Lawrence was glad Cherish warned him Lex and his brothers were at her place when he came to take the boys to celebrate the end of their school year. He’d actually never met Lex’s brothers but seeing a teenager - Leonidas?Likely – supervising Eric andCyrus playing with another boy slightly older than Eric was at least a little reassuring. However as Lawrence knocked, he brustled at the dark haired, red-eyed man who opened the front door looking like… Well to Lawrence it reminded him of The Cure with longer hair. Or a big fan of My Chemical Romance. Regardless, L:awrence repressed the urge to make a face asLex stared.

“Hello Mr. Dunn.” Lex greeted warily. Lawrence suspexted the young man knew he was not afan, but Lex made no motion to comment, instead stepping aside. “Cherish ordered pizzas. Cy and Eric are playing with Levi. L:eo’s watching them. Cherish didn’t want him in the kitchen.” Lexsighed.

“I haven’t washed a thiiiiing! Sorry Dad!” Cherish called from the kitchen. Indeed, she was washing dishes, the noiseof the tap plain.Lawrence knew she owned a dishwasher, but… Still. At least handwashing showed initiative and Lawrence stood inside the living room enough so as to not block the door.

“Well I suppose if Cherish ordered pizza I’ll take the boys for ice cream or… Something to celebrate completing another grade.” Lawrence grunted. Lex shruygged.

“There’s a Coildstone nearbvy. They have some ice cream cakes.” Lex said stiffly.

“Ah.” Lawrence nodded, equally stiff. Neither looked at one another. Lawrence didn’t know if he could trust him. Not after Elektra. Not… Not with the war. And more irritatingly, he couldn’t say anything. Did Lex ecen have his sons’ best interests at heart? How did Lawrence know Lex wouldn’t take his sons. He--

“Where’s Eos?” Lawrenceasked, visibly panicking. Lex blinked, looking over.

“Oh. Eos is hiding inside his room. Some weird dark uniformed freak was lurking near the school on hiuslast day. Kid’s scared.” Lrowled. Lawrence hyperventilated, Cherish rushing in.

“Dad, Dad—” She began. Lawrence ran up the stairs, however, rushing into Eos’ roomwith his sister,

The room was surprisingly set up for both twins, divided by interests. Eos was sulking, curled up in front of the television his sister got when they moved in, cliutching his Switch looking grumpily at a game on screen. Lawrence instantly moved to Eos, puylling him into a tight hug.

“Oh kiddo, why didn’t you tell me there was someone bad lurking around your sxchool on the last day?” Lawrence asked. Eos looked up at his father, blinking.

“The bad lady made one of the teachers pass out. An’ she was scary like Her when the superhero came to save us and I didn’t like it and she saw Eric an’ Cy and I but Cherish had Lex pick us up cause he was off work and he beat the bad lasdy up and scared her off and she called him a really bad word. Lex is cool he beats up bad people!” Eos said, in the way children did when speaking to an adult. Plainly, he felt it wqas handled and Lawrtence inhaled.

“Your sister’s… Boyfriend?” Lawrence sputtered. Eosnodded and pointyed. “He got me Tomodachi Life Living the Dream too, because I didn’t want to go outside.”

Lawrtence was quiet, watching the Miis prance about Eos’ Swiutch innocently. Lex. Lex, the nightmarish looking man had gotten his son a harmless game and not only that, protected his children. Lawrence exhaled as Cherish rushed in.

“Dad, don’t get angry—” Cherish began. Lawrence looked up, settling beside Eos, and shook his head.

“I’m really not.” Lawrence admitted. “I’m not angry in the least honey. He protected the children.” Lawrence breathed. Eos nodded.

“From a superviullian Cherry!” Eos insisted. Lex grunted in the doorway.

“Oh. The weird freak. I have no godsdamn clue how but that… Witch. I’ve seen her before. She attacked a yteacher.” Lex shrugged. “You’d do the same for my brothers, I mean…” Lex looked uncomfortable. Lawrence was quiet. He looked at Eos, actually. Silent. Eos was mletting two of his Miis meet, and Lawrence sighed, fishing in his pocket and pulling out his wallet, pulling a couple twenties out and held them to Lex, sighing.

“Do me a favor and run to Coldstone for one of the ice cresm cakes. Hopefully this covers it. I can’t speak for your brothers, but my boys don’t have allergies.” Lawrence grunted. Lex understood. A peace offering, and he reached, accepting slowly.

“Yeah, as long as I’m careful my brothers don’t have any food allergies.” Lex admitted, then smiled, motioning to Eos. “Hey, kid, want to come help pick?”

“Yes!” Eos said. He saved, looking to Lawrence for permission. Lawrence nodded, and Eos set his Switch aside, running to go to Coldstone with Lex as Cherish looked at Larence.

“Dad?” Cherish asked in surprise. Lawrence looked up, viosibly relieved.

“He fended some Negaverse agent off from threatening your brothers./” Lawrence said quietly. Cherish stopped, and nodded.

“Yeah. He did.” Cherish sighed. “He’s protective of them Dad.” Cherish smiled, and Lawrence nodded.

“Good. I expect nothing less than for you to date someone good.” Lawqrence sighed. He had choices he’d prefer but….

His family was happy. And his family came first.