over her features while trying to stare through her opponent.
What was she? A CQC master?
Bazett had been shrugging off her blows with her bare fists. Those leather gloves had to have brass knuckles or something underneath.
Regardless, Arturia understood now that Bazett would not be going down so easily.
With her sword caught, Arturia knew a counterstrike was coming.
Dropping her knee, Bazett struck out with her free arm, the speed of which created a whipping noise through the air.
Pivoting, Arturia released her left hand's grip on her sword, and thrust her palm over the pommel, jabbing the tip towards Bazett's waist and forcing her back. Bazett's strike inevitably fell short, and the two distanced themselves from each other.
Damn.
Arturia glanced at Bazett who began dusting herself off, and then towards her wooden practice sword which was slightly chipped in a few places. She inwardly lamented that this wouldn't have happened if she was using her actual sword, but she digressed.
This woman was tough.
More importantly, Arturia could hear the scuffle between Shirou and Cu growing louder and louder, a sure sign of increasing intensity. For a second, she chanced a peak by the corner of her eyes, the action immediately noticed by Bazett who was highly specialized in hand-to-hand.
"Worried for your boyfriend?" Bazett cracked her knuckles and raised her guard, elbows forward, fists at the ready.
Blood rushed to Arturia's head at her actions being exposed. It was a misunderstanding, she just slightly anxious, okay? "I told you it's not like-"
"You're right to be concerned." Bazett cut Arturia off, pride welling in her features. "Cu's known for his stamina and tenacity. He alone could fight an army. Between he and I, he's stronger unless he lets me pull off my family's hidden returner technique."
Arturia's features dimmed, her jaw clenching. She could tell that Bazett wasn't bragging, but simply explaining the facts as they were.
It was no exaggeration to say that Shirou was in danger of a very real beating.
She wasn't saying anything so as to not ruin Shirou's concentration, but she was certainly more worried than she let on.
Shirou was an archer, someone who specialized in ranged combat.
In contrast, one look at Cu's movements and strikes were enough for Arturia to assess him as a beast. His movements and reflexes were beyond what even Arturia would consider normal, providing validity to Bazett's claims.
She had to end this. Shirou would need her help.
Taking in a deep breath, Arturia focused on Bazett, her entire demeanor changing, features growing blank.
A silent and serene mind would reveal the way to the optimum state of the sword.
Ever since young, she'd been hailed as the chosen one. She who alone proved worthy to inherit her family's promised sword and technique.
Full concentration was a must, her devotion to put the dreams of those who believed and trusted in her upon her shoulders…she would forever remain steadfast despite mistake after mistake.
Sensing the change, Bazett grew solemn, eyes darting back and forth before suddenly widening and throwing Arturia off.
"He uses a sword?" Bazett muttered out and eased her stance, prompting Arturia to ease up her own posture.
Honour, fair play, and chivalry dictated that she'd never strike at an unprepared opponent. Just the thought of her sneak attacking a worthy foe felt as if she'd besmirched everything she'd ever fought and stood for in her way of swordsmanship.
Moreover, what sword?
Arturia blinked, turning her head to what Bazett was staring at.
It was Shirou, and he…pulled out a sword?
It looked like one of the wooden practice swords she used in the Kendo Hall in Homurahara.
Arturia opened and closed her mouth, frowning.
"Oh, interesting," Cu was the one who looked most confused as he shifted his spear into a forward brace, and surveyed Shirou. "I've heard you were only renowned for never missing a shot. Who knew that you also used a sword? Maybe this would be more fun than I thought."
Only Arturia knew Shirou's proficiency in swordsmanship after sparring with him the past couple weeks. He was no pushover, but he'd never defeated her in any mock duels they had. If she were to judge, she'd say that he was at an intermediate level while she was international. He was clearly better off using a bow, but was being forced into wielding a sword from how closely Cu was sticking to him.
She pursed her lips, getting ready to dissuade him from doing something stupid, but could no longer do so at the striking familiarity of his next actions.
Shirou took a breath, his features growing detached as he held the wooden sword in front of him.
For a second, Arturia glanced at herself, then back at Shirou. W-Why were their stances exactly the same? No, wait hold on a second; she hastily narrowed her eyes in scrutiny.
