A/N: This is my longest chapter yet, and there's a lot of things happening, haha, but I hope it'll be interesting and lots of fun!

It's a week before Gold Crown Fine Arts College breaks for the late Easter holiday, and everyone is eager for the reprieve. Everyone's talking about going home, seeing family and friends, and eating tons of food, and Ahiru loves it. She loves seeing everyone so happy and excited.

Lilie and Pique have some extra time today, so they're walking with her to her and Fakir's practice room. They're talking about what they're going to do over break, making it a kind of competition to see who can have the most fun, and Ahiru can't help but laugh. They're really ridiculous sometimes.

Once they arrive, they pause their game and stop Ahiru before she can leave. "So, what are you doing for the break, Ahiru?" Pique asks.

She's a little early and Fakir's not here yet, so Ahiru doesn't mind them keeping her a minute. She hums in thought, only for a bright smile to spring to her face. "I'll go swimming and eat a lot, of course! It'll be fun!"

"Oh, really? That sounds nice!" Pique encourages.

Lilie, however, leans into Ahiru's space, her sneaky, gossipy smile on her lips, and Ahiru inwardly braces herself as the blond nudges her with her elbow. "But I bet you'll miss your dance partner, huh?"

Ahiru takes a huge step back at the assumption, half a "Quack—?!" escaping before she muffles it, face bright red. "W-what's that supposed to mean?!" she sputters, embarrassed and honestly confused. Why bring up Fakir all of a sudden? What does he have to do with anything? "O-of course I'll miss him, he's my friend! I'll miss you guys, too!" She glances at the door and shifts from foot to foot a few times before backing up toward it. "A-anyway, Fakir should be here soon, so I'll just—see you later!"

With that, she disappears inside, breathing a heavy sigh of relief as she leans against the heavy wood. The next thing she does is try to slow her racing heart so her blush will go away before Fakir sees. She doesn't want him drawing his own conclusions. He might think she's sick again, and then he'll worry. He always looks so sad when he worries.

Outside, Pique and Lilie watch her go, then sigh, but for two very different reasons. "She's in denial…" Lilie says wistfully, hands cradling her cheeks.

"Maybe," Pique replies, but she's only half-listening, staring hard at the door Ahiru went through. She's trying to make sense of what the younger girl said before Lilie got nosy. "She always says the same thing."

"Hmm?" Lilie blinks, tilting her head. "About breaks, you mean?"

Pique nods, glad she caught on. The two of them always seem to be on the same page. It's probably what makes them such good friends. "Mm hmm. She always says she'll swim and eat a lot and have fun. It's her go-to. It just makes me wonder what she really does or if it really is all the same like that. Wouldn't that get boring?"

She and Lilie start heading to their dorm, the gossip giggling behind her hand. "Well, her name does mean 'duck,' after all. Maybe she really does take after them."

Now that Pique thinks about it, Ahiru does have a lot of mannerisms that remind her of a duck. She laughs, too. "Yeah, it could be."

Meanwhile, just around the corner with his back pressed flat against the side of the wall, Fakir listens closely. He really didn't mean to eavesdrop at first, but when he got close enough to hear Ahiru's friend mention him in that sing-song voice, well…sue him, he was curious. And while he did blush at Lilie's teasing at first, now that he's hearing Ahiru's friends express confusion, maybe even edging concern, over her holiday plans, he can't help but be glad he overheard.

He feels guilty and stupid for it now, but he hadn't exactly…given much thought to what Ahiru would be doing for the holidays. He never has before. He always assumed she spent time with loved ones like everyone else. But honestly, thinking about it now, while he more or less knows she's an orphan, he doesn't know if she has a foster family or a guardian of some kind. She's never mentioned anyone, and it's none of his business, so he's never asked in case it was a touchy subject. If she did at one point, maybe something happened to them early on, so she's just been on her own since? On the other hand, even if she does have someone, she's eighteen, turning nineteen soon. She's old enough to be on her own, so maybe she is.

He sighs heavily. And even with all of that, there's still the possibility he doesn't want to think about, but would make the most sense: if she doesn't have a family or guardian, does that mean she'll be alone for the holidays? Does it mean she's been alone, for God knows how many years?

