"You have grown up since I last saw you."
A man with shallow wrinkles around his eyes said as he tugged on his grey beard. Standing just a couple inches below Jason, the man had a shaved head but an impressive beard. Unlike his father who was built like a mountain of muscle this man was a tad thicker around the waist line.
"Hello Grandpa Jack." Jason greeted him happily.
The man was Liz's father and the two met a couple times. Usually when his wife was away or he snuck out when she wasn't looking, or so he claims. In the few times he has met him, he has always been smiling and happy. Well, until his wife comes around and begins running her mouth nagging about this or that.
"Since when do you wear glasses?"
"Dear, leave the boy alone. I'm more curious about the delinquent looking girl behind him." a woman interrupted. "Dying hair pink, tsk. I bet she also has tattoos under her clothes."
The one speaking was Liz's mother Susan. She was a cranky woman and from Liz's words always been one. Dressed in formal wear and her hair lightly done up, if she wasn't the shortest one in the room, she for sure would be looking down on all of them.
"Mom, that is her natural hair color." Liz nearly growled. "She also happens to be Jason's girlfriend."
Taking one more look as if nearly disgusted by the hair color. "I'm sure he could do so much better. He needs someone of high standards. Not some hussy from the street."
'She is the first princess of Deviluke. A kingdom that is considered one of the strongest in the universe.' Both James and Jason rubbed their foreheads.
Liz on the other hand was nearly ready to explode as Lala was nearly in tears. Basically burying herself into Jason's back, Lala attempted not to cry.
"Mother, I will think very carefully about what you say. You have not only insulted a legitimate princess, but the inventor of those healing pods you praise so much." Liz said to the woman who froze for a moment.
"So Jason, have you ever played golf?" Jack asked, trying to change the subject.
--
After Susan was basically sent, though if you ask her it was her own will, to sit in another room. Jack ended up apologising for her and the man clearly had years of practice. Something Jason didn't know if it should be praise worthy or not.
'Now I know why the man loves sneaking out.' Jason thought.
"Since the old bat is out of the room. Tell me about yourself Lala." Jack asked kindly.
Before she could even get a single word out, Liz apparently had a different plan. "Dad, behave yourself. Don't go teasing them now, why don't you chat with James about golf while Lala calms down." Liz ordered without mercy.
"She orders me around like her mother. What have I done to deserve this?" Jack grumbled to himself before looking at James.
Since first meeting each other for the first time, the two never really chatted all that much. Sure they had a few words here and there, but that about it. Usually, when he came and met Jason or Liz, James was at work.
So an slightly awkward silence between them as neither knew what to talk about. Finally, James broke the silence bringing up the latest golf tournament. Which Jack instantly grabbed onto like a lifesaver.
Liz gave him a wink as she turned on the news in the background. Instead of the weather or a report on the latest vigilante. What appeared was a slightly trembling news reporter attempting to keep their cool as they gave the report.
"As of a few moments ago. A group of terrorists had launched what the military believed to be four nuclear warheads at many of the larger cities within the United States. Hopefully, a miracle will happen."
"Is this a movie?" Jack asked as Jason quickly tuned his super hearing.
Clicking on the channel, Liz was also a slight concern as she checked the channel. Only for it to be the actual news. Soon a list of quickly compiled cities of potential targets was scrolling past the screen.
"Miracle, my ass. We are dead." Jack said as his eye was drained of hope.
"I'm sure it will be fine." Jason smiled as he got up. "Maybe they got it wrong."
Walking into the bathroom, Jason soon took off through the window as he quickly ascended into the sky. Heading straight for the closest rocket, he did a quick scan and let out a small breath of relief. It wasn't a nuclear warhead like the news was saying but a beefed up missile.
'Ok, Dad said when dealing with missles. The easiest method is to disable their control circuits or destroy them with heat vision.' Jason thought as he scanned the missile but made a note to study more when he gets the chance.
Slicing the missle up with his heat vision, Jason watched it explode before heading over to the next one. Repeating the process three times, he found himself hovering above the Earth. The beautiful blue and green planet spinning below him. Taking in the small moment, he quickly headed back home.
Upon exiting the bathroom, Jason found an extra two inside the apartment. Next to Lala, an older and more mature looking one stood next to her. Covered in a veil while wearing a nice looking white dress, she had the same pink hair as Lala but didn't have a tail. Next to her however, was a small looking boy with shark-like teeth and a trident tail.
"Mama and Papa, meet Jason. Jason, these are my parents." Lala introduced.
"Really?" Jason grinned as he messed with Gid messy hair. "How did this man get such a beautiful wife?"
"I would watch your hand. I have destroyed planets for less." Gid growled before he felt an unmeasurable force coming down on his head.
"I would prefer it if you didn't threaten to destroy Earth." Jason replied to Gid. "Or I might have to put you in the timeout corner."
"Don't you dare treat me as a child." Gid angrily said as he glared at Jason.
"Be good Gid." Sephie laughed lightly, stopping a fight from breaking out between them.
"Fine." Gid said. "So you're the partner my daughter picked. I like you."
"Thanks I guess?" Jason answered unsure why the man was being so nice.
"So when do you want to hold the ceremony and become king?" Gid asked instantly.