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Those pizzas are going to burn at this rate.

Inigo sure isn't paying much attention to them, for one. Sure, he was pretty okay with the idea of having dinner, but he's very much distracted by something else right now. Those pizzas are only one dinner, after all, but meeting someone and dating them could be for the rest of his life! It's a big, life-changing sort of thing!

Even as Roland reassures him it's not about dating necessarily.

But it still kind of feels like it is to Inigo. Or maybe it's just that he really wants to make his dad proud, and he's trying to figure out what Roland is thinking here. Would Roland want him to date someone? It'd probably look good for the son of the president to be dating someone else within diplomatic circles, huh..

He's quiet for a moment, thoughtful, but when he speaks up he sounds a lot less flustered.

And more.. vulnerable, maybe? It's harder to tell from his tone, but it's very much visible in Inigo's eyes - the familiar insecurity.

"Do you.. Do you think he'd like to know me?" Even in a non-dating sort of way, but it's not as if Inigo could meet this boy now without constantly thinking of dating thanks to this whole conversation-- "He wouldn't think I'm odd? You know, since I'm.. I'm still trying to get used to all of this."

The modern world, that is, not the very specific niche of modern world dating.

T-minus ten minutes and they're goners. Will they be able to eat tonight? Will Inigo get together with a cutie from TikRok? Stay tuned on the next episode -

But Roland needed to see that shift, subtle as it might be to anyone else as a witness. He knows though; can tell with that hesitation in his voice whereas he was more spirited just moments before. And as Inigo shows him this vulnerability freely, so too does Roland take it willingly and changes with him, his own expression morphing into one of total reassurance. Ready to take on his worries as his own, something that comes naturally to Roland despite the front he presents to his peers, his constituents. He moves smoothly to cross the distance in two long steps, his hands already on Inigo's shoulders, his chin tilted in a way that he's looking for that gaze to meet. Roland's smile matches the mood, lifting it such that his intentions are made clear from hereon out. He never meant to make Inigo think about these things too soon. It's good that he reminded Roland there's a long way to go before he can even start to look for a partner.

"Hey," He says, both hands in a firm grip to ease whatever rising tension might build from Inigo's natural worries. "Everyone you've met in the office wanted to get to know you the moment I brought you up there. You're a natural with people, like I said a million times over. That's no less true here in my world."

Despite the changes to Roland's physical appearance, with no more magic to hide who he really is, the act of tenderness is remembered like perfect muscle memory, the closest of his hands to Inigo's cheek rising to pinch carefully, without any pain.

"Of course he'd want to get to know you. Anybody would. And if they passed up on the chance? They'd be missing out, big time." Nevermind the modern world learning curve. Though Roland supposes that's not something he can objectively tell Inigo not to worry about, so he chuckles and retracts his touch for a moment, just to rest his hands on his hips, addressing the whole thing with a bit more level-headedness than when Inigo suddenly sprung on him the idea of William seeing someone.

Both of his sons seeing people! He'll need more time for that!

"I'm sorry, pup. I guess I just got excited. I didn't mean to scare you. Or make you worry. You're right. There's a whole new world out here for you to explore and get used to first. There'll be plenty of time for casual dating later."

And just to add a touch of playfulness to something he might have messed up by jumping the gun, he does the unthinkable and actually winks - but the motion is so small that it could have been mistaken as an easy trick of the light; a bug flying into his eye that he tries to blink away. Was it a wink?! Who knows!

"Later...when you're forty. Heh."

The whole reassuring package does work. The words, the expression on Roland's face, the cadence of his voice. Sure, some of these things might have changed slightly between their time back on the train and now, with Roland being older. But nothing has changed enough for it to have much of an impact on the way Inigo experiences it. Even the touch is treated the same way as ever - just letting Roland do what he wants, with perhaps only a hint of pink cheeks.

If anything, Roland's ever-present attitude suits this look more than the one he had back on the train, when he and Inigo easily could have been mistaken for brothers instead with the way they acted so affectionately around each other.

"Thanks, father. Though forty may be a tad late.."

Inigo doesn't sound very upset, so that means he most likely realises it's just playfulness on the older man's part. Or he would have been freaking out more at this point.

Besides, the next remark Inigo makes has a hint of a similar - though perhaps more subdued - playfulness in it on his part.

"I mean, wouldn't you want to have some cute grandchild around?" Look, Inigo may like guys, but it's not like that completely erases that option, okay! If he gets used to this world, and actually manages to find a partner who's into him, Inigo thinks he'd very much like that. Having a child to call his own. "You'd probably act so adorable around them."

