Norman x Reader || SAUDADE

17-D-etermination

I was focusing on training my shooting skill again along with Don, Gilda, Gillian, Nigel and Oliver after doing my chores. 

"You weren't here last night." Gilda pointed out when we took a little break. 

"Norman got sick last night so I decided to take care of him and ended up dozing off just like that." I sighed at the memory. 

"Oh? But is he alright now?" Gilda leaned in, with a little concern lacing on her tone. 

"Well he seems fine now. Still, it's kind of concerning to be honest." I mumbled. 

"I guess Emma and Ray's right. We can't let him bear the burden alone and kill himself again. We really need to help him." I told Gilda, Don and the others. 

"Don't worry we're planning to ever since Emma addressed the matter." Oliver smiled at me reassuringly. 

"Thanks guys." I said before returning to practice. 

Shooting is one thing, aiming is another thing, staying focused while you're being chased or being on an unstable ground is another thing as well. I sighed as I missed my aim once more whilst running. One more time. A moving target, a moving shooter, I need to get better! 

"Oy, sorry to interrupt, but Don, Gilda, the boss is asking for you two." Hayato's voice stopped the flow of our training abruptly. 

"No problem Hayato." Nigel grinned while uncocking his rifle. Don and Gilda looked at each other, "Norman?" Gilda tilted her head in confusion. 

"Alright then, we'll be there Hayato." Don waved at Hayato before chugging his drink preparing to leave. 

"_______, do you have any idea about what he wanted to talk about?" Don asked me. 

"Not that I know of. But, I do have some speculations. One, it's either taking some of us on the plans he had in 8 days. Which I highly doubt, because Norman always thinks that lesser means the better and he wanted to avoid any bloodshed in our side. Second, he might be planning something about Mujika. This is more likely. Why? Because, theoretically Mujika serves as a hindrance to his plans of eradicating all the demon species. This is also an if clause, in case Emma did not make it in time, or if he decided not to go with Emma's alternative solution." I sighed. 

"I can't really read the moves Norman's bound to make. But if what I'm guessing is right, then you'd have to be careful. He'd use the connection we have with her." I said. And with that Don and Gilda went to see Norman with a more readied heart. 

"You sure know about Norman a lot huh." Gillian nodded after grasping my words completely. I chuckled sadly to myself, "When you spend a lot of time with certain people you'd gradually start to understand someone's way of thinking. And maybe, start to think exactly like that person." I said the last part almost referring to myself. 

"He even went to the point of sacrificing himself in order for his plan to save all of us to work, he wouldn't hesitate on killing just 'another' demon for that." I can hear the pin drop silence amongst us on the training ground.

Gilda and Don returned to the house earlier than expected. I was in the middle of preparing dinner along with Anna, Nat and a few other kids preparing on the dinner table. 

"Welcome back!" The kids immediately greeted the pair. 

"Don, Gilda, how did it go?" I inquired while wiping my hands using the apron. 

"He wanted us to find Mujika and Sonju." Gilda nodded confirming my predictions. 

"He told us he wanted to protect them for the while." Don added. We all know we're thinking the same thing, it's either he's really willing to do that, or he's lying and tried to kill them. 

"We'll be careful." Gilda said with a determined tone. 

"It's true, being cautious throughout the journey would be a good attitude." I hummed. 

"We have no idea about what Norman could possibly intend to do. But you and Emma warned us earlier, and there's a chance that he would kill Mujika and Sonju." Don pointed out. 

"You know what, we'll go according to Norman's plan." I told them. 

"And then we'll protect the two at all cost, Emma and Ray are going to the seven walls to make a new promise. We can't let it go to waste, Mujika plays an important role in Emma and Ray's plan. She provides an alternative solution. And, they're our friends, we could not let them die. Not on our watch! Again, this is a worst-case scenario." I furrowed my brows. 

"I'll tag along you two. I can't sit back and do nothing in times like this." I stood up swiftly. 

"Remember the dreaded suspense we have to undergo when Emma, Ray and Yugo went to Goldy Pond on a very risky mission of life and death? I don't want any of us to relive that feeling anymore. So, I'll go." I told them and they nodded in agreement.

"Norman! I am going to go on the expedition." I went to Norman's place after dinner and immediately attacked the platinum-haired boy sitting on his desk, seemingly to be unexpecting the sudden outburst. 

"Expedition?" He raised his brow. 

"You're sending Don and Gilda to look for Mujika and Sonju. I am going as well." I took a seat on the chair across his desk in a rushed manner. Norman's eyes widened at my statement and his expression hardened. 

"Why? I think it's more sensical to go with a small group consisting of a minimum number of people." He reasoned back. 

"I can't just sit back and do nothing while all of you are executing something. Besides, I need to ask Mujika several things about her herbs and medication." I told him while trying to emphasize the medicines. 

He stared at me for a little moment before sighing, "What if you got hurt along the way?" He asked with a little more genuine expression now. 

"Are you doubting my ability? I might be weaker than most of you, however we escaped the house and fought our way in the wild outside for two years." I leaned closer to him trying to prove my point. 

"Besides, I can't just let Gilda and Don travel alone, they have minimum knowledge about treating injuries and all of the sort." I added. 

"I sent two others along with them, Hayato and another person who excels in offense, they won't get hurt." He answered. 

"All the more reason for me to tag along then. You can't change my mind." I smiled at him softly. 

"I'm not asking permission though, I'm just here to inform you." I leaned back to the chair at the last part, feeling a little bit nervous under his gaze. 

"What if you got hurt because I let you go?" He asked once again. I see. 

"Norman, your decisions will not hurt me. I volunteered for it, I promised Ray and Emma that I would not let you do this alone anymore. I'll help you in any way I can." I said while I unconsciously held my breath. 

Norman looked away for a split second trying to come up with something, but he knew that I would be unfazed by anything once I set my vision on. I am weak and very inferior in terms of everything else, but I love my family too much to back down from a few risks and dangers. 

He sighed, "Fine, just be careful." He gave me a defeated smile. Sincere, but full of regret. 

"Don't worry we'll return as soon as possible," I started making my way out of the door, "Along with Mujika and Sonju as well." I sternly stated the last part.