Chapter One Hundred and Four
...
"What do you think your father's going to do?" Layla asked Ry curiously.
Ry shrugged. "No idea. I mean, he hasn't kicked me out, but we also haven't really talked about it. I'm worried he'll either hate me or treat me like a kid. He might make us move if he's really worried about it."
"Do you want us to do something if he does?"
Warren's offer surprised Ry, but it was more the fact that he'd actually asked rather than assumed.
"What would you do?" Ry asked curiously.
"Probably contain him with vines like we did with Mr. Brighton; we honestly haven't thought about it in detail, since we're hoping it won't happen, but it's probably best to have a plan," Layla said.
"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst," Ry said, echoing words Ethan had said often enough for a myriad of situations.
"Yeah, exactly," Warren said with a grin. The expression turned somber a moment later. "Are you having second thoughts?"
Ry shook his head without hesitation. "Nah. I'm happy with the choices I've made and I'm like ninety-eight percent sure Papa will support me. It's just that two percent that's got me worried."
"We'll support whatever decision you make, okay? One hundred percent," Layla said, smiling gently and squeezing his hand.
"If you have to leave, we'll understand. He's your father," Warren said.
"Hey, daddy issues are left at the door, remember?" Ry said, sniffing. "Fuck."
"C'mere," Warren said, pulling Ry into a hug, warmth seeping into Ry's shaking body. "I probably would've left with my mother if she'd found out sooner; it's difficult when it's your only parent, I get that," he admitted.
"What if Papa takes me away?" Ry asked quietly.
"We'll find you, no matter what," Layla said, kissing his cheek.
It didn't sound creepy or obsessive, Ry realised, a feeling of relief filling him at her promise.
"Thanks," Ry said, pulling away after a moment. "Come on, I'll show you more of the tai chi steps. I've gotta calm down."
"Okay. I'll get the others," Warren said, leaving the room as Layla's vines parted. "What the fuck?"
"What?" Ry asked, popping his head out with a frown. He laughed at the sight of their friends practically piled in the hallway, obviously waiting for them to come out of the vine-locked room.
"Did you actually try to listen in using a glass?" Layla asked incredulously. "You realise these walls are too thick and dense for any sound to travel through, right?"
"I told you it wouldn't work, dude," Adam said when Craig looked to him.
"I tried it on the vines, not the wall," Craig muttered.
"Yeah, they were about the same thickness," Warren said, shaking his head.
"Why were you trying to listen in anyway?" Ry asked curiously.
"'Cause we thought you were going to be kicked out or something," Zach said, frowning as though it wasn't the word he meant.
"Kicked out? It's not a club," Donny said, rolling his eyes.
"It's not what I meant. You know what I mean, right?" Zach asked, looking to Warren and Layla.
"Yeah, we know what you mean. Ry's not going anywhere unless he wants to."
"Or if Papa makes me," Ry added.
"What? You don't really think he's going to make you move, do you?" Wendy asked.
Ry shrugged, still not sure how his father was truly handling the news.
"What plans do we have in place for that possibility?" Ethan asked, standing and straightening his clothes.
"We'll work on it now. Adam, can you work out the best exit routes from the Kemp's apartment?" Grant asked.
"Sure. Can you unblock the training arena? I want to set up a projector for the map."
"Did you buy a projector or Mr. Phillips?" Layla asked.
"I built it," Terrence said. "Don't worry, I made a remote control," he added.
"Thanks," Zach said in relief.
Andy watched as the group of teens headed down to the now-unblocked room. He followed after them quietly, wondering what was in the room that was so secret it had needed to be blocked completely to him and his family. Standing in the hallway at an angle from the doorway allowed Andy to see inside without being seen by anyone inside unless they were angled directly towards him. He could see dummies and training mats and as his eyes adjusted, he could see further into the room where an arena was set up, cardboard cutouts and targets scattered throughout.
"All right, we're starting with breathing and centring first," Ry said, an authority in his voice that Andy hadn't heard since he was a child.
