The Mother

Hundreds of years passed, and Acidia’s situation only got worse. He found that he aged very slowly, unlike the other spirits around him.

And his treatment only got worse. His peers made no motion to hide that he as a pariah. Acidia was confused by their behavoir. What had he done to them? Could it make it up to them? He wanted to be their friend, he would do anything.

But no one listened.

----

Stomach growling miserably, Acidia pulled himself up. His body had aged to that of a seven year old child, but he was still smaller than average, no doubt from malnutrition.

He had taken shelter under the roots of a large oak tree, the damp ground dirtying his silk robe. The night was cold, brisk air chilling him to the bone.

Acidia’s hands trembled violently, tiny sparks of magic flickering amongst his fingers. Small green sprouts started to protrude from the ground, rapidly blooming into brightly-colored flowers.

Acidia sighed, brushing the soft petals of the flowers. The only spell he could preform was the summoning of beautiful, but highly poisonous, flowers. Slowly, he worked his fingers, tying the stems of the flowers together. He created a small crown, placing it on top of his head.

A nervous smile came to his lips, enjoying the feeling of the flowers touching his head. He had made countless flower crowns, of various colors and patterns. It was the one hobby he felt safe doing.

Snap! A branch broke.

Someone was coming! Acidia nearly jumped out of his skin, sweat forming on his face. He wrapped his wings around his body, peering through the gaps of his feathers.

Gaea walked by his tree, yawning into her hand. Acidia’s eyes followed his Mother, heart throbbing. She was going to her sleeping chambers.

Acidia’s cheek flushed, gazing around his lonesome, cramped nest. He was sweating, only one thought on his mind.

He wanted his Mother.

Acidia wanted Gaea to hold him. He was scared. He wanted her to kiss him like she did her other children. He wanted to lay against her chest and sleep. Gaea smelled so nice and her skin was so soft.

Tears brimmed in Acidia’s eyes as he pulled the flower crown off his head. Maybe Mommy will like this, he thought, blinking. I want to give this to my mommy. Maybe she'll love me if I give her a gift.

Wiping the mud off his clothes, Acidia crept toward Gaea’s temple, the massive tree-structure looming over him. He tensed his body, willing himself to shift. He became a small green viper, slipping through vines and branches. He knew the way to Gaea’s chambers. He often visited her room, just to lay on her bed while she was out.

Curled under a mound of blankets, Gaea slept, her face relaxed and peaceful.

Shifting into his human form, he toyed with his robe, overcome with emotion. He knelt down beside Gaea, placing the crown of flowers on her head. He let himself fall against her, head resting against her large bosom.

Acidia smiled earnestly, the feeling of human contact foreign but amazing. He wrapped his arms as far as he could around Gaea, allowing her hair to cover his face.

Acidia’s eyes drooped, sleep coming over him. He felt completely at peace, something he hadn't felt for decades.

A sharp poke in his side stirred him.

Acidia cried out, waking up immediately. Through the darkness, he could see four armed guards over him, their weapons pointed at his face.

His breath turned ragged, and vines started to sprout around him. This couldn't be happening!

“My lady,” the largest of the guards cried, “Wake up! The creature is in your bed chambers!”

Gaea’s eyes fluttered open, her body tensing in shock when she saw the child snuggled against her body.

“You are not allowed here, you imp!” Gaea shouted, grabbing Acidia by the scruff of the neck. She threw Acidia, the child rolling to the feet of her guards.

“Come on, brat,” a guard hissed, lifting him up by the chest.

Acidia struggled against the hands that held him back, reaching out for Gaea.

“Mommy!” he screamed, tears streaming down his face. “Mommy please! I love you! I even made you a gift!”

Gaea’s eyebrows knitted in confusion, her hands slowly moving to her head. She ripped off the flower crown, crushing the plants in her fingers.

“These flowers are poisonous! Are you trying to kill me?!” She thrashed her hand across the vines he had grown, an accusing look in her eyes. “And what is this? Thorn-covered vines?!”

“I'm sorry, Mommy! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! It happens when I'm scared! I promise I'll get better!”

“You're a monster, Acidia!” Gaea spat.

“I promise I won't be a monster, Mommy! I promise I'll be good so you will love me!” Acidia bawled, thick tears falling down his face.

“No you won't! I made you to be a monster! It is your nature, and you will follow it!”

Acidia went limp, eyes dull. The guards flung him outside, the child landing in a puddle of mud.

From that day on, he kept his distance from Gaea.

Author's Note- i took the pure concept of esper making flower crowns and got my dirty angsty hands on it

also,,,,,SuperNovaStars is writing an awesome fanfic??? pls go look at it bc i have given it my stamp of snake approval