I-It was perfect. H-How?
The breadth of the air rises and falls at the height of focus.
Shirou raised the wooden sword high, tracking Cu's beast-like movements to match the trajectory. The rise and fall of his chest evened until it reached a perfect rhythm.
Steady your stance. Feet anchored to the earth.
Muscles grew visibly taut, forearms bulging, veins popping as heels dug into the dirt.
Strength is drawn from the core.
Abbs could be seen pressed against the fabric of Shirou's shirt, his body already following through the motions.
Force through rotation.
The air itself seemed to gather and form the aura of a storm.
Gather it all, and muster strength to the utmost limit.
Cu's eyes widened. Realizing he couldn't avoid the coming blow; he braced his body against his spear's shaft and gritted his teeth.
Hidden technique-
"…Strike Air," Arturia muttered the name of one of her signature techniques, watching Shirou swing his sword and superimposing an image of herself through him.
By pushing the human body to its absolute limits, a strike that could weaponize wind over the sword's tip could breach through any defence. It was a technique that was practically unheard of, and was one of the skills that had allowed Arturia to dominate in her tournament fights of the past.
Having blocked the blow with his wooden spear, Cu had been unprepared for the sharp wind that came flying. It was by a hair's breadth that he reflexively pulled his head back to avoid a concussive blow.
Regardless, the damage had been done.
First blood had been drawn.
"Oh, not bad," Cu wiped a trace of red from a cut that appeared over his forehead. He looked positively feral in his growing excitement. "Not bad at all! Would you like to taste my killer technique? I'll have your heart!"
Watching from the distance, Arturia felt surprise take over her at what Shirou had just done. She just couldn't understand it. That was her technique. For a moment, she made the mistake of falling into disbelief and assuming Bazett shared the notion of 'sportsmanship.'
It would cost her.
Bazett was a Celt's through and through.
A veteran of rough-housing and a thug for hire.
Opportunities would not be missed.
"-Are you really this naïve? You should have been paying attention."
Excuse me?
Arturia had a second to notice a gloved fist rapidly enlarging to take up almost her entire field of view on the left side of her face. Then realization set in when she noticed Bazett's smirk.
This was going to hurt, wasn't it?
A punch landed on her face, the force whipping her head back as if a truck had smashed her. Her jaw was screaming in protest. Her legs immediately went weak- no it just felt like that since she was directly thrown off of her feet and left sprawled on the ground.
Her wooden sword fell out of her grip and clattered somewhere out of sight.
"Nice Fighto." Bazett offered, proudly blowing smoke off of her right straight. "Knockout."
Arturia's vision was spinning something fierce, her hand-eye coordination going to shit, but she still heard the words that almost caused her to curse at the shamelessness of it all. "Y-You petty shameless…" she spluttered.
"Hehe," Bazett snorted, before turning away from Arturia and calling out to Cu.
Bazett knew what Cu was planning, and also knew that Scath forbid him from using that move unless forced to. "Cu! We're leaving!" She insisted. "Anymore and Scath is going to hear about thi- what is this guy?"
Arturia could have imagined it, but for a second, Bazett looked horrified.
"Cu watch out!"
Were the last words Arturia registered before she finally blacked out, unresigned.
Y-You cheated.
Unfortunately…this was a street fight.
There were just no regulations here.
"Uuuugh," Arturia groaned, pressing an ice pack over her cheek to reduce the redness and swelling, only to wince and pull her face back after less than a second.
The sound of trickling water revealed Shirou and Arturia having made a stop by their school grounds where outdoor sinks and hoses were located in order to clean themselves up. Any scuffle left marks, and neither was too enthused about showing a disheveled appearance to others who cared for them. The ice pack or cold-compress was something Shirou just carried on hand. As expected of Homurahara's Brownie. The guy was practically prepared for anything.
Even securely carrying her unconscious self to their destination.
At this thought, blood rushed to Arturia's head as she recalled the instant she woke up from being punched out with Shirou giving her a piggyback. Her head had been resting on Shirou's neck, her chin resting over his shoulder. Meanwhile, Shirou had secured her in place by wrapping his arms at the bend of her knees, and walking with a forward tilt. The sound of her heart beating in tandem with his own was readily apparent since her left ear was pressed to him.
