Work Text:
Atreus ran through the forest, his feet making soft thuds against the compressed snow as he hurriedly searched. He couldn’t see any anywhere, but father had told him to search here. He couldn’t let him down.
He couldn’t fail him.
He couldn’t fail her.
He hit every tree and yelled against his panting breaths. He needed a health stone, he needed one quick, maybe two if he had good luck. He ran to a nearby draugr hole, in hopes of at least one was there. But none were, the cold wind of the winter corroded his cheeks with a burning red as he stared, the draugr hole empty, not an enemy in sight. He wiped away freezing tears and continued, stopping a few feet from a draugr. He smiled, quickly securing an arrow in his bow and aiming. He took the shot. And missed in his haste. His smile fell as the draugr turned and snarled as it charged at him. But Kratos had taught him well, training him to have reflex’s fast enough to unsheathe his dagger and slice it at the draugr. Scarlet flashed across his vision as his blade cut through the draugr’s chest and it fell to the ground when Atreus dodged it's initial attack. It growled at him and weakly attempted to grab Atreus’ leg, but he stepped aside and grabbed its jagged bones, stabbing his dagger right where his father had taught him their most vital point was. It worked and the draugr crumbled, Atreus allowed a small smile of triumph to crawl across his face before he started digging around its corpse.
“Shit!” No health stone. He stood up and kicked the body, wiping his blade. He started to panic, looking around again but before he could hunt a new victim, he heard the familiar booming voice he had been dreading,
“Atreus!” A second's silence, “ATREUS!” Atreus ran back towards his home, stumbling on uneven ground and overgrown branches. He silently begged that his father would understand, that his mother would be fine. He finally reached his home after what felt like forever, Kratos stood at the door.
“Father, I killed a draugr, but he held no stone... I... I’m sor-”
Kratos held up his hand to silence the boy, “I found one”
“You’re not mad I couldn’t?”
“No... You do not control when fate tests you or rewards you. Come now”
Atreus followed Kratos inside, then to the corner of the room they had made comfortable for his mother. She lay in a bed with the fire on nearby, her wounds still seeping blood onto the outer covers of the bed despite the layers.
“I thought you said you found one?”
“It did not work... “
Atreus couldn’t believe it. He’d truly failed. Faye smiled weakly and reached a hand towards Atreus and he stepped towards her. She cupped his cheek with her hand, stroking her thumb to brush away a tear that rolled down it. Atreus held her wrist, holding back a floodgate of pain, all he could do was force out words against his dry throat.
“Please... Mum... Don’t..." Faye’s smile weakened at his words and Atreus looked to Kratos. Stoic, as always, but his eyes were now clouded with a glossy layer of grief. Kratos stepped forward, his footsteps heavy on the wooden floor as he reached Faye’s side. He placed his palm on her forehead, his fingers tangling with her hair and his thumb lightly stroking her forehead. Atreus watched her eyes track Kratos as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead after brushing stray hairs out the way with his thumb. He lingered, not wanting to let go but breaking the kiss after a minute. He softly pressed his forehead to hers and let out a shaky breath. Suddenly, the tranquil moment was broken by Atreus’ uncontrollable coughing. Kratos’ attention snapped to his son, and he let go of Faye. He placed his hand on Atreus’ back.
“It’s returned... Why so soon?” He said and looked between his wife and son. Faye’s eyes look full of concern, and she reached for Kratos, Atreus, anyone. Kratos rubbed Atreus’ back, “Go stand outside the door. Get some fresh air...” As Atreus left, he heard his father’s words, “It’s okay, Faye... I’ll take good care of him, don’t worry... Just... Relax... Be at peace.”
Atreus didn’t fully know why Kratos made him leave the room. The cold air barely steadied his coughs. But he could've sworn he heard faint sobs from inside. Ones too deep to be his mothers.
He sat outside the door and waited. And waited, his coughing eventually stopped. And he still waited. Until the door creaked and his father’s hand was on it. He kept his body and head behind the door, his voice ever so slightly hoarser.
“She... She’s passed... “
Atreus felt his heart crumble and all he wanted was his father’s comfort, but it was clear that was impossible from the moment Kratos left the room immediately after telling him.
Late at night, Kratos couldn’t sleep. He gently ruffled the sleeping Atreus’ hair and left the house. He walked for a while, no real path in mind. After almost an hour straight of walking, he sat on a tree stump to rest, his head in his hands. He chewed his bottom lip, fighting the sting in his eyes before he felt cold hands cup his face. His gaze shot up in half a second and his eyes widened as they locked on the familiar ones of his late wife. Her skin glowed heavenly, her eyes soft and her smile innocent. His breath caught in his throat, disbelief shrouding him as he stood, reaching for her hand gently. She smiled wider at him and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, squeezing his hand when she pulled away. He quickly scanned her, she looked perfectly healthy, despite the blotches of blood on her dress, other than that... Perfect. He pulled her a step closer and she spoke in a volume so quiet, it almost blended into the wind itself.
"Take care of Atreus, my love"
Kratos nodded unconsciously yet managed to force out words, "I don't want you to go."
"I must, darling, don't mourn me, remember the times we had"
Kratos shook his head, his voice more passionate, "I miss you already Faye! I can't do this without you... Please"
She stayed silent but looked at him with a concerned gaze. She leaned up and pressed her forehead to his,
"I'll always be with you, wherever you go"
He swallowed a sob and kissed her faintly, his eyes still shut when he broke away to say, "Please Faye don'-" His eyes opened. She was gone, his eyes glued to where her spirit had been, the sun now rising from the horizon in that direction. His shoulder slumped and he wiped his eyes as he started to walk back home.