- I guess that's them - I said to Will, but he didn't answer. - Hey, I said...
- I know. Shut up. Should we go there, or wait? I'm freaking out... That's my son. That's my boy...
I sighed and just started walking. Will after a confusing moment of attempting to move, stoping, and finally looking at me, followed.
- I didn't know what to say! - he strained through clenched teeth.
- You will figure something out. Just follow.
We didn't have to wait long for a reaction from them. They spotted us quickly as we were the only people moving towards them with intent.
- Dad?! - yelled the boy.
He had jeans and a white shirt with a black tie. Standard pot haircut of brown hair, and facial features similar to his father.
- Dustin! - shouted Will.
The boy reacted immediately, separating from his mother, and ran straight at will. Will did the same. They met after few meters, and the father grabbed his son, then picked him up, hugging tightly. I kept moving, to assume a position two steps behind Will, slightly on his right side.
The guys in suits, Elaine, and the new boyfriend followed. He looked like a family man with a checked shirt, glasses, and short haircut.
Elaine had a nice light blue dress, a white hat covering her brown hair, and pair of sunglasses. She looked at me, while Will and Dustin chartered about how much did they miss each other.
- Hi... Uhm... I didn't introduce myself the last time... I'm Elaine - she extended a hand, and I shook it.
- Peter.
- Josh - her boyfriend did the same, thing, but I ignored him.
He awkwardly retracted his hand. She noticed that but did her best to ignore it.
- This is agent Wolf Linton - she pointed to one of the guys in suits.
He had dark blonde hair, a bit longer, and wavy. He was tall and I would risk calling him handsome.
- And this is agent Zander Grant - she continued, turning and pointing politely with her whole hand at the second guy.
He had short dark hair and a very squared face. He was slightly taller than his partner and better built. Had broader shoulders.
- Agent Wolf Linton, CIA - the first one introduced himself extending a hand, which I shook.
- Zander Grant, also CIA - said the second, ad did the same.
- Peter.
- You are the guy who was outside during the first days of gate appearance, arent you? - asked Wolf.
- Yep, that's me.
- Might we ask what were you doing? - asked Zander.
- Sure.
There was an awkward silence before they caught that they actually have o ask the question.
- So what were you doing? - asked Wolf
- Magic - I winked at him and turned to the boy. - Do I have to wait a whole day to finally be introduced to you son?
- Oh, yes - said Will. - Dustin, this is Peter, my friend. Peter, this is Dustin.
- HI, Peter.
- Sup, man - I high fived him.
- Are you a wizard? - he suddenly asked me. - I've seen you on TV doing some strange thing in front of the gate.
- Yep. I'm a wizard.
- Can you show me some magic?
- Why don't you ask your dad to show you magic? He can do some cool stuff.
- Can you, dad? - he turned to Will.
He dropped his son and used 'Telekinesis' to make him levitate in the air, then moved him around a bit. The kid was amazed. His eyes got wide open, just like his mouth. Will was gentle, and flew him around some more, before putting him slowly on the ground.
- That was soo cool, dad!
- I told you. Your father is a cool man - I said to him.
- How about you show us around? - Elaine spoke to Will.
- Yeah, sure. First of all, you need to go there - he pointed towards the offices I noticed earlier - and receive a permit.
- We will show them - said Wolf, and with a gesture invited the family to follow him.
Josh grabbed Dustin's hand and went after the agent. The two of us stayed and waited for them to return.
- I think it went great - I said to Will after they were far enough to not hear us.
- Yeah... Thank you, Peter. I was so damn afraid...
- No worries. I'm here for you. By the way, you want me to get rid of the dude who stole your family?
He turned to look me in the face.
- Don't joke like that. Especially when Dustin is around.
- Ok, fine.
Will sighed.
- I'm gonna win my son back fair and square.
- What about the wife?
- I don't know... I think it's too late for that...
- Ok. If you need anything, like for example to get rid of Josh, then just say a word.
He looked at me again, ash shook his head. I noticed that he was slightly smiling, though.
- So... What's the plan? Are you gonna show them around, and then Velvet Lotus?
- Yeah... Something like that.
- You should definitely show your kid your sword stuff. Right now he needs to focus on how cool you are, rather than the fact you weren't around for quite a while. You need to buy yourself time and be around him.
He nodded.
- I know. I'm not gonna fuck it up for the second time.
- As I said, if you need anything, just say a word.
- Thanks, Peter.
The door from one of the offices opened, and all of them stepped outside holding metal badges. The family went towards us, surrounded from both sides by the agents.
- We have the badges - informed Elaine. - By the way, this is Josh. We are together.
- Hi, I'm Will. I used to be Elaine's husband - Will extended a hand, and Josh shook it.
- I know. She told me about you a lot.
Will nodded. The situation became a bit awkward.
- Ok, let's go sightseeing then - I had to step in. - I'm not the best tour guide around, but I'm sure Will can show you everything interesting in the city.
- Ark - said Josh.
- What?
- We voted on the city name when you were... Away... - explained Will.
- Oh. Ark, huh?
- We were saved by this place, so the Ark seemed like the right name. Anyway, let's go. How about we start with the main attraction, the device?
- Yes! I want to see it! - shouted Dustin.
Elain quickly covered his mouth with her hand, but the kid still kept talking.
- Follow me then - said Will, and we left the hall.