"G-Grandchildren...?!"

Way to not only remind him of his actual age - which, he still considers young given his actual occupation, populated by literal dinosaurs and politicians waving geriatric cards everywhere! - but also sputters his calm out of control, eyes growing wide and getting caught totally off-guard. This was the best way to get the revenge Inigo needed from Roland's slightly inconsiderate match-making, no matter how good the intentions to grow Inigo's modern, inner circle. And as one would have it, smoke begins to blanket the enclosed kitchen space in increments...

"Wait, the pizzas!"

It was inevitable. Only in the presence of someone like his new son could Roland lose his dedicated, iconic composure, actually (accidentally) pushing Inigo so he can dash for the oven that's currently setting off loud beeps - the fire alarms going crazy. But he forgets his oven mitts, so it takes him even more time to open the oven door, the smoke slowly but surely turning black.

"Gah, where did I put those...?!" Roland exclaims, as they hang gently by the side of the counter on a row of hooks. Was he this flustered because of the grandchildren remark?

Yes. Yes he was.

Grandchildren? Him? A grandfather? Already???? How could Inigo break him so!

Roland.

It's so easy to notice just how thrown off he is by the remark - and Inigo didn't even anticipate it to this degree! Sure, he thought there was a fun teasing edge to it, but surely it isn't that weird for someone his age to start thinking about that kind of thing, is it?

(Maybe in your medieval times where the average lifespan is about half of these times, Inigo, but..)

Still, Inigo manages to remain a lot more calm under this sudden pressure than Roland, which is how he manages to grab the mitts easily. He momentarily considers passing them on to Roland, but figures the other may just drop the pizzas entirely in his current state, so instead Inigo quickly puts them on himself to pull the definitely blackened pizzas out of the oven, putting them on the counter.

There's a lot of that black smoke though, and Inigo can't help but cough once he's out of it, trying to wave some clean air into his face while still wearing the oven mitts.

"F-Father, I can't believe you're getting so worked up over grandchildren of all things!"

The beeping sounds almost rhythmic. The sharp clang! of metal against the ceramic of the kitchen counter breaks his distraction, and he's too late to salvage what lame dinner he could think of for his adopted son in the new world. He's not really earning a lot of dad points right now, is he?

In trying to address the said issue, he also inhales a lot of that smoke and coughs right back. He does, thankfully, have the right presence of mind at last to walk over to what looks like a metal panel next to the utility closet - not quite the circuit breakers, but it's irrelevant when just a few minutes later, the beeping stops and there is peaceful silence in the Crane household once more. Maybe.

Roland walks back and waves in front of his face too, gesturing first at the window closest to the sink. "Open that, would you?" And while Inigo does so, the failed pizzas are chucked in the garbage just outside the garden door. Guess they were having cereal for dinner.

"Listen," Roland says with a sigh resting close behind. He's walking around the space of the kitchen trying to wave the smoke out of the open window for better ventilation. It's, once again, a sight that he doesn't intend to look funny, but ends up becoming one anyway when he's trying to salvage his poor kitchen while explaining his actions to his totally unimpressed son. William would have been on the floor laughing his head off, if he were witness to this mess.

"I can't even wrap my head around the two of you boys starting to date, what more skipping ten other steps to get myself some grandkids." This, he says honestly, finally getting most of the smoke out and plopping himself down on the nearest chair he can find. It's candid, and it's revealing a lot of what Roland tries not to show too often these days; that even as he has made peace with his actions as an absent father, he is still highly insecure if he actually knows what he's doing to two growing kids - one preteen, the other an actual young adult who has seen more of life than what the modern world grants him.

"I mean, I'd love to grow the family. Don't get me wrong." Evident with how easily he integrates Inigo into their fold, how natural it is even if the Brand in Inigo's eye and the magic in his blood are proof enough that Roland is not his birth father. It never mattered then, it won't matter now. Not even with the talk of lineage; whoever Inigo will have as a child in the future won't be Roland's either. Except they absolutely will be and he'll fight for that right.

He rubs the back of his neck, avoiding Inigo's gaze for a moment.

"I'd...I'd like to spend more time with my sons while I can, is all." While he has the energy, the moments to cherish. It's definitely the meaning between the lines, but for all his public speaking charisma, Roland is not as good at saying exactly how he feels, even with his loved ones close by.

