As always, Kaleido Star does not belong to me, but to Junichi Sato.

I had posted this on archive of our own a while ago, but forgot to place it in her too. My apologies.

Enjoy!

"Fianna Laurent, you get back here this instant!" The orphanage matron yelled as she tried to catch the tomboy. Bringing that kid back after her circus classes was always terribly hard. She was obviously made for that place, hence why they let her participate on that project. It distracted her from the fact she was growing up… Hence making her chances of adoption scarcer.

That was until she stumbled into a young passerby while practicing a cartwheel. The lad was kind enough to hold her so that she wouldn't fall and get hurt.

"Sorry Mr… This one is active." The lady pulled her close. "I said you could end up getting hurt or hurting someone, Fianna." The girl had finally settled, staring at her feet.

"Oh, that's alright… That was a good flip." He lowered himself to face her, ruffling her silver hair, earning a happy giggle back, as he placed her battered cap back onto her head. "How old are you?" She lifted 6 fingers. "Impressive." He remarked, rising from the girl's level and adjusting his pince-nez sunglasses over violet-blue eyes. "Keep up with the good work… You might be chosen to enter the Phoenix Academy… It's supposed to be a secret, but they'll be having auditions for young talents…But, by any means, you never heard that." He winked, waving goodbye.

Even the faint possibility of entering the Academy made Fianna pester the matron fiercely until she finally discovered that indeed, auditions would be held in a week time. It was no surprise when she passed the first selection. Even her prior instructors had remarked how good the child was. But, in the final audition's day, a kid got sick in the orphanage, and she couldn't make it on time. She was devastated.

Fianna ran over to an abandoned football field, where she used to play with some older kids. Their orphanage was in a poor area in Paris. She had heard people say it more than once. No-one wanted older children… And no one wanted tomboyish girls. Girls should be good; girls should be polite… Unlike her. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she strongly kicked the ball, way ahead limits, through a green bush. She made it through the greenery, to find the object right by a young lady's feet.

She was stunning, with long, golden hair and beautiful cerulean eyes. Wait… Fianna had seen that woman before… What on earth would Layla Hamilton herself be doing in a place like that?

"Fianna, am I right?" She extended a hand towards her. "The matron told us what happened. It was a pity you couldn't make it to the audition… But truth is… You deserve to be with in the Academy. What do you say?"

That couldn't be true. The girl had to pinch herself before jumping in joy. "Also… You can stay at the dormitories there, if you like. The matron has already given her permission… That is… If you'd like to."

And so, Fianna moved into the dormitories of the Phoenix Academy, along with some other young students from around the city. The place was fascinating! Apart from circus classes, they also had to attend regular school subjects, as well as ballet and other art activities. She finally felt like she belonged.

She didn't really like ballet. It had all those rules and such! So boring. But Mrs. Layla had said it was important on stage… So, she had to learn it. Yet, she managed to drive every single one of the children teacher's crazy. That was… When she didn't skip the classes to play with other kids in a nearby football field, just to be dragged back. The only one she'd listen to was, unquestionably, Layla herself.

"So… Running from your ballet classes again? How do you think you'll be able to maintain posture onstage? Not by playing soccer, I suppose." She scolded, sighing, as she sat beside the child, resting her back against a tree. "And you are so good… What am I to do with you, huh?" Both girls were startled by the crackling of wood above, a few leaves falling to the grassy ground.

Up sat the same man who had hinted Fianna about the auditions, months ago. He seemed much more at ease over there, glasses off, his flaxen hair messy by the breeze. He easily somersaulted down, stealing the girl's baseball cap.

"Heey, that's mine!" She tried to jump high enough to catch it from his hands, but he effortlessly dodged her attempts. Her mentor just stifled laughter, not moving an inch from her sitting spot.

Fianna had never actually seen her laugh. She used to be stern, almost untouchable, in the Academy.

"I might return that… Under one condition." He winked, a finger playfully over his lips, as if he was having a hard time deciding what to do next.

"Which is?" She queried, eagerly.

"That you excel in your next ballet evaluation." She made a yucky face. "Or… I might just get used to wearing this. Your call." He adjusted the cap to fit himself. "What do you think… Ms. Hamilton?" He asked, helping the blonde up, gingerly.

"I think that's a great idea. If you want it back, you may as well earn it."

