Classes were over and the students dismissed.

Toby went home on his skateboard again, while Sophia and Randall took the subway.

Usually the rides were silent, they just sat in front of each other, looking at their phones, listening to music.

Sophia got off the subway earlier than Randall, mumbling “bye” before she left, Randall responding with a silent nod.

He exited a couple of stops later in the suburbs. His home wasn’t far from the subway station, just a ten-minute-walk. The sun had already started to set when he arrived at the apartment and walked up to the second floor, unlocking the door.

“I’m home…”

“Welcome back hunny~," his mother’s voice called in response.

Randall took off his shoes and placed them next to the door, then took off his uniform’s jacket and hung it up together with his bag. He took the other bag that contained his partner Kracheen’s vase to the kitchen and placed it on the table. Kracheen would always hide unless it was necessary to come out, like for classes where he had to participate.

“I’m making sweet and sour pork with rice~” His mother was busy buzzing around in the kitchen, carrying his baby sister Anastasia on her back as she often did. “Can you take Nasti?~ It’s gonna be ready soon~"

“Sure.” Randall carefully lifted Anastasia off his mothers back and put her in her high chair.

“Hue?” Kracheen poked his head out of his vase.

“Awaaa…” Anastasia did the grabby hands in his direction.

“Behave, Nasti,” Randall warned his little sister. “You’re gonna scare him.”

“Randall, hunny, I had a call with your dad today~"

“Mh?” Randall looked at his mom. “... Did you- Did you tell him about the Defenders?”

“No~ I remember you wanted to do that yourself.” She turned off the rice cooker. “We just talked about the usual things~ I show him how much Nasti has grown and he tells me about the terrible weather in London, and how much he misses you two~"

“Mh. I see.” Randall opened a cupboard to get bowls. “Did he say anything about when I can call him?”

“Nooooo, but he did say he will come back to the States next week~"

Randall stopped in his movement. “He- he did?”

“Yeah! So maybe, just maybe you should call him some time before that~"

“Gnn.” Randall grumbled. “Yeah… I’ll make sure that I call him. Stupid time zones.”

Suddenly, they heard the noise of a vase shattering on the ground.

Randall quickly turned around. “Oh my god-”

“HUE HUE--” Kracheen twitched on the floor over the shard of his vase, and Anastasia laughed and clapped with her tiny hands.

“Nasti, what have you done??” Randall picked up Kracheen and placed him on the kitchen counter.

“Oh, Randall.” His mother chuckled. “Don’t tell me you don’t remember how much Nasti likes to throw things off the table~"

“Gh…” Randall grabbed a broom to sweep up the shards. “I’m sorry Kracheen, I’ll get you a new vase- … Hm?” He looked at the kitchen counter where Kracheen had been just a moment ago, but he was gone. “Kracheen?”

“Hue hue…” Kracheens head now poked out of the toaster.

“Oh my god… fine. Stay in there. It’s not like this toaster gets much use anyway.”

His mother chuckled. “How adorable~ I love your little pet Morpho Mon."

“He’s not a pet… he’s my partner.”

“I know, I know~ That’s what your dad used to say all the time as well.” She portioned the rice into the bowls that Randall had taken out. “Randall, I know you’re scared of your father’s reaction to you joining the Defenders, but I am sure he will understand~"

“I can only hope so.”

“I’m very proud of you Randall.” She gave him a warm smile. “And I am sure you can follow his footsteps as an Elite Defender one day~"

“... I will call him after dinner. Do you think he’s still up then?”

“Oh surely, he’s always up very late~"

“Kay.” He got rid of the mess his sister had made and took out the remaining cutlery.

“Now don’t worry hunny~" His mother patted his cheek. “It will be just fine~"

“Sure.”

“Now let’s have dinner~"