The Author's POV

'…I should probably take my leave.'

As Edward and Natasha stood by the door in silence, I took this moment to finally enter my house.

Didn't want to get in between the reunion of the two.

As I stepped into the house, my body unknowingly began to relax. It was the same old corridor, the same old smell, the familiar voices in the distance, everything was the same as it had been before.

A thin smile spread across my face as I took out my shoes and placed them on the shoe rack.

Afterward, my shoulders stiffened a bit, but I still gathered the courage to walk into the living room.

It was now or never.

...and, just as I managed to gather my courage, a familiar figure emerged from the kitchen and met my gaze.

"Did something happen to Natasha? It's taking her—"

Both of our feet came to a stop as we stared at each other. At that moment, silence enveloped the corridors of the house as neither one of us spoke.

'She looks the same as always...'

As she wore a nice blue apron, my mother looked exactly as she did half a year ago with her blonde hair falling to the right side of her shoulders that perfectly complimented her blue eyes.

Her deep blue eyes, which bore a striking resemblance to mine, scrutinized my body carefully as a variety of emotions flashed across them.

I could definitely feel hints of anger coming from her, but above all else, I could feel the relief in them as she looked at me.

Breaking the uncomfortable silence, I waved my hand in the air and smiled awkwardly.

"I..it's been a while mom. How have you been?"

"…"

As she stared at me, I was only met with deep silence.

After a while, wiping her hands on her apron, she subtly nodded her head.

"You're back…"

Her voice sounded rather monotonous. I inwardly groaned when I heard the tone of her voice.

With her head raised, she nudged me.

"…What happened to your hair? Did you dye it? A new style?"

"Ehm…"

I started to scratch the back of my head.

'How should I explain this…'

I definitely couldn't tell her that this was a result of my body suffering a trauma due to accessing a power that was far above mine…

"Circumstances happened…"

In the end that was all that I could mutter. Although I could've lied about my circumstances, I decided against it and just decided to be vague.

My mother was a living lie detector. There was no point in lying.

"…Okay."

In the same apathetic manner as before, she turned to the kitchen. Before entering the kitchen, I was able to hear her last words.

"Go and take a shower. Dinner will be ready in half an hour."

Staring at her disappearing back, I raised my armpits and smelled them.

"Ugh…"

My head recoiled back as I thought.

'I really do stink.'

"Haa..."

Letting out an exhausted sigh, I proceeded to head for my room. But just before I did so, I stopped by in the living room to greet my father and Nola.

After turning right in the living room, I noticed the two sitting together on the sofa.

As Nola scooted close to dad, she pointed at the screen of the tablet he was holding. Her eyes were filled with curiosity.

"Why did he jump the fence?"

it is quicker this

"But isn't that naughty?"

"Very naughty."

to their conversations, I couldn't

of you

that moment, both heads snapped in my direction, and we looked each other

as she jumped out of the sofa with an excited

"Broth—!"

excitement on her face disappeared and she sat back on the sofa with her arms

"Hmph."

turned her head and

"W…what?"

shocked as I felt something pierce my heart. Moving

"Nola? Nola?"

"Hmph!"

repeatedly turn her head and avoid making

of her reaction made me once again feel a piercing pain run

Nola, it's me. Your big brother. I know

"Hmph."

do this

around Nola in an attempt to meet her gaze,

leave her

"...Okay."

end, worried that she might twist

damage was already done as I gazed at

"This is on you."

me as he shook his head. Raising his head, he patted me

good that your back, but you best listen to

"…Alright."

For a brief moment of

"Hmph!"

"Ah…"

loves me

bathroom to take a shower. Before that, I took a spare change

Clank—

the door behind me, I ended

never doing

***

his wife had died

Fifteen years.

human, fifteen years was a frighteningly long time despite the

to terms

But…

staring into Natasha's eyes, Edward finally realized that she wasn't

alive, and

down her cheeks, a smile soon formed on

same as the

She truly did…

crystal clear eyes, and a look that would leave anyone speechless, she would be

same as in

hit by a

he

that those days

what the future held

would've tried his best to stop whatever was going to happen. Alas, he knew that this

"Y..you too."

head, tears started streaming

"Yo..u also haven't changed."

"You think so?"

his clothes, Edward embarrassingly scratched

be here.

her eyes, Natasha's eyes fell

are fine as

hand trembled

forgot to button this one

They just felt it was natural. It was as if this were the way things

"Done."

she was done, Natasha took a step

"You look much better."

at her for a couple of seconds, Edward realized they were in

a moment, Natasha looked behind her. Wiping her eyes, she looked

as we still have some time before Amanda arrives, why don't I show you what your

name was mentioned, Edward's face changed and

"…It's all my fault."

"It's alright."

his cheek with her hand,

to my room for a couple of