sumarusfinest | Casual Culinary Soiree (for h

"Nice to have a man around the castle, my arse" she grumbles, but the blush is fading and she's smiling again. "I'm sorry, Katsuya."

That little pat on the shoulder is adorable, and she's already angling for more casual touching. At least in her head, anyway. She's determined to get this button-up boy to slip a few loose already.

There's a bit more prep, but not much, and soon the meal is finally together. There's even a healthy serving of broccoli, which she knows full well neither of her boys will voluntarily consume. So Katsuya will get to see that whining, as well.

"Boys! Dinner. Franklin, book down please."

Frankie huffs an impatient sigh and shuffles in behind his brother, carefully placing the borrowed book somewhere safe and well away from the food. Hips rolls her eyes, even as Kryten fusses over the boys.

"By the way, family rule. No reading at the dinner table," she murmurs to Katsuya, pitching her voice low. "Otherwise we can't get Frankie's nose out of them. Which isn't a bad thing, but I'm trying to encourage him to be here and now."

"No books at the dinner table, understood."

Frankie has a bit of Katsuya's sympathy there. His own table is three quarters paperwork with a small spot free at his usual seat for him to eat while he works. Though that is more necessity than a tendency toward escapism.

Katsuya's quick to serve so that Hippolyta can get herself and the boys something to drink but all he offers is a small apology when the broccoli goes on plates.

"Your mother insists." Is his only quiet remark. Besides, he likes the stuff and will definitely be taking some for himself.

Sammy actually pouts at Katsuya, his face scrunched up in dismay.

"Maaaaan, I thought you were gonna be the cool boyfriend," he groans, stabbing a piece of broccoli with his fork. Hips visibly bites back her initial snarky comment to her son and lets it slide.

Frankie is also less than enthused, but less vocal about it, shifting the offending vegetable around with the tines of his fork. But then he looks up at Katsuya and smiles shyly.

"Thank you for the manga," he says, in what's barely audible above a whisper. "It's very well drawn and plotted. So far."

Hips works very hard not to snicker at her son's phrasing. Of course Frankie would leaven his review with a promise to downgrade if it didn't meet his expectations. She pours out big glasses of water for the boys, and two smaller cups of milk. No lactose intolerance in this household, at least.

"I think you'll find I've never been 'cool' in my life. Just ask my brother."

He makes an art out of being stuffy and responsible. Has pretty much since he was the boys' age, really. And for now they only get the same soft smile from him, though it turns a bit wider at Frankie's comment.

"So long as you enjoy it I'll keep buying them for you. If you'd like I'll read them too if you want to talk about them? I picked them up because it was about cooking, which is something I enjoy."

Katsuya's only read a couple of manga in his whole life, but he'd pick them up in a heartbeat if it meant giving Frankie someone to talk to. He thanks Hippolyta for the glass of wine she's poured him and finally sits down to eat himself. Almost immediately he gives a startled noise and a wide smile.

"This is very good, Hippolyta!"

"Glad you like it."

She pours herself a half glass of wine, and then - after a moment of hesitation - pours him an identical half-glass. It's a well-aged merlot, grown in the soil of España, and a perfect pair with the stroganoff. And, like all mothers everywhere, she takes her seat last, and relaxes slowly.

Sammy is still toying with his veg, but Frankie digs in. At least he sees the benefit, eating the broccoli before the meat and noodles. Hips hides a smile behind her wine glass, even as she leans over and strokes the back of Frankie's head. And then she winks saucily at Katsuya, nodding at his wine glass. Drink up, m'laddio.

If Katsuya makes a little bit of a point to eat his broccoli with gusto, well, clearly he's not trying to set a good example for the children. Even if Hippolyta's stroganoff is very very good he wants to be sure all of his greens are eaten promptly before he fills up on the rest of the meal.

Nor has Katsuya forgotten the insistence he try the wine with the rest of the food, either. Half a glass even he can handle, especially on a full meal. Gotta hand it to her too, everything goes very well together. Katsuya's smile is small and sheepish but he nods all the same.

Good call.

"I'm not sure if I should make dessert tonight, Hippolyta. It doesn't seem like Sammy is very hungry. I don't want it to go to waste and I had been rather counting on him to be my sous chef for the evening..."

