Once outside of the hell, Safari stomped toward the repaired spaceship, visibly exhausted. Zack and Jen trailed behind him, barely containing their amusement.
Zack: (smirking)
"Hey, at least you made some new fans. Maybe next time theyāll build a statue of you."
Safari: (snarling)
"Say one more word, Zack. I dare you."
Just before they entered the ship, Angeleva approached them.
Angeleva: (playfully)
"Well, that was certainly entertaining. But I think Iāve had my fun for today. Iāve got a competition to win."
Safari scoffed.
Safari:
"Oh please. You got lucky this time. Donāt think thatāll happen again."
Angeleva: (grinning slyly)
"Weāll see. But next time we meet, donāt expect any hugs."
With a final flutter of her wings, she took to the skies. Safari watched her go, trying to suppress the memory of their last encounter ā the warmth of her embrace still lingering in his mind.
Zack: (teasing)
"Aw, miss her already?"
Safari: (glaring)
"Shut it."
Finally, the three boarded the spaceship. As the engines roared to life, Safari slumped into his seat, relieved to be free of the chaos. But somewhere, deep down, he knew that perhapsā¦ just perhapsā¦ the day hadnāt been entirely terrible.
_ _ _
Inside the spaceship, the atmosphere was heavy. Safari sat stiffly in the pilot's seat, his focus solely on the navigation system.
The embarrassment from the orphanage ordeal still weighed heavily on his mind. Every time the thought crossed him, he twitched in frustration.
Safari: (grumbling to himself)
"Stupid kids. Stupid caretaker. Stupid fairy."
Behind him, Zack and Jen were in a more light-hearted mood. They whispered among themselves, their laughter occasionally breaking the silence.
Zack: (teasingly)
"Did you see his face when they called him āBig Scary Manā? Classic."
Jen: (giggling)
"And the way he couldnāt even pry the kids off? For a āproud ruler of Sappy,ā he sure was powerless."
Safariās ears twitched, but he tried to ignore them. His pride had already taken a heavy beating ā he wasnāt going to give them the satisfaction of a reaction.
As the ship smoothly glided through space, Jen decided it was time to change the mood. She got up and made her way to the small kitchen chamber at the back. Zack glanced at her curiously.
Zack: (whispering)
"What are you up to?"
Jen: (smiling softly)
"Just watch."
After a short while, the soothing aroma of freshly cooked food filled the ship. Safariās nose twitched, and despite his attempts to remain stoic, his stomach growled. He scowled, annoyed by his own bodyās betrayal.
Jen: (cheerfully)
"Dinnerās ready! You two better not keep me waiting."
Reluctantly, Safari dragged himself to the dining table. Zack eagerly joined, already digging into his portion. Jen placed a plate in front of Safari ā a hearty meal of roasted meat, vegetables, and warm bread.
Safari: (grumbling)
"You didnāt have to go through the trouble."
Jen: (smiling)
"Well, youāre stuck with us. You might as well eat like a family."
At the mention of āfamily,ā Safariās glare softened. He hesitated for a moment before taking a bite. As the familiar flavors hit his tongue, he couldnāt deny how comforting it was. Despite his internal protests, the meal slowly eased the tension within him.
Safari: (muttering)
"Itāsā¦ not bad."
Zack: (grinning)
"Thatās devil talk for āItās delicious.ā"
Safari rolled his eyes, but there was no bite in his retort. After they ate, the mood lightened. Safari leaned back, feeling more at ease. He sighed, a sense of reluctant peace washing over him.
Safari: (seriously)
"Listen, about earlier. I know I was... difficult. But next time, Iāll be careful. Maybe Iāll even listen to you two once in a while."
Zack and Jen exchanged amused glances.
Zack: (playfully)
"Oh, the great Safari taking advice? This is history in the making."
Safari: (ignoring him)
"And... whether I like it or not, it seems weāve become like a little family."
He paused, almost hesitant, before pulling both Zack and Jen into a firm hug. The warmth of the gesture was unexpected, but neither of them resisted.
Safari: (softly)
"From now on, Iāll take responsibility. Like the caretaker said, Iāll be the big brother you both need."
Zack and Jen smiled, though Zack couldnāt resist one last remark.
Zack: (grinning)
"Just as long as it doesnāt mean youāre the āscary dadā type."
Safariās eye twitched.
Safari: (growling)
"Donāt push your luck, kid."
But before they could laugh further, Jen spoke up with a thoughtful expression.
Jen: (gently)
"But you know, you donāt have to do everything alone. Taking responsibility doesnāt mean carrying the world on your shoulders. If you try that, youāll just end up relying on Angeleva to comfort you again."
Safariās face immediately darkened at the mention of her name.
Safari: (grumbling)
"I will not rely on her. Ever."
Zack: (snickering)
"Uh-huh. Sure. Just like you didnāt enjoy her helping you with the kids, right?"
Safari glared but found no words to deny it. He crossed his arms in defiance.
Safari: (reluctantly)
"Fine. Iāll... do what I can. As a big brother. But Iām only handling whatās possible for me. Got it?"
Jen: (smiling softly)
"Thatās all we ever wanted."
The spaceship continued its steady path, now heading toward the next destination. The uneasy tension had lifted, and for the first time, Safari didnāt feel quite so burdened.
And though he would never admit it, part of him feltā¦ just a little bit grateful.