TBATE-ONESHOTS

A Different Beginning After The End 3

Arthur hummed as he devoured the beef stew, loving how good it tasted. 

Alice chuckled, "Arthur. Don't forget to breathe while you eat." 

Arthur froze, his spoon halfway to his mouth, with some of the soup remnants dripping from his lips. He swallowed what was in his mouth and chuckled, "I won't."

Freshly washed with his medium-length auburn hair hanging freely, he sat at the kitchen table and continued to enjoy the meal his mother had provided him. As he took a few more bites, Arthur looked over at his mother, seeing she wasn't eating. In fact, she was just sitting there with her hands clasped together on the table, smiling at him. 

Arthur blinked as he took another bite of his food, "What?"

Smiling, Alice shook her head, "Nothing." She took a breath, and he sword there was a small gleam in her eyes. "It's just good to see you awake." 

Arthur returned her smile before he put his spoon down, letting it lie against the side of the bowl. He leaned back into his chair and looked at his mother curiously. "Did anything happen while I was asleep?"

Alice tilted her head slightly, "Like what?"

Arthur shrugged, "Any Nightmare Gates? Anything happen between the Great Clans?" 

Alice shook her head, "Nothing that I've heard."

Arthur nodded, thinking that was good. He heard his mother and father talking before he went into his Nightmare, talking about how Song and Valor tensions had been growing. Before he could ponder on that more, his attention was caught by the sound of the front door opening and closing. 

"Mom! I'm home!"

Arthur's lips tugged into a smile. His eyes flicked to his mom, seeing she was about to respond. Arthur quickly pressed his finger against his lips and whispered, "Don't mention I'm awake."

Alice smiled and nodded before she looked at the kitchen entrance. "I'm in the kitchen, Sweetie." 

The sound of footsteps grew near. 

"So, how was school?" Alice asked. 

"It was fine." Eleanor, Arthur's sister, appeared in the doorway. "We just—" She went completely still, except for her brown eyes, which widened to the size of moons. 

Arthur smiled at his little sister, who had their mother's brown eyes and their father's brown hair, "Surprise."

Eleanor's lips wobbled before her eyes teared up. She said nothing as she quickly wiped her eyes and moved forward. Arthur chuckled as he stood up and held his arms out as his sister ran into him, and they shared a tight hug. 

Arthur looked toward his mom, who looked to the side as she wiped her eyes. 

Hearing his little sister sniff, Arthur looked back at her, "You okay?"

Eleanor nodded, with her face shoved into her brother's chest. 

"Do you want some stew?" Alice asked. "I just made it."

Eleanor turned her head slightly, peeking out of one teary eye, "Beef stew?" 

Alice chuckled and nodded, "Yes. Beef stew."

"Sure," Eleanor sniffled. "I'll have some."

Alice stood up from her chair, "Good. I'll go ahead and get some ready for you."

Arthur watched his mother walk over to the stove, then looked down at his sister. "You're gonna have to let go if you're gonna eat."  

"I know," Eleanor said, her voice muffled.