Sammy groans dramatically and slumps in his seat, pinning Katsuya with a glare.

"Your Jedi mind tricks won't work on me, señor. I am too strong-willed."

Oh, yes. This young man is definitely Hippolyta's son. She's doing her best not to burst out laughing in her stroganoff, even as Frankie snickers to himself. He's the one to gently kick Sammy under the table.

"Eat the broccoli and accept the bribe, brother."

Sammy snorts but does as he's told, before turning to his mother.

"Next time make carrots instead, please? I hate broccoli."

Hippolyta sighs, but tilts her head in acceptance.

Katsuya can't help the smile that flits across his face. Embarrassed to be caught out by Frankie rightfully calling him on his ply with Sammy, but also proud that Sammy has done what he knows Hippolyta expects of him without a fight. They're good kids. He rather enjoys looking after them.

"I don't know what a Jedi is, but thank you for being agreeable about this. I really do need a capable helper to assist me with getting dessert ready, just so you know. I hope you all like chocolate."

"WHAT?!"

"Samuel. Inside voice." Hips actually winces at that, and there's a strange ringing in the air, almost like tinnitus but not quite. Apparently in his excitement, Samuel has let loose with a string of plaga sonics, enough to make his mother's head ring. The noise cuts out half a second later.

"...What? You've never seen Star Wars? Oh my god, dude."

He's squirming in his seat now, blue eyes wide with shock. Like, he's heard of these rare and mythical beasts that have never seen Star Wars, but has never met one in the flesh. Hips has put her fork down and is staring at her boy expectantly.

"Sammy, you know better than this. Nexus rules, please."

"But mum! Star Wars!" Like that made it okay to point out gaps in people's multiversal knowledge.

"Samuel Miguel. Enough. Or I'll revoke dessert privileges after all."

Oooh, full name, he's in trouble now. Frankie is silent, like a spectator at a tennis match, eyes flicking back and forth between his mother and his brother. Sammy's pout is so much like Ramon's that it's almost heartbreaking.

For just a moment Katsuya twitches his head to the side, brow furrowed in clear discomfort. It's a sickening feeling that's familiar in a truly awful way but it's gone again before Katsuya can pin down exactly what that was and why his fight or flight responses feel every kind of triggered.

The officer sucks in a deep breath and tries to look engaged with Sammy's questions, but he honestly doesn't know what to say. It's not something he's heard of or seen so he just offers a shrug of his shoulders and a glance to Hippolyta.

"Is this a cultural thing? Like pokemon? Something I should probably know but don't?" He offers Sam an apologetic smile. "I did warn you I wasn't cool."

See, here's the thing about Hippolyta. She knows how to read a room. And more specifically, she knows how to accurately read micro-expressions and emotional temperature with astonishing clarity. That's what happens when you grow up in a household where the slightest shift in somebody else's mood could lead all too easily to pain.

Katsuya's wince might as well be in 72-point bold Verdana, blinking in neon over his head. It was easy for baseline humans to hear plaga song as a high-pitched squeal, like a cheap dog whistle. But even then, it shouldn't have been that much of a wince. Sure, it was annoying sometimes, but not painful. Her eyes cut across the table from Sammy to Katsuya, and she frowns thoughtfully. Hmm.

"Star Wars is something of a cultural touchstone on many worlds," Frankie puts in quietly. "It enjoyed a resurgence here in the last couple of years with several new movies and cartoons."

"And they're just cool," insists Sammy, oblivious to his mother's thoughtful expression. "I want a lightsaber."

"No," Hips says simply, spearing another piece of beef with her fork. "You alright, Katsuya?"

"My Resonance acted up. Nothing important." Katsuya brushes his free hand over his chest for a second and taps it by way of explanation. "My Persona." As to why Helios has a very specific reaction to Plagas in specific, that has to do with Katsuya's near-death experience with them years ago. Not something he thinks about much anymore outside of the occasional nightmare, nor something he's thinking actively about now even after the reaction.

He turns his attention to Frankie and nods along with the explanation.

"A movie series then. I'm afraid I don't watch much in the way of television or movies, sorry boys. A lot of those references will go over my head."

