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Part one; year zero
~~~
Ever since she told him the news, his emotions had been a mix of joy and anxiety.
They were having a baby.
Of all people, he, Shinei Nouzen, was going to be a father.
He was happy, truly. But there was no small amount of fear. This was an entire person who would be completely reliant on him. Their care would be his responsibility. The person who they grew up to become would be up to him and his actions. That was an awful lot of pressure for someone who struggled just to care for himself most of the time.
Of course, he wasn’t alone. He had Lena. Even if he doubted himself, he could at least believe in her.
He worried about his emotional capacity as well; what if he didn’t have it in him to love their child the way they deserved? That was what scared him the most.
Shin tried to focus on the excitement over the fear. And besides, he had a pregnant wife to take care of. So he poured everything he had into that.
And now the day was upon them. They had been in the hospital for well over 24 hours with no sleep. During the war, he could have managed that easily— perhaps the peacetime made him soft. He was tired, but of course his exhaustion couldn’t compare to Lena’s.
A cry pierced the air, and the doctor declared that it was a girl. Shin’s attention was focused in that moment on his wife.
Never, not even during the worst of the war, had he seen such a feat of willpower and strength, Lena was truly remarkable. And so for a moment his focus was on ensuring his beloved was alright.
But now, she was in the trustworthy hands of her doctors. And the moment had arrived, the baby was in his arms at last.
The first thing he noticed was how small she was, and how soft her skin felt. She didn’t have much hair, but the small amount she did have was silver like Lena’s.
Her face was scrunched up in a cry when she was placed in his hands, but after a moment she calmed ( because of him? Was that possible?) And her eyes opened just enough for him to see their color.
Red— her eyes were red— just like his.
That was the moment everything became real.
This was his and Lena’s daughter . Not just “the baby” as she’d been called for the last nine months, she had a gender, she had silver hair like her mother, she had red eyes that looked like his.
She was his daughter.
His eyes blurred, but he barely noticed the tears trailing down his cheeks. All that existed was the tiny being in his arms.
Something in his mind clicked into place, like something that had been missing for a long time finally came back. He didn’t think too hard about it at that moment.
One thing was certain: The question of whether he had it in him to love her was answered.
“Go on, say hello!” One of the nurses encouraged him.
Swallowing hard, Shin brought the baby— no, his daughter, closer to his face.
“Hello… you’re so beautiful…”
That was the only word he could find, her colors, her tiny delicate form, her very existence was so beautiful that his tears wouldn’t stop flowing.
He could have stayed like that forever, just admiring his daughter in all her precious purity.
But he couldn’t be selfish, there was someone else, someone who sacrificed physically and mentally to bring this tiny miracle into the world. And she deserved to have this moment.
—
She was exhausted beyond anything she’d ever felt in her life.
But the exhaustion and pain were forgotten the moment her daughter was placed in her arms.
Such beautiful colors, a perfect symbol of a changed world.
Lena cradled the baby, tears falling freely.
“Oh… look at you, you pretty little thing. Oh she’s perfect, Shin!”
She turned her head to look at him and…
His hand covered his mouth, tears streaming down his face. Upon making eye contact with her, he lowered his hand, offering her a smile through his tears.
Shin leaned in, wrapping his arm around her and resting his cheek on her head. Gazing at their baby.
Lena kissed the newborn on her small forehead, whispering softly.
“Nice to finally meet you… Alice.”
Shin covered his mouth again, muffling a sob.
They’d picked a name for each gender in advance, so of course he knew but…
Hearing their daughter called by that name for the first time moved him.
Lena smiled, settling her daughter on her chest. Shin leaned into her, his tears still quietly soaking into her hair.
And so, a new chapter began for them.
~~~
Shin and Lena didn’t take visitors for a while, choosing to spend some time bonding with their new baby.
So it was a little over two months later that the four of them stood in front of the house for the first time in a while (except for occasional food drop offs.)
Anju knocked on the door, Raiden carrying a bag full of containers each holding a different pre-prepared meal.
The door opened, and Lena greeted them. She had dark circles under her eyes but a smile on her face.
“It’s nice to see you all again!”
Hugs and greetings were exchanged, Lena thanked them for the food they brought. They asked her how she was recovering and how the baby was.
Aside from clearly being tired, she seemed happy and well. Lena led them to the living room.
