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“Urgh… This is impossible!”
“Hey, calm down there. We’re gonna find something to get him.” Cipher chuckled, patting an exhausted Hyacine on the back.
“Fathers day is literally tomorrow, and we still have nothing!” Phainon groaned, cradling his head in his hands.
Cipher laid back on the table, gently swinging her legs as she continued to scroll through her phone.
“We could try getting him one of those dromas plushies that he likes?” She suggested, opening up a link to a variety of dromas stuffed animals.
“He has so many of them though! How he even manages to keep them all in that closet is crazy..” Phainon comments.
“Hey guys…”
“What is it, Hyacine?”
“It’s already midnight.”
Cipher shot up, glancing over at the kitchen clock. 12:00 AM.
“Fuck… We’re so screwed.” She grumbled, hopping off the table and stretching her spine with a yawn.
“Maybe we don’t have to get him a gift at all?” Phainon suggested, which earned him a stunned glare from Hyacine.
“He’s our dad! It’s mean to not get him anything!” Hyacine smacked him on the forehead from across where she sat at the table.
“Ouch! Okay, okay! We’ll keep looking!”
Cipher muttered to herself, reading off a list of “Things to do for your dad this Fathers day.”
“Fishing…Nope. Would sooner kill myself. Barbecue.. Oh, but he hates going outside. Movies..” She shuddered, thinking of the last movie night they had. The one where he and Hyacine got into a full debate over the prison sentence for the antagonist.
“Let’s not.”
“Hey! It was a fun night!” Hyacine pouted.
“No nine year old needs to know what chemical warfare is.” Cipher zoomed past that option, continuing to look down the list.
Suddenly, a message flashed onto the screen.
Princess homebody: hihi are you awake?
Cipher tapped on the message, opening up her and Castorice’s messages.
Princess homebody: look what i got
Princess homebody: IMG_001
Princess homebody: i got a yveltal
Princess homebody: look at how cutie it is!!
Kiss a: i’m gonna eat it
Princess homebody: wHAT NOOOOOO
Kiss a: ehehe
Cipher smiled down at her phone, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
“Ooo! Is that your girlfriend?!” Hyacine squealed, leaning behind her to get a closer look at the screen. Cipher jumped, swatting the girl away.
“Mind your business, shoo!”
“Oh really? Let me see!” Phainon crawled onto the table to take a look.
“All of you back off!” Cipher hopped off the table, racing for a nearby corner and taking a seat on the floor.
Maybe she’s got some ideas for fathers day.
Kiss a: off topic for a second though
Kiss a: are you getting your dad something for fathers day??
Princess homebody: oh
Princess homebody: OH NO
Princess homebody: we’re gonna be leaving for the airport in like 2 hours
Princess homebody: we’re going on vacation for fathers day
Princess homebody: i’m also not packed at all
Kiss a: RUN?? NOW??
Princess homebody: I’M TRYINGGG
Princess homebody: ILY I GOTTA GO
Princesss homebody: aaaaaaaa
Kiss a: ily too, don’t die
She wasn’t surprised. Castorice’s family was quite rich, so they often went on vacation at least twice a year.
But vacation was out of the question at the current time, so that wasn’t much help.
“We could take him to a.. Gun show? What’s that?” Phainon asked, pointing at an article on his own phone.
“I’m not that sure. He doesn’t even use any of his guns in the first place, he just collects them!” Cipher stood back up from her corner, shutting off her phone to take a seat atop the table again. She fought to keep her eyes open, laying down as if the table were a bed.
“Maybe Phainon’s got a point, we should just leave it here…” She yawned.
“Nuh uh! We need to do something!” Hyacine insisted.
“Daddy’s girl.” Cipher rose back up, wiping at her tired eyes.
They sat there in silence, each waiting for the other to speak up with a brilliant idea.
“Seriously, nothing?!” Hyacine exclaimed, standing from her chair.
“What, do you have anything?” Phainon asked, narrowing his eyes at her. Hyacine stammered for a response, before crossing her arms, sinking back down.
“Go text your boyfriend for ideas, then.” Cipher looked over to Phainon, who turned crimson.
“I told you, we’re not dating! And his dad’s from hell, I’m gonna kill him if he tries getting that guy something!”
“Wouldn’t hurt to text him..” She raised her eyebrow at the boy with a grin.
“...Fine.”
Phainon pulled out his phone, opening it to Mydei’s contact.
Tundra: mydei!!
SIMBAAAaaaa: yes?
Tundra: ok listen i know your dad is like
Tundra: actually satan
Tundra: but do you have fathers day ideas
SIMBAAAaaaa: you’re asking this now??
SIMBAAAaaaa: it’s midnight and you don’t have a gift?
Tundra: NO :(
SIMBAAAaaaa: i’ll look up some ideas but i think you’re just screwed
SIMBAAAaaaa: are you gonna go to the store or something?
Tundra: is anything open right now?
