Better Late than Never ( Aria )

[Garrett Blade]

It had been several days sense the Attack on Nova. The smell no longer a issue after the bodies had been picked up and properly buried; The prayer of Death could be heard at night by chanting priests and priestesses from the Moon Temple that walked the streets at night. Each holding a incense lantern filled with ‘Thieves’ oil to purify the air to whatever Helena had done to cause the dead to rise. Meanwhile the soldiers that were under Garrett’s command dug mass graves for the bodies of the dead. A grim job, but one that Garrett took in charge of with bitterness. The team worked tirelessly for several horrific days until the decaying smell was completely gone. Once the massive graves were covered over and all burial rituals finished, Garrett could relax and actually enjoy Aria’s return. A return that was greeted with very little interaction. Their encounters quick and brief to the point where they had barely spoken for the past 6 days; Almost a full week and a hour pass midnight when the full winter moon would hit it’s peek over the city, marking this the 3rd day that Garrett hadn’t seen Aria.

In fact, Garrett felt kinda horrible for ditching Aria for the past two days; Now with the moon high in the sky it would be day three. Which made him feel even worse as his entire time was devoted to preparing for a small party within his living quarters while keeping little to no contact with his beloved. A hard task to say the least!! He spent a good bit of his noruvian’s purchasing and preparing for this small party he had not been able to throw while Aria was away at Palico. Garrett’s entire bedroom was decorated in colorful ribbons that streamed down from corners of the walls. He had spent all afternoon cooking a Roast Beef with other vegetables and herbs he bought at the market. Everything of fresh quality placed in a cast iron pot held barely just over embers. The smell filling the room with its delightful aroma while Garrett finished the final touches on the cake he had bought at the bakery earlier that day. He spelled her named out in the caramel candies before placing the Cake in the center of his small dining table before returning to attend to the Roast. Once he believed the Roast was finished, Garrett set the table with plates before moving the pot further up on the rack away from the coals.

Satisfied with his work, Garrett took note of everything and began to pace his room. Often looking out the window or keeping still to listen to any noise or sound coming from the other side of the door. He had sent Aria a letter around mid day telling her he would explain his reasonings for ditching her for the past few days, if she were to come to his chambers at the Barracks. His letter being rather vague, but hopefully she would not be too angry with him and show up. So he waited patiently while finally taking a seat at the table to ease his growing anxiousness.

[Deleted]

A letter? They could talk mind to mind, and he sent a letter…sweet…but still. They had seen each other, and she had wanted to talk to him…or find the right time. It was good to see him again though every time she saw his face, she couldn’t help but wonder if their child who had been growing within her would have looked more like him….or her. It had still been too small to tell and its features hadn’t formed fully…unfortunately many things, not just him, brought her thoughts back to their lost child. Which brought feelings that made her heart ache; so she would throw herself into any sort of work or possible distraction. Because of that they both had been to busy to really say more then a few words to each other. In a way she had been grateful their time together had been brief; even if it was hard to see him walk away each time. Aria loved Garrett; it hurt more to be away from him then it was to be around him. But she had been fretting over how to talk to him...after all neither of them had known she had been pregnant when she had left. Then she had kept the news to herself, wanting to have the chance to tell him in person rather then him find out some other way. There had also been the fear that he might feel like it would force him to settle down....then again she doubted Garrett would have bed her if he hadn't been serious in the first place. But it had...she stopped her thoughts there. If she kept dwelling at it she would just be staring at this paper with his hand writing on it all night. But anyways Aria had been content to let their days go on like that... up until three days ago…when he seemed to have started to avoid her completely.  Did she do something to annoy him? She had been a bit distant but that was mainly cause she didn't want him to catch on...after all he had his hands-full. It didn't make sense to have him be more miserable as well; that and he seemed distracted enough not to notice. However there was a chance he had...did she hurt his feelings for not talking to him sooner? AND there was that anxiety again... she needed to go get some tea to calm herself. She would prepare to see him later that night and take what ever reasons were given. 

Later that night, after she had made all her rounds, she figured it would be ok to head off to Garrett’s. It had taken quiet a bit of mental preparation through out the day to prepare herself to meet with him. She had steeled herself to actually have the 'talk' with him tonight about what had developed while she was away...During all this mental preparation she also realized tonight was the night that the moon would hang high in the sky....marking it as mid winter. Aria had prepared all her mid winter presents while she had been in Palico. She had brought them with her in her supplies. Before heading to Garretts she swung by where she had kept her packs and fished out Garretts gift...if she was going to dump horrific news...might as well lighten the blow with something.

