т н ι ѕ • ï ṡ • му • г є ש є ภ ﻮ є

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

The officer walked to his room just down the hall and opened the door, nearly collapsing on his bed.

[CrimsonMoon]

" I have some tea for you hon..." His mother murmurs softly

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Mhmm.." River muttered into the fabric of his bed, not having enough energy to lift his head. This whole time, he hadn't even had any time to cry or grieve and it was weighing him down.

[CrimsonMoon]

She sets the mug on the side table and sits next to him," Honey... Remember what dad always told us? 'There is a time for everything... Especially sleep'," she chuckles

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"It hurts, Ma," River turned his head and looked up at her, feeling more like a little boy than ever, "It feels like losing dad all over again. I hate it." Suddenly, he was years in the past, trying to make sense of the fact that his father wasn't coming home.

[CrimsonMoon]

Se gently strokes his hair," oh honey... I know... I know.. And i wish i could do more to help you.."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

He closed his eyes and sighed, "This is enough. It'll just take a little time before I'm okay with it."

[CrimsonMoon]

" Sleep for now.. I'm making sure you have a couple days off or someone's gonna make this old lady mad..."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

He chuckled, "Thanks, Ma. Can you just..check on Forest before you go to bed?"

[CrimsonMoon]

" Of course I can, sleep tight, baby," She murmurs kissin his forehead and stroking his hair

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

River kicked off his boots and sighed, curling up and closing his eyes, "G'night."

[CrimsonMoon]

She smiles and strokes his hair gently, humming a soft lullaby she had sung to him when he was a child

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

River's body relaxed against the bed and he sighed gently, totally lulled by the sound of his mother's voice.

[CrimsonMoon]

-TIME . SKIP-

The next morning, something softly pokes his cheek

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

River grumbled in his sleep and swatted his hand at whatever was touching him.

[CrimsonMoon]

There was a suprised yelp but the thing keeps poking him," Wake uuup~ your momma is making breakfast.."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

The voice made his eyes snap open and River sat up quickly, rubbing his eyes, "Wh..What are you doing in my room?"

[CrimsonMoon]

Forest blinks down at him, her wide eyes a few inches from his,"... She told me to," she smiles weakly

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

River shook his head and rolled out of bed, away from her, "Just..give me a few minutes."

[CrimsonMoon]

She smiles and nods enthusiastcally, now that her hair was free of dust, it was a dark reddish brown