God, has she…has she always been alone?

Those possibilities, but particularly that last one, make his stomach churn and burn white-hot with guilt and shame, almost make him sick...but they also make him wonder about her long game. Apparently, she always gives the same answer for every break, and as far as he knows, she, Lilie, and Pique went to high school and maybe even middle school together. So, if it's been that long and she's never changed her answer, did she…just think no one would notice? Or worse, care? It's true that Pique and Lilie aren't the most attentive or supportive friends, not nearly as much as Ahiru deserves, in his opinion, and that's being generous, but did they really not notice that significant of a pattern? Did they never question any of it this whole time?!

And that's not even the most upsetting part, at least for him—that part is the why. Why wouldn't she tell him? Why wouldn't she tell anyone? This is—she is important, damn it!

The sharp sting of his nails nearly biting into his palms is the only thing that breaks him out of his angry-worried spiral. He apparently also has to remind himself to breathe through something other than clenched teeth.

Of course, that just gives him a moment to catch his breath, at least somewhat, and that forces him to remember that he doesn't truly know anything for sure. This is mostly speculation based on a vague answer, her friends' contemplation, and the almost-nothing he knows about her home life. Maybe he could find out the truth if he asked her, but…honestly, knowing her, she'd lie to keep him from worrying. She's always like that, always putting other people before herself, even if it means she suffers. It's probably how she got into this situation in the first place. He wishes…he wishes she wasn't like that. He wishes she'd remember that she matters, too.

As it stands now, it would be really helpful if he could at least know something with some degree of certainty. Quickly stepping out from his hiding place, he looks for Lilie and Pique, but they're nowhere to be found. He must have missed them. He sighs, running a frustrated hand through his hair. Damn it…

Well…he supposes it can't be helped. He can track them down another time. Right now, Ahiru's waiting for him, and it wouldn't do to just leave her hanging. Besides being rude as hell, she'd worry, and if there's one thing he hates, it's making her worry about him. They're alike that way. So, for now, he takes another deep breath to calm himself as best he can before going inside to practice.

But he should have known it wouldn't be that easy. When he worries, it's all he can think about, and right now, when the object of his concern is his dance partner, well…it just makes it harder to ignore. Still, he does his best.

For all his efforts, though, Ahiru isn't blind or stupid. She knows she's not the brightest bulb, but she can tell when Fakir's hung up on something, and whatever's going on in that brilliant head of his today is winding him up more and more. Honestly, she's worried he'll snap, he's stretching himself so thin. She wonders what happened. He was fine this morning, even when they met up for a quick lunch between classes. What could have happened in just a few hours…?

"Fakir?" she calls two hours later, stepping back into the practice room after a quick shower in the locker room.

Freshly showered himself, he's waiting for her right outside, just like she knew he would be. It's getting dark, and he doesn't like the idea of her walking back all by herself. Mytho would laugh and say it's the 'knight' in him. "Hmm?"

"Are you…okay?" she asks softly, concern written all over her face. It's almost palpable. "It's not like you to lose focus during practice, and I can tell you're worried about something…" She hopes he isn't worried about her bullies. Melody and her friends haven't tried anything since that last time. In fact, it's almost like they're afraid to be anywhere near her, avoiding her at all costs… It's weird, but she's not complaining. Suddenly realizing how bold that might sound, Ahiru stiffens and flushes, waving her hands in front of her. "I-I just mean—you don't have to tell me, but if—if I can help at all…!"

Fakir blinks and turns a little pink himself, embarrassed and kicking himself at getting caught. Then again, she is the most emotionally intelligent person he's ever met in his life, whether she knows that or not, so he supposes it makes all the sense in the world. He can't help but breathe a laugh. For whatever reason, the way she's looking at him makes him feel…better somehow. Maybe it's having someone care, but he has Mytho, Rue, and his family, so... No, he thinks it's more than that. He thinks it's because it's her.

