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The trip was over, Jeremiah under house arrest already, and Alg hadn't even a chance yet to check in on the store. He wasn't so callous as to not warn his staff so they knew the boss was coming back, but he hadn't exactly specified a time.

When the Professor finally arrived it was around noon, enough for him to have set his husband up at home, have breakfast and tea, and do a bit of office work. The nice thing about having more of a staff at the store meant he didn't have to worry as much about working himself, and he had complete trust in Zac keeping the place together while he was gone.

The bell dinged as he entered the front door instead of the back, and Violetta heaved her weight out of Algie's bag and onto the floor with a heavy thump as she padded to search out Zac. Alg flipped the sign on the door to 'Out To Lunch'.

Algie smiled to the greeting and shook when Zac approached, "Ah- yes. Well it was a work trip also. New book next year."

Alg knew Jeremiah had told Zac about the marriage as soon as they'd come home. He turned his new ring, not quite used to it but also with a bit of guilt, "I'm sorry you couldn't be there. The actual act was rather impulsive. Our parents-" Besides them not even truly knowing if they'd ever see them again.

Not with how Ashdown was.

His sheepishness shook off when the topic turned towards the store, straightening and looking around, "It looks great actually." Had someone dusted behind the counter? He wasn't sure the last time that had happened. He wondered idly if that was suspicious.

"I'm sure we all enjoyed the break from me," He winked and chuckled. "No catastrophes?"

Alg made a mental note that if they got free time, perhaps when the publishers needed him back, maybe they could take Zac. He doubted the other had been abroad before and it would be a good learning experience as much as a break. Alg had realized that time away from this place was valuable and treasured.

"A book?" He perked, swinging his bag off to set in on the counter, "What sort of book?" Booksbooksbooks.

Alg blinked in surprise, mostly because it was a good idea. "I think that's a fantastic idea. Never compare writing against each other. It's personal to the writer and what's most important is that you get to tell your story and fulfill it's purpose."

He moved to the cats, Violetta already collapsed on her side in front of Mogget enjoying a sunny spot. Alg crouched and gave Mogget scritches, "Besides Mogget would make a wonderful protagonist, wouldn't you?" Yes he was asking the cat.

"Something innocent, a secret guide while also appealing to children," Alg nodded and stood up straight again, "I think it's a very good idea." And if they all failed, all dropped dead, they could leave something behind that could help others. It was grim reasoning but true none the less.

"I've never written anything for children," Alg's hands went into his pants pockets, "I'm not-" He made a thoughtful face, "I've never been overly good with anyone within certain age brackets."

Babies were fine because they couldn't speak and were adorable. Teens and up were fine because, while difficult, they could hold conversations. Anything in between was a bit out of his depth. He'd been an old man his whole life.

"But I've heard it's a delicate balance with children's books. Has to be interesting to the demographic, maintain strong values to appease the parents, and keep the children's attention since that can also be fleeting." Alg did give an encouraging smile though, "But I've every faith you can do it."

A hand was run through his hair idly, :We can sit down now if you'd like." His head bobbed to the door, "We're on lunch remember?"

"Not weird," He chuckled. "The store seems pretty in order so other than a few things, and putting myself back on the schedule a couple days, I've plenty of time." He did pause, "Oh and we need to solidify the midnight release party for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child."

It was only a week away.

Alg moved to the front of the store, sitting in one of the more comfortable chairs in the sitting area, and leaving one opposite him (and a small table) for Zac. He patted the seat before sitting back.

"I'm interested in hearing what you've learned in your interviews.. if there's anything new."

Algie, if he had a drink to snort, would have, "First of all if you're talking about Shun Kuroda, he is not your father's partner. Absolutely not. He's a police officer, yes, but Jeremiah is his superior and frankly," Alg frowned, "I'm not sure I like him very much. He lacks-" there were a lot of words on the tip of his tongue but he settled with, "some measure of compassion. Don't confuse the badge with some alliance to your father. Jeremiah himself I think would warn you against it as well. Theres more people I think than anyone expected involved now. We have to be careful about who we trust."

Alg adjusted his glasses, brow furrowing, "Secondly, Zac, why are you calling him Mister Mercer?" Alg was actually a bit concerned they'd had some sort of fight he didn't know about if he wasn't calling him 'Dad' or Jeremiah. The phrase didn't even sound right to the ear. Almost no one called Jeremiah that unless a complete stranger, "Everything alright?"

"Zac," Algie frowned, because he didn't feel uncomfortable and he never had with Zac and Jeremiah's relationship. He just wasn't able to fulfill a fatherly role himself, "I'm not uncomfortable and I never have been. I know you're going through a lot of life changes. Moving out on your own, your dad finding someone..."

He shook his head, "Do you think maybe you are uncomfortable? I don't think I've acted any differently towards you but you've been a lot more distant with me, with the both of us sometimes, since all this happened."

Alg reached out and put a warm hand on the young man's knee, "He's your dad. You call him your dad. I've been here two years- why would anything change? I'm still your friend- boss- whatever you want me to be. I just wear this now." His hand retracted to tap the wedding band.

He could have been a father if he'd wanted it, he could have taken responsibility for a child of his own blood, but he'd made the choice not to a long time. Algie had some major issues with being an acknowledged father figure, maybe had been uneasy with the prospect that Zac would want more from him if he was with Jeremiah, but it hadn't happened.

There was literally no problem.

"Never assume someone's feelings on account of your own. We could have talked about it at any time if you felt strange about it."