Final Chapter: A new starting point
Kamata Crafters' Workshop, upper rooms
One week later has passed after Talos was introduced as a full member of The Kamata Crafters, but now, a special occasion in the Kamata Guild was going to happen.
Now that Tvastar decided to take some time-off from his travels around Tokyo, he would be witness along with Amatsumara, Kurogane and Takemaru, even Jūtarō being the Guild Master of Shinjuku Summoners was invited, waiting for the last member of the crafters to complete the first point of his punishment.
Kurogane was serving some snacks in the dining table while Takemaru accommodates some chairs, Tvastar was chatting with Jūtarō and showing him photos about his travels around Tokyo while Vritra was playing with Salomon, Amatsumara was checking the time in his phone, it was almost time to start their private event.
-have you two already done now? It's almost time! – the older crafter asked to his adopted grandson and new great-grandson from the living room.
-we're coming! Just some minutes more, grandpapa! - Talos answers from Hephaestus' room.
Hephaestus' Room
Talos was grooming the beard of his father and humming gladly while Hephaestus was adjusting the cuffs from his shirt, then the android picks a blue necktie and a purple bowtie.
-which one you want, Papa? – Talos asked him, the crafter points in silence the purple bowtie, the robot gives him the bowtie and then proceeds to polish the shoes his father will wear that day, a pair of black Cuban heel loafers with golden ornaments.
-Talos…those shoes are already shiny enough…you will wear them out- Hephaestus says while he adjusts his bowtie.
-Understood, Papa- the robot responds obediently and finishes to polishing them, the crafter sits in his bed to relax a little before start the first point of his punishment, he takes the paper sheets with his formal apology to read it for a last time before make presence to his family.
-lend me your foot, Papa- Talos says and takes Hephaestus' right prosthetic foot to put him his shoe in a caring way and lowering it to the floor, ensuring the shoe fits perfectly and it looks good.
-T-Talos…you don't have to do that; I can do it alone- Hephaestus said while his face was blushing.
-I know…but I like to be useful to you Papa, is just...I want you to look very handsome today- the robot replied and blushed while he takes the other foot to put him the shoe with the same caring and lowering his father's foot to the floor, making a sound with the heel of the shoe.
-I'm n-not handsome, Talos- Hephaestus replies still blushing and stands up from the bed, Talos takes the jacket and helps Hephaestus to put on the jacket of his suit.
-yes, you are, you're the most handsome Papa of Tokyo- Talos says and smiles while he admires his creator well dressed, a dark gray double-breasted suit with lilac dress shirt and a purple bowtie with golden thin pinstripes, the suit made more notable the well-built muscles of Hephaestus.
-I think I look ridiculous, maybe we should do this another day- Hephaestus says while he looks himself to the full body mirror still insecure.
-No, we already discussed this Papa, we will make this today and is almost time, and Mama is waiting too- Talos comments in a pouting while he adjusts Hephaestus' bowtie one last time and spray a dash of Hephaestus' favorite cologne, a marine aroma with notes of citrics and herbs.
- M-Mama! b-b-but why is he here? - Hephaestus asked blushing and stuttering.
-Mama was invited by grandpapa and Kuro-aniki, and he wanted to see you today- the android responds, the crafter sighs and takes his pages to finally do the first part of his punishment.
Living Room
The crafters and the summoner were expecting Hephaestus to accomplish the first point of his punishment, Talos comes first and the rest of the crafters take seat, Takemaru takes his phone to record it in video.
-You may come in now, Hephaestus - Amatsumara said but no one is coming.
-Papa? – the android asks while looking out to the hallway.
-I'm c-coming now - Hephaestus said nervously, then some footsteps were sounding from the hallway, the heels from his shoes sounded notoriously with the wooden floor, he comes in to the living room until stands to his designated spot, making his shoes click with the heels, just in front of his guildmates, his brothers and lover were watching him with wonderment how dapper Hephaestus looks when he stands in his place, he was blushing, but notices they hasn't said anything.
-umm…Old Man? Kurogane? – the crafter asked them, then all of them snaps from their wonderment and the old man asks him to start.
-uh…sorry Hephaestus, you may start now- Amatsumara finally orders him, still nervous, Hephaestus clears his throat and reads his apology.
- I, Hephaestus from Olympus, member of the Kamata Crafters' Guild in Ota Ward, solemnly requests a formal a-apology to my guild, my family and my creation Talos for the next issues I caused:
I committed betrayal to the reliability of my guildmates and brothers for keep hidden important information about my past assault caused by the Warmongers, my plans to initiate a war to stop the time loop to save my Mama/lover kidnapping him and kept him locked until I would perish by my creation's hand, all this issues were caused by fear and despair brought by my first attack and exposure to Dark Matter, forcing me to remember past memories from other time loops.
I caused problems to my creation for force him to accomplish a purpose considered selfish, never taking into account the feelings of my creation about that purpose, and to indirectly damage him physically, mentally and emotionally by my selfishness.
I recognize I didn't want to acknowledge Talos as my son because I was jealous, for consider him my "Ideal Self", the "Hephaestus" that deserved the love of Mama and my guildmates.
I recognize my shyness and behavior could have caused problems to my brothers.
After make account of my errors and non-conscious acts, I humbly implore to my guild, my family and my son their forgiveness and benevolence, because I now realized I love them…and I could not live with guilt in my heart until know I regret these acts and asks them their forgiveness, I'm so sorry for all the regretful events caused by my hand-
Hephaestus blushes and start to cry and cover his eyes with his hand, then he feels many arms are hugging him, showing him, he was forgiven.
