The soft glow of a lantern filled the inside of the igloo, its warm light reflecting gently off the smooth ice walls. Despite the frozen surroundings, the interior was surprisingly comfortable.
Lyon sat across from the girl, both of them eating quietly. The fishes he had cooked earlier was laid out on plastic plates alongside portions of canned food. He had made sure to bring everything inside so she wouldn't need to step back out into the woods.
She ate carefully, small bites at a time, clearly still exhausted.
Lyon watched her out of the corner of his eye.
…Why does she seem so familiar? he wondered.
He didn't stare outright, only brief glances—her white hair, the color of her eyes. Something about her tugged at his memory, but no matter how much he searched, nothing clicked.
The girl finished her portion first.
A second passed.
Then—
Grrr…
Her stomach betrayed her.
She froze, cheeks instantly flushing as she looked down in embarrassment, fingers tightening around the teddy bear resting in her lap.
Lyon blinked—then let out a quiet chuckle.
"It's okay," he said lightly. "You don't need to hold back."
"I—I'm fine—" she started to say, shaking her head.
Before she could finish, Lyon had already turned, calmly preparing another plate. He placed it gently in front of her.
"Go ahead," he said. "There's plenty."
She hesitated, then nodded shyly.
"…Thank you."
Her voice was small, but sincere.
She resumed eating, a little faster this time, while Lyon finished his own meal. The silence that followed wasn't awkward—it was calm, almost comforting.
After they were done, Lyon gathered the empty cans and used plates.
"I'll be right back," he said.
She watched him leave, staying exactly where she was—sitting on his sleeping bag, wrapped in the blanket, arms around the teddy bear as if it were an anchor.
When Lyon returned, he deliberately sat a short distance away, making sure not to crowd her.
"…Are you okay?" he asked gently.
She paused, then nodded.
"Yes…"
The answer was shy, but honest.
Lyon relaxed slightly.
"If you have any questions," he continued, "you can ask me."
Another pause.
She fidgeted with the teddy bear, fingers pressing into the fabric.
"…Are… are more bad men coming?"
Lyon's expression hardened for just a moment—then softened again.
"No," he said firmly. "They won't."
She looked up at him.
"And even if they did," he added calmly, "I wouldn't let them get anywhere near you."
That did it.
A small smile appeared on her face—fragile, but real.
Then her gaze dropped again.
"…My village…" she whispered. "Is it… okay?"
Lyon's chest tightened.
He closed his eyes briefly before opening them again.
"…I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I couldn't save them."
The smile vanished.
Tears welled up as she looked down, her shoulders trembling.
Lyon moved without hesitation, gently pulling her into a hug.
She didn't resist.
Instead, she clutched the teddy bear tighter and leaned into him, quiet sobs escaping as everything she'd been holding in finally spilled out.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner," Lyon said softly. "I really am."
He held her securely, steady and warm.
"But I'm here now," he continued. "And while I am, I'll protect you. I won't let anything hurt you again."
They stayed like that for a moment.
Then Lyon spoke again.
"…Is that okay with you?"
She nodded against his chest.
Slowly, she pulled back, wiping her eyes. Lyon offered her a gentle, reassuring smile.
"Well then," he said, "we should introduce ourselves properly."
He straightened slightly.
"My name is Lyon Vastia."
She blinked, then nodded.
"…Yukino," she said quietly. "Yukino Agria."
The name hit him like a blow.
…Yukino?
Inside, his thoughts exploded—memories, timelines, possibilities colliding all at once.
On the outside, he didn't let a single thing show.
"That's a nice name," he said warmly.
Yukino leaned back into the hug, seeking comfort once more. Lyon wrapped his arms around her again, his expression calm and kind—
Even as his mind raced, trying to comprehend the weight of the situation he had just stepped into.
…WHAT THE FUCK!
The lantern flickered softly as the night continued on outside.
—
Next Day
Morning light filtered softly through the trees.
Lyon stood just outside the igloo, backpack secured over his shoulders, posture calm but alert. His eyes swept the forest methodically, every sound and shifting shadow registering in his awareness. He looked composed—but ready.
Seems like no more of those guys are nearby. he thought.
Behind him, soft footsteps crunched against the forest floor.
"Um… sorry for the wait."
Lyon turned.
Yukino stepped out from the igloo, dressed in the clothes he'd gathered from the village. They fit her a little loosely, but she looked warmer—and safer. Over it all was Lyon's white jacket, the sleeves slightly too long, giving her an almost comically bundled appearance.
