Well. It's been a fat minute.

A lot of shit has happened since the last time I updated, which was roughly two years ago, but I CAME BACK! Finally. I am so incredibly sorry for the wait, but I hope this update and future ones make up for it :.

Maes glanced at the clock, noting how late in the evening it was. As he continued to set the table, he mused at how much Kaldur had slept- practically the whole day by this point! He had popped in from time to time to check up on the boy and was surprised to see him still asleep every time he did so. It had been nearly half an hour since he had last checked on him and dinner was fast approaching- he hoped that the teen would at least be awake by the time he went to retrieve him for dinner.

Maes frowned slightly at the thought. Truth be told, he was a slight bit apprehensive at the prospect of Kaldur meeting his wife and daughter, although the boy seemed fairly polite and harmless. He had honestly, briefly, contemplated simply having the boy eat dinner inside the guest room. The thought was quickly dismissed, however, when he realized that Kaldur would still have to meet Gracia and Elicia at some point, seeing as how he was in his care at the current moment. His musings were interrupted, however, by an adorable squeal of joy and a rapid pitter-patter of tiny footsteps.

"Daddy! Daddy! Look at the pretty picture I made!"

Maes beamed at his daughter as she excitedly waved her latest masterpiece in the air, toddling towards him as she did so.

"It looks absolutely gorgeous, princess! You have such a talent when it comes to art, you make daddy so proud!" Maes paused in his act of setting the table to pick Elicia up and swing her around, his heart lifting at the sound of her joyful peals of laughter.

"I'm telling you Gracia, if our darling Elicia doesn't have her wonderful works of art featured in a museum, it'll be a travesty!" Gracia's laughter at her husband's comment could be heard from the kitchen, where she was putting the finishing touches on the spinach quiche both her husband and daughter loved.

Maes chuckled as he set his daughter down on the floor beside him, ruffling her hair as he did so. "Go ahead and show mommy too, princess!," Maes prompted. "So she can put it up on the refrigerator! I'm sure Uncle Roy will love to see it when he gets here!"

Nodding enthusiastically, Elicia ran off to the kitchen, a high pitched string of "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" following her trail. Maes' smile lingered as she left and he steadily resumed his task, finishing seconds later.

Leaning back, hands on his hips, Maes glanced once more at the clock before breathing in deeply. Looking towards the hallway that lead to Kaldur's room, he steeled his nerves and began the short trek to it.

Maes wasn't the type to be overly paranoid or overly anxious about a situation; those traits were more suited to his best friend than him. However, considering the abrupt arrival of Kaldur'ahm and the persisting fact that he was still very much a stranger to Hughes, he couldn't help feeling a surge of anxiety as to how this evening would go. Despite the boy's outlandish tale, a tale Maes was still struggling to fully accept as the truth, Hughes still felt a weird urge to help the kid; an urge Hughes was willing to blame on his parental instincts. However, Hughes valued his family more than anything and if he perceived Kaldur as a threat to their safety... he just hoped it wouldn't come to that. For both of their sakes.

Reaching the door, Maes lightly knocked and waited for a response, before opening the door.

"Kaldur? You up, yet?"

Peering inside, Maes snorted as he looked at the sleeping form of the teen. Shaking his head lightly at the fact that Kaldur was still asleep- although, all things considered, the kid certainly deserved the extra sleep- Maes stepped toward the bed. Pausing momentarily to observe the softly snoring teenager a bit more, Hughes laid a hand on Kaldur's shoulder and gently shook him.

"Hey. Kal? Time to wake up, you gotta eat something, kid."

Maes watched as Kaldur slowly shifted into consciousness, slightly bemused as the boy groggily sat up and blinked slowly, more than likely in an effort to get his eyes adjusted to the light in the room. He noticed confusion flicker across his face for a split second, accompanied by his body tensing, before Kaldur finally relaxed and turned to look at him with tired but alert eyes. Maes grinned at him, letting his hand fall on his shoulder again.

"You hungry? My wife is possibly the greatest cook in Amestris and she made plenty to go around tonight."

