Playmate

Alaric watched as Yuuta and Kurumi cleared the table, their movements graceful and practiced, accustomed to the routine. The warmth from the meal still lingered in the air, wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. As they finished washing the dishes, Alaric felt the atmosphere shift subtly, a kind of anticipation building in the silence.

"Hey, Mikasa," Yuuta said, drying his hands with a towel. "Your mom and I need to run some errands. We'll be back in a bit, okay? Do you think you can keep Alaric entertained until we return?"

"Of course!" Mikasa replied, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "We'll have so much fun!"

Alaric felt a flutter of apprehension at being left alone with Mikasa, unsure of what to expect. He had spent so much time in solitude that the thought of engaging with someone, especially someone so vibrant and alive, both thrilled and terrified him. But as he glanced at Mikasa, her eyes sparkling with excitement, he knew he couldn't back down.

Yuuta and Kurumi shared a brief look before nodding at each other, a silent understanding passing between them. "Alright, we'll be back soon," Kurumi said, giving Alaric a warm smile. "You two have fun."

As the door closed behind Yuuta and Kurumi, a heavy silence fell over the room. Alaric glanced at Mikasa, who was already bouncing on her feet, her energy palpable.

"So, what do you want to do?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. "We could play outside! There's so much space to run around!"

Alaric hesitated, the instinct to withdraw battling with a growing desire to connect. "Outside?" he echoed, glancing at the window. The sun hung high in the sky, its light casting playful shadows across the floor.

"Yeah! It'll be fun, I promise!" she urged, her excitement infectious. "We can play tag, or I can show you how to climb trees! I'm really good at it!"

"Climbing trees, huh?" Alaric mused, recalling the countless times he had watched from a distance as children played. The thought of joining in made his heart race. "Okay, I'm in. But just so you know, I might not be as good as you."

Mikasa grinned, her enthusiasm undeterred. "You'll be great! Just follow my lead!" She dashed toward the door, glancing back at him. "Come on!"

As they stepped outside, the world opened up before them—a sprawling expanse of green grass and wildflowers dancing in the gentle breeze. Alaric felt the warmth of the sun on his skin, a stark contrast to the cool shade of the forest where he had spent so much time alone.

Mikasa raced ahead, her laughter ringing through the air. "Catch me if you can!" she called over her shoulder, darting into the open field.

"Hey, wait up!" Alaric shouted, a grin breaking across his face as he took off after her.

The wind whipped through his hair as he sprinted, his heart pounding with exhilaration. It felt liberating, the way Mikasa moved with such joy and abandon, as if the world was a playground meant for them to explore.

He couldn't remember the last time he had run like this, free from the weight of his past. As he closed the distance between them, he realized that perhaps this wasn't so bad after all.

Mikasa glanced back, her smile radiant, and he felt a rush of warmth in his chest. "You're getting closer!" she teased, pushing herself to run faster. Alaric laughed, determination surging within him as he chased her, the thrill of the moment washing over him.

They played for what felt like hours—running, laughing, and exploring every inch of the yard. Mikasa showed him how to climb a tree, her small hands expertly grasping the rough bark as she pulled herself up with surprising agility. Alaric watched in awe, trying to imitate her movements, though his limbs felt clumsy compared to her fluidity.

"Just like that!" she encouraged, her voice ringing with excitement as she reached a sturdy branch and turned to face him. "You can do it!"

"Easier said than done," he chuckled, glancing up at her. "You make it look so easy."

Mikasa pouted playfully, her brows furrowing. "It is easy! You just have to believe in yourself! Come on, Alaric!"

"Alright, alright!" He took a deep breath, focusing on her words, summoning the determination that had kept him alive for so long. With a final push, he scrambled up the tree, laughter bubbling in his throat as he finally managed to join her on the branch.

"See? You did it!" Mikasa cheered, her eyes sparkling with pride.

"Yeah, I guess I did," Alaric replied, a smile tugging at his lips. They perched together on the branch, overlooking the yard, the world stretching out beneath them.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Mikasa asked, her voice soft as she took in the scenery. "I love being outside. It makes me feel free."

"Yeah," Alaric agreed, glancing at her profile. "It does feel nice. I spent a lot of time in the woods before… this."

Mikasa tilted her head, her expression curious. "What was it like? Was it scary?"

He hesitated, the shadows of his past creeping in. "Sometimes. There were dangers, but it was mostly quiet. I liked the solitude… at least, I thought I did." He paused, realizing how different it felt to share these thoughts with her. "But I didn't have anyone to play with. It was just me and my thoughts."

"That sounds lonely," Mikasa said softly, her voice tinged with understanding. "You don't have to be lonely anymore. You can play with me anytime you want!"

Alaric felt a warmth bloom in his chest. "Thanks, Mikasa. That means a lot."

As they sat in comfortable silence, the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting golden rays across the sky. It was a sight Alaric had never grown tired of—an endless canvas painted with hues of orange, pink, and purple.

"Look!" Mikasa pointed excitedly. "The sky is changing colors!"

"It's beautiful," Alaric said, captivated by the view. "I've always loved sunsets."

"Me too!" Mikasa replied, her eyes sparkling with delight. "They remind me that every day can end with something nice."

"Yeah," Alaric murmured, his thoughts drifting to the days that felt lost to him. "It's a nice thought."

As the last rays of light faded, Mikasa shifted on the branch, leaning closer to him. "I'm really glad you're here, Alaric. You're fun to play with, and I feel like I can talk to you about anything."

"I'm glad too," he admitted, the sincerity in his voice surprising even himself. "I haven't felt like this in a long time. It's nice to have someone to share things with."

Mikasa smiled, her cheeks slightly flushed in the fading light. "You're my first real friend! I want to tell you all my secrets, but I have to wait until you trust me more."

Alaric chuckled softly, touched by her earnestness. "I trust you, Mikasa. It's just… sometimes I find it hard to share everything. It's not that easy for me."

"Then we can take our time!" she said brightly. "I'll wait for you to be ready. And I promise to keep your secrets safe!"

"Thanks," he replied, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He had never expected to feel this way—like he was opening up to someone for the first time in years.

As the evening turned to night, they climbed down from the tree, their laughter echoing in the quiet yard. The stars began to twinkle overhead, a blanket of shimmering light that felt like magic.

"Let's make a wish on a star!" Mikasa suggested, tilting her head back to admire the sky.

"Okay," Alaric replied, closing his eyes for a moment. He thought of all the things he wanted—safety, friendship, maybe even a family. "I wish…" he whispered, "that I can stay here and be part of this family. Just a little longer."

Mikasa squeezed his hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "Me too! I wish for us to be friends forever!"

They stood side by side, sharing dreams beneath the vast expanse of stars, both unaware of the deeper bonds forming between them.

As they returned inside, fatigue began to settle over Alaric, the excitement of the day catching up to him. Mikasa yawned, her eyelids heavy as she glanced at him. "Are you tired?"

"Yeah," Alaric admitted, stifling a yawn of his own. "But I had a lot of fun today. Thank you for showing me how to enjoy it again."

Mikasa beamed, her smile bright in the dim light. "You can come back tomorrow, right? We can do more fun things!"

"Definitely," he promised, his heart lighter than it had been in ages. "I'd like that."