Uta doesn’t often do double takes.
And he never does thirds.
But right now he can’t believe his eyes. That silly human he had dated – the mysterious one, with flowing red hair like a witch and covered in in a labyrinth of tattoos – is back in the 4th ward.
And with them is a child, a toddler of about two.
He dated them two years ago.
Have they moved on so quick? Or…Uta tries to remain calm. There’s no way the blonde kid is his. Even if they have his color hair.
“Hey, [Name],” he calls out casually.
They look at him, as if they expected this. “Hello, Uta.” They grab their kid’s hand, as if afraid of him. “Uta, this is Sumira. Sumira, this is Uta.”
“Hi,” the child calls cheerfully.
Uta sees a blush on his ex’s face.
“[Name]?” He doesn’t need to ask further. “Are they…”
“They’re part human. A quarter-human, to be exact.” His ex pastes a grin on their face. “Can’t be, I assume, right?”
Uta’s throat dries. So that’s why… “I think you know the answer.”
“I’d rather hear you say it.”
Uta squats down so that he is eye-to-eye with his child. “Sumira, I’m your daddy.”
As the child gasps, he straightens. “Yes, I am a half-ghoul.”
“Daddy?!” The little girl reaches for him, and Uta gingerly lifts her into his arms. An unexpected emotion – peace – floods through his body.
“She nearly died because you kept it from me,” says his ex.
“Is that why?” Uta holds his breath.
“Why I left?” His ex sighs. “No. I left to keep them safe. If any of your enemies found out you had a kid…”
“So you didn’t want to leave me?”
“Truthfully, I was pretty pissed you never told me who you were.” They hang their head.
“Is there any going back?” Uta asks.
“Let’s get coffee,” giggles Sumira in Uta’s ear.
Uta cocks his head at his ex.
They smile. “Let’s start with that. And maybe an origin story.”
Mercy and Magic 