"Is that… you… Raphael…?"
Raphael's ears gave a small twitch. His breath caught at the sound of the voice. That tone… there was no mistaking it. He stood still, the air around him seeming to hold its breath too. Ruin, standing nearby, glanced between them, a soft and knowing smile spreading on her lips.
The man approached without hesitation and pulled Raphael into a tight, one-armed hug.
"Stubby… it's me," Raphael said quietly. His voice had warmth in it. That old warmth from long ago.
Stubby held him close for a heartbeat longer before stepping back, his left hand resting firmly on Raphael's shoulder. "Kid… you really made me and Elara worry. Not writing again like that." His tone was thick with emotion, but he tried to mask it with a grin. "And you've grown up to be quite the lady catcher, haven't you? What's your secret?"
Raphael chuckled softly, letting himself lean into the moment. "Are you sure you should be asking me that?" He tilted his head slightly toward Stubby's right side, and his voice turned low with concern. "What happened to you, Stubby?"
Stubby followed the line of Raphael's attention and let out a dry laugh, glancing at the empty sleeve that hung at his side. "Ah, this? Just a little accident. The kind you don't forget."
Raphael murmured, "It's always a little accident."
Sensing the quiet shift in mood, Ruin stepped closer, her voice gentle. "Oh, come on, Raphael… shouldn't you be a little happy right now?"
Stubby turned toward her, puzzled. "Wait. Ruin? You know Raphael?" He blinked, then looked back at him. "Better still, where's the boss? We haven't heard from either of you in such a long time. What happened?"
Raphael's head lowered slightly. "It's a long story."
There was a quiet pause.
Ruin, holding her basket with both hands, offered a polite smile. "Mister… since you and Raphael have some talking to do, why don't I come back tomorrow?"
Stubby looked over. "Wait, you don't have to leave just yet. At least let me know what you wanted."
Ruin stopped and turned gently at the door. "Oh, don't worry… that can be taken care of. I just need to go prepare for tonight's feast."
Stubby blinked, his eyes lighting up. "Feast? So it's true, then?"
Ruin nodded with a warm hum. "Mhm."
"I wonder how it'll turn out."
"It's going to be wonderful," she said, her voice bright. "You and your family shouldn't miss it for anything."
Stubby smiled. "Alright then. If you say so, I'll be there."
Ruin gave a small nod. "Yes… oh, and Raphael." Her eyes turned to him. "Will you be alright getting home?"
"I can," he answered quietly.
"Okay then. Bye, mister. Bye, Raphael."
She had just stepped to the door when his voice called softly.
"Ruin."
She paused, glancing over her shoulder. "Uhn?"
"…Thank you."
Her expression softened even more, eyes shining in the light from the open door. "I'm not the one who deserves it."
Raphael's smile grew the tiniest bit. He already knew who he needed to thank.
"Then I'll have to thank him myself."
Ruin gave a gentle nod and slipped out, the basket of apples swaying lightly as the door closed behind her.
Raphael turned toward him, voice steady. "What happened to your arm, Stubby?"
Stubby gave a short laugh, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He patted Raphael's shoulder lightly with his left hand. "Now that's sudden. Why the seriousness? We've got years to catch up on, don't we?" He stepped behind the counter with an ease that felt practiced. "Come, let's talk properly."
Raphael sighed softly, stepping forward. "Better?"
"Much," Stubby said, then leaned in. "So, how have you been? And why haven't I heard from either of you since?"
Raphael raised an eyebrow slightly. "You'll answer my question."
Stubby chuckled. "You really haven't changed, kid."
The eyebrow stayed raised, patient.
Stubby gave a playful groan. "Alright, alright. I'll talk. But you first. What happened? And don't start halfway."
Raphael drew in a breath. "Where do I even begin?"
"From the beginning, of course," Stubby said, voice lighter now.
Raphael's voice dropped lower, heavier. "Well… it's not all that bright. You already knew the boss made a bit of coin, started working with a few merchants. After a while, I was hired to deliver goods to a noble. Simple enough, or so I thought. But I was ambushed. Got hurt. Couldn't move for days. That's why I never sent word." His head dipped, and for a moment, he paused, the silence stretching. "Then… everything started to fall apart. The business failed. The boss died. And I couldn't save him. Just like the others I've lost."
Stubby's voice softened. "Enough, Raphael."
Raphael looked up but didn't speak.
Stubby's gaze stayed steady. "It's alright. I figured something had happened… but let's leave it there. Elara already received his final letter. She knew."
Raphael's lips parted, but no words came.
Stubby's voice grew firmer. "You know, Raphael, I'm no fool."
Raphael's brows drew in. "What do you mean?"
Stubby watched him quietly. "Strange, isn't it? What you just said about not writing doesn't match what the boss told me in his letters."
Raphael's ears gave a small twitch. "And what exactly did he write to you?"
Stubby leaned on the counter. "Said you were busy. So busy, you didn't have time for letters. That work had piled up. And then, just like that, the letters stopped."
Raphael let out a faint sigh. "He didn't want Elara to worry."
"It felt like that," Stubby said. "But… his last letter felt more like a farewell."
Raphael opened his mouth. "How would I kn—"
"Shut it, Raphael," Stubby snapped. "Don't lie to me. I deserve the truth." His hand clenched against the wood.
Raphael's ears twitched again. The tension was there, but he didn't back away. "The boss… he fell into debt. Owed money to the wrong people. People who don't wait. It was already a disaster."