She clutched the edges of it nervously.
Lyon's expression softened immediately.
"It's no problem," he said gently. "I was just keeping watch."
Soon he approached her before bending down to her eye level.
"So you ready to go?" he asked gently, receiving a nod from Yukino, as he sent her a smile.
He turned toward the igloo and lifted a hand, cutting off the steady flow of mana sustaining it.
The structure shuddered—then collapsed inward, melting rapidly into slush and water. Within moments, it was nothing more than damp ground.
Yukino gasped softly.
"Woah…"
Lyon glanced back at her. "Stay close, okay?"
She nodded quickly, anxiety flickering across her face. A second later, she reached out and gently—but firmly—grabbed the back of his shirt.
Lyon stiffened for half a heartbeat.
…Cute.
Outwardly, he stayed calm and serious, eyes forward as he began moving.
"Just follow me," he said.
—
The forest slowly gave way to open roads.
Lyon and Yukino traveled steadily, sometimes on foot, sometimes riding in a carriage bound for the nearest town. Throughout it all, Lyon remained vigilant—always watching, always ready.
But between those moments…
"So… what's your favorite color?" Lyon asked casually as they walked.
Yukino thought for a moment.
"…White," she answered shyly. "And light blue."
Lyon smiled. "Good choices."
She hesitated, then asked, "…What about you?"
"…Silver," he replied after a moment. "And light blue too."
Her eyes lit up just a little.
"We like the same color."
He chuckled softly.
They talked like that—about small things. Foods they liked. Places they wanted to see. Things Yukino used to do back in her village.
With every step, her grip on his jacket loosened. Her shoulders relaxed. Her voice grew steadier.
Watching that, Lyon felt something ease inside his chest.
Good… she's calming down.
Lyon had been worried about the events of yesterday affecting her too much, but now it seemed as if things were getting better.
—
The carriage dropped them off near the town entrance.
Yukino's eyes sparkled as she walked beside Lyon, taking everything in. He made sure she enjoyed herself—buying pastries when she lingered too long at a bakery window, helping her pick out new clothes, letting her hold onto little things that caught her interest.
She smiled more. Laughed softly.
Lyon watched her with a gentle expression.
That's better.
At one point, he unfolded a map, studying it quietly.
Where should we go next…?
But the thought didn't press as heavily as it usually did.
As evening settled in, Lyon noticed the sky darkening.
"Let's eat first," he said.
They stopped at a small restaurant. Yukino ordered modestly, while Lyon made sure to pay for everything she wanted.
Afterward, they checked into a modest hotel room—two beds, clean and spacious.
That night, they prepared for sleep.
Yukino laid in one bed.
Lyon laid in the other.
The room was quiet.
With Lyon staring at the ceiling.
Where do I go next…?
The sound of movement broke him from his thoughts.
He turned his head just as Yukino climbed out of her bed.
"Yukino?" he asked, concern immediately in his voice. "Are you okay?"
She nodded hesitantly.
"I… I had a nightmare."
She paused, fingers twisting in the hem of her pajamas.
"…Can I sleep with you?"
Lyon looked at her gently.
"Of course."
She quickly climbed into his bed, curling close. At first, it seemed like she drifted back to sleep.
Then—
A quiet sob.
Lyon turned fully toward her.
She was crying.
He pulled her into a hug, arms wrapping around her protectively. She clung to him instantly.
"They're gone…" she whimpered. "They're all gone…"
Lyon's chest tightened.
"I know," he said softly. "I know it hurts."
She pulled back just enough to look at him, tears shining in her eyes.
"…You're not going to leave me too… right?"
Lyon froze.
Then, without a word, he pulled her back into the hug, one hand gently patting her head.
"I'm not going anywhere," he said firmly—but gently. "I'll stay with you. For as long as you need."
Her body shook once—then slowly relaxed.
She nestled closer, exhaustion finally winning out.
"…Thank you," she murmured.
A moment passed.
Lyon stared at her with a gentle smile.
Soft and warm.
He pulled her a little closer, making sure she was comfortable.
…I can think about everything else later.
For now—
He let the night pass peacefully, holding her as she slept.
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For anyone wanting to understand the ages of the characters currently.
Lyon is 12 years old following his awakening in the world.
Meanwhile Yukino is 5, since Lyon found her post the Zeref Cultists attacking her village, but before she had anything to do with Sabertooth.