The moment Roland sits down and some sort of calm has been returned to the kitchen, Inigo walks over to the cupboards, staring to get out some bowls and cereal. He's grabbing the milk next, doing it all with a practiced sort of ease - like this isn't the first time a failed dinner attempt had to be salvaged like this. (Look, sometimes Inigo just likes making dinner for him and his little brother to eat together rather than Roland sending someone to cook for them, but it's not like every attempt goes absolutely perfect when Inigo has been doing his very best since the train to try and get used to all this modern kitchen technology..)

His expression softens while he pours the milk and cereal into the bowls, listening to the older guy's words. He can read the sentiment in it, already knows the last part of what Roland says before the man says it. It's open, maybe even a bit vulnerable, and it's why Inigo respects it and lets him finish speaking before walking over, putting the now full bowls down on the table.

Taking a seat on the other side of the table to face Roland, he smiles a bit.

"Don't worry so much, father."

Rather than grabbing a spoon and starting to eat the improvised 'meal', Inigo reaches out, both of his hands clasping one of Roland's hands. The skin underneath his own still feels much more aged than what Inigo got used to, but it doesn't matter. He doesn't let go.

"We're here. We're going to be here." Especially now Will's illness has been miraculously cured. Especially now Inigo has been in this world for long enough that he knows he won't just randomly get dragged off back to his own world or a different one. There's no uncertainty about it anymore, no sudden bombs dropping. This isn't finite. "You'll have plenty of chances for it. Maybe you'll be less busy once your term ends, you know? And the two of us are still going to be right here with you by then. You'll have all the time in the world to catch up on."

Inigo's touch is all Roland needs to look up, exposing what would be impossible to hide even with cool charisma and improvised words. He looks like he's scared, scared to lose time with them, scared that whatever feeble peace he's earned by working on the train and asking Naga to grant them their wishes would be taken away just like that. Or even worse - that there's no time at all, and he's missed out on a fatherhood he's always wanted to live out because he spent too much time working on keeping them all safe.

Both of them deserve the very best of a calm, beautiful life. Will was born into circumstances working against him, and Inigo had to fight for his own future. Had to shed a bit of his own humanity just to wake up to another day without his friends turning on him, his parents' shadow looming over a destroyed halidom. Roland has a lot riding on this, and it's a burden he'd gladly bear if it meant his family could be comfortable in the rest of their days. He's selfish too, about it all, wanting a part of that picture, wanting to be part of their lives for as long as they can let him.

It's nothing short of magic that Inigo almost reads his mind, says what he does to him when Roland needs to hear it the most. He grips his hands in recognition of the comfort provided, his smile small and meek. He didn't even notice the cereal's already been poured for him.

We're here. We're going to be here.

That's all he's ever wanted.

"...Yeah. Yeah, I suppose that's how it's going to be, huh?" And if they're exposing vulnerabilities now, maybe it's about time Roland says it out loud too, just so Inigo understands how much of that fear he's trying to abate by offering him dates, growing social circles, giving him a phone to play with and familiarize himself with. He rubs the back of his neck.

"I'm sorry. I just want to make sure I don't make the same mistakes. And that...that you don't regret being with us." Being with me. In the modern world that you're still trying to figure out too. His thumbs stroke Inigo's hands. "If it helps any, I'm getting close to announcing an early retirement. I think I'm ready to help my country in other ways apart from politics. While I have the energy, you know?"

Which meant energy to be with them, without the rules and restrictions of positions of power. Roland living the second half of his life on terms of his own. Would Inigo like that? Would Will?

Thankfully Inigo is a bit more used to seeing Roland more vulnerable by now. It still doesn't always come too easily, sharing his fears with Inigo, or more troublesome thoughts.. But the very nature of their journey on the train with all its twists and turns meant that Inigo was inevitably going to see some of it.

And although the stakes may be a bit lower here, less life or death, it's good to see that Roland still doesn't totally clam up. He's changed a lot from the guy Inigo first met on the train - the one who didn't even want to mention anything to Inigo about his injury that was giving him a hard time doing as much as walking.

.. and he's also changed a lot from the guy who did nothing but work, work, work, apparently. Judging by the next thing Roland says.

That does catch Inigo off guard a little - eyes growing a little bigger as he hears the words. Instinct almost makes him ask if Roland is sure, if he isn't just doing it for them rather than himself.. but no, Inigo realises very well that it's exactly because of the kind of guy Roland is that he wouldn't say that without being sure of it.

So instead he just smiles.

"I'd like that. I think it's a good idea." Not just for Inigo, though he's obviously glad at the prospect of spending more time with his father. But he's mostly thinking of Will. It's helped that he's healthy now, and that he has Inigo to spend a lot of time with while Inigo is still trying to find his footing like some newborn fawn in this modern world.. But Inigo knows Will could use having Roland around more. Like the final piece of the puzzle in making the boy's life better. ".. Though I suppose I do have a bit of a personal stake in it," he admits, jokingly, smiling.

