Chapter Text
The home of Flora and Aster stood devoid of life. Tools of the kitchen neatly placed along the wall and in boxes on the floor. The stove swept clean of ash. Through the open door one would see the bed frame in the single bedroom collecting dust. The wardrobe emptied of the clothing it housed. A linen or two left in the closet for any who may stumble into this now abandoned home seeking shelter.
It had been a month now since the group had set off in the direction of the Underworld. Despite the light hearted nature of the knights and prince accompanying them. Aster found herself feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place.
The itch of adventure was waning and waxing with each new biome they traversed through. The different cities, towns, and kingdoms they stopped by. Versus the desire to stick to two people and only two people. Aster’s dear momma “Flora” and … “Des.”
On a side note; Aster had tried to call Desha “papa” one time during their travel and there was a strange air between everyone especially her mother and Desha. Though she was never scolded, she engrained that reaction to hold off on calling other people that love her momma, papa for later.
In truth it came out of nowhere with no warning what Aster was about to ask:
“Momma…. Des is papa?”
”Hm! Oh…uh- can you try these sweets and tell me which one is your favorite?” Flora exclaimed as she pulled out her emergency bribes. She bought a small pouch of gummy sugar drops from the last city as a means to give Aster the occasional distraction on their long journey. To think it needed to be used at this time for such a reason.
Desha turned his head to the side, looking away using his hand to cover his face, masking his expression. However his hand was unable to cover his red tipped ears. The other soldiers were thankfully helmeted and thus their reactions mostly masked but their bodies shook with restrained glee at the adorable nature of the innocent, yet devastating, question.
Peacefully Aster drifted off into a nap in Desha’s arms as they rode along the road.
Undoubtedly later that night Flora and Desha had an animated conversation after camp had been set up. Both sides flustered and awkward feeling both happy and nervous.
Thankfully their journey to the kingdom of the underworld will be completed soon.