Platinum Blade - AOT x OC

Chapter II - Shattered Illusion

Time flew by as Anastasia, Morgan, and Harley all worked together to bake a cake for the returning father. The kitchen was filled with laughter and joy as they mixed ingredients and decorated the strawberry-flavoured cake. Anastasia, who was delighted with the outcome, released a cheerful sigh as she took the freshly baked cake out the oven then placed it in a box.

"Good job, everyone!" she said, wiping the sweat from her forehead and signing the message to Harley, who was also full of excitement.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard from outside the door to their home.

"That must be Dad!" Morgan cheered, as she sprinted to the door.

The hinges of the door let out a sharp creak, as Morgan enthusiastically swung open the door. Standing just in front of Morgan on the doorstep, was her father. He was a tall man, towering just over 6'1. Unlike the rest of his family, he did not have many defining features. His brown hair complimented his short beard, while his eyes were especially angular unlike his daughter's. Still in his Scout uniform, he just glared down aimlessly towards Morgan.

"Dad!" Morgan smiled, hugging her father around the waist for the first time in a month.

"Oh... hey Harley..." he said gravelly without much excitement.

"Uhm... D-Dad! I'm Morgan...!"

"Ah... Hello Morgan."

The lack of enthusiasm in his voice puzzled young Morgan. She could not put her finger on it, but the tone of his voice carried a distant tone that contrasted her mother's warm and affectionate enthusiasm.

Morgan let go of her father, wherefore he immediately stumbled and staggered into the house. Confused, she just followed him in. She realised his noticeably unbalanced strides and his awkward swaying side to side as he entered the home. Furthermore, a strange smell lingered around her father which further puzzled Morgan.

Anastasia stood in the dining room; her gaze nervously fixed onto her husband's unsteady entrance. Additionally, she could not ignore a peculiar scent that came from him, and it did not take her long to realise what it was. Partially disguised and masked by the smell of the freshly baked cake, was the distinct smell of alcohol that lurked in the air. She felt her stomach tighten when she slowly began to realise that this reunion may not go as smoothly as she naively hoped for.

"Hey sweetheart..." the tall man said to his wife, his eyes unable to clearly focus on her.

"H-Have you been drinking again...?" Anastasia asked bluntly and cautiously.

She stared at her husband in the eyes, bracing herself for the reply.

"No... Dunno what you're on about..." he slurred, as he began to hobble his way to the dining table.

Morgan was observing this strange exchange between her two parents, as the usual warm atmosphere in her home had dissipated. Her young mind was unable to understand why her father was acting like this, so she just watched in silence.

Her father shuffled his way to the dining table, taking a seat next to Harley. Without even greeting him, he opened the cake box on the dining table. Harley greeted him with sign language, but the father did not take notice and just went to grab a cake slice. Anastasia could not hide her frustration, as she quickly pulled the cake box away.

"D-Do you mind? Can you at least greet your own son before you start taking food?!" she frowned, disgusted at her husband's behaviour. "You haven't seen him in a month... and you rarely come home anyway..."

Turning his head towards Harley, he just stared at his son like a robot. Harley, who was delighted to see his father, signed: 'Welcome home'. The drunk man replied with forced and lopsided smile, which lasted just a second.