MHA #10 - Saturday Morning

[notagoose]

The last few days had been nice … really nice and Goose had discovered that it was definitely a nicer and more enjoyable experience going through this kind of week when you were with someone. It had been a lot different to his student days that was for sure.

He and Ignis had made it back to his place after prom, which he had managed to get through despite how unfocused he had been through the evening and then last night had essentially been a repeat of what the last few days had been like since Ignis had returned to the island.

When Goose did eventually start to wake early that morning, he did notice that the pollen seemed to have vanished, so he was quite content to just be able to enjoy a relaxing morning, being with Ignis and so made no movement to leave the bed and snuggled in closer to Ignis instead.

Goose had clearly forgotten what event tended to follow prom.


[for Ignis, who is modded with permission and for some kids as well. Goose’s conversation with his kids is NFB please!]

Comments

[chef_chocobro]

There was something immensely refreshing about being able to wake up that morning and have any stirrings regarding the man snuggling into you be at a natural, reasonable, sustainable level. Not that the past week hadn't been exceptionally nice, but, well...it had also been a bit exhausting, so it was nice to be able to enjoy a quieter kind of intimacy.

He should probably be getting the day started soon.

But, really, the day wasn't going anywhere...

[notagoose]

Yes there was clearly nothing suspicious happening around the island or that they were going to get interrupted.

“This is nice,” he murmured, “I mean …so was this week as well but I like how peaceful this is,”

You just had to say that didn’t you Goose?

[chef_chocobro]

"Mmmm."

Ignis was a man who prided himself in his elocution, but, in that moment, he felt that soft hum of agreement would suffice, as a sort of comfortable exhaustion from the past few days started to settle in. His fingers started to idly brush against Shane's side as he just soaked it in, never one to take a rare moment of perfect relaxation for granted.

And wouldn't he be grateful for that bit of unintentional foresight here shortly.

But then, softly, eyes still closed to savor the moment, "Did you sleep well?"

[notagoose]

Goose smiled, gazing happily at Ignis. He was enjoying just being able to lay there.

“I did,” he told him, “how about you?”

[chef_chocobro]

"Truth be told," Ignis admitted with a soft breath of a laugh, "I could probably stand to get a little more. Good thing I haven't got any other plans to worry about today..."

Well, there had been one thing on Ignis' agenda, and he was clearly going to get a head start on it, shifting so that he could turn toward Shane, hand sliding up his chest, around to the back of his neck, so he could press in for a proper good morning kiss.

Look, the pollen may have dissipated, but it had hardly been necessary in the first place. Less of a catalyst, more of a, say, lubricant...

[notagoose]

Goose laughed at that, “that’s true, at least we don’t have to be anywhere right now,” he grinned.

He had no problem at all with more kissing, even after this past week and very happily accepted the good morning kiss. He moved in even closer, enjoying how close he was and he had no immediate plans to stop kissing anytime soon or at least until he had to breath again.

[tinytroopers]

That was when the door burst open at that exact moment.

“Dad hi - it’s…” Star Gooseman rushed in followed by an excited little red headed girl, “oh my god I’m so sorry!” she stopped as she noticed exactly what was happening.

[chef_chocobro]

And wasn't that just exactly the sort of thing one wanted to hear when they were justmany more reasons.

"...ah," said Ignis, as he stopped, pulled away, and glanced toward the door. Tried to remember where his shirt had wound up and, of course, there it was, practically on the other side of the room. So he just grabbed his glasses and slipped those on, as if that somehow made it better.

"It appears we have visitors."

[notagoose]

Goose blinked as he sat up and tried to figure out where his clothes had ended up, of course they were also on the other side of the room.

“Star?” he blinked, staring at his possible future daughter with Darkstar.

“Um,” he turned to Ignis, “this is Star - she’s …well …um…her mother is like me as well,” and then he turned back to the little girl, “I …I’m afraid I don’t quite remember your name,”

Even though there wasn’t any doubt about who her mother was, she looked just like Niko.

[tinytroopers]

“It’s Ariel, Ariel Gooseman,” Ariel giggled, “you’re being very silly daddy,” she said and then paused, “we didn’t mean to go through the portal, we were helping Uncle Q-Ball in his lab and it just appeared but Josie and Max and Star have all visited and now it’s my turn,” she beamed and then turned her head to Ignis.

“Who are you?” she asked curiously.

[chef_chocobro]

That was a...not insubstantial list, and to think, all Ignis had to deal with was wondering if Spero was running around somewhere, hopefully terrorizing his other father and being dark and cryptic at him right now instead. But, for now, he supposed he'd just give the girl a smile and to his best to act like this wasn't all terribly awkward.

"I'm Ignis," he offered. "Ignis Scientia. I'm...well, a...friend...of your father's."

He glanced toward Shane as if to possibly implore for a little help there, but, well, when it came to awkward situations, it wasn't exactly Shane's forte. Meanwhile, Ignis was rather adept in handling them, and already, he seemed to be struck with an idea.

"Tell me something, Star," he nodded to the one girl, then the other, and smiled sfotly. "Ariel. Are either of you ladies big fans of breakfast?"

