A Family

Reprimand

—

  You've been on the road for a few weeks now. Ethan tells Mia to stay with you and Parker while he goes to clear a neighbourhood from the few zombies roaming there, so you can scavenge the houses there for supplies and sleep in a bed for the night.

  He has a plan to get it done alone, like he did when he was out alone with Parker. But Mia doesn't listen, she is too eager to help and puts herself in danger.

  After you left Haven, Mia has been a little reckless. She has followed your instructions, but bends the rules sometimes. You and Ethan have talked to her kindly, multiple times, told her she has to listen when she's told something.

  But this time she straight up disobey him. Not to be defiant, she just believe she can help Ethan, and that you don't need the help that she was supposed to do. She sneaks away and go to help Ethan. You haven't noticed that she left, because you trusted she would stay and you were busy.

  "Mia, can you help me with this?" You ask.

  Not getting an answer you look around. You don't see her, and frown worriedly as you try to look for her.

...

  Ethan has to save her. (I have yet to decide what happens and write it.)

  Mia glances at Ethan in the driver seat as he drives back to you and Parker. His jaw is clenched and his grip on the wheel is tight. The tension is thick in the silence. He keeps silent so he doesn't explode on her, knowing if you're there he would be calmer and you could help him talk to her.

...

  You hear the engine and see Ethan coming back with the Jeep. He parks and they get out. You sigh in relief at seeing Mia. She runs to hug you and you kiss the top of her head.

  "I was so worried. Where did you go?" You ask her, she looks down guilty.

  "Parker, get in the car." Ethan tells him.

  Parker glance confused between you.

  Ethan sighs. "I don't have the patience. Get in the car."

  Parker looks at Mia, then does what he's told. Ethan tells him to draw or something while you talked, then close the car door.

  "What happened?" You ask when it's just the three of you.

  "I just wanted to help." Mia says.

  You look at Ethan with wide eyes and his jaw clenched angrily. You had assumed she walked off down the road and Ethan just met her on the way back maybe. But she must've been gone longer than you thought, you were concentrating on your tasks, you didn't know you had to watch her the same way. She had never walked off far like this before. Ethan crosses his arms as he looks at her.

  "I told you to stay with Yn and Parker. What made you think it was a good idea to leave?" His voice is firm in the seriousness of the matter.

  "I can help. You know I'm a good shot, you told me I am."

  Ethan is getting more and more exasperated. "You're not listening, Mia. You left them!" He tells her, his voice raising.

  "But they were fine. It's not like I was doing anything important here." She tries to defend herself.

  Ethan raises his eyebrows in disbelief. "Not important? Watching out for Yn and Parker isn't important? Okay.. Good to know I can't trust them alone with you."

  "Ethan." You say softly, hoping he doesn't take it too far. He whips his head to you.

  "No! I can't trust her, Yn!" He tells you and then turn back to her. "When I'm out there, I can't protect them, Mia! So I needed you to stay here, so I could focus on clearing that neighbourhood. You didn't just almost get yourself killed, you almost got me killed, and you could've gotten Yn and Parker killed."

  He didn't expect her to save you if anything happened, that was your job. But he needed her to watch out for dangers, so you could do other tasks as well. And even though he knows you're always on alert and prepared to protect them, you have to be able to trust her at all times, especially when you're out travelling like this.

  "But they were safe-"

  "And how would you know that, huh? You weren't here, Mia! And you didn't even tell Yn! She trusted you to help and stay with her, but you just abounded them."

  She winches when he raised his voice again, feeling small under his disappointed and angry gaze. You watch her with a softer look, but she needed to hear this. Ethan isn't going too far, he is just firmly reprimanding her. She hasn't listened for too many times and this being the worst case.

  "I know we say it's better out here than it used to. But Mia, it's still not safe enough for you to go off on your own like this." You tell her.

  She just looks down, her arms wrapped around herself as she just waits for the reprimand to be over.

  Ethan facepalms in frustration. "I can't do this right now."

  He walks away to calm down, not wanting to explode in front of the kids. Mia watches him as he walks away, looking dejected and regretful. Turning her gaze to the ground you see her eyes watering.

  "Mia. Listen, he's just worried about you, okay? He loves you so much, and if he lost you it would hurt us all. Just give him a moment to calm down." You tell her. She doesn't look convinced, just nods, not looking you in the eyes. You frown sadly as you watch her waddle to the car.

  You go to Ethan, who's standing at a distance but still in sight. He's pacing. When you get closer, he inhales and shakes his head, still with a furious look. But you can see the wetness in his eyes.

  "Yn, I'm not-" He starts, but you interrupt him with a hug.

  He's tense at first, then melts into you as you stroke his back in comfort.

  "It was so close, Yn. Too close." He whispers. Ethan almost didn't get to her in time, and is terrified he can't save her next time.

  "I'm sorry. I should've kept an extra eye on her." You say but he shakes his head.

  "No. It's not your fault. We have to be able to trust her to do as told."

  You caress his head as his anger slowly diminishes. He takes a deep breath and looks at you.

  "I'm sorry if I was too-"

  "It's okay. She needs to learn."

  He nods, now with a more sad look. You didn't enjoy reprimanding, but it was necessary after her actions today.

  "Come on, husband. Let's get some food in you." You say as you pat his stomach. The two of you have loved calling each other husband and wife after you got married.

  As if on cue, his stomach growls and you chuckle.

—