"Why would he do that? Is he...trying to break you again?"
A worried yet angry expression appears on Gokudera's face while Phoenix looks down at the DVD and sighs.
"I don't know...Kinda pointless to try it when you'll be right next to me. Considering you're what's keeping me together."
Gokudera smiles softly.
"What's on the disc then?"
"No idea." A thoughtful expression adorns her face as she stares down at the DVD "Only one way to find out."
Phoenix stands and puts the DVD in the player. Gokudera starts to feel a bit anxious and excited.
"I wonder if it's some embarrassing home video of you spilling spaghetti all over yourself or something."
Gokudera laughs as bit as Phoenix smiles and sits next to him.
"Do you wanna wait outside?"
She rests her head against her shoulder and presses play, completely relaxing as the screen is taken up by her father's face.
"Hon…how do you tell if this things on?"
He call and a voice off screen calls back, the laughter clear.
"The red light."
"Which red light?"
"There's only one red light darling."
"What, I don't…Oh...there it is…and I've made a complete fool out of myself." Richard Lynch smile, looking just like Aydan as he does so. "Hello princess of the future!"
He laughs and it is a more masculine version of Phoenix's laugh. Gokudera freezes up and quickly looks down at Phoenix to see her reaction. The girl smiles and shakes her head.
"Oh Dad…"
She groans as her father pulls the baby version of her on screen.
"Say hi to yourself Princess…say hi." The baby looks at him like he's insane. "Okay fine…don't say hi to yourself." He looks up at the camera. "You were so rude back now Princess."
Gokudera sees Phoenix's smiles and assumes she's feeling fine.
"Even back then you we're a strange one."
He forces a chuckle, still worried.
"Well look who I had raising me!"
Phoenix laughs a laugh that Gokudera has never heard; it doesn't carry the weight of Phoenix's past. In this moment the girl she used to be is shining through and Gokudera doesn't know if he should be worried or not.
"You really were a cute baby, I see little red curls." He wraps his arm around her. "Jesus, our babies are gonna come out beautiful."
"Was there ever any doubt?"
Phoenix laughs and smiles, her smile has also changes as it now lights up her face. Gokudera grins.
"Of course not! I'm just firmly convinced now."
Phoenix giggles and snuggles closer to Gokudera as her mother comes on screen.
"You should play for her Darling."
Mr. Lynch looks at his wife with an expression familiar to Gokudera. It takes him a moment to realize that it is similar to how Phoenix looks at him.
"Why?"
"Because she loves to hear you play."
"…That's a reason?"
"Yes, that's a reason…now play. Before I break out the frying pan."
Gokudera quirks an eyebrow.
The…frying pan?"
"The ultimate threat. My mom had a good arm…and really good aim."
Phoenix stiffens slightly as her father begins to play, sadness enters her face again and she pulls away from Gokudera. Soon Mr. Lynch closes his eyes and begins to sing, his voice soft and soothing. He looks over to his wife and child, the love clear in his eyes, and the baby laughs. Phoenix suddenly stands and storms from the room.
Gokudera looks shocked and worried as Phoenix stands.
"Babe?" When she storms from the room Gokudera stands and hurries after her. "Aydan!"
Phoenix makes it to the elevator before the tears come and a ragged scream rips its way out of her throat. She sinks to the floor, sobbing and wrapping her arms around herself as a second scream breaks loose. Gokudera stops the elevator door just before it closes and stares at Phoenix for a second before rushing to her side. The silver haired teen tries his best to hold Phoenix close to him.
"Shh…It's okay." He caresses her head. "It's okay...everything's gonna be all right."
Phoenix flinches away from the contact.
"I can't…this isn't…NO! I…I…" A choked sob and another scream makes their way out of Phoenix's throat. "I'm not…I'm not like him anymore…I've lost my dad…"