Morning light slowly crept into the empty house through the small window, casting pale golden streaks across the wooden floor. Inside the quiet room, Alex stirred.
His eyelids fluttered open little by little, his vision still hazy as he stared at the rough, unfinished ceiling above him. There was no chandelier, no decorations just bare wooden beams, silent and still. For a mont, he simply lay there, listening to the faint sounds of the world waking up outside.
Then he turned his head.
Astrid was lying beside him, fast asleep.
Her chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm, exhaustion clearly written into her posture. They had slept directly on the floor, using only their cloaks as makeshift bedding. The house was completely unfurnished no bed, no table, no chairs. After all, they had only just purchased it.
Alex pushed himself up into a sitting position and rolled his shoulders, stretching his arms high above his head. His back cracked softly.
"Uuugh…" he groaned, rubbing his neck. "Sleeping on the floor really makes your whole body ache."
He glanced down again at Astrid.
Her blonde hair was sprawled ssily across the floor, a few strands falling over her forehead and cheeks. Even in sleep, her expression was gentle soft, relaxed, almost innocent. The sharpness she usually carried, the hardened edge shaped by her past, was nowhere to be seen. Right now, she simply looked… adorable.
Alex's expression softened.
"…You really shouldn't be sleeping like this."
Careful not to make any noise, he reached into his inventory system. A folded blanket appeared in his hands. He slowly leaned closer and gently draped it over Astrid, adjusting it so it covered her shoulders and torso properly. His movents were light and deliberate, as if afraid even the smallest sound might wake her.
She shifted slightly but didn't wake up.
Good.
Alex straightened up and let out a quiet breath of relief. Their journey before this constant travel, danger, tension had been exhausting beyond words. She deserved proper rest.
He turned away and walked toward the door.
As soon as he opened it, warm sunlight spilled inside, flooding the dark interior. The brightness made him squint slightly as the morning air rushed in, cool and clean. It carried the faint scent of earth, wood, and distant smoke from cooking fires.
Alex stepped outside.
He closed his eyes for a mont, letting the sunlight brush against his face and the breeze fill his lungs. It felt refreshing almost cleansing.
"…If only every day could be like this," he murmured softly, exhaling as if releasing a weight he had carried for far too long.
Not far from the house, a large stone rested beside the path. Alex walked over and sat down, resting his elbows on his knees as he took in the scene around him.
The town was already awake.
rchants were opening their stalls, the sound of wooden shutters creaking in the morning air. A blacksmith's hamr rang faintly in the distance. Several townsfolk walked past with baskets and tools in hand, preparing for another long day of work.
"Morning," one of them greeted.
"Morning," Alex replied with a nod.
Another waved at him. Alex returned the gesture with a small smile.
As he watched them go about their routines, a quiet laugh escaped his lips.
(Haha… I used to be just like them working myself to the bone, a job that I hate from morning until late at night in my previous life.)
His gaze drifted to the clear sky above.
(But now… I feel free.)
The thought alone made his chest feel lighter.
Alex leaned back slightly, letting the sun warm his skin, and smiled broadly an unguarded, genuine smile that spoke of peace, even if only for this brief mont.
Not long after, the wooden door behind him creaked open.
Astrid stepped outside, squinting against the sunlight. She rubbed one eye with the back of her hand and stretched her arms lazily above her head, her body swaying slightly as she let out a long, unrestrained yawn.
"Hoooaam…"
Her hair was still a complete ss, blonde strands sticking out in every direction, giving her an unusually soft and unguarded look. She blinked a few tis, then slowly scanned the area left, then right before her gaze finally landed on Alex.
"Ah… there you are," she said, her voice still thick with sleep. "So this is where you ran off to."
She walked over with unhurried steps and dropped down beside him without ceremony. Almost imdiately, she leaned her head against his shoulder, her weight pressing comfortably against him as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"I was looking for you everywhere inside," she murmured, eyes half-closed again. "Turns out you were hiding out here."
Alex chuckled softly.
"I wasn't hiding. I just wanted so fresh air and to enjoy the morning, that's all."
Astrid humd in response.
Then without warning she tilted her head slightly and gently bit his earlobe.
Alex stiffened.
"H-hey! That tickles!"
Astrid pulled back just enough to look at his reaction, her lips curling into a playful grin. A soft giggle escaped her.
"Hehehe."
Before he could react, she did it again. Then again, each ti just brief enough to tease.
Alex shot her a sideways glance.
"…You're enjoying this way too much."
At so point, he sighed dramatically and issued a warning.
"Hey, stop it or you're going to face my retaliation."
Astrid leaned back, folding her arms with a rebellious tilt of her chin, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Oh? And what if I don't?"
Alex's lips slowly curved into a dangerous grin.
"Ohhh… so you're not scared?"
The next second, he lunged.
"W-wait !"
His fingers dug into her sides, and Astrid imdiately burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"Alex stop! Hahahaha ! That's not fair!"
She squird, trying to twist away, her laughter breaking into gasps as tears ford at the corners of her eyes. Alex laughed along with her, clearly enjoying himself far too much.
"Well, you wouldn't stop teasing ," he said smugly, "so consider this your punishnt!"
He kept tickling her until Astrid finally managed to grab both of his wrists and pull them apart with surprising strength. The sudden motion dragged Alex forward, their bodies closing the distance between them.
Too close.
They froze.
Alex's face was now only an inch away from hers. He could feel her warm breath, sll the faint scent of her hair, see the way her laughter slowly faded into a soft smile.
