Unending Options [MCD x Reader] !Book 2!

Entry No. 42

I walked up towards Aphmau's home. I saw Zoey and Aphmau standing in the playground with little Lillith. Aphmau looked over to me, and I could see it in her eyes, the way soft tears ran down her cheeks. Zoey had told her how there was no other way. She slowly stepped toward me, and hugged onto me. I held her in my arms. She was back.

"Aph," I said, choked up.

I had realkzed I started crying until my voice croaked. We went into her home and I sat beside her as she started to write about their story. In her notebook, she found a note Aaron had left her. It was the most heartfelt note I had ever heard, and it gave Aph the strength to pull herself together and start living for him, instead without him.

We woke up the next morning to Garroth outside. He was breaking. He was going crazy with guilt for things that weren't even his fault. He wasn't in control of everything. I left Aph and Garroth to walk the village together and to strategize. I made my way to help Zoey with little Lillith. I had barely spent any time with her, and not even really known Lillith. We sat in the old playground as Lillith played in the sand. I felt nostalgic to when the boys would play in this pen.

"Funny how after all these years you are still taking care of the kids," I chuckled.

She laughed. "I'm happy to. And sweet Lillith is the perfect companion."

Aph made her way up toward us, and she pulled Zoey away to talk. When they were done I git up and made my way to Aphmau.

"What haven't you told me?" I asked. "I can tell you have some kind of plan brewing."

"We're heading toward O'khasis. I have to find out what is going on with Tu'la, what they want," she explained.

I though for a moment... This was going to lead to another small war. I could feel it. I knew that this was important for her. Surely it would help with her connection if she knew what they wanted with the relic.

I sighed, "Be safe. I'll try to find out what I can from here. Be careful... You know its dangerous out there."

"I will be. Travis and Lucinda will be here to help take care of things. I'm going to have Zoey use her barrier magicks to protect Lillith. I want to make extra sure that she is safe," she said.

I looked her over. She was stronger. She had drive... She had it because of Aaron. He made her better, in so many ways.

I started to tear up, "If you don't come back in safe and healthy-"

She wiped away my tear, "I'll be okay. I'll have Garroth and Katelyn with me in case anything happens."

I pulled her in for a hug. We stood there for a minute.

"When do you leave?" I asked.

"Tomorrow morning," she answered.

"I'll make sure to see you off."

Aphmau made her way back to the settlement with Zoey and Lillith. I walked the streets of old Phoenix Drop. I found Garroth sparring by himself in the old square. I was so worried about him, for him. He was going back to his home...

"Are you ready?" I asked.

Be jumped a bit before looking back at me. He settled back in himself when he realized it was just me.

"I should be. I've been sparring in hopes I can keep up. These new guards will have 15 years on me," he joked.

"Garroth," I called.

He looked over to me. His baby blue eyes shone beautifully in the early night.

"I mean if you're ready to be going back to O'khasis," I asked sincerely.

He looked away from me, "I swore I'd never go back... It's been almost 20 years since I've set foot back home."

I came up to him, hugging him from behind. I realized I'd never quite held Garroth like this. Since he'd come back from the Irene Dimension, he hadn't worn the same armor he had before. He was almost gentler, and less guarded. I nearly enjoyed it too much, remembering it was to comfort him, not myself.

"It's okay to not feel sure, or be nervous," I said.

I could feel his breath hitch, either from my closeness or from my words.

"Did I ever tell you about my mother?" He asked, letting go of his breath.

"No," I said.

He turned around in my hold, facing me, but not quite leaving my grasp. It was like he wanted to hold onto this serene moment for a bit longer.

"I may take after my father in looks, but she raised me. Raised all of us. She was always there... soft and caring, and always so patient. Heh. Raising three boys? How she did it I have no idea," he awed.

In quiet moments on boat rides, Vylad had told me bits and pieces of his mother. Short stories from his youth. She seemed like one of the most incredible women, even if it only her boys got to see it. It was sweet to see that she cared for her sons the same, giving them all that warm glow and joy.

"She sounds incredible," I said.

Garroth took a breath, seemingly reclaiming himself. He stepped back a tad, just barely out of our hold. Just when he let his guard down, he always built it back up. I wished I could make him feel safe. Safe enough he didn't want to be guarded so often.

"I have my own future now. The Garrot of O'khasis died years ago," he said.

"Your mother's son didn't though. She still lives in you. That sweet and charming nature, the unbarred patience. She raised you well Garroth, you never have to let her go just because things didn't go according to her husband's plans," I explained. "She was good to you. Don't let someone else ruin that."

He stared into my eyes. It was like I had struck a cord in his mind, and the lights turned on in his eyes.

"Garroth," I called, having plan what to say after.

He stepped toward me, and placed his hand to brace my cheek and jaw. He pulled me in for a kiss, bracing his other hand around my waist, pulling me into him. I could feel the warmth of his body, nearly feel the pounding of his heartbeat. He separated his lips from mine for a moment, only about a centimeter so he could kiss me again and again. He started to pull back, and I raised my hand to his cheek in assurance and kissed him back with the same enthusiasm. I wasn't lettin this moment with him go. Not after 15 years. Not after all of the holding back he'd done before. Never truly getting too close. We both pulled back, leaning our foreheads together and exchanging breaths for a moment. We caught each other's eye and I smiled.

"Y-Y/n, I.... I'm in love with you. Since... Since the day you arrived here all that time ago. I don't want you to say anything now... Not unless you want to! But with Laurance... I.. I want you to choose me, not feel pressured because I am here to tell you. I just... I had to say I loved you. I couldn't handle it any longer."