Home - Part 2
It was noisy, some sort of pub by the look of it. Shapes faded into his mind and he found himself watching as a familiar figure walked through the doors. He stood tall, red eyes, blue skin, one hand on his belt with the other to his hat, a toothpick between his teeth.
Cad Bane. Maul's eyes narrowed. Behind him entered a Mandalorian, his armour a dark orange and accented in gold and black. They scanned the area for a moment before moving toward where the zabrak stood. He turned to his left, spotting her. Smaller than he remembered her being, he figured it to be not long after she had left Dathomir.
"You took your time!" spoke an accented voice, and the zabrak's golden gaze moved past the bright-eyed Nightsister to the man beside her, a Weequay. He sat with a drink in hand and waved down the two other men that had entered the cantina.
"Had some… negotiating to do." Bane muttered as he slid into his seat opposite them. The Mandalorian chuckled, reaching up to remove his helmet, revealing dark curly hair, a dark beard and brown skin, his eyes too were so dark they were almost black, sparkling with mirth as a grin crossed his face. He petted the young Zaiya on the head as he passed, snatching his hand away after the second pat as she jerked forward in an attempt to bite him.
"You'll lose a finger one of these days, Treshan." The Weequay sighed.
"I'm not that slow." The one called Treshan replied. "The client learned that the hard way." His grin changed into a smirk.
"Did you plug him full of bolts this time?" Zaiya asked, resting her elbows on the table and her chin on her curled hands.
"Not this time, ad'ika." He chuckled. Zaiya gave him a flat look.
"How boring." To which the Weequay and Mando laughed.
"You're a menace, kid." Bane smirked, Zaiya rolled her eyes. There was a lightness to her. One Maul had not seen before. She certainly didn't have it anymore, her steps measured and heavier with the weight of the past. This version of her, this child had mischief to her, and laughter.
"These are the bounty hunters you mentioned…" He muttered. The memory seemed to pause as Zaiya turned to look at him with a gentle smile.
"Yes. You already know Bane. But this is Hondo Ohnaka-" She gestured to the weequay. "A pirate, and the Mandalorian is Adaji Treshan." She motioned to the armoured warrior.
"They seem to like you…" Maul looked her over, she seemed at ease with them and they too with her as they spoke to her as one of them.
"Bane liked me so long I did what he said and earned him money, Hondo I think saw me as a pet… Adaji… he seemed to see me as a bit of a novelty." She shrugged. "They… are interesting fellows. I… eventually grew close enough to call them my ba'vode." She looked away for a moment, before seeming to remember he was not familiar with Mando'a. "Ah, uncles." She explained and his brows rose.
"You didn't mention that…" When was it? A planet? A moon? He knew he asked her about it before-
"It… didn't seem relevant at the time, as I recall we had our hands full."
"We… did, didn't we?" He asked, though he wasn't sure. It was still a little mixed up in his mind.
"Did you get my money after all this… what did you call it, negotiation?" Hondo spoke up, waving his hands as he spoke, returning them to the memory. Bane pulled out a small pouch and tossed one to Ohnaka and the one to Zaiya. They landed with a 'clink' on the table before each of them. Ohnaka snatched his up quickly while Zaiya took hers with more care, weighing in in her hand, a thoughtful look on her face.
"You think we'd short-change you, kid?" Treshan asked with a frown.
"No. I think you'd short-change Hondo." She replied back without hesitation. It made the Mando snort and Bane just chuckle. "I'm just thinking."
"That's dangerous." The pirate scoffed. The Nightsister took the pouch and tucked it into the vest she wore. She fixed him with a flat glare.
"At least I know how to." She retorted. This time Treshan laughed a little more heartily. Even Maul had to smile, she was rather quick-witted, even at such a young age. Treshan began to discuss a new job, something about a retrieval, when a droid approached to get their drink orders. Each man placed an order, though when Zaiya tried to order the same thing as the Mandalorian they argued with her. They refused to let the child drink anything harder than juice and she was not pleased about it.
[I can provide any drink as needed, it is no trouble.] The droid spoke, not seeming to understand the dilemma.
"She's having a Jogan Juice and that's final." Bane snapped finally. Zaiya let out a loud sigh. Even Maul couldn't help but find the humour in it. Though he himself only really drank water, even in a cantina like this. Zaiya looked like she was about to protest, then Bane took the toothpick from his mouth and with a subtle hand movement, flicked it like a projectile toward the droid. The little sliver of wood stuck in the gap in it's chestplate. The droid retreated a moment later muttering about rudeness.
