I sat on my armchair and sighed.
"So like… where am I again?"
"Dad!!! Dad! Look at this drawing I made for you!"
Right… I almost forgot. I picked this kid up from a dumpster three days ago... Was it three? I sighed again but still took the paper she was handing to me.
"Oh, this looks cute." I patted her head.
She smiled, and I could see her eyes sparkling. "Hehehe, thank you, Dad! Ivy made this just for you." Then she hugged me tightly.
Sigh… So I have a daughter now? Well… this is durable. Then I patted her head again and forced a smile.
And of course, let out another sigh, heavier this time.
"I wonder how this happened. And what this thing is saying again." I said those words, as I Pinch the bridge of my nose.
[Accept/decline]
***
Three Days Ago
I took a late-night walk that I... Magically decided to take, I then heard something rustling inside a dumpster.
"What was that…?" I muttered.
Curiosity got me, so of course, I went to check. Step. Step. Step.
I stood in front of the dumpster. Because obviously, I had to peek. And then I saw something under the trash.
"A kid!?"
There was a kid curled up inside, wearing dirty rags that looks like it used to be a hoodie and pants. She then hugged herself, while shivering in the cold air. "Mphhh…"
I dramatically covered my mouth and gasped. W-what a poor kid… tch, I really should stop this kind of joke.
Sigh. "What the hell... who would do such a thing?" I stepped back and started walking in circles.
"Hmmm…" Another sigh. "Well, I'm pretty bored and I really don't know what to do…"
After thinking for a while. I decided to walked back to the dumpster to take a look at the kid again. "Hmmm... sure, I guess."
I sighed, picking her up gently, and carrying her in my arms. Her eyes then slowly open. She then let out a small gasp.
She stared at me with wide, terrified eyes.
"W-what are you doing, MISTER!?"
Yeah... bad choice. I guess?
I let out a small laugh. Well... You just saved me from a very boring night.
I meant it in a good way. I think. But not in a bad way tho.
"Well, you looked so cold and miserable over there, and I couldn't stop myself from picking you up."
She tugged weakly, trying to pull away, but she was far too cold, and too weak.
"P-please... don't hurt me…" Her voice was barely a whisper, full of fear and trauma.
"Hurt you? No, no, no... of course not. I'm not that kind of person," I said immediately.
"Don't worry. I won't." Guilt hit me a bit, so I patted her head. I felt her flinch, like she expected pain instead of comfort. Probably not used to gentle touches.
I kept patting her softly. "Well, kid... do you have anyone you can go home to?"
She slowly shook her head, teary-eyed. "N-no... I don't have anyone... The orphanage... treated me badly... so I left..."
I brushed her messy hair aside. Good... at least nobody's going to look for her. I guess.
"T-that's... so sad." I said as I kept Patting her head.
"It's okay though... I'm used to being alone..."
I then stop and smiled at her. "Well, you better not get used to it now. Because today, I'm going to take care of you." Then I patted her again,slowly it then turned into gentle caress.
Her breath then hitched. And her eyes widened, like she didn't believe it. She stared at me, searching for signs of a lie.
"Didn't know I'm good at this," I muttered.
"G-good with what? R-really?" she whispered. And a single tear rolled down in her dirty cheek.
I guess... I'm good at this?
She clung to my neck, trembling.
"You're not going to leave me too... right? P-please... don't leave me alone again…"
"Sure." But what's with the Again...?
I patted her back. "But first, we need to go home so we can take a bath." I said those words as I kept Patting her head.
Her eyes sparkled. "Bath... hehe... yes! Let's go home and take a bath!" But then I felt something fell on my shoulder.
I looked up and Saw it was starting to rain, her smile then immediately droped. When she noticed. "Oh... it's raining..." She leaned closer to me, seeking warmth. "C-can we go somewhere first? Somewhere we can hide from the rain...? Please?"
I smiled. "Yes, sure. Let's go home now." I stroked her head gently.
Let me hit you with a combo. "Our home." I muttered as I stroke her head.
Ivy froze for a second, then her heart practically exploded in happiness.
"O-our home..." She whispered as if the words were too precious to say.
As I walked, she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck and buried her face in my shoulder.
"Thank you... thank you so much..." Her voice was muffled but filled with gratitude.
"I promise I'll be good... I'll be the best daughter ever..."
(A/N. If you like the story please spare me some Power stones.)