"Aw, c'mon, Ry. That's boring. I want to get to the fun stuff," Craig whined.
"No, now shut up and breathe."
Realising that they were doing a tai chi set, Andy waited until they had turned away from the doorway before walking past and heading back upstairs to his wife and children. He was grateful to the group for saving him and his family, but hadn't trusted them until this moment. Ry might only have his father left, but in his friends, he certainly had a family.
...
Connor didn't pay much attention to the movie and as the credits rolled, he doubted he could have recalled the plot or actors if anyone had asked.
"Want to talk about it now?" Victor asked once he'd stopped the movie and turned off the TV and DVD player.
Connor sighed. "I do, but I don't know how. I don't know where to start or what to say. Everything's a mess, darling."
"That's okay. How about I make some tea? Mother swears tea solves everything," Victor said with a grin.
"At this point, I'll try anything," Connor admitted.
Victor squeezed his hand before heading to the kitchen. Connor looked to his phone, wondering if he should text Honey or Ry or if he should just try to deal with this on his own. Unlocking his phone, he navigated to the messages, his thumb hovering in indecision.
Honey: just ask me, Connor
Honey: you were going to sit there for fifteen minutes if I didn't text first
Connor didn't know whether to laugh or sigh at her message.
Connor: how much can I tell Victor?
Honey: work on it hypothetically; he might figure it out sooner rather than later, but I know Vic can keep a secret
Connor: will they get hurt, Honey?
Honey: of course they will. Everyone gets hurt in some way, Connor
Honey: you know that better than anyone
Connor: you know what I mean
Honey: so do you
"Honey?" Victor asked.
Connor looked from his phone to Victor in confusion; was he asking if he wanted honey in his tea, calling him an endearment, or asking about Honey?
"I recognise the look; you're talking to Honey and she's being vague as fuck, right?" Victor asked with a grin, setting their tea mugs on the coffee table.
"You know the feeling well, I presume?"
"Far too well; we've been best friends since we were in diapers and she can still be a pain in my ass sometimes," Victor said with a wry grin. "So, why're you talking to Honey?"
"I'm asking for her advice about something and she's not helping."
"She usually does that when people already know the answer but don't want to admit it to themselves," Victor said, looking to Connor curiously. "So, do you know the answer?"
Connor groaned and let his head fall back onto the back of the couch. "Yes, I think I do. I just... fuck, some reassurance would be nice."
"Again, based on past experience: Honey will usually let people fuck up, but not fuck up so bad that they regret life."
"Huh?"
"You know the saying: it can't be that bad if someone from the future doesn't come back in time to stop you?"
"Not exactly a saying, but I believe I've seen the joke online."
"Right, well, Honey kinda prescribes to that theory. She figures that the choices people make on a daily basis won't lead to the end of the human race, so it's fine if small mistakes are made along the way. Of course, considering one of her future realities did come back in time when we were eighteen, that theory works well for her."
"Wait, what?"
"She was deliberating between being hero support or villain support; she had tens of offers from Heroes, which was practically unheard of, and five offers from villains, which was also unheard of. I swear she was awake for three days straight trying to work out what to do and who to accept. It all depended on her decision, which is usually true for the rest of us, but Honey had nearly always had a clear vision of the future and what she needed to do. Each of the options had their own impact on the future and how it would turn out, so she couldn't make a clear decision anymore. Then, on the fourth day, when I was tempted to push her into the pool just to get her to snap out of it, Honey 2020 arrived."
"Wait, you were there?"
"Yeah. We were having an end of high school sleepover for a week, since her parents were attempting to resolve their marriage for, like, the sixth time in as many years. Frieda wasted so much time on that bastard, but that's not the point," Victor said, shaking his head. "Anyway, Honey 2020 appeared and threw Honey into the pool herself."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, claimed it was easier to snap her out of it than talking would have," Victor said with a grin. "Honey came out of the pool, calling her a bitch and a few other choice words - I'd never heard her swear so much before that. Anyway, I was sitting there shocked as fuck, 'cause, y'know, there were two Honeys standing there. I think I just stared until Honey 2020 threatened to throw me in the pool, too. She said she didn't have much time 'cause travelling through time was fickle and painful. She actually puked blood a minute after that, which I still think was an excessive way to get our attention and belief."
