Chapter 272 - Sometimes, A Hug Is All You Need.

Mom poured the porridge into bowls. 

Most of our stuff were destroyed and were now in rubbles. Since it was night, we didn't have anyone to clean the stuff and rebuild. 

I couldn't wait to see the landlord's face. He'd probably flip and demand money for this, though I doubt that'd happen. 

Then again, I guess we could always rebuild. I was just glad everyone was okay. 

I felt terrible for the ones who died and their family though. But this was life, one day you were here, the next, you weren't. 

It was really hard to accept that, even now… but this was reality. 

I took a sip, I never really liked porridge but this wasn't bad. I still didn't like the food but seeing everyone smile and just eat, almost made me smile. 

The scent almost made me feel nostalgic. In the end, the days that went by were the best days, and the days yet to come were more and more...

But I couldn't forget about any of this- I couldn't just forget what they went through. I couldn't forget what everyone went through. 

We didn't talk much but the atmosphere wasn't that bad. Things moved slowly but steadily. I did tell them that I'd succeeded in bringing Marg back and that was good. 

Marg actually wanted to come here but the hotel room was probably better, so I asked her to stay here. She needed all the rest she could get. I didn't tell her the details of what happened here, but I had a feeling she knew. After all, even with the suppression from the army and the academy, the news still covered a lot on this. 

Though I guess I was just running away….

Apparently, Marcus and John were still looking for Marg even now, so I called them and told them I'd found her. They were happy that I'd found her but kind of upset that I hadn't told them sooner: they'd actually thought they found her and were about to call me. So, we kind of had a bit of a troublesome conversation. Though after they found out what happened here- they kind of ended up apologizing instead. 

Awkward.

And that reminded me- "Wait, what happened to that kid who was with us?"

I actually hadn't seen him in a while- or rather, I'd forgotten about him altogether. 

"Oh, he'd left a while ago. He didn't tell you anything?" The bunny maid looked at me with confusion. 

Neither Marg nor that brat had said anything. So much for thanking me for letting him stay. 

"Oh, that kid did want to thank you before leaving but since you two were sleeping I decided to not wake you-" mom paused. "And I might have forgotten to tell you about it the next day since, well, we were going to raid the Battlesuins and all." She chuckled nervously. 

I also smiled. 

This was awkward. 

Anyway- dinner was almost over and it was time for bed. 

I never got to introduce mom to the geezer, but that could wait till the next morning. 

Right now, they both needed some good quality rest. 

Besides, I had no idea where the geezer was in the first place.

So, I stood up and I was going to leave. "Goodnight, everyone."

The rest of them also got my cue and gradually proceeded to finish. 

"Helio-" Father paused. "Good job son." That was a long pause. Why the hell did have to pause for so damn long?

"Thanks, father."

"Umm…uh-" He seemed slightly nervous.

"What?"

"Would you mind calling me Daddy like Elsa?"

Wait-

What?

I got a lot of blank stares from around me and I also gave father a blank stare. 

A long pause.

this wasn't just awkward, this was beyond awkward!

'Well, say something, Helio....something...' Ahem! "Sure… dad."

I was fine with dad. Daddy? No, thanks.

I left. 

***

It had been a long time since I last slept with Elsa. 

Intentionally that was. 

Because she had a bad habit of always just crawling inside my blanket like it was her god-given right or something. 

Tonight, it was no exception. 

"You do realize, we have two blankets, right?"

And two beds for that matter. 

Our beds were basically just soft makeshift mattresses spread on the ground. At first, they were nice, now, not so much. 

"I'm aware."

"Then why are you in mine, again?"

"Too cold." 

She wasn't hugging me or anything, she was just next to me, like really next to me. Our bodies were touching but that was basically it. 

Well, I guess we were siblings anyway. So, I didn't complain and just tried to sleep. She didn't really bother me either. 

Besides, she was my sister. My little sister. 

It was really hard to fall asleep though.

The bedding was hard and the cold was quite something. The comfort of solid walls was gone and we were out in the open…

But the problem was the worries. One too many worries. 

'How the hell am I going to explain all this to Marg?'

***

The next morning, Grandma, Uncle, Auntie, John, and Marcus were by our tents. 

When I'd woken up, I heard some ruckus. As I gently opened the entrance to the tent, I found all of them arguing over something with mom and dad. 

Or rather grandma and mom arguing. 

"What's going on?" I yawned and came out of the tent. 

"Can you believe your mother!" Grandma yelled. "She refuses to go destroy them!"

Wait, what?

"We can't just go and destroy them? Did you forget the stories dad used to tell!?" Mom yelled back. "And do you even know just how strong just one of them are?"

"I know that! But we can just go over there and blow up their planet and-" And she went on.

If that was coming from Uncle Excruio, I'd have understood, I really would have. But Grandma?

Grandma!? Seriously?

Was this some sort of joke?

And go blow up a planet? Was she seriously, serious?

Judging by the intensity- 'Holy shit, she's serious.'

So that's where uncle got his stuff from….

"Is she okay?" I said, very carefully.

And this was first thing in the morning, too. 

"I too am, wondering that," Dad whispered. 

Mom and grandma were literally arguing while the rest of us were just on the sidelines, watching the whole thing. 

For once in my life, I actually felt like a spectator- one with the crowd. 

I received a message on my Holo. The Lieutenant and Marg were on their way. Before I could even attempt to reply back- they were already here. 

'Perfect timing.' I could almost facepalm myself. 

Shit.

"Our house-" Marg paused. She couldn't believe it.

I couldn't either, when I'd first seen the rubble. 

Marg and the Lieutenant had teleported just in front of where our front door used to be. 

"I thought the news was a little exaggerated." Lieutenant Demeris paused. "But now I think they must have simplified the situation a bit too much." It was hard to imagine he was out of the loop, so he was probably just faking it for Marg's sake. 

Marg frantically looked over at us, all of us: as in making sure all of us were here. But when she looked at me, her gaze froze. "Why didn't you tell me!?"

Mom and grandma stopped.

Silence. 

Well, someone say something!

Oh wait, it had to be me.

I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry." I went over to her. "You were weak and-" I stopped. "No, that's not it. I just didn't know how to tell you that and I didn't want you to worry- I'm sorry."

She was right in front of me. She'd teleported. 

Her eyes were shimmering and she looked at me as though she couldn't believe me. "Am I not trustworthy enough-" Her voice was low. 

I grabbed her. I didn't let go. "No, that's not it! I'm sorry, it's just- it was too much for me. I didn't know how to tell you."

Her gaze drifted. "But that's just…" She didn't finish. 

I grit my teeth, and stared straight at her eyes. I didn't let her look away. "It won't happen again!"

I thought she'd complain- no, I thought she'd-

And even if she did, it was justified. After all, this relationship was a two-way thing. Not something, it wasn't something I could just force on her, and she had to say yes, every time. That way, she wouldn't be my partner, rather, my slave. And when the thought crossed my mind, I really felt terrible. 

But she didn't. She just hugged me. "Dummy." She cried but silently. "I was so worried." And yet, I could feel her heart slightly calming down. Even just seconds ago, it was racing but now- she was relieved. 

'I'm such a moron.'

I didn't lie and offer my consolations and all that. There was no need for that. Instead, we just hugged. 

Sometimes, words weren't necessary. 

Sometimes, a hug was all you need.