Her heart had been beating rapidly as realization set in, and she meant rapidly. She could feel his heat, the up and down motion of his breaths, and the gentleness of his hold securing her. Odd thing was, she also noticed Shirou's heart beating just as fast as hers when he inevitably realized that she'd woken up and fell into a daze.
That was literally minutes ago, and by then, Shirou had already done most of the work to get them to Homurahara. Features beet red, she meekly asked Shirou to let her down and simmered by his side as if steam was wafting from her.
It was only when they'd reached the outdoor PE sinks that she dunked her head in water and cooled down enough to register her cheek stinging. A second afterward, and Shirou had given her a cold compress.
Now we were back to the present.
Arturia hissed as she toughed it out and kept the compress over her stinging cheek. "…How does that woman even punch this hard?" She whined rhetorically, not expecting to be answered.
"Maybe if you'd kept your eye on your opponent, you wouldn't be feeling that punch."
Arturia stiffened, gaze shifting on Shirou who was honestly trying to advise her here. It was not appreciated. Her eyes narrowed, lips pursing into a thinly veiled pout.
"She didn't outclass you in skill, you know?"
"I was careless," she had no choice but to admit.
"Yup."
Now Arturia was glaring at Shirou's nonchalance, spitting in frustration. As if Shirou didn't know that he was the one who distracted her in the first place.
"What even was that?" She huffed, crossing her arms and grumbling.
"Was what?" Came the apt response.
She rolled her eyes and soon turned her body towards Shirou in a deadpan glower. "That," she stressed. "The thing from before. Those were my movements. I practiced them for years!" The most jarring revelation was that she'd never shown Shirou any of her advanced skills when he'd dropped by to her Kendo practice. So how did he learn it move for move?
"Oh, that," Shirou grew sheepish, his actions somewhat-t evasive as he refused to meet her gaze with confidence. In the end, he still fessed up, lest she hound him. "I call it Tracing. I'm not sure how to describe it, but you can think of it as an innate talent. After seeing a weapon, the history, experience, and technique of the weapon sort of just clicks in my head, enabling me to replicate them. It would be somewhat downgraded, but it's enough."
Bullshit. That's not how learning works.
"How does that even-"
"Your sword for example has extensive wear and tear on its hilt, the leather wrapped around the pommel more worn out near the base, revealing a tendency to strike with a slash, rather than an overhead chop."
That was correct. "…"
"Moreover, if you look at the blade of the sword, a majority of the impacts are further to the tip than in the center or base, revealing the general distance you keep from your adversary. So as to say, your preferred striking zone."
That was correct too.
For the next minute, Shirou went on to list everything he'd been able to observe and infer from the moment he'd laid eyes on her weapon. The more Shirou continued, the more subdued Arturia's expression became. Finally, it reached the point of listlessness.
"…You're a cheat," she said flatly, immediately brainstorming how to counter such a skill. In the way of the sword, she was unwilling to lose, but her thoughts about how unfair she thought it was must have showed since Shirou ended up trying to explain himself.
"Why do you think I opted for Archery?" Shirou asked in all honesty. "With a bow and arrow, it's my skill and my skill alone."
Artura considered the words, and eventually nodded. To prevent himself from cheating, Shirou had chosen to specialize in something he couldn't cheat in. How noble. Such spirit and fortitude was a far cry from that- that cheater.
Speaking of which…
"Well, ugh, what happened after I, uhm, retired from battle?"
Shirou perked up, glancing at Arturia who tried to act blasé about the matter, but was failing from gnashing her teeth.
"You mean after you got knocked out?"
"Yes, yes that," she ground out. That last punch was a cheap shot. It didn't count. "You were on your own against two of them."
For a second, Shirou looked like he was embarrassed.
"I guess I sort of lost it. It's hard to remember the details, but they left right after."
Puzzled, Arturia perked up, craning her neck to stare up at Shirou who was a good head taller than her. "Lost it?" She inquired.
