Staying Forever This Way
The door burst open behind Fei, and a person ran out, but she didn't even notice.
The mutant was shaking with her fists bound tightly at her sides.
Noticing a gaze directed at her, Fei finally looked up to meet a pair of lost gray eyes.
Then, like a frightened rabbit, the owner of those eyes turned tail and ran, completely disregarding her image as Madam Morgan and the daughter of General Rochester.
Fei turned back to the lounge entrance, where her master stood unmoving. She felt a mix of unknown emotions in her chest.
"M-Master…"
"Fei, honestly, you probably shouldn't have crossed my father… He's really scary." Carlos closed his eyes and sighed.
He opened them again and glanced at Fei, wondering why she hadn't replied yet.
His eyes widened at what he saw.
"F-Fei! W-Why do you look like that?!" The boy paused. "Uh—was it cuz of what Eyrie said? No! Those were lies. Don't feel sad, okay?" He waved his hands in the air in panic.
Oh no! I probably just made it worse…
As he thought of a way to make his bodyguard and friend feel better, suddenly, he spun around to looked at his other sister, who was watching the show in amusement.
"Sis Carol, go back to your room, or actually, go back to your college. I'll—uh, I'll tell you what I wanted to tell you next time. Kay?"
The young woman's head snapped up. "Lil' bro, what?! I spent so many hours to come here, and now, you're telling me to leave?!"
"Yes, I am!"
"Bro! Who gave you the guts to do that?"
"You did. Cuz I am your beloved younger brother."
"You…!"
Huffing and puffing in anger, Carol stomped off. She knew that this was a ploy to get her to leave, but she couldn't help but fall into the trap.
Have I doted on him too much?!
But on a more serious note, today's incident is very serious, the young woman thought to herself.
Father probably told Eyrie something about Feixin, and Eyrie was so agitated that she came to tell Carlos without thinking twice—that was all she could deduce from the vague details around her without knowing the exact situation.
What Eyrie said was probably very hurtful, so hurtful that it made a mutant that was normally detached about everything except things regarding her master become human-like.
It was my first time seeing Feixin so emotional; she looked like she was about to cry— now that would be a scene to see!
Though I doubt Carlos will be very happy.
Carol ran her fingers through her slick blond hair and sighed.
She looked at the decorations around the halls of the mansion that were put up for the new years celebration.
She had thought this year would pass uneventfully, just like how it did the past four years.
But it seemed like fate would not allow peace to commence for too long.
…
"Feiiiiii… Don't look so sad, okay?" The boy with shiny blond hair patted his bodyguard's shoulders.
"Even if Eyrie left you, you still have me!"
The mutant with different colored eyes nodded despondently.
"I will never, NEVER EVER, leave you, Fei. Because I will forever be your master. Eyrie just doesn't know what she's talking about."
Fei smiled faintly. "Yeah, I know, Master."
"So cheer up, okay?"
"Yes. It was unsightly of me to not be okay in front of my master."
Carlos pouted. "What is this 'unsightly' nonsense again?! I've told you again and again. You're my best friend, Fei. If you're unhappy, you've got to tell me. If someone bullies you, you've got to tell me. Even if it's my father or my sisters. Even if it's my other friends."
"Cuz they can never compare to you, who protected me when everyone else was against me. Even sis Carol, who claims every day that she loves me the most in the entire world, couldn't do it."
He grinned, showing his pearly white teeth. "So trust me, Fei. I'll also protect you, no matter what happens."
"Mhm." At this moment, Fei felt a bit distant. She was enveloped by a sudden warmth when she heard her master's words as if the sun had shined upon her.
What is this feeling?
"Fei, wanna hug?" Carlos asked, seeing that Fei looked like she still hadn't recovered from Eyrie's 'betrayal'. The mutant's eyes still looked a bit red, although she hadn't cried.
He hadn't gotten many hugs before, and when he did, none of them were true hugs, where both parties were sincerely enjoying it.
The last time he had been hugged had been when he was with Carol a few years back during his elementary school graduation. At the time, Carol had almost choked him to death, muttering about how her smol little brother was growing too fast and how she wanted to stunt his growth.
The young boy had been traumatized by that experience. But from what he heard; hugs were supposed to be a pleasant experience.
Knowing for a fact that Fei had never received a hug before, he thought it would be a good idea to hug her to make her feel better.
Surprised at her master's suggestion, Fei responded a beat slower. "Y-Yes!"
The two held out their arms at the same time.
Eh?
"Master, should I step into your arms?"
"Huh? Uh, n-no. I'll initiate the hug." Carlos' face looked as if a package of ketchup had splashed over it. How embarrassing!
I'll do it! I can do it! He encouraged himself as he walked towards Fei. It's just a hug! So why is it so awkward?!
The boy wrapped his arms around the mutant's waist and squeezed his eyes shut.
"No matter what anyone else says, you're my best friend. You aren't a monster; you aren't a servant either. You are just you," he whispered.
You don't have to address me as your master, but if that's what makes you stay by my side, then do as you like. Carlos let these words be left unspoken.
As time flew by, he felt less nervous and could truly enjoy the hug.
The hug was more comfortable than Fei thought it would be.
It was so warm and fragrant; if she were to describe it, it would be a sunny day in a field of flowers and plants, where she would be sitting beneath the clear blue sky, listening to the chirping of the birds, smelling the fragrance of nature, feeling the gentle breeze and the warmth of the sun beating down at her.
It was so beautiful…
… If they could stay this way forever... Wouldn't that be nice?
Ah… She was getting a little greedy.