Los Angeles, California. Creed Estate

"No. Severus!"

"Come on, this is great for me!"

Mary-Anne turned around, her face flushed with anger, waving her hands in frustration. "You think letting you go to Philadelphia is great for you? What the hell have I been teaching you..."

Severus got up off the couch, his own frustration boiling over. "An hour ago, you were letting me go to fucking England, but Philadelphia is worse?"

"Severus, it's not about the place," Mary-Anne snapped, her voice trembling. "It's about you running off with a stranger to chase some dream without thinking it through. England was for visiting a friend; this is different. This is your life!"

Severus took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "Ma, this isn't just some dream. This is about finding out who I am, about connecting with Dad's legacy. You can't keep me in a bubble forever."

"I can do whatever the hell I want, Why? cause I'm the adult and your parent, while you are just the child!"

Severus couldn't take it anymore. This was his chance to be something other than what he was, and she was treating him like a baby. "Just the child? I stopped being a kid when I watched my dad die! I stopped being a child when my mom killed herself instead of looking me in the eyes, and the next thing I knew, some lady I didn't even know is in my life, trying to do everything in her power to make sure I knew nothing about my father!"

Mary-Anne's eyes widened in shock, her face paling. "Severus, I... I didn't know you felt that way."

Severus's voice shook with anger and pain. "Well, now you do. You've kept me from knowing anything about my dad, about who I really am. And I'm not gonna stand here and let you hold me back anymore."

Mary-Anne took a step back, her eyes filling with tears. "I just wanted to protect you, to give you a chance at a normal life."

"But I can't have a normal life if I don't know who I am," Severus said, his voice cracking slightly. "Please tell me, what on earth is keeping you from letting me go to Philadelphia?"

Mary-Anne took a deep breath before moving to sit on the couch. "Your father was big in Philadelphia. Everybody knew the big three, Rocky, Applo, and your dad," She placed a hand over his as he kneeled in front of her.

"After Applo passed, Rocky fought the man who killed Applo in the ring. Your father was supposed to fight Drago first," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "But before he could, he couldn't handle Applo's death, so he started fighting harder and harder, he was using fighting as a coping mechanism. It was his way of dealing with the pain, both physical and emotional. He got lost in it."

Severus stared at his Ma in shock, this was the first time she ever told him anything about his father, and knowing what he went through hurt. "And you don't want me to end up like him, lost in the fight."

Mary-Anne nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. "Exactly. I see the same fire in you, the same drive. But I don't want you to lose yourself like he did. Fighting became his escape, his way of coping with everything that went wrong. It consumed him."

Severus took a deep breath, trying to process everything. "I get it, Ma. But fighting... it's the only thing that makes me feel close to him. It's the only way I know how to deal with everything."

Mary-Anne's expression softened, her hand reaching out to cup his cheek. "I understand that, baby. But you have to promise me you'll find balance. That you won't let it consume you like it did your father. Promise me you'll take care of yourself."

"I promise," Severus said, his voice firm. "I'll be careful. I'll remember everything you've told me. And I'll come back."

Mary-Anne took a deep breath, then nodded. "Alright. Go. Find out who you are, and what you can be. But remember, no matter what, you have a home here with me."

Severus hugged her tightly, feeling a sense of closure and a new beginning all at once. "I love you, Ma. I'll make you proud." He pulled away and watched as she patted down his hair before patting his shoulder.

"And make sure, don't tell anyone you're his kid, ok?" Severus nodded, understanding the weight of her request. "I won't. I promise." He gave her one last hug before glancing out the window at Rocky, who was still tossing that black ball.

Philadelphia, Here He Comes...

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

"And this... is the place," Rocky announced as they arrived at his apartment. Severus took in the surroundings, noting the simplicity of the space. It was cozy, with a lived-in feel that made him feel somewhat at ease.

"It's... nice," Severus commented, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Rocky for offering him a place to stay.

Rocky turned, patting him on the back. "Glad you think so, kid. It's not much, but it's home."

Severus nodded, appreciating the gesture. "Thanks, Rocky. I really appreciate you letting me crash here."

Rocky waved off his gratitude. "Don't mention it, kid."

Severus felt a warmth spread through him at Rocky's words. Maybe this was the fresh start he needed, a chance to forge a new path and make his mark in the world without a bunch of Gryffindor asshats in his way.

After getting settled into his room, he sat on his bed writing his reply to one of the many letter Lucius sent him when Rocky poked his head through the door. "You should get some sleep, kid. Gonna be up early tomorrow."

Severus nodded when it hit him. "What do you mean 'up early'? like how early?"

Rocky chuckled, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Up early means 5AM, kid. Training starts before the sun's up. Gotta build that discipline and get you in fighting shape."

Severus groaned inwardly, realizing that his summer was about to become much more intense than he'd anticipated. But he was determined. "Alright, I'll be ready."

"That's the spirit," Rocky said, giving him a thumbs up before closing the door.

Severus returned to his letter, scribbling a quick note to Lucius about how he was soo sorry for missing his summer party in France and how he hoped to visit soon. Finishing up, he lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Despite the early mornings and grueling workouts that awaited him, he felt a sense of purpose he hadn't felt before.

I'm finally Gonna be the Son you always wanted, Dad...