"You were flat on your face, what was I supposed to think?" Shirou looked away, growing somewhat defensive. "I just kind of got really mad. I might have acted out of hand, but it turned out alright, didn't it?"
"I was not flat on my face," the subconscious rebuke came immediately.
Shirou raised a brow. Of course, that was what Arturia focused on first. If it was a fair battle, she'd justly concede defeat, but she'd been done dirty!
"I landed on my side, okay," Arturia insisted.
"Sure."
Shirou purposely neglected to point out that the dirt stains on Arturia's clothes were on the front of her shirt, indicating a very different position than what she insisted on.
Still, despite focusing on what aspect of what Shirou had said, it didn't mean that Arturia didn't acknowledge the rest. How out of hand was Shirou talking about here, and what did he end up doing?
Staring at Shirou's evasive actions, and grateful for his kindness, she chose not to press him on it and let him change the subject.
"Do you know how long it will be before the Grail War starts?" Shirou asked.
It was at this point that the two had finished washing up at Homurahara and were heading back towards the Emiya residence. Cars were passing by the roadside, and Arturia was walking with a depressed slouch, ice pack still over her cheek as she moped. She didn't even bother glancing up at Shirou before answering.
"The flier said Monday of next week, so we have a couple of days to prepare and strategize," she said.
"What's there to strategize over when we don't know who we're facing?"
Arturia paused, but conceded. As a tournament, it wasn't as if the identities of the participants would be given away. It would be their job to find out during the war. Shirou had a fair point here.
Arturia took the cold compress off of her cheek, stared at it, then sighed when she realized it wasn't cold anymore. Unlatching her school bag, she slipped the cold compress inside, and decided she'd give it back later when they reached Shirou's house.
Still, the topic of the Holy Grail war got her thinking. Merlin had always said that information was key. If they didn't know the participants, why not try and take a guess?
"Then do you know anyone worth noting in Fuyuki?" She asked Shirou.
"You're asking me?"
"Didn't you know about that Cu person?"
"Only because he goes around challenging people he thinks are strong. There's been a power gap in the area ever since the Tiger of Fuyuki mysteriously retired. Rin was complaining to me about a run in with him."
It was barely noticeable, but out of her expectations, Arturia had been making a sour face in the dark. "Who's Rin?" She asked, a barely concealed quiver in her lips. She didn't notice, but her voice was also a tad strained.
"A classmate."
"Oh." She shook her head, opening and closing her hands until she got her head on straight.
Since when did who Shirou talked or associated with have anything to do with her?
"Something wrong?"
Yes. She didn't like this feeling.
"No. Nothing. It's just-"
Arturia paused in what she was going to say when she realized that she and Shirou had already reached their stop by the Emiya residence. Light and sound from inside the home could already be heard by the front gate where they stood.
"I guess this is your stop," Arturia said, taking a breath and steadying herself. "We'll talk more about the Grail War tomorrow at Ahnenerbe." Arturia paused, hesitated, but still ended up walking away with a barely audible, "see you around."
"Arturia," Shirou called out to her. "Are you really, alright? There's nothing wrong, is there?"
"Ha, something wrong? As if. I'm just thinking about that woman from Celt's earlier." Plastering a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes on her face, she made a show of her frustration.
Arturia walked off, cursing about cheaters, foul play, and lack of righteousness under her breath, all while continuing to nurse the bruise that was surely forming on her cheek.
Shirou raised an arm to call out to her, but in the end gradually drew it back and stared hard at his hands.
In contrast to the warm-lit residence awaiting Shirou, Arturia was obviously troubled and rather expectedly not saying a damn thing.
She may not be able to see him anymore in the distance because she was a midge- ahem. Short in stature, but her tiny frame with slumped shoulders that he could still see made her look frail under the evening moonlight.
Arturia was clearly unaware of the feelings of those around her, and it wasn't from a lack of empathy. She just couldn't bring herself to impose.
However, there was one thing that she clearly didn't know about those around her.
It was difficult to keep secrets from those that care…And he cared.
More than he'd like to admit in his time getting to know her and her character.
Glancing at his house, and shuddering at the realization that he was going to cut curfew, he still made a choice and firmly decided to stick to it.
