Alastor

4

The man in front of him wouldn't have reminded him of his family. Then again he never really saw any of his family, Bernard wouldn't take him and Truman anywhere.

Zagen had almost fully gray hair, but there was red streaks through out it. Well that's a good sign, at least I won't stand out as much. Zagen gave him a once over, probably trying to figure out why a teenage boy with bright orange hair was standing on his doorstep.

"Grandpa?" Alastor finally spoke, breaking the silence. Zagen glared at him for a second more till his mood completely changed. "Alastor!" He yelled, ruffling his orange hair as he gestured for him to come inside.

Well sure, go ahead and yell my name. It's not like I just ran from robbing a lady. Alastor hesitantly entered the home. It was... old, and dirty. But he had grown up in a broken home with a traumatized single father, so this was normal.

"At least dad wouldn't have let it get this dusty." He mumbled, streaking his finger against the drawers. He shook his hand as it came back full of dust. The house had a weird smell to it, something Alastor just couldn't place.

Alastor looked up as he saw Zagen glaring at him. Damn it, he must've heard me. Alastor sighed silently, he was already ruining his chances. Zagen silently gestured to two chairs sitting across from each other, Alastor sat down on one of them.

Zagen walked over and sat on the other chair, putting his feet on the coffee table in front of him. Alastor felt a bit- underdressed compared to Zagen. He was wearing a black tux fit with a red undershirt as well as a red tie, and black dress shoes to go along.

Alastor was wearing a large black jacket, a white shirt, black gloves and white shoes. He had lost his black beanie on his travels. Damn it. I look like a criminal. But I am one, I robbed that lady. And burned her too.

"Now what are you doing here?" Zagen asked, Alastor tensed. What was he supposed to say, the truth? No, if he knew he'd most definitely kick him out, that's what Bernard would do anyways.

"I'm tired of dad, I couldn't stay there anymore." Alastor said, Zagen became clearly annoyed. "Alastor. One thing you'll learn here is I don't like liars, now tell me." He growled, Alastor glared at him.

"That's the truth." He growled back, locking eyes with Zagen. The look he gave him made him want to curl up into a ball and never leave, but he couldn't crumble in front of him. No, weakness is a bad thing to show, especially in front of this man.

Zagen let out a loud annoyed sigh. "Guess we're doing this the hard way." He said, stomping a foot on the ground. Suddenly a path of fire sprinted forward, creating a ring of fire around Alastor.

Alastor tried his best not to be frightened, I mean he could do that himself. No I can't, I can barely stop myself from burning a book. Zagen approached Alastor, making no effort to avoid the fire.

Alastor noticed the fire didn't affect him, not even his pants erupted into flames. "Now," Zagen started, getting down on a knee in front of Alastor. "Why did you come here." Zagen asked, more like a demand than a question.

Zagens few streaks of red hair seemed to glow, fueled by the fire. Alastor didn't say anything for a while, making Zagen clearly more annoyed. "One last chance Alastor, why are you here." He growled.

When Alastor didn't respond Zagen suddenly grabbed his arm. Alastor could see the smoke rising from his hand, and guessed he was trying to scald him.

"Were you expecting me to scream?" Alastor said, a small smirk on his face. Alastor looked down at his hand which were now smoking, probably from how scared he was.

Suddenly fire erupted around Alastors hands, burning the gloves clean off. Zagen had a somewhat proud look. "Your fires strong, now extinguish it before you burn the chair."

Zagen said, getting up and stepping down onto the floor. The ring of fire disappeared and Zagen turned back to Alastor. Alastor tried extinguishing the fire, but he never had before.

He shook his hands, but the fire raged on. Zagen let out a sigh. "Take deep breaths, calm down." He advised, Alastor nodded his head and took a deep breath. After a few more the fire started to calm, before disappearing completely.

"Thanks for helping me." Alastor said, taking a pair of gloves out of his pocket. "It wasn't to help you, I just don't want my couches burning." Zagen responded, turning to a box. Alastor was a bit confused, but considering how quick Zagen tried to use his fire against Alastor answered his confusion.

Zagen turned back to Alastor and handed him a box. It was full of clothes, along with ten dollars. That wouldn't last me a day, good for me I have my own money. "Thanks Zagen." Alastor said, taking his extra gloves out of his pockets and setting them on top.

Zagen glared at him for a second. "Grandpa. Call me grandpa." He said, the words sound like they didn't belong. Alastor guessed because he was so proper it was an odd word, but he nodded.

Zagen looked at Alastor's hands, which were covered with gloves. "Why do you wear those?" Zagen asked. "They were recommended after dad took me to the doctor, I can't control the fire." He answered, Zagen raised and eyebrow.

He then started laughing. "Of course Bernard would take you the doctor, no less get you gloves!" He laughed, Alastor started to feel uncomfortable. It felt weird to hear Zagens laugh, it wasn't full of joy, more mocking, he was making fun of his son.

After Zagen was done with his laughing fit, he turned back to Alastor. "Take those things off, I'll teach you to control the fire. But I don't want anything of my son in this house." Zagen told him.

"You can stay in your fathers old room, it's up the stairs and to the left. It's the one with the black door, don't go into the room across from it." Zagen told him, Alastor nodded and started to make his way up.

"I don't want anything of your father in this house." Zagens words rang through Alastors head. Was Bernards and Zagens relationship really that bad? He walked into the hallway, the room across was open slightly so he looked through the crack.

In the room Brooklyn sat on the bed. Great. Alastor turned and opened the black door, shocked at what greeted him.