"But please, father. No matter what you do.. Know that I could never regret my choice to come here." That much Inigo knows for sure. No matter what may happen in this world from this point on, he couldn't regret it. No matter how bad things would get here. "I had no life left. No existence."

He erased that with his own hands, after all, through his choice to save his country and parents over himself.

"You're the one who gave me that once more. Then how could I regret it in the slightest..?"

Such a declaration is enough to stop him in his tracks, no more words left to say. The warmth that washes over him almost feels close to the touch, as if he could reach out, palpable and real. But Inigo's honesty grounds him from lifting too high up, expressing a gratitude they've long crossed. But no matter how much time passes, even outside of a magical void train, he knows just how much this second chance means to both of them.

For Roland's invitation, opening his home and his nation to Inigo, was not the only good thing to come about their adventure. So too did Inigo's wish upon Naga help Roland heal the rift of his land that his own hands could not mend. He credits Naga for William's miraculous healing, and now they were all here, together, with their memories intact and their family complete.

Such a stirring of emotion draws him to touch Inigo's cheek with a gentle hold, a thumb to stroke the bottom of his eye where his Brand remains; the final connection to a life he had left behind for this one. The smile on Roland's face crinkles the sides of his eyes in fondness, the cereal poured earlier forgotten for the moment.

"And you chose to live out the rest of your future here. You saved us too. That's why I want to make sure you're comfortable. And that you're happy. You and William both." He continues to stroke his cheek affectionately, the light hitting just the right angle that it casts a familiar vision upon him now, one Inigo might be more accustomed to seeing - like they were still onboard the train, arms around each other in embrace, the golden hour before peaceful sleep.

But Roland chuckles suddenly, low and deep and resounding. He glances at the bowls resting by the table.

"If there's anything to regret though, it's that I haven't gotten any better in the kitchen. My sons are going to starve at this rate. I'm sorry I'm a poor chef."

".. well, no one can be perfect in every way, father."

There's some teasing in his voice, but it's not too strong. It's not like Inigo really wants to make Roland feel bad about his lack of real cooking skills. Inigo genuinely doesn't mind, after all - they make do in their own ways. It's not like some burnt pizza or bowls of cereal are going to make his stay in this world any less pleasant.

He carefully nudges one of the bowls over to Roland, especially since he doesn't know when the other last ate today. If he came home early, he may just have worked extra by skipping lunch. It's one of those things Inigo can't be sure of, but he highly suspects.

In turn he will even grab his own bowl and start to eat some of the cereal, like he's setting a good example over here.

(And in the meantime, he can briefly contemplate just how easy it was for Roland to say that, to slot him right in next to Will as if he's known Inigo for his whole life rather than the odd half year or so on the train. Usually it may have been easy for the boy to get lost in insecurities about whether or not he fits in, if he deserves to be here, but.. it's hard to do so with Roland's constant reassurances, carefully slipped in all over the place.)

"Besides, if you're interested, it could be something to study once you have more time. Then we can eat here like this every evening - except with the three of us, all together."

Roland takes the bowl gratefully, and though he isn't particularly famished, dives right in as if half-crunchy cereal is the most delicious thing he's eaten. He knows it's not particularly the most filling thing for dinner either, but there's something about the mood that would have lifted his spirits regardless of what they shared together. These moments are no less precious to Roland even if it's been a while since their reunion, enough time passing that Inigo can now go out on his own, can navigate short commutes and can ask directions to go home.

Hearing himself think that - home - is still surreal. Roland tries, and at least for now, succeeds in hiding his fond little smile as he takes in another spoonful of cold milk and cereal bits. Mid-chew, he feels his phone vibrate in his pocket again, the ringing growing louder every second he keeps it unanswered. But for once, Roland isn't rushing to get it, he's not dropping absolutely everything present just to swipe a screen and speak to the other end of the line as if it was life and death.

Who knew working appropriately could feel...satisfying in its own right?

"You've explored the whole house, right?" Roland wipes the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, the other hand dipped in his pocket for the phone ringing again and again. He doesn't quite glance at it yet, his attention still on Inigo. "There's a small library next to my bedroom. It's hidden up in the attic. Pull on the ladder and go there any time. There are cookbooks there, I think...A lot, if memory serves right."