Maul nearly laughed when he saw Zaiya's wide blue eyes staring at the Duros bounty hunter in amazement.
"How did you do that?!" She demanded.
"What?" Bane asked with a slight frown.
"The-" She moved her hand similarly to how Bane had done. "-thing! It was like a dart!" She looked so like a child then, bright and round-faced, eyes glittering with wonder. Suddenly she vanished, ducking under the table for a few seconds and then popping back up in between Bane and Ohnaka, having crawled under the table to get there. "Show me!" She insisted, slapping her hands down on the table. Bane looked at her with one brow raised.
"Of all the things for you to fixate on…" he muttered, but she just returned the stare with determination and an eagerness that could only come from youth. The Duros sighed. "Fine." Maul's hand came up to cover his mouth. He could barely believe it, she seemed to have these three wrapped around her little finger. Had he known she was so talented in manipulation, he would have- no, no… that wasn't right… not now. He didn't want to entertain the Sith side of him for now. He was curious to see what would unfold.
The blue-skinned bounty hunter pulled out a couple of toothpicks, while Treshan settled his helmet further across the table, resting a folded piece of durasheet in front of it. It had a rough target drawn on it in the grease from his rifle. Ambitious to already presume she could aim for it. Bane began to show her the grip, holding his hand, palm-side up to show her the position of her fingers needed to be, quietly teaching her the movement. Gently nudging her small slender fingers to where they needed to be. It was almost absurd, seeing the hardened hunter speaking quietly to a child like this. Maul's hearts ached. These were the lessons he never got. His teachings were harsh, cruel and painful. This was… so peaceful. He understood why she came to think of them as family now. He even spotted a tiny smile on Bane's face as she flicked the first toothpick and it just clattered to the table.
"Hm." Was all Zaiya said, and picked it up again, her pale brows furrowing in determination.
"And here I thought you said you could do anything." Ohnaka chuckled. Maul felt himself frown, mirroring his friend.
"Keep talking and I'll flick it at you, pirate." She huffed, her little cheeks puffed slightly. She tried again, and again, and again. She changed the angle of her hand, of her fingers, where it rested on her middle finger. She seemed to have the best luck when she would pick it up and just do it, if she hesitated or concentrated too hard it would either drop or overshoot the durasheet completely. Many of them did actually hit the 'sheet, but did not have enough force behind it.
"Relax your hand." Bane eventually told her, "you keep pressing that hard you'll get a callous." He chuckled. Zaiya frowned again, so concentrate on her task. She gave a few flicks of her finger without the 'pick, feeling the movement. Then she picked up another 'pick. Grip, roll and flick.
Thwack.
It was surprisingly loud when it struck, but this time, it didn't bounce off. It stuck. Zaiya's eyes widened and she stared at it for a second. She did it!
"Hah! Well done!" The pirate cheered. Even Treshan let out a small cry of victory. Bane just let out a low hum.
"Good job, kid." He muttered. Zaiya looked around in confusion.
"I haven't mastered it yet?" She replied, looking between them. Maul knew the feeling. She had only managed to strike the little projectile true just once, and these three were acting as though it were an accomplishment? His own master only ever offered the occasional small word of praise after he had slaved for months to train and completed a difficult task. It seemed the Nightsisters were the same.
"You aren't going to master it in one day." Treshan responded, clearly not understanding.
"No, I know that. I just mean, I got lucky, I haven't done anything yet. Why are you praising me?" She was not angry, just… very confused.
"Are you kidding me?" Treshan huffed, a frown. "First birthdays… then lifeday and parties and hot chocolate… and now you're telling me they don't even tell you when you've done a good job?"
"That's…" Ohnaka started but frowned.
"I mean… they do, or- Ma'tra did… when I completed a task or mastered a skill." She shrugged. "This is… not how it is done here?" Bane stared down at her, her expression wide eyed, unsure. Looking very much like a damsel in distress. Maul could see it, even though she wasn't conscious, he could see it working on the bounty hunter. No wonder he had behaved strangely during that job… when was that? There was a crash?
"Do you want to stop?" Zaiya spoke up, this time looking at Maul directly and breaking out of the memory for a moment, he shook his head.
"No." A small smirk crosses his lips. "I want to see this." He gestured to the hunter beside her and she chuckled.
"He's a bastard, but he isn't all bad." She shrugs, "So long as I keep him paid." Maul's smirk widened. He was not so sure that's all it was. The memory resumed with Bane letting out a sigh and dropping his hand heavily on the table.