Aria when she headed to Garretts, was for once still dressed in her clothes from the day. Her hair was tied back in a braided bun, pulling each strand of hair from her face. She wore a long winter silk embroidered jacket; it was a dark blue grey in color with silver stitching. The coat had a high collar, and it buttoned down to her waist before becoming loose. The hem of the jacket reached her ankles. She wore dark blue form fitting pants, which matched her knee high boots. All and all she looked nice; even if she didn't feel it. 

Aria had stalled so long she was probably a bit latter then what Garrett had been hoping for. Another thing she had felt bad for, but frankly she was nervous with what was going to be awaiting her. This fear gripped her again as she reached his door; making her pause in front of it; her hand just over the handle. 

[Garrett Blade]

Garrett’s finger tapped against the table’s surface as he waited…..waited….and waited. By now the steam from the roast had finally settled and the food was beginning to loose it’s warmth. At this point Garrett was no longer sitting in his chair like a ‘normal’ human civilized person. Oh no, by now boredom had creeped in while he sat waiting for Aria to arrive. Garrett’s body sat upside down within his chair. His legs strait up, while balancing the tip of his dagger’s blade at the end of his boot. All the while holding a glass upright in his right hand and taking sips while upside down. A silly pose to be in, but one that entertained him while his concern for his beloved began to fester and consume his every thought. His concern slowly turning into fear as he adjusted himself at the slight vibration of foot steps.

Quickly Garrett took down the blade from his boot and turned himself upright. He then placed the cup down onto the table and stared directly at his door. His features rather grim as he listened to the foot steps come closer and then finally stop outside his door. Odd….The person was just standing on the other side of his door; He could see the shadow coming through the crack at the bottom of the door.

His lips pressed into a deep frown and Garrett got up from his seat and walked quietly to his front door. He stood at his door for a moment, his breathing shallow and his heart steady as he listened quietly with out a sound. His eye closed, concentrating for a moment before slowly reaching out for the door handle.

‘ Hey?…’ Garrett connected telepathically, unsure if him reaching out to her would work the same as her to him, but he had to try before attempting to open the door in case it wasn’t her. At this point he was rather worried and even the voice of his inner thoughts sound worried. His hand finally taking hold of the door handle as he telepathically reached out once again to Aria.

‘ Please don’t be mad at me, I can explain myself for the past few days. Just come inside will you? ‘ Garrett spoke softly to her with her thoughts, turning the door handle and opening the door slowly towards him. His eye opening to see the exhausted beauty of a woman before him. “ Hey, Thought you weren’t going to show up.” Garrett chuckled nervously holding himself between the door frame and his door; trying his best to keep her from seeing inside the room as he made sure to guide her in all for the sake of keeping the surprise, well a surprise.

[Deleted]

Crap…what was she going to tell him? How does one even start a conversation like….heeyyy I was pregnant but I didn’t tell you and now our child’s dead…. Yes she had wanted to tell him in person; it wasn’t something she thought should have been said in a letter. But dear lord this was something that was devastating; she was barely holding it together; like a broken pot held together with overly pasty porridge. The whole thing was making her sick to her stomach. Her nerves were delaying things; but it was something she was going to have to face. Garrett more then had a right to know what happened, that and she didn’t think she could act normal around him…though he could be clueless sometimes…maybe it was possible. But boy would he be pissed if she did keep it from him and god forbid he found out.

She blinked when a worried voice tinged across her mind; she looked up her expression going blank. Shit! He had noticed her on the other side of the door just standing there….awkwardly. Fuck shit, to hell in a hand basket he thought the reason she was being awkward was because she was pissed?! She dun fucked things up more. She was about to respond when the door opened; she looked up at him like a deer caught in the headlights. When he spoke again her brain decided to start working again and her eyes softened. She took a step closer to him and placed a hand on the side of his face gently.

”For you I’ll always come when you call.”

She did love this man; she felt bad she had made him think she was mad at him. She let her hand fall back by her side, only for it to come back up and scratch the back of her head.

”For the record I’m not mad; just tired…sorry to make you worry love….um Garrett…I can’t come in unless you move.”

[Garrett Blade]

This was terribly confusing for the poor dear lad. Garrett’s one eye stared down at the red head who came barely up to his chest. She looked so shocked at first when he had opened the door. Though he said nothing as he stared down at her with a goofy blank stare. Far too happy for words to describe what he felt as he looked down at her round features and fire-red locks. She looked radiant as always, however, now her features were clouded over with exhaustion, sadness, and what he believed to be guilt - emotions far different from her normal self. What had happened in the past few months that had taken away his Aria? The part of her that Garrett missed seeing and spending time with. This only backed up the little voice in his head that constantly worried about this woman. A chuckle escaping the moment Aria pointed out that she couldn’t come in the room unless he moved.