"What did she say to Honey?" Connor asked, curious beyond belief.
"She told her that she was focusing on other people and their expectations instead of what was important. She'd known what was important since she was three years old, so she needed to refocus on that and the answer would be clear. Honey must've got more out of that than I did, 'cause she slept for two days straight, then went to graduation and rejected her Hero and every other offer on stage in front of everyone. I swear there's never been a quieter time in my life."
"You attended her graduation?"
"Yeah, family and friends are allowed to go to the graduation; the seniors are usually masked. But it's a sacred day for heroes and villains, so it's like an unofficial armistice. After twelve or more years of education, no one wants their kid's graduation day ruined, y'know?"
Connor laughed and shook his head. "I guess so." He looked to Victor curiously. "So, did Honey 2020 say anything to you?"
"Uh, yeah, she did," Victor said, a blush high on his cheeks. "She told me not to work myself to death, then disappeared."
"You didn't exactly follow her advice, did you, darling?"
"I thought she was just being an overprotective pain in the ass. Eighteen-year-old me knew everything," he said, shrugging.
"Eighteen-year-old me probably felt the same way," Connor admitted with a brief smile. His smile faded after a moment. "You said both villains and heroes wanted Honey?"
"Well, yeah; who wouldn't want a seer on their side?" Victor pointed out, Connor conceding with a nod.
"What if she'd chosen a villain?"
"Huh?"
"Honey. Hypothetically, what if she'd chosen a villain that day? Do you think you'd still be friends with her?"
Victor thought about Connor's question and the intensity of his gaze, as though he was asking something else entirely, then shrugged and answered, "I probably would be. I'm a lawyer, Connor. I've seen the worst that humanity can do, and that's just my colleagues."
Connor didn't laugh.
"That was a joke, Connor. Well, for the most part," Victor added. "But, honestly, Honey is a good person and even if she was a villain, I'd know that she chose that path for a reason, just like every other villain out there. No one just wakes up and decides to be evil for the hell of it. But villains have a lower life expectancy, so I'd probably worry myself sick over her. Though, knowing Honey, she wouldn't do something like that if she didn't think or know that she'd survive."
"How do you know? That she's a good person," Connor added, frowning.
"Because I know her. She's kind to people without expecting anything in exchange; she wants others to be happy and included; she remembers the little things like favourite foods and the neighbour's cat's name from twelve years ago. I mean, having a good memory isn't inherently a good person's thing, but it's... you know she's genuine about it. With the shit she's been through, she could have turned out to be cruel and mean, but she's not. If she was a villain, she'd be the nicest villain out there."
"You don't think villains have to be mean and cruel?"
Victor shook his head. "Of course not; that'd be like saying every Hero has to be nice and friendly. They're people, Connor, so they can be as good or as bad as they want, no matter their label. Besides, I've met some heroes that could've been villains with their rap sheet, but it's their final actions that are seen by everyday citizens, not the shit leading up to it."
Connor frowned, curious more than anything. "What do you mean?"
"There's too many to recall..." Victor trailed off, then looked to Connor. "Do you remember Ultimate?"
Connor vaguely recognised the name. "You mean the guy who saved Maxville in the 80's?"
"Yeah, him. He saved Maxville, but it was at the expense of Northville."
"Where's Northville?"
"Well, nowhere anymore. To get rid of the villain he'd been chasing, Ultimate completely destroyed Northville. It was a small suburb back then, but almost a thousand people were killed along with the villain. Ultimate was deemed a hero for ridding the world of the villain, Switch, who could change traffic lights."