Stubby's shoulders eased. His hand relaxed. "So that's what happened. I thought it might've been something else."
Raphael's voice lifted slightly. "Something else? What could be worse than that?"
Stubby raised his hand. "Easy, kid. I know it wasn't easy. Not for you. And not for me or Elara either."
Raphael confused. "What happened?"
Stubby's voice dropped, heavier now. "It's tied to this." He glanced down at his missing arm. "We were headed to Dreadholm. Everything was fine… until we were attacked."
Raphael's tone sharpened. "Is Ela—"
Stubby gave a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. "Elara's fine. I made sure of that."
"Then… why were you attacked?"
Stubby's face darkened. "It was Zephyr. That bastard came out of nowhere. Said it was a warning. Then walked away like nothing happened."
Raphael stilled. "Zephyr… was he alone?"
"Strangely, yes," Stubby said. "And the more I think about it… the more it feels like he used us. Like he wanted something from you. Or the boss. Some kind of leverage."
Raphael's voice was quiet, but sharp. "Then… he must have been the one who took your arm."
"Yes," Stubby said, his voice low. "And honestly, things haven't been easy for me since then. For a while, I felt useless. I kept thinking Elara would give up on me… but she didn't. She took care of me. Even after we arrived here in Dreadholm."
Raphael asked quietly, "And how did you both manage to survive here?"
Stubby leaned on the counter. "We got by. I picked up whatever work I could—small jobs, odd ones. Elara did the same in her own way. It wasn't always bad. We managed to rent a place, and truth be told, the system here is more forgiving than other places."
A small chuckle escaped Raphael. "So how did you end up with this whole building? Or better still, the bakery… or wait, is Elara the one baking the bread?"
Stubby gave a short laugh. "No, she's not. I'm the one who bakes."
Raphael tilted his head, skeptical. "Is that so? And how do you even manage that, considering…"
Stubby flashed a grin. "No, kid, I'm not useless. I've learned. And well, one of the Orders here… they showed up and gave us this place. Said it was a gift for my work. Can you believe that? Called it a reward or something. You know how those people talk."
Raphael smiled faintly. "Yeah… I remember. You were always the hard worker back then."
Stubby laughed. "Was I, though? Elara never seemed to think so. She complained more than anyone."
Raphael's expression softened. "She really was the bully."
Another laugh. "She was. Still is, I think."
Raphael looked around. "So, where is she now?"
"She went to pick up the kids from class," Stubby said, stretching his back a little.
Raphael Shocked. "You… have children?"
"Of course we do," Stubby said. "What, did you think we wouldn't?"
"How many?"
"Three," Stubby said with a proud nod. "That makes you an uncle now, like it or not."
Raphael opened his mouth to speak, but the door opened with a sudden creak. A little girl's voice rang out, cheerful and loud. "Mom, I told you, I was right!"
A boy's voice quickly followed. "No, you weren't!"
A woman's voice came after, warm but firm. "Raphael, what did I say about shouting like that?"
As they entered, both men turned toward the door. Stubby's face lit up. "Raphael, don't tell me you're fighting your big sister again."
The children rushed forward, squealing, "Daddy, Daddy, we're home!" Their arms wrapped around him.
Behind them, Elara stepped in, a baby cradled carefully in one arm. Her eyes fell on Raphael, and her steps stopped.
The little girl tugged on her father's shirt. "Daddy, tell Raphael that bullies are bad!"
Stubby gave a gentle laugh. "Raphael."
The boy quickly added, "It's not my fault, Dad! The bullies always want to fight me first."
"He's lying!" the girl shouted. "Right, Mom?"
Elara didn't reply. Her eyes stayed locked on Raphael, her face slowly losing color.
The girl looked back up at her. "Mom… what's wrong?"
Stubby crouched to their level, voice gentle. "Give Mummy a moment."
Elara's eyes shimmered with tears. Her voice wavered. "Raphael… is that really you?" She adjusted the baby in her arms, holding it close against her chest.
Raphael gave a soft smile. "Hi, Elara. You… look really old."
Elara stepped forward and, with her free arm, pulled him into a tight hug. The baby shifted against her, making a small sound. "Idiot. I'm not old. You're the old one."
Raphael chuckled, his voice quiet. "Yes, I know… yes, I know."
The little boy whispered to Stubby, "Dad… who's the uncle hugging Mom?"
Stubby smiled. "That's your mother's younger brother. So, that makes him your uncle."
The children's eyes widened.
"We have an uncle?" the girl asked, full of wonder.
The boy tugged on Stubby's sleeve. "Can we say hi?"
Stubby glanced over at Raphael and Elara. "Go on, but gently. Don't bump your baby sister."
The two children rushed over, arms stretched wide. "Hello, Uncle! Hello, Uncle!"
Raphael knelt down, a soft laugh escaping him. "Hello."
The boy stared at the cloth over his eyes. "You look cool… but… can you see?"
Elara's tone sharpened gently. "Raphael."
The boy lowered his head. "Sorry."
Raphael reached out, resting a hand gently on the boy's head. "It's alright. I can see. Just not the same way you do."
The children stared at him, fascinated.
Stubby stood and walked to Elara's side. "How was the little trip?"
Elara gave him a light punch to the chest with her free hand. "Idiot. Did you know?"
He grinned. "No, I didn't."
The room filled with the soft hum of life. The children's voices mixed with the scent of flour and the warmth of fire, and Elara held the baby a little closer, breathing in steady. Raphael stayed still, his ears twitching faintly, catching every sound, every word.