SIMBAAAaaaa: i know a little store that’s still open
SIMBAAAaaaa: it’s just past the library by your house
SIMBAAAaaaa: or you could try cooking something
Tundra: you’re the only one who knows how to cook
Tundra: actually can you pull up to come cook for us
SIMBAAAaaaa: hell no
Tundra: you’re literally so mean >:(
SIMBAAAaaaa: i can call you if you want to show you how
Tundra: BET
They split up into two teams.
Cipher and Castorice raced down the sidewalk, desperately searching for the shop.
“How…far.. Is this?!” Castorice wheezed, slowing down to catch her breath.
“Come on princess, we gotta hurry if we’re gonna get you to the airport in time!” Cipher extended her hand out for Castorice to grab, dragging her along at top speed.
“Slow down! I can’t run that fast!”
“We got this! Just hold on!”
Cipher pulled a tired Castorice behind her, turning the corner. She glanced down at her phone for the directions.
“Alright, it should be up on that street!” She pointed, going even faster.
“Cipher, please! I’m gonna trip!” Castorice begged, trying her best to keep up.
Cipher gave in, slowing down to a jog, giving Castorice a moment to rest.
“Thank you…Seriously, I won’t mind being a few minutes late.” She clutched onto Cipher’s hand tightly, for fear she might collapse if she let go.
“Hell no! You’re not missing your flight over this! I’m surprised you even agreed to come out here with me.”
“I’m not letting you walk alone at midnight, that’s how people get kidnapped!”
Cipher sighed, wrapping her arm around Castorice’s.
“You watch too much Dateline, princess.”
“And you have zero self preservation.” She shot back, lightly flicking Cipher’s forehead, drawing a giggle out of her.
“You care so much for me~” She sing songed.
“Yes, yes I do.” Castorice, helping her up the stone stairs.
Cipher pulled open the door, hearing a bell chime out through the store.
And gasped the second she stepped inside.
There were aisles.
Aisles of the most adorable things she had ever seen.
Everything she could ever need, all in their own aisles.
“It’s just wanties. Do not be tempted. It’s just wanties.” Castorice chanted to herself, as if it were an affirmation.
“Yeah.. We don’t need any of this.” Cipher whispered.
Seriously, how are they managing to make kitchenware look appealing!?
She heard Castorice gasp next to her.
“What? What is it-”
She looked to where Castorice was pointing, to see an entire
wall
of plushies.
Oh no.
“Okay, do you guys have everything?”
“Yup! Got it all!”
Phainon and Hyacine laid the ingredients out in front of them on the counter.
A video chat with Mydei displayed itself on Phainon’s phone, as he flipped through a recipe book.
“Okay, so Hyacine, whisk the eggs, salt and pepper in that little bowl first. Phainon, get started on the bacon.”
Hyacine cracked the egg on the side of the bowl, dumping in the yolk. She carefully examined the mixture for any eggshells, before grabbing the pepper shaker.
Hah! I’m getting strong enough to twist this now! She grinned, twisting with ease.
“Hyacine, that’s the wrong way.” Mydei pointed out, holding back a chuckle.
“Oh. Sorry!” She apologized, feeling a tiny bit of disappointment.
It only required just a bit more strength to twist it the correct way, yet she still found herself struggling.
“..Do you need help, Hyacine?”
“N-no! I got it!”
Hyacine grunted, turning with all her might.
“Ah, hang on. I’ll come help you!” Phainon turned away from the sizzling bacon to take the shaker from her.
Mydei began to bounce his leg underneath the desk, keeping his eyes trained on the skillet in the background.
Who knew watching others cook would be more stressful than cooking by yourself..
Phainon turned back to the stove, stirring the bacon with a spatula.
“Alright, the bacon should be done at around… 12:24.” Mydei glanced over at the clock.
“We’re gonna be up all night, aren’t we?” Hyacine sighed.
“I think this is all necessary, right?”
Castorice firmly gripped the shopping basket with all her strength. It was stuffed to the brim with as many goods as they could get their hands on.
“Hah…Yup!” Cipher barely managed to keep the plushies in her arms, one slipping out. Castorice kneeled down to hand it back, collapsing halfway.
“I don’t think I can pick this back up..” She sighed, gesturing to the basket in her hands.
“Then we push it! We’re not leaving without all the stuff!”
“Yeah! Push!” Castorice cheered, crouching to shove the basket forward.
“I’ll get the plushies to the register and wait for you!” Cipher took off, dashing for the register.
She approached the cashier, setting down the dozens of plushies, making sure to set aside the fuzzy dromas she had picked out for Anaxa. Surely, he could handle another.
“Wow, Miss..That’s a lot of stuff!” He uttered in disbelief.
“I’ve got more coming, don’t worry.” She smirked at him as Castorice trailed behind her.
Cipher grasped on the handles of the basket, helping Castorice hoist it up onto the counter.
She could see the light fade from the cashier’s eyes as the mountain of items descended upon him. He sighed, grabbing the first item.
Castorice and Cipher shared a mini fist bump underneath the counter.
That is, until they saw how quickly the price was increasing.
“...I’ll pay this time, alright?” Castorice whispered, as the price went into the hundreds.