But whatever the reason, all the pent-up tension finally bleeds from his shoulders, the hand squeezing his heart releases, and he can breathe again. Thank goodness…

She sees the change in him immediately, and she's about to ask if he's feeling better when he reaches out to ruffle her wet hair. She squeaks and closes her eyes in surprise at first, then instinctively lean up into his touch with a happy smile and giggle. His heart does flip flops in his chest, and he melts before he can stop himself. His voice follows in kind. "As long as you're okay, I'm just fine." Turning on his heel, he starts leading them toward the door. "Come on. It's getting dark, and I know you still have a quiz to study for. I'll help you while we make dinner."

Blinking away her lingering confusion, she beams and hurries to fall into step at his side. "Okay!"

He asks about her day as they walk home, and while he listens to her excited chatter, he does his best to focus on her smiling face. He's still worried, sure, but he doesn't want to pass that on to her. He wants her to eat well, sleep better, and ace her quiz.

Him… He can wait.

The next day, Ahiru arrives for practice right on time, but Fakir's not there. Normally, he's never late, but she knows his classes can go over if it's an important one, so she's guessing that's what happened. She doesn't mind waiting, though. She's almost always late (though she's doing her best to get better!), and he never minds, so she'll give him the same courtesy.

Sitting down on a nearby bench, she goes to pull out one of her Dance Theory books to get ahead on some assigned reading when something catches her eye. Lying beside her on the bench is a small stack of parchment. Someone must have left it here. She looks around, but doesn't see anyone.

Picking it up to get a closer look, hoping to at least get it back to the owner if she can find the name somewhere, she does a double-take. Wait a minute! She knows this pretty handwriting! She'd know it anywhere! This is Fakir's!

She looks around again to make sure he's not here somewhere, double checks inside, too, but he's still nowhere to be found. Hmm… Well, what should she do now…? And what is this anyway? It doesn't look like something for any class she's ever seen him take… She takes another look at the title.

The Prince and the Raven, huh? Sounds like some kind of fiction project. Color her intrigued.

Flipping to the first page, she lets herself read. She's not planning on reading much, just a little bit to find out what kind of story it is, but then one thing leads to another, and she's devouring it whole. She smiles to herself as she reads, and that's how Fakir finds her several minutes later.

All he can do is stare. He's frozen in place and blushing to his ears. Anyone else might be angry that she's reading something of his without permission, but the only thing he can wrap his head around right now is the fact that she's…smiling at his work.

Ahiru finally looks up a minute later when she feels eyes on her, and when she spots him, it's time for double-take number two. "Qua—?!" Barely cutting herself off in time, she turns beet red.

Instantly, she holds the story out to him, head bowed as low as she can. "I-I'm sorry! I shouldn't have read it, I know! I-I did try to look for you, but when I couldn't find you, I got curious, and once I started reading, I couldn't stop! The next thing I knew, I was done!" She whines, internally kicking herself. That was a total invasion of privacy! She's such a jerk! "I'm really, really sorry! Please forgive me!"

She's too nervous to look at him, so she keeps her head down and her eyes squeezed tightly shut. She can hear him walking toward her, and she feels it when he very gently, almost hesitantly, takes the pages from her hands, but she still doesn't look up. It's silent for a long moment, and Ahiru waits on bated breath. Anything else wouldn't feel respectful right now, especially after what she did.

"You were…smiling…" He sounds…shocked, but happy, maybe even flattered and touched, like that's not the reaction he was expecting. "You...you enjoyed it?"

She finally dares to look up at him, and she finds he's staring at her like he's expecting her to yell "Psych!" and laugh in his face, though he has to know she'd never do that. Her eyes go wide, and she nods a few times, giving him her most serious expression. "Mm hmm, mm hmm! I really did, I swear! I thought it was amazing! The way you wrote the brothers' relationship and the prince's struggle to do what was right for him and his kingdom were really emotional, and I thought the way the Raven's daughter told the prince she loved him was really sweet! I was so worried when she sacrificed herself, but I love how the prince saved her and everything was all right in the end!"

She looks back at the story in his hands, a small, sad smile forming on her face. "The only part I didn't like was the knight's ending. I felt bad for him. He was such a good brother to the prince, but in the end, he was left all alone." She peers back up at Fakir, smile growing into something hopeful as she drops her chin into her hand. "Does he really have to be alone? I'm sure there must be someone who can give him the love he deserves, the love he shows everyone else."

