Someone.


He has always waken up very early in the morning and it's no difference now that he is staying by WonPil. He adores children and being there to help with the babies is not a burden in any way, as long as he doesn't have to set a foot close to the village or any Xuanghen city. In other words, it's all right as long as he is inside WonPil's property.
Beside helping with the babies, he also tends to the garden. The made-fertile sand counts a few fruit trees and bushes, plus a variety of vegetable plants and roots, that not just are very high quality, they also produce more products and more often during the year, than any average plant - thanks to the natural magic WeiLin imbued the area around WonPil's house with.

It's around 5 am. He woke up, washed and dressed already. He heads to the kitchen, where he finds WonPil, sat by the counter, drinking from a bottle.
«Good morning», ZhuShen says, approaching him further.
WonPil jumps, like startled, and moves his gaze towards him. «Morning… you woke up already…»
«Have you slept at all? It doesn't look like you did.»
The other sighs and rubs his eyes, shaking his head.
«The babies kept you awake?» ZhuShen sits next to him and places a hand on his shoulder, doubting that the problem were the babies. They have alcohol in Woodland Cascades, so he knows that what he is drinking at 5 am isn't fresh water or transparent tea.
«I… couldn't fall asleep. Not a big deal. I should… should get started and prepare breakfast…» WonPil clumsily stands up and so does ZhuShen.
«You should not. You look unwell, not just physically exhausted. Your mind needs some rest too.»
«It is nothing, really… I just had a bad day…»
«If yesterday was a bad day, then we should make today an especially good one.»
WonPil nods, not looking very convincing, then approaches the stove.
«Why don't you go to rest, instead? Your children can have fresh fruit for breakfast.»
«I will cook something for them first…»
ZhuShen pulls him back and hugs him. «You don't need to pretend, with your family…»

To that, WonPil bursts in tears. He doesn't say anything, but just remains in ZhuShen's arms, sobbing.
«Today will be better… and tomorrow too. I promise», murmurs ZhuShen, while gently patting his cousin's back.
«It won't… it can only get worse», sobs WonPil. «It has only and always been getting worse my whole life… if I get something, it's only so that it can be taken away from me after a bit… having nothing is better than having something just so that it could be taken away…»
«You are not alone. We will not let you be by yourself anymore. Your children and everyone around you is too young, but I am not. You can tell me what troubles you and I will be able to advice you, without feeling burdened. I am here for you and through me, Clan Leader too.»
«What will I do if Momo is sick…?»
«We will do everything that is in our powers to make her healthy.»
«And if she dies?» cries WonPil, even more desperately.
«She will not die. We will not let it happen.»
«Lani said there is no certainty…»
«Lani needs to learn how to speak. Only listen to what Clan Leader says.»

WonPil remains silent for some time, only sobbing, after that. «I need to tell someone… I must tell you… I can't be the only one who knows, if something happens to me…» He gasps.
«Nothing will happen to you.»
«But if it will, someone will have to know the truth. I can't be the only one and bring that to the grave. There could be a tremendous consequence…»
«Tell me what you have to say…»
«The father of the twins…»
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2 | Dec 14th 2021 05:32