Homecoming

Sylas pulled up in front of his home, letting out an awkward sigh. He'd been gone for a few months, and it showed in his longer, more tousled hair, the scruffy beard, and the scratches on his bike. He pulled off the motorcycle, stepping up to the door and knocking three or four times, sucking in his breath.

Dowan hummed quietly to herself, putting the pasta into the pot. Today had been a good day, she loved working with younger people. She pulled out her phone, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. She missed her husband greatly, and it would have been nice of him if he were to call her. The phone calls were few and far in between now and she was worried about her husband.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in!" She called, taking off her apron.

He opened the door, stepping inside. He sucked in a breath. Everything looked the same. Almost like he'd never left. He cleared his throat, ending up coughing a bit. "D-Dowan? I'm home..."

Dowan blinked, "Sylas? Sylas is that you? YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO KNOCK STUPID." And before he could say anything else she glomped him into a hug. "Where have you been? You should have called." She chocked.

Sylas wrapped his arms around her, hugging her as close as her pregnancy would allow. He chuckled a bit, ending up half sobbing. "I-I lost my cell...A-And it was h-hard to always find change for a payphone...I-I'm sorry." He closed his eyes, just taking her in. The smell of her, the feel of her skin...He sighed happily. Home.

Dowan reached her hand to caress his face, "I figured. I just worried. You don't belong out there without me, silly." Kissing him lightly, she added, "We need to get you clean. You're just in time for dinner." Kissing him again, she shooed him, "Shower."

He laughed a bit, wiping tears away. He went up the stairs, stepping into the bathroom. He unbuttoned the pinstriped shirt that had replaced his jacket and tee, and shed his pants and shoes. He turned the water on at a very high heat, stepping inside and letting out another relieved sigh. How many days he'd have to go without the simple comforts of home...

Dowan wiped a little of the tears that she hid until he was out of sight. He had scared her half to death, but she was glad to have him home. It had been five years and every time she looked at Sylas her heart went crazy. She would never stop loving him, ever. Pouring the pasta sauce over the pasta, she let it heat up before turning the stove off and setting the table. She hummed happily to herself, her whole body glowing, not aware of a presence watching her.

Sylas finished his shower, drying himself off and redressing. He walked back downstairs slowly, trailing his hand along the wall, simply feeling it. He shook his head a few times, to assure himself this wasn't one of the many dreams he'd had while he was away.

"See? Much better!" Dowan chirped, wrapping her arms around him, and nuzzling her head into his shoulders, "Please don't leave me again." She whispered.

He hugged her tighter than before, nodding and kissing her forehead. "Never again, I swear...I'll never leave you again." He squeezed her once before letting go, taking her hands and holding them between them. One of his hands moved to her belly and he rubbed it a few times, grinning a bit. "So...who's down here?"

"I'm not sure, I'll find out tomorrow!" Kissing him lightly, she lead him to the table, "You must be hungry."

He gave a bit of a nod, squeezing her hand once more. "I guess...I've gotten used to...well...not eating." He gave an embarrassed grin, rubbing the back of his head. He suddenly remembered something, pulling out a small black box and opening it, putting on a pair of wireframe glasses. "I thought these would look nice...and they help me see a bit farther..."

"They look good. You're so handsome you know." She sat down and began to eat, "So update. Now."

He sat down beside her, blinking once or twice. "Um...About what?"

Unknown to Dowan, Mad Sylas manifested across from him, propping his feet up on the table and just smiling at Sylas, a too large smile with strange, almost pointed teeth.

"You've been gone for months. What have you been up to?" Dowan asked, looking at him curiously.

He glanced at his other self for a moment, before turning to look at her. "I travelled, mainly. Never stayed in one place too long..."

"Who are you looking at?" Dowan raised her eyebrows, curious. "And I know that! " She nuged him lightly, smiling.

Sylas twirled his food, not really eating it. "No one...Let's see...there was Tibet for a few days...the Himalayas in general...then I moved onto Europe...Greece, Germany, Italy, England...Then Canada...Then here."

There was a very loud knock on the door followed by shouting. "Oi, Dowan! Is that Sylas's bike out front!?"

Dowan rolled her eyes,"Come in, stupid." Opening the door, Kyllic frowned. "I'm not stupid.

Rose stopped him, taking a position in front of him, her few months pregnant belly obvious. She leaned in, whispering softly. "Let me go first. I may be...well...but I'm still the only one who can stop him from killing you..."

Sylas set his fork down, looking at Dowan. "So...do they come here often? Rose and Kyllic?"

Mad Sylas chuckled softly, drumming his fingers together. "Wonderful. The gangs all here..."

"They do." She said quietly, "I'm....not sure what to do." She looked at him, half expectant.

Sylas blinked a few times, shaking his head. "I don't know what you mean...We could invite them to dinner?"

Rose walked down the hall before stopping just before the dining room. She took a deep breath and looked behind her, giving Kyllic a cocky smile and a thumbs up before stepping inside, waving to her brother. "Hey Sylas..."

Sylas stared at her, his mind going blank as he took in her appearance.

"Sylas..." Dowan nudged him, a sinking feeling in her stomach as he took in her appearance.
Kyllic gave Dowan an apprehensive look.

Sylas sat there, in a stupor. Rose bit her bottom lip, suddenly unsure. Would he hurt Kyllic? Instead of sitting around, she made a small petal of her soup energy forming, and sent it towards him. It struck the side of his side with the kinetic force of a strong flick, and he seemed to shake off the stupor. "Um...you look...good, Rose..."

Rose smiled a bit, nodding. "Thanks... You don't look too bad yourself..."