---
The morning had barely settled into its rhythm when she made a decision that immediately changed the direction of the entire day, because unlike the previous days where survival alone dictated every action, today her attention shifted slightly toward something that was just as important but far more overlooked—hygiene. The children had been living in harsh conditions for too long, and while food and safety were slowly improving, there were still basic needs that were being ignored simply because there was no structure in place for them. She stood near the small cooking fire, watching the three children sit together, their clothes worn, their hair slightly messy, and their expressions calm but unaware of the problem she was now fully focused on solving.
"We need a bath," she said suddenly.
Three heads turned toward her immediately.
"…a what?" Theo asked, blinking.
"A bath," she repeated calmly, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Leon frowned slightly. "We… wash in the river sometimes."
Noella tilted her head. "Cold water."
She nodded once. "Exactly. That's the problem."
A silence followed.
From the corner of the hut, Riven slowly looked up from where he had been quietly organizing some firewood. "…you want a bathing solution," he said, as if testing the idea aloud.
"Yes," she replied.
Kael, who had just been sharpening a stick near the entrance, paused mid-motion. "…what kind of solution?"
She turned toward him. "Wooden bathtub."
The hut went completely silent.
Then—
"…a what?" Kael repeated slowly.
"A wooden bathtub," she said again, more firmly this time. "Something they can sit in. With warm water."
Theo blinked. "Warm water?"
Leon looked confused. "Inside water?"
Noella's eyes lit up slightly. "Warm water sounds nice."
Kael leaned back slightly, staring at her like she had just suggested building a palace out of leaves. "…you want me to fight animals in the forest, but now I also have to build furniture?"
She crossed her arms. "You can handle both."
"I cannot handle both."
"You can."
"I cannot."
"You will."
Silence.
Riven, observing quietly, spoke up. "…it is possible."
Kael immediately turned to him. "Don't encourage her."
"I am not encouraging," Riven replied calmly. "I am confirming feasibility."
Kael groaned. "…I hate both of you."
Noella smiled sweetly. "Kael always says that."
Theo nodded. "A lot."
Leon added, "Every day."
Kael pointed at them. "…you are supposed to be on my side."
"We are children," Theo said. "We don't take sides."
"That's a lie," Kael muttered.
She ignored the argument and continued, already mentally planning the structure. "We'll need wood. Strong pieces. Something that holds water."
Riven tilted his head slightly. "I can help with construction."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "…of course you can."
"I am capable."
"I am also capable."
"Then you will compete," Theo said innocently.
Kael froze. "…no."
Riven glanced at him. "…we are not competing."
Kael nodded quickly. "Exactly."
She looked between them. "…you are both helping."
Silence.
Then—
"…fine," Kael said reluctantly.
"…fine," Riven agreed.
Noella clapped softly. "Bath coming!"
Theo nodded. "Finally."
Leon looked relieved. "Less dirt."
Kael sighed. "…I regret everything."
---
Kael left shortly after, heading toward the forest to fish, still muttering under his breath about unfair workloads and impossible expectations. The moment he was gone, the atmosphere inside the hut shifted slightly, becoming quieter, more focused, as she and Riven began discussing the design of the wooden structure. Unlike Kael, Riven did not complain, nor did he exaggerate difficulty; instead, he listened carefully, asked precise questions, and adjusted details with calm efficiency.
"You want it large enough for all three children?" Riven asked.
"Yes," she replied.
"And heated water?"
"If possible."
He nodded slightly. "…it will take time."
"I know."
A pause followed.
Then—
"I can source the wood," he said.
She glanced at him. "From where?"
"There are abandoned structures near the edge of the forest," he explained. "Old shelters. They can be dismantled."
She studied him for a moment. "…you know this area well."
"I observe," he said simply.
Theo, listening from nearby, tilted his head. "You know everything?"
Riven looked at him. "…not everything."
Leon narrowed his eyes slightly. "Do you know how to make toys?"
A pause.
"…that is outside my expertise," Riven admitted.
Noella sighed dramatically. "Useless."
Riven blinked once. "…noted."
She shook her head slightly, but there was the faintest hint of amusement in her expression. "Focus," she said. "We'll start after Kael returns with fish."
Riven nodded. "Understood."
---
Later that day, just as preparations for the bath structure had begun, Kael returned with a large basket of fish slung over his shoulder, his expression already halfway between satisfaction and exhaustion. He stepped into the hut like he had completed an impossible mission, dropping the basket down with a thud.
"Done," he announced.
Theo looked inside. "A lot."
Leon nodded. "More than yesterday."
Noella clapped. "Good Kael."
Kael straightened slightly. "…finally, recognition."
Riven glanced at the fish. "…efficient."
Kael immediately frowned. "Don't start."
Riven calmly replied, "I did not say anything negative."
"You implied it."
"I observed."
"That's worse."
She stood up from her work. "Good timing. We're starting construction."
Kael froze. "…construction?"
Riven added calmly, "A bathing structure."
Kael slowly turned his head toward her. "…you didn't say he was involved."
"I am involved," Riven said.
Kael pointed at him. "…why are you always involved?"
"Because I am useful."
"I am useful."
"You fish."
"I BUILD."
"You argued."
"I strategize."
"That is not strategy."
The children watched quietly.
Theo leaned toward Leon. "…this happens a lot."
Leon nodded. "…a lot."
Noella whispered, "It's funny."
Kael turned to her. "…it is not funny."
She cut in before it escalated. "Enough."
Silence.
Then—
Riven spoke calmly. "…there is another matter."
She looked at him. "What."
He hesitated briefly.
Then—
"The materials I can gather… can also be used for clothing."
Silence.
Kael immediately turned his head. "…what?"
Theo blinked. "Clothes?"
Leon looked interested. "New clothes?"
Noella's eyes widened. "Pretty clothes?"
Riven nodded slightly. "Yes."
Kael immediately stepped forward. "I also have materials."
Riven glanced at him. "…you fish."
"I have access to materials."
"You did not mention this earlier."
"You did not ask."
"I did not think you were relevant."
Kael gasped. "…I am extremely relevant."
She pinched the bridge of her nose slightly.
"…why are you both like this," she muttered.
Riven calmly said, "Efficiency."
Kael added quickly, "Competition."
"I did not agree to competition," Riven replied.
"You are competing," Kael insisted.
"I am not."
"You are."
"I am not."
Theo whispered, "…they are competing."
Leon nodded. "…definitely competing."
Noella smiled. "For mother."
Silence.
Both men froze.
Then—
Kael spoke first. "…that is not what this is."
Riven followed. "…that is not the intention."
But neither of them moved away.
She looked between them.
Then at the children.
Then back at them.
"…you will both provide materials," she said finally.
Silence.
Then—
"…understood," Riven said.
"…fine," Kael muttered.
Theo smiled. "We get clothes."
Leon looked relieved. "And bath."
Noella clapped again. "Family improving!"
Kael sighed deeply. "…I need a break from this family."
Riven replied calmly. "…you are part of it."
Kael froze.
"…I hate you more now."
And for once—
Even she let out a small sigh of amusement.
Because despite everything—
They were starting to function.
Barely.
But still—
Together.
---
End of Chapter 12
---