Loid got up early to make breakfast for his (fake) family. He glanced at the calendar and saw the date marked for Eden's Midterms Exams, which was two and a half weeks away. He smiled as he had nothing to worry about as far as his son's grades are concerned. While it is dangerous for spies to be overconfident with the skills they honed, he had plenty of faith in Eric's intelligence to pass Midterms and gain a second Stella Star. One step closer to Donovon Desmond.
He heard the penguin alarm clock chirping in Eric's room and waited for his son to click it off and get out of bed. But when the alarm kept chirping. He left the stove, quickly turning off the heat as he made his way to his son's bedroom. He knocked first, but when he received no answer, he opened the door and saw Eric still buried under the covers.
The penguin was still chirping and flapping its wings before Loid walked over and shut it off.
Loid laid a hand on the lump and shook him slightly. "Eric, it's time to get up and get ready for school."
A moment later, a groan came from under the covers before it moved. "What are you talking about, the alarm didn't go off yet." Eric's voice muffled under the heavy blankets.
"It did actually. You slept through your alarm because you were up late last night studying again." Loid said with a smile as he pulled the covers off, "C'mon, let's get up, breakfast is almost-" He stopped when he revealed his son's flushed face and pajamas and sheets covered in heavy sweat. Eric's eyes were tightly shut and his hair stuck to his face.
Eric struggled to open his eyes as he focused on his father's face. "Why is it morning?" His voice croaked in a raspy voice when he spoke.
Loid dropped the blankets and splayed his hand on Eric's forehead.
"What are you doing?" Eric asked in confusion.
Loid's eyes widened, "You have a fever."
"No, I don't." He sniffled; his stuffed nose made an unpleasant congested sound when he tried to breathe in.
Eric pushed the covered completely off, "I need to get ready for scho-" The room suddenly swayed before him when he tried to crawl out of bed. He almost hit the ground had Loid not caught him in time and laid him back onto the mattress.
"You're not leaving this bed." Loid said firmly as his son sat up.
Eric glared through bleary vision, "I'm alright, I just lost my balance, it's normal for me." He narrowed his green eyes, "Will you stop swaying from side-to-side, you're making me nauseous."
Loid frowned, he hardly moved from his spot.
"Loid, is everything okay?" Yor asked as she stood outside of Eric's room with a look of concern.
"I'm fine Mom." Eric tried to assure Yor, but the voice that came out of his mouth sounded pained and scratchy.
Loid sighed, "He's not." He got from his spot on the bed, "Yor, can you watch him for a moment, I need to call the school and tell them Eric won't be coming in today."
"What? Dad don't call the school. Just hand me some medicine and I'll power through the rest of the day." Eric protested as he threw the covers off of him and made to leave the bed.
"You're staying right there young man." Loid ordered as he gave his son a stern look.
"But I'll lose my perfect attendance."
"Sit!" Loid said, leaving no room for argument as Eric opened his mouth. "Don't make me say it again."
Eric closed his mouth, glaring up at his father before sitting back down in his bed and pulled the covers around his waist. He crossed his arms with a huff as he gave his father a sour look.
Loid sighed again and looked at Yor who watched their interaction with a worried expression. "Can you keep an eye on him for a moment?"
"Of course." Yor nodded as she entered the room and took Loid's place on Eric's bed.
Loid went to the phone and dialed the school. He waited for a few moments before he heard someone pick up.
"Hello, Eden College, Henderson speaking."
"Hello Professor Henderson, this is Loid Forger, Eric's father."
"Ah, Dr. Forger, how elegant it is to hear from you, is everything well?"
Loid sighed as he informed Eric's teacher, "Unfortunately, no, my son has caught the bug. I'm afraid he can't come to his classes today, maybe even the day after with his condition."
"I see, that's a shame, and he's on a roll with his lessons."
"Yeah, he's not too happy about staying in bed. He seriously doesn't want to lose his perfect attendance record."
"That's perfectly understandable. Your son's devotion to his studies is most elegant. However, I consider it inelegant should one of my best students blatantly ignore their precious health." Professor Henderson responded over the phone, not wanting one of his students to put their health at risk even for the sake of education.
Loid sighed, "It's moments like this where I wish he was more like Anya and just tells me he's not feeling well."
