Hugs

Characters: Scott Tracy, Jeff Tracy, John Tracy, Grandma Tracy, Kyrano, Virgil Tracy (mentioned), Gordon Tracy (mentioned), Alan Tracy (mentioned), Tanusha Kyrano (mentioned).

It wasn't exactly the 18th birthday Scott would have chosen, but he wasn't going to complain. He'd be going out with his friends next week; it was nice to come back home and just stop for a few days. He sat on the balcony seemingly staring up at the stars, waiting for the slightest hint of movement.

"Still waiting?"

He nearly jumped out of his skin. "God, Grandma, you scared me."

"Sorry kid," Grandma ruffled his hair. "It's late you should be in bed. He'll be here in the morning."

"It won't be the same."

She shook her head with a smile. "Well, I guess it is your birthday. But I'm getting old and I need my sleep."

"You don't look a day over 42."

"Come here."

Grandma's hugs were warm, comforting…motherly. They left him in no doubt that she loved him, and really could he ask for any more?

"Don't stay up too late."

"I won't. Promise."

Everyone in his family had a different hug, but somehow they all felt like home. Virgil specialised in bear hugs that were completely enveloping, and impossible to escape from. Even though Scott was a good deal taller and stronger than Virgil he still hadn't found a way to break his hold. Not that he would want to, Virgil's hugs felt safe, they were protective.

Gordon was an expert in the surprise hug or attack hug. Usually when he'd just got out of the pool. One moment everything was normal, the next something would hit you in the midriff, and by the time you looked down there was nothing there but a wet patch and the smell of chlorine as laughter echoed from far away. Maybe it was a bit dramatic, Scott considered for a moment before deciding that actually it wasn't. It was just Gordon.

Alan's hugs were probably inspired by Gordon's surprise element. You had to be ready to catch or go down. At least he gave fair warning. Alan was still small which meant that he could be caught when he flung himself at you. It was affectionate and playful and pure, usually ending up with Scott giving him a piggyback around the villa. It was sweet now but Scott was hoping the technique would change as Alan got older.

There were only three people on Tanusha's hug list and Scott wasn't one of them. Her affection came in the form of punches to the arm or a complex secret handshake. Scott had been on the receiving end of both today and honestly, he preferred the punches. He could do the handshake in his sleep but god, the anxiety of getting it wrong. Tanusha had only been living with them for two years and Scott guessed it would be a lot longer before she'd give anyone not on the hug list a hug.

Footsteps tapped on the wooden flooring behind him and he spun round, realising his gaze had slipped to the moon.

"Sorry to scare you Scott."

He let out the breath he was holding. "No problem dad."

"You won't stay up too late will you?"

"Nah. Hi Kyrano, good trip?"

"That's classified. Happy birthday Scott."

"Thanks."

Kyrano smiled. "As you're eighteen you don't play by the kids' rules in combat training anymore."

Oh shit. "Yay."

"You might want to work on your enthusiasm, son. We're going to debrief in the study, please don't listen at the door."

"Again."

"I would never."

They both gave him looks that said 'I know you're lying, young man but I'm not going to comment on it' before leaving.

Kyrano was much like his daughter in that he didn't really do hugs, though Scott always put that down to professionalism. The closest you'd ever get to a hug was a shoulder squeeze but there had only been four documented events so Scott wasn't entirely sure if it counted.

Jeff's hugs were the perfect combination of Virgil and Grandma, protective and comforting, definitely on the bear hug end of the scale. They were getting less frequent and that made each one something to be treasured. They reminded Scott of his childhood, and of his mum.

It was getting late and his eyes were struggling to stay open. Scott stood up and stretched, his back stiff from sitting still for so long.

"Happy birthday Scott."

He spun on his heel and grinned. "Welcome to Earth."

"Did I miss the cake?"

"There's a slice lying around somewhere."

Scott held his arms out with his best puppy eyes, John exhaled in a breathy laugh and stepped into the embrace.

John's hugs were rare. Really rare. They were understated and genuinely heartfelt. John was almost as tall as he was which gave them equal hugging ground, and everything they wanted to say was expressed silently. They let go and stood shoulder to shoulder looking up at the stars.

"How was your birthday?"

Scott smiled. "It was perfect."