za beeeeens!

"...so, Rocky."

Rock blinked and pulled his earbuds out to give his father his full attention. The two of them had just taken off on their flight from Tokyo back to SouthTown, and Rock had busied himself scrolling through the movie list. Honestly, Rock had gotten so used to flying first class with his boss, the economy seats just seemed far too small, especially for Terry.

Dad's always pinching pennies…

Anyhow, once they cleared Chizuru's hospital (Rock didn't think he'd be back there so soon) they made a beeline for the airport, and just barely made their flight. It was only now that they had time to sit down and indulge in serious conversation.

…

And that serious tone and his father's voice made Rock nervous. Was he in trouble? Was Terry disappointed in him? Rock cautiously placed his ear buds on his lap and turned toward his Dad. He did his best to hide his apprehension, but Rock was certain that Terry could see right through him.

"What's up, Dad."

"Yagami said something to me right before we headed out to get you. The nutcase wouldn't explain anything, and for all I know, he could be talking nonsense… but…"

Rock frowned. Why had Terry and Iori come looking for him? Wasn't Iori able to handle it on his own? Didn't Boss realize that Rock didn't want his father to know of the more… distasteful things he had done?

Boss… ughhh...

Rock had a general idea of what Riot had done the past couple of days. He knew what Riot was like. Riot liked him well enough. Riot had even saved him once. But Riot was also the quintessential example of 'crazy axe murderer'. If Riot took over (and Rock was fairly certain Riot had taken over) then… then...

Fear set in. He went rigid.

Dad… he must have seen me do some awful things… what… what is he gonna think of me...

The dull drone of the airplane interior seemed to fade into the background. A chill went down his spine and Rock forced a fake smile. What kind of nonsense did Iori spill? Boss didn't really get into his personal affairs, but then again - he had never promised to keep anything secret either. Rock nodded blandly at his father, dearly hoping the subject wasn't what he was thinking.

"Oh, b-boss says a lot of weird stuff… haha. You shouldn't take him too seriously."

"Yeah, yeah… of course."

Terry wasn't going to drop the topic. He was observing Rock carefully, and suddenly - he felt like an ant under a microscope.

"Iori said…he kinda implied you've…" Terry was choosing his words carefully, "You've gone on rampage before. You've done something similar."

Shit…

Rampage… yeah. He had rampaged whilst On Tour. He killed lots of people. He killed Shermie. He'd killed Chinese Mafia members. He watched his employer light up a whole city block - and nearly tear the ribs out of somebody. Tour had been… almost a loss of innocence, yet to his father, Rock had insisted that the trip had been nothing but sunshine and daisies.

Why?

Because...Rock was terrified.

If Terry knew his son had murdered people in joyous frenzy, what would he think?

Terry had spent the past couple of years investing in him. Teaching him and showing him all which was good, and gentle and just. Encouraging him and standing alongside him as he fought the tendencies of his blood. As far as Terry was concerned, under his care Rock had successfully rehabilitated from his biological father's wicked influence.

But now… Iori… dammit… why did you say that?!

Maybe…maybe now Terry would think his efforts had gone to waste. Perhaps he'd become disillusioned. Maybe he'd give up on Rock? There was nothing more he could do. Say he'd wasted his time? Reject? Abandon?

"Rocky?"

Rock flinched back into reality. He had gritted his teeth tight, and involuntarily balled up his fists. Terry was gazing at him calmly. His eyes were filled with gentle concern.

"Rocky… if this happened before… why didn't you tell me? Why… why does Iori Yagami know about it, and I don't…"

Terry sounded a bit hurt. Of course he'd be. Clearly, there were some things that were kept at work, and weren't shared with family… but this wasn't one of those things. Rock had no good excuses. He lowered his eyes and stared at his lap. He barely forced the words out.

"Dad… I'm sorry. I...I just wasn't sure what you'd think of me… what if..."

"What if, what?"

Rock gulped. He didn't raise his eyes.

"If... You thought I was gonna be just like Geese… "

A pause.

Then Terry made a noise.

It was a noise somewhere between sorrow and love. The sound of Terry's heart breaking for him. With one swift motion, he pushed aside the dividing armrest, seized Rock in a tight embrace and kissed him on the forehead. Rock, surprised, grunted and flapped about as his face was mashed into his father's chest, and the air was behind squashed out of his lungs.

Terry murmured his response into Rock's hair. He was wearing a sad smile, and his voice was warm and assuring.

"Rocky… no matter what you do, you'll always be my son, and I'll always be your father. Do you believe that?"

Rock sighed and nodded. He felt an invisible weight slough off his shoulders.

"And even if you go climb Geese Tower, and take over that gang… do you know what'll happen?"

Rock raised his eyes.

"I'll be fast on your heels, ready to bring you back home. I might rough you up a little, but I'll never, never let you go… Understood?"

"... Yeah. Thanks Dad."

"So… it's storytime, isn't it?"

"...um…"

Yag gon die