Northstar Vale Dig up Her Bones but Leave the Soul Alone

*ugly sobs*

Their mother had been there, a warm, familiar presence curled around them just as always when he had fallen asleep, only to be replaced by a much larger figure come morning. Haruki's eyes blearily blinked open as Hotaru's excited voice cut through his sleep-addled consciousness, taking a moment to register her words. As soon as he did, though, the young prince immediately shot right up, looking first to his sister before focusing on the adult who had taken Reiko's place. Father was home!

He vaguely remembered being roused in the night, disturbed from his sleep as Reiko had gingerly stepped over them before that fateful argument with their father. Only, the memory of that was hazy, and he did not put two and two together, instead assuming their mother had only stepped out for the time being.

At Hotaru's question, Haruki took it upon himself to let Reiko know the joyous news. Untangling himself from the mess that was both of his sisters' pale limbs, the boy stumbled eagerly towards the entrance of the den, head popping out into the rain with an exuberant: "MAMAAA! DAD'S HOME!"