Path of the Hunters [PART 5] (NSFW)

"That's right. You're going to have a front-row seat at that moment."

"Okay." He hesitated a moment before taking Cross's hand. "So... Will it take a long time?"

Smiling, Star hefted Yue. "So you looking forward to the wedding, too?"

"It shouldn't. We still have things to do."

Yue grinned. "Yeah! Next to Mama and Papa, you and Uncle Cross are the best! You two deserve each other!"

"Okay."

The hedgecat smiled widely, hugging the girl. "I knew I liked you."

Cross smiled. "Don't worry. Once we're done with our missions, we'll have all the time in the world to be a family."

Yue returned the embrace. "...Auntie Star, Can I ask a kinda rough question?"

"Yeah. I think I'll like that." He smiled. "And I can't wait til Grandma and Grandpa find out."

"Go ahead and ask, sweetheart."

"Yeah. It's a shame that quite a few people will miss out on this moment."

The hedgehog frowned slightly. "Why does Trip think most people are two-faced?"

He nodded. "But Grandpa's been saying for months that you guys were gonna get hitched. What exactly is hitched?"

"Because of the way he grew up, sweetheart..." She sighed. "He had a rough few years before he found us and, well... A lot of people he thought he could trust... Weren't trustworthy. It took months to get him to trust me."

He chuckled. "Hitched is a slang term sometimes used for getting married."

"...Yeah. He told me a little about the bad things that happened. It was horrible."

"So Grandpa was right... Again." He laughed quietly. "Sometimes, I think Grandpa has magic powers."

"Sweetheart, it was worse than anything you will ever have to experience."

"Right about what?"

"I hope I don't. But my imagination won't stop seeing it all, just like with Mama and Papa..."

"He said you were gonna get hitched and now you are! And he said that I could trust you. And he said that Mom had a screw loose. And when Sunny explained that, he was right again. But I like Mom like that. And-" He cut off abruptly, blushing. He was talking too much.

"Oh, Yue... This is what I told Trip to help him with nightmares: it's your imagination. You can control everything that happens. So if you dream about Trip's bad situation, put someone into it you know makes things better. You make things better. If you dream about your mom and dad, put yourself in there to make everything better."

Cross chuckled. "Go on, Trip. I like to see you so vocal."

Yue attempted a smile. "Well, okay. I'll try."

"I don't remember what I was talking about..."

"Sweetheart, if it doesn't work immediately, I bet it will if you keep trying. It worked for me."

Cross smiled. "You were talking about how Dad seems to be always right in what he says."

She blinked. "You had nightmares, too?"

"Grandpa? He is. He's the best. He'll be sad that he missed it, but he'll say that Grandma's sad. So maybe you can do it again? Can you get married twice without having to get divorced?"

"Oh, yes. I don't want to add to yours, so I won't give you any details. But I had them until I started to change the way I thought."

"Hmm. Now there's an idea: Have the official wedding now, and perform the vibrant ceremony, when we get home." He smiled at the kit. "Trip, you are a genius."

"Hm. Okay. But Uncle Cross seemed really upset about something, earlier. Does it have to do with your nightmares?"

He looked surprised a moment, then smiled. "It was an accident."

"A little bit... But never mind that, sweetheart."

"Hey, some of the greatest things in life happen by accident."

"...Okay. I just don't like to see people hold things in that upset them. It might cause more nightmares, and not just for me."

"Like what?"

"Oh, sweetheart, those nightmares are pretty much gone. And Cross knows all about it and as much as I love him, he definitely helps me get rid of them."

"Well, my meeting your mother was an accident."

"But still, earlier, he had this look like..." She shuddered.

Trip stared up, blinking. "I met Mom by accident, too."

"I know..." Star sighed. "He's just upset because I won't ever be able to have a baby... It makes him upset and, well, it makes me sad. But I have Trip and now so does Cross."

Cross smiled. "Really? What a coincidence."

Yue gasped. "You can't have a baby?..."

He nodded, smiling shyly. "I like accidents. But just the good ones."

"Probably not. But don't let it worry you so much, sweetheart. I have all those kids at StarShine and I have Trip. And I get to see you sometimes, so I have you, too." She smiled. "I have lots of babies."

"Agreed." He ruffled the boy's hair. "I'm seeing us have a pretty good relationship."

She looked downcast. "Well, yeah, that's all good. But, don't you think it'd be different, having one of your own?"