"It's perfectly normal for boys his age, any age, for them not to voice their discomfort for the sake of pride." Loid could hear the mirthful smile from the older gentleman's voice.
"Been there. Still there." Loid muttered under his breath.
"If I'm being honest, it's not uncommon for students to catch ill this close to midterms. A good number of them reach their limits due to the stress the upcoming exams brings. Your son, for all his tenacity for his education, is no exception to that rule. The children here are from elite families, so the expectations placed on them by their parents are high." Professor Henderson sighed, "In Eric Forger's case, I fear it's much higher given how hard he works to prove himself on an intellectual level."
Loid bowed his head with a frown, "I guess I should've anticipated that."
"It's not the first time a student struggles to meet their expectations. But your son is an elegantly exceptional student. I believe I remember a certain father stating how his son has a strong threshold to pain. And I know this fever won't stop your son in his progress."
Loid smiled, "You're right about that. He and I actually argued about him having a fever he was trying to deny."
Professor Henderson laughed over the phone, "Oh, your son's one of a kind. Which is why I'm already gathering the necessary lesson guides for any classes he misses today and tomorrow along with the homework assignments he'll turn in upon his return. They should be ready in about an hour."
Loid looked relieved and surprise, "You'd do that? Thank you, I'd really appreciate that. I'll come by the school to pick them up."
"Your welcome Dr. Forger. We'll see you soon, have an elegant day."
The call ended as Loid sighed before dialing his workplace at the hospital.
It didn't take long before someone picked up.
"Berlint General Hospital, Psychiatric Ward."
Loid knew the voice of whom he's speaking to, "Hello Ms. Frost, this is Dr. Forger. I'm afraid I won't be able to come in today or tomorrow. My son is sick and I need to take care of him."
"I see. Shall I pass along your message then?"
Loid knew what she's really asking, 'Is Operation Strix in trouble?'
"Yes, I would appreciate that. I'm afraid I'll also need to cancel any upcoming appointments this afternoon."
Translation: 'Don't ask me to do any side missions while my primary one is sick.'
"I understand, I'll transfer them to another doctor."
In other words, 'Have Handler dump those missions on another agent.'
"Thank you, and good day to you."
Loid put the phone back in its receiver.
"Won't you and big brother be in trouble for missing work?"
Loid looked down to see his daughter in her blue onesie and adorable sleeping cap. She stared up at her father in concern as she clutched her Chimera doll.
Loid smiled at his daughter, "It's alright, they're actually very understanding." 'At least I hope so given the unreasonable amount of side missions and how understaffed we are.'
Anya frowned, "Actually, I'll stay home and take care of brother while you go to work."
Loid couldn't help but feel touched at how his daughter wants to take on the responsibility of caring for her older brother. He can't deny how cute she is.
He laid a hand on Anya's sleeping cap. "That's very thoughtful of you Anya, but I don't think Eric will appreciate his little sister missing a day of school for him." At Anya's pout, Loid added, "Your education is just as important to your brother as his own."
Anya grumbled in defeat, "No fair using my brother's love for me to do what you want."
"I am a psychiatrist." Loid said with a hint of smugness.
"You suck." Anya said as she turned away to get ready for school.
"Yeah, I know."
Loid went to Eric's room and saw his son sleeping peacefully with Yor sitting close to him.
Yor turned and placed a finger to her lips, telling him to be quiet. "He's okay. He's just sleeping." Yor whispered to Loid who stood in the doorway.
Loid nodded and whispered, "Oh, good. Yor, is it okay if you could watch over him a little longer while I go to Eden and get his school materials?"
Yor smiled, "Sure, I don't mind. This happened to Yuri all the time, so it's nothing new for me."
Loid smiled in gratitude then turned to see Anya in her kindergarten uniform and backpack strapped to her.
"Ready." Anya whispered since she heard her parents speak quietly.
"Good. Let's eat some breakfast and then we'll go." Loid said as he and Anya went back to the kitchen where he left the still warm egg, bacon and toast on the plate and placed them in front of his daughter who ate it with gusto.
"Chew slowly Anya." Loid calmly said as he ate his own breakfast at a sedate pace.