Fianna was hurt. Who did that guy think he was to just come and do whatever he wanted and as he wanted? He didn't even know her! He didn't even know that the cap was the only memory she had from her deceased parents. She wouldn't lose to him. She rushed inside the Academy building, just in time for the second ballet class of the day.

"Oh, so you've decided to honour us with your presence, Ms Fianna. I'm glad." She wasn't used to being taught by Mr. Mathéo, but it had been the only option left. He usually taught the older groups. "Okay, all of you, take your marks on the barre. We'll have a guest today, so I hope you all behave." He stared sternly at the tomboy, who rolled her eyes.

A beautiful lady strolled in, followed by a little boy, who hid intently behind her, clutching an old teddy bear. He couldn't be more than four. "Well… Two guests, I guess." The ballet teacher smiled, placing the boy on his lap, causing the child to immediately bury his face on his chest. "This is Ms. Nadja, she used to be my dance partner when we were younger… She will be your teacher for today's class. And this little guy here is Aaron; he's with her."

Every single movement was flawless… She seemed soft as a feather. Fianna had never seen anyone like that. Not even Mrs. Layla danced like her. And for once, she managed to follow every single bit of the routine as she should. She was even praised for her behaviour.

As they were excused for water, she stayed at the classroom, drinking from her own water bottle, watching the little boy as he stared absorbedly at the door, not once letting go of his stuffed friend. He had remained like that throughout the whole class, hardly even blinking his big azure eyes. Realizing he was being watched, he immediately hid behind her professor again, earning a half-hearted laugh from the older lady.

"You don't have to hide…" She scooped the boy from the floor, approaching her. "Fianna, right? I hear a lot about you…" The boy fussed unhappily, rubbing his eyes, mumbling something she couldn't understand, threatening to cry. "I know you are tired sweetie. He should be getting here shortly. Why don't you take a nap with Pyotr over there?" She motioned to a small couch inside the room. "Or… You could read a little? How does that sound? I must get back to the class now." He nodded sadly.

Read? Not even she could read that well enough for a book. He should be read to on that age, shouldn't he?

"He seems sad. Does he read?" She questioned the flaxen-haired woman, while watching the small boy get a fairytale book from the backpack.

"Ever since he was three, about a year ago. He is a fast learner. We were surprised too." The ballerina smiled, clapping her hands. "Okay! Since everyone is back, I guess we can get started…" The door was barely opened, revealing the hat-stealer, now all dressed up as if he was respectable, once again with his glasses on.

"Sorry to interrupt, just a second. Hey there." The ballerina almost murdered him with her eyes, pinching his ear. Fianna couldn't help but feel at least a little avenged by her gesture. "Ouch! I was expecting more of …Hello! Welcome back from your 10-hour trip, you must be tired after that and a 1-hour meeting in sequence… But I guess snatching a piece of my ear works too." Everyone else couldn't help but giggle at the sudden break at their strict regimen. There was a reason why Phoenix Academy had their fame. They weren't abusive, but their training was rigorous.

"Quiet." She motioned over to the corner where the little boy napped with the book over his chest. He had been clearly fighting sleep back there, no wonder he was moody. All the young kids at the orphanage used to get like that when they hadn't gotten enough sleep.

The lad lovingly put the book aside, cradling the boy and his bear to his chest, as he stirred, barely opening his eyes. "Shh…Папа здесь, малыш." (AN: Translation – Daddy's here, baby.) Seeing him like that, he almost seemed bearable. Just like when they first met, and he had told the matron about the selection. Why had he been so mean earlier, then? "I'll see you later, have a nice class, you all." He kissed the ballerina on her forehead, before leaving.

And that was enough to send the bunch of girls' haywire with questions like: "Who is that?", "Are you married?", "Does he have a girlfriend?" … and such. It almost made Fianna want to puke. Why were girls like that? All cheesy and easily impressionable. Yuck.

"Looks like you still have it in you, huh, Prince Charming?" Layla snorted, getting the backpack from his shoulders, carefully enough not to disturb their son's slumber.

"Jealous much, Princess?" He adjusted the boy on his arms, patting his back. "I wish those guys had made their lectures shorter. I might have been able to find baby boy awake."

"I bet he tried hard. Aaron barely slept yesterday out of anticipation that you were getting home. I had to keep him in our bed, otherwise he would be coming and going from his room to ours non-stop." She yawned, leaning onto his shoulder as they strode towards the car. "Here, let me hold him, he'll wake up if we place him at his seat, you know how he hates it." She motioned, after sitting on the front seat.

