Chapter 14 - The Ark Of Names (2/2)

The small child stifled a sob as she hugged the star.

”It's for you to keep.”

The Valkyrie hugged it even tighter.

”I'd known about you, way before you'd came for the tryouts. Abigail mentioned you, countless of times. She'd talked about it for hours, how you two played. How you two tried spells on each other. Or how'd you two used to hide from humans to play small tricks.”

The tears flowed from the Valkyrie's eyes and onto the star. It had been a few days since Abi's death and the Valkyrie had not felt so heartbroken for a long time. It was as if she'd been numbed by anger to the point that she had forgotten how to cry.

”Abi had the best of times with you, my young Valkyrie. I thank you, from the bottom of my heart. For making my daughter feel so happy when she was alive. This is the least I can do, to pass her baby toy onto you,” said Baldwin, voice cracking as he bowed down to the crying Valkyrie.

”Is it okay to cry now?” asked the Valkyrie, hugging the Angry Man.

Baldwin's eyes widened at what the Valkyrie sought permission for. Who in the right mind would prevent a child from crying? What hell has this poor girl gone through that needing a permit to cry was a thing?

”Of course,” replied Baldwin, hugging the little child in his arms.

A single tear fell from the Angry Man's eyes, onto the plushies behind. The Valkyrie was the first to look at the crying man.

”What does your name mean?” asked the sniffling girl.

Baldwin smiled as he brushed the little girl's fringe. The same way he'd used to comfort Abi. The same eyes that the young Valkyrie held were the same eyes that used to fill him with warmth.

”It means 'brave friend'.”

”You are a brave person.”

Baldwin shook his head, smiling.

”No. I'm crying, how can I be brave through these snot and tears?”

”You took it upon yourself to calm me down. You knew that if you couldn't handle me, I might kill you. Despite all of that, you were brave enough to test my boundaries and face my feelings head-on.”