For a long moment, he doesn't say anything in response, seems even more shocked than before, and she swears he's blushing more, too. She squirms a bit. Did…she say something wrong? Did that part about the knight offend him somehow? Just when she's about to apologize again, Fakir moves to close the distance between them and sit down beside her. Settling the pages in his lap and folding his hands, he nestles his chin between his knuckles and, given a moment, finds his voice.

"The knight doesn't deserve a happy ending," he says softly, an almost bitter, sardonic clip to his voice that Ahiru can't quite place. Is this…maybe personal for him somehow? "He couldn't help his prince, his own brother, when he needed him the most. Why should he get to be happy when he ended up being useless to the person who meant the most to him?"

"He was not!"

Fakir whips to face her so quickly, she's surprised he didn't hurt himself, and his eyes widen at the fire in her eyes. "He did everything he could for the prince! He faced his fears and fought the Raven, was even willing to die to protect him!" She crosses her arms and looks more indignant than he thinks he's ever seen. "So he couldn't help his brother get his heart back, so what? That's not what he was meant for! That wasn't his role to play!" Fakir's eyes blow open wide, and Ahiru swears he's paler now than he was a second ago. Shaking, white-knuckled hands clutch the pages to his chest to ensure he doesn't lose his battle with the tears abruptly threatening to gather in his eyes. He looks like she's shattered his whole worldview, and she almost stops, but…she gets the feeling he needs to hear this somehow. Determined to make him understand, she keeps going. "That doesn't erase everything he could do for the prince! He practically half-raised him and looked out for him as best he could! He risked his life to save him from the Raven's wrath! How do you think the story would have turned out without him? How do you think the prince would have turned out without him?" She pouts. "I think it would've sucked!"

His eyes widen a fraction more at that last part, and then he sputters a laugh. That sputter turns into a chuckle, a giggle, and then full-out laughter, so much that he throws his head back to let it all out, his shoulders shaking with it. Ahiru's wide blue eyes blink once, twice, her cheeks slowly dyeing red. She's never heard or seen him laugh like this before. It's…he's beautiful…

When he finally calms and turns back to her, he feels lighter, less burdened, than he has in a long, long time. Years, he thinks. He looks more relaxed to her, too, maybe more than she's ever seen. It'll probably take him a bit to process all the ways he feels better. He smiles at her softly, and Ahiru's breath catches in her throat. She could be wrong, but…she doesn't think she's ever seen a smile this soft from him before… This is a day of firsts for them, it seems.

"I admit, that's not the reaction I was expecting," he tells her softly. He reaches over to drop his hand on her head and ruffle her hair, making her snort and lean up into it happily, which just makes him melt further. Geez… If she isn't careful, she might melt him completely… "Not that I was expecting a reaction at all. I didn't mean to leave this here, after all. I misplaced it earlier," was too preoccupied with thoughts of what to do about her to pay attention to what he was doing, "and I was looking for it when I found you." He glances up at the sky to watch two birds swirl around each other, and he takes a deep breath. A tiny, almost hopeful smile comes to his face. "But you know, it's just a rough draft, so maybe…maybe you're right about the knight. At least…" he lets his thumb brush over the title, over The Prince specifically, "...in some ways. Maybe I'll rethink his ending."

She gasps and nods enthusiastically, beaming. He swears those are stars in her eyes. "Yes! Yes, please do! When you do, can I read it?" Realizing how forward that might sound, she puts her hands out in front of her in her own defense. "Ah—only if that wouldn't be a problem, I mean! And I promise to get permission first this time!"

He chuckles and nods in turn. "Actually…I'd like that." He softens, then glances away almost shyly as a new thought occurs to him. He hopes she doesn't see the way his cheeks turn pink. "I…I trust you to make sure the knight gets the ending he deserves."

Ahiru raises an eyebrow and tilts her head at that. She doesn't really know why, but she feels like she's missing something, like he's trying to tell her something and keep it under wraps at the same time. She can't imagine what, though. All the same, she's really glad he trusts her to be the one to read his writing! She feels honored, maybe even important! She clenches her fists at half-mast. "I'd love to! Thank you so much!"

