The Departure

“Victor, did you get your toothbrush from the bathroom?” Umbra asked, folding a t-shirt over his arm and placing inside Victor’s duffle bag.

“Yessir,” Victor said, sweat cold on the back of his neck.

“Hairbrush?”

“Yessir!”

“Your good socks?”

“Yessir!”

“Extra underwear?”

“Dad!” Victor squeaked, cheeks scarlet, “Not when everyone's in the room!” He cast a shameful look to Seraph, who quickly avoided his gaze, trying not to grin. “But, uh, yeah, I did.”

Victor trudged away from Umbra, joining Seraph on the couch. Seraph suddenly put his arms around him, hugging him tight.

“I hope you have a good trip, Victor. I will miss you,” Seraph murmured, bumping his forehead against Victor’s shoulder.

Victor returned Seraph’s embrace, patting him on the back. “It's only for a week. Don't worry about me.”

“Hey, Matt, you okay? You look like crap,” Aunora said, turning her head to the kitchen.

Matthew stood against the counter, arms crossed and expression grim. He flinched at Aurora’s words, as if he was shaken out of a dream. He forced a smile, shaking his head. “I'm fine. I was just...reminiscing.”

Umbra frowned, watching Matthew with concerned eyes. Sighing, he took Victor by the shoulders, gently squeezing him. “Victor, are you sure about this?”

He doesn't trust me with this, Victor thought, wringing his hands. I've gotta show him I can take care of myself.

“I'll be okay, Dad. I swear.”

Umbra lingered by his cheek, closing his eyes. Victor felt him breathe, slow and steady against his skin. “Alright.”

Pulling away, Umbra looked at Aunora. “Aunora, can you toss me the bag on the counter?”

Umbra narrowly managed to catch the bag, hissing under his breath as Aunora launched it at his chest. He held it out to Victor, grinning.

“I got you a present yesterday!” Umbra said excitedly, tearing off the plastic plastic, “It's a cellphone! I figured since you're going to be away from home you would need a way to contact us. Especially if you happen to get trapped in another dimension,” he mumbled, casting a steely glare at Seraph and Esper.  

“This is awesome,” Victor breathed, pulling his new phone from the box.

“I know,” Umbra said proudly, winking at Victor, “I already activated it and added mine and Matthew’s numbers. And I invested in the interdimensional coverage plan,” he squinted, “This sort of thing is beginning to become repetitive.”

“I plan to stay in this dimension,” Victor giggled, sticking his phone in his pocket.

A knock on the front door snatched Victor’s attention, popping his head up. Matthew immediately stood up straight, moving to the door.

“It's probably Morena,” he called over his shoulder, “I'll get it.”

Matthew's prediction was correct. Morena moved into the kitchen, hands propped on her hips.

“You ready to go, kiddo?” Morena asked.

Victor pulled his bag off the floor, tossing it over his shoulder. The faded black fabric was worn and dirty, the evidence of a history of adventures visible. It had been through almost everything Victor had. He nodded at Morena, cold sweat returning to his neck.

“Morena, before Victor leaves, I need to inform you of his special circumstances. He has anemia, so please be sure that he takes his medicine every morning. And that he gets a proper amount of rest and food. He also has a touch of insomnia, so-”

Morena held up her hand. “I think I got it. He'll be fine. I haven't killed a houseplant yet, so trust me.”

Umbra didn't find her joke as funny as Victor did.

Victor threw his arms around Matthew and Umbra, burying his head between them. Aunora joined in the embrace, squeezing all three of them in a hug.

Victor emerged from amidst their almost smothering grip, taking Esper by the hand. “I'll, uh, see you later, Esper.”

Esper smiled gently, touching his forehead to Victor’s. “Stay safe.”

Finally, he hugged Seraph, letting his head fall on his shoulder. After a few seconds, Victor turned to Morena, prepared for whatever laid in front of him.

Morena’s playful smirk had faded, a solemn, almost stormy neutral expression replacing it.

“I'm ready,” Victor pushed his thoughts meekly to her, shuffling on his feet.

Morena shook her head, energy filling her eyes again. She drew a pocket knife from her pants, slicing into the air.

As the portal opened before Victor, waves of panic fell over him. This was actually happening. He was going to be away from his parents, starting an apprenticeship.

“You okay, kid?” Morena asked, her mental voice pulling Victor from his increasing frantic thought process.

There was no backing down now. He was going to make himself better.

“Let's go.”

Author's Note- please remember to vote and comment!♡