Chapter Text
“Sev! Dinner’s ready!”
A little boy in a small yellow raincoat stopped at his mother’s call from inside the house. His dark brown hair was slightly damp from the rain, and crimson eyes glossy.
“Okay mom! I’ll be in soon!” He called back.
Sev splashed down one more puddle as the rain began to slow. It was starting to turn dark, and his mother always told him about how it was dangerous to stay outside alone when it was dark.
He opened the front door of his house, only to be met with an amazing smell that came from the kitchen. He removed his boots and left them outside, closing the door behind him.
Inside the kitchen stood two figures; his mother and father. Sev approached his mother, stirring something inside a pot. He recognized the smell; his favorite stew.
“My favorite!” He squealed, as his mother almost flinched at his sudden appearance.
“Sev! Your raincoat is dripping!” She scolded, turning to face him.
“Oops! Sorry, I’ll go take it off!” Sev apologized, running off to dispose of the wet raincoat.
The man beside her chuckled.
“Don’t be too hard on him, Six.”
“Mono, he needs to learn that he can’t just make a mess around the house.” Six replied sternly, crossing her arms.
Mono could only grin; a grin that she’d loved for the past ten years.
“What’s so funny?” Six glared, raising an eyebrow.
“Nothing. Just thinking of how cute you look right now.” Mono flirted, which only worsened Six’s glare.
“Shut up—“
“I’m done, mom!” Sev announced, entering the kitchen again.
Six’s glare softened into a smile, then into an evil smirk.
“That’s great, honey. Now go and prepare the table with your dad,” She cooed. Mono and Sev looked at her dumbfounded, both groaning simultaneously.
Six’s glare returned again, softer this time. The two present immediately cowered in surrender, already grabbing plates and utensils. They left for the dining room, as Six began preparing the stew she and Mono had made.
“Mom’s so scary..” Sev mumbled to his dad, as he passed him a plate. Mono chuckled in reply.
“She’s not scary, bud. Maybe a little strict, sure.” He concurred.
They both giggled among themselves, unaware of the looming presence behind them.
“Did I hear that right?” Six remarked, holding the bowl of stew in hand.
Sev and Mono froze, not daring to turn around.
“Six…!” Mono chuckled awkwardly, turning slowly.
Sev gulped, remaining frozen. Maybe if he didn’t move, his mother wouldn’t see him.
“What was that about me being scary and strict?” Six set the stew on the table, turning to face both boys.
“Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head over.” Mono assured, positioning himself behind her and massaging her back carefully.
“Sev. Look at me.”
The little boy gulped harder, slowly turning to meet his mother’s glare.
Scary…
“I’m sorry.. mom..” Sev croaked out, barely audible.
Yet again, Six’s eyes softened. With her husband massaging her aching muscles and her son apologizing earnestly, how could she not weaken at that?
God, she really was getting soft.
Six opened her arms, as Sev hugged her with his tiny body. He’d barely reached her waist. He was growing so fast. Mono let go of her back to hug her from behind as well, planting a small kiss on her cheek.
Maybe she didn’t mind that life was like this.
“Let’s have dinner, I’m starving.” She groaned, swatting away both of them. They giggled, beginning to sit by the table.
—
Their little house echoed with laughter inside. The moon shone comfortably even as the rain returned.
Their small family finished a comforting dinner, with Sev preparing for bed as Six and Mono stayed in their shared bedroom.
“So, Raine’s returning to the city next week. She wants to visit us, and her favorite nephew of course.” Six chuckled.
“Yeah, Arkay texted me the other day. He said that he plans on throwing her a surprise party for that new promotion she got.” Mono added.
“He’s going to move closer to where she is, right?” Six sat on their bed, brushing her hair that had grown to her shoulders.
“Yup. He told me word for word, ‘I can’t live like this. I need to see her more often or I’m gonna lose it’.” Mono mimicked, making Six chortle from their shared bed.
Slowly, their door creaked open and the head of a little boy peeked from outside.
“I’m ready for bed now. Mom, can you tuck me in?” Sev mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
Mono and Six eyed each other, as Six smiled and stood from their bed.
“Sure, sweetie. Let’s get you into bed.”