“ Of course, I’m glad you are not mad.”

Garrett moved to the side, holding the door wide open as he allowed Aria to step past. His mind racing as she were to walk past. ‘ Had the Castle really been affecting her this much? Or perhaps this world? Garrett couldn’t imagine what had happened to rob Aria of her spirit. Though he dared not let her know he saw the change in her. So he made sure to smile; smile warm and to remind her that this was HER day. Even though she had no clue what he had instore for her beyond the threshold of the door. Once inside, Aria could see the decorations and smell the sweet aroma of sweets and cooked food.

“SURPRISE!”

Garrett shouted out as he closed the door behind her; kissed her forehead and quickly made his way over to the roast to check on it. “ I didn’t know any of your friends or I would have invited more people, but I know that you were gone for your birthday…So I wanted to let you know I didn’t forget.” Garrett spoke out, opening the lid to the kettle to check on the meat. Cold. The embers had died out long ago and now white ash sat under the hanging pot. Beads of sweat trickled down Garrett’s forehead as he poked at the meat with a spoon to see if there was any warmth left. His movements quick as he looked over his shoulders at a solution. The fire place was still going which meant he could warm the food back up. Not a total disaster for the evening’s meal! Garrett nodded, adjusting the cook pot closer to the fire place to warm the meal back up.

“ The food got a little cold so I guess while it warms up, would the lady of the evening care to take a seat and enjoy desert first instead? Or what strikes her fancy for the evening? “ He asked playfully, trying his best not to make Aria feel bad and to lighten up the mood for the evening. After all he had planned to make this party about her after all.

[Deleted]

Aria gave Garrett a soft smile in return; as he stepped back her eyebrows shot up as the first bit of decorations came into view. She slowly stepped into the room; her eyes opened wide as she took in all the little details. The colorful ribbons, to the food set up ever so carefully on the table, and the smell of a delicious dinner….She blinked when his warm lips made contact with her forehead. Aria looked up at him with wide eyes, then back to the decorated room…then back at him. She was completely speechless.

Her mouth opened and then closed again; at a loss for words. He had put so much effort….she walked over to one of the corners where the ribbons cascaded down; picking one up in her fingers…Her gaze traveling to the food at the table and the cake. The cake, it had her name written out in their special little candies. It was a few moments before she placed the package she had carried in on an empty seat. After he had moved the food; that got cold cause of how long it took her to get her ass here, she threw her arms around him in a big hug. Her face nuzzling into his chest.

”I had forgotten about my birthday, I don’t know what to say….This is amazing, thank you!”

In all honestly she had….so much had been going on. She spent so many years not celebrating her birthday that she completely forgot about it this year. The fact Garrett had remembered warmed her heart. Aria released him with a smile on her face, it was hard to be sad in the face of something that had been prepared with so much love. She reached over and plucked a caramel candy from the ‘i’ on the cake and popped it into her mouth with a cheeky grin.

”I’ll have to introduce you to them. But for tonight I’m happy it’s just you and me. I would like to catch up, I’m curious to what you’ve been up to these past couple months.”

Aria picked up the package she had brought and sat down; holding out the gift to Garrett.

”Happy mid-winter; I didn’t expect this to be a party for me, but I did bring your mid-winter gift.”

The package was wrapped up in plain paper tied with a white ribbon. Inside was a gift Aria had spent many hours on; it was large hand stitched patch work quilt stuffed with down feathers. The quilt was made using very fine high quality pieces of cloth. The squares all had shades of dark blues and silvers; each with a different pattern. In some of the squares; spaced out sporadically a little figure or figures were sewn in. One held tiny caramels to signify their first meeting, ironic since she was still working on one right at that moment. A skipping rock for the time they spent together when she was a child, to this day they were still some of her favorite childhood memories. A small black dagger to signify him finding her again and bringing her into the thieves. Another square held a pair of open shackles a bit of a joke on her part considering some significant moments in their life together happened in dungeons. A lunar flower signifying the confession that took place when he had given her the flowers to save her life. In the last square there was a heart with a small bird. There are plenty more squares left blank to add on to later, signifying her hope to make many more memories to come. While she now had money to make him or at least commission for him something to be made as a gift, Aria still found she enjoyed putting the time and effort to make these things herself. Yes the stitching could probably use some more work, she wasn’t perfect at it, but it would hold well. The blanket was something she worked on whenever she was missing her wonderful one eyed captain. She was happy she had finished in time for mid-winter; though it would seem she would already have to add a new image to a patch.