"Screw it." He muttered and flicked his hand toward Treshan to make him move. The Mando shot him a curious look, but did so. Bane took a step away from the table before turning back for a second. "Keep practising." With a slight shrug, she returned to her task. She didn't get the next one, or the one after that, there seemed to be little consistency or aim with the little wooden splinters, but she kept trying.
After a few minutes, Bane returned, saying nothing of where he'd been. He couldn't have gone far. Instead he began to discuss the next task they had. The overall job had a few stages it seemed. Zaiya kept to her task until the droid returned. It had glasses on a tray and… a plate of… something. Little shapes made of some sort of bread? Indentations all over it with pieces of thin meat and some kind of glossy thick syrup. The droid placed the plate on the table and Treshan let out a laugh.
"I don't believe it." Ohnaka shook his head.
"Bane you're a son of a bitch." Treshan managed.
"What is it?" Zaiya asked as she leaned forward for a better look. Treshan threw up his hands.
"You don't know what Space Waffles are?!" He gasped.
"I am getting really tired of you saying that, Adaji." The white haired girl responded with an unamused expression.
"Alright, fine, fine." He held up his gloved hands in defeat, but leaned over and pushed the plate toward her. "Try it though."
"What's it for?" She asked, poking her tattooed finger into a well of syrup and bringing it to her lips.
"You eat it!" Ohnaka cried, exasperated.
"Obviously." She shook her head, then looked to Bane, who understood what she was asking.
"You did well on the job." Bane replied calmly, his expression was bored but he was looking at her rather intensely, Maul thought. As though he were worried she would not like it. The girl tasted the syrup on her fingertip and her pale brows rose in surprise. "Don't get used to it, my generosity has its limits." He muttered flatly.
"Did I just witness Cad Bane buy something for someone else with his own money?" Ohnaka asked with a laugh.
"Are you done talking nonsense? Stow it, before you become the next body I drop into open space." He snapped, his voice buzzing slightly from the ventilators attached to his neck. Zaiya meanwhile had picked up the cutlery and had begun eating the 'waffles' rather delicately.
Maul looked on in awe. She looked so pleased, a grin spreading across her face as she ate. Was this what it was like out there? Had he missed out on all this? Though she had missed out on much of it too, she was having her moment here. A small celebration, but he could see the small amused looks on the bounty hunters' faces. She seemed to notice them watching and paused, looking around.
"What? What did I do?" She asked, "Why are you all staring at me?" The men seemed to snap out of their reverie of watching a child in their small moments of happiness. Something she had not had before, but that they had given her. No wonder she remembered this memory so fondly. They made their excuses and then began talking amongst themselves. Zaiya eventually went back to her waffles.
The memory changed and it seemed there was a second one that followed this, Maul looked to Zaiya curiously, finding himself in a market of all places, he wasn't sure which planet but the rustic look of everything told him it was somewhere in the outer rim.
"This is the same place, just a little later after the diner." Zaiya explained, though it was strange to walk beside her in a memory where she was so much shorter than him.
"I assume it's related…?" Maul asked curiously.
"Yes, and you said you wanted a pleasant memory, and this was the most pleasant part of this one."
"The strange victory celebrations were not?" He asked, smirking. She let out a soft laugh.
"They were very strange, but… I can't say it was unwelcome. It was unnecessary, but it was nice." She spoke in a soft voice, a wistful look on her face and a small smile on her lips. "It was a lesson too," She mused and he just watched her until the memory started in earnest. Her blue eyes lit up, and she ran forward toward a shop selling bottles of various kinds, all filled with different liquids of varying colours. It took Maul a moment to realise most of the bottles were alcoholic beverages. Was she really so keen to try the whiskey the Mando had been drinking? The three men weren't even anywhere to be seen!
"Hey, how much for that?" She asked the tender once she was inside, her small hand pointing to a bottle on the top shelf. It was set in a golden holder shaped like a sleek Nubian ship, the liquid within the slender glass, a dark amber.
"That?!" The wheezing dug at the counter barked. "Do you even know what that is?!" He grumbled, flailing a hand about. "That is top-shelf, Naboo Brandy!"
"Uh-huh, sure how much?" Zaiya laid her hands on the counter, leaning on it.
"Even if you could afford it- I don't sell to your kind!"
"What kind is that?" She frowned.
"Children! I could lose my license!"
"Do you see any guards around? Just tell me how much or I'll holler for my guardian."
