Catching Fireflies | MountainGhoul x OC

~CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE~

"Steady yourself hun." Sister said as she walked into the lava looking portal leaving you in the room by yourself.

Doing as she said, you take a deep breath. Excitement and dread filling your bones at the realization that you're going back, just not in the way you thought. Stepping through just as the woman before you did, you let out the breath of air you were holding in favor of the slightly humid and hot air that now surrounded you. "Holy shit"

"I wouldn't really dub Hell as something entirely 'holy', but whatever floats your boat kid." Whipping around at a speed that's almost indescribable, you take in the person who's stood in front of you with wide eyes. Sister Imperator stood off to the side watching the interaction with a soft smile on her features. "I know I look good Nessa, but please just take a picture already-"

Effectively stopping their playful taunting by pulling them into a hug. Their arms slowly wrap around to reciprocate the action, chuckling a bit at your actions. Hearing this, you hold them closer; shaking a bit as you do so.

Feeling a hand come up to stroke the back of your head and pat your hair down, you take this as a moment to speak. Well more so whisper, not really being able to raise your voice any louder from the slight shock. "You stopped writing back..."

After hearing what you said, they let out a soft sigh. "I did, yes."

Grabbing their shirt so tightly in your hands, your knuckles began turning white. "Why?" Not getting a response back, you pulled back a bit to be able to see their face. Taking notice of the tired eyes and pained face that stared back at you. "Why'd you stop? Was it because I left the Church? Did you think I was too much of a bother?-"

"No, heavens no Nessa." Giving him a look of desperation for his answer, almost pleading him to continue on. After sucking in a breath and releasing it, he let you go and stepped back. "I stopped because you were starting a new chapter in your life. One you were actually excited for. I didn't want to be a reminder of what had happened to you before that, I just wanted what was best for you. Which is why I sent you up in the first place."

Realization setting in at what he had said all those years ago.

-

"I'm only a letter away Nessa, remember that." Nodding to the tall man who was currently crouched down to your height, the same man that you've grown comfortable with over the last year and a half. Tears starting to form in the corners of your eyes as a lump is born in your throat. Not being able to talk without feeling like you're choking on your emotions.

A hand slowly made its way to your face, gently wiping away those that have managed to fall. "There's no need to cry, I'm still here kiddo. I'll always be here for you." A smile greeted you when you looked back up from the floor.

Attempting to send one back, you cleared your throat, swallowing down the lump that was stuck there. Managing to strangle out a small "okay" was the best you could do.

The kind man's grin grew a bit more, his dimples now showing on both sides rather than just one. "Okay, now come here; I want another one of your hugs before you go."

A brighter smile took over the one from before as you wrapped your arms around the man's neck to give him a tight hug. Feeling him pick you up as he let out a strained groan from getting up off the floor to stand, you let out a series of giggles. "Luci, put me down, I'm gonna fall!" Barely being able to get the sentence out in full from the fit of laughter that the two of you delved into.