His smile for Hippolyta is sincere, at least. He's enjoying himself and the meal.

"Are they movies you enjoyed then too?"

Uh oh.

Sammy's eyes light up like Katsuya has just promised him a trip to Disneyland.

"Yeah, yeah, of course, but wow, okay. So, like. Your Persona. That whole thing. How does it work? Do you turn into something bigger like me or do you still stay basically the same or is it something like when the Power Rangers zap themselves into the Megazord or...."

Hippolyta is sighing to herself. It's so tempting to put a hand over Samuel's mouth and stop him asking those kinds of questions. She never would, though. That's one of those 'borderline' things that she very carefully doesn't engage in. She never wants her boys to feel like they have to curb their self-expression just because she's embarrassed, or whatever.

Frankie is now peering at Katsuya as well, and he's got a strange, almost calculating look on his face. Like Katsuya has unveiled a secret of the multiverse. He's put two and two together far too quickly.

Katsuya freezes mid-bite and gives Sammy a long look. All three of them are staring at him, Sammy as though he's grown a second head. And considering the bits Katsuya's seen on him before he almost wonders if he should be offended.

"I don't change, no. It's a summons, of a sort." A physical manifestation of his willpower and strength of his soul. But that sounds awfully philosophical to explain to a child, so...excuse him while he hides behind his going to be empty glass of wine for a moment.

"It's a powerful tool I use to protect people. Mostly back in my own world." Again, given the makeup of the house Katsuya's loathe to admit that his first and foremost hobby for the last several years has been exterminating demons and monsters.

"Cool."

Sammy has a starry look in his eyes, one that was worn by Ramon so very often. That sort of dreamy lust for power not for its own sake...but because it's cool. That was how so many of the demons that used to haunt this castle came to be there. Hippolyta has long, dark memories of the weird snake lady Ramon brought back once, and of course there was that weird little snow demon with the annoying laugh, and Barong of course.

....Ah, smeg. She should warn Katsuya about Barong. Not that the leonine demon ever emerged from its wing of the castle, and not that it would do anything, but he deserved a heads up.

"Could I get a Persona?" Sammy continued without missing a beat, and Hippolyta held up one finger and shook it back and forth a few times.

"No. Absolutely not. You're already fine just the way you are, kiddo. You can turn into an eight foot tall spider-plaga. That's plenty."

Sammy groaned, but in a playful way. He was always so pleased when his mum acknowledged his awesome powers. Hips turned back to Katsuya, saw his glass magically empty.

"Want a refill, luv?"

"You don't want one, trust me. Having one is nice and infinitely useful, but getting one is...not something I'd ever wish on a child or anyone else, for that matter."

Despite the fact that he's seen several children over the years manifest one. That kind of fate so early squeezes painfully at Katsuya's chest. His brother was too young to have that thrust on him. Others he's seen were even younger still. He's only half listening to Sammy and Hippolyta now, mind somewhere and somewhen else for a moment until Hippolyta addresses him directly.

"Uh?" Pay attention, Suou. This isn't the time or the place to get somber and depressed over the capricious nature of the gods. "Actually, could I just get some water please?" The idea of not being in full control of himself in case of an emergency isn't one that sits well with him right now.

"Are you all ready for some dessert?"

She smiles warmly at him as Sammy practically vibrates out of his chair, already rushing into the kitchen to wash his hands and get ready for baking. He's apparently been looking forward to this all day. Hips follows to get that requested water, leaving Katsuya and Frankie alone for a moment.

"Was it my brother's plaga sonics that triggered your Resonance?"

He says it in such a small, quiet voice. Very calm and self-assured and way way way too fucking smart for his own good.

"Is that going to be a problem for you? I can tell him to be very careful, if it is."

The small moment of reprieve has Katsuya sighing slightly and touching at his chest once more just to make sure Helios is alright. It's not normal for his persona to react like that, but there's no danger here. He just has to remind himself of that and--

"His what?" Katsuya hadn't expected the quiet boy to speak up and turns to give him the officer's full attention. "No, no. Sammy's been nothing but a delight. Both of you boys are. I'm fine really. Helios...it's just going to take some time to adjust is all. I've done a lot of fighting over the years, there's bound to be some crossed wires affecting my and my Persona's reflexes occasionally."