He breathes a helplessly fond laugh. "You're welcome."

A comfortable silence settles for a long few moments, and then something sparks in Ahiru's mind. "Hey, so what's this for anyway? Some writing class I didn't know you had?"

He stiffens and colors brightly, and Ahiru wonders if maybe she shouldn't have asked. But then, quietly, "I…I want to be a writer…"

Instantly, it's like her entire being lights up. "Really?!" His eyes widen at her ecstatically excited tone, and they do even more when he sees how starstruck she is. His cheeks darken. He nods, and if possible, it's like she lights up even more—hell, becomes the sun itself. "What I just read was incredible! I can totally see that! You should, you should! Absolutely!" She nods so many times, he's surprised she's not dizzy, each time more enthusiastic than the last.

He can't help but laugh, still feeling shy, but not nearly as embarrassed. She really is diving headfirst into this, isn't she? He can't pretend he doesn't feel a massive confidence boost from it, though. Ahiru is a lot of things, but disingenuous isn't one of them, and she's always had a thing for fairy tales. If she likes it, especially this much? To him, that must mean he's really onto something.

They end up just talking for the rest of the day, skipping practice entirely (they practiced extra yesterday, so it should be fine). Heading home just as dusk starts to settle, he smiles softly in listening to her ramble about her favorite parts of his story. He's never had someone ramble about his writing before…

The next afternoon, he catches Lilie and Pique on the way to one of the only classes they don't share with Ahiru. They're surprised to see him, but he doesn't care about that right now. All he cares about is his friend.

"I overheard something the other day I need you to confirm." He's not bothering to beat around the bush, his voice and expression demanding no nonsense. "Ahiru told you that she 'swims and eats and has a lot of fun' on her vacations, and when she left," he points at Pique, "you said she says the same thing every time, that her story never changes. Is that correct?"

They look startled that he heard all that, never mind that he remembered it all almost word for word, but nod in unison. "Y-yeah, that's right." Pique tilts her head, brow furrowing. "Why?"

Lilie gets that look on her face, the one with the stage-whisper hand to her mouth that makes him want to twist his face in disgust and call it a day, but he stands his ground and just gives her a lower level dose before letting her say her piece. "Are you asking because you care about her?"

Somehow, she makes it sound almost…devious, like she means more than she's saying. Beating back his rising blush, Fakir just lets his eyelid twitch and forces himself to roll his eyes instead of insult her to her face. He doesn't have time for this. "Don't be an idiot, of course I care about her." Okay, so he gave himself half a win, sue him. Turning back to Pique, the only semi-sensible one of the two, he answers, "I'm asking because I'm…concerned. If she always says the same thing, maybe she's hiding something. You've never heard her say she spends time with anyone, stays with anyone, sees anyone?" His own brow wrinkles. "It's always just the swimming and eating and fun?"

Pique nods, frown deepening. "Y-yes…?" She bites her lip. "She's never mentioned anyone else or doing anything else. It sounds so boring, but she always seems fine and even excited when she comes back…"

Lilie pipes up with something else, but Fakir knows enough about her character to have already stopped listening. All right, so he has his answer now, one more piece of the puzzle. The only problem is, it's the one he didn't want. Turning on his heel, he absently throws a "Thanks for your help" over his shoulder as he makes his way back to their dorm, a plan already forming in his head.

He is getting to the bottom of this if it kills him.

That evening, Ahiru is studying for a test she has the next morning, sitting at the dining room table so Fakir can quiz her while he cleans up after dinner. It's been quiet for about ten minutes while she reads the next passage, and that's when Fakir takes his chance.

"Ahiru?"

She looks up from her book with a small "Huh?"

"I forgot to ask before, but what do you usually do over break?"

She blinks. He's never asked her that before. Then again, they weren't exactly friends before. Excited warmth floods her at how close they're becoming, and she brightens. "I swim and eat and have lots of fun! It's the best!"

