“Can I go make sure dad’s okay?” Seren asked. They sat in the waiting area outside the doctor’s office. Waiting for the doctor to call them back and talk to them about the results they found.

“Sure that’s fine. Just don’t go off with anyone without telling me and do not leave this building under any circumstances, understand?”

“I understand,” Seren agreed and took off down the halls to find their dad’s room. They slid to the open door and straightened, their dad was sitting up.

“There you are,” He said, seeing Seren in the doorway. He held open his arms and Seren felt something shatter in their head. They ran and vaulted onto the bed and fell into his chest, knocking him back onto the headboard. Tears spilled from their eyes.

“You’re okay,” He said. “It’s all okay.”

“Doesn’t feel like it.” Seren said, muffled through the crying.

“I know,” Their dad sighed, “Hey, where’d you get off to? Were you behaving yourself?”

“Yeah, Mr. Asche came to get me.” Seren said, sniffling but unable to stop crying entirely. “We got lunch.”

“That’s nice, I take it he’s somewhere nearby?” Their dad asked, a slight hint of hope laced in his voice.

“Yeah, we saw the doctor and I had to get all my shots and they took my blood and asked me a bunch of questions and, and.” Seren whimpered miserably.

“Ah,” Their dad nodded but didn’t say anything else, Seren shifted and their dad flinched.

“Ow! What’s that in your pocket?” He asked, sitting them up.

“Oh… yeah.” Seren mumbled, stiffly pulling the box out of their pocket. “Mr. Asche gave it to me. Cause I’m his apprentice now.”

“Already?” Their dad asked, taking the box and looking inside. “Is that a pocketwatch… yeah I guess he did.”

“The watch thing is cus-tom-ary?” Seren sounded out the word.

“Customary, yeah.” their dad took the silver watch out of the box. “Though they aren’t normally this nice… especially not made of fae-silver.”

“That’s good, right?” Seren laid down idly next to their dad, listening to the chime of the watch.

“It certainly means he expects you to stay on for a very long time.” Their dad agreed. “Here stand up,” Seren rolled off the bed and stood up, their dad clipped the end of the chain to them and put the watch in their pocket. The chain proudly displayed on their torso.

“It suits you,” their dad said.

“Thanks,” Seren said. They brushed their hair over their shoulder to play with it shyly. “Are you all better now?”

“Well.. no, the doctor wants to monitor me a little longer to make sure everything’s okay.” Their dad said slowly. “You’ll probably stay with Mr. Asche for a few days.”

“Oh. Okay…” Seren said. Not hiding their disappointment.

“Chin up, Seren. We’ll be better than normal before you know it.” Their dad said, offering an encouraging smile.

“Serenity, oh good you’re awake.” Mr. Asche walked into the room, holding a large envelope. “How’re you feeling?”

“Better,” Seren’s dad shrugged.

“Good, Seren’s seen the doctor and is up to date on vaccinations, has had a physical, blood tests, and evaluated.” Mr. Asche updated their dad in the same tone as someone checking off household chores.

“Are those the results?” Their dad asked, his face filled with dread.

“Yes, though I imagine you already know what they say.”

Seren looked between the two adults, trying to figure out how they should feel.

“Did I do something wrong?” Seren asked, “Am I sick?”

“No,” Mr. Asche answered automatically.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

“That’s not true,” their dad snapped. Which led Mr. Asche to fix a very stern look at him.

“It’s not an illness. The doctor says they’re a healthy kid with a strong immune system.” He said severely.

“Then why am I sick?” Seren asked, becoming anxious.

“You aren’t.” Mr. Asche snapped so harshly, Seren fell into the seat behind them.

“Seren, go wait outside.” Their dad sat up as if he was capable of arguing with Mr. Asche. Seren didn’t move, looking between the two faces locked in a silent fight for dominance.

“Serenity, you sit right there, you have every right to be a part of this conversation.” Mr. Asche directed. Seren kicked their feet, feeling pulled in different directions.

“It’s a terminal illness! You have all the information, they have a much shorter lifespan!” Their dad hissed.

“That’s a load of horseshit.” Mr. Asche said with no room for argument. “Those studies are inconclusive and skewed. By that logic being born a man is a terminal illness.”