—
Six sat in the small bed, watching as Sev burrowed himself beneath the blankets. She ruffled his hair slightly, before pressing a soft kiss on his forehead. The little boy who shared her eyes giggled, before turning to a serious face.
“Mom, how did you and dad meet?” Sev asked curiously, staring into his mother’s eyes.
She let out a hum of thought.
“Why do you ask, Sev?”
“Well, because dad told me that when you guys met, it was like a fairytale! He said that you were in deep sleep and when he kissed you, you woke up! Like that one princess story!” Sev exclaimed, making gestures with his hands.
Six scoffed and let out a snicker. Mono really likes exaggerating himself to his own son, doesn't he? Making him sound like some prince.
Well one part of it was true; that it was indeed a fairytale that they’d met.
“Pfft. Your dad’s just exaggerating himself.” She laughed, ruffling his hair again.
“Wait, really!? So then how did you two really meet!?” Sev exclaimed, sitting up on his bed.
“It really wasn’t anything special. Back when I was very sick and could barely stand to help myself, your dad just happened to be hired by my parents to take care of me.” Six replied, shrugging.
“Oh. But that’s soooo boring. I like dad’s version better.” Sev concluded, tucking himself back under the covers.
Six could only let out another laugh, as she kissed his cheek while turning off the lamp.
“Goodnight, Sev. Sweet dreams.” Six whispered lovingly, as he began to drift off to sleep.
Six walked the hallway where their family pictures covered the wall. Pictures of her with her parents, with Sev, and especially…
Her first picture with Mono.
She smiled fondly at the memory as she entered their shared bedroom once more.
“It’s thundering outside. Think we should leave the door unlocked for Sev?” Mono asked worriedly. He sat on their bed in a relaxed position, phone in hand.
“Yeah, you know how he is. Also, did you really have to make yourself seem like my savior when he asked how we met?” She scoffed, walking to sit on the bed beside him.
Mono laughed and pulled her in, pulling her in a warm embrace despite the cold outside.
“Come on, let me have fun while he’s still gullible.” Mono pouted.
Six rolled her eyes and turned off the light, leaving the lamp beside their bed turned on. They both settled on the bed comfortably, with Mono holding her close.
“I love you.” She whispered.
“I love you more.” He whispered back, giggling like a kid.
It was moments like these that Six remembered why she’d stayed in the first place.
In a warm, quiet home with the love of her life and the loving son they’d brought to the world together.
–
He ran through the woods, trying to find his way home.
He could hear whispers, and it was adrenaline that kept him from locking up in fear.
Eventually, a clearing showed and he was met with the familiar back of his father’s.
Except..
He was sitting. In front of something.
Sev remembers that it was called a grave.
As he walked closer, he saw the name engraved on it.
His mother’s name.
What!?
But his mother was alive?—
His father turned to him, his face younger. Or what Sev imagined him to look like when he was younger.
No, no– this wasn’t his world—
Wake up! Wake up!
Sev shot up from his bed, his head almost slamming into the headboard. A loud thunder sounded from outside, and Sev froze up in fear. It was cold. So cold.
With his shaking frame, he brought his gnome stuffed animal with him and his little blanket, as he left his room and walked through the dim hallway to where his parents rested.
He opened their door slowly, afraid to wake them up.
“Sev..? Is that you..?” His father asked groggily, sitting up slightly with squinted eyes.
“Can I sleep here.. Please..?” Sev pleaded quietly.
Mono smiled assuringly, leaving a space between him and Six as he gestured for Sev to come.
Sev wasted no time in walking to his parents’ bed, closing the door behind him. He could hear his mother mumbling something in her sleep, as his dad gestured for him to keep quiet.
“Wha..? Sev..?” Six muttered, opening her eyes slightly.
“Sorry mom. I couldn’t sleep.” He whispered, laying down beside her.
Six shut her eyes closed as she pulled him into a warm embrace, while Mono wrapped his arm around both of them.
Sev felt the warmth of both his parents radiating off of them.
And he knew that no matter how loud the sky yelled, he knew he was safe in the arms of his parents.
Sev closed his eyes, falling to slumber once more.