Chapter 38: I Want To Spend Time With You
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"Why tomorrow? Maybe do it next week instead!" Elisa said softly, her voice carrying a gentle concern that made Riven pause.
"Ah, but Elisa—"
"Take it easy," Elisa whispered, leaning closer and giving him a light peck on the cheek. "Okay?"
"..."
Riven nodded slowly. "Shall I move the blankets a little?"
"Hm, now don’t go anywhere tonight, okay? Just... stay with me," Elisa said, her tone quiet but firm. "The kids know where to go and everything, so... just stay here with me, okay?"
"..."
Riven nodded again and rested by her side. At her quiet request he moved closer, allowing Elisa to rest her head comfortably on his shoulder. She slowly drifted off to sleep while holding onto him.
Her weak hand moved carefully toward his arm and held it tightly. She clearly did not want him to go anywhere tonight.
Just being here with her.
That alone meant everything to Riven.
As she fell deeper into sleep, Riven gently caressed her hair and the soft skin of her face. He whispered words he believed she could not hear. "I love you more than you can imagine..."
After that quiet confession he finally rested as well and drifted into sleep beside her.
Little did he know...
She had heard every single word. Her eyes widened in the dark while her entire face turned red like a ripe tomato.
"D-Did he just confess to me thinking I was already asleep?!" she gasped internally, her heart racing far too fast for someone who was supposed to be resting.
...
The next morning arrived quietly. Riven slowly woke up to the soft sound of little footsteps moving around outside the bedroom. He carefully sat up, gently moving Elisa’s hand from his arm so he would not wake her. Warm sunlight was already pouring in through the window, painting the room in soft golden light.
He walked out into the living room and found Carlos and Daniela sitting on the couch, watching morning cartoons while eating bowls of cereal. It looked like the two of them had already made themselves quite comfortable in the house.
"Well, look who is awake at this hour," Riven said with a small smile while crossing his arms. "Hey kids."
"Ah, R-Riven!" Daniela panicked slightly and nearly dropped her spoon. "S-Sorry, Carlos really wanted to watch his show... he loves the Super Robot Show."
"Super Robots are the coolest," Carlos said between bites of cereal, his eyes completely glued to the television screen.
"Hm?" Riven glanced at the TV and his eyes widened with sudden recognition.
On the screen, powerful and cool-looking giant robots were locked in battle against strange aliens from outer space.
"Ah, I used to watch this exact show when I was a kid. Is this a reboot? This is awesome, I had no idea they brought it back!" He quickly sat down on the couch, poured himself a bowl of cereal with milk, and began enjoying the show alongside the children as if he were one of them. "Wait, isn’t that General Trox? He looks a lot bigger now... and is he a tank this time?"
"He can turn into a spaceship too," Carlos explained proudly.
"No way..." Riven smiled widely, watching the action with genuine interest. "So these are the same aliens from the third season of the original? I guess the writers decided to make them the new main enemies. The Traxians... crystal-based lifeforms with psychic powers...! They were among the few races that could actually take on the Super Robots in a fair fight."
"Yeah!" Carlos nodded with a bright smile. "They’re really cool too!"
"General Seven has a son now?!" Riven continued eating cereal almost compulsively while staring at the screen. The television was currently playing a long marathon of about ten episodes in a row. "Huh, the kid is actually more useful than I expected. Usually these shows get ruined the moment they introduce the child of the main protagonist and try to force him into becoming the new lead."
"Yeah, I know right?" Carlos agreed enthusiastically. "But this time it’s different! Little Seven is smart and always helpful...!" He puffed out his chest a little. "I’m Little Seven...! And when I grow up I’m going to be just like General Seven."
"Heh, is that so?" Riven smiled warmly and patted the boy’s back.
Daniela watched the two of them bonding so easily over a simple television show. A soft smile spread across her face as she chuckled quietly. "Heheh... I’m really glad you’re getting along so well~"
A short while later Elisa finally woke up and called out from the bedroom. "What’s all that noise out there?!"
"Ah!" Riven immediately stood up and ran back to check on her. "S-Sorry, the kids were watching TV..."
"Without me?!" Elisa said in mock offense. "That’s not allowed in this house... let me join you— Wait, you’re eating all the cereal!" Riven carefully brought her into the living room in her wheelchair. "I guess we’ll have to buy some more later. How about we go grocery shopping today? Hm?"
"Sure!" Carlos nodded quickly.
"Okay!" Daniela agreed with a smile.
"Hm, what are we going to do about Carlos’s school though?" Riven wondered aloud. "Doesn’t he have classes today?"
"..." Carlos lowered his head, his earlier excitement fading. "I don’t like my school. It’s full of bullies... they always pick on me because I’m smart and get good grades..."
"Hah?!" Elisa’s expression immediately turned angry. "So they’re just a bunch of jealous losers! Alright then, we’ll find him a better school, okay? One that actually accepts and supports smart children. Hm? Are you up for the challenge, Carlos?"
"R-Really?!" Carlos gasped. He had been stuck in a rough public school that was considered one of the worst in the area. "I-I... yes! Sure! Yes!"
He was definitely a very intelligent child for his age, and he had been quietly dying for a chance to prove himself to the world. A proper school that actually appreciated his talents and surrounded him with like-minded children he could compete against sounded like a dream come true.
"Heheh, well, aren’t you happy?" Daniela teased him gently before leaning down and placing a quick kiss on his little forehead.
"No kisses! You’re going to give me the cooties!" Carlos complained angrily, though the way he said it only made him look even cuter.
Elisa and Riven exchanged a quiet look with each other. It seemed the boy had not yet grown out of that particular childhood phase.
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