“They’ll never be able to live independently-” their dad’s argument was cut off by a scoff.

“Serenity is already living independently. A learning disability is not the same as never being able to care for themself. Which they can and do.” Mr. Asche shut their dad down.

“I don’t-”

“It’s very commonly genetic, you most likely have it too.” Mr. Asche said and the room went dead silent. Seren felt their heart trying to escape, tears filled their eyes and their throat swelled until they felt nauseous.

“This might be a bad time but I have to call the nurse,” said the voice from the other side of the curtain.

“It’s fine, Serenity. We’re leaving.” Mr. Asche said. Tossing the envelope onto their dad’s lap. “We need to get you fitted with new clothes.” Seren didn’t move at first. But the buzz of the room’s other occupant awoke them from their trance. They jumped up to their feet and stopped to look at their dad, still staring at the envelope with an unreadable look.

“I love you,” they said. “And I’m sorry I-”

“You have nothing to be sorry about.” Mr. Asche stopped them. “Only apologize for things that you are at fault for, there is nothing to be gained from apologizing for everything. Nothing aside from being taken advantage of. Now let’s go.” Seren waved but their dad was too far away to see them.

Seren reluctantly followed Mr. Asche, feeling conflicted about it.

“What did the doctor say that my dad doesn’t like?” Seren asked quietly.

“You’re autistic.” Mr. Asche said as if he were telling them they had dark hair.

“Oh,” Seren said. Though comprehending this felt like an uphill climb. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.” He said, “and that’s okay. You are no different now than you were yesterday.”

“Then why are you and dad acting differently?” Seren asked accusingly.

“I am not acting differently,” He said stiffly. Seren stared hard at the side of Mr. Asche’s face but when it didn’t change they looked back at the road ahead and tried to comprehend why a word made everyone react differently. Nothing changed. Doctors and nurses still hurried around the halls with their busy clipboards. Outside the snow still fell and still froze their nose when a rogue flake fell onto it. Streets still moved with the bustling last minute shoppers.

“Mr. Asche?” Seren asked as he led them down the street.

“Hm?”

“Is it kinda like being fae-touched?” Seren asked.

“What is?” He asked.

“Having autism?” They asked. It brought a thoughtful pause.

“Yeah, it’s like that.” He nodded. “You’ll spend your whole life pretending you aren’t. Hoping no one figures it out.” Seren sighed heavily looking up only when they were nudged into a building. Through the glass double doors Seren was instantly hit with the smell of leather. Like a shoe store but with a hastily slapped smell of lavender and mint overtop it. Inside, a large golden chandelier hung from the ceiling and illuminated a large open floor. A few racks of discounted clothes but mostly the open floor was filled with seating and tables. Dainty classical music danced from the ceiling.

“This place has windows on the ceiling,” Seren whispered in awe as they stared up.

“A sky-light.” Mr. Asche automatically corrected. He walked the two of them to the desk where two smartly dressed attendants were waiting and watching.

“Three sets. Black, charcoal, slate. Type 3c, 4b, and 7f.” Mr. Asche looked down at

Seren who stared up in confused awe. “Make it four sets, the last one a 15a.”

“Right, please have a seat and someone will call you when ready.” The attendant gestured to the seating area. “Please help yourself to the beverage bar.” Mr. Asche nodded and left to take a seat, Seren waved at the attendants who forced a weak smile at them. They walked to sit on the sofa next to the armchair Mr. Asche sat in.

“How do you hide it? Can everyone tell?” Seren asked.

“What are we talking about?”

“Being fae-touched and… all that.” Seren said hesitantly. Lowering their voice to avoid having to speak it’s name.

“To an extent you can hide it. Get some sunglasses for your eyes and yeah. We’ll grab some on the way out.” He said.

“Dad says I should always be unapologetically myself.” Seren said defiantly.

“Mhm, and do you believe that?”

Seren looked at the golden ornately woven rug. Tracing the lines, remembering how their dad reacted to the news.

“No…. I guess I don’t.” They said quietly. Looking up as Mr. Asche was called.

“You didn’t even have to tell them your name!” Seren whispered as they got to their feet. “Are they magic?”

“No. There is no real magic in this city. Just who you know and how you use your influence.” Mr. Asche said.