(Untitled)

[growing_roots]

Characters: Fletcher Tringham, Russell Tringham, open to anyone else who really wants to find him
When: After the Animus have made their post
Where: The Chateau
Rating: Eeeer, no more than PG-13
Summary: Between Hiiro dying, people lying to him about Hiiro dying then finding out the truth, and the Animus post, Fletcher is one upset little kid. He's

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[brig_gen_maes]

Maes had been wandering around, gently saying goodbye to everyone he'd met. It was hard. At least this time, though, he had that chance. The Chateau was up ahead, and he wasn't sure if anyone was there yet. But it was worth looking around the place. These were possibly his last days alive; he would take what opportunities he could find.

There was a small shape up ahead. Concerned, Maes sped up, and stopped when he saw who it was. Fletcher.

Gently, carefully, Maes sat down beside the small boy and snuck an arm around him, the way he did when Elysia was tired and upset. He could stay here a while and wait for Fletcher to wake up. He had time, time enough for this.

[growing_roots]

Dart perked up a bit when Maes entered but relaxed when the dragonhawk saw who it was. He'd been around Maes enough to trust him with Fletcher. When Maes wrapped an arm around him, Dart curled up in Fletcher's lap, crooning softly.

Fletcher eventually stirred, blinking and rubbing at his eyes. "Brother...?" he murmured, then looked up to see who it was. "Mr. Hughes..."

Then he remembered why he'd come here in the first place and his eyes started welling up with tears again. "I don't... I don't want to go..."

[brig_gen_maes]

Maes smiled at the little dragonhawk, reaching over to pet his head while Fletcher rested.

When Fletcher woke up, Maes hugged him. "I know, Fletcher. I don't want to go home either." Gently he ruffled the boy's hair. "It's a hard world sometimes. In the end, we can only hope that things come out all right. We do our parts, and then..."

Fletcher got a squeeze. "It'll work out, Fletcher. One way or another. I'm certain of it. And at least we got to have the times here that we did, right?"

[growing_roots]

Fletcher nodded in agreement, snuggling up close. He didn't care if he was acting like a baby right then. "Yeah... I just want to remember it... A lot of people don't remember when they come back... I'm worried about Dart too... He won't understand what's going on when I'm just... not there anymore..."

I'm sorry, Rylie. My comp died.

[brig_gen_maes]

Maes patiently held the small boy. Fletcher had been through a lot. Sure, they all had, but it could be harder on the younger ones, and Maes cared about Fletcher. "I know. I'd like to remember, because it would help me quite a bit. And I want Elysia to remember. But if we don't..."

He sighed and then reached out to the little dragonhawk. "Dart's family is wild. I'm sure he'll figure out how to live on his own, and while he'll be confused and make it, he looks like a tough little fellow. I'm willing to bet some of your toughness has rubbed off, too."

[growing_roots]

Fletcher nodded, smiling a bit when Dart brushed his head against Maes' hand, crooning in delight. "Yeah..." He paused for a moment before blinking up at him in slight surprise. "You think I'm tough...?'

[brig_gen_maes]

The surprised look earned another squeeze for Fletcher. "I don't say things I don't mean. You're in a strange city, your brother is very busy, and you've made friends and are coping very well. You fit in here, Fletcher, and for someone as young as you to do so well means you're strong and tough."

He ruffled the boy's hair quickly, something Elysia would probably never let him do since she liked her pigtails. "You're tough, Fletcher. And sometimes tough people have days where they doubt themselves, or worry. But that's part of life. It doesn't make you less tough."

[growing_roots]

Fletcher hunkered down a bit when Hughes ruffled his hair, laughing a little. Russell did that too so he was used to it. "Thank you, Mr. Hughes." He sounded very sincere. Coming from someone who had been in the army... It meant a lot to Fletcher.