Chapter Text
“There’s a moment you’ve been waiting all your life for.
When you find the very reason you’re alive for.
And it happens when you seem to least expect it.
All at once you come alive and feel connected.
When my world turned upside down.”
- Finding Neverland
******
“Daddy!”
Keith remained perfectly still, keeping his breaths as even as he could. He wanted to hold the illusion that he was asleep for just a moment longer. Before reality came screeching again in his ear.
“DADDY!” The three year old girl yelled again, this time right in Keith’s ear. He gave an obnoxious snore, trying to fight off a smile. The little girl climbed up onto the bed, shoving her father’s shoulder.
“Daaaadddyyy!” She whined. Keith laughed.
“Okay, okay,” he said, sitting up. “I’m up.” The little girl smiled up at him.
“Morning, Daddy!” She said cheerily.
“Morning, Kinsley,” Keith said. He stretched as Kinsley got down and toddled over to the door, most likely headed for the kitchen. Keith shook his head fondly. That girl had a bottomless stomach, he was convinced. He got up and followed after her. Kinsley had already climbed into a chair at the counter in their small kitchen. Keith walked around to the other side and pulled out some bowls for cereal. He set a small, plastic green one (with a matching spoon of course) in front of Kinsley, filling it up with some Cheerios.
“Yum!” Kinsley said, digging in. Keith chuckled.
“Slow down, before you spill,” he reminded her. She nodded and slowed, eating her breakfast at a more human pace. Keith filled his own bowl and joined her.
He looked around their small apartment. He really needed to clean up. The living space behind them was cluttered with various toys and newspapers (the latter because Keith was doing some house hunting). He knew Kinsley’s room was clean, because he had taught her well and because most of her toys were in the afformented living space. Kitchen wasn’t much better. The dishwasher broke last week and Keith was stuck doing their dishes by hand. He also knew that the fridge was getting pretty bare, but they’d have to manage until Keith’s next paycheck that would come this Friday. Keith scowled as he then realized it was only Monday.
“Daddy?” Kinsley said suddenly. Keith looked over at her.
“What’s up Kins?” He asked.
“Why are you sad?” She asked bluntly. Keith almost laughed. She truly was his daughter.
“I’m not sad,” he said, reaching over to ruffle her hair a bit. “Just thinking.” He gave her a smile and she smiled back, satisfied with the answer. They finished their breakfast, Keith cleaning up and Kinsley heading to her room, where she waited for Keith to come help her pick out some clothes. Although, Keith didn’t do much as she had much more fashion sense than him. The last time he’d picked her clothes out, she’d walked around town with him in a black and blue monstrosity. Keith thought it was fine until his mom pointed out that she looked like a bruise. So Keith left the clothes picking to Kinsley.
“Put my hair in pigtails please,” she said after getting dressed, holding out a brush.
“Sure thing, Kins,” Keith said, going to grab two hair bands that would match her outfit. She had picked out a light blue shirt and a light pink skirt. She was still in pull-ups, so Keith had helped her put one on underneath the skirt.
Keith grabbed two pink hair bands and swiftly put her raven black hair into pigtails. He’d gotten good at it over the years.
“Okay,” Keith said. “Daddy has to go get ready now. Why don’t you play with your toys while you wait?”
“‘Kay!” Kinsley said, toddling to the living space. Keith went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and take a quick shower, then pulled on a red flannel shirt and some faded jeans. He put his hair into a short, messy ponytail and returned to the living space to find Kinsley on the couch, playing with her lion plushie she named Red. She was flying the plushie through the air, like an airplane.
“Ready to go?” Keith asked, smile on his face. Kinsley looked up.
“Go where?” She asked.
“To the store, remember?” Keith said, sitting down next to her. “We gotta get some groceries.”
“Oh,” Kinsley said. “Okay.” She hugged Red close to her as she slid off the couch. Suddenly, Keith’s phone rang. He grabbed it off the counter, seeing his mom’s name, “Krolia”, on the screen.