Kaldur opened his mouth to respond, only for his stomach to interrupt with a growl of its own, prompting a slight blush from Kaldur and a quiet snicker from Maes.

"I'll go ahead and take that as a yes."

*——*

The Cave was abnormally quiet.

The usual bustle and good natured atmosphere between the Team was almost nonexistent as the remaining members struggled to come to terms with the events from their recent mission. Had it not been for M'gann's occasional sniffle and Robin's rapid typing, it would have been completely silent.

Artemis fiddled with the water bearers she still had within her grasp; she had refused to relinquish them since finding them. Swallowing thickly, she looked up at the rest of her members before asking, "what do you think might have happened to him?"

"Nothing good, judging from the looks of that room we found." Wally was hanging upside down on the couch, as he usually did, but his face was set in an atypical somber expression.

"But how could he just disappear? It doesn't make any sense. We never broke the barrier and there's no way out other than through the same tunnel he entered from. And we all saw how the tunnel looked when we got to it." Robin continued to furiously type, as he interjected the conversation.

"I just hope he's okay," M'gann quietly added from her place on the couch end. "I should've kept him in the mental link...he's gone because of me."

"It's not your fault," Superboy gruffly said, as he continued to glare at the black screen of the television. He didn't feel like listening to the static.

"He's right M'gann." Artemis continued to fiddle with the water bearers, lightly tracing the handle with her index finger. "Besides, we were the ones who told you to keep him out."

Silence fell over the group again, as everyone stewed over the mission's events. Wally looked over at his best friend, before asking, "So what exactly are you even doing over there Rob? Because you haven't stopped typing since we sat down."

"I've been trying to find answers about everything that we found there. The strange marks on the tunnel, the symbols, the barrier... but there's nothing that even comes close to figuring out what the hell all of this actually means!" Robin let out a growl of frustration, as he paused momentarily to stretch his aching fingers.

"Some of the symbols are obvious enough to draw a conclusion from, but the majority all just seem like gibberish."

"You mean the symbols we found on that big circle?" Artemis hadn't ceased in her tracing, as a pensive look crossed her face.

"Yeah. They just... don't make sense. I recognize the symbols for certain metals and I even see the symbol for time, the hourglass, but everything else doesn't even register."

"Metals...? Wait, let me see, Rob." Wally sped over to where Robin was seated, eliciting a small look of annoyance from the Boy Wonder that he promptly ignored, and peered over his shoulder to look at the image currently displayed on Robin's small laptop. There were small blurbs of notes extending on the sides and around the picture. Wally squinted as he took in the symbols that were visible, humming in contemplation before stepping back.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that resembles alchemy... but that's a dead science, has been for years."

"Alchemy? Wasn't that the science where they tried to turn lead into gold?" Robin turned his head to look at speedster behind him.

"Well, that was one of its goals. Aside from turning lead into gold, they were also often scholars in metallurgy and actively sought to perfect the art of transmutation. In other words they would try to break a metal down to its compounds, for example sulfur, and transmute it into another form by using the same compounds. It would still be metal, but instead of being a piece of scrap it could be, like, I dunno, a mini statue of a horse.

"It's also considered by many to be a philosophical science, since many of the texts written by alchemists were encoded, as to almost hide their findings. Anyone could read what they wrote, but it was always left to individual interpretation. However, there were too many flaws in the science to really produce results. The most it did, arguably, was open a new window to deeper thinking and helped to develop chemistry, which we obviously still use today."

Artemis snorted from her place by the television, muttering "Nerd" under her breath. Wally's face flickered in annoyance before sticking his tongue out at her.

"Real mature, KF." Robin's mouth twitched into a small smile before a frown quickly took his place. "If it's a dead science then why can it be traced back to these symbols?"

Wally scrutinized the image once more, before letting out a deep sigh.

"Beats me. If it really is alchemy, then the big circle in the middle is most likely a transmutation circle. Usually, the circles were used to map out the formula needed to transmute a metal, but they were also spiritually believed to actually 'influence' a transmutation."

"So, like, magic?" M'gann chimed in.

