***
Moments Earlier, Within The Dream...
"I'm going to catch you~!"
Ignotus sat on a grassy hill with a nice soft breeze. Eris was beside him, while Gaia called somewhere below them. She was chasing their daughter in circles around the base of a tree.
He had his hands behind his head, his eyes half-closed, listening to his wife's laughs and his kid's tiny squeals.
It was a nice scene… too nice and peaceful.
Eris, beside him, had Her knees drawn up, Her chin resting on them.
For once, She wasn't needling him or calling him out or being the mother he never asked for.
She just calmly sat there, content and radiating a warmth that made the whole scene feel like it belonged in a storybook.
"It's the perfect ending, hm?"
Eris exhaled a tiny laugh.
"You finally admit something is sweet without making a face."
"I'm not making a face."
"You always make a face."
Ignotus grunted, refusing to take the bait.