"I don't remember the villain."
"Switch had changed traffic lights that resulted in an eight car pile up with injuries to dozens of people, including two children with broken collarbones, and the deaths of one woman and a man in separate cars, and a family of three in a minivan. The woman was Ultimate's wife.
"The whole thing occurred because Switch changed the lights to stop a speeding truck from hitting a school bus, which saved the life of almost forty children and a significant number of the neighbourhood, considering it was a truck transporting fuel and the driver was smoking. Those five people would have been killed if Switch hadn't done anything anyway; they died more instantaneously in the car crash than by burning to death."
"That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?"
Victor smiled briefly. "Honey and I were the kids that broke our collarbones; we were there, Connor. I saw everything, including Ultimate's wife's neck as it snapped in the car next to us, and the kids screaming in the van ahead of us as they went through the intersection and the speeding truck hitting them after running a red light. Switch was the one who pulled Honey and me out of the car; my father had been driving and died instantly."
Connor had no idea what to say to that. He hadn't thought to ask where Victor's father was before now.
"It's okay, Connor. It was a long time ago. I forgave Switch and Honey sooner than I forgave Ultimate," Victor admitted. "Ultimate didn't just follow Switch and kill a neighbourhood of people as a result; Ultimate killed police officers and people involved with the accident's investigation, but only after he'd tortured them for information. He then spent two weeks killing people Switch knew or cared about before hunting him down in Northville. Ultimate had Switch's home address two days after the accident; the people of Northville didn't need or deserve to die as a result. Even Switch didn't deserve to be hunted down like that. Honey was still too young for anyone to believe her visions, even though her tantrum that morning was what saved us. If we'd left earlier, we would have been in the truck's way, not the minivan."
"Jesus, Victor. I... I had no idea," Connor said.
"I know. I don't tell a lot of people; they look at me differently," Victor said, shaking his head and sighing. "Anyway, now that I've depressed the fuck out of both of us, does my answer help?"
Connor thought about it for a moment before answering; did knowing Victor's past and his answer actually help him come to terms with Ry's decision?
He wondered what he would have done in Switch's place. Connor realised it would have been an instantaneous decision for Switch; he might not have even known his power existed before that moment, he may have just put it down to luck when the lights changed as he approached. Perhaps he knew about the power but hadn't said anything because who would care about someone like him when people like Captain Stronghold existed? Perhaps he came from a family like Connor's, who kept their power a secret?
In that instant as he saw the truck hurtling towards the intersection, he would have seen a bus full of school children, cars surrounding him on all sides, and wished for someone else to arrive, to save the day, to make the decision. He would have heard laughter from the children in the car ahead of him and as the truck approached, changed the lights to save as many as possible. He could die himself, just so long as he saved as many of the others as possible. The bus screeched to a halt and his control over his power faltered, allowing the minivan to turn into the intersection just as the truck approached. He would have watched in horror and helplessness, already trying to get out of his car even as the lights flickered wildly and more cars poured into the intersection, brakes screeching as other cars crashed, some people trying to get to the truck and the minivan, while others were screaming, and the children were crying.
What had he done? What else could he have done? What could he do now? He needed to help, he needed... The children in the car, the ones laughing only thirty seconds ago, he could help them. The father was dead, blood and glass on his forehead, and the children's arms were hanging loosely, their seatbelts crushing them just as much as they were keeping them safe. He'd killed their father, he'd done it, and he knew they'd never forgive him. He had tried to save them, he had done what he thought he had to do. But who was he to decide? What had he done?
The man in his imagination saw himself reflected in the car's window, and the reflection shifted to Ry. Ry, who was only doing what he thought he had to do to protect those he loved and cared for; the people he considered his family just as much as friends.
The realisation made Connor believe he would have done the same as Switch, and in his son's position, perhaps this really was the best decision. It allowed him to stay with the friends he'd made but also protect them and provide insight and ideas that they might not have seen or thought of for themselves. Those insights and ideas could be the very things that saved his friends from prison or death, and they would be safe and happy. That's all he ever wanted for his family.