“Honey! They're here!” She called as they walked inside.
She went to the kitchen to put the food away as Shin came downstairs, with dark circles that matched his wife, but an equally matching smile on his face.
“Hey! Good to see you!”
He actually accepted the hugs they offered, and he held on for a bit longer than he normally would. He was clearly in high spirits.
“You look like hell. When’s the last time you slept?” Theo teased, Shin rolled his eyes, but chuckled.
“Gee, thanks, I’ll remember that when you have a baby.”
“Kid giving you trouble already?” Asked Raiden.
“Not at all, she’s perfect.” Said Shin, “it’s just the expected amount of sleep deprivation.” He chuckled again.
In spite of being tired, he hadn’t stopped smiling since he came down. Raiden had never seen him look like this.
“Well? Where’s the little one? Asked Anju.
“Yeah, that’s what we’re here for!” Said Kurena.
Shin led them upstairs to the nursery, and Lena joined them.
They hovered over the crib. The newborn was sound asleep.
“Aww, she’s sooo cute!” Cooed Kurena.
“And tiny! What color are her eyes?” Asked Theo.
“Red.” Said Shin, beaming with pride
He and Lena stood back watching them, arms around each other with proud smiles on their faces.
Yeah that’s definitely a new look. Good for you, man.
“She seems to be sleeping okay now.” Said Anju.
“Well yes, for now,” Lena replied, “we’re… still working on the sleeping schedule.”
As if on que, they both yawned.
“Well then, you two better hurry up.” Raiden said.
“Huh?” Shin tilted his head. Lena looked similarly confused.
“Go on, we’ll watch the munchkin. Go get some sleep.”
They blinked, then looked at each other, before turning back at Raiden.
“Are you sure? Do you know how to-?” Lena started, but Anju interrupted.
“We’ve all done our research, we’ll be fine.”
They glanced at each other again.
“Give us two hours. Thank you.” Said Shin.
“Let us know if you need anything!” Said Lena, bowing her head in gratitude.
They barely held back from running out of the room, off to get their first solid sleep in over two months.
“She’s sleeping already. Shouldn’t be too hard.” Said Theo with a shrug, glancing at the crib.
Only to see a pair of blood red eyes opening.
Just a moment later, her face twisted, and her cries filled the room.
~~~
Lena heard the cry while already half asleep.
“Should we…?”
“Mmng… they said they’d handle it…”
Shin pulled her closer, nuzzling his nose in her hair. Just seconds later, his breathing evened out as he fell fully asleep. Lena rested her head against his neck. He was right, they said they’d handle it. If they needed help they could ask.
She trusted them. They were reliable.
She joined him in sleep a moment later with that thought in mind.
~~~
Anju walked back upstairs from the kitchen with a freshly made bottle. On her way back to the nursery, she glanced in Shin and Lena’s room.
They were laying on top of the blankets, sound asleep wrapped up in each other’s arms.
Anju smiled.
Everything they were doing, no matter how chaotic it got, was worth it to finally let the new parents get their rest.
~~~
Lena woke up more rested than she’d been in a long time. Shin sat up beside her and stretched. The dark circles under his eyes were a little lighter now.
“We better go relieve them of duty.” Said Shin.
“Yes.” Lena agreed. Glancing at the clock, her eyes went wide.
“Oh no! We slept for four hours!!”
“What?! How?!”
“I don’t know, I guess we forgot to set an alarm.”
They quickly got up, pulling themselves together and rushing back to the nursery.
Alice was sleeping peacefully, and they found their friends in the living room downstairs.
“Well look at that! They live!” Raiden said as they came downstairs.
“Sleep well?” Asked Anju.
“I’m so sorry! We forgot to set an alarm and-”
Kurena cut Lena’s apology off.
“It’s fine, you were obviously tired.”
“And besides,” Theo added, “it wasn’t that hard once we figured it out.”
Shin and Lena thanked them again, and they left not long after that.
They sank into the couch with a collective sigh, enjoying the rare moment of quiet (knowing it would likely be short lived.)
And sure enough…
A moment later, Shin stiffened just before the now familiar cry came through the speaker of the baby monitor.
“She’s hungry.” He said.
“I’ll go feed her.”
“I’ll start heating up dinner.”
With that, they went off to fulfill their respective missions.
~~~
They ate in the living room, with Alice nearby in a play pen so they could see her.