He doesn't view Samual as a threat. Katsuya doesn't. Helios reacting like that...Katsuya doesn't know what to make of it. His frown is more worried than he knows.

"I do truly enjoy looking over you two."

Frankie is still peering at him owlishly, and he tilts his head a little.

"I believe you may have misunderstood my intentions," he says, still in that same, soft voice. "I know you like us both. We like you, too. I'm questioning whether or not the particular sonic frequency that plaga song occupies might be inimical to your Resonance. If that's the case, I can tell Sammy to, ah. Put a sock in it."

And that makes the little alien boy smile ever so slightly, a sly sort of twinkle in his eyes.

They do? They believe him?

For a man used to his every action being judged and called into suspicion, Frankie's quiet admission startles Katsuya. He's not used to affection being given so freely. The smile that flits across his face is uncertain of himself but he nods.

"It might have been what affected me, yes. I didn't know what it was. But I don't want him to worry about upsetting me, either. You're both...thank you. You're both very kind. All of you are. Your mother too." Making him feel welcome in a home that isn't his own is so unheard of. He's not even welcome in his own home, not really.

It means so much to him.

Welcome to Castle Salazar, where the woman who's raising these children is determined to give them the sort of love that her own childhood lacked. Hence both of these boys understanding empathy and morality at a startlingly young age. Hips was always telling them the one lesson that had shaped her own moral awakening.

People are more important than being right. No matter what shape or size or color those people came in.

Frankie's blinking again, as part of the puzzle that is Katsuya Suou slots into place. Ah. That makes sense.

"It's alright," he says, stepping up and gently taking Katsuya's hand and leading him toward the kitchen. His green fingers are thick, even at his young age. He's his bio-dad in miniature, after all. At least physically. Temperamentally, he couldn't be more different if he tried.

"What are you making for us for dessert? Or is it a surprise?"

Hips is just stepping out of the doorway with a glass in hand, and there's almost a comedic collision, but she stops herself in time.

"Good question!" she asks, handing over the glass and pretending not to notice that Frankie has Katsuya by the hand. "What are we making?"

There's such warmth in Katsuya's smile at being led back into the kitchen by Frankie. Hearing the smaller boy speak more than he has ever before even. He feels as though he's been gifted something precious and he's determined to appreciate it for what it is.

A gift.

He startles slightly at Hippolyta's sudden re-entry but the smile doesn't leave his face. If anything it's only grown a bit wider. He thanks her for the glass and peers around her to where Sammy is drying off his hands.

"Ah, well. I hope you all like chocolate. I thought I'd try my hand at one of the recipes Hippolyta looked up for me and have us make chocolate cannolis. It's an Italian dessert and not something I've had back home. I tried a few at shops in the Nexus to get an idea of what they were like but I thought that chocolate might be better than coffee in flavor for you boys."

"...Oh, we are ambitious."

Hips' eyes get super wide for a second, as she ponders the necessary things needed for that sort of dessert. Mainly a big pot, a thermometer, and lots of frying oil. Lots more than she has immediately on-hand, anyway. Unless Katsuya managed to smuggle in an entire gallon of canola oil under his suit, somehow. Which she rather doubts. (But is funny to picture.)

"Um. Should I PINpoint to the store and get the oil?"

Frankie's eyes are similarly wide. He knows that having his mother and brother around boiling oil is not the best idea in the world.

Sammy's oblivious.

"I love chocolate everything!" he proclaimed, giving Katsuya two thumbs up.

"Actually..."

Katsuya gives Hippolyta a quick reassuring gaze before pulling out a shoebox sized tupperware container from his bag and opening it on the counter. There's two layers of shells already made sitting between sheets of wax paper.

"I already made them at home. I didn't think you all wanted to wait half the evening just to eat dessert, so we're just making the filling to put in them tonight."

And if there were any worries about children and hot oil, well, Katsuya isn't going to confirm or deny it. They're only a couple of hours old after all. He doesn't think it will affect the flavor any.

Casual Culinary Soiree (for h_hollister )

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