And there it is. That same answer. Why weren't Lilie and Pique even the least bit suspicious? They're supposed to be her longest friends, aren't they? Are they really that oblivious? Do they honestly even care? How can they call themselves her friends?

He's glad he's facing away from her. The angry, worried, frustrated frown on his face, his teeth gritting so hard they groan, and the way he's honestly surprised the plate in his hands hasn't broken from how furiously he's scrubbing it wouldn't do for her to see.

He's fixing this. Right now.

He needs to call his father.

"Well, if it isn't my wayward son! Finally feel like calling your old man, huh?" There's loving mirth in Charon's voice on the other end of the line, and it helps calm Fakir's frazzled fury some. He's grateful.

"Is that big brother Fakir-zura? Can I hear, too-zura?" He hears Charon groan (mostly for comedic effect) as he bends down to pick up Uzura. "Hi, big brother!"

All of it makes Fakir smile softly, the vice around his heart easing a bit more. He needed that. He's missed them a lot. "Hi, Uzura. Hello, Charon. How are you? Well, I hope?"

Charon laughs warmly. "Of course! Uzura and I are doing great, aren't we, schatzi?" She gives a good few taps of her snare drum in answer. "Business is going well, too! You know the holidays always get busy and then slow down again, just in time for your school break!"

Fakir hums, fidgeting with the phone cord a bit. "Good. I'm glad." A heartbeat. "Actually, Charon, break is what I wanted to talk to you about. I need a favor."

There's a collective "Oh...!" on the other end, and he can picture the two of them looking at each other in intrigue. He breathes a laugh. "A favor, huh? All right, what is it?"

He doesn't waste any time. "There's a friend of mine, a girl, Ahiru. I've told you about her before."

"Yes, I remember. The clumsy one. What about her?"

"I always figured she was an orphan, but I just found out she's been spending all of her holidays alone for God knows how many years, and I—" he holds the phone tighter, so hard it creaks; he wonders if they can hear it, "—I can't let that stand. She shouldn't be alone for the holidays. No one should, but especially not her!" He pauses, takes a breath. He got a little heated there. "Sorry, I just... Would it be at all possible for her to stay with us during the break? We have a spare room, after all, and she doesn't have much. I just...can't leave her alone again. Not after knowing this." Not after everything.

Charon is silent for a long moment on the other end, and Fakir waits for his answer on bated breath. Even if he says no, he'll figure something else out. He has to. He will not, refuses, to let her spend any more holidays alone. Finally, Charon laughs. "She must be some girl if you're bringing her home already."

Fakir reels back from the phone like it's bitten him, face beet red. Moving in again before they can start making assumptions (or worse, teasing him), he protests, "I-it's not like that!"

Charon laughs again, and he can picture the raised eyebrow he's giving Uzura and hear the smirk in his voice when he says, "Mm hmm. 'Course it's not." He's pretty sure he hears him whisper "He's in denial" to Uzura, who giggles.

Fakir growls, pointedly ignoring the way his ears are starting to burn now. "Charon, I'm serious—"

"Of course she can stay, Fakir." Charon makes sure to raise his voice over his adoptive son's frustration, and Fakir stops in his tracks. "She's a friend of yours, and she needs a place to stay. Like you said, no one should be alone for the holidays." Charon glances at Uzura and hugs her closer. "Uzura and I will get the spare room all ready for her, won't we, schatzchen?"

Uzura cheers, tapping her snare drum, and Fakir laughs lightly, the tightly-coiled tension bleeding from him in a heavy, relieved sigh. "Thank you, Charon. I really appreciate this."

Charon can't help but melt at the warm tone to his son's voice. This girl must really be something special to him if he was this worried about her. "Of course, son. Anything for you, you know that. See you in a few days. Love you."

"Bye-bye-zura! See you soon-zura!"

His smile gentles even more, another breath of a laugh escaping him. "Goodnight, Charon. Goodnight, Uzura. See you soon. I love you, too."

When Fakir finally comes out of his room, Ahiru does her best to make it look like she hasn't been glancing up worriedly every two seconds ever since he bolted to his room with dripping hands and a downright stormy look on his face. She's almost sure she fails, but does her best to smile encouragingly anyway. "You look better!" she comments, then inwardly kicks herself. Of course he does, dummy! "I-I just mean, you left so fast and looked really worried before!"