When breakfast was finished, Loid escorted his daughter to the bus stop and didn't leave until Anya boarded the bus.
"Bye Papa, take care of big brother." Anya said to her father from the window before the bus pulled away.
Loid stood there watching the yellow vehicle leave towards its designated direction before he left for Eden College. On the trolley ride, he couldn't help but think back to what Henderson said about children often falling ill due to the stress of upcoming midterms. He furrowed his brows as he stared at the gloves covering his hands. 'Have I been putting more pressure on Eric than I realize?' He replayed the moments whenever he helped his son with his studies, and how some nights whenever he's on the couch or in front of the TV with his sister, the little boy would look outside to stare at the moon with a peculiar expression between worry and annoyance. Eric showed no complaints in his studies and would only ask Loid for assistance when he's struggling with a particular detail within the subject he's learning. Though lately, the last few nights, he would find his son still awake late in the evening reading and rereading his schoolbooks and writing out notes. The boy barely reacted when Loid picked him us where he promptly fell asleep in his arms before being placed in the bed.
Upon arriving at Eden, he waited outside of Professor Henderson's office.
"Dr. Forger."
Loid looked up and was relieved to see his son's teacher approach with a stack of papers in his arms.
Loid stood up, "Good morning, Housemaster Henderson. I hope I wasn't too early."
"That's quite alright, it saves us some time." Professor Henderson said as he presented the papers to the parent of his best student. Loid listened as the teacher gave him a concise explanation and summary of the topics Eric needs to learn and what homework he must turn in by then.
After placing his son's schoolwork in his briefcase, he bowed his head to the teacher. "Thank you for taking time out of your schedule for my son. I hope this little set back hasn't inconvenienced you, or the other teachers."
The older gentleman smiled, "Not at all Dr. Forger. He's a very courteous and respectful young lad. Plenty of us are happy to help him however we can. "
Loid couldn't help but smile at that. He already knew his son is well liked by the faculty due to his prodigal status. But hearing it for himself filled him with pride.
"Oh, and before you leave," Professor Henderson dug through his breast pocket and pulled out a carefully folded paper and gave it to Loid, "Becky Blackbell asked that I give this to you. It's for Eric."
Loid took the folded paper and stored it in his breast pocket. "How did she take Eric's absence?"
"Oh, as one as young as her would expect. She wasn't happy. In fact, she wanted me to not start the class until Eric arrived before I informed her about his illness." The teacher smiled with fondness, "Her worry and care for him are truly elegant."
Loid breathed out a laugh, "Eric would appreciate that. Hopefully this fever will pass quickly."
"Your boy is resilient. No doubt he will emerge from this stronger." Professor stated then glanced at the clock. "Best be off for my next class."
"Don't let me keep you. Good luck for the rest of today." Loid said as he bid him farewell.
Loid returned home without delay as he entered his home.
"Welcome home Loid." Yor greeted her husband. "Did everything go well with Eric's teacher?"
"It went splendidly. How's Eric doing?" Loid asked Yor who frowned at the question.
"Well about that..." Yor glanced at Eric's door with sadness, "...he was crying in his sleep. He kept saying 'Don't leave me.'"
This was something he did not expect. The few times he's seen his son cry was the first night he had him and Anya in his home. Eric is stoic by nature, but he's still a child who has his weak moments. Whatever Eric was dreaming about could be related to his time before their adoption.
"Loid?" Yor asked after watching her husband's contemplative expression and extended silence.
Loid schooled himself, "It's nothing. Thank you for telling me, Yor. I'll handle things from here on out. I'm sure work is expecting you."
Yor looked a little reluctant to leave their son, but earlier after Loid left, she received a call from the Shopkeeper about a pest problem. She knew Loid would be staying home from work to care for their son, so she didn't have to refuse the job. But she still felt bad for leaving Eric when he's like this. Seeing him in such a weakened state reminded her of how Yuri would sometimes get sick as a child, and she would nurse him back to health with her homemade remedies.
"You're right? Shall I pick up anything on the way back? Chocolate, maybe?" Yor asked since sickly boys deserve sweets.
Loid smiled, "Sounds perfect. Perhaps some more peanuts as well for Anya."