It was a pleasant meal— the little one was surprisingly quiet.
Shin returned from the kitchen having put his plate away, bringing with him a second helping for Lena.
“Thank you, Shin.” She said as she took it.
“Of course.”
Just as he was about to sit down, Alice started fussing again.
Lena sighed, moving to set her plate back down, but Shin lifted his hand.
“I’ll take care of her— finish eating.”
“Thank you again, darling. I fed her not too long ago. Does she need to be changed?”
Shin tilted his head slightly in Alice’s direction.
“No, she just wants attention.”
He moved to stand over the play pen, gently scooping up the baby while making soft hushing sounds.
“It’s alright… papa’s right here…”
Lena smiled. It was a voice and tone he only used for his daughter. It warmed her heart.
Alice calmed once he picked her up. Shin settled on the couch again, cradling her in his arms.
Once again, he’d been correct about her needs.
About a month after she was born, their shared esper ability began to awaken. It was still very simplistic for now; he could perceive her needs on a deeper level than anyone else, even Lena. He also found projecting his own thoughts (mostly the feelings that went with them) to her had a sort of calming effect when she was fussy.
It was fascinating— Shin seemed very excited by it. Lena was a little jealous, but of course overjoyed for him.
After all, he hadn’t had a connection like this since he lost his family.
And now his face as he looked at their daughter was so full of love. His was an expression so distant from the cold, frozen over gaze of the Reaper who once roamed the battlefield.
Lena finished eating. She scooted closer, leaning her head on his shoulder, matching his loving gaze to their daughter with one of her own.
“I still can’t believe she’s real sometimes…” Shin said softly.
“Right? She’s so cute!”
Lena reached over and poked Alice’s tummy. She was a little too young to laugh, but she did smile up at them. Lena’s heart nearly melted on the spot.
“The ability didn’t start showing itself for a while, but… I felt something click when she was born. I think the connection was there from the beginning.”
He looked at Lena, his eyes shining.
“I remember this feeling. I can’t remember what their voices sounded like, but I remember how safe it made me feel. I… I hope I can make her feel that way.”
Lena hugged him.
“You already are— just look at her.”
Her eyes were closed now, and she was smiling. She looked… content, and peaceful, like she knew there was nowhere safer than right here.
Shin smiled too, leaning back into the couch, settling in to keep holding her for a while longer. Lena sank into his side, soaking up the warmth of their precious little family.
~~~
Part two; year five
~~~
As he did on so many nights before, Shin woke with a start. The feeling of his pulse pounding, of the sweat soaking through his shirt, of the exhaustion that came from sleep without rest wasn’t new to him.
But there was something different this time— a feeling stabbing into his consciousness.
Pure terror and panic, not unusual things to be paired with waking from a nightmare. Except that the feelings weren’t his. They came from somewhere else.
She had nightmares before, of course, but this fear was so intense it was on the verge of sending even Shin into a panic. Something was wrong.
He sat up, pushing the blanket aside and moving to slide his legs over the edge of the bed. Lena stirred at his movements.
“Mmm… something wrong?”
“Alice is having a nightmare. I’ve got it covered, go back to bed, love.”
She didn’t need to be told twice. As she fell back asleep, Shin made his way out of their bedroom and down the hallway to their daughter's room.
By way of her nightlight, he could see right away that she was in distress. Curled up on her side, gripping the blankets in her tiny fists, her body trembling and face twisted.
He could still feel her fear filling his head as he slowly approached.
His and Alice’s ability had developed so that not only could they speak telepathically to each other, but they could also sense and project emotions, especially stronger ones. And sometimes he could feel her emotions while she slept, if she was dreaming vividly enough.
He had worried about it going both ways, he sincerely hoped it didn’t, but…
Alice! Wake up, it's ok!
He filled that thought with as much calm as he could muster, with her panic bombarding his mind.
He touched her arm without shaking her, and kept repeating that thought.
Alice jolted, her eyes snapped open, wide with panic. The frantic emotional bombardment stopped.
Shin rubbed her arm soothingly.
“It’s alright.”
When she finally came awake and noticed him, her expression crumbled. She flung herself against his chest. Clinging to his shirt with all her might, Alice wept.
“P- papa!” she sobbed.
“Whoa now… easy… it’s alright. It was just a dream. It wasn’t real.”
