Super Science
Ch 87: Home Sick
"Good morning, Izuku and Eri." Egon cheerfully greeted the two kids as they stared mindlessly at one of the huge windows. Noticing their lack of response as he passed by, he stopped, backtracked, and said, "Kids?" Still, there was no response as they both continued to stare out over the sky. So he changed tactics and yelled, "Hey!"
"Huh!? Wha-?! Oh! Good morning, Professor. It's nice weather. " they both said together in a fluffy daze.
Narrowing his eyes at the two children, Egon firmly told them, "Okay, fess up. You two have been sitting by nearly every window, every day, for over a week! What's eating you kids? Don't tell me you hung up about those new Half Dragons on Pacifica that can turn into anyone they eat. Cause I sure am!", he said with a distant existential glaze.
The two kids stared at him for a moment before Izuku answered, "It's nothing."
Breaking out of his trance, Egon told him with a tone of disbelief, "You know that ain't gonna fly with me."
The two of them tried and failed to pass it off, but Egon wouldn't budge or fall for it. So they both caved into his demands. Izuku sat on the window sill with Eri in his arms as he began, "Fine, we'll tell you, but…"
"It's silly.", Eri finished for him, hiding her face in embarrassment.
Egon gave a sideways pout and petted her hair as he assured her, "There's nothing silly about how you feel or what thoughts are running through your head. Unless you're thinking of murder, in that case, you'll be institutionalized.", Izuku shoots him a look for that comment. Egon ignores him while taking a seat beside him. When he does, Eri wastes no time sitting in his lap. "Now tell me what's bugging you two.", he asked them.
Izuku rubs his head and eventually comes clean. He vaguely explains, "I don't know. We've got this full ack in our bodies every time we look out the windows. And no matter what we do, we can't pull ourselves away or stop staring."
Egon considered this for a moment before concluding, " It sounds like you two are homesick."
"Homesick? Is that a disease?", Eri asked with a mix of curiosity and concern.
Egon stroked her head again and explained to assure her, "No, Eri. Homesickness is just a term for those people who have been away from their house for too long and feel sad about being away from its familiar comforts."
Eri looked down at the floor and told Egon, in a saddened tone, "It's true. I like it here. I'm still with you, Log, and Peet, and I can see Izuku and Ms Josei more often. But I miss your house. It's nice and cozy."
Izuku sighed as he leaned back to glance out the window and added, "I'll admit. I miss home, too. I miss Mom, her cooking, heck, I even miss my old room that used to be filled with my long-time hyper fixation."
Egon smiled in understanding and said, while hugging them both close to him, "I know how you two feel."
"Are you also homesick, Egon?", Eri inquired.
Egon gives her a nod and says, "Of course I am, Eri. That was my childhood home. I was born and raised there. With all seriousness to the born part."
"Egon.", Izuku scolded him.
Egin rolls his eyes and explains to the two kids, "My point is, I do miss it a lot, and I wish I could go back. But right now, that's not in the cards for us.", he holds the two children so they look at him and he says in a firm yet serious tone, "The two of you both know how much danger we are in. We were lucky to have been able to stay in our houses for as long as we did. But our enemies are starting to grow, and I think they'll keep growing. We've got tons of secrets, but they won't stay that way forever. Our best bet right now is to stay here until we can take them down or gain enough power to the point we can walk freely without fear.", he then sits back with both in his arms, sighs, and tells them, "I wish I could give something more comforting but that the cards life has felt us and we gotta play them or fold."
"What happens if we fold?", Eri asked him.
Izuku knew what Egon meant by "fold", but he didn't want to tell the young girl. She has been through too much not to assure her safety within the facility. So he just continues to put hope in her heart. He cups her face and, with a smile, tells her, "Don't worry. That's never gonna happen." L, he then sits back against the window and tells the two of them, "And besides, we still have each other.", only for their moment of peace to be interpreted by a loud set of honks and something trying to bite Egon. He looks down and sees a very angry-looking Peet nipping at his foot. He laughs as he scoops the bird onto his foot and then tops it over to his lap, where he says, "And you too, Pete."