Wally snorted. "Magic's not real. But, sure, if we wanna compare it to magic, think of it like transfiguration from the Harry Potter series. Except it's using actual scientific principles and not just waving a stick around."

"If the science is based around transmuting metals, then I'm guessing that the hourglass is supposed to act as the symbol that influences the change. Since it represents time, I'm guessing it's supposed to change the form that the metal takes. From just compounds to an actual structure, and vice versa." Robin returned his scrutinizing glare to the image, double checking to see if there were any more symbols he could recognize.

"Bingo! At least, that's what most modern scientists believe the hourglass to do. Question is, how does all of this help us find Kaldur?"

Everyone fell quiet at that, lost in thought. Superboy was, surprisingly, the first to break the silence.

"So, is this 'alchemy' also the reason we could never break the barrier?"

"No.. It can't be, at least not by its basic principles. Alchemy is about transmuting matter, not about manufacturing barriers. If it was due to alchemy, it would have been a physical manifestation rather than what it was, which was non-visible."

"But, it couldn't have been due to technology either." Robin once again paused his typing to look at his team. "Batman did a whole clean sweep of the facility and there was no power source and no evidence suggesting the barrier was due to technology."

"That doesn't make sense, though," Wally frowned. "It can't just pop out of thin air."

"Wait, Robin," Artmeis had been listening to conversation up to that point, slowly processing everything before a sudden realization came to her. "What about the League trackers we have on us? Can't you get a trail from that?"

Robin grimly shook his head. "Already tried. I couldn't get a read from Kaldur's. It's almost as if he just dropped off the face of the Earth. Whoever- whatever- took him knows enough to be a legitimate threat."

"Which means," Connor shifted slightly to look at Robin out of the corner of his eye. "We have to get him back fast."

Robin nodded. The Team was on a rescue mission now, whether the League authorized it or not.

Artemis shifted uncomfortably in her seat as another realization came over her.

"Uh, so, who's gonna tell Harper?"

The Team paled.

"Oh shit."

*——*

Maes wasn't wrong. His wife was a talented cook.

After exchanging a few pleasantries and introductions, they had all fallen into a comfortable, albeit awkward, silence. Kaldur had counted the little decorative dots around the border of his plate about twenty times already, choosing mostly to keep his eyes to his plate than to survey the family around him.

He had never been the type to really engage in social outlets. He never actively avoided them either. But, Kaldur couldn't help but prefer a quiet space to himself where he could read over dinner dates. It also didn't help that he felt a small slither of guilt in his stomach for intruding on this family's Sunday dinner. As he contemplated over his guilt, a rush of sadness swept over him as he reminisced about his Team. Poking slightly at his food, Kaldur became lost in his thoughts for a second before a slight 'tut' sounded to the left of him.

"Kaldur," Maes looked over at the teen with an eyebrow raised. "Stop playing with your food and eat. You've barely even finished your rice!"

"Oh, Maes," His wife- Gracia- chuckled. "It's okay, there's no need to rush him. Besides, my cooking isn't for everyone."

Maes sputtered at the comment, a quick and stuttered string of compliments and reassurances leaving his lips, his daughter's laughter filling the air as he did so.

"Gracia, my love! You're the best darn cook in all of Amestris and I'll take that to my grave! If you opened a restaurant, you'd be five stars within a week-!"

Kaldur blushed slightly and felt the small slither of guilt in his stomach grow a little larger. Clearing his throat, Kaldur attempted to speak over Maes' continuing rant.

"Pardon my manners Mrs. Hughes. Your cooking is delightful, I am merely just.. lost in thought at the moment. But I assure you these dishes are among the best I've had." Kaldur bowed his head slightly in respect to Maes' wife, while Maes vehemently nodded his agreement with Kaldur's statement.

Gracia laughed before reaching a hand over to pat her husband's shoulder. "Maes, settle down, honey. And that makes me happy to hear Kaldur, but please, just call me Gracia. Mrs. Hughes makes me feel old."

Kaldur's mouth twitched into a small smile. "As you wish, Gracia."

"Psst! Psst! Daddy!"

