Light in the Dark (male child reader X mother Salem)

Prologue part 2

Salem POV

It's been five years since Aaron and I took Cinder in. "MAMA!" Cinder shouted happily as she ran over to me and jumped into my arms, "Hi sweetheart, did you and Daddy have fun at the amusement park?" I asked, "Yeah!" She said, "It would've been better if you were there with us, but it was fun none the less." Aaron said, "I'm sorry, but I took too many risks as it is." I said, "Wait what? What risks?" He asked, "I'd like you both to meet Hazel Rainart. He will be here to help keep an eye on a certain rambunctious little girl." I said as I tickled Cinder making her laugh, "So he's what exactly?" Aaron asked, "Don't know yet but for now he can be Cinder's, Uncle Hazel." I said, "Salem a word please." Aaron said, "Alright, Cinder sweetie why don't you go play." I said as I set her down and followed Aaron into the next room. "Salem what's this about. I can get changing yourself to look how you did when you were with your first family for Cinder. I'm not complaining, I think you look even better than ever. But why would you do something like this without talking to me about it first?!" He asked, "Because I'm tired, Aaron! I'm tired of being the stay at home mom, the mom who can't leave her home or else her baby might get hurt by her ex! I want to be a normal mother, I want to go to the amusement park, take her shopping, hell I'd settle for being able to take her to the park or even just a walk!" I said, "Hazel is here to make sure I can do that because I can't risk the two of you getting hurt! So if he gets hurt I'd feel bad, but I'd get over it. I can't say the same for you or Cinder. So are you really going to be upset with me for making an effort to return some semblance of normalcy to my being a mother?" I said, "No I'm sorry, I guess I got a bit jealous when I came home and saw you here with another man." He said, "I'd never cheat on you. And if I would I wouldn't cheat with Hazel." I said. 

A month after I brought on Hazel I decided to make Mystral a safe haven for me and my family. "Hazel, would you be a dear and fetch someone for me?" I asked, "Who do you need me to retrieve for you, my lady?" Hazel asked, "Leonardo Lionheart." I said as I brushed Cinder's hair. "I will bring him here, my lady." He said before he left. "Mama play?" Cinder asked, "Sure sweetheart, Mama will be more than happy to play with you." I said as I kissed her cheek, "C-Cinder. Y-You need to run!" I said, "Why?" She asked, "Run now! Or else the tickle monster is gonna gobble you up!" I said as I tickled her before she ran away laughing, "I'm gonna get you!" I said happily as I followed her.

A few hours later Hazel returned, "I brought him, my lady." Hazel said as he took the bag off Lionheart's head, "Hello Leonardo." I said, "Y-YOU!" Leonardo said in fear, "There's no need to be afraid. I only wish to make a simple offer." I said, "What might that be?" He asked, "I want you to join me. Make Mystral a safe haven for me and my family. I only want to be a normal mother and spend time with my family outside my home." I said, "I-I can't!" He said, "But you can. All you'd have to do is supply me with the locations of all active huntsmen and ensure that I will not be seen on any footage that may be seen by him." I said, "And if I refuse?" He asked, "Then that will be your choice. I will let you go on your way. But just know I cannot be held responsible for what may or may not happen to you once you leave here." I said, "MAMA!" Cinder said happily as she ran over to me and clung to my leg and sat on my foot, "Cinder sweetheart, Mama has a guest to attend to." I said causing her to pout and cling tighter to my leg. "I-I'll join you. Please just let me return to Mystral  safely." Leonardo said, "Smart decision." I said, "Hazel take him back home." I said, "Yes, my lady." Hazel said as he led Lionheart away, suddenly I felt something wet running down my leg. "Cinder, did you have an accident?" I asked, "Sowy." Cinder said as she chewed on her thumb while I picked her up, "Ok baby girl let's go get a bath ready." I said as I carried her to the bathroom.

A few weeks after I met with Lionheart I set up a lunch with Summer. "It's been too long Salem." Summer said, "It really has." I said as we sat down for lunch, "You know Salem I have two little girls around Cinder's age, why don't you let me take her for a week and let her be around other kids her age." I said, "That would be nice, but I'd miss her too much." I said, "Then let's have a trial run! One weekend with her auntie Summer. I get that it'll be hard at first, but I think she'd enjoy her time with Yang and Ruby." She said, "Alright then next weekend you can take her home with you, I know you have a mission to get to, so I won't make you worry about her while you're working." I said, "Sounds like a plan." I said as we got up, suddenly Summer shoved me and I saw her blood fly through the air, "SUMMER!" I said worriedly as I caught her. "W-What have I done." a man said, "D-Damn it Qrow. How many times did I tell you that Salem's not evil." Summer said before she began to cough up blood, "Shh, don't talk. You're going to be alright." I said, "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR! CALL AN AMBULANCE!" I cried as I felt Summer go limp in my arms, "You killed her. YOU KILLED HER!" I cried, "I know." Qrow said sadly as he left.