A heartbeat, a breath for courage, smile slipping as her worry comes out. "Fakir...is everything okay?" Pink dusts her cheeks at how forward that might sound. They're closer now, and she asked if he was okay the other day, but this is different. She waves her hands in front of herself, peering to the side as embarrassment burns her ears. "I-I know I'm not very good at—at helping people, but—" she looks back at him so earnestly, little fists balled up, it actually hurts, "—I'll still do my best!"

Fakir can't help but stare, heart sinking and thudding in his chest at the same time. She's...she really doesn't see her own worth, does she? Not at all. How could she, thinking she doesn't help, isn't good at helping? Does she not remember that, after all the years of doing his very best, she is the one who brought his best friend, his brother, his Mytho, out of his traumatized shell? Hell, she's bringing him out of his own more and more every day?

This girl... God, she'll be the death of him.

He doesn't stop himself from hugging her, though he thinks belatedly that maybe he should have asked first. She squeaks against him, and he looks down to make sure she's okay, but she just looks surprised. He laughs softly. "You help more than you will ever know, Ahiru." He lets that sink in for a moment. "And yes, everything's fine. In fact," he pulls away and tries not to laugh or get shy himself at how red and shocked (maybe even touched?) her face is, "how do you feel about coming home with me for the holiday break in a few days?"

She immediately looks ready to protest, but he beats her to it. "Mytho and Rue won't be coming home to visit until later, and even then, we have a spare room. My father and little sister are really excited to meet you. They already have the room ready and everything." Maybe a bit of an exaggeration on his part, the bit about the room, that is, but hey, if it can convince her to come...

She looks conflicted, hopeful, and then, "R-really? Are you sure? I won't be too much trouble? Your father's a smith, right? I don't want to mess anything up!"

Fakir blinks, then laughs. So she remembered, huh? "Yes, I'm sure. Absolutely. And no, I'm sure you won't be. Charon is a smith, yes, but you won't get in the way, I promise. His forge is separate from the house, and I can't see you needing to visit it, so it should be fine."

She still looks a little uncertain, biting her lip slightly. She really doesn't want to impose...but it sounds like she wouldn't be, and in her heart, the idea of being with someone for the holidays, not being alone? It sounds like a dream come true!

It doesn't take her more than half a second to decide.

She's the one who hugs him this time, her arms tight around his middle as she presses her face into his chest, smiling so much that her cheeks hurt. "Thank you, Fakir!" she says softly, nuzzling in a little more, what must be subconsciously.

Fakir is frozen, not even daring to breathe, but given a few moments, he finally lets himself hug her back. Maybe a touch closer than last time. A warm smile comes through. It's the first time he's ever gotten to return her embrace. "You're welcome, Ahiru. My family can't wait to meet you."

A/N: For the record, 'schatzchen' and 'schatzi' are both German terms of endearment meaning 'little treasure.' Since the anime was technically set in Germany and all, I figured it would make sense to use those.

Also, as you could hopefully tell, I took some pretty obvious creative liberties with 'The Prince and the Raven' here, making it Fakir's story, twisting things around, and making Rue the one who returned the prince's heart instead (maybe the whole thing instead of pieces, IDK, the details aren't terribly important to the fic overall, lol). So it's not the same as Princess Tutu's story! That's a whole separate debacle in this AU, which we'll see later! ;D

Also, really hope it's obvious 'cause it's important, but Fakir based the prince, Raven't daughter, and knight on Mytho, Rue, and himself, so when he's dogpiling on the knight for not deserving happiness and being unable to help the prince, he's talking about himself not being able to help Mytho while he was emotionless (pre-fic, but again, we'll get to that later), so he doesn't deserve to be happy either. He still feels some incredible guilt about that. So, when Ahiru exalts the knight and tells him returning his heart wasn't his role to play in the story, she unknowingly just put things into perspective for him and started him on the road to forgiving himself and healing, hence his intense reaction and almost-tears!

Thanks so much for reading!