"Why should I give a bantha-shit about your guardian?" He grumbled. A smirk crossed her lips.
"Cad Bane will be sorry to hear that you lured his ward that he is being paid top dollar to look after away from him and tried to tempt with your devil-juice!" She laughed quietly.
"Bane?" The dug looked around, his long snout-like face turned about, beady eyes wide, looking for the Duro. His two smaller hands fidgeted. "He-he's here?"
"He will be pretty soon, you don't want him finding me in here, friend." She smiled sweetly, like butter wouldn't melt.
"I… it's 150 …" He reached up, extending his long forelegs up to reach the bottle.
"Hm… how about 100?" The girl replied. The dug whipped his head around.
"That's outright theft!" He snapped, bottle grasped in one of the smaller hands. He paused, and glanced to the door again. "140."
"110." The Nightstister countered, smoothly. The dug was getting nervous.
"130, c'mon kid it's worth it just-"
"120 and you include the little ship holder thing." She waved a hand. There was a long pause. The alien looked from the bottle, to Zaiya, to the door and back.
"Fine, but hurry it up!" He snapped. She pulled out a cloth bag as well as the pouch Bane had tossed to her before, handing over the money and taking the bottle and holder, tucking them away safely. She offered him a cheery thanks and left him muttering about babies and whelps. She hummed to herself as she left that stall and moved to a different one. The next place was less hostile, but wary of her too when she made a purchase of a knife, a long blade and a scalloped edge on one side, it looked a little big for someone her size, leaving Maul to wonder what she was up to.
Her next destination was even more bizarre. The alcohol and knife he mostly understood, but… this place was full of… instruments. She could make music with her voice, what did she need these for?
Zaiya seemed to take the most pleasure in this visit. The other two had been relatively quick, her having picked out the item she wanted rather quickly. With this on though she tried the different instruments, their sounds. Maul remembered the sounds he'd heard when they had connected, well, he remembered the feeling, though the exact sounds escaped him.
She tested ones that she had to blow through, ones with strings and ones that required to be struck to produce sound. Maul had no idea what any of the names were, but watching her try them out was fascinating. The look of concentration was too cute. Finally she picked up a wooden instrument, it was large and looked to be hollow, it had strings that extended up the long protruding piece of wood held there with other little peg-like contraptions. She ran her fingers along the strings and her face changed, her eyes widened and she looked like she had found a treasure.
"What's this called?" She asked the green-skinned Mirialan at the counter. The woman looked confused. "We don't have these where I'm from, what's the name of it?"
"It's called a guitar." The woman replied, her expression softening. "It takes practise but they aren't difficult to play."
"How much?" She asks.
"100 credits." This time Zaiya frowned, she looked into her purse and her mouth shifted into a line.
"I don't suppose you would go as low as 50?" She asked.
"I can't do that, I'm afraid." The woman shook her head. Zaiya's brow furrowed, she looked to be thinking, her eyes had a calculating, faraway look to them.
"I don't suppose… there is another means for which I could pay for it?" She asked. With a look that would melt stone. The Mirialan woman looks like she might be the one that would melt. Maul looked at the Nightsister, how in the Sith hells did she do that? First the bounty hunters now this!
"Well… you seemed to like the instruments, do you play any?" The woman asked, her voice becoming warm.
"Not really." Zaiya admitted, "But I do sing a little." A little! Was she being coy on purpose? Was this a manipulation? Maul frowned as he watched the interaction, he was not sure why she bothered with it, even with her powers at that age she could have just taken the item and left. Though… he did know the benefit of blending in, it was still strange to witness.
"Then perhaps I could sell it for a song." The woman chuckles. "Let's see what you've got." Clearly the woman didn't think much of the Nightsister. The slightly worn looking clothing and less than clean ponch, she looked like she belonged in the outer rims slums. But the moment the girl opened her mouth, the woman was left speechless.
"Come along on the river wide,
Oh come along, oh come along,
Come and see, no time to hide,
Oh come and see, oh come and see,
Do you know you're safe with me?
Safe among the bandy trees,
In my arms my little sweet,
Always, are safe with me.
Come down to the fields of gold,
Oh come down, Oh come down,
Come back to where my arms can hold,
Oh come back, oh come back,
Do you know you're safe with me?
Safe among the long long reeds,
Where the land is always green,
Always, are safe with me.
