The plane ride was long and restless. Jayce told you that he would explain the situation to the others and for you not to worry. But you were.

Just not for the reason he thought.

You were currently on a bus into town which was only about an hour away. It was nice of Jayce to let you use his jet, but you couldn't really get to enjoy it.

The bus came go a stop and you looked up.

You grabbed your bag and got up before you headed to the front of the bus. You stood at the stop as the bus drove off.

It has been years since you were here. 8 to be exact.

A lot has already changed.

You noticed a few newer buildings around. Even a park was built where the old one once stood.

You noticed that there were a few new people around, but you recognized a few.

You just pulled your hat down to better cover your face and walked forward. Hopefully that 5 o'clock shadow of yours will also help in hiding your identity.

You didn't really mind if anyone did see you, but you just wanted to get to the house as soon as you could.

You had your jacket on, the one your sister and her family got you, as well as some jeans and a pair of Vans.

How odd it was to be back here. After all these years. While you were still stuck in the past, trapped there, the whole world really did move forward.

Man: What a nice day.

You stopped and looked over. It was an older man looking up at the blue sky. A young boy was in the bed of the truck with his farm equipment.

Boy: It's hot.

Man: Yeah, it kinda is.

You just lowered your head again and kept walking. Your dog tags were actually out of your shirt. They shined in the sunlight.

You mindlessly walked for a moment before the door to the hardware store opened. You noticed it was a police officer. But you stopped with wide eyes when you realized who it was.

The man noticed you and you watched as realization crossed his face.

Aatrox: Well I'll be damned.

You looked at your old bully as he smiled. He grabbed his belt and you realized that he was a bit fatter. Not only that, but he had a full grown beard.

You just stood there for a moment before he chuckled.

Aatrox: What's with the confused face? I thought you weren't scared of me.

He walked over to you and you snapped out of your trace.

Y/N: Aatrox? Uh, hey?

Aatrox: Y/N. Long time no see.

Y/N: Y-Yeah. Likewise.

He seemed, friendlier.

Aatrox: I didn't know you were in town.

Y/N: I just got in. I'm...visiting my old man.

He didn't seem so hostile. Has he really changed this much over 8 years?

Aatrox: I see. Well, shit. Look at you. Not that scrawny kid anymore. Heard you also joined the military with Jinx.

You nodded. He then held out his hand.

Aatrox: Well, thank you for your service.

You looked at his hand for a moment before you slowly reached out and shook it.

Y/N: Yeah. Anytime.

Aatrox: You know, I would like to grab a beer or two with you while you're in town.

He would?

Y/N: Uh, sure. I'll...uh...I'll be down. It looks like we have a lot to catch up on.

You smiled a bit. How funny. The boy who used to torment you when you were a child, was now an officer and treating you like an old friend.

Aatrox: You're telling me. Well, I gotta go home. The Mrs. needs me to fix the sink. My littlest one clocked it with God knows what.

He was married? And he had children?

The fuck was going on?

Y/N: Well, better to get going.

Aatrox: You're telling me. I'll see you around?

You nodded. Aatrox smiled and headed to his patrol car. He waved before he drove away down the street.

That was....weird.

You stood there for a moment before you snapped out of it. You just sighed and kept walking.

When did this walk become so long? You used to walked from town to home all the time. Even from school.

It only took you 20 minutes at most.

But now, it felt like a century.

But you were almost there.

It won't be much longer now.

As a matter of fact, you were now walking along the wooden fence posts that marked the property lines of the farms and ranches.

Ahri: Hurry up. The new episode of Power Rangers is going to start and we're going to miss it!

You just sighed as Ahri hurried ahead of you.

Y/N: Slow down! I'm still tired.

Hey, third grade was rough on a little guy like you. Plus your backpack was way too heavy for such a long walk.

Ahri: I don't care! I need to see the Power Rangers beat up Rita's evil monsters! <For justice!>

She stuck one of the Power Ranger poses and you rolled your eyes.

Y/N: English.

Ahri: <I'll speak Korean all I want!>

You sighed and tried to keep up. You reached the dirt road that would lead to your house and stopped.

It has been a long time, but it looked exactly the same.

You looked at the wooden sign above that greeted you.

L/N Ranch.

You looked back down at the dirt road and hesitated.

