The rest of the trip back was awkward to say the least, as neither of the two males knew what to say next, not that Darren was much of a talker anyways. Linnie knew that he was the type to talk business and not much else, and wanted to give him his space. When they reached the apartment however, Darren sighed a breath of relief as the warm, almost home-like feeling hit the atmosphere, taking the coat he borrowed from Linnie and hanging it up before collapsing on the couch. Before he could debate on whether to watch TV or start searching for a job, Linnie took a seat next to Darren and smiled gently at him, making Darren arch his brow.

"Soo..I'm really happy you'll be staying with me for a little while. I honestly think this will be the best option for you until we can get you back of your feet, hun.", Linnie said, "So, I think we should probably go over a few things before you get situation, just so we're on the same page dear, if that's alright."

"Pfft…I already know one. No spiders in the house.", Darren joked, earning a squeak from Linnie and small tears threatening to fall from his eyes. After a good chuckle, Darren took his smirk back and rolled his eyes at his father, annoyed at his over-sensitive attitude "Oh my god, it was just a joke. I'm just messing with you, dad."

"I-I know…please don't joke about that. You know how much I really don't want to repeat those experiences.", Linnie said softly, before taking a deep breath, "No, I just think there's a couple of things that I need to let you know about."

"Wait. You're not gonna start charging me rent, are you? Shit, I might as well go live on my own if that's the case."

"No Darren, can you please stop interrupting me and please please please stop swearing. It's very impolite.", Linnie complained, starting to get cross with his son's ungrateful attitude, "You're my son Darren. Of course I wouldn't ask you for rent or help with the bills. I just think we need to lay down some rules."

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

"My biggest rule will be no alcohol will be allowed in the house. I really don't want to see so much as a beer can in the refrigerator. I understand that you're of legal age, and I know you've had a couple drinks here and there, but we don't drink under this roof.", Linnie started explaining, "Likewise, I don't want you going out and smoking cigarettes or any illegal drugs either. They're dangerous for your health."

Darren groaned slightly but tried not to say anything. The cigarettes he kind of understood since yeah..those things were like cancer on a stick, why the hell would anyone buy them? But the drinks? Darren was by no means an alcoholic, but he felt like he should be allowed a drink every now and then as long as he was responsible. But whatever…it's Linnie's house….he guesses.

"If you wouldn't mind telling me if you're going somewhere, I would also appreciate that as well."

"Dad, I'm not a baby.", Darren retorted

"Well yes, I know dear, but that doesn't mean I don't care about your safety.", Linnie smiled gently, "I just want to make sure you're well taken cared of, since well..I guess we didn't really give you that during your childhood."

"Well..", Darren started, softening up a little bit. Despite how annoyed he would get at Linnie's constant overbearing, at least he meant well. That was a hell of a lot more than what he could say about Nora, "To be fair, it wasn't ALL you fault. I mean, if someone would've changed her act and go therapy, then maybe we wouldn't be so distant with each other. Maybe she'd still be alive, and happy for once in her life."

"I know, but my disappearance didn't exactly make things easier.", Linnie said, before clearing his throat, trying to get back on the subject, "Now then, other than having to do some chores here and there while I'm at work, I think that's all for now. I usually work from 7 to 5 during Monday to Friday at the nursery near the Fairy World Academy, and then sometimes, during the weekends, I take on babysitting shifts, so in that case, I'll let you know before hand just in case you're wondering where I'm at."

Well…it was nice to know Darren would be getting the place to himself a lot.

"Anything else, Dad?"

"Uhm…no, I believe that's all I wanted to talk about. Um, I'm going to run to the store and make you a copy of the house and mailbox key for you while you get settled, alright hun?", Linnie said, getting up, "You're ok with staying at the room, right? I also think I've got a spare bed I can get out of storage tomorrow so you don't have to keep sleeping on the air mattress."

"Yea it's fine.", Darren said, getting up, "I'm gonna go hang up my clothes. What are we having for dinner?"

"Not sure yet. I'm thinking maybe some chicken and vegetables if you're ok with that, sweetie. Ok, I'll be right back. I shouldn't be too long.", Linnie smiled before the apartment door shut once again, leaving Darren to unpack and digest everything that had just been thrown at him.

Was he a bit rude when he complained about the telling me where you are rule? Maybe, but Darren felt like one of these days, Linnie needed to learn how to treat adults like adults. As much as life would be easier, Darren couldn't simply go back in time and make himself 13,000 again. In fact, he was just 3,000 years shy of entering his 40,000s. What grown ass man needed to tell their parents where they're going? This was just embarrassing.

Darren guessed that in a weird way, this was Linnie's way of showing that he cared, but yet he wasn't sure why it was so hard to treat him like an adult. Sure, he's definitely hadn't been the most ethical of people but then again, the streets of Fairy World had started to gone to shit ever since unemployment rates were rising since the earthlings were having less and less kids. It wasn't like Darren was much worse that some of the people around him after all. Hell, he literally lived in the ghettos of Fairy World, where he'd witness petty theft and robbery on a daily basis, and Darren knew he'd never take it that far. He himself had standard after all.

As Darren hung the last of his clothes up, he sat down at the couch to watch TV, deciding to put off the job hunt until tomorrow, not noticing Linnie already stirring in the kitchen.

"Finished?", Linnie smiled, the smell of cooked chicken taking over the apartment.

"Woah shi-shoot. You scared me."

"Sorry sweetie. I thought you'd hear me come in.", Linnie said, placing his spatula down and digging in his pants pocket, pulling out a green house key and a smaller, bronze mailbox key, handing both of them to Darren, "Here you are, love. Put them somewhere safe please. Oh, and dinner'll be ready soon if you want to wash up."

Not wanting to argue with Linnie, Darren turned off the TV and went to the bathroom, washing his hands in the sink as he processes all that he had thought about. Maybe it was time he and Linnie had a man to man talk…