A Way Back To You

4| Learning

Definition: To gain or acquire knowledge of or skill by study, experience, or being taught.

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Ant's conversation with Zelan had gone exactly how he'd expected it to. And that made a warm, fuzzy feeling escape even when he was trying his hardest to be all macho and not show how happy it made him. 

It wouldn't work. Ant was all heart, whether he meant to be or not. 

He was grateful he had his friends there to support him, even if he wanted to wait to introduce Ariana to anyone because he was sure she'd run screaming (literally) or worse, would assume he was giving her to someone else to be looked after. "Ok sweetheart, don't you look adorable." Ant cooed once she came out, trying his best to soften his voice and make sure she didn't get startled. "Thank you for getting dressed." 

Ariana said nothing. She didn't even smile. But she did nod at him, and Ant got the feeling that might be all he was going to get out of the little girl. She grimaced and he realized she was trying, not so successfully to do her hair. 

 "Want some help?" Ant offered gently. 

She flinched when he tried to touch her head, but a barely visable nod at least confirmed he was in the ballpark. Ant chuckled. He didn't really know much, but there'd been a few times where he'd needed to braid his girlfriend's hair and that had proved useful now. 

Ariana stayed completely silent, and still, while he did her hair. Ant wondered what to say, because it wasn't like she'd reply and it was starting to feel like he was talking to himself. He also wondered if she was quiet because whenever people she knew were this close they'd hurt her. And he couldn't help the sharp intake of air he took when the thought manifested itself. 

Eventually, he succeeded in putting her hair into two small little pigtail plaits. It wasn't anything fancy, but she seemed to approve as he finished, watching herself in the mirror with the barest hint of a smile on her face. Ant admired his handiwork proudly. "That ok princess?" 

And god what was with all the fucking nicknames? 

"Dude pick a damn nickname and stick to it. It doesn't have to have some hidden meaning and I'm not a pet. Fifty nicknames aren't gonna work either. Pick one, stick to one, please." 

Suffice to say he had a problem that others had noticed when it came to things he cared about. He could never settle on a nickname. He'd call everyone a million until the right one came to mind. Ariana nodded quickly and fiddled with the end of her shirt. It was sliding up slightly and looked incredibly tight. And sighed and decided they'd need to hurry with that clothes thing, although there was a strong chance she would panic in such a big place filled with people she'd never seen before. 

"Now, I know you don't wanna talk yet, but I was wondering if you knew how to talk at least?" Ant asked, might as well break the ice. 

Ariana nodded slightly. "Ok, good. You don't have to talk to me if you don't wanna, but when you do decide to I will be very excited." Ant explained, relieved he didn't have to teach her. He was an expert at talking, sure, but not teaching 4 year old's to talk. 

Ariana nodded again, and continued playing with her shirt. Ant got the hint and asked her to jump off the chair, then gestured for her to follow him into the loungeroom. 

He needed to get that stuff. He decided he should just go for it, and watched her fondly while she played with Jeffery before realizing he had something to tell her. "So princess, have you ever been to a shop before?" 

Ariana frowned and shook her head. Yay. This should be fun. "Well a shop is a place where you can find yummy food and you can find clothes and toys."