"I think... I think it helps. Thank you, darling."
Victor smiled and cupped Connor's cheeks, stroking his thumbs against his stubble. "I'm always available to listen to you, Connor. Unless, y'know, I'm in court. But even then, I'll request a recess if it's urgent, and - "
Connor kissed Victor, pressing him back against the lounge. Victor wrapped his arms around Connor's neck and kissed him back so hard Connor was sure something would bruise, but didn't really care if it did. He was glad that Victor had shared part of his past with him, especially something so personal, and Connor's chest ached as he fought the urge to bundle Victor up and keep him safe for the rest of their lives together.
The urge made Connor realise that three particular words were dancing on the tip of his tongue, but he forced himself to swallow them down for now. It was far too soon for those sorts of declarations, even if he meant it with every fibre of his being.
While they were preoccupied with each other, Connor's phone pinged with a received text that they both easily ignored for the moment.
Honey: you're welcome
...
Andy held Yuki, glad that she was finally asleep and resting after their day. Honey had arrived at the Hive in the early hours of the morning, motioning for them to be silent as she led them out of the lower Hive and outside to her minivan. Ichigo and Ichiko fell asleep almost instantly, but Yuki and Andy were too nervous to sleep. Andy doubted he had even blinked, too intent on their journey and making sure they arrived at their destination safe and without being followed.
They had arrived at the laundromat, Honey helping the children out of the minivan and taking their hands to guide them upstairs to their new apartment. Everything was already set up, though still in packaging, as though a company had delivered everything only minutes before they had arrived. Ichigo and Ichiko were led to their bedrooms by Honey, both children asleep before their parents had even looked around the new apartment properly.
Honey had left them keys and instructions for when they could leave, and which neighbours to avoid for a few days since the moving company had arrived earlier than even she expected, and no one would be very welcoming until the housewarming party. Just as tired as their children, Yuki and Andy were tempted to go to their new bed after Honey left, but decided to finish setting up their new home and to ensure they would be safe. Their clothes were hung up in the wardrobe alongside the new clothes Honey had purchased for them, Warren's pizza bases added to the food in the fridge, the plastic coverings and tags removed from appliances and furniture. Andy wondered if he'd ever get used to his new name, even as his eyes fell on his Bachelor of Education and Yuki's Bachelor in International Business that were framed and hanging above the entryway table (it already had an assortment of pens and notepads in the drawer, just like they'd had at home. From past experience, Andy knew that it would get even messier in time).
Bachelor of Education awarded to Anders Baeck.
Bachelor of International Business awarded to Miyuki Tanaka.
Yuki's Bachelor was how she'd met Connor and, through Connor, him. He'd seen Yuki at one of Connor's group study sessions and had literally fallen for her. She'd helped him up, asking if he was okay, even as Connor had told him he was a clumsy idiot and that he'd have to join the Army just to stop Andy from accidentally killing himself. Andy had rolled his eyes; Connor had said that from the day they'd signed up together. They'd been so sure they'd known what they were doing and what they had to do with their lives when they'd signed up. Now, with hindsight and years passed, Andy could admit the truth: they had been nothing more than scared teenagers and the Army had promised them structure and a way to scare the things that scared them. He was still scared now that he was older, just in a different way.
Connor had promised Yuki to bring Andy back safely, while Andy had promised to marry her as soon as he was back. She'd worn his engagement ring with pleasure and excitement, and had spent the next year sending him letters signed 'Your soon wife' which had most of Andy's platoon rolling their eyes and Andy grinning like a fool for days afterward. Andy had spent most of that first deployment talking about Yuki and thinking about Yuki and writing promises and declarations of love to Yuki and wishing he hadn't left.
