Vulpecula ✔️

Beginning Of The War.

"It tastes so good." I moaned as I tasted the food papa had cooked. His smile brightened at the compliment. Of course I fed his ego but he is my papa and that's my job.

"I agree." Mamma moaned too. Though papa's reaction to her moans were quite different.

"Ew no. Not in front of me." I cringed at them. But internally I was totally fangirling over them both.

Mamma and papa rolled their eyes and went back to eating. For a while the only sound heard was of the silent footsteps of the workers who were ready to retire for the day. It was so peaceful and quiet that I couldn't help but wonder if this is what life will be afterwards. After everything.

A series of chills crawled down my spine at what Aldrik showed me about mamma and papa and my baby sibling. The anticipation of the upcoming events was taking a toll on me because no matter how much I try, I'm never prepared. I'm never ready to fight someone as old as Aldrik. I'm just driven by anger. Aldrik on the other hand is driven by revenge.

I just don't want to fail.

"Are you okay baby?" Papa asked me.

"Huh? Yes. Yes I'm fine. I just...I'll have to go for a day or two. For camping. It's important." I blurted out. I hated this feeling. And making them feel this way. Ever since I've known about Aldrik, I realised that it's all been about staying away from my family. And I don't like that one bit. It hurts them to see me go so far away from them. Not physically but emotionally.

"Oh." Mamma spoke and it broke my heart into pieces. Torn into shreads. "When will you leave?"

"Tomorrow evening. And I promise, when I come back, I'll spend all of my days with you and papa." I tried making it batter. Tried to soothe the guilt that was burning my insides but their heartbroken features locked into my head and heart and made me want to give up on everything and stay here with them.

"Baby it's okay. We understand. It's just that, you've always been closer to us. You've always stayed by our side no matter what. I have never seen you go away from me. So when suddenly you've started going out so often, it just leaves a void. We aren't stopping you at all. If anything I want you to explore the world on your own. And I'm sorry for making you feel guilty for living your life. It's just new to us. And we get worried." Papa explained quietly.

I understood well. I understood everything.

"I'll be back soon." I smiled at them. "And you have every right to feel this way, because if you didn't, I guess I would end up feeling more horrible."

"You always feel horrible. That's why I tell you to talk to us or preferably a psychologist." Mamma reprimanded.

"No. They are weird. And they'd expect me to talk about my emotions and other stuff. I don't like that." I grimaced but at the same time I was glad for the change in the atmosphere.

I often wonder if I should involve papa and mamma into this. Because I'm barely legal and here I am going to fight one of the greatest villain of all times. It sounds ridiculous to be honest. That I'm going to save the world without letting them know.

I wish I could be like the Avengers. Grand entries. Buildings destroyed. I'm strange in that way. I liked destroying certain things. It brings satisfaction to me that nothing else ever could.

But mamma and papa deserve to know, as much as they don't. I love them to bits but if I have to hide this to keep them safe, I will. I don't know what happens tomorrow or day after. I don't know what happens when I die or when I don't. I just know that whatever this is, I have to fight with all of my conscious. I can't let them down.

_________

Clayton was playing the tune of Memories by Maroon 5 with the horn of the jeep that we borrowed for today. It's five in the evening and the perfect time to leave. Yesterday was nothing short of amazing. Papa and mamma fed me all types of dessert and then cuddled me on the couch while watch some Disney movies. Of course we were practicing for when the baby comes.

In the morning Kayden stole me away from them, according to papa, to go and fight. My limbs were jelly by the time we finished. So I just collapsed into the bed and dozed off until 4 pm when mamma fed me some of her home cooked meals and then now here I am, ready to leave.

"If this kid doesn't stop, I'm going to break his teeth." Papa said trough gritted teeth. The noise in the background sure caused a head ache. Because, no it wasn't the song. It was something entirely different. He couldn't play the beat.

"Be my guest." I muttered. "I'll see you guys soon okay? And I promise after that we'd spend as much time together as we could. I'll not go around with my friends as much and I'll stay with you guys. Not at the mansion."

"You go enjoy baby. Don't worry about us. We'd have our fun." Papa winked at mamma making me contort my face. "Alright alright. I'm sorry. Not in front of the babies. But they should know how they-"

Before papa could complete he was attacked on his ribs by mamma who then smiled at me sweetly. A little too sweetly, trying to hide her red cheeks. "Have fun on the trip. And don't give Kayden a hard time. I like that kid."

"I don't." Papa raised his chin. I raised a brow in question. "He stole you away today morning. And he likes you a little too much. You're young for this."

"John! She is going to be 18 next week. What are you talking about? And she hasn't had a boyfriend. And her first kiss. Baby go and live your life." Mamma hugged me and kissed my head.

Papa did the same after we shared I love you's and then while I was running away into the car I turned around and yelled, "Kayden is my first kiss by the way." And four things happened at the same time.

Mamma squealed loudly and almost jumped on her feet. This lady definitely ships me and Kayden harder than she ever shipped herself and papa. Papa grunted loudly, but I could see the love in his eyes. He does like Kayden. Kayden sucked in a sharp breath and all my friends broke into chaos, yelling into thin air, asking questions to no one in particular.

Grinning to myself I squeezed next to Kayden and closed the door behind me. He immediately wrapped his arms around me and held me closer. Almost close enough to say that I was sitting on him not on the seat. Eventually I did get comfortable on his lap and rested my head between his shoulder and neck and breathed him in.

Soothing.

"What the fuck was that about?" Calla screeched.

"He kissed me first. And I just kissed back." I shrugged and grinned up at Kayden who was looking back at me with a sombre expression.

"So he is your first kiss?" Someone asked. I didn't know who, so I replied to everyone.

"Yes."

"What did it mean? Did it mean something or was it just like...forced?" Clayton asked me carefully putting the question in words.

"It meant the world. He took nice care of it. Kayden is one hell of an amazing man." I patted his chest and looked at everyone.

All of them were smiling. Sebastian too was grinning at us trough the mirror as he was driving the jeep. The group broke out into chatter again, but I remained quiet. Mostly because I was cuddled up to Kayden and wanted to remain that way. In his warmth and his smell. He always smells nice.

The rest of the car ride was blissful for me. I savoured every moment of it. There was no word I didn't listen. There was no touch I didn't welcome. There was no second I didn't smile. Because it mattered to me. They all mattered to me. I loved them way too much to let go of everything that happened among us. If I don't make it, if any of them don't make it, I will cherish these moments for the rest of my life.

As if sensing my thoughts Kayden squeezed me harder and kissed my forehead and then my lips, so lovingly and so smoothly. "It's going to be okay. We are all gonna come out alive."