Relationship Talk

A/N: Using Scrivener is a huge learning curve, but the key thing is I'm learning. This takes place around the time where Bryce and Maria are entering college while Shade and Sam are entering their junior year in high school.

"Dad, guess what?" Sam asked, practically running into the house and making Rune wake up. Shadow put down the cup he was rinsing, wiping his hands of dish suds.

"What?" Shadow replied, sitting down at the table. Usually, when one of his children said that the resulting answer wasn't positive. Like when Maria put a hole in the floor during a volleyball match that Shadow ended up missing due to work. Granted, her team won and somehow she got a girlfriend at that moment as well, but that was years ago. Michiru had officially met them last month before Maria and Bryce went off to college. So with a record like that, Shadow felt like anything his son said wouldn't really surprise him.

"I have a girlfriend," he answered, grin wide and immediately falling into a sheepish one as Shade nudged him.

"He also got in trouble. Started a fight, I had to save him." Shade supplied, moving out of the way as Sam tried to grab her.

"Did you get caught?" Shadow asked, bringing his son's attention back to him.

Sam was quiet for a moment, glancing at his twin and then back to his father. "I wasn't in a fight, but my fan group-"

"Those weird girls that follow you around?" Bryce asked as he walked through the door, carrying his book bag and a duffle bag of clothes. He hugged his little brother and sister, chuckling as Sam wiggled out of his hold.

"Anyway, once I asked Alexandria to be my girlfriend, they went nuts." He said, smoothing out his black and blond hair. "The principal tried to blame me of all people. Me, I'm a sweetheart."

Shadow sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Bryce. I'm surprised Blake isn't with you," he said instead, returning his oldest son's hug. "Wait, you two didn't even hug me when you walked in." He continued, holding his arms open for his youngest two. "Kids these days,"

"Blake went home, just like I did," Bryce said, petting Rune.

Shade pulled away first, leaving the kitchen to head into Shadow's study and more than likely swipe one of his books before doing her homework. Shadow nudged Sam, making the boy face his older brother.

Sam huffed as Bryce smiled, sweeping Sam off his feet in a mock waltz. "Aww, our little romantic has a girlfriend." He said, passing Sam off to Maria.

"You do? When do we get to meet her?" Maria asked, still holding Sam up.

"Can you put me down first?" he said, frowning as Michiru ruffled his hair.

Maria nodded, letting her brother go and walking further into the house as Sam followed, groaning as Maria quickly turned and kissed his cheek.

"I haven't figured that out yet," he answered, wiping his cheek. He paused in grabbing his bag as his mom walked in, yelping as she picked him up in a tight hug. "Mom, Ma, can't breathe."

Sam breathed, hugging her back. He took his bag upstairs, meeting Shade in the hallway and heading back downstairs to the living room. As much as his older siblings annoyed him, he was glad he could ask them for help.