Take the Chance [RED SON] ☆COMPLETE☆

2 The Librarian

Tuesday 10:00 AM

"Hm..." he hummed, tapping the screwdriver he was holding against the table as he stared into blank space. He had been sitting in his room for quite some time, tinkering with small gadgets. Sometimes, he would sketch designs or try to take a nap—though that rarely worked when his mind was running wild.

"Uuuuuugh, this isn't working," he groaned, rubbing his sore wrist and staring up at the ceiling.

Nothing. Just metal pipes and stones. If only there were something interesting to focus on, maybe he could let his mind wander. Instead, all he found was more of the same. Frustrated, he left his room, abandoning his unfinished work, and started walking through the long hallways of their home.

His eyes scanned the bustling bull clones, all diligently working and moving about the fortress. The smell of smoke and burning metal lingered in the air, but he was used to it. Fire, after all, was his element.

The clanging of metal, the ticking of cogs, the hiss of steam—it all blended together with the heat of the lava running through the fortress. To most, this would seem like a deathtrap, but for him, it was home. The flames, the heat—they were in his blood.

Even his father and mother thrived in this environment. The rivers of lava running through and around the fortress weren't just aesthetic—they were a defense, a barrier against intruders.

'Should I go to the city?'

'Wait, what would I even do there?'

'Maybe I could take Mother for a stroll?'

His thoughts spiraled aimlessly until something clicked.

"The library," he muttered, stopping mid-step. His eyes widened, and he immediately waved off the thought. "No! Why would I go there?!" he wheezed, clutching his head as though to physically pull the idea out of his mind. "Red Son?"

He gasped, spinning around to see his mother standing behind him, one brow raised in curiosity.

"Are you okay? You look stressed out, Son," Princess Iron Fan asked. Despite her imposing demeanor and regal posture, her voice held a comforting warmth that always put him at ease.

"I—I'm fine, Mother!"

"Hm... no, you're not. You're lying."

"Psh—Lying?! Me?! Never! I'm just—uh, thinking about how to annoy those noodle brains again," he blurted, avoiding her sharp, knowing gaze.

She sighed. "Red Son, you stutter when you lie. And I'm your mother." She Smirked, emphasizing the MOTHER.

"Okay, fine. You win."

"As always, of course. Now come along. Let's have some tea and talk about... whatever this is," she said with a giggle, gesturing for him to follow. Resigned, he trailed behind her to the grand living room.

Once seated, they were served tea by a bull clone. His mother poured herself a cup, her movements elegant as ever. "So, let's start with your day. How has it been?" she asked, giving him a small smile.

"Eh, it's fine. Nothing unusual," he replied, shrugging.

"I've noticed you've been locking yourself in your room lately. Usually, you'd be at the museum or..." she paused, smirking, "annoying the noodle boy and his friends."

Red Son groaned. Right, that. Maybe he should go do that right now—blow off some steam with a bit of harmless chaos.

"And as for the other thing?" she continued, her smile taking on a teasing edge. "Care to share? Your mother would like to know."

The hair on the back of his neck stood on end. His face warmed.

Oh no. It's the librarian.

Yes, her. She must've done something—cast a curse, maybe, or infected him with some kind of virus. There was no other explanation!

"What red cheeks you have. Is it a girl?" his mother teased, raising a delicate eyebrow.

"No! I—I mean... she's a librarian—"

"She?"

"Mother!"

"Oh, hush. You've already admitted it's a girl," she said, grinning like a schoolgirl gossiping about a crush.

"B-but—"

"Now, now. There's no need to be embarrassed. I'm your mother. Who else would you talk to about these things?" She smirked, taking a sip of her tea. "Go on. Speak."

Red Son groaned, rolling his eyes. "Okay, well... I was just borrowing a book there, okay? And, uh, well..."

"You met her?"

"Something like that, yeah," he mumbled, suddenly finding the tea set very interesting.

"What does she look like? Is she a demon in disguise, perhaps?" He shook his head.

"No, she's just a regular mortal. Just... human, you know."   His thoughts drifted back to her. Yesterday... her smile...

"She's... to be honest, she's pretty. And tall. And way too cheerful for me, but... I don't know why, she just... catches my eye." Princess Iron Fan's grin widened as her son spoke, his words stumbling and awkward, but his feelings unmistakable. "Oh, and her eyes!" he added, sitting up a little straighter. "They remind me of emeralds!" He froze when he saw his mother's expression. Her grin was positively mischievous, like a cat who'd caught a mouse. His face erupted in flames—not literally this time, thankfully.

"Someone's infatuated~"

"I am not! This will pass!"

"Mmm, sure, sure," she teased, hiding her amusement behind her teacup. "Infatuation can be temporary, but sometimes it lasts longer than you think," she said with a knowing look. "You know, that's how your father won me over."

"Mother, I have no interest in hearing about your and Father's love life," he said, shivering at the mere thought. "Salty now, are we?" she mused, standing and brushing off her dress. "Fine, fine. But consider getting to know her, hmm?"

"No."

"Suit yourself. But don't say I didn't warn you," she said lightly as she left the room.

Red Son sighed, staring out the window as sunlight filtered in. This will pass, he told himself. It always does.

—Take the Chance