Which is code for he's never actually looked at them before, but someone once did, and whoever they were, they seemed to know a whole lot more than Roland if they collected as much as they did. But this was for another adventure in Inigo's modern world journey, for a different time! Finally, Roland looks down at the screen, his eyes in a squint, before he breaks out into a full on grin.

"Speak of the devil."

He moves his chair closer to Inigo, and after he swipes to accept the call, rests the back of the phone against the nearest surface - in this case, the cereal box. Why he does this is made quite evident sooner rather than later when the screen shows, technically, the eldest of the Crane sons: William with his droopy eyes that sparkle with energy even through the fading resolution of a video call. Roland takes another bite of cereal, leaning an elbow against Inigo's shoulder. "Look who decided to call at last. Heh."

'Hi daddy! Hi big bro!' William's voice comes through clear at least, but he sighs in disappointment after he catches Roland's spoon and the crunch from his bite. 'Aww, cereal again? Did daddy try to make something new again?'

Edited 2020-12-31 10:40 (UTC)

A hidden library! Now this is starting to sound much more like a part of the modern world that's even vaguely similar to the world Inigo is used to.

.. although the library in the palace wasn't exactly hidden as much as Inigo just much prefered to spend his childhood all day outside in the flower fields on the castle grounds rather than inside with a bunch of stuffy books, but look, the details don't matter. It sounds all mysterious!

But before Inigo can contemplate the mystery - or even the more specific mystery of who put those cookbooks there when it obviously couldn't have been Roland with his level of cooking skills - there's the call. Roland accepting it, moving closer.

And those are all the hints Inigo needs to immediately know who's calling. There's no way Roland would accept anything else this quickly - or at the very least, this enthousiastically. This can't be work or business of any kind. It can only be one person trying to call Roland.

That person indeed appears on the screen a moment later, and if Roland hadn't scooted over, Inigo would have, eager to see the younger boy's face. As if he hasn't seen him in weeks, rather than literally just a bit earlier today.

"Come on, Will!" The smile on Inigo's face is so big that it almost threatens to burst. He raises his own bowl so it's visible in the frame of the camera. "This is.. what do you call it again? Haute cuisine, you know!"

Apparently Inigo either wants to defend at least the last few remaining shreds of Roland's potential coolness in the eyes of his biological son, or Inigo realises his part in the failure of the pizza's Roland was trying to make.. Either way, he says it with an ease.

"Besides, we have to save the real amazing meals until you're here to have them with us. We're not just going to leave you out!"

Roland tries not to make a face at the line of conversation, his profile turning to the side to hide the fact that he almost missed his bite of cereal. Will immediately makes a sound of disbelief, as if he's already gotten used to such a thing in the short time that he's spent with his new sibling. It's already something to behold that Inigo himself is the guy to take him to his first ever summer camp, and not Roland's secret service. In fact, insisting on it.

'Um...Hot cuisine...? Well, I dunno 'bout that!' He goes, the camera angle shifting from a bottom view to a frontal, showing a face that looks precisely like Roland's - except for the droop in the corners of his eyes, and a softness in his eyebrows and cheeks that is absent in his father's. But the hair, the color of his irises, oh yes there would be no mistake of whose kid this was. Though it seemed that the Brand in Inigo's pupil aside, the three of them did in fact, look similar.

'You can tell me later when daddy isn't around what he tried to make! It'll be our secret!' He giggles mischievously, pretending Roland isn't around at all. To which the older man only ignores, waiting for his turn to speak up around this youngsters embarrassing him vicariously. It's not his fault they were talking about girlfriends, all right! Will is probably trying his best to vlog things, the face cam dizzying the more he walks around his designated cabin. Strangely enough, he looks to be alone.

'Wait, wait! I have to tell you! They're gonna teach us how to make stuff here, big bro! Real stuff! Food you can cook in the great outdoors! Food you cook in a fire! Like in my stories!' The younger has finally plants himself nicely by his bedside, and his uniform is in plain view. It's clear that he hasn't had much time to socialize with the level of enthusiasm he's cramming into one video call, regardless of the age gape between him and Inigo. It's at the moment of his next breath that Roland finally chuckles, his head shaking in amusement.

"Okay, settle down. Tell Inigo about that first." He shares a knowing glance at said pup, his cereal bowl half empty by the time he turns fully to show himself to the limited space of the selfie cam on his phone. Nevermind his One Fear of having to watch out for two of them keeping secrets like some club...or that it's cute to imagine such a bond forming already.

Inigo isn't eating from his own bowl anymore at all at this point. It's off to the side, forgotten for the moment - his full attention turned towards his little brother and everything he has to say. Inigo just watching with a smile on his face.

