Summer with Father

Chapter 2

Artoria released a heavy sigh as she fiddled with her keys. "Such a difficult day..." She thought, unlocking the door. Walking into the house, she called out "I'm home!"

Her call was answered by Mordred's voice coming from the living room. "Welcome back!"

After she took off her shoes, Artoria headed into the living room and saw her son standing in front of the couch and drinking a glass of water.

"Why are you so sweaty?" Artoria asked, taking notice of her son's appearance and odor.

"Found out there was a gym in town." He answered. "Thought I'd do some sets down there." He flexed his left arm. "Gotta keep these guns in shape somehow!"

"Ah, well I am glad you are staying active." She began loosening her tie. "It seems most kids these days are too preoccupied by their visual novels and gacha mobile games."

"Well, those are fun too. Just need to keep things balanced, you know?"

She nodded. "I suppose. Just be sure to get your shower before dinner, okay?"

"I was gonna!" Mordred complained before heading upstairs.

Artoria sighed and checked her watch. "Speaking of dinner, I wonder what I should do..." she thought "I don't feel like cooking anything today. Perhaps I'll order a pizza instead." As she hung up her jacket, she thought "I suppose I'll wait for Mordred to come down before calling."

About 15 minutes later Mordred came down from his shower. He was now wearing cargo shorts with an Iron Maiden t-shirt. He walked in on his father, who was watching the news. Mordred went to join him and collapsed on the couch.

"Don't just fall on the couch!" She scolded. "It's hard on the material!"

"Yeah whatever..." Running a hand through his damp hair, he asked "what's for dinner?"

"Well, work was a bit hectic today so I didn't feel like cooking anything. How does pizza sound?"

"Sounds good! What kind will you get?"

"I am unsure." She got out her phone. "I am fine with most kinds of pizza except for the ones with pineapple on them. Such a thing is...unnatural."

"Hey, pineapple on pizza is actually pretty good!"

Artoria gave her son a peculiar look.

"Well, whatever." he said, not wanting to get into an argument about pineapple's validity as a pizza topping. That had happened more than once and he did not want to have a repeat of the same conversation. "Since Hawaiian is apparently off the table, how about a meat lovers?"

"That sounds fine."

Artoria placed in the order on her phone. After that, all they could do was wait. Artoria continued to watch the news, while Mordred played gacha games on his phone.

After a bit of waiting, the doorbell rang. When Artoria went to answer it, she saw that the delivery boy was Cu Chulainn.

"Cu?!" Artoria exclaimed, surprised to see the buff Irishman standing in her doorway. "I thought you were a florist, not a pizza delivery boy!"

Cu laughed. "Ah, I thought this was your address! I still work at the florist, but I'm working some extra hours. Gotta work hard for my dear wife." He shook his head, smiling. "She's good at fighting, but not much else. I need to make sure she's taken care of, ye know?"

She nodded. "Yes, I understand how things are between you and her."

"Well anyway," he handed her the box "here's yer pizza."