Arturia didn't know how long she planned to meander, but in the end, she somehow ended up where she'd intended on being from the beginning. It was a secluded park, not by the playground itself, but by the patches of grass and trees by a small pond.
It wasn't too windy tonight, nor was it too hot.
Considering the situation with her apartment, and her unwillingness to get her family involved, she'd have to camp out for a while until she could claim the prize from the Grail War. It should be an award more than adequate enough to make it as if the mistakes of the past never happened. For that, she'd just have to tough it out.
Unpacking a sleeping bag from her backpack, she winced from the soreness of her cheek. If she was being honest, it was the first time she'd experienced getting punched like this. Most of her injuries generally came from accidents during tournament sparring.
It was fine. Enduring was easy.
What was hard were things that no amount of enduring could fix.
Laying the sleeping bag over the grass after making sure that no one else was around, she convinced herself that this was the right choice. She was a tough girl, fully able to rely on herself.
Something like this was nothing.
A cold wind began to blow, causing her to shiver as the adrenaline from the earlier fight began to wane.
A tent would have been a better choice, but it was too conspicuous, and with her small size and demeanor, she figured no one would really notice if she got up early enough.
Soon, she opened her sleeping bag and began wrapping herself up in it. Eventually lying on her back, she stared up at the stars above. If she just thought of this like she was camping then it was doable surely.
She closed her eyes and scrunched up her features, pretending as if she couldn't hear cicadas chirping, or the rustling of leaves near her. They were all auditory hallucinations. All of them. Just drone them out.
Happy thoughts. Happy thoughts.
Someone like her who ruined everything for those relying on her deserved such hardship-
"Fuck this. You can't be serious."
A familiar voice stunned Arturia in place, her lips quivering while her eyes widened like a deer caught in the headlights. The next second, she closed her eyes again. There was no way this was real. She'd never heard Shirou swear before. That punch to the face must really have been messing with her…
"What do you think you're doing?"
This time, Arturia had to accept that she wasn't hallucinating.
Peeking through the slit of her eyes, she saw Shirou standing directly over her, features unreadable. Worse, Shirou's voice was penetrating, causing her to tense as if an ill-behaved child under the glare of a parent. She froze, stiff as a statue while still in the midst of squirming around in her sleeping bag which Shirou unzipped and began forcibly prying her out of.
"I knew it was weird that you weren't walking in the direction of your apartment. Were you really intending on sleeping here?"
She didn't answer. There was no response to it.
Her intended actions were already blatant enough, and by this point, she was already up on her feet, Shirou re-rolling her sleeping bag and confiscating it from her.
"Yeah. No." Shirou's tone was clipped, mired by righteous indignation that she realized was derived from her behalf. He was infuriated, his even temper evaporating. "I can't believe this. I can't believe you. Seriously? Seriously?" He grabbed her by the hand and started dragging her off.
"Where, ugh, where are we going?" she finally caught her voice.
"Home," he said, tone utterly clipped.
"Y-Your place?"
"Where else?"
"W-Wait, I can't just come unannounced."
"I'll sneak you in."
This was even more unacceptable for Arturia who'd always been strictly upright in character.
"You're not listening. You don't have to do this," she furrowed her brows, trying to dig her feet into the ground and pull back on Shirou's grip. However, her short stature and weight worked against her as Shirou had had enough and just lifted her over his shoulder.
Arturia's eyes widened, cheeks flaring as she looked around to make sure no one could see them before hissing. "Really, it's alright. I-I can handle this, and put me down already."
"No, it's not alright. Not at all." Everything about Shirou right now screamed 'determined.' "Don't worry about the small things. I'll handle it. Didn't we agree to be partners?"
"Yes," she murmured softly, gaze hesitant yet furtive. "But-"
"Then depend on me," he put her down, grabbed her by the shoulders, and then gazed sincerely at her. "That's what partners do in times of hardship."
But not what leaders do. They lead.
A voice reminded Arturia, causing her to purse her lips. Her mouth was dry, making it difficult for her to form words.
"You aren't alone," Shirou continued in an attempt to persuade her. "So, why act like you are? What would you do if you ran into those students from Celt's again?"
"I'd win," the response was automatic.
