Chapter 25

"No matter how many times this happens, you always amaze me Alley."

Garou and the family finally returned to the 'Dragon's nest' as it has been called. Alley once more had changed the house, yet kept the style. There were more rooms added for everyone despite the fact that she, Suiryu and Pac were moving out. "With the way you and mom are going I wanted to be safe than sorry…" she snickered.

"We're going to stop it with the kids, I think we got enough" Melee said offhandedly.

"Since when was 8 not enough? Five is even pushing it," snickered Hunter.

"I'll keep that in mind when you and Jag want to start a family," Garou snapped back in a warning tone.

Hunter blew off the comment. "Dad, I think you forgot yourself that we're dudes… and last I checked, and I had Genus check too. I can't get pregnant!"

"Do I have anyone taking bets on this?" Garou asked aloud.

"What, you mean I CAN!?" Hunter demanded.

Melee snickered at the comment. "I think your father is just messing with you. If that was the case I would have had him do all the heavy lifting."

"Good to know, thanks…"

"ANYWAYS" Alley said aloud. "I added more rooms. Boros actually lent me some of his construction crew to make this, so we're a little more high tech than before. The house is also more solid, everyone's rooms are where they were before…"

"This is wonderful, thanks hon," Melee said graciously. "It's funny, I have barely seen Boros…"

Alley nodded. "He's been loading up on various snacks from Earth that he is determined to bring along with him. As well, he's been spending time with Luna and the kids. Saying they should start being a family…"

"Great, we have kids, they grow up fast and get married with kids of their own… how the hell does this even work?!" Garou demanded aloud. "I mean, you should just be getting into your tween phase!"

Alley rolled her eyes to it. "Hunter never left that phase…"

"HEY!"

"Moving on," Melee said gently. "This is great… so how much longer until your house is ready?"

"Mine is already done." She said with a proud grin. "We just finished Pac's place too. His stuff is moved in along with Zenko's and Bad's…"

"Bad is moving in… then again, I ain't shocked" Garou said offhandedly. "Shit, poor Pac,"

"I think it will be good for both of them, they got each other to cover their backs to say the least," stated Alley. "It won't be long until the Neo Heroes find Bad is back to normal… Bane is doing a good job keeping them at bay for the time being, yet at the same time…" she trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

Perhaps she is regretting in letting Bane go off and hunt the Neo Heroes. But it's too late to stop it now. Garou knows, he's been there.

The call was soon made for the family to return home.

Everyone was keen to sleep in their own room once more, yet it was strange. The house did feel oddly empty. Athena has her own flat in City W, Tempest moved out to be with Misty, Pac is gone so are Alley and Suiryu… it didn't feel the same as it did before.

"Garou?"

He snapped out of his blank stare. "Sorry huh?"

"You look out of it, everything okay?"

He nodded to her, he wasn't going to admit aloud that he missed the house being full with the kids. At the same time, his heart wasn't quite ready to let them move on just yet! 'Shit, this is what being a parent is about isn't it?' he thought to himself.

The door opened to the house suddenly, Titan slithered through the doors but took in the new floor plan. "Wow… it feels just like before…" he said aloud.

"And where have you been? Your brothers have been looking for you!" teased Melee.

Titan has become oddly distant as of late, he still is as the twins tried to reach out for him. "I… just have been going through some things… I mean a lot happened and I was trying to keep a brave face on…" he said.

Garou merely nodded. "Well, go to your room and make sure it's to your liking."

He nodded and slithered off rather quickly.

Alley was a little startled by it. "He doesn't act that way normally. What's with him?"

Garou smirked. "I think we'll know soon enough, for now, let's get everyone home and back to having a family dinner."

"We better go shopping then," warned Melee. "We should also have Saitama over too, same with Genos…"

"I have to go over Genos's design too and speak with Dr. Kuseno about it."

"Ah, good to have everything back!" Melee said with a content sigh.