"I wish things were different… And we could be just a regular family, you know?" He transferred the boy to her arms, securing them with the seat belt. As they had become more well-known because of the Academy and Kaleido Stage's expansion towards Europe, they had to become more wary of their ons and abouts. Both hated gossiping and such and had vowed to keep their son as safe from that as humanly possible. So, for all purposes, they were still only former stage partners, who had, despite all odds and stuff regarding his dark period as Kaleido Star manager, remained good friends.

"Actually, I don't think I do. I've always been used to it as the Hamilton heiress." She chuckled. "But… That would be nice, I guess." She brushed her son's golden hair, only slightly lighter than her own, as he stirred to the change of heat, soothed by his father's hand over his back, while he adjusted himself to drive them back home. "It still does the trick." He laughed inwardly.

Aaron had always been very sensitive. As a baby, the only way he'd easily fall asleep was if he were cuddled to his father's chest, listening to his heartbeat or his humming, while he patted the infant's small back, which had been especially challenging since about a year ago, when Yuri had begun travelling back and forth to Cape Mary, because of Kaleido Stage, and she had to stay at the Academy, in Paris.

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one who had to cope with the nights when he wouldn't sleep because Papa wouldn't tuck him in. He would only fall asleep out of exhaustion." She remarked sadly.

"Yeah… Sorry for that." He took advantage of a red light to peck her lips.

"No problem. Silver lining is that he "purrs" just like you when he is overly tired. At least I got to enjoy it more often while you were away." She yawned once again.

"Ha-ha. You are so very funny." Next time he glanced back to announce they had arrived home; she was snoring lightly. Gladly he was still working out, despite not performing any longer.

His grandmother promptly opened the door once she saw his predicament, carrying both his wife and child inside and up to their room, placing both onto their bed, covering them up with the duvet. As he was getting out of the bed to change himself, he was pulled back by two hands.

"Hey, you two, can't I at least shower first?" He allowed himself to fall onto his spot at the bed.

"Nah." Both sleepy voices responded in union, followed by Aaron's small remark "We like smelly papa.", which prompted instant laughter to the tired couple.

"No, I don't think you do, little guy." The French-born Russian felt his eyelids flutter. His flight and the meeting were weighing down on him at that point. "Just for a little bit, okay?" The pair assented. "Good."

And that little bit unsurprisingly became a whole night long.

If there was anything Layla Hamilton would never get tired of, it was waking up earlier than her husband and son, so that she could watch as they looked (and sounded) just about the same while dozing.

She had carried that child for roughly eight months…went through hours of labour to bring him to the world, only for him to come out as the spitting image of his father. At least… His "colour palette" was hers, having inherited her cerulean, blue eyes and golden hair, just a tad darker than Yuri's. The child yawned, snuggling against his father's torso.

She leisurely strolled to the suite's bathroom, taking a well-deserved warm shower. She wanted to take a long bubble bath, but she'd learned long ago that those were hardly entitled to the being known as "mother".

Seconds after sitting at the tub, she heard the door opening, followed by the tippity-taps of her son's small footsteps, being rewarded with the sight of a barely awake Aaron rubbing his bloated eyes. He was always clingy upon waking up.

"Hi there, kittycat." She whispered, realizing the boy had unsuccessfully tried to unbutton his shirt by himself. "Come here, let's bathe with me." He beamed happily in response, as she proceeded to help him undress. "You left Papa all alone there… He'll be the only smelly cat."

"Aaron baths Papa later." He remarked, playing with soap bubbles. He loved his bubbles. Yet, all she could think of was how 'Aaron washes Papa' would become 'Mama, help Aaron wash Papa?' or something along those lines. "Aaron is a big boy now. Papa doesn't fit with us in the tub."

"Okay… Close your eyes just a bit, we don't want soap on them, do we?" She instructed while rinsing his hair. They'd had some unpleasant experiences with soapy eyes over the last few months. "All done, you can open them now."

Just as they had finished emptying the bathtub and dressed, they were met by the drowsy figure of the boy's father, arms stretched out to their wake-up hug… Only to be solemnly ignored, as Layla proceeded to refill the tub, and Aaron "pushed" him inside the bathroom.

"No hugs for stinky cats, Papa." He proudly proclaimed. "You are bigger than Aaron, you can unbutton your shirt, please. And get into the tub. Mama won't look. Aaron covers Mama's eyes." Oh, children's innocence sometimes baffled her. As if they'd never seen each other naked.