He stroked her hair, filling her mind with calm. His other hand held her close to him, trying to make her feel as secure as possible.
When her sobs calmed down somewhat, he sat on the bed beside her. Alice climbed into his lap, her hand never let go of his shirt the entire time. She buried her face in his stomach, still shaking.
What could she have been dreaming about to get this scared?
“Easy, honey. What happened? What’s got you so worked up?”
She sniffed, clinging to him tightly.
“There were… voices. They were really loud… and they said scary things…”
Shin stiffened.
“There were these… robot monsters. They trampled everything… even… people.”
She started crying again. Shin wrapped his arms around her.
That dream… those memories, they weren’t hers. They were his— somehow, she’d picked it up from him. A wave of guilt washed over him, even if logically he knew it wasn’t necessarily his fault. Her ability was getting stronger, and he lacked experience to guide her in controlling it.
Tomorrow, he’d have to contact his relatives for help, but for tonight he’d focus on repairing the damage that was done.
He hugged her tightly.
“You’re okay, it’s all okay, those things won’t hurt you. It was just a dream, and even if they did show up, papa would protect you.”
He rubbed her back in soothing circles, rocking back and forth just slightly.
You’re safe. I promise.
A shuddery breath and she pulled away enough to look at him. Her eyes were puffy, nose red and her cheeks wet, her lips trembling, but her sobs had slowed down.
“Deep breaths, okay? Follow my lead.”
Inhale slowly, then exhale, one, twice, three times.
Her tears finally stopped completely, she looked up at him.
“You’re okay. It’s all okay.”
“Papa… do you have bad dreams?”
He smiled, a little sadly.
“I do.”
“I thought so. Some nights, I can feel that you're really scared.”
So his concern was confirmed, then. This was something he’d need to nip in the bud quickly.
“I’m sorry. That’s not something I ever wanted you to feel.”
“How do you… make yourself feel better?”
“Your mama helps me. Even if she doesn’t wake up, being with her makes me feel better.”
He cupped her face in his hands, wiping away any remaining tears with his thumbs.
“And as for you… you have me and mama, don’t hesitate to wake us up. I’ll chase away your nightmares.”
He rested his forehead against the top of her head. It wasn’t necessary for what he was about to do, but he hoped some theatrics would add to the effect.
Scary thoughts, bad memories, get away, you're not welcome. Leave my little girl alone.
He filled his mind with absolute calm, pouring that calm into the thoughts he sent her way. Along with the boundless love he had for her.
Papa loves you more than you know. I’ll keep you safe.
Alice hugged him.
“Thank you Papa, I think the scary thoughts are gone now.”
“Of course. I’ll chase them away a hundred times if I have to— just say the word.”
“I’ll chase yours away too!”
She stretched her arms upward, holding his face. A calming sort of warmth filled his head.
No bad thoughts, no bad dreams for me or my Papa!
Shin smiled, placing his hand on top of her head. Alice finally smiled back. She didn’t seem scared anymore.
She laid back down. Shin stayed with her for a bit longer, laying on his side with his cheek resting on his hand, his other hand resting on Alice’s stomach.
He kept the gentle trickle of warm thoughts flowing, hoping it would prevent further nightmares.
“Goodnight Papa… thank you…”
“Goodnight Alice. I’ll stand guard against the nightmares for a while longer.”
He kissed her head just as her eyes fell shut. He stayed a bit longer after she fell asleep, just in case she had another dream.
And well, because he liked seeing her sleeping peacefully. After a few minutes, he felt something from her, not the stab of terror he felt earlier, but a happy feeling.
Shin smiled.
That’s what happened when she was enjoying happy dreams.
~~~
Lena woke up to find Shin wasn’t next to her. She recalled, vaguely, him leaving in the middle of the night saying something about Alice, so she had a feeling she knew where he was.
Lena peaked into her daughter's room, and what she saw made her heart melt.
There was Alice, tucked in and smiling in her sleep. And beside her was Shin, one arm pillowing his head, and the other draped over Alice.
Lena smiled. His back and neck would probably hurt from sleeping like that, but… she couldn’t bring herself to wake them. So instead she covered him with a blanket, kissed both of them, and quietly left the room.
~~~
Part three; year twelve
~~~
Shin was exhausted. He slept poorly the night before, due to dreams of course. Not necessarily frightening, just… sad. It left a weight on his chest that he was all too well acquainted with.
