Song of life [LCF/TCF FANFIC] (Oneshot)

Forever

Cale sighed, leaning back against the sturdy wooden chair as the warm breeze played with his long crimson locks. The golden rays of the sun bathed the small garden, making it a perfect day for a peaceful tea time with his unusual yet beloved children. Despite his innate desire to simply enjoy the tranquility, a faint sense of unease prickled in his mind-after all, with these mischievous three around, peace was often short-lived.

Raon fluttered his glossy black wings, his round, dragonic eyes sparkling with mischief as he turned his gaze towards Hong and On. The two, in their human forms, exchanged a knowing smile that immediately set off warning bells in Cale's mind. That smile, so perfectly synchronized, held a dangerous glimmer he had come to associate with trouble-trouble that always had his name written all over it.

Breaking the momentary silence, Cale took a deliberate bite of the delicate cookie in his hand, savoring the sweetness even as his reddish-brown eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Alright, out with it. What's with those sly looks? What did you all do this time?" His tone, though calm, carried an edge of practiced wariness.

Raon giggled, the sound as carefree as a breeze dancing through leaves. "Nothing, Human! We didn't do anything!" The innocence in his voice was far too exaggerated to be believable, especially coming from someone who once declared stealing cookies to be a heroic mission.

Hong, the ever-playful troublemaker, nodded sagely, a teasing lilt in his voice as his tail swished lazily behind him. "The youngest is right, nya. Really, Cale-nya thinks too poorly of us, nya! It wounds my heart, nya." He placed a hand dramatically over his chest, though the smirk curling his lips betrayed his amusement.

Cale's brow furrowed further, his already suspicious expression deepening. "You're terrible at pretending, you know that?" he muttered, though there was no real bite in his tone. He glanced at On, the quietest and most level-headed of the trio, silently hoping for some clarity.

Unlike her brothers, On's silver hair gleamed softly in the sunlight, and her feline-like eyes remained calm. She sipped her tea with a grace that could rival any noblewoman, her composed demeanor only making Cale more uneasy. Without missing a beat, she finally looked up and offered him a faint, unreadable smile. "Why do you always suspect us, Cale? Maybe this time, we're just enjoying tea... like good children."

Her words were smooth, her tone gentle, but that faint twinkle in her eyes said otherwise. 'They're plotting something', Cale concluded with an inward groan. These three had become far too skilled at weaving webs of innocence while chaos brewed in their minds.

He sighed again, this time with a touch of resignation. "I swear, one of these days, I'll just lock myself in my room and let you three fend for yourselves."

Raon perked up immediately, his eyes gleaming as he grinned. "But you'd miss us too much, Human! Who else would eat cookies with you?"

Cale's lips twitched, but he quickly masked the fondness threatening to break through his serious facade. "Eat cookies, huh? More like eat my sanity," he muttered under his breath, though his hand unconsciously reached out to pat Raon's head.

The giggles, smirks, and playful banter continued, but deep down, Cale couldn't help but feel a small warmth settle in his chest. Trouble or not, these three were his family, and no matter how exasperating they could be, he wouldn't trade this chaotic peace for anything.

Cale turned his head slightly, his sharp gaze catching sight of Choi Han standing at a distance. The ever-diligent swordsman wore a soft smile, his ever-faithful yet ominous black sword buckled securely at his side. That smile, however, only served to irk Cale further.

He had made it painfully clear that this was supposed to be a rare moment of relaxation, a time dedicated solely to himself and the kids. Yet, here was Choi Han, as persistent as always, refusing to budge. Cale sighed inwardly, lamenting his inability to fully escape the overly loyal people surrounding him.