“I love you so much, and if I ever try to leave you, shoot me, alright?” Cipher murmured.
“You got it.”
“Phainon, the pan! Pay attention to the fucking pan!” Mydei tugged on his hair, panicking as Phainon ran off to go grab a charger. From his room. His room that was upstairs.
Hyacine carefully watched the skillet, holding her bowl of the egg mixture.
“Can I put it in now?” She asked, raising the bowl.
“..Sure. Keep it low to the pan though, don’t-”
Hyacine yelped as some of the hot liquid splashed onto her hand.
“Pour that high. Goddammit.” Mydei groaned, burying his head in his hands.
“I’m sorry!” Hyacine rushed to go run her hand under the faucet, hissing at the sting.
“No, it’s alright. As long as Phainon gets back here soon, we’re gonna be fine.” He put extra force into his words, anxiety creeping in.
“..What the hell.”
Cipher opened the front door to reveal smoke fogging up the entire house.
Hyacine was asleep on the couch. No surprise there, she doesn’t usually stay up this late.
“Hey! I’ve got it under control!”
Phainon waved through the mist, a nervous grin on his face.
“Is that so? Why does the house look like a flashbang went off? And what is that smell?”
Cipher set down the bags by the front door, racing into the kitchen.
She found Phainon holding a frying pan, containing some very scorched food inside.
“Okay, I messed up.”
“I can see that. Where did Mydei go?” Cipher asked, crossing her arms.
“He heard his dad getting up and booked it.”
“And you still decided to continue on without the only man with a shred of knowledge as to what he was actually doing?”
“Yes.”
They stared at each other for a good ten seconds, before Cipher groaned, turning off the stove.
“Let’s just toss it. Hyacine’s already asleep anyway.” She took the pan by the handle away from Phainon, dumping the remains into the trash can.
Phainon slumped his shoulders, walking away in defeat. Cipher shut off the kitchen light, making her way to the couch where Hyacine peacefully slept, unaware of the hell that just transpired. She gently picked up the sleeping girl, cradling her in her arms.
“Couldn't you just go to bed in your own room? You had to make your big sister carry you? Brat.” She teased.
Cipher nudged open the door to Hyacine’s room with her foot, placing the girl into her warm bed, and dragging the covers over her body.
“Goodnight, Hyacine.” She ruffled Hyacine’s hair, before slowly closing the door behind her.
“Phainon, you going to sleep?” Cipher called out as she passed by Phainon’s room, carrying her bags with her.
“Yeah.” He muttered, slipping under the covers without any further elaboration. Cipher poked her head back into the room, watching the boy’s sour expression on his face.
“Hey, it’s alright. You tried your best.” She smiled, kneeling down by Phainon’s bedside to be at eye level with him.
“But I still burnt the food.”
“That doesn’t matter. You tried. You put effort into it, and even if the result isn’t what you wanted, you still did something. That’s worth celebrating.”
Phainon’s grin returned bit by bit, as Cipher quickly gave him a hug.
“Now get to sleep, or you’re not growing.”
“That reasoning only works on Hyacine.”
“Alright, get to bed or I’m gonna chain you to a tree like those dogs in animal rescue commercials.”
Phainon quickly closed his eyes, forcing himself asleep.
“Hm? What’s this?” Anaxa looked up at the three. Cipher excitedly held out a golden dromas plushie for him.
“It’s for you! Happy fathers day, dad!”
Anaxa’s eyes lit up as he snatched the dromas, carefully examining it.
“This has got to be a new brand… More to collect..” A wide grin spread across his face.
“I think you just financially destroyed us, Cipher.” Phainon whispered.
“Before anything else! We got this too!” Hyacine handed a piece of paper to Anaxa.
It was just a sheet of notebook paper, folded in half to resemble a card. And on the inside, it had signatures from 3 different people.
“LVOE YOU FATHER” - cipher
“You spelled love wrong.”
“...Ignore that.” Cipher muttered, turning away in embarrassment.
“Thank you for everything, dad. We love you” - Phainon
Anaxa smiled, before his eyes reached the next signature.
Signature was wrong.
It was a paragraph.
“Dear dad, thank you for everything you do for us. We are so grateful to have you as a father, and I will forever cherish the times you have spent with us. I’m always happy to argue with you over silly things, or help you with your notes. I could never ask for a better dad. We love you very much, and always will.” - Hyacinthia
“What the fuck, Hyacine?” Cipher stared in disbelief, to which Anaxa quickly replied “Language, Cipher.”
“This is a..concerning vocabulary size for a nine year old. And why put your full name? It’s not a job interview!” Phainon uttered.
“What? I thought it was good! Do you not like it?”
“Hah… It’s perfect, Hyacine. Thank you, children.” He stood from his seat, the three instantly pulling him into an embrace.
“Oh yeah, I think there’s also one from mom on the back.” Phainon pointed out, turning the card around for him.
“Love you, Anaxa.” - Your wife
Anaxa’s eye twitched.
“It’s Anaxagoras, woman!” He screeched, cackling from across the house following shortly after.