"Hm… What happened to yesterday's – We like smelly papa?" He slowly unbuttoned his shirt. "You better not be sneaking, Mama." She was about to reply when her son intervened.

"Go papa! Aaron wants breakfast." He scowled.

"I'm going, I'm going." It was only once he was half-submerged that he uncovered her eyes.

"Okay. Now, Mama helps Aaron with Papa's hair, please?" He stared at his feet, bouncing on its balls. "We don't want soap on Papa's eyes." He whispered. Of course. He smiled, shaking his hands and jumping happily.

"Sure… Taken he doesn't soak us. We have a meeting in 90 minutes." She proceeded to apply shampoo on his scalp, instructing the boy on how to massage it - resulting in lots of his beloved bubbles, and entangled hair, for his father's dismay, no matter how "strong" he stood.

"Now, close your eyes, Papa, we don't want soap on them, do we?" She could almost laugh at how he echoed her sentence, using the same exact tone.

"Yes, sir!" Next thing he knew he was nearly choking on a mix of water and shampoo, as Aaron basically immersed him in water.

"Maybe close your mouth as well next time?" Layla completed, somewhat worried. "Everything alright?"

"Pe…achy" He coughed. "Thank you both, but I guess I can finish it by myself now."

"Are you sure Papa?"

"Leave before I wet you both. One… Two…" Yuri couldn't help but laugh as his son squealed, trying to drag his mom away, while she sported the classic 'Don't you fucking dare' glance. "You should have seen your face."

"Ha-ha. You have five minutes, Mr. Killian."

Two weeks later…

"Alright, that was great. Way to go, girls!" Her instructor praised them. "Especially you, Ms Laurent! You may be even able to jump grades earlier than expected. You have been invited to train with grade four today, care to give it a try?"

She wished that guy had heard that. She'd show him. Making her way to the other class, she stumbled onto the small boy from the other day around. What was his name again? If anyone had said it, she hadn't paid attention. He was sitting in the middle of a corridor all alone, face buried on his knees, sobbing quietly.

"Hey, you." He blushed immediately as she sat beside him. "Why are you crying? Are you here alone?" He shook his head. "So, you do understand what I say." He nodded, never looking straightly at her. "Are you lost?" Another shy nod. "Why didn't you say sooner, pipsqueak? I can help. Let's go!" She rose, offering her hand to the boy, who, reluctantly accepted. "I can show you around… While we look for Ms Nadja… You are with her, right?"

"Hm-hm." He nodded again.

"You are funny. I've never seen a kid that quiet at your age. Where I lived before, there were children of all ages. And they were surely louder. And none of them knew how to read. Look, that's my favourite room… The trampoline room! Do you want to jump a bit before we get to where she is?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Come on, let's go!"

The older child basically dragged the little boy in, placing him onto one of the small trampolines before hopping on herself, causing him to bounce slightly up with her momentum, prompting him to chuckle.

"Hm, so you like that, don't you? Brace yourself, little friend, because I'm a jumping machine!" She hopped even higher, pushing him further. The boy fell up on his feet on his own, instead of sitting, this time. "That was good! Wanna jump together?" She took both of his hands and aided him even higher than she thought he could on his own, causing him to giggle louder, as he completed an airborne somersault all by himself, baffling the tomboy, who fell stiff down on the elastic mat.

"Time up. How on earth can you do that?"

"Can't Fianna?" He asked, confusedly, as he sat beside her. "Pa taught Aaron. Now that Aaron is a big boy, he can. Fianna is bigger than Aaron, why can't you?"

"Well, my Papa only taught me to play baseball and football." She answered.

"Why sad eyes? Fianna's papa not with you?" She shook her head. "That's sad. Aaron's papa is always away too… But secret!" He placed a finger over his small lips.

The two kids were interrupted by a very worried Ms Nadja. "There you are! I was wondering whether you had been sucked by the toilet, Aaron!" She helped the child down. "Still, I'm glad you made a friend in the way. Thanks for keeping an eye on him, Fianna. Little guy here has an awful sense of direction."

"Meanie Nana." He sulked, crossing his arms over his chest. In a way, he sort of reminded her of Mrs Layla's unpleased semblant when doing that.

"Why do you call her Nana?" Once again, he blanked at her.

"Because she is Nana." He reasoned. "Secret."