Shirou's eyes narrowed sharply. "Your cheek says otherwise."
"Urk." Arturia flinched. Since when did his words cut so deep?
"Now hold still. I have another ice pack. That other one must have gotten warm by now."
It was already warm now, but it was fine. She already owed him for the first one. No need for a second, right?
"You wouldn't want any swelling on that bruise, now do you?"
She hesitated, but grudgingly conceded. Soon enough, she and Shirou were walking next to each other out of the park with Arturia nursing a new ice pack over her cheek.
"Thanks," she muttered in a whisper.
"Did you say something?" Shirou raised a brow, still put out by this whole thing. He shuddered to think about what would have happened if he hadn't decided to follow her.
"I said, thank you, alright?" Arturia swallowed and looked away. "Really, thank you."
"Yeah." Unexpectedly, Shirou placed a hand over her head, tussled her hair, and then smiled down at her.
For all of an eternity, it was like lightning had struck her, a current of tingles running up and down her back, all the way to her toes, causing them to curl from pleasant vibes. Her mouth opened and closed, butterflies making a mess of her stomach from the suffocatingly sweet sensation.
The moment ended abruptly when Shirou pushed her forward like he'd planned it all.
"W-What are you doing?" She spluttered, trying to feign anger if only to conceal that she'd been blushing.
"Keeping you in front," he explained matter-of-factly.
Okay, now she was really getting angry.
"Are you implying that I'd run away?" She accused with twitching brows.
"Do you really want me to answer after what I just saw you try to pull?" Arturia's mouth locked shut, and immediately sealed all ehr rebukes to replace them with embarrassment.
"I'm not that bad. It was doable…" she protested.
"You're as stubborn as a hungry lion, and too proud to know when to ask for help."
"That's not-"
"Nope. You don't get to argue here." In times like these, Shirou was thankful that he could adopt even a fraction of his father's authoritative demeanor. He pointed in the direction to walk and dared Arturia to resist. "Now march, Pendragon. March."
Shirou scooted Arturia forward, and raised his brow at her, waiting for her to move before he would follow.
Arturia was speechless at the audacity, but at the same time, she couldn't help shying away from the genuine concern Shirou was showering over her. Grumbling, she began walking ahead first, ignoring how Shirou nodded as if she deserved a reward.
"Hey wait. Slow down a bit."
Oh, what did she do now?
Suddenly, a shudder traveled up from her arm to her neck.
Arturia glanced down at her right hand that Shirou had decisively taken into his own while looking nonchalant about it all. She could feel his heat transmitting into her, could feel the clamminess of his hands that matched her own. His hands were large enough that she could fit her palm comfortably in his.
For a second, she instinctively wanted to pull back to avoid him feeling the calluses on her hands, but soon found that Shriou too had his own calluses and that he didn't mind hers at all.
Their fingers interlocked, a gentle squeeze conveying that he was there for her.
She didn't so much as make a sound, but could feel herself heating up with the roaring of blood beating through her ears.
What was she getting so worked up over?
If she abruptly walked a little faster out of an inexplicable sense of bashfulness, and ruthlessly dragged him along…well it was his fault for holding her hand so firmly.
Thinking about it now, and into the future-
In a sense, he would never let go.
As Shirou and Arturia eventually neared and entered the Emiya residence in the middle of the night, neither were aware of two pairs of sharp eyes surveying their every movement.
"Sella, Sella look! My boy finally brought a girl home! He's even sneaking her in!"
"Yes. That does seem to be the case."
"I'm going to be a grandma!"
"…I don't follow. What? That's not how it works. Weren't you staying awake to reprimand him?"
"A grandma Sella, a grandma! I've never been a grandma."
"…sigh."
Wow, I haven't written romance in a while. I hope I haven't gotten too rusty since Fate-In Time.
Thanks for reading, and thanks to my newest patron: Pedro J!
Next update: Huntsman V2
P a treon. com (slash) Parcasious
Book links:
Fatedlegacydark. ca
The Lonely Peak
New Book: Out on Amazon (Remove dash on link)
Survivor's Log Reflection: Amazon.c-om/dp/B08VDDGN7Z?