Chapter Text
When Stella found Bloom in Gardenia, Bloom’s life was never the same again. Discovering she was a fairy, studying at Alfea, restoring the lost Kingdom of Domino. Can’t forget the countless fights with witches and monsters.
With the accomplishments and titles, came duties as Princess and Guardian of Domino. She was rebuilding a kingdom, reconnecting with birth parents she barely knew, and trying to bond with Daphne, her sister, who was still trapped as a nymph.
In turn, came less time spent on Earth.
She kept in close contact with Vanessa and Mike, her adoptive parents, at first. Every other day, they’d call her old Earth phone, confiding in her mom about the struggles of magic, telling her dad about the unique technology and customs of the magical world. He tried to act cool about it, but she knew he was intrigued.
Then the calls grew less frequent. Not because they stopped calling – but because she could only answer in the little free time she had.
The visits became rare, until it was just for special occasions, like her graduation or the holidays.
She didn’t stop to think about how much she should merge her two lifestyles. She felt like she had to keep moving. There were so many things to do, adventures to go on, people to meet.
At one point her phone from Earth was far too out of date to function anymore.
She told herself she’d get a new one as soon as possible.
As soon as she goes back. As soon as things settle down.
When she finally had some time off, she wanted to surprise her parents, and go to Gardenia. To finally go back to her real home, and take a good time off away from everything else.
Her birth parents were lovely really. But they didn’t see her grow up like her parents.
Dinner at the palace was always stiff, every conversation with her birth parents feeling more like a formal introduction than 'family time'.
She was grateful for an excuse to skip it. Though she did feel guilty for that. Only a little.
She didn’t realise just how much she had missed home until she was on her way there.
Finding out like this was the worst.
Bloom couldn’t believe it. She didn’t want to believe it.
But her mum’s close friend, Silvia, was looking at her with such sadness. Such pity. Such pain.
God, she felt like a fool – knocking on the door over and over before even checking if she had a key. A key to the house she grew up in. And she didn’t even have it.
It was only thanks to Silvia that she even had a key.
Her hand trembled as she slid it into the lock, turned the handle, and took that first hesitant step inside.
The air was heavy. The house was dark. Dust clung to everything, as if time had stopped the moment they were gone.
Silvia’s words were repeating in her head, over and over again, as Bloom opened all the curtains and windows to let light in.
The firemen were there for the civilians during a dungeon break, to put out the flames, rescue the injured, and help restore some semblance of order.
Unfortunately the building Mike was helping near had crumbled from the pressure of a monster. He never made it out of the rubble, and by the time they found his body, it was too late.
Mike lost his life before Vanessa. Silvia said it was around then that Vanessa gave her the keys and other documents.
Bloom walked around the house, taking the time to look at each photo frame on walls and tables. The tears wouldn’t stop.
Vanessa had been working at her flower shop, when a new gate appeared. It had caused havoc among civilians. She passed away because of a reckless hunter.
Bloom bitterly whispered curses, asking the empty halls, what the hell these Gates and Dungeons, or even Hunters were.
Why didn’t she know? She should have known.
The idea of walking around Gardenia now made her sick.
Buildings were different, some needed a lot of repairs. The park was in bad shape and yet kids still played on it. People acted like everything was normal, like gates and dungeons were just an everyday thing.
Running into Mindy was weird enough, the girl didn’t bother with any rude remarks, only an awkward glance and wave.
Bloom wasn’t sure what she was doing anymore. It had been days since she found out, and she’s done nothing but look around the house again and again. And cry again and again.
She didn’t want to think. What to eat? What to wear? What to do now?
And worst of all was the growing regret and resentment in her heart.
She was looking through Mike’s desk again, flicking through postcards. A picture of Seoul at night sticks out to her. She remembers he wanted them to go to Korea for his next holiday.
Well. Better Korea than Gardenia or Domino.