Though he can't help but note the way Will seems to be alone right now. Sure, maybe he wanted some privacy to be able to talk to his father and brother in peace, but.. call it being overly fussy about these things, but Inigo can't help but worry a little all the same. Especially with how talkative Will is being right now. He's not throwing it all out because he hasn't had a chance to chat with the other kids instead, right?

Not that Inigo isn't grateful to have this level of enthusiasm thrown at him. Like Will can barely contain himself with the amount of things he wants to tell him, despite having seen each other earlier today and having talked plenty.

"Wow, really?" He says, all attention and interest. Despite, you know, that kind of food being nothing new to Inigo. Living out in the wilderness is what he's done for years, after all. But Inigo wouldn't want to ruin the boy's excitement in telling them about it, nor has he bothered Will with the sadder parts of his fairytale world. It's nothing a kid his age should be thinking about.

"Then maybe next time our father causes a fire while trying to cook dinner, you can cook our real dinner over it."

It's a joke! A light tease! He defended Roland's honour a moment ago, so it just makes it even again when he says this, right.

Besides, Inigo is cutely letting his head drop sideways to rest right on Roland's shoulder anyway. Partially to be affectionate after saying that, but also since it makes them fit into the limited view on the camera so much more easily this way.

The fact that the kid was alone becomes more and more apparent when his hyperactive self starts moving again, almost giving a complete room tour by the time he plops down on the next surface with his hands cradling under his chin while speaking. There seemed to be no signs of anyone at all, with only one of each thing present - one bed, one nightstand, one cabinet, one chair and table...

Roland scoffs mockingly, playful, not giving the observation a second thought. It doesn't even occur to him at all. He reaches behind Inigo's head and messes up his hair while speaking directly into the call. "Hey! Give me a break, frozen pizzas are a lot harder than they look. If things had worked according to plan, Inigo would have begged me for the recipe. Heh."

Dad jokes are truly a marvel.

"And what are you two talking about, there wasn't a fire...There was smoke. That's different." Roland, please!! But thankfully for Inigo, his new family member doesn't quite buy into it, throwing a rather dry look that seems to be passed on from generation to generation.

'...that's not funny, daddy. Go order something for takeout! Don't starve my new big bro, okay? I have to teach him how to make stew when I come home!' Whatever expression he throws his own father at that point, William suddenly shifts and changes, looking incredibly happy again when eyes meet Inigo's. The first time he met his adopted brother, things were admittedly a little awkward. But the Brand in Inigo's eye made for the perfect story time, with William's curious heart naturally drawn to the tale of what it was that tattooed on his iris, and how he managed to get it. Though Inigo had his own method of telling such a story to the young boy, Roland is grateful that his son accepted it for what it was, and seems to search for it every time they lock gazes. Neither are aware just how much William is both fascinated and grateful for it; a reminder that his stories seemed valid, they could be real, and that out of them came the best gift of all. A new brother, a complete family at last.

Roland chuckles.

"Sorry to say peapod, but your big bro already knows how to make a fine stew. You two could have a stew-off in the backyard though. I'd be the judge."

It's a marvel, just seeing how much William looks like Roland at times. Not just in physical appearance, but also some of the little mannerisms. Sure, Will mostly acts really different, due to still being a young child and all.. but it's in moments like these that he swears he's seen that expression on the kid's face before, right on the face of the older guy sitting next to him right now.

Well, it makes sense, doesn't it? They're related. They share the same blood, Will grew up with Roland right there. (Until he was hardly ever there anymore.) It's not something Inigo is jealous of, wouldn't dare to, but it does explain the differences between the two brothers.

And he mostly just listens to the exchange the other two have, smiling at how cute it is. It's not the first time Inigo has seen Will be sassy in that kid kind of way with their father, but it's adorable. It's just good to see them so comfortable, so happy. There's no way he couldn't thank Naga ever single night for creating this for them. A restored world, a healthier body, a happier life.

Though there is one thing that bothers him.

"Oh--! Will, hang on for a second, there's someone at the door! We'll be right back!"

Look, usually he would have discussed this with Roland first, but there's no way to be subtle about it in the middle of a video call! So Inigo's fingers rapidly move to momentarily switch off the camera and microphone on the phone, with an ease that's been thankfully helped along through frequent use of the SCA back during their train adventure.

Then he turns to Roland, without missing a beat. In fact, before the other can even ask what's up, Inigo is already starting first: "Why is he all by himself?" He may be fussing a bit too much now, but how can he help it! That's his little brother, and if there's anything Inigo aspires to me, it's a good big brother who looks out for his little sibling.

