Old Friends

"Alright then..." Aiden said, going quiet.

Artemis nodded and put some pancakes on plates for them both, putting them on the table before standing and watching Dante.

Peter looked around the street as they walked.

Dante was helping Cole eat and smiling at Kari.

"Everything alright?" Aiden asked after a long silence.

"Dante...?" Artemis said after a moment.

Peter nodded slowly, "I think so..."

Dante looked up and smiled, "Yeah daddy?"

"You think so?" Aiden frowned. "Why's that?"

Artemis smiled at the name, holding a hand out to him.

"I... I've not been out a lot okay...." Peter murmured softly.

Dante smiled and took his hand.

"None of us have really, besides the holiday we just got back from." Aiden said.

"Come here." Artemis said, gently pulling on his hand.

Peter nodded, "Work takes up all our time doesn't it..."

Dante got up and went over to his father.

"Because you let it mostly, but yeah...it kind of does."

Artemis smiled and hugged Dante close before leading him from the room.

"All I have is Jake and work... Maybe a little one...." Peter said softly.

Dante followed him, "Where are we going dad?"

"Well you can find that part out easily..." Aiden said.

"To my room." Artemis said as he led him upstairs instead of explaining.

"Yeah... The test is supposed to be done tomorrow..."

"Okay..." Dante said as he followed him.

"Oh, alright then." Aiden said, slowly nodding.

Once they were in Artemis and Alex's room, Artemis went over to the closet, eventually coming back over to Dante, holding out a case that held a knife in it. "Here..."

"I don't know which would be easier, it not being mine and taking it back to Jacen... Or finding out it is mine... And taking it back to Jacen..."

Dante slowly reached out, "W-What is it daddy?"

"Why's that...?" Aiden asked, confused.

"...I used it when I first started working." Artemis said quietly. "And- Vincent told me when he gave it to me that it was father's..."

"Because... I'd like a family someday..."

"This.. Was granddad's...?" Dante asked softly, awe in his voice, "Why are you giving it to me daddy?"

Aiden stayed quiet for a moment, looking surprised. "...you would?"

Artemis slowly nodded. "Because it's your birthday..." He said, biting his lip a little as he looked away.

"Yeah... Why do you look so surprised?" Peter asked.

"I-I..." Dante looked at his father before putting the case down, "I don't know if... I'm really worthy dad..."

"I just- ...I don't know."

Artemis frowned, slowly shaking his head at Dante. "Of course you are. I know he didn't really make a lot of good choices while he worked, so you can't possibly be worried about being as 'good' as he was..."

Peter sighed softly, "I just dreamed of having a family someday..."

"I..." Dante bit his lip before hugging his father tightly.

"Oh..." Aiden said, slowly nodding.

Artemis sighed quietly and hugged him close, kissing his head.

Peter sighed and sat down.

Dante relaxed as soon as he was hugged.

"Peter?" Aiden said, trying not to sound worried.

Artemis smiled a little, eventually letting him go.

Peter looked up, "Hmm?

"I love you daddy." Dante said softly.

"Uh..." Aiden said, not sure what to say.

"I love you too." Artemis said softly.