[Automatic] (An Aarmau AU)

[Chapter 17] Stay With Me

A/N-(So it's like 1 am while I'm writing this, so I'm sorry for any errors in my spelling or grammar. I'll fix them tomorrow, I just wanted to get this out tonight)

The guard arrived the next morning.

I was awake an hour before they arrived, still trying to make sense of my dream. It was the first dream I had in months that involved my mom, so I knew it had to mean something.

But what?

All thoughts of it disappeared as soon as Katelyn opened the door, and three armed men were standing there. They informed us they were apart of the guard, and started questioning me.

It was over as quick as it started, and Katelyn and I were once again left alone. I debated talking to her about the dream, but soon dismissed that thought. It was to personal of a dream to share.

But that didn't stop it from eating away at my thoughts. Most of the day went by in a blur anyway, with a few more questions from the guard and a very anxious phone call from Aaron.

It wasn't till later that night that I actually got to see him.

I spent most of the day on the couch, trying to comprehend the events of the last twenty four hours. On top of the date and break in, the dream was still on my mind. I just wish my mind would rest for one minute.

Someone knocked at the door, and Katelyn ran to answer it. I remained staring at the tv, not really listening to what it was saying. I knew it had something to do with a fight in the capitol, but other then that I was lost.

"Aphmau", Katelyn called, poking her head into the living room. "Aaron's here"

My head shot up, and a saw Aaron standing in the hallway. I stood up and he instantly ran over and pulled me into a tight hug.

"I'm sorry", he whispered. "I'm sorry, I should've been here sooner but I got caught up in work and-"

"It's fine", I whispered. "I'm fine"

I'm not sure how long we stayed like that, just wrapped up in eachothers arms. I wanted to thank him for coming, for helping and sending the guard. But I couldn't find the words to say, so I just hugged him tighter.

Eventually, Katelyn made us both come eat. With the hectic events of that day, I had only eaten a small breakfast. So by the time we all sat down to eat, I was beyond starving.

I listened as Aaron talked about his day, and how he had to stop a small revolution from happening in the capitol square. People weren't happy about our current relation with the Nether, so they wanted to take it into their own hands.

"People are crazy and reckless sometimes", Aaron finished. "But I do agree with them to a point, we need to settle our peace with the Nether, or declare war"

"Wouldn't declaring war just cause more problems?", Katelyn asked. "I mean, Falcon Claw is already in a pretty deep dept, I'm not sure going to war would even be worth it at this point"

I silently ate my food trying not to get involved. Politics were never my strong suit, I was more about fixing than tearing down. Besides, I quit school at age fourteen, so I didn't even know anything about our government.

Katelyn and Aaron continued talking all throughout dinner, and I just listened quietly. In all honesty, I probably learned more about politics from them in twenty minutes than I ever didn't in school.

Not that I ever even tried in school.

It wasn't my fault it was deadly boring, and I had more important things to do. Why would I do two hours of homework instead of fixing my nieghbors clock and getting ten dollars. At least then I was doing something with my life.

"What do you think Aphmau?"

I quickly looked up from my food to find that Katelyn had asked me a question. Because I had been so deep in thought, I obviously hadn't heard what she said, and now she was waiting for an answer.

I panicked and looked over at Aaron, who seemed to also be waiting for an answer. Now this was another reason I never did well in school, instead of paying attention to the boring teachers I would just day dream about thing I could make when I got home.

I felt the same type of anxiety as back then, the fear of being laughed at for getting the wrong answer, or just looking like a plain idiot. The same feeling of others eye piercing into your soul, waiting for an answer they weren't getting.

"I-I'm sorry", I stuttered. "I didn't hear what you asked"

"It's fine Aphmau", Katelyn smiled. "I was just wondering what you thought about all these small uprising recently, they seem to keep being more common in capital cities"

"Oh", I said, not sure how to respond. "They're really bad I guess, but I hardly watch the news so I'm not the one to ask"

I looked over to see Aaron crack a smile, and my heart instantly start thumping. I was scared for a second I had said something stupid, and now Aaron was going to laugh at me. I mentally facepalmed for saying something like that infront of the future leader.

"You and me both Aphmau", he said, almost making me fall off my chair. "It's probably for the best, the news always lies and makes the stories sound more dramatic than they are"

I smiled, and then started laughing. Katelyn and Aaron looked over at me confused, probably thinking I had finally lost my mind. I just still couldn't comprehend what these last twenty four hours had brought, and I decided this day couldn't get anymore wierd.

So I thought.

I helped Katelyn clean up dinner, and Aaron went outside to make a phone call. Neither of us spoke and we worked in silence, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. It was more of a comforting silence that having someone that you care about around brings.

Soon Aaron came back in and helped us wash the rest of the dishes, and soon we were all seated in the livingroom watching an old movie on Katelyn couch.

I wasn't sure when Aaron would have to leave, but I had no intent to ask him. Not when we were snuggled up together on the couch watching a cheesy old romcon. His arm was loosely draped around my shoulders, and for some strange reason, I didn't feel timid or scared.

For some reason it felt normal, and right.

Katelyn eventually got tired and went off to bed, and still Aaron didn't show any signs of leaving. I'm not sure if it was to make up not being able to see me all day, but it was nice. I liked not being alone for once.

We finished around movie and then started watching some strange anime. Although I doubt either of us were really paying attention, as Aaron kept telling me various stories about things that have happened in the castle.

"And that's the story of how I accidentally set twenty wild chickens loose in the castle", he finished. "The end"

I tried to contain my laughter since I knew Katelyn was sleeping upstairs, but I failed miserably. "That amazing", I giggled. "I didn't realize you were such a klutz"

Aaron smiled faded a little and I felt the mood around us change. "Hey...", I whispered, "Is everything alright"

"Yeah", he sighed, looking away. "I've just been meaning to ask you something"

I felt my cheeks go slightly red. "W-What is it?"

He paused. "I've been thinking a lot recently, about the past few days and what has happened", I looked down to see he was idling tapping on his leg. "And I just hate leaving you when I'm so scared someone's going to hurt you"

I felt my cheeks burn even brighter red, but managed to laugh a little. "No one's going to hurt me, and even if they try I'll just-"

I quickly stopped, realizing I was just about to reveal the secret of my arm. I still knew I had to tell him eventually, but now was definitely not the time. Aaron however, didn't seem fazed by my words and continued talking.

"It's just been eating away at my thoughts for a while now, and I was wonder..."

He looked up at me, his arm still draped around my shoulders. "Was I wondering if you'd like to come live at the castle with me, until we figure out who broke into your house"