The last time you saw it, you were leaving for war. You were starting a new life.

But now you were back.

And not under the best circumstances.

You took a deep breath and stepped forward. The road up was about half a mile. And you spotted your sister's jeep parked in front of the house.

You reached it and looked at the house itself.

You stared at it for a moment before the front door swung open.

Y/N: Fuck you!

Your father tried to restrain you but you kicked him in the gut. You both ended up tumbling down the steps but you were quick to your feet.

Dad: Y/N, stop this madness!

Y/N: Get away from me!

He tried to grab you, but you pulled away. You picked up you bag and hurried off down the dirt road.

Dad: Y/N, come back! I'm sorry! Let's just talk about this!

You ignored him and headed down the road. Elizabeth hurried outside in a panic.

Dad: Y/N!

Elizabeth: Just...let him. He'll be back. Just give him time to cool off.

Your dad watched as your figure vanished over the horizon.

Dad: Well what do you know? She was right.

You turned back around and found an old man standing on the front porch.

Dad: You did come back.

You stood there for a moment and blinked. You were in the present. Your father, he was standing there. A smile on his face.

His hair was completely grey now. His mustache seemed bigger. His voice was just as deep as ever.

Dad: It's nice to see you again, son. Long time no see.

He walked down the steps and made his way over towards you. He stopped a few feet away.

You just....stood there. You couldn't find any words to say. You couldn't even think of a response.

8 long years.

Now here you stood. A man. And your father. A grandpa.

Y/N: Dad.

Dad: Y/N.

You both stood there for a moment longer. You then stepped forward and hugged him. You hugged him tightly. He didn't even hesitate to hug you back with just as much force.

Y/N: I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.

You father just smiled. Tears began to form in your eyes as you hugged him.

Dad: Don't apologize. Welcome home, Y/N. I've missed you.
-------------
Maria: Uncle Y/N!

You looked up at the voice just as Maria ran down the stairs. You got up from the couch and crouched down to pick your niece up.

Y/N: Oh! You've gotten heavier!

Maria: Nuh huh! You're getting weaker.

Y/N: Ouch. That's not very nice.

You held her as Braun and Elizabeth walked out from the side room. Elizabeth hurried over and gave you a hug which you returned with your free arm.

Y/N: Hey, sis. And my favorite brother in law!

Braun: Y/N. It is good to see that you are still well.

Physically.

Elizabeth: Thank you so much for dropping everything and coming here.

Y/N: Of course.

You let go of your sister just as your father came out of the kitchen. He had a silver tray with homemade lemonade in them.

Elizabeth: Dad, I told you not to push yourself.

She walked over to him and took the tray. Your father sighed and instead sat down in his chair. The same one he's had since before you were born.

Dad: I'm not helpless. Besides, I've been through worse.

You smiled a bit, but you couldn't help but feel a bit of a sting in your chest.

He was sick.

That didn't change.

Elizabeth: Still...

Dad: Still nothing. I'm happy to see my kids and their families, uh, family.....

He shot you a look which you avoided.

Dad: But I don't want you to be treating me like I'm some fragile thing.

You and Elizabeth lowered your heads. He was always a stubborn man. At least that didn't change. Your eyes ended up landing on a painting in the wall over the TV.

It was one of your mom's.

Y/N: Well, I'm just glad to be home. I see not much has changed.

Dad: Not much to change. Besides, I like it like this. And I'm the only one here now.

Braun: I enjoy it. It feels cozy. Just as a home should be.

Your father pointed at him.

Dad: He gets it.

Right. Of course he would think like that.

Dad: So how long are you planning on staying?

You looked back up. Your hat was on the coffee table in front of you and your jacket was hung up on the coat hanger.

Y/N: I....I'm not sure. I don't even know.....Elizabeth said you were sick. What's going on?

Your father sighed as he sat back. He began to rub his chin as he stared at the table. Elizabeth sat next to Braun while Maria was now sitting in her father's lap.

Dad: They say I have cancer.

Everything suddenly went silent. Dead silent. Your eyes grew wide and you felt as if someone had driven a knife through your chest.

Maria: What's cancer?

You looked over to your niece while your sister covered her own mouth as she closed her eyes. Even Braun looked sad at the news.