[Garrett Blade]

Garrett could only continue to smile as Aria suddenly greeted him with a warm nuzzling hug; His balance slightly thrown off for a second as he took a couple of steps back as she buried her face into his chest. The top of her rich red locks tickling under his chin as he returned the embrace with one of his own. At last a response that wasn’t droned out or half dead. His smile growing as she thanked him pulled away to examine the rest of the ‘party’ he had put together.

A brow raised in amusement as she plucked a piece of candy from the top of her cake. His gaze shifting over to the roast as he leaned over to check it’s temperature while Aria was preoccupied with her Cake and talked about how she would have to introduce her friends to him. A audible chuckle escaped in a sarcastic manner as he straightened up and looked back over his shoulder to Aria with a raised brow.

“ Oh I’m sure your friends would love to meet the Captain of the Civilian Guard. Most people love to meet a person that can arrest you and throw you into prison or worse.” Garrett jested, quickly returning his gaze back over to the roast to pull it away from the embers. He checked it’s contents once again and tasted to see if it was at least warm all the way through the meat. A quick bite and Garrett was satisfied with at least the temperature and flavor as he pulled the pot off the kettle holder and brought it to the table. His mind elsewhere as he prepared the meat and set the table around Aria. Almost like muscle memory with his head held low.

He debated on telling Aria what was going on behind the scenes of the Royal antics of Political affairs. His smile fading only a second while his back was turned from Aria. Completely obliviously at what was going on around him as Aria prepared to give him a gift.

“ Well the Royal Courts are in uproar now that the undead have been burned and Noku is awake. With the Royal Guard Captain Roland no where to be found for several weeks or Aveline Zoe … You can imagine that things are a little hectic with us. Mostly sense Severine has demanded a portion of my soldiers to look for her daughter. “ Garrett sighed, placing a piece of roast onto a plate. “ The last report made on any sighting was given by her Lady HighAss Severine with it stating that Roland and her Daughter’s last sighting was with Mysteria Williams at the Moon Temple at a private wedding. Apparently Roland and the Lady Bitch’s daughter got married during the festival and up and poofed. So you can imagine how the Court is dealing with this, not to mention Severine. Besides my job becoming a lot harder now that Roland has disappeared, I’ve been well. Worried about you mostly sense you’ve been acting rather strange as of late. Wasn’t sure if this world was changing my little bird or worse….” Garrett lifted his head, smiled and turned to face Aria. By this time his eye widen at the sight of the box as Aria handed it to him. His eye still wide with shock as he looked at the delicate package, way better than his wrapping skills now that he remembered his gift that was stashed up under the table on top of her seat.

Garrett blinked as he opened the package and stared at the hand made quilt. He looked over each of the patterns with a soft smile. “ Aria my dear, you are truly a goddess of many talents. “ Garrett walked over to his beloved and wrapped his arms around her with the quilt; covering them both with the pattern, meanwhile taking this time to swipe the small poorly wrapped box that he had stashed on the chair beside him. With Aria in his arms he moved around her to where her back was pressed firmly against his chest as he held out the small crinkled looking box in front of her. “ Happy Birthday dear.”

The box was nothing special; brown paper wrapping that was crinkled and ripped beyond belief. The box itself could be visible in some places; but it was just that simple, a plan wooden box. Once opened, the gift inside would be a small hand carved opal stone flute that had several holes of different sizes. That when played its sound would carry like a tune similar to that person’s voice. A gift that was rather hard to find, but he had happened to come across within the market while he searched for the perfect gift that screamed ‘ ARIA ‘. He could only hope that she would like the gift as he kissed her on the cheek and pulled away, taking the blanket with him as he wrapped it around himself.

“ I hope you like it and that it would bring a smile back to that radiant face I fell in love with.”

[Deleted]

Aria waved him off when he gave her a sarcastic answer.

”Nonsense, they would love to meet you. Believe it or not the majority of my friends are on the up and up. You’re a wonderful person I’m sure they’ll enjoy your company almost as much as I do. If they don’t they’ll find something nasty in their shoes.”

Really he didn’t give himself enough credit. When he went on to mention the undead and Noku waking up her hand subconsciously traveled over her abdomen; a frown etching itself on her features. She was amused however to her loves little nickname for Severine.