[tinytroopers]

Goose looked equally stuck when he tried to think of a way to explain who Ignis was and so was not helpful at all.

Thankfully Ariel was distracted by the idea of food, “yes please!” she exclaimed and Star nodded her head as well still feeling rather embarrassed because this was not how she thought the morning was going to go.

[chef_chocobro]

"Excellent," Ignis nodded, not at all surprised to see that this idea had won at least Ariel over, but still relieved to see that it had, because otherwise, he'd have to come up with a new plan. But, as it were, he could continue with this one. "Then what I'll need from you teo is a very important task. I'll need you to go take stock of inventory. Particularly if there are any eggs in the kitchen. Think you can do that?"

[tinytroopers]

“Okay,” Ariel grinned and raced off to the kitchen to complete her very important task.

It didn’t take her very long at all because guess who hadn’t been food shopping in a while? “Daddy has hardly any food and there’s no eggs,” she reported back to Ignis, “Is this why you’re not allowed to do the groceries now?” she tilted her head at her dad curiously.

[notagoose]

"Uh ..." Goose blinked a little, then tilted his head in a very similar manner at Ignis, "that's probably part of it," he finally answered,, "I don't have the best track record with cooking,"

Star did have to giggle at that, "we know about the oven incident, Captain Foxx still brings it up," she finally managed to speak.

[chef_chocobro]

On the one hand, Ignis knew this man and knew that kitchen was going to be an absolutely wasteland of supplies. On the other hand, he had kind of been banking on both kids going and taking a little longer, so the other part of the plan that involved giving them an opportunity to handle the clothing situation was a little foiled.

But then, at the same time, he realized another possible tact, and, with an almost apologetic grin, he said, "I like to think your skills in that arena have improved immensely since the oven incident, but..." His attention shifted back to the girls. "Still. Did you happen to see the soup stain on the ceiling while you were in the kitchen, Ariel?"

[tinytroopers]

“No,” Ariel’s shook her head, her eyes wide, “daddy made a mess on the ceiling?” She turned her head back in the direction of the kitchen.

Star looked from Ignis to her dad, blinking a bit, “there’s a story behind this isn’t there?” she sighed, “I’m starting to understand why you were banned from the Foxes’ kitchen,” there was a pause, “and why Uncle Stingray does the cooking now,”

[notagoose]

“Stingray?” Goose was surprised at that, even though he did remember one of his conversations with Max about Stingray and Darkstar living with them because of Star.

He then grimaced a little, even though he was starting to have an idea of what Ignis’ plan was since they couldn’t very well try and change while his ... well possible future kids were in the room.

“There was an incident with a pressure cooker,” Goose sighed, "it left a mess, I haven't been able to get the stain out,"

Star sighed, "there's a mess on our ceiling at home," she explained to Ignis, "we weren't told what happened but dad is not allowed anywhere near a kitchen for the foreseeable future ... grandpa made sure of that,"

"Can we see if it's the same mess?" Ariel looked at Star and then back to her dad and Ignis.

[chef_chocobro]

Ignis nodded. "You two go have a look," he suggested, "and then we'll come join you in just a moment, and we can compare notes. Then perhaps we can start getting things going with those breakfast plans."

[tinytroopers]

“Okay, come on Star!” she took her older sister by the hand and led her out of the room and into the kitchen.

[chef_chocobro]

"Well," said Ignis, after a moment, as if to ensure that they really had departed from the room for the kitchen, "I don't imagine a ceiling stain will hold them off for too long, so we'd best get to it."

He did take a moment, though, to press in one lingering kiss before rolling away and out of the bed to hrt that clothing situation rectified once and for all.

"I figured," he explained as he got dressed, frowning just a little at the barely-discernable wrinkles that his hasty dismissal of his clothes had caused, "a trip to the grocery store of ingredients would at least give you all some time to catch up without me being in the way."

[notagoose]

Goose took a moment to enjoy that lingering kiss before he also made a move to find his clothes.

“Thank you,” he told Ignis, as he quickly got his clothes on, “you wouldn’t be in the way though if you wanted to stay,” he assured him.

[chef_chocobro]

Ignis' faint smile in response to that as he buttoned up his shirt was a little wan. "Of course not," he agreed, and not just because, well, knowing hoe to be out of the way was all a part of the job, wasn't it, and he was very good at his job. But that wasn't all of it, and that's why he smiled a little. "But all the same, I did promise breakfast and you have no food. I think they might appreciate getting to catch up with you without the added distraction, besides. Some time for some father-daughter bonding."

If you listened closely, you could have almost said there was some teasing in there.

[notagoose]

Goose found himself going a bit pink at that, “from the sounds of it I think they would prefer breakfast from you then me,” he added with a grin, “I think they probably think I’ll burn the apartment down or something,”

[chef_chocobro]

"Then perhaps," Ignis' own grin was a little more evident now, "you'll have to give me hand, and maybe it'm will blow their precocious little minds when we all make it through completely unsinged and unscathed."

