Chapter Text
Molly had never let it truly sink in that Gio's epithet was actually Soup.
Legitimately Soup.
She laughed whenever she thought about it, which was often, Gio's confused face whipping around every time.
"Is it really that funny Bear Trap?"
She giggled again while Percy rolled her eyes.
They'd been walking for about an hour and a half at that point, supposedly going mad.
Zora- who had joined them earlier, also on the hunt for the necklace (and since Ramsey wasn't around) -wouldn't shut up about how cool her Epithet was.
It reminded Molly of Indus.
"Hey Gio-"
She held onto the little tip of his cape. It just felt safe to her.
"What is it little Bear Trap?"
Gio's voice soothed her. She never really knew why
"I'm hungry, could I have some soup?"
"OH OH ME TOO"
Gio looked back, annoyed at the loud cowgirl.
"Alright alright. Bear Trap first though."
They stopped to rest near a large tree.
"Wait, if we stop, how will we track them again..?"
"Oh relax Perc, it's just a little stop. Everyone's hungry. Plus we've got Zora, she's good at tracking!"
Zora nods, taking a sip from her bowl.
"I wonder what happened to Sylvie.."
That fully broke the silence that fell over them for the quiet minutes they spent eating.
"Sylvie!? I completely forgot about him!"
"Who is... Sylvie?"
"OH, I've seen that kid around!"
"He isn't a kid."
The silence fell back over for an odd reason; Molly deciding to speak again.
"Dr Sylvester is someone me and Gio met back at the museum.."
"Yeah! He had some sort of like- Sleep or dream Epithet-"
"Though we were never able to get its name.."
Percy chimed in, her face lighting up.
"Ah yes, Dr Sylvester Ashling. I've seen him before-"
Zora let herself fall to the ground.
"Told ya."
"I wonder what he's doing right now."
Gio let out a sigh.
"I wonder what my dad is doing right now.."
Gio sat up, staring at Molly.
"Aren't you supposed to be home..? Won't he be worried?"
"No.. He forgets me a lot. That's why I was at the museum.. Alone... When it was closed..."
Percy drew a concerned look on her face.
"Your father.. Forgets about you?"
"Does he have like- Dimentia or something??"
"No.. I just... I dunno."
Molly would sink her form into Gio's, almost seeming to be absorbed by him.
"Well, Molly. If needed, I will always be here for you."
Gio scoffs.
"No you won't. You're always so busy. You're a police officer after all."
"Hmph. And why should I leave her in the hands of a self proclaimed criminal, who is in fact a criminal."
"Who is she hiding behind right now? Who's comfort is she wanting right now Percy? Mine, or yours."
Molly buried her face deeper into the angered Soup Slinger's side.
"Fair point. But you need to stop being so obsessive."
Apparently she had her sword drawn, as she sheathed it. Gio hadn't noticed.
He bit his bottom lip in anxiety.
No one was going to take Molly away from him... Why would anyone?
He floated a little "Lava" bubble to Molly's mouth, and she let it float into her mouth.
It was how they did things.
This was how things should be.
Him and Bear Trap. Together, forever.
Maybe Percy was correct. Maybe he was a little too obsessive.
But it was fine. As long as Bear Trap was okay with it.
And he was sure she was.
She smiled, nestling more into him.
He put his arm and cape gently around her.
"Bear Trap is tired. We should rest."
"Good idea Pink-Hair!"
Zora took off her shawl, placing it on the ground like a little bed.
She'd then jump onto it and roll into a little burrito.
It seemed pointless to Gio.
"Come on Bear Trap, it's bedtime."
She smiled, yawning before falling asleep, listening to Gio's soft, happy voice.