Ancient Pasts - Tbate

Festive Night

Cathan Leywin Pov

"Well, you two get settled into your room," I clapped my hands and prepared to leave.

"We have to share the room?" Cecilia sputtered as she and Caera blushed.

"Uriel needs space for his lab, so you either live together in that room, or you live with a baby that's barely eight months old." I shrugged.

The two of them stared at each other for a moment before they faced me and spoke up in unison. "We'll live together."

"Alright, I'll be heading off now." I turned around to leave.

"Aren't you going to train us today?" Caera asked.

"I have personal matters to attend to," I replied while walking towards the exit.

"By that, he means spending time with his fiance." Azrael teased.

I turned around and quipped. "Do I have to remind you who here is a full-blooded asura and was still afraid to go to the bathroom alone?"

"S-Shut up." Azrael reddened as the two girls giggled.

"Well, you all better get along since you'll be training with each other." I turned around and left, not giving them a chance to say anything.

I hummed a song to pass the time while I walked over to the house where my family was staying. I stepped inside and saw my mother sitting on the couch while knitting what looked like a hat.

My mother looked up at the sound of the door opening and put the hat aside before standing up and hugging me. "Welcome back, Cathan."

"Hi, mom." I returned the hug.

As we broke the hug, my mother noticed me looking around and chuckled. "Claire is asleep in her room right now."

"Is she okay?" I instinctively asked.

"She's fine, just a little tired." My mother answered.

"That's good," I replied before sniffing and frowning. "Odd..."

"Is something wrong?" My mother asked as she sat down.

"No crying and no smell. That's weird." I replied.

"Tessia and Virion worked together to clean up the house." My mother sighed.

"I was expecting Virion to be busy today," I commented with a surprised expression.

"The council has a day off since it's been a year." My mother explained as her hands shook.

I wanted to hold her hand and tell her that Arthur was alive and well, but I had to wait just a little bit more. It hurt me seeing her shake like this, so I hugged her tightly.

"...I'm sorry, mom," I whispered as we broke the hug.

"It's alright, Cathan. It's not your fault." My mother wiped her tears.

"I'm going to check on Claire," I announced, standing up and walking towards the door of Claire's room.

I slowly pushed the door open and saw Claire asleep in her bed with a bulge in her stomach. I sat down next to her and stroked her red hair. Claire's hair was flowing freely, unlike before where she tied it into a ponytail.

I silently sat while stroking her hair, letting her know I was here for her despite the fact she was asleep. Claire squirmed in her sleep for a bit before resting her head on my thigh. I smiled softly and continued stroking her head.

"Cathan..." Claire murmured in her sleep.

"I'm here, Claire," I whispered.

"Ahhh, Cathan." Claire moaned in her sleep.