No matter how you grow and run,
Spend all your days out in the sun,
No matter if your roads reach none,
And leave you lost when day is done,
Come home to find me, little one,
Always, are safe with me." The Mirialan woman stared at her, wide eyed in wonder. Maul understood this expression. She was likely wondering how such a sweet voice was possible, how it was possible that this girl existed to be able to sing in a way that shook the very souls of those that listened. She invoked the force somehow, he didn't know exactly how but the name Siren was indeed perfect for her.
"That was…" The green-skinned woman looked close to tears. "So beautiful." She nodded, "Take it. I have never met anyone more deserving of it." Zaiya blinked in surprise. She reached for her purse and laid it on the counter. The Mirialan tried to refuse, but Zaiya pushed the last of her credits towards her. She left with a smile and her items in tow. Maul was left to follow, he could not understand what she was doing, money was of little consequence to him, he'd never had to worry about it, but her spending of it seemed reckless. Still, he watched as she walked down the dirt path, until she came to a ship. He could only assume it was the ship belonging to one of the bounty hunters, as Zaiya boarded it without hesitation. The ship was not occupied, it seemed and Maul saw her smile widen as she took the items she had with her and moved to different rooms on the ship. At first he thought her placing the items away, until she left the bottle in it's holder on the desk in one room, and the knife on the bunk of another. He realised then that what she had purchased and spent her last credit on was not even for herself. They were gifts. He frowned, following her to the cockpit, where she laid the guitar in the pilot's chair. Maul watched her as she balanced it carefully then returned to the main lounge area.
"You could have gotten anything for yourself and you chose to waste it on bounty hunters?" He asked with a scoff.
"I didn't waste it, sire." She smiled brightly. "The surprise is half the fun. Just wait." She giggled, an actual little giggle. He'd not seen her like this before, even on Coruscant she was so professional and reserved for the most part. This was very different. He… he liked it. Though he didn't know why he did. The sound bubbling up through his ears.
Zaiya perched on one of the seats, not easily seen from the door in this position, and after some time, the Bounty Hunters returned, first Bane, then the Mandalorian and finally the pirate. It seems they didn't notice her right away, pausing on the ramp to ask about supplies as Ohnaka joined them. Treshan glanced over, but then did a double take.
"Where's the kid?" He snapped.
"What do you mean?" Ohnaka replied, frowning through the goggles at his associate. "She was with Bane."
"No, she said she was with you!" Treshan replied, his voice sounding a little strained.
"For kriffsake-" Bane growled angrily, he moved to take a step forward and back towards the market when she finally spoke up.
"Keep your knickers on, I'm right here." She said loudly. The Mandalorian's shoulders sagged slightly in visible relief. Maul could have laughed at the way the three of them pretended not to be worried.
"Vor osik…" He huffed, "Where the kark did you run off to?"
"Had some things to do." She replied, picking up the mug of some kind of hot beverage she'd made while waiting and sipped it.
"What things?" Treshan asked, stepping further into the room, looking down at the little witch where she was curled on the little sitting area of the ship.
"You'll see." Was all she said, looking up at him over the rim of her cup.
"Well that's not ominous at all." Ohnaka muttered in concern. He wrinkled his nose then pushed past the armoured warrior. "Told you I didn't lose her." He huffed, moving to the private quarters of the ship. Treshan took a step toward her, hesitant.
"You sure you're alright? Nothing happened?" One of the girl's brows quirked in amusement.
"What would happen?" She asked. The Mando shook his head and followed the pirate. Bane had already brought the ramp up and headed to the cockpit. She waited.
"Siren!" Came the shout from the Duro and she was grinning like a tooka.
"Yeeees?" She called back.
"Get in here." Bane grumbled. But she was interrupted by shouts from the others.
"What is this? Some kind of bribery?" Ohnaka stomped out, the fancy bottle in his hand, the other pointed at her. "What did you do?" She looked back at him smugly.
"If you don't like it, give it back." She replied with a huff. Ohnaka looked at the bottle, gold leaf floating in the liquid. He held it to his chest.
"No." He pouted. He too was interrupted when Treshan came rushing out of his room, right for her, with the blade in hand. Maul was suddenly alarmed but Zaiya didn't seem bothered until he swooped her up in a hug. A string of Nightsister curses escaped her mouth as Treshan laughed. The girl gasped for breath, being crushed by his armour. She finally was able to breathe when he let her go.
"How did you know?" He laughed, holding up the vibroblade far too excitedly.
"Your other one broke, so I looked for the closest match." She shrugged. "Same with that, I heard you mentioned you liked it." She gestured to the Weequay and his bottle. The Pirates expression softened. Then his eyes narrowed.
