Loud House Experience Chapter 9

Chapter 5

"Oh" Was all I could manage as an answer, knowing a little bit more about them.

They had lost someone too, just like I had. But at least they had each other. Even if Kratos seemed very cold and severe, perhaps precisely because of his loss. He might be a strong and stubborn man, but that didn't mean he was incapable of loving. It seemed like he dearly loved his wife. And his son too, surelly he seemed ready to protect the boy from anything.

"What was your mom's name?" I asked the kid, wanting to show an interest.

"Faye" To thank me for caring and worrying, Atreus smiled a little.

"Beautiful name" I told him to encourage him a little.

"What is it you speak about?" Kratos asked us with his deep and serious voice.

"Uh... nothing!" Atreus was quick to answer his father, who replied with one of his grunts.

I exchanged a look with the boy, who shrugged a little.

"Father doesn't like me telling it to people" He sighed softly. "He doesn't really trust anyone"

"Yeah, your father is quite... unique" I stared at the man, trying to figure out what was it about him that intrigued me.

It wasn't only that he was so hermetic, distrustful or strong. There was something else, some sort of aura that surrounded him and made him stand out, that showed he was special. An aura I had solely felt around... gods.

I had only met one god, who ended up becoming my guardian before... well, before I was left alone. But that aura was unmistakable, I had felt it for years now and I would recognize it anywhere, there was no doubt that Kratos was a god. Did that mean that Atreus was also...?

"Why do you stare?" Kratos interrupted my line of thought, startling me a little.

"I'm not" I replied, quickly looking away and focusing my eyes on the snow at my feet.

I heard Atreus lowly chuckling, so I stared at him. I supposed he was amused by the fact that I was so intimidated by his father. But when my eyes fell over him, the boy looked down and kept on stomping on the snow, now stepping in the trail Kratos left on it, which was pretty cute.

"What are you laughing at?" I playfully glared at the kid.

"I didn't laugh" He replied with a fake innocent tone.

I grinned as I leaned forward and picked up a handful of snow, rolling it into a ball and throwing it at the boy's head. I held back a guffaw when Atreus yelped and stumbled forward a little.

Kratos turned around in a sharp movement, worried that we were being attacked. But I could have sworn I noticed how the corner of his lips curled up as Atreus retaliated by throwing me another snowball and laughed out loud when it hit me straight in the face.

However, when I cleaned my face from the freezing snow and I looked back at the man, the alleged smile was gone as though it was never there.

"My face!" I complained, chasing Atreus as I prepared another snowball.

"Truce!" The kid replied between giggles, running around and trying to hide behind his father. "Truce!!"

We laughed as we ran and threw each other snowballs, having fun and teasing each other with provocative yet playful insults. Until one of the snowballs didn't hit the right target. I had been trying to hit Atreus, but since he kept using his father as a human shield, it hit Kratos.

"Oh, no" I muttered when he gave me a scowl. "Didn't mean to do that..."

For a second, everyone halted and watched him in expectation. But Kratos didn't do anything, he just stared at me with rage.

"Run" I said as I held on to the boy's arm and tugged at it. "Run, Atreus!"

At least he wouldn't chase after us.

*

We didn't really stop for a break, and even if he tried to hide it, I could tell Atreus was exhausted. And so was I, to be honest, after a day and a half of running around and fighting. The way to the top of the mountain was long and filled with battles along the way. Kratos held himself back to let me show my skills, which were a little poor still. But I worked hard and made a great effort to prove myself and to also improve, obeying his instructions.

"Accuracy over speed" Atreus said to me. "Isn't that right, father?"

"In your case, yes, you are impulsive, boy" Kratos' glance fell over me. "You are too reflexive, you take too long"

"I'll be faster next time" I promised, trying to hide how tired I actually felt.

I felt like I needed Kratos' acceptance and approval so he would let me stay with them. I wasn't alone anymore, and I was growing fond of them. Of Mimir, Kratos and especially Atreus. The kid was so sweet and so upbeat, it was easy to get along with him, not to mention his big heart.

As we exited the cave, we were received with the pleasant fresh air and the open spaces. It was quite claustrophobic inside there, so I was grateful for being outside again.

"Sindri!" Atreus exclaimed cheerfully, running to the dwarf standing in the tent before us, crafting weapons and such.

"That a friend?" I asked Kratos, but when I turned to him, he was taking hold of my upper arm. He didn't even hear my question.

"Listen, child" He began to say, quite gravelly. "You must protect the boy, make it a priority in battle"

"But..." I frowned, surprised by the sudden warning. After fighting by his side all those times, I thought he wanted me to help him. "I always thought I should back you up instead..."

"No, you must do as I say" He took my answer the wrong way, thinking I refused to do as he said. It was like Kratos was always defensive. "You are only accompanying us because your company seems to be doing the boy good"

I was honestly shocked by how much he cared about Atreus. Not that it was strange, he was his father, but he could be so cold and distant! It was surprising to see him voicing his true feelings.

"I will protect him" I nodded, letting him know I had understood.

"Do so, but also let him fend for himself"

"How do you do both?"

"Find a balance"