"Huh? No one's at...the door--"

Inigo moves too fast for Roland to catch, the call already on mute and the video paused. Only William's name is seen now, flashed on the screen above his picture, cropped in the middle. The kid on the other end only nods before he's put on hold, and he seems still in chipper spirits. Roland however, is confused. Up until that question, where things suddenly change and he realizes the ruse Inigo pulls to get them to talking in private.

"..."

He doesn't answer right away. There's something about the way Inigo looks at him for the truth that makes it even harder to tell him why so. He rubs the back of his neck, a guilt that creeps up slowly but is present all the same.

"Because he's in a private cabin, pup." Roland steels himself, says it as steadily as he can. His arms cross back against his chest as he turns back to the screen of the phone in video call limbo. There's a silent hope that Inigo might understand his reasons, even if it inevitably isolated his son from making new friends his age. "He...He's still the president's kid. And I'd do the same for you, book you a private area so I could get security detail around your perimeter at all times. You can't be too careful, even if things are the way that they are."

Inigo isn't sure how to place Roland's apparent shame when he first sees it. Is the other just embarrassed he didn't catch onto Inigo's obviously very clever scheme to be able to talk without Will overhearing? That's what he at first assumes, but then Roland starts talking.

And then it becomes apparent very clearly that it's not why the other looks so awkward. No, that way he looks has so much more to do with the words he's speaking now, huh. With the reason he's giving for all of this.

"But--"

Inigo starts, instinctively, before letting his protest momentarily trail off. It doesn't feel right. He knows why Roland is doing that, which is why the protest stops right there. He knows that Will is just a kid, and one who only just recovered from being sickly. That he couldn't protect himself if something were to happen, the way Inigo could.

But still..

It's not right.

That feeling is what spurs Inigo on to keep talking, even though the look in his eyes is sympathetic, like he can understand it's not an easy decision for Roland either.

"But this way he can't make friends at summer camp. This way he still can't have the regular fun experience everyone has, even though he's able to be out of the hospital now." Like there's still something separating Inigo's new brother from the rest of the world - even if it's no longer the walls of a hospital room. Like nothing has changed.

Maybe he's too worried. Inigo knows that. Will seemed pretty chipper, but how can he not worry all the same? Who wouldn't want the best for that boy, even though Inigo has more heard of everything he's gone through rather than seen it all with his own eyes?

But this way, he can't make friends at summer camp.

No, that's precisely why Roland couldn't face Inigo now, and it feels like the room has gotten a bit darker as the sun completely falls down on them and everything is bathed in night. He needs to turn more lamps on, or the overhead fixture. Roland looks to the side, as if to pretend that he isn't aware of just how right Inigo is - how he's thought of that already, how Will knew too but was so used to Roland's way of being that he fought it and then still allowed it regardless.

He doesn't know when, but it seems Inigo has gotten a much better grasp of Will than Roland. His thinking hasn't changed even though peace has been achieved, no matter by what means they were able to return together. It's hard to change such habits, even more so when your son who's always needed you has miraculously changed with the times. Shouldn't he be allowing him the freedom that only books and stories once filled on reality's behalf?

Roland is frightened regardless, though he's not one to say it out loud. Especially not now.

"...He just sleeps in a different place, that's all. He's doing the same activities as the other kids in the program." A lame attempt if there ever was one, but it's also his final effort to defend his actions. Though if he knows Inigo any, and he's certain at this point in time he does, he isn't taking this against Roland. In fact, it's already enough to burn how kindly he looks at him, as if trying to reason with compassion. But he knows this too is not a reason good enough to isolate a kid with years being alone in a ward already.

But it's still different.

Inigo knows it. And he knows Roland knows it too, no matter what the other guy may be saying right now. It's still not the same. He's still not having the regular camp experience as all the other kids are. And it'd be one thing if this was the first time, but Will has been isolated from the rest of the world for so long already. He shouldn't have to endure more of it, even if Inigo knows where Roland's intentions come from.

He frowns, but it's not angry. He's instead just thinking, like Inigo is trying to find some solution. If not for this time, then at least for the next. So Will, his precious new brother, would never have to feel like he's different again.

"Why didn't you tell me..?" Maybe exactly because Roland knew that Inigo would see a problem with all of this, huh. "I-- I could have volunteered to be the camp assistant for his cabin. I could've kept him safe."