“Hey, Mom,” he said.
“Hi hon,” his mother replied. “How’s it going?”
“Fine,” Keith said. “We’re actually just headed to the store.”
“Sounds fun,” Krolia said, clearly sounding like she had something else to say.
“What?” Keith asked. “What is it?”
“What do you mean?” Krolia asked, feigning innocence.
“Mom,” he deadpanned.
“Fine,” she said. “I got a call from Shiro today.”
“Okay?” Keith asked, confused. It wasn’t unusual for Shiro to call her. He was Keith’s adopted brother, and after Keith had found Krolia, Shiro made it a point to call her and ask how Keith was doing, seeing as Keith wouldn’t tell Shiro himself. “He’s called before. What’s different this time?”
“Well, he actually wasn’t calling about you,” Krolia explained. “Well, sort of. But he and a few friends wanted to come visit the town for a few days and asked if they could stay at my place. Shiro said he didn’t want to bother you.”
“Wait, they’re coming here?” Keith asked, trying not to panic. The whole reason he moved out here, where his mother lived, was to get away from them all. Not because he didn’t like them or anything, but…..
“Keith,” Krolia said, interrupting his thoughts. “You should tell them. You know I haven’t said anything, but I think it’s time.”
“Mom,” Keith said. “It’s been three years.”
“So?” She countered. “They deserve to know. Especially Shiro, he’s your brother for goodness sake!” Keith sighed.
“When are they coming?” He asked.
“Sometime this afternoon,” Krolia said. “You could stop by tomorrow. Take today to figure out what you wanna say.”
“Yeah, I think I will,” Keith said, eyes going to Kinsley who was putting on her blue tennis shoes. She was sitting on the floor, tugging them on, but still holding Red tucked under her arm.
“Good,” Krolia said. “Well, I’ll let you get to your shopping. See you tomorrow.”
“Bye,” Keith said, hanging up. He sighed again.
“Daddy, I’m ready!” Kinsley said, standing up. Keith smiled.
“I see that, good job,” he said, swooping down to pick her up. The little girl giggled. Keith carried her out the door and down the three flights of stairs. The elevator was broken, but Keith didn’t mind. He was the guy that used to get up at 5 am to go for a run everyday. Stairs were nothing.
“Morning, Keith!” A cheery voice called. Keith got to the bottom of the stairs and saw the owner of the voice, the front desk lady, Talulla.
“‘Lulla!” Kinsley said, wiggling in Keith’s hold. He set her down and she ran up to the desk.
“My, you’re getting big, Miss Kinsley!” Talulla said. Keith smiled.
“She sure is,” Keith said. “Morning, Talulla.” Talulla smiled at him, brushing her strawberry-blonde locks from her face. Her hair was styled in a bob-cut and framed her face nicely. Her olive skin had a smattering of freckles across her arms and nose. Her bright green eyes turned back to Kinsley.
“I’ve got a little something for you,” she said. She reached under her desk, most likely into a drawer, and pulled out a sticker with Princess Jasmine on it. Kinsley’s purplish-grey eyes widened.
“Jasmine!” She squealed, reaching for the sticker. Talulla handed it to the excited girl. She knew how much Kinsley loved Princess Jasmine. Said she wanted to be swept away on a flying carpet with her own “Aladdin”. Keith smiled.
“What do you say?” He said to Kinsley. The girl looked back up at Talulla.
“Thank you, ‘Lulla!” She said.
“You’re very welcome sweetie,” Talulla said grinning. Keith helped Kinsley peel off the backing and stick it to her shirt. Kinsley was grinning from ear.
“Well,” Keith said, scooping up Kinsley again. “We better get going to the store.”
“Bye, ‘Lulla!” Kinsley said.
“Bye Miss Kinsley!” Tallula said, waving as Keith walked them out the door.