-It's ok now, big boy, you are forgiven, we know you have a gentle heart and you just wanted to protect us- the old man told him like the father he didn't had when he was a child.
-Oi, Heph-niki, I'm sorry too if I caused you problems…- Kurogane comforts him.
-Heph…I'm sorry too for all the bad things I could have make you before- Takemaru says and pats him in the back.
-sorry if I make you feel bad at any moment too- Tvastar told him to make him feel at least a little better.
-Papa…- Talos said feeling bad for his creator.
-I'm so sorry, my Talos, I haven't been a good father with you- Hephaestus embraces him, Talos does the same, both stayed silent for some minutes, finally the crafter hugs Jūtarō, and both kiss in the lips while Salomon hugs Hephaestus from behind.
-well, now that everything is better now…LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED! – Salomon yells joyfully and makes a confetti explosion with his golden cane.
-Hey, just one question…why did you ordered me to dress like this if all of you are in work clothes? – Hephaestus asked to his guildmates and to his son.
-well…we always wanted to know how you would look well dressed, because every time we are invited to any formal event, you never come with us or you make Talos go in your place, we imagined you don't have any formal clothing besides the school uniform or you were ashamed of your dress style…but now that we have seen you like this…you have a nice style, you shouldn't be ashamed for that, and everybody here was right, bowties suits you better - Kurogane said innocently and fidgeting while the rest was averting their eyes pretending they didn't know anything.
-all of you are so damn sneaky…well it seems we are made to be together- Hephaestus said a little upset and sighs.
-I think you look elegant…my dapper gentleman- Jūtarō said hugging him from behind and stroking their cheeks each other.
- M-Mama…- Hephaestus blushes once again while his keeps stroking cheek to cheek.
-By the way, I will send this picture to Miss Arachne, she will love it- Takemaru said while he shows a picture of dapper Hephaestus.
-WHAT?!- Hephaestus exclaimed shocked.
Nighttime
Hephaestus was in his room reading again his formal apology lying in his bed, he wondered what else could have added until he listens someone knocking his door.
-who is it? – the door opens and Talos appears with a gift bag in his hand.
-Papa, Mama left you this before go, he said it was better if you open it in private…-the android gives him the bag, the crafter wonders what could be and open it, revealing doll versions of him and Talos, and other doll versions of Jūtarō and Salomon.
-are so cute! – Talos takes the Hephaestus doll while the crafter takes a note inside the bag.
"Dear Hephaestus, these dolls are a gift I was to give you before, but the problem with Talos was first…originally there was just two, but I asked to my teacher Miss Ziz if she could make more to both have a complete collection, I have my own collection now, and I hope you like them, and Talos too, XOXO Jūtarō"
-Wahahaha, I'm Hephaestus! the passionate genius of Olympus, the battlefield is nothing to fear because I am dyed in the colors of war! – Talos said using his "Ideal Hephaestus" voice while he moves the doll making dramatical poses.
-Talos, I-I don't talk like that! – Hephaestus takes the Talos doll and imitates the monotone voice tone Talos had before the implementation of the emotional code.
-I'm Talos, a rebel android who is misbehaving with his creator calling him Papa, I must be a good robot and call him father better…bip, bop- Talos gets a little upset.
-Papa! That's rude! - Hephaestus laughs a little after the pouting Talos made.
-Papa…can I sleep with you today, please? - Talos asked with some awkwardness and fidgeting.
-w-why are you asking me this? – Hephaestus asks him back
-I…always feel lonely down there in the lab, and I would like to sleep with you, I promise I will not disturb you, just this time…- Talos comments a little embarrassed, after thinking about it for some minutes…Hephaestus responds.
-Ok…just this time, but we will connect you to the main computer and the Ichor's dispenser at first hour of the day, got it? - Talos agrees and lies down next to him in the bed and hugging him lying his face in Hephaestus' chest hearing his heart beating, then a familiar song plays coming from Talos' inner sound system.
-Talos…that song…- Hephaestus recognizes the song his mother used to sing him, her voice was flooding the room after the lights turn off.
-I navigated in the memories you implanted me, Papa…and I found that song, I thought it would be nice if you could hear real Mama sing again, is it bad? – Talos commented ashamed while he still hugs his creator.
-No Talos, it's wonderful…- Hephaestus said and tears start to crawl over his cheeks.
-Papa…what am I to you now? – Talos asked that same question before, and asks it again.
-You…are my creation, my son, and I'm proud of you…for being my son- Hephaestus answers with a different answer, Talos smiles and he starts to cry tears of happiness while Hephaestus pats his head.
-I love you…Papa…- Talos says before enter in sleep mode.
-I love you…Son…- Hephaestus responds to sleep with the last sentence of the song, now with a new purpose to Talos, being his son, now and ever.
-I love you Mama… Jūtarō-
Shinjuku Academy, Dormitory One
- I love you…Hephaestus…my little sun-
Jūtarō was sleeping with tranquility now, his heart has relaxed knowing that Hephaestus has corresponded to his feelings, and even when future catastrophes will come to Tokyo, he will always feel protected by his shy savior, that crafter who became his lover and his defender, now his family is not just his friends, he has someone who gives him the strength to keep fighting and enduring the pains from the time loops, their fates are joined now, their hearts are now burning in the same forge.