I returned home with Summer's hood and scythe, "AUNTIE!" Cinder said happily, "Cinder go play in your room." I said, "Auntie!" She said, "CINDER I SAID GO TO YOUR ROOM!" I said making her tear up and run to her room in tears. "What was that about?" Aaron asked before I dropped everything and broke down in tears, "Salem what's wrong?" He asked worriedly, "It's Summer! She's dead, she was murdered in front of me and died in my arms!" I cried, "So when you snapped at Cinder, you only did so because you're still in shock." he said, "How do you tell a five-year-old that her auntie Summer is dead? She's too young to understand what's going on." I said, "All she knows is Mama yelled at her and that Mama is mad." I said, "It'll be alright. I'll go talk to her and explain why you yelled at her. But you will have to tell her something she deserves to know about Summer." he said, "I can't!" I said, "I can't hurt my baby like that." I said, "Then lie. Hint at the truth, and lie. It's not ideal, but it's the only thing we can do." He said, "Alright." I said.

Just as he said Aaron talked to Cinder, "Mama?" Cinder said, "Come here, baby girl." I said softly as I picked her up, "I'm so sorry for yelling at you honey, but auntie Summer had an accident." I said, "Auntie, poopie?" She said, "No, no auntie didn't have that kind of accident." I said with a slight laugh, "Auntie had an accident and got very hurt. She went to the hospital and we don't know if she'll be ok." I lied, "Oh no!" She said, "Mama was just a bit shaken up by what happened, that's why I yelled at you earlier. I'm so sorry sweetie." I said as she hugged me, "I love you so so much sweetheart." I said as I hugged her and kissed the top of her head.

A few days later we made a grave for Summer and I hung her hood and scythe in the castle to remember her.

Ten years later

It's been ten years since Summer's death, over the years I brought on two additional people. The first was Arthur Watts to teach Cinder, and the second was Tyrian Callows to protect my family. Aaron and I decided to have another child together and our son should be here any day now. "C-Cinder. Where's your father?!" I asked, "He's at work." Cinder said, "Ok well then you will have to help me. Your brother is coming and I need your help." I said, "W-WHAT?!" She said as I dragged her into my room.

After several hours I gave birth to my baby boy. "Welcome to the world little one. This is your big sister, Cinder. Cinder, come and say hello to your brother, (y/n)." I said, "Mom...I've seen parts of you that I can never unsee. I never wanna go through that." Cinder said from the corner. She was sweating profusely and she was very pale. "Oh, you'll be fine sweetie. And you did great, I am so proud of you." I said, "I just wish your father could've been here." I said, "Lady Salem." Hazel said as he entered my room, "Hazel, where's Aaron?" I asked, "I'm sorry my lady, but Tyrian was the only one to return. He brought this back with him." He said as he handed me Aarons wedding ring. It was covered in blood. "I'm sorry. Watts thinks it was Him who had your husband killed." He said, "Hazel please leave." I said he bowed and left. "Cinder please take your brother and go. I-I need to be alone for a while." I said softly as I handed the baby over to Cinder, "Mom." Cinder said, "Please Cinder. Please just go." I said, "Ok Mom, but I think we should talk about this." She said before she left with the baby. I began to sob clenching Aarons ring. "It happened again! Ozma took everything from me for a second time!" I cried, "All I have now are my babies and I refuse to ever let him so much as look at them." I said. Suddenly there was a knock on my bedroom door, "Mom, um (y/n)'s hungry. Can I please come in?" Cinder asked, "Come in." I said, "Come here, little man." I said as I dried my eyes and took the baby, I opened my top and nursed my son. "Mom. C-Can I please sleep in here with you?" Cinder asked. I could tell she had been crying recently from the watermarks on her cheeks and her puffy red eyes. "Yeah, you can sleep in here with me tonight." I said as she sat next to me in the bed and rested her head on my shoulder, "I love you, Mom." She said, "I love you too sweetheart." I said as I kissed the top of her head.