Yor nodded, "Alright then. Try and take it easy with the lessons. I know exams are important, but Eric needs to get better first." She advised as she picked up her bag and coat.
"Of course, though I'm sure I'm going to look forward to an unhappy Eric when he wakes." Loid sighed after remembering this morning. Honestly, this is the first little argument they ever had.
"You'll be fine, I'm sure this isn't the first time Eric has given you trouble." Yor smiled in assurance.
Loid frowned, "One of the rare moments I have with him."
Yor breathed out a small laugh, "I'll be back before six." She said before she left the apartment.
Loid breathed out another sigh as he went to his son's room, passing Bond who slept under the coffee table.
He quietly opened the door to find Eric still asleep in bed with a wet cloth across his forehead to bring down his fever. His breathing was heavy and his flushed face soon crunched up as though in pain.
Loid sat in the chair Yor once occupied and removed the cloth from his son's head to rest the back of his fingers on his skin check his temperature. As he was about to remove his fingers, Eric's hand squirmed out of the covers and latched onto his father's. This took the spy by surprise as Eric turned on his side facing Loid. He watched as his son, still holding onto the man's fingers, curled into a fetal position under the blankets, whimpered in his sleep.
"Don't go..." His grip on Loid's hand tightened, "...Please...Don't leave me...Mama."
At first, Loid thought Eric was asking for Yor, but it took him several seconds to realize it wasn't.
Eric was dreaming about his birth mother.
Loid frowned, he knew the feeling of missing his own mother, how the pain of losing the person who loved you from the very beginning hurts worse than any gunshot.
He held Eric's hand tightly, matching his grip as he too remembered the anguish of losing his parents.
"I'm not going anywhere." Loid whispered gently to his son, the same words his mother lovingly spoke to him when he was sick in bed.
A tear leaked out of Eric's eyes as he held onto his father through his dreams.
*#*
Hazy green eyes watched as the blurry image of his mother sat beside him as she stroked his blonde hair. Her long pink hair cascaded around her like a beautiful halo. But it didn't cover the hospital scrubs she wore or conceal her large round belly. She had what was known as a 'baby' in there. Eric didn't know what it was, but his mother said it will be born and will be either a little brother or little sister. While Eric wasn't sure what sister or brother meant, he hoped it was something nice and fun.
Though right now, little Eric wasn't having the time of his life as he coughed, his throat burning as he swallowed his saliva. Sitting within the four white walls of their 'room', with only a bed, a sink and shower unit, a mother and almost three-year-old child laid in bed together.
Eric was curled up on his side clutching the toy known as 'Chimera' to his chest. His mother stayed by his side as she sang to him softly in her native tongue, the soothing sound of her voice comforted him.
"Id huwts." Eric whimpered, his slowly developing speech slurred as he touched his throat.
His mother gave him a sad smile, "I know baby, you just have to let the medicine do its job. You'll feel better soon."
Eric couldn't find the words to speak without them aggravating his throat. The most he could manage was a pout.
His mother laughed softly at how cute he looks when he's disgruntled.
Suddenly, a sharp gasp left the woman's lips as she held her pregnant belly.
"Mama?" Eric rasped out when he saw his mother hunch over.
She breathed slowly then gave Eric a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Shakingly, she stood up on her feet. "I'm fine Eric, I-" The sound of something trickling onto the floor interrupted her.
"You sig too?" Eric asks as he held his mother's hand.
She took in shuddering breaths as she held her baby boy's hand tightly, "No baby, I'm not sick. Your baby brother or sis-" A groan escaped her when a wave of pain washed over her and sent her to her knees. Her hands held the blankets on the bed.
The door to their 'room' unlocked before it was pushed open. The man in glasses entered the room first followed by his colleagues. They glanced at the fluid on the floor to the woman who glared back at them while holding her belly and shakily standing protectively in front of her sick child.
"Your labor has already begun." The man in charge said with a pleased smile as he turned to his colleagues, "Take her."
Eric watched helplessly as the two monsters in white coats seized his mother by the arms and dragged her away from her baby. She screamed and fought, biting one of the doctors on the neck.
"Don' go Mama!" Eric cried as he struggled to get up, but his weak infant body couldn't leave the bed. "Don' lea' me!"
