Harper envelopes the boy as he is lunged at and embraced firmly, going so far as to turn and brace their legs together, nearly dragging the boy into his lap. He may not be Edmund’s father, but he loves him deeply, and though he is far more understanding than Maeve about Edmund’s motivations and desires to age and be helpful, he also doesn’t want to see the child put at risk.
The warmth of their embrace is decidedly unnatural, but it is far from dangerous, and Harper presses a kiss to Edmund’s head as the boy passionately disagrees. “And you could never fail us, not by staying safe. We love you, Edmund. Both of us. We will always try to protect you, that’s our job.” No matter how old he gets.
Withdrawing just enough to see Edmund’s face, Harper smiles gently, smoothing dark hair out of the boy’s face. “Now, how about we get ya home finally huh? Maybe you and I can hang out just the two of us, hm?” Standing, he offers his hand to Edmund to pull him up, glad to see the weight lifted from the boy’s shoulders that he’d seen when he’d first found the prince. It’s enough, for now. A temporary bandage at best, but a bandage all the same.
- Fin
The warmth of their embrace is decidedly unnatural, but it is far from dangerous, and Harper presses a kiss to Edmund’s head as the boy passionately disagrees. “And you could never fail us, not by staying safe. We love you, Edmund. Both of us. We will always try to protect you, that’s our job.” No matter how old he gets.
Withdrawing just enough to see Edmund’s face, Harper smiles gently, smoothing dark hair out of the boy’s face. “Now, how about we get ya home finally huh? Maybe you and I can hang out just the two of us, hm?” Standing, he offers his hand to Edmund to pull him up, glad to see the weight lifted from the boy’s shoulders that he’d seen when he’d first found the prince. It’s enough, for now. A temporary bandage at best, but a bandage all the same.
- Fin
Harper