Sure, it wouldn't have been so easy. Because Inigo saw the camp assistants with their groups when he dropped Will off - all of them regular guys, modern, not like Inigo who's still fumbling with the very concept of a phone half of the time. He'd stick out like a sore thumb, having to try so hard to blend in.

But he'd do it for his brother. In a heartbeat.

"Don't you trust me, father?"

"No, pup! I do! I do trust you!"

He's always been weak to his son, but now that he's got two, this inclination to make them understand where he's coming from only grows infinitely stronger. "I..I didn't want you to work when you were having so much fun outside, discovering new things. Buying phones and getting around town by yourself."

That much he knows he's honest about. But he didn't think it was such an available option to him either, since he's wary of putting too much on Inigo's plate. Roland wants him to enjoy things, have fun with a new life. It was enough that he accompanied Will to the campsite on Roland's behalf, but to add more to his responsibilities before he's even gotten the chance to make friends made Roland uncomfortable. He was here in this modern world to be a new person, have the future he deserves where he can be the teen he's meant to be!

Though he does remember that Inigo by nature, is someone who loves to be there for others regardless of the circumstance. The peace they've won thanks to a magical wish from a dragon won't change that about him. He realizes it belatedly, causing his head to droop further and his sighs to heave through shoulders like he's really done both of these boys wrong.

What else can he say to such rationale? What can he counter when the argument is bulletproof?

"...You're right. I'm doing it to him again. I'm keeping him away." How do you even apologize for this with words? Roland shakes himself out of it, sits to his full height and gestures with an open palm towards Inigo. If he doesn't look like he's done a great crime yet, then he's not frowning hard enough.

"Go back to Will. I'll handle this. I'll make some calls. Can I borrow your new phone?"

Let dads make amends, as silly as they might seem at times. Plus, he's memorized the numbers he has to call anyway, so it doesn't need to be his line at all.

The guilt is drifting off Roland in waves. Inigo can feel it, like it really is being transmitted across the entire room. And even though he's definitely glad that the other is doing something about it, it's not like Inigo wanted him to feel guilty over it.

It's not as if the older guy was doing something wrong. Not from Inigo's point of view, anyway. He just wanted to protect his son. Nothing wrong with that. Besides, it must be hard - Roland having to adjust to not only have one son much more actively in his life, but now having another one from another world to deal with as well.

So he reaches out, Inigo's hand landing on Roland's shoulder.

"Father. It's alright. You were trying to keep him safe because you love him. I get that. I think Will does too." Sure, his little brother may be the one more likely to protest these things, but Inigo thinks he's plenty smart for his age. He may have missed a lot of school, but he has good common sense.

Inigo takes out the new phone, putting it in the palm of Roland's hand with a smile.

"Don't blame yourself, alright? We're fixing it now! I'll talk to Will, so don't worry about that."

When the item is deposited in his hand, Roland is already stood from the chair and a kiss is planted directly on Inigo's forehead before he utters a quick, "Okay, be right back. Thanks." And off he goes into the other corner of the room, hidden behind a wall that connects one area to the next. A faint voice can be heard after a while, Roland's own as he goes about the mandatory greetings that eventually lead up to a change of plans, as promised.

Meanwhile, Will is patiently waiting on the other end of the line. As Inigo removes the mute from both audio and video, the kid can be seen only partially. The top of his head with hair sticking out as if he had just tumbled in bed, and he seems to be reciting words from a storybook, unaware that he's no longer on hold.

'- but the queen was corrupted by the twelve who used her magic to...oh!' He perks up right away, adjusting the camera so he's on full ~~FaceTime~~ view with Inigo. It seems Roland and Inigo's huddle lasted long enough that he was able to change into pajamas, striped and oversized for a small frame.

'What happened, big bro? Are you guys okay?'

"Totally fine!"

It's a good thing that Inigo shifts easily in these situations. Sure, it helps that his conversation with Roland ended well, but there's still some worry about his father that he has to surpress now in order to be able to flash Will a big smile. He manages - it somehow feels easier to do it for Will's sake, maybe since his instinct to protect his little brother is so strong.

"Sorry that we took a while. Father apparently has some stuff he needs to discuss-- you know, the usual." Inigo makes a hand gesture, though it's all said with a joking edge, like an in-joke only the two of them are in on. It's true though - Will knows just as well as him about Roland's habits, if not better. And they're a good excuse as to why the guy is out of the picture - quite literally! - for the moment.

"He'll be right back though! And hey, in the meantime-- what story were you reading, huh? You seemed to be getting really into it!"

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wow that had so many typos, i'm so sorry ;_;

sshhh i never see any typos, everything is just the way you intended it to be

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