Eric wailed helplessly as the doctor coldly locked the door, leaving the sick child alone in the white room without his mother for the first time.
*#*
Eric's eyes opened to find himself back in his bedroom. He glanced at the clock and saw it was 12:26. He sat up as best as he could with his heavy body. Feeling his face, noting how hot it felt, he pulled his hand away when he realized a wetness on his cheeks.
Furiously, he rubbed the evidence of his tears off his face.
'Why did I have to dream of that day?' Eric thought as he glared at his lap.
He tensed up when he heard the door open then relaxed when he saw who it was. "Dad."
Loid held a tray with a bowl of soup in his hand. "You're finally awake."
Eric sighed as his father came into the room.
"I thought you'd be at work." Eric said when he noticed the man wearing his casual clothes for when he's at home.
"I told them I won't be in since I have to take care of you." Loid stated as he set the bed tray table in front of his son.
"You didn't have to do that. Your boss won't be happy with you." Eric frowned up at him.
Loid sat down in the chair beside the bed. "Maybe not, but they are understanding. Your health comes first." 'Since Operation Strix mainly involves you being healthy.'
Even though Eric didn't have Anya's telepathy, he could sense the direction of the spy's thoughts: mission won't succeed if son gets sick.
Eric glanced down at the broth before him and felt his stomach gurgle at the smell wafting in his nose. Picking up his spoon, he scooped up the contents and took a sip, the warm liquid soothed his throat. He repeated this action a few more times but kept frowning as he swallowed his food.
"What's wrong, does it taste bad?" Loid asked when he saw his son's disgruntled look.
Eric glanced at his father, "Soup's delicious. I'm stilled ticked at losing my perfect attendance and how I'm missing classes."
"Don't worry so much about that. Besides, I went to your school to pick up the classwork your teacher was kind enough to put together for you. Make sure you thank Professor Henderson the next time you see him." Loid said, hoping this would soothe his son's nerves.
This alleviated some of Eric's worries. "I will."
Loid remembered something, "Oh, this is from your friend, Becky." He said as he pulled out a piece of paper from his back pocket.
Eric took the paper and unfolded it, reading a message out loud, "'Hi Eric, I heard you were sick, sorry I didn't stop classes for you to arrive first. School is utterly boring without you and Anya. So, please get better soon. I was so close to hitting Damian.'" Eric breathed out a laugh when he finished.
Loid smiled, "According to your homeroom teacher, Becky didn't want class to start until you arrived."
"That's very sweet of her. Hopefully I'll be better by tomorrow." Eric said as he gently placed the note on his bedside table.
"Don't rush your recovery. You're taking tomorrow off as well. We'll make up some lost study time this weekend after you get better." Loid emphasized when Eric looked like he was going to argue.
Eric sighed, "Okay, but this whole fever deal still bites." He resumed eating his soup.
"Speaking of, were you feeling any warning signs that indicated your illness?" Loid asked, raising an eyebrow when Eric flinched.
Eric lowered his spoon, unable to meet his father's gaze. "Um, not really..."
Loid narrowed his eyes, and spoke in a warning tone, "Eric."
Eric swallowed his saliva, the movement aggravating his throat. "Yesterday...around the second half of my third to last class." He confessed very slowly.
"You mean to tell me you were sick since that afternoon?" Loid exclaimed before he could stop himself.
Eric finally looked up, "It wasn't that bad, it was just an itchy throat and blocked sinuses. I barely even noticed them."
"But you didn't think to tell your teachers or even me about your symptoms." Loid stated as he narrowed his eyes at his son. He knew the boy is accident prone, but this pushes the envelope for him.
"It wasn't that bad." Eric repeated, "I thought it would pass naturally after a good night's rest and I'll be fine."
"You were up late last night studying until midnight. I had to carry you back to bed when you passed out on your desk." Loid stated with a frown.
"I fell asleep on my desk?" Eric asked with a discomforted frown as he touched the aching part of his neck. "I didn't think extra study time would cause harm."
"Well, clearly it did." Loid sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "For someone who wants to become a doctor, it's foolish to ignore your body's needs."
"I am a doctor."
"Not yet you're not."