”Sounds like Severine’s back to her old self….she was off the last time I saw her in the hospital ward. Her punishment with Breton took a lot out of her. Aveline seemed like a frightened mouse fallowing the punishment. I would not be surprised if she convinced Roland to stay away for her sake…..I have a feeling Roland is likely in deep ass shit if he does come back, more so due to the fact Noku knows he leaked some vital information to Severine.”

Arias face fell as soon as he mentioned his worry for her, however his notice of her gift provided a small distraction. She watched as he opened the package and looked upon it, his smile causing one to appear on her face as well. Another frown appearing on her face when he called her a goddess..

”Mine…did you happen to transform during the battle at all?”

She asked this as he wrapped his arms around her, wrapping them both up in the quilt that she had made. Aria leaned back into his embraced closing her eyes for a moment and enjoying his presence. She liked his hugs, it still sent her heart skipping whenever he returned one. When she opened her eyes she was surprised to see a little package held out in front of her. She gently took it and removed the paper, trying not to damage it any more then it was. A curious look in her eyes as she opened the lid to peer what was inside. Her eyes widened as she took out the pretty musical instrument out of the lining. She gently took it out while placing the box on the table. She blew a soft note; just one, before carefully placing the precious gift back into his box. He had just said that he loved her…. The first time he muttered the l word in regards to her….Aria slowly looked back up at him a sad smile on her lips as a tear trickled from her eyes. Her gaze fell back to her lap as she took a deep breath…would he still feel the same way after she told him?

”I’m sorry”

Her voice cracked a bit as more tears fell into her lap, her hands which were shaking slightly in effort to keep her composer were clasped tightly together.

”I’m so so very sorry Garrett…I love you too… after the shock I was happy it was with you….I wanted to tell you the news in person, I wanted it to be happy.”

Aria covered her face with her hands as the tears were falling steadily now and her voice cracked with emotion as she talked. She hated the fact he had gone through all this trouble to try to make her smile again, and here she was breaking down. A sob escaping her lips, she wasn’t even making that much sense right now. She couldn’t think of the words to say….

”I lost our child Garrett; when Noku was attacked; I was in the forever forest. I miscarried in the red mist….”

She couldn’t say the rest she was sobbing at this point; as she lost any amount of composure that she had. She felt like a failure as a mother, she wasn’t even able to protect her little one. Who suffered; the lungs hadn’t been even developed there wasn’t a way to save the little one… she had to put her child out of its misery; she couldn’t let the child suffer. The guilt and sense of loss was soul crushing.

[Garrett Blade]

Garrett huffed in a playful manner, poking his lips out as if to pout before shrugging his shoulders. His hands quickly moving up along the quilt’s edge; Drawing the blanket closer around his neck before flipping the edge up over his head like a hood, securing it around his face as he stared back at Aria in a un-amused fashion. His entire upper body covered by the colorful quilt as he quirked a brow at his beloved who was just standing there holding her gift out in her hands.

Her belief in him was astonishing and some what surprising to him; Even HE knew his social skills with the opposite sex. Plus above all, once again he hated to bring this up in any argument, but no one likes the law and someone that could possibly ruin your day and life forever. After all, not all of his encounters here as the civilian guard were ‘pleasant’. Second, he wasn’t sure how to act around strangers other than to play the ’character’, The Loyal Civilian Guard Captain, Garrett Blaze a ‘native’ to this world; a lie but one that he had to play out for now. Not so easy to make friends that way; however Aria’s words and playful threats did bring him some encouragement.

“ I highly doubt that. An you shouldn’t torment your friends if they don’t like someone you like. “

Garrett chuckled, playfully scolding Aria as he took a few steps back to watch her open her gift. His un-amused expression still present on his features as he listened to her report about Severine and Roland. His brows knitting forward as he drew the blanket around his face to where only his eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth were visible. His expression rather serious for having such a colorful frame around his face.

“ I see… Well either way, not my monkies not my circus. I’m sure the King will figure something out, he normally always does. besides, lets discuss this another time. You have a gift to -.” By this time Aria had already taken the flute out of the box and blew the first note. He stopped talking and stared at her with awe. A smile forming on his features as he waited to hear what she thought of her gift. Then…. At that moment; He could see something wasn’t right. Her gaze fell to her lap and her only words were… ‘ I’m sorry.’…. ‘ I’m sorry?!’ Garrett’s smile dropped and his expression became clearly panicked.

He fell silent as she began to tremble before him; For once she looked so fragile in his eyes as she began to speak. His lips pressing together tightly as his features fell into a complete somber stare. What was going on?! Garrett was so confused, but he was to afraid to move or say anything completely taken back by her sudden outburst of emotion. He wasn’t sure what was happening. He had just given her a flute?! Did she not like it?! Then the bomb dropped…… Garrett’s expression changed as he dropped his head and his gaze fell to stare at her admin. His features completely stoic like a statue the moment Aria crumbled before him. The words that left her lips froze him in place as he stared down at her with utter silence.

