Peepers: [was in bed asleep, hooked onto a couple of disposable IV drips n a bag of blood, no longer pale] |-) Zzzz...
Brad: (sat next to him, stroking a finger along his cheek)
Peepers: [stirred a bit bt didn't wake up]
Brad: :( ...
Duke: (reached towards Peepers) :(?
Peepers: [heard a small tiny whimper from Duke n slowly stirred again] ...Nnhh...?
Brad: :) Hey...
Peeper: Nnhh... Is... Is this heaven...? Am I dead...?
Brad: No, you haven't died...thank gob you haven't...
Duke: Ah... (reached for Peepers again)
Peepers: [his vision cleared a little as he saw Duke] Is tht...?
Brad: :) Duke's okay...just blind in one eye and was premature. Are you able to hold him?
Peepers: B-Blind...? D-Did I do something wrong...? Did I hurt him during the birth...? (worry) [was hesitant to take him coz of his worry]
Brad: It's not your fault...it was Grandpapa's...(still was mad at his grandfather)
Peepers: I... I shouldn't hv mouth off him... If I didn't, he wouldn't hv... ;(
Brad: :( it's alright, it's okay... (petted his head)
Peepers: I'm... I'm sorry ur reunion didn't go well as planned... Maybe it was a mistake to come here... ;(
Brad: :( (wrapped an arm around him)
Duke: :( Wah?
Brad: Here, you wanna see mommy, sweetie?
Peepers: Oh sorry, sweetie, c'mere [takes Duke in his arms, which was actually pretty huge for his size, evn tho he was technically a normal-sized baby for Brad's species] Oof, ur reli big. Took me forever to get u out (giggle) [tickled his chin]
Duke: (giggle)
Brad: :) ... (turned away) ;( mmm...~
Peepers: B...Brad...? U OK, hotshot...? :(
Brad: (in slightly high voice) Yeeeeeeess... ;(
Peepers: [blinked at tht voice] R u... R u crying? :O
Brad: N-noooo... (Tries to wipe away his tears)
Peepers: Oh, Brad... I'm so sorry. :( [wanted to reach up to comfort him, bt he only had one arm, n it's occupied with carrying Duke] Did I make u worry, coz... coz I almost died? :(
Brad: I'm... Just happy you and Duke are okay, but... This is what it feels like to be a father, is it? :(
Peepers: :) Aww, of course it is. Ur just being overwhelmed with feelings, is all. I'm also happy too... So happy... ;( [shedding a few tears himself]
Brad: (embraced both him and Duke) ;(
Peepers: [nuzzled against his chest, crying happy tears along with him] ;(
Brad: (nuzzled back)
Duke: ahh.
Brad: :) We didn't forget about you, son. (gave him forehead kisses)
Peepers: (giggle) [gave him cheek kisses] (kiss)
Duke: (giggle)
Brad: :) (thinks a moment)...
Peepers: [noticed his face] Hotshot? U OK? Wats on ur mind?
Brad: ...I still don't know what happened with my parents...something about my mom...
Peepers: Yeah, tht's a bit of a bummer. Ur grandpa reli can keep someone in suspense, I'll give him tht |-(
Brad: ...Does he even deserve being my 'Grandpapa' now...?
Peepers: I don't knw... Its up to u to decide-- [hears a bit of a commotion outside the streets] Woah, wat's going on?
Brad: ? (glanced out the window to see)
[there was a bunch of ppl talking excitedly amongst themselves with the town crier/gossip]
Brad: This can't be good...
Peepers: Wat's going on? Can u hear anything they're saying?
Brad: It's hard to make out...
Peepers: Maybe u could ask one of the villagers there wat's going on?
Brad: (called out) Hey! What's all the commotion about down there??
TC/G: Havent u heard? The King Regent is dead! The succession is being sorted out right now for Chad Starlight!
Brad: :O Wh-what...?