On top of that, work had been busy all day, he had been on his feet nonstop and didn’t even break for lunch.
With aching feet, tired eyes and that familiar, lingering weight pressing down, Shin unlocked the front door of his home.
Before he even had a chance to shut the door behind him, three streaks of black, red and silver rushed him, clinging to his waist and each of his legs. And voices of three different pitches called out to him.
“Dad!”
“Daddy!”
“Papa!”
On his right leg, his youngest; Erich, jet black hair and silvery eyes.
On his left leg was the middle child; Rei, red hair, one silver and one red eye.
And around his waist was, of course, Alice.
“Whoa, now, at least let me get in the door before you attack!” Shin laughed, “What’s this all about?”
“No reason, we’re just happy to see you!” Said Alice, her brothers nodding along, beaming up at him.
Shin patted each of their heads in turn while shaking his own, still chuckling.
The knot in his chest loosened somewhat.
“Okay you three, at least let him close the door.” Lena said as she joined them in the entryway.
The kids moved back, allowing their father to fully enter the house.
Lena pecked his lips before moving to help him take his coat off.
”Welcome home, my love. How was work?”
“Busy, and you?”
She worked from home, and he knew her schedule for the day had been packed.
She smiled, a little tiredly.
“Busy. Order in tonight?”
”Sounds good to me.”
“Daddy daddy can we order from Aunt Anju’s restaurant tonight?” Rei asked, tugging excitedly on the edge of Shin's shirt.
“Sure. If everyone else is okay with that.”
“Papa! I made a craft in preschool today! Wanna see?”
“Did you, now? I’d love to.”
He let Erich lead him by the hand to the living room, Rei chattering excitedly on his other side, Lena and Alice talking about what to order for dinner behind him.
The lingering ache in his heart was still present, but… he was home.
~~~
The computer screen's dull display was difficult to focus on. He had a few last minute work things to take care of while dinner was on the way.
He’d changed into more comfortable clothes, a pair of glasses perched on his nose.
At the desk in his quiet bedroom, he found his mind a bit louder than he would’ve liked.
Thoughts about the dreams from the night before lingered still. They weren’t nightmares, they were memories. Bad ones and good ones, the good ones hurt more once he woke up, because the people in them were gone now.
He needed to head downstairs quickly, being alone always made this harder. But at the same time, he didn’t like having his family see him like this.
Shin turned off the computer. Taking off his glasses, he dragged his hand down his face with a sigh.
Just then, the door opened behind him.
“Dad, the food is almost here.”
“I’m coming.”
He stood up, turning to face his daughter, who moved further into the room. Her expression turned concerned.
“How are you feeling?”
“Hm? Did you “check” on me? I told you not to do that, Alice. I appreciate your concern, but there’s some things I don’t want you to feel.”
They gained more control of the Esper ability thanks to training from his relatives. They could only feel each other’s emotions when they concentrated now. And he preferred Alice didn’t, at least not without his express permission.
“I didn’t! I just… noticed.”
“Ah, and I’m guessing it was you who riled up your brothers?”
Alice nodded. Shin placed a hand on top of her head.
“Thank you, that did me a lot of good.”
“Are you having one of those days?”
“No, it’s not that bad. I just had a dream last night that made me a little sad. Or, okay maybe more than a little. But it’s not like the really bad days.”
Alice frowned, clearly unsatisfied with his answer.
“But you’re still not okay.” Not a question, a statement.
“My issues are mine to deal with, it’s not your job to fix them, kiddo.”
“But if there’s something I can do, then I want to do it.”
Before he could respond, she wrapped her arms around his waist, squeezing tightly.
I love you, Papa.
His breath caught, the thought filled his head with warmth, calm, and most of all love , precious and pure.
She even called him “papa,” something she hadn’t done in a long time, clearly to add to the effect of what she was trying to do.
And by god , did it work. The corners of his eyes burned.
Bad thoughts, sad memories, go away! Leave my papa alone! He worked really hard to get here, let him be happy! He deserves it!
Shin swiped at his eyes before placing his hands on Alice’s shoulders.
“Thank you, Alice. I think you scared them off.”
She gave him one last squeeze before letting go and stepping back. Looking up at his face, she asked.
“Do you… feel better now?”
“Why don’t you check?”