"Well, I shouldn't be sick." Eric looked down, "I can't get sick anymore."
Loid raises an eyebrow, "And who said that?"
"Me. Who else? Besides, doctors never catch a fever."
Loid let out another sigh, "If only that were true. Son, just because someone earns a degree in the medical field, doesn't mean they are impervious or immune to viruses. Contrary to what you believe, we're still human."
Eric clenched his jaw before he finished the rest of his soup.
Loid took the tray away and set it on the bedside table.
"The reason why you're in bed right now is due to the stress of upcoming exams." Loid stated as he kept his eyes on the empty bowl.
"I'm not stressed." Eric denied, not looking up as he clenched his hands tightly.
"Your body says otherwise." Loid sat back down and crossed one leg over the other.
Silence fell between them within the bedroom.
"Do you feel I'm pushing you too hard?" Loid asked after a while.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Eric looked up, surprised by the question.
"I enrolled you at Eden because I believe you can accomplish great things under their tutelage. Naturally, I want what any father wants for their child, to get the best grades in class." Loid stared at the ground and smiled with pride and a hint of sadness, "I always felt proud whenever you come home with a ninety and above. You prove yourself worthy of being an Eden student every day." He breathed out through his nose, "But if I'm pressuring you, then you shouldn't push yourself so hard for my sake. Not if it means putting you through this kind of pain."
Eric listened to his father speak so openly to him. It is moments like this where he forgets that Loid Forger is Twilight. Where he actually sounds like a father worrying for his son. He won't deny he does feel stressed, but not from studying alone, it's what will happen on the day of midterms that he and Anya are unable to avoid. The new moon. Once a month, for 24 hours, their powers leave them, and they are left completely vulnerable to the world. Anya won't hear thoughts while Eric won't move things without touching them. The children don't understand it, neither do the scientists. The term they came up with is Eclipsing. Fitting as it is frightening for the kids. Being outside of these walls on the new moon terrifies Eric to the point of losing sleep. They are still being hunted and the scientists know of their greatest weakness.
Eric clenched his hands tightly and turned to his father. "I do feel pressure...but not from you." He swallowed his saliva and summoned his courage to speak his mind, "It's...everything. I know what the other kids think of me and Anya, I can't read minds, but I know how they affect my sister. When she's hurting, I feel helpless, I can't hit them, because that will only prove them right." He looked down as a frown etched onto his face, "The only thing I can do for me and Anya is pretend it doesn't hurt. Bear it in silence, seethe in anger. My only outlet for that is studying. But it's not enough, and it just keeps building. I don't know how to stop feeling all that at once." He paused for a moment, "I need to pass my midterms and get another Stella Star, if only to prove my place, and keep my sister safe there." He sighed, "And hopefully get some of the pressure off."
Loid listened to his son and couldn't blame him for feeling that way. Eric's calm maturity is his greatest strength, yet holding onto all those feelings and letting them build up has taken its toll.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Loid had to ask, since he feels like he's failing as a father.
Eric answered, "I didn't want to worry you. You already have enough weight on your shoulders as well by putting me through an elite school. I didn't want to add more to it."
"Eric, that's considerate of you, but unfortunately, that's not how things are supposed to work between us." Loid sighed, "I'm your father, it's my job to worry about you. You not telling me and getting sick because of it only makes me worry even more."
Eric sighed and stared at his hands for a long time, "But being like this, they'll think I'm weak."
Loid's hand on Eric's shoulder made the boy look up at his father. "Sickness does not mean weakness. Your body just needs a moment to gather more strength so you can survive. Why would you think otherwise?"
Eric swallowed the lump in his throat as his hands gripped the sheets. "My...my mother."
Loid's eyes widened just a fraction.
"I was really sick before my third birthday." Eric began, as he recalled the blurry images of his mother, "I was taken to the doctors when it got worse. I remember them injecting needles into me. Mama never left my side for a second. But then..." Tears swam in his eyes, "...Mama went into a labor. I couldn't leave the bed when they dragged her away from me. I never saw her again after that." Tears streamed down his face as he clenched his eyes shut in a vain effort to stop them. "If I hadn't been sick, then she'd still be alive. I was all she had, and I couldn't protect her."