What?…. Our child?

Garrett’s skin drained of color as he stared at Aria as she sobbed. Her composure gone as guilt washed over her features. Everything he had prepared for today; Ruined in a blink of an eye. Garrett continued to remain silent as he finally moved his feet to approach Aria. Slowly and very carefully he stretched out his arms with the quilt and pulled Aria into a tight embrace. Once again, being very careful and gentle as he held her head like a infant in his hand allowing her to cry onto his chest. His eye closed as he pressed his face up against the side of her head. Not saying a word as he held her in silence until she would stop crying.

[Deleted]

She was guilty yes and so afraid; she hadn’t told Garrett about the child when she first found out in Palico. One she wanted for once to break some news that may be nice; yes it would have complicated things…but it was going to be theirs. As a mother often does, she had already begun to love the little life that had been growing inside of her. And now ….now that little life was gone; and she wasn’t able to save it. On top of all that she had made him worry about her; and now she was ruining all the hard work he put into this lovely party. He was sure to be mad; and here she couldn’t stop herself from breaking down.

The silence in the room was only broken by her sobs and the crackling of the fire. Garrett hadn’t said a word and she couldn’t bring herself to look up at him. Moments past and she heard him approach her; she forced herself to look up from her hands to see him come with outstretched arms and like a moth to a flame she went to him. She threw herself into his arms and buried her face into his chest. Allowing herself to be enveloped in his tight embrace. He didn’t push her away; and he wasn’t scolding her for breaking down. A little bit of the weight that had been weighing her down was lifted by that simple action.

Eventually Arias sobs began to subside as she pulled herself together; she didn’t move from his comforting embrace. She clung to his shirt and eventually dried her eyes with the back of her sleeve. Taking deep long shuddering breaths. He hadn’t said a word; not about the baby…or her failure. She looked up at him with searching eyes.

[Garrett Blade]

‘ It’s hard to be three things at once… ‘

A deep voice echoed in Garrett’s mind. A faint memory triggered in that moment; but with Garrett bottling up his emotions; His efforts to keep a strait face for Aria’s sake was not entirely in vane. In a instant from the moment he closed his eye, He could envision what he honestly believed was closing both of his eyes at once. A over whelming sensation, but one that trapped him in a deep trance form the time Aria looked up at him. His eyes closed the moment she lunged up at him to be accepted by his embrace.

The moment her head thumped against his collar done and her tear’s began to gush out and stain his shirt. He completely zoned out and only held her in that moment in his trance.… The hazy image of a man appearing in his vision. A man he recognized anywhere in the world, a figure that stood tall and proud with no fear or remorse. A person he once admired and feared, a man that had killed his mother out of paranoia… The man that he would call ‘Father’ for 12 years of his life. Though not really his blood, but in the end he decided to spare his life… This Father of his…. The long white hair burning into his mind as the scent of flowers followed with every approaching step, the vision becoming fragmented as the man drew closer. To his surprise he only stopped two feet away, facing directly in front of him like a dark tower that loomed over him. His mouth moving; though there was very little sound at first, which Garrett struggled to try and listen and remember as the world around him seem to happen in slow motion around him.

The vision continuing to play out in his mind as Aria’s tears and sobs began to rattle his contagiousness of the world that he was in tranced with. The world where he remembered being the only time seeing the man who raised him show any bit of humanity. His ‘father’ drawing closer before finally bending down to whisper what he so desperately had been trying to remember sense this flashback began.

“ It’s hard to be here things at Once…. A Leader, A husband, and a Father….. One day, this challenge you will face. Be prepared and stay strong for your loved ones sake. I don’t care if you like it or not, but you are a Noru…. Which means you will act like one and burden the weight until you can build something of it. “

The whisper burning into his soul as he held Aria closer, her tears touching his trembling chest as he listened to Aria’s sobs become more like sniffles and dry heaves of snotty short gasps of breath. It seemed she had finished crying for the most part, remaining silent even while she rubbed the remaining of her tears on his sleeve. His shirt completely soaked with her tears as he stood there with no expression. His eye opening to look down at the short red head before him. His vibrant blue gaze locked onto Aria’s for a moment as she tried to search for answers or clues to how he was feeling; Answers that he was not letting show at the moment as he returned her searching eyes with one of his own. His lips still remaining pressed as he took this opportunity to bend down to pick up his mid winter gift that she had crafted.

