The Spirit Guardians Oneshots

A Winter Walk

Rating: K+

Summary: While Lillian and Elijah take the dogs out for a walk, Elijah begins asking questions about the past.

Ships: Lillian/Mitsuki

Timeline: Set shortly after the epilogue of Liberated

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Lillian had always dreaded the day that Elijah would be old enough to grow more curious about his mother. It was easier when he was younger and unable to understand the complexities of the girl Lillian had once loved. It was just that Lillian did not know that day was already upon her.

Lillian knew Cassie must have had it with her children. She was due with her third baby in less than a month, and with two young girls pulling at her sleeves and a moping teenager, she could only understand why Cassie and Marc had sent the girls to Conny's residence and Elijah to her and Mitsuki's on a Saturday.

Lillian was thankful for the split though. She wasn't sure if she could handle all three at one time together, if she was being honest, especially in her small apartment. Thankfully, she and Mitsuki already had plans to move, and soon it wouldn't be as crammed.

The air had grown cold now that it was mid-December. Though snow was rare around these parts, Lillian was already beginning to grow excited by the prospect of a snowy Christmas the next year in their new home. She thought she might walk one of the dogs later if the weather didn't become too poor. The sky was swirling with gray clouds, but there was not a drop of rain just yet.

Elijah was sitting on the couch, typing on his phone. He had played with the dogs for a few moments before retreating there. Lillian wished she could give him more to do, but at fourteen-years-old, he was bored with nearly everything these days. When Lillian tried to bring up a subject of conversation, such as how his spiritkeeper training had been going, he only gave her vague answers in response.

You sure act like your father when he was a young teen, Lillian thought, watching him quizzically. Elijah was not rude though. He was quite kind for a kid his age, but she could tell he was eager to have more time to himself, and she could tell he was especially displeased that he still had to be babysat at fourteen.

"Winnie. Here girl," Lillian called as their older golden retriever stepped into the living room. The dog happily padded over to her, and Lillian began petting her soft head.

"Elijah, do you want to come with me on a walk?" Lillian asked.

Three pairs of ears rose into the air, as well as a few barks.

"Ah, uh, I can't take all of you out," Lillian murmured.

"Okay," Elijah responded, setting his phone down.

"Why are all the dogs barking?" Mitsuki complained as she came out of their bedroom.

"I may have used the 'W' word by accident," Lillian stated. "I was just meaning to take Winnie out."

"The other dogs have already been taken out today. I'll play with them here, hopefully tire them out. Are you guys just going to do a quick one?" Mitsuki wondered.

"A mile or so, maybe more," Lillian stated.

"Put a coat on. It's cold," Mitsuki said as she ushered the dogs toward the kitchen for some treats in order to calm their barking. As she distracted them, Lillian hooked a leash to Winnie and stepped out the front, Elijah following behind. Immediately she was hit by December winds, though when she looked down at Winnie, the dog seemed to be enjoying the breeze immensely.