"Come, you two. It's about time for Fianna's class. Big day, right? You'll be graded today." The ballerina commented. "Nervous? That's not like you."

"A bit… I had a deal with someone, and I need to win." She explained.

"Fianna is good. Aaron thinks." He grinned and she blushed. "Mama too."

"Thanks… I guess? Your mama knows me? She works here then?" He nodded, lowering his head, and hiding behind the older ballerina. "Is that a secret too?" Another nod. "You sure are full of secrets, huh?"

"Alright, here we part. Have a nice class, break a leg at your test, Fianna. Wish her good luck too, Aaron." She pushed him closer to the girl.

"Hm…Good luck. And don't break your leg, it's bad." He shrieked, awkwardly hugging her, and immediately running back behind his "Nana's" legs again.

"Thanks!" She acknowledged the child rising him a thumbs up.

"Aren't you going to watch the exams? You always do." Layla placed her chin over his head, embracing his neck from behind. He was currently concentrated trying to salvage the tomboy's baseball cap. His father had been into baseball, and that one happened to be a special edition, which had probably belonged to the girl's father. Incidentally, it was torn apart when he'd captured it. So, right now, he had a sewing kit and a dream.

"Almost done. You go on first. I'll watch it from behind, don't want to pressure her." He snorted. "She must hate me."

"You bet that." The blonde responded. "But she's improved an awful lot because of that."

"I'm sure of it. I've known her potential ever since when I first met her. She needed opportunity and someone to look up to." He bit a piece of thread. "I should have brought the scissors."

"You're going to steal her from me when she is older, Machiavelli, I know." She ran her fingers through his hair.

When she heard he had been impressed with a little girl from an orphanage on the outskirts of Paris, she recalled Kalos and his obsession with Sora. 'You'll understand when you see it.' And she had. She was blunt and rough but had talent and persistence. More that that, she thought the kid might have reminded him of his childhood, when, albeit loving the circus, he couldn't easily have a way in it, after everything his family had been through.

"She'll come to me… Or you don't think she'll want to follow your footsteps and be on Kaleido Stage? Besides, I found her first." He retorted. "There, now it's fixed. You can give it to her after the test is over."

"Do it yourself. I've got nothing to do with that. Let's get going." She hauled him along."

"Oh, so you are the gremlin." His mother reprimanded him, as his son ran straight to his arms. "That cap is clearly not yours. You stole it from her, didn't you? I recall when you used that same tactic with your brother and his plastic dragon."

"Wyvern, Ma. Misha had a wyvern; I had a dragon. It all worked well. And all will work well this time too."

"Papa stole? But stealing is bad, Papa!" Aaron judged his father, crossing his arms and sulking fiercely at him. Yuri wanted to laugh so bad, but he controlled himself.

"I just borrowed to mend it. See, it's washed and fixed. She'll be happy about it in the end. And it made her dance better." He explained, but the kid kept his frown. "Don't be mad at me. Besides, mama agreed, and she is her teacher." Layla pinched his arm. "Ouch."

"Suits you." She flashed at him.

"Will you do their test at the stage they are still building?" He commented, watching the workers coming and going with the constructing materials. They were currently, among other things, changing on the lights and wiring onstage. Their Paris team was good, but not as fast as the Cape Mary one. They would bring the stage up and down in hours.

"It's our only option. The others don't have enough area for the exam choreography. We'd have to split in more groups, and the evaluating committee doesn't have all that time in their hands."

"I see. Well…If it can't be helped. I'll be watching from back here. Do you want to be here with me or there with them, baby boy?" He asked.

"Nana. Mama and Papa are evil. Aaron is not happy with your behaviour." He squinted his eyes, glaring at them, as he grabbed his grandmother's hand. It was supposed to be an intimidating face, but it ended up being just awfully adorable.

Fianna gave her life on her performance. She had to get her father's cap back. Luckily, Ms Nadja was one of the evaluators on her grade, which eased her. Mrs Layla was also watching. But that guy was nowhere to be seen. She hoped he wasn't lying when he said he would give it back.

They were about to finish it when a loud clank was heard, and one of the trooper lights half dropped from above. Fianna had always heard that the sky could be crashing down on them, but the show should go on. It was natural that she wouldn't stop just because of that, despite all her friends running out from the stage. It was still up there, it wouldn't just fall, would it?

Next thing she knew, she was on the floor… Or so she thought. Yet… The floor wasn't that warm and soft. There was a lot of smoke around them. The light had really fallen, and it should have hit her. She was breathing hard. She could really have gotten hurt.