She closed her eyes, and then smiled. Her smile was precious. It looked a lot like her mother, but some of it… he could see himself.
Especially those eyes of hers.
“Good, that makes me happy!” She said with that same precious smile.
He kissed her head.
“Thank you, sweetheart, really. You’re a good kid.”
“It’s just the same thing you do for-“
Daddy! Alice! Dinner is here!
Shin and Alice jolted as Rei’s voice suddenly filled their minds.
He had also inherited the Esper ability, albeit without the empathy link. Erich seemed to have not inherited it at all, although Shin suspected he might have more strength and combat prowess from his Nouzen side when he was older.
Seeing the different ways his children expressed their bloodlines was fascinating, getting to witness it was a pleasure.
“Let’s head down.”
“Okay!”
She took his hand, and they headed down to join the rest of their family together.
~~~
Alice was in her room brushing her hair when Lena came in.
She hugged her daughter from behind, and their eyes met in the mirror of the vanity.
“I don’t know what you did, but thank you, Alice. He’s in much better spirits now.”
Alice leaned back into the hug with a smile.
“Just the same thing he’s been doing for me my whole life. Not that special.”
Lena pulled away, taking the brush and running it through her daughter's silvery, shoulder length hair.
“Oh but it is, to him there’s nothing more special. He had the esper ability but no one to share it with for so long. You have no idea how happy he was when he found out you had it.”
She started separating Alice’s hair into sections, preparing to braid it.
“No one to share it with” she’d said, probably not since his mother and brother died. Alice’s grandmother, and the uncle who her brother was named after. People she’d never get to meet, who they didn’t even have pictures of.
“Yeah… I kinda figured as much.”
“So, thank you, dear. Just having that connection with you means the world to him, so I’m sure whatever kind words you had for him made his day. Having you and your brothers here means everything to him… and to me.”
Alice turned around, and Lena wrapped her in another, tighter hug. Alice sank in. The hug was warm in the way only a mother’s arms could be.
Just as they pulled apart, Shin came in.
“I’m gonna start reading in a few minutes.”
It was their little evening ritual, gathering together to read before they went to bed.
“Okay, we’re coming.” Said Lena.
“What are you girls up to in here?”
Lena kissed his cheek.
“Oh nothing, just talking about how kind our daughter is, just like her papa.”
“Ah, I see. Well I don’t know about the last part, but she certainly is kind. She gets it from you more than me.”
They both looked at her, with warm eyes full of love, and gentle smiles.
She’d felt that gaze her whole life, she’d seen it directed at her brothers, too.
A look of love, a look of hard earned peace.
Maybe some kids would get annoyed, call it “mushy” or “sappy”, but not Alice. Because she knew, more than most, from the lessons at school, from the history books when the lessons didn’t tell her enough, from the glimpses she had of her father’s nightmares.
Before this peace Alice and her brothers enjoyed had been a broken, ruined world. Where in a place not so far away people had been deemed less than human because of their colors. Including her father, her aunts and uncles, and so many more. And escaping that hell was only the beginning of an even longer battle.
But somehow, her parents and their friends won, and they fixed it. It wasn’t easy, it left them both with damage that might not ever be fixed. But they did it, and now the next generation— Alice’s generation, could live in a kinder world.
They could be as sappy as they wanted. Alice didn’t mind.
She threw her arms around them.
“I get it from both of you, duh! Just like I got your colors. Now let’s go down before the boys get impatient!”
“Right.”
“Yes.”
They went back down. Shin sat in the middle of the couch, Lena on one side with Rei in her lap, Alice on the other, and Erich in Shin’s lap. Alice sank her head onto Shin’s shoulder as he read the first chapter of the new book they picked out.
Books were important to them. Alice and her dad loved to read, Shin ran a bookstore in the city, and had even written a few himself.
Alice dreamed of writing a book of her own one day. But that could wait until later. For now, she just wanted to be with her family.
Alice listened to the serene voice she’d been hearing all her life read to her. Her brothers were sitting quietly, they only sat that still for this. Her mother reached around and placed a hand on her head, just resting it there. Alice’s eyes wandered to her father’s face. He really did seem to be in better spirits now, she could tell even without her ability.
Shin noticed her looking and glanced down, two identical sets of blood red eyes met and he smiled at her. Alice smiled back.
This was home, this was safety, this was peace.
This was their kind little world.