Not meant to last.

Chapter 1

The more things change, the more they appear to stay the same, well, at least that how it is suppose to go. Garou had wished for times of peace for his family, however with everything going on, there was no time for rest or even a moment to think.

"I got to go get ready, I got that interview to do in City R today," said Tempest.

"I am nearly done everyone's sweaters for the winter!" called Titan.

"I am going on patrols, come on Rimuru, you're my partner, and thanks to your sis, we got new hero outfits," said Drax.

"I got to get something to eat, I'm starving" moaned Bo. "Papa, are you hungry?"

"I could eat, anyone else hungry?" Snek called out.

"As much as I would love to join you, I am being forced by Metal Bat to go and check out possible house for Zenko and I… only ones that he has approved of…" Pac muttered.

"Damn, everyone is on the move…" Garou sighed.

"Busy family…" came the tired voice of Melee. She was snuggled into him just like before. Titan modified his sweater enough to cover him and yet he would be able to keep her warm as the winter months began to settle in. He was concerned though, the six have been keeping themselves busy ever since they learned the truth about Amai's motives to why he wanted to be rid of them. He couldn't blame them for wanting a distraction.

Luna, Akira, Eclipsa, Yuuma were meeting with Jason. The finally of their battle of the bands was coming up soon and they needed a new song to play for the last face off.

Max has been out on many dates with his girlfriend, Garou didn't know it until just a few days ago that he was dating Suiryu's sister! Lin has come by the house to say hi, but has yet to stay for a meal.

"We're off dad! Take care of mom!" Tempest called as the house quickly emptied. However Titan kept stationary in the living room. He was knitting away once more with Suiryu in his coils. Garou give Suiryu credit, despite losing his chiseled looks, he has done everything to ensure Alley and their child have all they need and is eating enough to make certain they are fed. He smiled to it all. Everything has changed in such a short time.

"Garou?" Melee whispered. "You okay? Do you want to go out for a while? I'll sleep in Titan's coils if you want some time to yourself…"

"Nah, I'm good." He insisted. "Besides. I got to keep my woman warm!" he said and smirked. "How are you feeling by the way? Are you warm enough?"

She nodded as she drifted off to sleep once more.

"You take care of mom really well dad…" Titan whispered as he continued to knit. "I hope when I become a father, I am just as good as you are…"

"You got a while before that happens," he snickered. But he saw a look on Titan's face, he almost appeared disappointed to his words. "You've really been thinking about it, haven't you?"

He shied away. But he did answer. "I have, but after what happened with Amai… I want to be sure I am ready, I don't ever want to become someone like him… he didn't care for us, he was more concerned about himself!"

Garou nodded. "Self preservation," he explained. "That a trait monsters usually have, they will do anything and everything to save their own skins. Despite the fact that I am SURE the world knew the truth a while ago, they couldn't have forgotten like that… anyway… How long have you thought about having kids?"

Titan blushed a little. "Well… ever since Alley became pregnant… and then mom… But I know if I were to become a father, I need someone who loves me as much as they have someone who loves them… it maybe easier said than done now…"

"Don't give up, listen kid. If someone like me could land a woman like your mother… ANYONE has a chance of finding someone special… I mean that."

Titan smirked. "Mom is one of a kind though,"

"Damn right,"

The two fell silent as Titan went back to knitting, Garou however was wondering. "Just how strong are you?" he asked out of the blue.

Titan only smiled. "I don't know, I never really tried to test my strength against anything… I mean when I was in my human form, one punch and I took the guts out of a monster… since then, I usually kill them in this form since someone needs to eat or I get hungry."

"You dented the wall at the Association, you do know that… after you punched Amai…"

Titan shrugged his shoulders. He didn't appear impressed to his own abilities, Garou however was! "I… don't want to talk about him… When Suiryu wakes up, I think I am going to start training…"

Garou paused. "Oh?" he asked with curiosity. Even that devious grin came over his lips.

"Alone dad…" he said defiantly. "I want to train myself and see how far I get… no spying on me!" he warned.

Garou sighed aloud. After getting lectured by Bang the last time he spied on one of the kids, he made a promise not to do so anymore. However, he was curious as to how Titan would go about doing so. For now, he will maintain his distance and let him train how he feels he should be trained. He was about to speak until Suiryu yawned aloud and stretched himself out.

"Oh man… I needed that!" he announced. He sat contently in Titan's coil as he looked about the room. "Huh, we're the only ones home huh?"

"Yep… say… why didn't you tell us you had a sister?" Garou asked. "Do we embarrass you or something?"

Suiryu smirked. "My sis has her own thing to do, and I do my own thing. We try to say out of each other's way. But… Yeah… I didn't think it was important at the time to mention her…"

"You were just going to go into isolation… not tell her ANYTHING and hope for the best huh? Some brother you are,"

"HEY!" he protested.

"HUSH!" hissed Titan. "Mom is resting."

Suiryu silenced himself rather quickly. But he jumped a little. "What the hell was that?!"

"What was what?" Garou asked.

Titan smirked. "I felt that too. Alley is coming along a little faster than anticipated…"

"Was that…" Suiryu said and paused. His cheeks flushed with red. Garou smirked, Suiryu just felt his child kick for the first time!