"Fianna! Let me see you." She recognized Mrs Layla's worried voice. Beside her stood little Aaron, as she studied the girl's face and body, searching for any wounds. "Why on earth didn't you leave the stage? Does anything hurt?" She pulled the child close, as she shook her head. "Don't ever do that again! There are limits towards things that can or cannot stop a performance, and a light beam crashing down is surely one of them."

"Chill, she is fine." A masculine voice stated from behind her. She turned to address the one person who probably saved her, only to meet the hat stealer. "Right?" He ruffled her hair, trying to flash a smile, only to wince in pain, holding his breath, hand over the left side of his chest, where a dark bump was beginning to take shape. It had probably been where he had shielded her head, preventing her from bumping it on the wall to which his back was leaned onto. He tried to shift and rise, but the simple effort made him cough.

"Don't move. Your mom is getting help." Fianna felt her mentor's heart pounding violently, as she held both children close.

"No big deal, I just have to sleep a bit, and I'll be brand new." He coughed once more, the sleeve of his coat going red. "Just go ahead with the children, 'kay? I'll be right behind you." His eyes were fluttering, threatening to shut down.

Mrs Layla turned their backs to him, and realizing Ms Nadja approaching with Mathéo and another man, she began. "Fianna, you and Aaron go with Ms Nadja and Mr Mathéo. I'll stay here until help comes."

"Aaron stays." He planted his small feet onto the floor, not moving an inch despite the girl's efforts to drag him away as ordered. He was holding his tears back. "Aaron is a big boy. Aaron stays." He sat on the floor for good measure.

"Aaron, I'm not asking." She sucked in a breath, biting her under lip.

"But…" He tried to approach the man, despite her trying to prevent him to.

"No buts Aaron." She was now altering her voice.

"Aaron, послушай свою маму." (AN: Aaron, listen to your mother.) He adjusted himself just enough to pat the boy's head. "С папой все будет в порядке. Обещание." (AN: Daddy is going to be alright. Promise.). She couldn't get a word of what they were saying… But, apparently, the boy did.

"Но папа…" He seemed to be trying to answer back, when Mr. Mathéo forcefully caught him, taking both kids away from the injured lad, while the other man began to examine him. He seemed worried, from what she could see.

Mr. Mathéo drove them to the hospital, along with Ms Nadja. As they arrived, Fianna was admitted for checking up, just to make sure she was indeed alright. Aaron was silent all the way, clutching his teddy bear. As she was discharged, she went with Mr Mathéo to another waiting room where Ms Nadja, Ms Layla, the boy and another two people were.

She recognized one of them as Anna, one of the older ballerinas. She used to come and teach them sometimes. The other girls said she was a Prima Ballerina in her school. She reminded her of Ms Nadja. She sat quietly, holding Aaron on her lap.

The other one was a tall lad, who reminded her a lot of her saviour, only taller and with green eyes. He was a mess, walking around nonstop side to side, probably cursing in a language she didn't understand, judging by his tone. Not much after, another lad about his age arrived, and apparently, he could ease the other even though only for a bit.

Mrs Layla's eyes were slightly red. Just like hers were when she cried. They were probably friends, then. That's why she had allowed him to get her cap that day. Although… That seemed small close to all that had passed. As she realized they were back, she recomposed herself. "So, did the doctor say anything?" She asked Mr Mathéo.

"She's perfectly alright, not a single bruise."

"I'm glad." She sighed in relief. "Oh, before I forget… I believe we have something that's yours." She placed the cap onto Fianna's silver locks. "You earned it."

It was clean, just as her father liked it. And all the bits that had been torn were fixed, as if it was brand new.

"He… fixed it?" She asked, her voice small. Mrs Layla nodded. That was enough to send her into tears. "I'm sorry for not leaving the stage. If I had, this wouldn't have happened."

She felt a small tug on her dress. It was Aaron, who had come down from the lass' lap, and was now just beside her, sniffing hard. "Not your fault, Fianna. Don't cry." Said the boy who was holding back fiercely. "Pa will be alright. He promised… Right, Ma?"

"Yes… I guess he did." For the first time in her life, Fianna had seen the woman hesitate, as she pulled him close.

"No worries. Papa never breaks promises." He lifted Fianna a thumbs up. He was apparently oblivious to his mother's faltering. And she wasn't the one who was going to true him.

