"I've never quite managed to make it. My parents are occasionally weird about stuff like that."

"What do they do?"

"As little as physically possible. And one threat to have Dad arrested for kidnapping the time I asked if it would be okay was enough for me."

Hug. "What's wrong with them?"

"What isn't wrong with them would be an easier question to answer," 'Chelle mutters sourly. "Some people just shouldn't be parents."

"No. But I've got you guys, so swings and roundabouts."

Percy gives 'Chelle a small nod of agreement. "Small mercies. Or in Dad's case, major mercies with great cooking skills."

"And as much as I would rather Lan's parents weren't walking disasters, I'm glad to have you all. It gives me an excuse to cook a lot."

"It's symbiotic like that."

"Speaking of symbiotic and cooking."

Aaren gets to his feet and heads for the kitchen.

"Do you think he's made cake? I think I can smell cake baking..."

"You know he did."

"-Honestly. It's Dad. He's never gonna pass up a chance to bake."

"We'd be worried if he did."

"We would need to ask what sort of extremely debilitating illness took him away from the kitchen."

"Exactly," 'Chelle agrees.

"I promise to forewarn you if I need to take a break from cooking at any point," Aaren says as he comes back in with a tray - upon which there is four bowls, filled with stew and rice.

Percy basks at Aaren. He does so while helping distributing the bowls.

'Chelle steals the remote and puts a Swedish crime drama on - she's merciful though, she leaves the subtitles on.

Aaren squeezes Percy's shoulder fondly before retaking his seat.

Percy squeezes Aaren's hand like he was waiting for it, but quickly resumes enjoying his bowl and watching the crime drama.

Lan complains good-naturedly throughout the show, never sounding or feeling all that serious.

'Chelle defends her choice happily.

Percy is enjoying it.

Aaren is enjoying both the show, and Lan and 'Chelle's argument. Eventually, when they're all done eating, he gets up to clear their plates.