i know you did a fic for Levin and Garroth so maybe some Malachi and Garroth interactions? ppl seem to forget that Garroth tried to parent Malachi as well
Hey so I legit love this? I love the father-son dynamic Garroth and Malachi could’ve had and I was really sad when I realized it was 15 years since those two last saw each other, like, Malachi had lost everything already, then he found it again and then lost it again? Hell yea OP, let’s do this!
Garroth looked at the boy on the bed, heart clenching as curly brown hair framed his face, looking very eriely like-
“What potions did he end up mixing?” Aphmau’s murmured voice drew the blonde away from the boy and downstairs, where she and Zoey were talking over some tea. “We know a sapling was one of the ingredients, but there were bottle fragments all over the floor...”
“One smelled as if it was a potion of weakness,” the elf pipped up, skin still a bit pale. “We’re lucky the city did not explode if the others were what I thought they were.”
“Does it matter now?” he asked, making them jump, causing slight amusement to fill him. “Malachi is living again and Levin is unharmed. This is a second chance for them to have a proper childhood as siblings.”
Zoey smiled and ducked her head, taking a sip of her tea. “You’re right,” she agreed before pouring two cups, one smaller than the other. “You were just up there, how is Malachi?”
“Still asleep,” he answered, taking the larger on gratefully. “Though he might wake up soon.” Aphmau brightened at this, and he could feel himself relax at her happy grin.
“Maybe some tea will help,” she offered, reaching over to take the cup, but Garroth shook his head.
“You’ve worried yourself sick over him,” he said. “Allow me.”
He watched as Aphmau carried a sleeping Levin down the stairs and turned to Malachi, who was rubbing his eyes. With a small huff of amusement, the Head Guard reached over and gently pulled out a couple of leaves and twigs from the boy’s curls, grinning as Malachi’s green eyes looked up at him almost thoughtfully.
“Can we do this again?” he murmured, leaning against the blonde.
“Do what again?” he asked, blue eyes carefully taking in the almost sad look on the 900 year old boy’s face.
“Act like we’re a family,” he mumbled, and Garroth blinked before frowning.
“Malachi, we don’t act like we’re family,” he said, making the boy hang his head. “We are family.” At those words, the boy was almost suddenly wide awake and his head shot up to look at him in awe and amazement.
“But... we’re not related...” he stuttered.
“You don’t have to be related to be family,” he explained, tone soft and gentle. “Being family means you care for them, ensure they’re fed and have a roof over their head. You know what they love and hate and their interests and hobbies. Being family is being there when they need you the most.”
“Being family... like you?” the innocent question made him flush and rub his neck. “You’re always making sure M... Lady Aphmau is safe and she’s happy... the same with Levin too.”
“And you,” he added, and the boy’s eyes watered.
“And me,” he whispered, as if he didn’t believe it, before throwing himself at Garroth, wrapping his arms around his neck in a hug as quiet tears landed on the adult’s neck. “Thank you for being my family...”
KC mentions once offhandedly that she misses baking w her sibs and now all her friends take turns baking w her whenever she's feeling homesick. Aaron n Melissa (when she's in town) both bake w her the most bc they know what it's like to miss being around family n enjoy KC's company