"Did you steal it?"
"No, I paid… had to threaten the Dug and got it for less than the asking rate." Ohnaka blinked before a wide grin crossed his mouth. He laid his free hand dramatically to his chest.
"Oh! I am so proud!" He exclaimed and laid his hand on her shoulder. "We shall make a pirate of you yet!" Zaiya laughed, shaking her head and waved them both off, seeming to ignore the looks they were giving her. She hurried off to the cockpit as they all felt the ship coming to life around them. She climbed the ladder to find Bane at the controls, and beginning the takeoff sequence. She had to hold the guitar as she sat in the co-pilot seat and strapped herself in.
"So… what's all this about?" Bane asked finally once they were cruising in space. He gestured to the instrument.
"You… don't like it…?" She looked hesitant for a moment and his eyes narrowed slightly.
"I didn't say that, I mean what's the occasion?" He tilted his head slightly. Zaiya unbuckled herself and folded her legs under her.
"Well… you got me- what were they called, waffles? You got me those because I did well in the last job… and well, you did a good job too." She replied with a shrug. Maul let out a chuckle, the logic was so simple. Yet… she went out of her way, she chose the items with care, something she knew they wanted. It was surprisingly thoughtful. Not surprising because she had done so, more surprising that he hadn't realised that was who she was. He looked down at his half of the pendant around his neck. Even when she had nothing, she gave everything she could.
"Huh…" Bane grunted, sounding a little stunned. "So why a guitar?"
"It sounds… the same as you." She began, though it was clear he didn't understand. "You have seen why they call me Siren, yes?" He nodded, "I can sing these songs because I can hear music, in everything, it's in the way the engine of the ship runs, in the steps you make in the sound of battle or blaster fire. Everyone sounds different and you…" She held up the guitar, resting the base on her leg and strummed her fingers over the strings. The sound was soothing, calm and a little raw. "...sound like this."
Maul wondered if Bane understood the gravity of her words as he did, music was a part of who she was, it was in her name and in her soul. The zabrak had heard it once, and the feeling had left him gasping. Did Bane understand? There was a long pause, and eventually the blue skinned bounty hunter nodded, he reached out as she passed him the guitar. He laid it on his thigh and strummed a few times. Did he even know how to play it? Eventually Bane let out a chuckle and petted her head, instead of going for a bite, she just swatted at his large hands.
"Thanks lil lady." He told her and he had a smile on his face, an actual smile.
"See?" Maul turned, she was speaking to him now. "See that?" She pointed to Bane, he was frozen in time, the little smile on his face. "That's it."
"That's what this whole memory led to?" The horned man asked. "A smile?"
"Never underestimate a smile, my Lord." She nodded, "But yes. This is one of my happier memories." She was positively beaming. Her happy memory, was about making others happy? It… was a little insane if he thought about it. Did she take nothing for herself? Did she not want-? He thought harder about it… when they had spoken on Coruscant she was the same… Maul stared at the confusing Nightsister. It was the opposite of everything he was taught. The hate, the rage, the violence. And then… this.
Maul opened his eyes, seeing her as she was now. An adult, taller, fully grown and… more scarred. But her smile was the same, and though there was a hardness to her eyes - well her good eye - now, it still sparkled as it had done in the memory.
"Was that a pleasant enough memory, sire?" She asked hopefully. Her eyes watching him with rapt attention. He regarded her for a moment, and let a smile slip onto his lips on purpose.
"It was, thank you." He watched her reaction and sure enough, her own smile grew to a grin. She was beaming and, if he were honest, that smile lit her up like- Well… He certainly felt much better than before.
Notes:
This was my favourite chapter to write, it was sweet and introspective and made me feel all fuzzy! I hope you guys like it as much as I do!
In case people aren't familiar, I do release this fic on other platforms, one being tumblr, if you have an account on there I also am doing a prompt challenge where I write little pieces on various characters, not a full fic but just short scenes. If you're interested, find me over there, same username.
That being said, the next chapter is titled 'Brothers' and yes! We are gonna put all three brothers back together! YAY! I am looking forward to it and I hope you are too! What do you think they shall get up to? Will they be happy to see each other? Let me know your predictions in the comments.
As always, I love favourites, likes and reviews always always, it really helps me keep the motivation to keep posting, I love you guys, I read them all and they make me grin like an idiot when I get new comments to read! Again, I love you all and I shall see you next week!