“ I don’t know what to say… Aria I am here for you; I just don’t know what to think or feel or say other than to try and comfort you to the best of my ability… “ Garrett spoke, his tone rather somber as he very cautiously approached her to place the blanket around her and both his hands planted firmly on her shoulders.
“ So is this the new Aria I am going to have to get used to? I guess it could be kinda attractive to always see you this ‘sensitive’. “ Garrett tried to playfully tease, not wanting to upset her any further or anger her. Just at least put a smile or something on her face to break the tension within the room.

[Deleted]

His face was blank; she couldn’t read anything in that blue eye of his. There was a fear of course, in the not knowing. But whatever the consequences might be; Garrett had every right to know of there little one and its passing…and what she had done. There was no disgust on his face; no anger, no anything. His facial expressions betrayed nothing as he bent down and picked up the blanket she had made for him, and at last spoke. A small weight was lifted off her shoulders; he wasn’t mad, or going to push her away….and he wasn’t freaked out enough to run…His reaction was an understandable one. She rather him feel distant then share in the pain she was feeling because of the loss. When his hands braced her shoulders she placed her hand over his.

”Your all I need Garrett; just you. What you’re doing now is more then I hoped for….but I understand why; I’ve had the time in Palico to process. I was horrified at first… I don’t know how to be a mother…and all the complications. I was terrified. I was afraid of how you’d react…what it would cause. But the moment I heard that little heart beat”

The moment her eyes started to well up again she clamed up. Fighting back the tears; it was a few moments before she could talk again.

”I had time to process; I understand that little life would have caused significant complications. But..”

Not even born and she would have sacrificed everything for that little one; really it wasn’t until then she understood her father’s motivations the night of her mother’s death. It made her miss him all the more. Aria blinked when Garrett said he could possibly find this version of her attractive…she just blankly stared at him. Her expression slowly turning to that of a horrified one.

”I should hope not! To be a blubbering mess like this at a drop of a hat all the time; I’d want to get away from me not get use to it!”

Really she was ashamed with how easily she fell apart right now; it had been hard enough keeping herself together for the past week. She was hoping to not break down as bad as she had, but it seemed all that she had suppressed just bubbled up.

”One more thing, before we change the subject that I think you should know….our little ones grave is at my cottage in the forever forest. I cremated the remains and from the ashes I grew a small tree. I did not think it safe to give it a normal burial.”

Aria never forgot, the child was indeed a Noru. She had stated before some messed up things could be done with a Noru body. She didn’t know if that applied to a fetus not developed, but she would not risk there little ones grave being desecrated if it was ever to be found out. Growing the tree however; well, she could not save its life, but in this way she could give it a new one…at least symbolically. Aria let out a sigh.

”Why is it whenever we have alone time I have to drop big emotional bombs….”

[Garrett Blade]

There it was! The flicker of the candle of hope that had captivated him in the darkness of what was his eternal hell. Her words comforting and filled with kindness even though she was the one in pain. Though in that instant as she ended her words, the flicker began to die out and vanish before his eyes again. No! Why? How? His mind raced in silence as she spoke of her own personal hell. The words coming from her lips defaults of a automatic response… Ones he had heard before in his life time.

Garrett remained silent. Her eyes becoming pools of water again as she began to clam up. His gaze fixed down upon her as she began to regain her composure to speak again. His lips pressed as if he was going to speak, but thankfully in the nick of time the light came back in her eyes. The area under her eyes red and swollen from crying, but the panicked horrified face was adorable. He couldn’t help but break his seriousness for a chuckle.

“ Oh come now. It’s a side of you I never get to see. “ Garrett chuckled, poking fun at her once more in a teasing manner. He could see her shame and he could only give the poor girl a simple smile. “ You would of been a wonderful mother… You raised dragons for the divine sakes woman. Did you forget that so easily? Aria, I might be a guard here, but deep down you know where my roots lie when we first met… Have you forgotten my love, that you are my rare gem that no matter how much I tried to ignore, you kept calling out to me. I would never think of you any differently.” Garrett’s words were honest, as he lifted his hand and lightly caressed her face.

He listened as she spoke once more once again giving the information that seemed to both stab at his heart but yet he gave no response to. Ignoring her remark about her always dropping big emotional bombs. Which were true, but he felt best not to make that obvious and make her feel worse. This was her birthday party after all. Not a place of mourning and he wanted it to keep it as such. So with a deep breath he forced back his own emotions on the subject. Only to smirk and looked down at her height as he suddenly lifted his hands, quickly wrapping the blanket around them both and he pulled her close into him. With this he slowly began to drag her over to where the fire place was and scooped her up in his arms. the blanket hung over his shoulders as he plopped down in front the warm fire and held her within his lap. Taking the blanket and wrapping them both in it with a stoic expression.

