Memories - An AU Emerald x M!Reader book (Multiverse AU)

Chapter X

A decision has been made.

924 AF1.X

Sitting on his bed the next morning, (y/n) pursed his lips and tilted his head back. He held his latest piece of work against the cover of The Conspiracy of Queens and held it above his head. He was mostly happy with it, though he bemoaned over not having access to a pencil anymore. The faces were accurate. The shadows created a striking contrast. The composition was pleasing. The only thing he was unsure about was if he had used the right reference. If anything needed to be changed, he wouldn't be able to fix it until he was discharged.

On the paper was an impressive sketch of the Sustrai family in pencil. Mr. and Mrs. Sustrai stood side by side, both sporting a content look on their faces and a hand on the shoulder of their daughter.

When Emerald mentioned that she had nearly forgotten what her mother looked like, (y/n) had set out to recreate her likeness for her. The only problem was that Mr. Sustrai always liked to play with his facial hair. In some lifetimes, he would have it cleanly shaved. Other times, he would sport a well cropped short beard. There were even instances where he'd have his beard down to his chest. In the end, there was no way for (y/n) to confirm what Emerald was most familiar with, so he ended up settling on a nicely trimmed beard. Short enough to show off his strong jaw, but also long enough to show his appreciation for a well-sorted beard.

Mrs. Sustrai was an easier subject. The woman had almost always had her hair in a shorter bob cut, similar to Emerald's signature hairdo. She had the sharp crimson eyes, the same ones Emerald inherited, and her small smile that was sincere. There was no mistaking who Emerald's parents were. They just had the Sustrai look about them.

(y/n) grinned slightly at the thought of the Sustrai family. He didn't always get along with Mr. Sustrai. The man was often pretty protective over his daughter and there were times he only saw (y/n) as nothing but bad news. Though, honestly, the assumption wasn't always off the mark. On the other hand, Mrs. Sustrai was always the one who would look past her husband's views and take matters into her own hands. She'd read him like a book and her eyes would pierce deep into his soul. In the end, (y/n) would more often than not get along with the woman of the household.

Before long, (y/n)'s smile began to falter as he realized he'd never get to meet the entire family in this lifetime. There was no one left in the Sustrai family. Suddenly, (y/n) stomach knotted itself. Perhaps creating a reminder of those Emerald had lost wasn't as good of an idea as he had first thought. Emerald wasn't always fond of sentimental things, especially ones that reminded her of heartache. She would often push the reminders away in order to live without feelings of regret or remorse.

As (y/n) second-guessed himself, a light rapping on the metal door cut his thinking time short. He glanced up and quickly placed the drawing between the pages of the book and placed it under his pillow as Emerald let herself into the room.

"Hey, Em. Come here often?" (y/n) grinned.

"Are you trying to hit on me?"

"Would you blame me if I was?"

"No... But I'd tell you to try harder. I know you have a better pool of pick up lines than that."

(y/n)'s grin grew as Emerald shook her head.

"I can't stay long, (y/n). Visiting you every day is starting to look suspicious."

"And yet you're here."

Emerald chuckled a little. "Yeah... But I have to leave shortly. Did you keep yourself busy yesterday?"

"Mhm." (y/n) nodded. "Ruby came by in the evening. We talked and played that terrible colourful card game in the common room."

Emerald tilted her head. "Uno?"

"Yeah, that one."

"And you lost." Emerald guessed.

"... What makes you say that?"

"You called it terrible."

(y/n) grinned and shook his head. Of course Emerald knew how to read his every word. He gave Emerald an amused smile and laughed. 

"So, how'd it go with the board?" (y/n) asked Emerald.