It took her seconds to process the imbued information on the boy's statements… No wonder she had been crying. They weren't just friends. She wouldn't have imagined Mrs Layla married, let alone having a four-year-old child.

"He is right. It wasn't your fault. That shithead would do it to anyone. He hasn't a single working neuron left in his head when he is afraid someone might get hurt." The male teenager said, being immediately elbowed by the young ballerina beside him. "What? It's true!"

"Language, Uncle Misha!" The little boy reprimanded him.

"Even you, Aaron! C'mon, you're my friend!" He faked indignation, ruffling the boy's hair.

"Swearing is bad. Say sorry." He frowned, taking his uncle's hand away from his head.

"Leave him Aaron… Misha only misbehaves like that because he is worried about big brother, right?" Anna completed, teasing him. He pretended otherwise, but Fianna could clearly see his cheeks going scarlet.

He was about to reply when two doctors came over for them. Fianna recognized one of them as the man who seemed to have examined him on site.

"Well…?" Ms. Nadja prompted him.

"He's fine. Apparently, he didn't hit his head, but we scanned him for intracranial bleeding either way. Incidentally, he finally managed to rupture his spleen, which had to be removed. He also broke a rib. Apart from that, and some minor muscle bleedings, everything else looked pretty much fine. He should be awake from the anaesthesia in about half an hour."

"See… I told you!" The boy hugged his mom, beaming, while happy tears streamed down her cheeks, as she sighed in relief. "Don't cry, mama."

"Right…" She buried her face on the boy's head.

He only remembered lapses of what had succeeded before waking up groggily at a bed, once again hooked up to multiple IV bags. Even though his vision was blurry, the sterile smell of a hospital was something he would hardly forget. The monitors weren't beeping, so he probably wasn't in an ICU.

He tried to adjust into a sitting position, but his body would roughly answer.

"Don't move, dumbass. You'll open your stitches. You had to be patched up this time. I'll rise the head of your bed. They had to take out your spleen or something of that sort."

Was that Mikhail? For him to come, they should have been pretty sure he could die. Mikhail pointed to his left side. His eyes were swollen. He had cried.

"Is Fianna alright?" His voice sounded raspy. There was a small catheter thingy on his nose. He hated that.

"Don't fuss, you're not five." His brother growled. "She is. They went to the cafeteria. No one had eaten until they had news from you. They'll be back shortly. Next time you feel like wanting to kill yourself, send a note before."

"That was not what happened, and you know it."

"Damn it. You know you're having more spontaneous bleedings lately. That's why you're out of the stage. When will you learn, idiot? I hope you don't want to end up like dad. Your wife and son need you." He kept his gaze low at his knees.

"Noted." He patted his brother's head. "Thanks for being here."

"Hmph." As he realized the door opening, Mikhail immediately put his brother's hand aside. "Stop that."

"Look who's finally awake." Mr. Mathéo announced, happily, ushering the kids in. Aaron approached carefully. He clearly wanted up onto the bed but was probably afraid of hurting him. He knew that daddy couldn't get hurt like other people, that was why he could not play football or be on the trapeze anymore. Mikhail put him up on the right side of the bed.

"Hi Papa." He began, coming closer, leaning onto his chest.

"Hi Aaron." He pulled the boy close in an embrace. "How are you?"

"Aaron was a big boy. Aaron was strong for Mama and Fianna." He buried his face deeper onto his torso. "Aaron didn't cry." He was shaking a little. Fianna stood closer, eyes swollen, Layla had her hands over her shoulders, reassuringly.

"Is that so? I would have cried. It's okay to cry when you are afraid. Were you scared?" He assented.

"Papa… Can Aaron cry now?" He hid under the covers, sobbing as he finally allowed himself to meltdown upon his father's sign. He was so precious.

"Sorry for worrying you all. I'm glad you're alright, kid." He motioned for the girl to approach. "Thanks for being this little guy's friend. I see you already got your cap back." She nodded. "Be sure to take care of it… Don't ever let anyone get what is precious to you. If they do… Fight for it. Promise?"

"Promise." She smiled.

"Fianna? Are you okay?" Yume asked, as she unpacked her stuff into her own room. Since more people had arrived, they would have to share, and the tomboy had been forced to tide up.

"Uh, yeah. Just reminiscing." She smiled upon putting her father's cap once again. "C'mon, we will be late for the newbies welcoming ceremony!"