“Oi!” A woman's voice pierced the loud city air. A younger Killian had been leaning against a street lamp talking to another man. Missing his beard and appearing a little less muscle defined than his later years, the man was still very much a looker. Both he and his friend were in casual clothes, and both held a jovial energy about them. The friend looked in the direction of the voice, gave a smile and elbowed Killian.

“Have fun, champ.” With a wave he moved into the crowded Limerick streets. Killian gave a sigh and then nervously turned in the direction of the voice. He gave a soft smile and kicked off the lamp, pushing his hands into his pockets as he did so. “Hi.”

The woman that approached was as stunning as she was odd. Her dark earthy brown hair was tied into a ponytail she had pulled to the side and draped down her left shoulder. In addition she also had evenly kept bangs that shielded the bulk of her forehead. Behind her cute oval glasses were a pair of striking green eyes that almost appeared to change to a striking gold when her glasses didn't shield them. Finally her pristine doll-like skin stood mostly covered by her multi layered concealing black dress. “Did I keep you waiting long?” Her voice was soft, like a cloud resting against the ear.

“Nope.” Killian bluntly replied. “Sife kept me company.”

She gave a small snicker. “At least he’s useful for something.”

“He’s not a bad guy.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” She winked. “So!” She jolted the conversation away. “What’s your master plan for today?”

Killian blinked into a laugh. “You know I suck at those.”

“Winging it like always?”

“Winging it like always.”

She smiled into a jovial roll of her eye before quickly interlocking her arm with his and pointing forward with her remaining free hand. “Then onward!”

“I’m not a horse!”

She was like a beacon of joy around him, and only him. She was always more stern and serious when in the presence of anyone else from their team, regardless of the setting. However, whenever he appeared she always cracked and showed a more childlike cheer that he found absolutely infectious. They were an odd duo, especially when factoring in how they met, but their chemistry was undeniable.

They spent most of their freetime together, and she had figured out a long time ago why he never planned any of it out, and felt the exact same way. The location or activity was meaningless. Nor did the reason for the meeting seem to elicit a change in demeanor. Be it a casual date in the city or a bloody death match like some of their missions, all they wanted to was to be around eachother. Whether it be silence or laughter, conversation or a disagreement; so long as they were close- they were happy.

So like many of their days off, the two find themselves interlocked and moving through the city they called home- devoid of a single care in the world as they silently and teasingly enjoyed the very thing that made their days worth living: each other.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Killian slipped and fell to the ground, jolting him awake. Pushing himself off the cliff's grass he scratched his head. Another good dream. He leaned back against the rock he placed there sometime after planting the tree that now stood strong at, and overlooking, the edge of the cliff. He sat there staring at the tree for a long while under the calm crisp breeze before placing his half empty wine bottle next to the empty ones and rising to his feet. Sauntering over to the tree he reached out and placed a hand on its trunk. The elements had done their number on it, but despite being weathered the memory remained. His forehead met the bark and his eyes closed.

He didn’t cry. He never did. Not because he didn’t want to, but because he couldn't. Their days together replayed nearly every waking moment of his life, and yet he pushed them aside. One day they would find eachother again, but not until he finished his final mission. Until then he would find himself here, every year, on this day to chase the fleeting memories of the only person who could be his other half.

With a creek the front door opened and allowed a gust of fresh air into the silent and pitch black house. Since Kieren had departed for the Scar the home no longer had a stable resident. The Warden’s request had him traveling all over the Isle, and he seldom now found himself home. Thankfully, Maloney was kind enough to check on the place and make sure it was kept pest free and repaired from the odd storm. He was always a reliable friend.

He tossed some logs into the fireplace and lit them. With a thud Killian fell to the floor and looked to the ceiling. The flame crackled and he sat motionless while his mind quietly pondered how his son might be doing. Should he have prepared him more? “Nah… she’d have hated that.” He answered his own question.

“It’s not a lesson if you’re told the answer!” Her gleeful voice echoed through his mind. He raised and prepared his son the best he could, while always staying true to the foundation she set. And while he believed Kieren would be fine, he was still terrified by the prospect of him not coming home.

“There’s no need to be afraid. He’s half you, and more importantly, half me!”

“If he’s lucky he’ll take after you more.” Killian responded with a chuckle as he coddled the baby in his arms.

“I bet Aife’s happy he got your hair.” She snickered.

“At least he got your eyes.” He retorted with a side eye glare.

“Kind of, I think.” She took her glasses off to show the true golden aurora of colors that made up her true eyes. While squinting the baby turned to look at her, outstretching a single arm with a precious smile. “Time will tell.” She took his hand with a smile. “Are you sure about that name though?”

“Mhm.” Killian smiled. “I think it’s perfect.”

“Are you sure I can’t persuade you to go with something more… colorful?”

“Nope!”

She puffed her cheek in a pout and held out her arms, and Killian handed the baby back to her. “Sorry your dad’s so silly. But that’s okay!” Her lips parted into a wide pearly smile. “You’ll always have your super mom!” As the baby gave a quiet smile and drifted off in his moms arms she gave him a kiss on the forehead. “Hey.“ She said quietly to get Killian attention, and then looked up at him with a wide grin. “I love you.”

His eyes opened to the dancing lights of the fire. Stretching out his body he let out a calm and collected exhale. Tomorrow he’d be off for his next destination- his time here as fleeting as the memories that came to him. All he could do was prepare for the inevitable, and ensure Kieren would make it out in one piece. As he drifted off to another lonely slumber, he bid goodbye to this day the same way he did every year, and the only time he allowed an unstable shake to his voice.

“I miss you, Marie.”