Mom: Cancer is....it's a disease.

You tilted your head as your mom tried to explain her situation to you. Elizabeth sat next to you and was already crying.

Mom: It means, I'm sick. Really sick. But I can get better.

You smiled.

Y/N: Like the flu?

Your mom smiled while your father looked absolutely miserable. But you were just a child. You didn't understand.

Dad: Yes. Kinda like the flu.

You lowered your head.

Y/N: So you can get better.

Your father looked at you and nodded.

Dad: Yes. I can get better.
-------------
You leaned against the rail as the phone rang. The sun had set now and it was nighttime in Ionia.

Finally, someone picked up.

Jinx: Y/N! Hey.

Y/N: Hey, Jinx. How is everything going?

Jinx: Should I be asking you that? How's your dad? Jayce just said that something happened but he didn't have the details.

You sighed. Of course the others would be worried. You did just up and leave.

Y/N: Uh, he's fine. But....

Jinx: Y/N?

You hesitated. It was like....if you said it, it was real.

Y/N: He....he....

Jinx waited.

Y/N: He has Cancer, Jinx.

You could hear her gasp on the other line.

Jinx: Oh my god.....Y/N....I'm so sorry.

Y/N: Thanks. He's fine now, but.....who knows what'll happen?

Jinx: Still. Dude, that sucks. I wish I could do something to help but...

Y/N: No. Don't worry about it. I'm here with him. So is Elizabeth and Braun. Even Maria is here.

You looked over your shoulder to see your dad reading Maria a story while Braun and Elizabeth watched. Your sister had her head on her husband's shoulder with a faint smile on her face.

Y/N: I'm needed here, right now.

Jinx: Don't worry. I can take over things here. I mean, how hard can it possibly be?

Akali: Is that Mr. Y/N?!

You could hear the girls in the background before Jinx pulled her phone away.

Jinx: STEP OFF!

You sighed. Of course they would be bothering her already.

Y/N: Uh huh. In two weeks you'll be calling me and begging for me to go back.

Jinx: No way! I can totally handle this.

You blankly stood there.

Y/N: Sure you can.

Jinx: I CAN! I fought terroist for five years! I can handle four pop stars.

Y/N: Whatever you say.

Jinx: DON'T UNDERMIND ME!

You chuckled a bit before you sighed.

Y/N: Tell the others the situation so that they don't worry. I'm gonna stay here for a while. Just to....I dunno. Keep an eye on things?

Jinx: Yeah. Of course. Take all the time you need. Call if you need anything.

You smiled.

Y/N: Yeah. Of course. I'll talk to you later. Tell Totoro that I said hi.

Jinx: Whatever you say, weirdo. Hey, while you're in town, you should visit the guys. They would be happy to see you.

That was an idea.

Y/N: Alright. I'll let you go now.

Jinx: Yeah. Talk to you later.

You hung up and let out a sigh.

Dad: She sounds the same as ever.

You looked over and found your father walking over to you. You put your phone away and stood up straight.

Y/N: Yep. Jinx never changes. You should know that.

Your dad stood next to you and looked out at the land before him. Your family had own this land for nearly three generations.

Dad: So, your sister tells me that you're a manager now. That you and Ahri are back to being friends.

Right. You haven't really had time to really talk to him about things. About anything.

Y/N: I guess we have a lot of catching up to do, huh?

Your dad nodded.

Dad: For starters, you can tell me why you haven't given me any gradkids like your sister.

You sighed.

Y/N: Yeah. Um....

You lowered your head as your father watched you. You gripped the rail and began to shake. Your father just waited. Patiently.

Y/N: I....I...

Tears began to form in your eyes before you looked up at your dad. The man who raised you. The one who patched you up when you were child. The one who loved your mother until the day she died. The one who was always kind to you and your sister.

You were a man now. A grown man who had seen hell and fought your way back home.

Someone had lost everything and kept fighting. Even now when it seemed like the past was still trying to reach you and drag you down under the cold ground.

And you cried.

Y/N: I'm broken.

You lowered your head again. However, your father pulled you in and held you as you finally gave in and cried.

You finally cried.

Dad: It's alright. It's alright.

He rubbed your back as you cried.

Dad: You're here now. It's alright.

You were finally home.

And everything will finally be alright.