TC/G: Yeah, not sure wat's the real deal, bt the word is King Regent Hiram got some sorta sudden stroke or heart attack n keeled ovr. The courts r all ovr the castle r abuzz trying to figure out wat to do nxt
Brad: ... (turned back to Peepers)
Peepers: [sees his face] Brad? Wat's wrong? Wat's the word?
Brad: Grandpapa... he's...he's died...
Peepers: :O Wait, wat?
Brad: Heart attack...
Peepers: Oh, Brad... I... I dunno wat to say...
Brad: ...He brought it on himself... (said this slightly coldly)
Peepers: Brad... :(
[Another tiny commotion went on outside, n the wheels of a carriage was heard]
Brad: ? (looked and saw a familiar face)
[the carriage stopped in front of the inn they were staying n out came Brad's grandma with some of her handmaidens]
Manager: Oh, it's the Queen Regent! Wat can ur humble servant do for u?
Grandma: Has a man with his pregnant wife come in here?
Manager: Y-Yes, Your Grace, the wife just gave birth in fact. The doctor n midwife just left
Grandma: Bring me to their room
Manager: At once, Your Grace
Brad: It's Grandmama... (worry)
Peepers: Oh no... [held Duke close, worried] :(
*knock knock knock*
Brad: (bit his lip) ... It's unlocked...
Manager: [opens the door n lets the queen regent entered]
Grandma: Leave us be
Manager: Yes, Your Grace [closes the door behind her]
Brad: ...Hey, Grandmama...
Grandma: Oh, Bradley... [comes to hug him]
Brad: (was a little surprised but hugged her back) Aren't...aren't you mad with me...with us...? :(
Grandma: Of course not, silly. I've been praying u would survive ur exile n return for so long. U hv finally returned. It's not ur fault. It was nvr ur fault
Brad: But Grandpapa-
Grandma: Like I said, it's not ur fault. I... I killed him :(
Brad: :O Y-you??
Grandma: It's... It's more like self-defense, actually. He almost overpowered me wen I was trying to hold him bk so u two could escape. He was abt to aim the staff to shoot u bt Chad and I managed to pull him bk, then we pulled a little too hard n the staff somehow ended shooting himself... :(
Brad: ... :( I see...
Grandma: We tried to cover it up, telling the staff to tell everyone he died of a sudden stroke or heart attack, whichever works. Luckily the staff blast didn't leave too many marks on him so...
Brad: Mhm... (gestures to Duke in Peepers' arms) Grandmama... This here's Duke.
Grandma: Oh is that my great grandchild? :)
Peepers: [was a little wary, hugging Duke protectively]
Brad: It's okay, Peepers. It's okay.
Duke: (cooed at his great grandmother)
Peepers: [hesitated, then showed her Duke]
Grandma: Oh, he's beautiful. May I...?
Peepers: (think) ...... (nod) [hands Duke to her]
Grandma: [takes Duke in her arms] Ooh, ur adorable~ <3<3 [sees the glazed right eye] W-Wat happened here?
Brad: Because of what Grandpapa did, he came out prematurely and lost sight in one eye.
Grandma: Oh, u poor thing... [turns to Peepers] N u, r u OK? U took a hard fall
Peepers: I'm OK, almost died of blood loss, bt it's nothing to do with the fall, it just happened...
Grandma: Poor u [gently stroke Peepers' head] U did well, young man. Ur baby is beautiful. Great job
Peepers: :) [smiled weakly] (yawn)
Brad: (chuckle) Someone's getting sleepy.
Duke: (tired)
Peepers: Nnhh... So tired...
Grandma: U had a long day, sweetheart. Rest now. Here [puts Duke nxt to Peepers]
Peepers: Nnhh, thank u... Ur not so bad aftr all (tired).... |-)... Zzzzz...
Duke: (yawn) Ah~... |-) (fell asleep in his mother's arm)
Brad: :)... (whispers) Grandmama... can we talk...?
Grandma: (nod) [whispered] Of course
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