(A/N: Hey guys 😅... I want too apologise for being absent and not updating this fan-fic. Alot has been going on in my life so my mind hasn't been on this. Hopefully now I'll be on this but most likely it will now be either once or twice a week for an update. I'm taken a small break from writing for maybe a week or so. Also just to let you guys know there will be a poll at the end of this, hopefully I'll maybe integrate some in 🤔)
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Nathan woke with practiced ease, slipping from bed without fuss. He dressed quickly, shouldered his bag, and joined Regina and Henry for breakfast. The house carried the comfortable hum of routine of Henry babbling from his high chair and Regina sipping her coffee with calm focus.
It was the second day of school and he was excited to see if could train his new Perk today in Ray's class wondering what else it can do.
As Nathan bent to tie his shoes, Regina's voice floated from the kitchen, smooth yet firm:
"Don't forget, Nathan. After school, we're stopping at the salon. A haircut is overdue."
Nathan brushed a hand through his slightly messy hair, lips twitching faintly at the comment. "I'll be ready," he said simply, tugging the strap of his bag into place.
The day at school unfolded in its usual steady current of numbers on the board, science terms, and neatly written notes. Nathan engaged when called upon, his answers clear, but he didn't push for attention sadly that never worked well. He was more interested in ray's class since she's one of the only people who helped him unlock a perk. Maybe she can unlock a few more.
At lunch, he carried his tray outside and settled beneath a tree deciding he'll try to meditate after he finished his lunch. A group of children invited him to play tag on the lawn. Nathan offered a small smile, shaking his head.
"Maybe another time."
Though his words were gentle, his tone carried finality. The children accepted it easily enough, dashing off again. Nathan returned to his food, content in his solitude. His quiet kindness and understated charm kept him
approachable but there was no mistaking that he moved at a different rhythm than the rest.
Now thinking about it why was he nervous in the first place when coming to school, his charm carried most of the work plus already knowing most of the general knowledge up to 15. It made pretty easy here.
He begun to try and meditate, took some time before a slow calm washed over him and his awareness grew but it only lasted a second before he broke his concentration.
"Hmm. It was a lot easier yesterday." Then the bell rung. Surprised again feeling the skip from meditation, even if he was only able to concentrate for moment, its been 15 minutes. " That's pretty awesome. It's basically like a fast forward." Now lets see if I can get something new from Miss Ray.
As he got to class, kids were already there but not Miss Ray. Wonder if she's late.
The atmosphere shifted when Ray entered. Unlike the other teachers, she carried herself with quiet authority, her scarred face a reminder that she'd lived more than she revealed.
"Awareness begins within" she said, her voice low but steady, walking in and
arriving in the center of the room. "but strength… requires action. Today, we
practice stillness in motion."
She led the class through balance drills: standing on one leg, shifting their weight, moving with deliberate slowness while controlling breath.
Children wobbled, laughed, and toppled over, the room filled with good-natured chaos. Nathan, however, found a steady rhythm quickly. His stance was far from flawless, but his concentration sharpened each adjustment. He felt at ease when transitioning to the new forms of the exercise.
Ray's eyes lingered on him, her approval subtle but unmistakable. "Well done, Nathan. Control is more than strength it is patience."
For a moment, the room seemed to narrow to just the two of them. The scar across her cheek softened under her faint smile, and something passed between through her eye's.
For some reason she feels familiar about this boy, not recognizing him but more of a feeling, then she feels that there was something stopping her for remembering,
then slowly forgetting her train of thought. Making it as she didn't even have such
a thought.
Though a linger of a stray thought surfaced and wriggled through. 'Maybe testing him to see if he has what it takes to be my student won't be too bad. Hopefully it will help me understand why he has this familiar feeling on him. Guess we'll see if he gets to see if he'll be my student.'
Her eye's narrowing with thoughtfulness as she watched him leave her class. The
boy is now feeling mysterious and has piqued her interest.
After school finished, Regina was there to pick him up and guide him into the small salon when arrived. The bell above the door chimed, and the air inside was sweet with flowers and faint hairspray. With the walls covered in forest wallpaper.
A young woman spun from behind the counter, her strawberry-ginger hair
cascading in long, radiant waves nearly to her waist. She lit up the moment she saw Nathan. Basically bouncing over with joy.
"Oh my stars! Miss Mills, I knew you adopted another child but no one said he was this adorable!"
Regina arched a brow, hiding a smirk. "This is Amelia Hart," she said smoothly, introducing her to her boy.
Amelia swooped forward in a burst of energy, circling Nathan as if he were a rare treasure. "Look at this hair....it's so unique! The color, the texture and the smoothness...people dream of this! It's almost a crime to cut it, but
oh well, we'll make it perfect. Just perfect!"
Nathan opened his mouth to reply but Amelia was already ushering him into the chair. She chattered at a mile a minute about styles, brushes, how he'd look charming either way. Nathan sat, bemused, surrendering to her whirlwind. There was no chance to speak between her delighted exclamations, Nathan doesn't mind on bit. She's cute she gets a bye for her quirk.
(A/N: Im wondering if you guys know who Ray and Amelia is, there is not alot
of information to go on tho. If anyone gets it right will let you guys get a small,
small spoiler. 😉)
Scissors flashed, strands of hair fell. His reflection sharpened with each
careful snip. Amelia's enthusiasm softened only when she leaned back, admiring
her work with a radiant smile.
"Perfect! Absolutely perfect. You'll have the whole town talking. Plus dont forget the girls will no doubt be fighting over you."
Nathan raised a brow faintly but said nothing. His new reflection looked back at him, shorter hair, neat but still touched with that natural tousle that gave him character.
[System Notice: Cosmetic Update – Haircut Applied]
Slight
increase to Charm (appearance-based).
Note:
Requires upkeep to maintain bonus.
Regina stepped forward, fingertips smoothing his collar as though by instinct now. Her eyes softened, approval shining through her usual composure.
"It suits you," she murmured.
Outside, the golden evening sun bathed Storybrooke in a warm glow. They walked together down the quiet street, shadows stretching long across the pavement.
Regina's gaze lingered on him, unguarded in a rare moment. The sun highlighting
his hair. "You look more charming now, Nathan."
The words caught him off guard, warmth blooming in his chest as heat crept into his cheeks. He managed a small smile, his steps falling easily into rhythm beside hers.
Together, they headed home, the fading
light painting the town in quiet promise.
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(A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter ☺️)
Poll:
•1 Carry on with this slice of life version taking our time with interactions.
•2 Have a time skip soon but they will be intervals in the time skips just to
show what been developing.
Harem list so far:
Regina
Ruby
???? (Character In the show will get a twin.)
???? (Character already been mentioned.)
???? (Character will be shown in never land arc.)
????
Maybes : ( if you guys have any suggestions I might take them on.)