“ No more tears now… Enjoy your birthday, perhaps even play me a song with that flute I got you. “ Garrett smiled.

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Aria stuck her tongue out at him as he teased her. She looked up at him with a raised eyebrow as he claimed that she’d be a wonderful mother. She was warmed by his words; it did mean something to her that he thought she’d be a good mother….even if she still doubted it herself.

”Dragons are different they have teeth and claws and if they misbehave you can give them a good boot….. Babies are all soft and squishy with little nubby fingers.”

She wiggled her fingers for emphasis, really dragons were easy compared to infants. She let out a sigh; really with how defenseless children were it was a wonder that she made it. No wonder her father went off the deep end. Aria turned her gaze back up to Garrett; and blinked, he had tried to ignore her? Thinking back; she figured that’s just how he normally was…antisocial lovable Garrett. Though now that she knew he was her Mine, she suppose he did try to distance himself as much as possible from her. Though it had been wonderful fun tracking him down. Her eyes softened and her heart warmed as he finished with confessing that his view of her would not change. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, she so very much loved this man.

Aria allowed herself to be pulled over to the fire place; and then swept off her feet. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders; giving him a light peck on the cheek before nesting her head in the crook of his neck. His scent calming her along with being nestled in his lap. Despite the circumstances, right here, in his arms was where she was happiest. She looked up when he told her to enjoy her birthday and possibly play him a song.

”Only if you sing me one; but first….as much as I’d hate to move I think we should eat the dinner you prepared before it gets cold again….and Mine; thank you. This birthday thing does mean a lot and I do love my present. I missed you while I was stuck in Palico.”

[Garrett Blade]

“ Dragons are no different than children once they get to a certain age… You were almost as fierce as a dragon when you were a little girl; You just don’t remember sense you’ve grown up so much… The royal life does that to you, little bird. ” Garrett smirked, rolling his eye at her stuck out tongue. His smirk remaining the entire time even when she pecked him on the cheek and curled up within his lap. The room rather quiet with the crackling of the fire being the only sound. They both sat in front of the fire, Garrett remained silent and rested his chin on top of Aria’s head. His heart beating in a calmed manner as her presence seemed to intoxicate him to be still. Her head nuzzled up against his collar bone and crook of his neck, lulling him into a trance, pulling her closer to him as he stared into the flames. For once he seemed Content was and he almost completely forgot about the food still sitting on the table.

It was when Aria spoke again did he snap out of his trance; His gaze lowering to meet Aria’s as she spoke up to him, breaking the silence of the room. Garrett’s one eye blinking rapidly while he looked down at her. He looked almost looked caught off guard or confused and some what embarrassed. He hadn’t sang in Yeaaaaars, in fact he firmly believed he couldn’t sing anymore. A lump formed in his throat, but he managed to smile and laugh.

“ Perhaps, how about we strike a deal? You play and I will sing along with you. I don’t like singing without a tune after all.” Garrett chuckled, looking back at the food on the table. His arms moving to place Aria on the bear carpet they were sitting on. He stood up and placed the blanket back around her shoulders before going over to the table to fill up two plates. He filled two challis with freshly squeezed berries and grape juice that he had bought at the market. Nothing like the juices and wines at the palace, but it was a type of beverage that he had some faith in to taste like a sweet cider and would please Aria’s taste for sweet things.

He carried the plates of food and drinks in his hands, placing her plate and drink in front of her while carefully setting his plate of food down. Before even taking his seat, he returned to the table and picked up the cake and two clothes. He carried them over and sat the cake and clothes down in front of Aria, just behind her plate of food. This time taking his seat down beside her as he stuck two forks within the cake and then crossed his legs and picked up his plate of food.

“ I missed you too Aria… An I am happy to know you like my gift, yours I will cherish always. “ Garrett smiled, taking a bite of the food he prepared, a little chilled now, but still perfect flavor. A satisfying expression formed on his features as he chewed the roast he had prepared.

“ What all did you do while you were in Palico? They didn’t mistreat you over there did they? “ Garrett asked, rather curious to hear what Palico was like during her time there. He felt bad that he couldn’t of gone with her, but he was concerned what it was like during her stay there with the other Palico Royals. Not really happy with the choice of her new title as duchess, but there was nothing he could do about it. He was more concerned about how she was treated during her time there sense he had just found out the big news she had kept from him.