Strong arms wrapped around his small body, catching him by surprise as he blinked his eyes open to stare at the green sweater his father wore. His head tucked under Loid's chin and a large hand holding the back of his head.
"That wasn't your fault." Loid whispered, clenching his own jaw as he held his son tightly. "You were only a small child. There was nothing you could do."
Eric's lips trembled, "But I..."
Loid pulled away and held Eric's face between his hands and looked directly into his eyes. "Listen to me Eric, not everything is within our control. Sometimes...there's nothing we can do to stop the actions of other forces. The most we can do is prepare for it and push through." Loid said, remembering his own rotten childhood, how his innocence was destroyed when those bombs destroyed his town, how he lost his own mother.
"Don't blame yourself for your mother's death, she would never want that from her son, especially when she loves you too much for you to feel that." Loid wasn't sure who he was saying these words to, his son, or himself.
"How do you know that?" Eric's voice cracked as he stared into his father's eyes that held the same barely contained sadness he feels.
"Because...I lost my mother too." Loid said, willing himself not to cry in front of his son.
It took Eric a moment to remember that his father was once a child like him, that he was forced to suffer the loss of his own parents and be alone against the world.
Eric sniffled and leaned forward into his father's embrace and allowed himself to cry into his shirt.
Loid held him close as he rubbed his small back. "It's okay to let it out. Don't keep it all inside."
They stayed like that for a long time until all the tears finally dried.
Loid left the room for a moment then came back with a glass of water.
"Better?" Loid asked as his son drank a good sip.
"Surprisingly, yeah." Which was true for Eric, he actually does feel much better after crying for a long time.
Loid smiled softly, not minding the stains on his sweater. "Next time you feel overwhelmed by something, just come talk to me, and I'll listen."
Eric thought about it then replied, "I'll try."
Not the answer Loid preferred, but it was good enough.
"After midterms, we'll go somewhere you like."
"If I pass and get another Stella Star?" Eric asked as he stared at his father.
"No, after the effort you put into your work, you at least deserve a reward." Loid placed a hand on top of his son's head, "Whether you get a Star or not, you did your best. That's all that should matter. Just don't overdo it next time. Okay?"
Eric looked a little relieved and happy. "Sure." His smile faltered slightly as he looked a little conflicted.
"What's wrong?"
Eric's lips parted for a moment to speak, but then closed shut before he shook his head, "It's nothing."
Loid felt his son was about to say something important, but he didn't want to pry lest it makes him worse.
The telephone ringing in the living room pulled Loid's attention away from Eric. "I'll be back."
Loid stood up and left the bedroom to answer the phone.
Eric was left alone with his thoughts as he frowned while staring at his half empty glass. He didn't lie to his father the entire time they talked, not for one second. But he didn't tell him the truth either. He had just told Loid Forger, Agent Twilight, that his little sister reads minds. But he took it as a figure of speech instead. And just mere second ago, he wanted to tell his father what he truly is, what he can do. It was only for a short moment, but he wanted that weight off his shoulder, to tell him why he's scared. But he stopped himself because he feared it will destroy everything they built over the past few months. He won't deny how much he cares about his father, how the man suffered his fair share of loss and hardships but is still strong enough to rise out of hell to prevent the same from happening to others. This is what makes him feel close to the man, they're both in pain, but try so hard to bury it. What Eric fears what may happen should the truth be revealed is Loid Forger not accepting him as a son anymore. To him, that's more terrifying than the new moon. Temporary loss of power is nothing compared to losing the love of a parent for good.
Eric finished off the rest of his water and set it on the bedside table. He raised his hand and quickly called a book from a shelf which then floated to him.
Eric began to read a new chapter. But he failed to notice a crack had formed in the glass cup when he held it previously.
Yeah, this one was emotional, and I feel pathetic for crying while writing the weeping parts. I know we didn't get a lot of Yor or Anya in this chapter, and I apologize for that. But I wanted this one to be for Loid and Eric. They both see reflections of themselves within each other. It was also long overdue for us to see more of Eric's painful past and what made him the way he is. Losing his mother affected him very deeply as a toddler. But Loid needed to know what became of his children's mother in case someone asked what happened to her and how she died.
Next chapter will feature a certain tutor for Eric.
