By The Lantern-Light (A CherriSnake AU)

XIII - Happy Family // Cheating (As A Strategy)

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"CARNIVAL! CARNIVAL! CARNIVAAAAAL!" Edward's voice carried with him as he ran out of the house.

"Edward! You need your shoes!" I stepped outside and held up a pair of small shoes. "If you are going to run off like this the entire time we're there, I won't be able to trust you to go with Edgar by yourselves!"

Edward halted, then turned around with a horrified expression on his face. "What? I'll be good! I promise!"

I waved the shoes again. "Then come put these on, you hooligan!"

The young boy rushed up to me and grasped for the shoes, but I raised them up just out of his reach. "Come on, now! Grab them!" He laughed and jumped up.

Today was about fun, something we hadn't felt in a long while. The trip to Paris was exciting for them at first, but the purpose of the trip was less than interesting to two boys. This time, the two were my main priority.

"So close!" I cackled, before I was shoved to the ground. Edward had pushed into me, knocking me backwards.

"Oops! Sorry, Calixte." Edward hesitantly reached for the shoes.

I grabbed his leg and pulled him down. "Oh, so that's how we're going to play?" I held him in a tight embrace.

"Nooo!" The boy struggled to release himself from my hold, laughing hysterically.

"Then put your damn shoes on!"

"NEVER!" He wrestled himself away from me. "I'm going to live in the woods, and live off of fish, and never wear shoes again!"

I raised an eyebrow. "Really now? What are you going to do when it gets cold?"

"I'll build a big fort," he explained, showing just how 'big' this fort would be by stretching out his arms to the sides, "and I'll invite you and Edgar sometimes. Miss Cherri can come whenever she wants, because she's so cool."

"That's hardly fair to me and your brother," I retorted with a grin.

"Miss Cherri said she'd help me if she found some time. She said that she learned how to build shelters when she was my age, and that she can teach me too."

I shook my head, snorting in laughter. "Did she? I look forward to seeing that!" My knowledge of Edward's short attention span prevented me from believing he could ever build a project like that by himself, but with Miss Bomb's help...it might have been possible.

Edgar walked outside, and I called to him: "Edgar! Good morning!"

The boy stared at me, then smiled. "Good morning, Mr. Calixte! Are we still going to the carnival today?"

"We sure are! Just as soon as your brother puts on his shoes."

"Good luck with that, Mr. Calixte." We exchanged knowing smirks.

The front door opened, and all three of us turned our attention to it. Miss Bomb walked out, yawning, before looking at each of us. "'Sup," was all she said in greeting.

"Oh- uh, Miss Bomb!" I stood up from the dirt, suddenly extremely self-conscious about the dirt and dust on my clothes. I wiped off the dust and addressed her. "Good morning! I didn't know you were coming with us." I saw that she was wearing her new eyepatch, and my heart leapt at the memory of being so close to her.

Two days had passed since I had told her about my 'condition,' and had presented her with my handmade gift as a means of apology. I was still unsure of whether or not she truly accepted my apology, but she wasn't avoiding me...that must have meant something. The upsetting event didn't seem to push her away, much to my relief.