"Hahaha…" Astrid exhaled, her voice low and gentle now. "Alright… enough with the tickling, darling."
Her grip loosened slightly, but she didn't pull away.
Alex swallowed, then smiled back.
"Alright, alright… I'll stop."
For a mont, neither of them moved.
The world around them seed to quiet the distant sounds of the town fading into the background. Their faces drifted closer, slowly, instinctively
Then
"I wish I had parents like you."
A clear, innocent voice cut through the air.
Both of them jolted in shock.
Alex snapped his head toward the source, while Astrid imdiately turned her face away, her cheeks burning red with embarrassnt.
The mont was gone but the warmth lingered.
Both of them froze in shock. Alex imdiately turned his head toward the voice, while Astrid looked away, blushing in embarrassnt.
Alex turned toward the source of the voice, his earlier warmth still lingering but his expression instinctively hardened just a little.
He crossed his arms and looked down at the small figure in front of him.
"Hey, kid," he said, raising an eyebrow. "Don't you have sothing better to do than interrupting us?"
His tone wasn't harsh, but there was a faint edge of annoyance more embarrassnt than anger.
The little girl imdiately stiffened. She lowered her head slightly, clutching the hem of her worn clothes between her fingers. After a brief hesitation, she looked up again and forced a small, apologetic smile.
"I-I'm sorry, sir…" her voice was quiet, almost fragile. "I'm very hungry. Could I ask for so spare coins to buy food?"
The words hit Alex instantly.
(…This dialogue.)
His eyes widened just a fraction.
(This child… she's the one who can be adopted.)
To be certain, he crouched slightly so he wouldn't tower over her.
"What's your na, kid?"
The girl swallowed and answered carefully,
"My na is Lucia, mister."
That was enough.
Alex straightened up slowly. There was no longer any doubt this was the sa child he had seen countless tis begging in Whiterun. He glanced at Astrid. She hadn't said anything, but her gaze had softened, her lips pressed together in quiet sympathy.
Without another word, Alex reached into his pouch and took out ten gold coins. The tallic clink echoed softly as he placed them into Lucia's small, trembling hands.
"Here," he said gently. "It's not much, but…"
Lucia stared at the coins as if they weren't real. For a mont, she simply froze then her face lit up, eyes shining brighter than the gold itself.
"Th-thank you, mister!" she exclaid, bowing her head repeatedly. "You're truly generous! I'm sorry for disturbing your ti!"
She turned around, clutching the coins tightly against her chest as if afraid they might vanish. As she took a few steps away, her voice dropped into a soft whisper barely audible, yet painfully clear.
"With this money… I can eat today."
Astrid heard it.
Her fingers curled slightly.
"Hey, kid," Astrid called out, her voice firm but gentle. "Wait. Co here."
Lucia stopped mid-step.
Her shoulders tensed. Slowly almost fearfully she turned around and walked back toward them, her eyes darting nervously between Alex and Astrid.
"U-um… w-what is it, miss?" she asked, her voice shaking.
Alex and Astrid exchanged a quick glance.
Astrid crouched down to Lucia's eye level, her expression softening.
"Why are you so scared?" she asked gently. "Relax."
She then pointed her thumb toward Alex.
"He won't bite, you know."
Alex blinked.
"…Hey."
Astrid laughed lightly.
The tension eased just a little.
Lucia let out a shaky breath and lowered her guard.
"I-I'm sorry… I thought you were going to hit ."
The words froze the air.
Alex's brows furrowed deeply.
"…Why would you think that?" he asked.
Lucia answered without malice, without drama just simple honesty.
"Because… I've been beaten before. For begging."
Sothing cracked inside Alex's chest.
(I didn't know Lucia's background was darker than in the ga…)
Astrid clenched her jaw. Her expression wasn't angry it was frustrated. Powerless. As if she recognized sothing painfully familiar.
She stood up straight.
"Co here, child," she said firmly. "Listen to ."
Lucia hesitated, then stepped closer.
Astrid looked directly into her eyes, her voice low and serious.
"If you want to live, you must beco strong no matter what. Otherwise, you will die."
Alex's heart skipped.
"Astrid," he said worriedly. "She's just an ordinary girl. Why would you say sothing like that?"
Astrid turned toward him.
"You know my past," she replied calmly. "I survived because I was strong."
Alex fell silent.
He stepped closer and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"That's exactly why," he said softly. "Because you know how bitter and painful it is."
Astrid turned her face toward him.
Alex smiled a warm, sincere smile.
"I don't want anyone else to suffer the sa fate."
Astrid stared at him for a mont… then huffed quietly.
"…You're lucky you're cute."
Alex chuckled.
He then knelt in front of Lucia.
"Hey, kid. How about helping us tidy up our house? We just moved in, and it's still a ss. Plus, Astrid can teach you a thing or two."
Astrid smiled at Alex.
"That's not a bad idea."
Lucia's eyes sparkled.
"Will I get paid if I help you?"
Astrid nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course. Hehe. And you can use one of the rooms to rest."
Alex added with a shrug,
"We're rarely at ho anyway, so you can stay there."
Astrid's eyes glead with excitent.
"And I'll teach you how to use a sword so you can survive."
Alex grinned.
"And I'll teach you a few things too, when I have ti."
Lucia's smile trembled then broke. Tears stread down her cheeks as she tried to wipe them away.
"Hic… I-I don't know how to repay your kindness… hic…"
Alex and Astrid exchanged a glance, then smiled together warm, genuine, and deeply moved.
The morning sun shone brighter than before.
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