Vile Exile II.

Chapter Nine

Sage's PoV

Staring at Linda Cosby, who's holding a baby close to her chest, she looks around anxiously "You want to adopt Jack Atlas? The trouble maker? The aggressive one?" She asks repetitively, nodding I tuck my hands into my pockets "Jack Atlas. I'll sign the form and then we are leaving. I have to get back to Jistilen as soon as possible." I explain, watching her nod uneasily she pulls a form out of a folder and holds it in front of me "There. Signed. Jack Atlas is now my child. My son. Goodbye Aunt Linda. It was a pleasure meeting you." I smile as I bow I sprint down the stairs, Jack's suitcase in my hand "Come on Jacky boy, let's get to Jistilen!" I smile as I walk into the kitchen. Staring at all the other orphaned boys and girls I grab Jacks hand "It was lovely meeting all of you. I hope someday someone will come and take you under their wing. In fact I'm sure they will." I say before turning and leaving.

Sitting in the private carriage attached to the assault squads one, i scan over Francis' file "Why did you pick me, Sage?" Jack asks after swallowing his food "Jack - you... remind me of me when I was younger. So misunderstood, so aggressive, so violent, misunderstood for your actions. You act on instinct. Everything you do isn't for yourself or for pride or acting the toughest. You do it because you care. And I hated seeing you alone, with no one. We connected the instant I met you. I knew you were my son." I explain, placing the file on the cabinet, I smile at the bright and beaming grin plastered on his face.

Looking around my dusty house I drop my bags and such, Jack scanning the place carefully as he wanders around "go unload your stuff in the room upstairs on the right. That's your place. And this... is your new home." I smile, watching him sprint upstairs I chuckle to myself.

"Jack! You wanna come to work with me?" I shout, flinching slightly when the boy runs out of the room and smacks straight into the wall, staring at him I laugh "That's the best thing I've seen all day." I howl as I lean over, he walks down the stairs holding his head "Wow, thanks Dad." He laughs, staring at him I smile at the words he just said, ruffling his hair as we walk towards the door.

It felt unnatural... having a child - obviously not biological but, DNA doesn't matter. My parents made that clear when they agreed with my banishment. I've always wanted kids - sure of my own blood but Adoption is fantastic. The thought of taking in a child who had nothing, giving him a family, warmth, love... I may be a violent and aggressive dragon, someone who has a rather dark past but I have the same morality as most - I want children, I want love, I want to grow old with my soul mate and my kids beside me.

And standing here now, Watching my kid walk through the halls of the building I once worked at, sticking his chest out and portraying a tough facade, reminding me of myself when I was younger. Acting so tough and what I thought was brave. Killing millions for a war that was fought for nothing. Killing innocent people and actually enjoying the idea because it meant I was on top, it meant I won, I was the one who came out on the other side. This boy, Jack Atlas-Kageyama wasn't going to grow up like that, He'll be raised to act tough correctly, protect those who even if they aren't in a lot of danger still need a hand, helping people with small tasks such as lifting boxes. The smallest yet the biggest steps towards becoming a true hero.

They say life is like your first time walking. You put one foot in front of the other and you take it slow. You can't rush things, you can't break out straight into a sprint. As you move carefully, you'll learn to run, them you'll be able to sprint and eventually you'll take that leap. The leap of faith.

Stopping in the middle of the hallway, Jack looks up to me as I stare at Levi who's going through a file, his eyes meeting mine after looking up to see who was stood dead centre in front of him. Clenching my jaw I look down, the air in my lungs evaporated, the feeling of something blocking my throat, preventing me from speaking "You... look well." He says before stepping to the side and passing by me, looking down at my shaking hands I clench them and exhale, Jack looking at me with a confused look I turn and point to Levi "Life is like... walking!" I shout, causing the small marksman to hitter slightly as he turns to face me "Excuse me...?" He asks, clenching my jaw I turn to face him fully now, my chest puffed out "Life is like walking for the first time! You... you'll fall down! And you'll make mistakes... but you'll get back up! And things will get better! And then you'll be able to run and jump and... you know...! I made a mistake... I took things personally like I always do... I'm... I'm sorry..." I explain messily, my voice stuttering and shaking like crazy as I continue to point at him, Jack stares at me with raised eyebrows.

Watching as he curls over laughing I wince, Jack flinching "You... apologised...- by linking life with walking!" Levi howls, his hand rested on his knee as he drops the file and wipes away a tear "You really are a mess..." he breaths as he looks up to me, he shakes his head and sighs "Everything was so much easier when we were young." I whisper, watching him nod he grabs his files and turns "Thank you for the apology, Sage." He says before walking away, I look down at my hands, my eyes watery "That was confusing..." Jack whispers, laughing I grab him in a headlock, wiping away the tears as I do so "Come here you rascal." I laugh lightly.