𝔸𝕤𝕤𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕟 ⟢ 𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕟𝕚𝕔𝕜 𝕆𝕕𝕒𝕚𝕣

-ʄօʊʀ

"Auntie Wiwa!" Axel exclaimed. It was a little before lunchtime and Axel just wanted to take his nap. But his mama was busy putting Clover to sleep. Katia didn't want to bother Willa with putting her kids down for a nap. She was already so much help with them. Besides, they were always okay when put to sleep at different times.

"Yes, baby?" Willa hummed, crouching down to his height.

"Sleepy," Axel said, rubbing his eyes.

"I know you're sleepy, baby. Your mama is just putting little Clover to sleep right now. Then she'll come back and get you so you can take a big nap, okay?" Willa reassured the kid. Axel nodded and hugged her. Willa hugged him back, rubbing his back in a comforting way until Katia came back down.

"Mama," Axel called out, seeing his mama come downstairs to get him. Katia smiled warmly at the sight of Axel nestled in Willa's arms. She could see the tiredness in her son's eyes, and it tugged at her heart. She had been running on little sleep lately, trying to balance Clover's demands with Axel's needs. It was a relief to have Willa there, so supportive and understanding.

"Ready for your nap, little guy?" Katia asked softly, reaching out to take Axel's hand. Axel rubbed his eyes again, his tiny face lighting up with a sleepy smile.

"Yes, Mama," he mumbled, letting go of Willa and reaching for his mother. Willa gently set Axel on his feet and gave him a quick, affectionate squeeze. "Go get some rest, sweetie," she softly said. Axel nodded, his eyelids already drooping. He shuffled over to his mama, who guided him up the stairs, her hand warm and reassuring on his back. As they climbed, Katia glanced down at Axel making sure to keep a tight grip on his hand.

"You know, Auntie Willa really likes helping us out. She loves spending time with you and Clover," Katia said. Axel looked up with a sleepy smile.

"Auntie Wiwa nice," he tiredly said.

"That's because she loves you so much. Now, let's get you all tucked in," Katia chuckled softly. They reached the kid's room, where Katia pulled back the covers of his small bed. Axel climbed in, snuggling under the blankets. Katia sat beside him, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. She could see the day's activities catching up with him, his eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment. As she settled into their nap time routine, Katia told him stories to keep his mind calm and serene. Axel's eyes fluttered shut as she spoke, his breathing steadying into the rhythm of sleep.

Downstairs, Willa was busy tidying up, putting away the toys and making sure everything was in its place. She glanced at the clock and then back at the staircase, knowing that Katia would be joining her soon. She could hear the soft murmur of Katia's voice drifting down. When Katia finally made her way back downstairs, she found Willa in the kitchen, preparing a simple lunch. The aroma of freshly made soup filled the room, adding a cozy warmth to the already inviting space.

"You really are a lifesaver," Katia said, gratefully accepting a steaming bowl of soup from Willa. "I don't know how I'd manage without you."

Willa waved it off with a smile. Katia did so much for her. The least she could do was help her take care of the kids.

"It's nothing, Kath. I love spending time with them. And besides, it's good for you to have a little break," Willa said. Katia took a sip of the soup, savoring the comforting flavors.

"I know. I just wish I could give back somehow," Katia said.

"Don't worry about that. You took me in when I was 16. That's more than enough," Willa told her. They shared a moment of quietness, the kind that comes from genuine friendship and mutual support. The house was calm now, with Axel and Clover peacefully asleep, and the burden of the morning's chaos momentarily lifted. For now, it was time to enjoy a brief rest. God only knows they don't get enough of those.

⊱ ۫ ׅ ✧

"But Kath... I need to make sure they don't hate me. I don't wanna die," Willa anxiously said. She was lying on the floor of the living room, staring at the ceiling. Katia was sitting on the couch, trying to help her through her anxious moment. It was nearly time for the kids to wake up but this took priority.

"You got through when you were 13. You can make it through again whether or not they all hate you," Katia calmly said.

"This is different Kath. They're all victors," Willa said, sitting up. Yeah, she was friends with most of them but it was most. Not all. The following 20 minutes consumed Katia reassuring Willa whenever she said something that made her feel anxious. It was a reasonable thing for the blonde to be scared about but it was Willa. She was arguably one of the strongest victors.

"Mama," Axel's voice was heard from the bottom of the stairs. He had woken up from his nap and wandered downstairs. Katia's head jerked back and seeing her son, she pushed herself up from the couch to go see him.

"Hi, baby. Sleep well?" she asked. Axel nodded and held his arms up.

"Clover a-wake too," Axel said as his mama picked him up. Katia nodded as she heard his words.

"Thank you for telling me, sweetie. Why don't you go see Auntie Willa when I go get her," Katia suggested. Axel nodded eagerly and wiggled his way to the ground before running to Willa.

"Auntie Wiwa!!" he beamed.