Connor met Ry's mother at a bar; she was doing an international exchange program for a year and would return to Japan to her family business, her life already planned and organised for her. It was a similar sort of structure that the Army provided, but one kept in place with familial obligation and pride. She was pregnant within a month, but firmly refused to have an abortion, stating that the baby would be put up for adoption. Connor had spent a weekend getting drunk over her announcement until Andy cuffed him on the back of the head and told him that he could keep the child, if he wanted. They'd be similar in maturity, at least. Connor would have hit him for the comment, if not for the fact that he'd already fallen off his bar stool. The three of them returned to the States, Yuki's eyes wide at the sight of a newborn and secretly relieved to hear the child was Connor's.
A month later, Andy married Yuki and kept every promise he'd written to her. They travelled extensively, did the cheesy tourist thing in every town they visited, took photos so often that it practically became a ritual to buy a disposable camera at each new location, and they ate more food than they should have. It was the best honeymoon either could have asked for, even though Yuki stole the covers and Andy snored louder than a train.
Another deployment passed with Connor and Andy leaving and returning together. They alternated the next so Connor could actually look after his child, then Andy and Yuki spent the next year looking after Connor's child like she was their own. By the time Connor returned from his deployment, Ryuu was five years old and Yuki was expecting her first child.
War waits for no man and Andy's next deployment coincided less than two weeks after Yuki had given birth to Ichiko. He loathed every minute away from his wife and baby girl, hated that he wasn't going to be there in those precious moments, hated that he couldn't see them, hear them, smell them, touch them. He would have taken a baby's sleepless nights over a battlefield's sleepless nights any day, but every day that passed was a day closer to being home, to being with his family. He'd returned home and had hugged his wife and daughter for almost ten straight minutes, reluctant to let them go now that they were all together. Connor had practically pried them apart to hug Andy himself, Ry hugging Andy so tightly that he couldn't breathe for a good five seconds afterwards. Andy had commented on how strong Ry was getting, something passing over Connor's face at the statement.
Connor's next deployment was almost two years later and it was only meant to last a year. He'd left a week after Yuki had realised she was pregnant with Ichigo, eight-year-old Ry crying big fat tears at his departure, and Andy was sure Connor was wiping his own tears away as he boarded the plane. Ry was ten before he saw Connor again, and closer to twelve before he forgave his father. Connor had been honourably discharged after his return and decided to put his MBA to use once he was both mentally and physically prepared to return to work. Physically occurred sooner than mentally.
Andy had continued working in the Army, though had plans to retire now that he had completed nearly eighteen years' of service. He didn't have much of a choice now with their disappearance.
Andy wondered if his children would ever hate him for something beyond his control and his hold on Yuki tightened at the thought. His family meant everything to him; while the opinions of others rarely bothered him, Andy knew that his family's opinion of him could destroy him completely. The anxiety as a result of PTSD certainly didn't help with that and he knew Doc's number off by heart, though it was his wife who was his rock throughout the days and nights.
In response to the tightening hold, Yuki stirred in his embrace and Andy made a soft noise to let her know he was okay and she could go back to sleep. She cuddled closer to him, but was unable to fall asleep again. "Andy?"
"Hmm?"
"We'll be okay," she said, her voice firmer than he expected. "The kids will adapt quicker than we will, but we'll be okay," Yuki said, pressing a kiss to his jawline.
"Okay, Yuki. I believe you," Andy murmured, kissing her gently.
"You should; I'm always right," Yuki said.
Even in the darkness, Andy could tell that his wife was grinning broadly. "I know you are."
...
Ry waited on the front step for a long moment, hating how unsure he felt. Did he knock? Would he open the door to find their suitcases packed, or worse, his Papa already gone and left him behind? Would he hate him and the decision he made, would their days be filled with silence and regret? Would his Papa be unable to speak to him or look at him because of his choice?
Realising he'd been standing there for far too long, Ry inhaled and exhaled for four seconds to calm his nerves, and opened the front door.
Relief filled him as he looked around and saw that nothing had changed; no boxes, no suitcases, nothing to indicate they were leaving without warning.
