Norman x Reader || SAUDADE

07-E-xhilaration

The others were called and collected in a small housing so we could all replenish our energy and strength. I parted ways with them because I need to send Chris and Dominic into the treatment centre, I need to make sure they're treated well and could be left in their care. I saw Chris being put in one of the examination beds and being treated with IV drips and several injections to stop infection. I realized that there was someone who particularly stood out in the infirmary, he was an older man with almost no hair on his head, a deep skin tone, and stitches around his nerve areas. 

"You must be the person in charge here? It's nice to meet you, I'm ______, thank you for the help." I greeted the man with a bow. 

"Yes, I am Vincent, a follower of William Minerva's." He paid no much attention to me, instead he analyzed Chris' and Dominic's state right immediately. I also redressed his bandages and cleaned his body, carefully avoiding the wounds, so that he'll feel a bit better and might fight the infections a little better now that he's cleaner. We dipped cotton in alcohol to sterilize the wound, redid the stitches and placed some more medication to him. Once he's all patched up, I can see that he's in a condition far better than before. Dominic's leg was already fixed and casted properly. 

"Let's go Anna, Dominic. We'll visit him again later in the afternoon." I told them after looking that Chris is in good hands. We made sure to watch over Dominic worried that he might get wobbly or fall due to the lack of experiences in using the walking stick .

The guide earlier led us to a huge door which he said will be our domain from today on. As the door opened, I heard a commotion from the other side. What exactly happened? 

"Oh Hey Anna, _______. It's been a while." At the sound of a familiar voice, my head quickly turned to the direction where someone fell down as a group of kids piled up on him. My eyes widened at the sight of someone with snow white hair, pale skin and adorned by a pair of smiling blue eyes. I felt my breath hitched at my throat. Unable to decipher the whole situation I felt my knees grow weak. 

"Norman?" Anna asked. My ears have been ringing at that name. I quickly looked at Emma and Ray who nodded with a big smile on their face. How? With all those questions swirling on my head, I wasted no more time and made a sprint into the boy dropping everything I have with me. Norman. He's alive and well in the flesh before me. I felt my body went into auto pilot and leapt into the boy who was on the ground earlier. Out of instinct he immediately caught my form welcoming in a hug as well, at least that was his intention, before he caught me and toppled down because of his imbalance and my sudden weight. My cries became very wild and my words are now inaudible. He must have known how shaken I am for the only thing he did was stroking my back to comfort me and laughed lightly. 

"It's fine now, I'm here and not going anywhere." He told me in a very soothing deeper voice. He grew up in the two years too huh. I can't contain my relief and excitement. 

"You have no idea how worried all of us are. Norman, don't ever do that again!" I hit him repeatedly on his shoulders. He caught my wrists before giving a very sweet smile that I didn't get the chance to see for the last two years. 

"I won't, I'll stay with all of you now." He said.

I also noticed that his cheek was swollen so I decided to patch him up real quick. 

"You know I'm on Ray's side." I furrowed my brows as I tried to stick the ointment onto his swollen skin. 

"I know I know." He chuckled. 

"So care to explain to all of us what happened?" Emma asked the smiling Norman. I was close with the three of them although they shared an even deeper bond amongst themselves. We were always being looked at as the eldest ones so mom relied on us a lot of time and so did the kids. Norman and I weren't as close as he was to Emma and Ray, but we liked to talk. And I grew quite fond of him throughout the years. I was pretty sure it's familial love, as I treat Emma and Ray just the same. However, looking at him now makes me unsure of what that feeling truly was. Norman went through a growth spurt making him significantly taller than before, Ray did too. Emma and I had our portion of growth, but of course we can't compare to those of boys. Norman told us about Lambda, about the experiments, about how he came to be William Minerva by the help of Smee and how he was adopted by Peter Ratri instead of being fed to the demons and lastly, he told us about how demons came to be. All of us listened in horror as he continued to tell us about his plan on ensuring a better future for all of us to live in. A world without demons. I can see the fiery determination in his eyes as I was still patching up his cheek with more herbs and patch of band aid. I felt like it would be best for us to do this in order to ensure safety. I mean leaving the demons to exist when we escape was bound to create a huge starvation and degeneration and they'll die sooner or later too. So, killing them before that won't be a problem either, and we can still live in this world without fear. I can feel the burden in my heart lessened. However my thoughts wandered off to Mujika and Sonju. They saved us after all, and eradicating all demons meant them too. However, this is the best way for now. Everyone started cheering and agreeing with his plan, and deeply I was too. However, my gaze trailed to Emma, she looked hesitant for a split second before then agreeing along. She had her doubts.