Lucian pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The house was quiet, but not empty. A low hum came from the next room, something electrical. Normal.
He dropped his shoes near the entrance and walked in without calling out.
"Close the door properly," his dad's voice came from inside.
Lucian clicked his tongue lightly and shut it all the way.
"I did."
"You didn't."
Lucian didn't argue. He just walked into the living area.
His dad was sitting at the table, tools spread out in front of him. Wires, small metal parts, a half-open device that looked like it had been taken apart and put back together more than once.
"You're late," his dad said, not looking up.
"I just got done," Lucian replied, dropping his bag on the chair.
His dad hummed, still focused on what he was doing. A faint spark flickered between his fingers as he adjusted something inside the device.
Lucian watched for a second, then looked away.
"You eat?" his dad asked.
"Not yet."
"There's food in the kitchen. Heat it."
Lucian nodded and walked over. He opened the fridge, stared inside for a moment, then grabbed a container and set it down.
He leaned against the counter while it heated, scrolling through his phone with one hand.
The house stayed quiet again, except for the soft buzz of electricity and the low hum of the heater.
After a bit, he grabbed the food and went back to the table, sitting across from his dad.
They didn't talk much while he ate.
"You going out later?" his dad asked after a while.
Lucian shrugged. "Don't think so."
"Stay reachable."
"I always am."
His dad gave him a quick look, then went back to his work.
Lucian finished eating and pushed the plate aside.
His phone buzzed again.
This time it wasn't his dad.
He checked it.
A short message.
"Meeting tomorrow. Don't be late."
No name needed. He already knew where it was from.
Lucian stared at the screen for a second, then locked his phone.
"Pack?" his dad asked, noticing.
"Yeah."
His dad nodded once. "Go."
Lucian leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Not now."
"Tomorrow then."
Lucian didn't reply.
He stood up after a moment, grabbed his plate, and took it back to the kitchen.
Lucian rinsed his plate and left it by the sink.
He walked back into the living area, dropping onto the couch without saying anything. His dad was still at the table, working on the same device, small sparks coming and going like it was normal.
Lucian leaned back, one arm over his eyes.
The house stayed quiet for a bit.
Then the door opened.
Footsteps.
Lucian didn't move, but he knew who it was.
"You're both home?" his mother said, her voice carrying in easily.
"In here," his dad replied.
She stepped into the room, setting her bag down near the door before walking in fully. She looked a little tired, but not enough to show it too much.
Her eyes went straight to Lucian on the couch.
"You're just lying there?" she said.
Lucian didn't move his arm. "I just got back."
"Mm."
She walked closer, standing over him for a second before lightly tapping his leg.
"Sit up properly."
Lucian sighed but did it anyway, dragging himself up into a sitting position.
"Better," she said, then looked at his dad. "You're still working on that thing?"
"It's not done," he replied.
"It's been 'not done' for three days."
"It's working now."
She shook her head slightly, then turned back to Lucian.
"You ate?"
"Yeah."
"Good."
She sat down on the chair beside him, letting out a small breath as she relaxed.
For a moment, no one said anything.
It wasn't uncomfortable. Just normal.
Lucian glanced at her.
"You're late."
"Work," she said simply.
He nodded and looked away.
She studied him for a second, then asked, "You going tomorrow?"
Lucian already knew what she meant.
"Yeah."
"Don't drag your feet," she said. "Just go, do what you're told, and come back."
"I know."
His dad spoke without looking up. "He always says that."
Lucian rolled his eyes slightly. "I do it, don't I?"
"Eventually," his dad replied.
His mother let out a quiet laugh.
"Just don't make them repeat themselves," she said. "It's not a good look."
Lucian leaned back into the couch again.
"I'll go."
"Good."
She reached over and adjusted his shirt slightly, like it was out of place.
Lucian didn't stop her.
After that, the room settled again.
His dad kept working. His mom sat quietly for a bit. Lucian stayed on the couch, not really doing anything.
Just being there