"Papa?"
"Be right there, son," Connor called from the bathroom.
Tension leaked from his shoulders at his father's voice and Ry sat on the lounge, his knees giving way with pure relief.
"You good?" Connor asked as he came from the bathroom and saw his son sitting on the lounge.
"I should be asking you that, Papa," Ry said, looking over at him.
Wiping his damp hands on his shorts, Connor sat across from Ry on the lounge. "I'm okay, Ryuu. Not a hundred percent happy with your choice, but it is your choice and I'll support you. I think I understand why you've chosen this, but I'd like you to tell me. The truth this time," Connor added, though he smiled at the thought of Ry's last answer to that question.
Ry nodded, running a hand through his long hair and putting it up in a bun, a familiar action to hide his nerves or simply because it was hot. "They're my friends, Papa. I didn't want to turn on the news one day and see them fighting a, well, Hero in this case, and not be there with them. But not in a way that's me following the crowd, it's more that I want them to be safe and I know I can help them by being there. Besides, with the Commander, Jetstream, and Airborne monopolising the market it's not like there's an abundance of jobs for Heroes out there anyway."
"Really, employment opportunities, that's the reason you're going evil?" Connor asked, teasing his son to try to ease the tension he could see in his shoulders.
Connor was glad that he'd been right about his intentions. While Connor knew Ryuu wasn't a replica of himself with his feelings and thoughts, it was somewhat of a relief to know that he still understood his child and reasons.
"No, I... Papa," Ry groaned, seeing the mischievous look on his face. "Don't do that to me! I thought you would hate me or make me leave or something."
"I told you, son: I could never hate you. I meant it then just as much as I do now," Connor promised, opening his arms for a hug, Ry practically throwing himself against his chest. Connor smiled and rubbed Ry's back gently to help calm him. "Though, I admit I did think about packing us up and leaving, but decided you'd just hate me forever and I couldn't handle that."
"Wouldn't hate you forever," Ry said, his voice muffled.
"You'd resent me forever, then. That's just as bad," Connor said.
He remembered how Ry had announced he'd hated him once, meaning every word even with tear-filled eyes. It had taken them two long years to rebuild and repair their relationship; some days their relationship still felt as fragile and breakable as it had back then. Hell, there were some days that Connor himself felt that fragile and breakable. But they got through it by talking - whether to each other or Doc, it didn't matter, as long as they talked - and Connor hoped they'd get through this, too.
"That being said, if anything happens or you want out, you tell me, okay? We'll be gone before you can blink."
Ry sat up out of his embrace, frowning slightly. "You mean it, Papa? What about Victor?"
Connor thought of the beautiful man for a moment and then turned to look at his son seriously. "You are and always have been my priority, Ryuu. As much as I would be loathed to leave Victor, I would do it for you."
"But... you love him, Papa."
Since Connor had only realised this for himself that morning, it was a surprise to hear his son state it as a fact, as if it was as common knowledge as the sky being blue. Connor wondered if he was really so obvious when it came to Victor. Smiling at Ryuu, Connor squeezed his hand. "I loved you first."
Ry hugged him tightly once more. "Love you, Papa."
"Love you, son."
They stayed that way for a long time, and it was only when the room was getting dark around them that Connor realised the time.
"I do have one condition with all of this, Ryuu," Connor said as they got up to prepare dinner.
"Hmm?" Ry asked distractedly.
"I want to be part of it. You want to keep your friends safe, I want to keep you safe. Consultant, strategies, whatever I have to do; I don't want you going out there without some sort of plan and without knowing what you're going to be doing. If they're going to do this for real then they need someone with strategic experience and who knows how to fight. Besides, it would be useful to have someone who can legally drive the getaway car."
Ryuu stared in surprise; that condition was the last thing he expected his father to say. "I'll ask Layla and Warren."
Connor nodded in response. That was the best he could ask for, for now.
...
End of the hundred and fourth chapter.