[notagoose]

Goose started laughing at that, “I’ll definitely do that,” he promised, “then I think they’ll be surprised when that happens ,” he grinned, “especially if I manage to not start a fire,”

[notagoose]

Once Goose was dressed, he made his way to the kitchen where Star and Ariel were still staring at the ceiling

“It is the same mess,” Ariel exclaimed, “no wonder Grandpa banned you from cooking at BETA,”

Goose froze, that was the second time they had referred to ‘grandpa’ and neither he or Niko had parents.

“Grandpa?” he repeated a little uncertainly.

[tinytroopers]

This was where Star began to realise what the problem was. Her dad didn't know the truth about Commander Walsh at this time but before she could backtrack - Ariel cut in with an excited, "yes Grandpa Joe, you should know this daddy, he's your father!"

[notagoose]

Goose blinked and then slowly, "you mean he's like my father figure? You call him Grandpa Joe because he raised me ... right?"

She couldn't mean that Walsh was literally his father ... could she?

[tinytroopers]

Star glanced at Ariel, trying to silently warn her about this but Ariel paid no attention to her sister, she just tilted her head at him and gave him a look, "are you feeling okay daddy? Grandpa Joe is Grandpa Joe because he put his dna in you when you were created ... it's why Josie is named after him!"

"Ariel stop talking!" Star hissed, knowing full well that the damage was done but Ariel didn't listen.

"You told me the story daddy! You said that when you were created at Wolf Den, Walsh put his dna in you - even though its like super illegal and if anyone found out about it you and Grandpa will be in huge trouble!" Ariel told him with wide eyes.

[notagoose]

Goose just stared at his children from Star to Ariel and back again, he couldn't think straight ... there must be some mistake.

Maybe it was a different timeline?

"How ... how did I find out ..I mean ... back home in your time?" Goose finally asked.

[tinytroopers]

"I ... I don't know," Star admitted, "you never told us how you found out about Grandpa, about your origins. I always thought Wheiner told you to get back at him,"

[notagoose]

This was much worse than he realised.

"Wheiner knows?" Goose was horrified, "Wheiner knew before I did? How ... how am I still alive? He's been after me since Wolf Den, he's wanted an excuse to put me on ice ...why hasn't he acted on this?"

[tinytroopers]

Star was quiet for a while as she debated on what to say ... finally all she could do was shrug, "I don't know ... I mean Grandpa and Senator Wheiner have been blackmailing each other for years ... it's why I was allowed to stay at BETA with you and mum and everyone because Uncle Zozo told Wheiner in no uncertain terms what would happen to him if word about my origins got out ... he also threatened to do the same when you found out about Grandpa, so far Wheiner hasn't said a word about any of it,"

[notagoose]

Goose couldn't think straight ... Walsh was his father ... all these years and he had kept that from him ...

He blinked back tears that had started to form ... he couldn't break down crying ... not now ... especially since Ignis was coming back from the store ...

"I ... did ... does anyone else know about Walsh and I?" he finally asked.

[tinytroopers]

"Dr. Nagata does," Star admitted, "and Max .. Max Sawyer knew or does know? It's a little confusing .... and his son Billy knows obviously, what with being your adopted brother ..."

[notagoose]

"Wait ... Max doesn't have a son, he was killed before he had children ... " Goose stammered, "and I definitely don't have a brother, adopted or otherwise," he protested.

[tinytroopers]

"Not yet," Ariel piped up, "you do meet Max again and then Grandpa adopted his son so he always visits us," she told him, "he's really nice to,"

[tinytroopers]

"Max faked his death," Star explained, since she knew how confusing that information would be to her dad, "Grandpa helped him do it, since the Board of Leaders was looking to make an example out of him and so he decided to disappear, at this point in your timeline he would still be alive,"

[notagoose]

Goose just stared, first he had found out that Walsh was his father and he didn't even know how to begin processing that or if he should confront him or what ...

Now this news about Max still being alive ... at least at this point since he figured if Billy was now his adopted brother than something happened to Max later ... did that mean he should try and track down Max now? Maybe he could ask him about Walsh ...

He had to remain calm, he had two daughters that he needed to look after while they were with him this weekend ... he could deal with the Walsh and Max stuff later ...

[tinytroopers]

"Daddy?" Ariel said a little uncertainly as she watched him not say anything, "are you okay?" she very rarely saw her father like this and it was starting to scare her a little.

[notagoose]

"I ... I ... I'm fine, really," Goose finally remembered to breathe, "it ... it's going to be okay ..." he tried to assure her, he looked back to Star, "I don't suppose you know where Max happened to be living at this point do you?"

[tinytroopers]

"I think he died on Tortuna," Star said, trying to remember how Billy had been adopted, "but I don't know where exactly he was living at that point, sorry," she said apologetically.

[notagoose]

"That's okay," Goose told her, "I guess that will be help me try and find Max, if I at least know the right planet ... it's a start,"

A silence lapsed between them as he tried to figure out how to change the topic, "so how is everyone back home?" he finally decided to ask.

[tinytroopers]

Star was rather relieved at the change of topic and she proceeded to tell her dad how everyone was - what Max and Josie were up to and how her own classes were going at school.

Ariel spoke up every now and then to add her own answers but it at least helped Goose stay distracted from the two major bombshells that he'd just received.