[uncledaddy]

Randy peeled a string of dried glue off of his fingers before giving Seven a pat. "It may be difficult, but I know that you can see it through. Your class is not what will determine that."

[Red Lion]

Seven looked up at him with glistening eyes, "You really think I can handle all this?...Even if I keep going...I'm still scared..."

[uncledaddy]

Randy cooed and kissed his head. "There is nothing wrong with being scared," he assured him. "Pain and fear come naturally to all of us, no matter what our backgrounds. Do you think I didn't cry when my parents died, or when I had to leave my son behind? Do you think I was not afraid to start life on another planet and live in secret among creatures that I barely understood? I have seen my children grow up and move out on their own, some of them going into the military and even out into space, knowing that they could be killed during even a routine mission. I have witnessed the deaths and tragedies of many who were close to me. None is any less painful or frightening than the last, and I know that there will always be more, whether I am prepared for it or not. Today I learned that two of my children have very uncertain futures... and I am afraid. But I know that my boys are strong, and they will carry on and learn from life's experiences just as I will, and just as we always have."

[Red Lion]

Seven smiled and nodded, feeling much better, "Thank you dad," he said giving Randy a nuzzle.

[uncledaddy]

Randy nuzzled him right back and gave him a light slap on the shoulder as he pulled away. "You are a good boy," he said. "I love you."

[Red Lion]

"I love you too dad," said Seven.

[uncledaddy]

A few months passed largely without incident, save for Randy VIII getting into yet another fight on his way home from the gym. He didn't seem to notice much, though, as he walked through the door with a missing tooth and blood crusted all down the front of his gym shirt, and headed right to the fridge for a drink.

[Red Lion]

Seven spotted him and came rushing over, "Baby boy, what happened?"

[uncledaddy]

Randy VIII glanced down to see what a mess he was. "Oh... Brian's brother called you a sissy."

[Red Lion]

Seven frowned, "Why he do that?"

[uncledaddy]

"'Cause you're nurturing class and you get sick," said Randy VIII. "I got him good for that."

[Red Lion]

Seven gave him a pat then went to the sink and grabbed a washcloth, which he wet and used to clean Randy VIII's face.

[uncledaddy]

Randy VIII seemed rather pleased with himself. "Most of it's his," he said, indicating the blood that stained his clothes.

[Red Lion]

"But you lost a tooth," said Seven giving Eight's face a final wipe.

[uncledaddy]

"That's one less than Allister Turrg lost today," Randy VIII giggled. He stuck his tongue in the gap where the tooth had been.

[Red Lion]

Seven gave him a kiss, "Well as long as you ain't hurt,"