Kaldur blinked as he looked over at the small girl beside Maes, his eyes lighting up with amusement. She was about halfway out of her high chair in an effort to reach her father's ear, a small hand cupped around her mouth. Kaldur turned back to his food, pretending not to notice the glances she would throw at him every now and then.

"Yes, princess?" Maes, being the father he is played along with his daughter as he 'whispered' back to her.

"Wha' ar' those lines on his neck?"

Maes' eyes widened. Kaldur watched as both he and Gracia exchanged a look, before Maes turned back to his daughter, a stern but soft look on his face.

"Elicia, dear, we don't talk about other people like that. Why don't you ask him yourself, darling?"

Elicia shook her head as she hid behind her hands. At seeing his daughter's behavior, Maes quickly shot an apologetic look to Kaldur. Kaldur blinked and gently addressed the small girl.

"It is quite alright, little one, I do not mind the question." Kaldur lightly gestured towards his gills, noticing Elicia was watching through her spread fingers. "These 'lines' are my gills. I was born with them and they allow me to breathe underwater."

Elicia gasped, eyes wide as she blurted out "Like a fishy!"

Kaldur chuckled, amused. "Yes, like a fish."

She bounced slightly in her seat as she looked at Kaldur and his gills. "Can I-I touch them?"

Before either parent could respond, Kaldur responded swiftly offering little thought to the question. "Of course. But, you must be gentle as they are very sensitive and I imagine both of your parents would like you to finish your dinner first."

Elicia let out a high pitched, "yay!" before resuming her dinner at a more energized pace than before, childlike excitement radiating from her.

His conversation with the small girl over, Kaldur was suddenly very aware of how both parents had shifted their attention onto him. Coughing lightly, Kaldur resumed eating, blushing ever so slightly from the attention. With annoyance, he realized he was blushing a lot as of late.

He could hear Maes humming to his left and could practically hear the unspoken conversation between him and his wife before Maes spoke to him again.

"Say, have you ever had spinach quiche?"

Kaldur slowly looked up at Maes, before shaking his head. "I do not believe I have."

Maes pressed a hand to his chest in mock hurt as he exclaimed, "What! No way, you poor boy! Well, lucky for you, Gracia makes the best quiche in Central City, so you're guaranteed to love it!"

Giggling softly, Gracia headed to the kitchen to retrieve the spinach quiche from the oven. "According to you, Maes, I make the best anything in Central."

Maes winked at her. "What can I say? I'm a man of honesty."

Gracia shook her head good-naturedly at her husband as she walked back into the dining room. Placing the quiche in the center of the table, she swiftly cut it into even slices before placing them before everyone, making sure to cool off Elicia's smaller slice before handing it to her.

Kaldur looked at the food before him in slight wonderment. It was true when he said that he had not had 'spinach quiche' before, as most of his culinary knowledge was restricted to Atlantean delicacies and basic American dishes. The smell wafting from the plate was certainly appetizing and Kaldur wasted no more time on his thoughts- he feared he would appear impolite once more to the couple. Sectioning off a tiny end piece with his fork, he bit into it, surprised to find himself thoroughly enjoying the taste. Most of the time, surface cuisine wouldn't necessarily appeal to his tastebuds as much as Atlantean dishes would.

"So," Maes waggled his eyebrows, grinning at Kaldur as he lowered his fork. "What did ya think?"

"It is quite... exquisite. Most definitely the best surface dish I've ever had." Kaldur smiled at the couple, as Maes practically beamed at the comment and Gracia smiled back at him.

Looking at the small family of three, Kaldur felt warmth through his chest and a small silver of protectiveness grew within him.

It was in this moment that Kaldur vowed not to let any harm come to this family.

Not as long as he was here.

That was a doozy to write, not gonna lie.

But DAMN it's good to be back! I hope ya'll haven't given up on me yet. Life is just... not the best sometimes.

But anywho, the next chapter should have more action as more characters get introduced and Kaldur gets acclimated to his surroundings a bit more. I'm so sorry for the long ass wait, but here's to updates in the future!

Side note: I'm writing this from my phone and for the life of me I can't figure out why it's stuck to center position. I've tried to revert it but with no luck. Sorry ya'll.