The night was still, save for the distant hum of lanterns flickering in the streets. The Dark Sector was always bathed in twilight, its stars hanging like frozen fireflies above. Leo walked with hurried steps, his boots clicking against the stone pathway leading to Mrs. Nani's home.
He was late.
Almost an entire day late.
Leo exhaled sharply, running a hand through his messy brown hair. He wasn't supposed to be late. He had promised he'd pick Phoebe up this morning, and now, it was nearly midnight.
As he reached the door, he hesitated for just a second before knocking.
The door was opened by Mrs. Nani. Her hair was tied into a loose bun and she wore a simple, elegant robe that reflected her status as the wife of a well-off merchant.
Leo's hands immediately went together as he bowed his head deeply.
"I am so, so sorry, Mrs. Nani." There was genuine remorse in him. "I meant to come in the morning, but—" He drew in a shaky breath. "—there was trouble with territory, and… well, the Council of Civilians had to get involved."
Mrs. Nani let out a hum, crossing her arms. "Trouble with territory, huh?"
Leo let out a ragged breath and nodded, fully expecting a scolding.
Instead, she smiled and reached out to lift his head. "I understand, dear. The world isn't as peaceful as it should be. I just hope nothing happened to you." Two bandages were on his cheek, remnants of Leo's healing factor and the apothecary's work. "Oh no, was it bad?"
Leo touched the bandage. "Nothing serious, luckily. I'm not the type to get in fights."
"Good," Mrs. Nani said before stepping aside to let him in. "And don't worry about Phoebe. She's been an absolute delight."
Leo exhaled, his shoulders finally relaxing. That was all he needed to hear. All of a sudden, the tension in committing fraud to a top-academy and getting involved in the black markets went away.
"You have no idea how relieved I am," he muttered.
Mrs. Nani laughed softly. "Although, like you said, there was lots of tag."
"Of course there was."
Mrs. Nani motioned toward the hallway. "She's in Mananan's room. I'll be making some snacks for them."
"Thank you."
Leo smiled and stepped past her to get the bedroom at the end of the hall. From the moment he entered, he could hear her. Feel her. Phoebe was his daughter and he could hear and sense her breathing from a kilometer away. Comfort was brought to his shoulders. Phoebe's excited voice, Mananan's quiet giggles, and the scratch of crayons against paper…
The Skia, the Disner, and the Recreare temporarily was the outside world while this…this was home.
She was home.
Leo pushed the door open gently.
Phoebe and Mananan sat cross-legged on the floor, completely engrossed in their drawings. Crayons and scattered sheets of paper were everywhere. It was an oddly charming mess.
Phoebe, with her brown hair tied in her usual pigtails, was hunched over her latest masterpiece, her tongue slightly sticking out in concentration. The scowling Mananan with her soft silver curls and tan skin was doing the same beside her.
When he came in, Phoebe looked up and brightened. "Dad! Daddy!" She jumped right up and hugged him. He picked her up halfway, laughing, and put her down. "You're late!"
"I'm always late, aren't I?"
"Yep!" Phoebe grinned. "Me and Mananan made a bet."
"Oh? Who won?"
"Both of us! We knew you'd be late!"
"Darn. If you both won, then…" Leo reached out and from behind her ear, he brought out a silver coin. "Here you are."
"H-hey, woah." Mananan got up, shocked by the magic trick. Her scowl was gone. "Mister, how did you do that?"
"Heh, I can do it too." Phoebe turned to her best friend and tried the trick—except as she pulled the coin from behind her ear, it clattered to the floor. "C-crap!"
"Crap? Lady Phoebe, who taught you to say crap in front of me?"
Suddenly, both young girls froze and clattered with guilt.
"Sorry," Mananan murmured. "My dad says it all the time."
Leo clicked his tongue and wagged a finger. "That's no good. Those are adult words. If you're going to swear, use kiddie swear. Like, for example, carrot or shoot or mothertrucker. That sort of thing."
"Ooh, mothertrucker! Dad, you never told me about that one!" Phoebe exclaimed.
"What's a truck?" Mananan asked in a mumble.
"I made it up. Anyway, I see you girls have been working quite hard. Drawing professionally, yes?"
Phoebe immediately perked up, running to and fro to get her paper and show it off to him. "Yep, super professional!" She grinned. On the paper was a tall, elegant woman with a golden crown standing proudly in the center. Beside her were two other figures—one in a flowing dress mid-spin, and the other in what looked like tap-dancing shoes.
Phoebe's eyes sparkled.
"The Queen!" Phoebe declared proudly. "Oh! And beside her is Fabia the Dancer! And beside her is Trilia the Tap Dancer!"
"And I…drew my parents," Manaman said lamely.
"Good work, everyone. You two have real potential. Although, apologies Mananan, but I have a slight bias toward Phoebe."
Phoebe grinned. "Hehe!"
Leo's heart was finally at ease. He let the girls play for another half hour until Phoebe started yawning.
"Wanna go?" he asked after the fifth yawn.
"Nooo..." Phoebe yawned again. Leo laughed and picked her up. She was tired—the sleepover, all the running around, and all the excitement had worn her out.
"Thank you, Mananan," Leo whispered, giving a thumbs-up. Phoebe rested her head on his shoulder, murmuring sleepily.
The park girl smiled and mouthed, "You're welcome."
Leo whispered a thank you to Mrs. Nani too before heading out into the cool night.
As he walked through the streets of the Dark Sector, Phoebe's quiet breathing against his shoulder, he allowed himself to finally breathe.
"Let's get Mrs. Cresswell a gift," Leo suggested.
"Mm, sure."
He smiled. This was home. His place with his daughter.