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The sparkler died out, and Aysun was left with the darkness again. He frowned. He didn't want it to end so soon. Hearing Parker, he turned and hobbled over to him, seeing a small rocket propped up. Given the instructions, he nodded and, after a few attempts, got the lighter to work and light the string.

"Oh?" Nikolai raised an amused eyebrow. "I thought you were just as concerned about him as I was. Or are you upset that he's too busy popping fireworks with his crush to pop any with you~?"

Aysun let out a noise between a scream and a squeal when the rocket shot into the sky in an explosive cry. He followed it up, gasping when he saw the brilliant colors in the sky. It was as if in that very instance his fear of fireworks melted into an excited love. He giggled and waved his arms around in excitement.
"Yeah!" he burst when Parker talked to him. "Again! Again!"

"Has anyone ever told you that you're cute when you're trying to be overprotective, dearie?" Nikolai chuckled before putting on his headphones.

"Really?" gasped Aysun with a big smile on his face. He hurried to the rocket and lit the wick, scrambling back to the safety around Parker in time to watch the rocket shoot into the sky. It exploded in a burst of colors, and in the midst of it Aysun could make out a picture of a US flag sparkling in the sky. He gasped again then waved his arms around in excitement. "That was cool!!" he practically screamed. How did they do that??

Cecil sat at the bench next to Sawyer, smiling up at the fireworks. "This is nice," he noted. "I'm usually out catching drunks and fake firework sellers. It's been ages since I've been able to sit and relax." Seeing the children play and the colorful fireworks made him feel at ease, helping him forget about all the troubles of what's happening today, or with work, or even with his father.

Aysun hopped onto Parker's back, tiny arms dangling from his shoulders. "Okay!" he giggled, feeling like he was riding a horse.

"I never thought about what it'd be like to have a family, honestly," Cecil admitted. "At least not now. I always thought I'd have one around my thirties or forties. Whenever I got taller."

~~~

A good few months had passed peacefully. The weather began to cool down as autumn took over, though it wasn't enough to bring snow. Nikolai always rather liked this season. TV specials were at an all time high, and the weather was just chilly enough to require blankets and hot chocolate.
Halloween was just around the corner, so he and Leon agreed to take Aysun out during the weekend to look for a costume. The two were upstairs, talking about what to dress up as. Nikolai, however, lounged on his couch (as always) and snuggled under a blanket while watching a TLC movie about teenagers agreeing to get pregnant at the same time.
A knock came at the door, but the Sin ignored it. It knocked again. And again. And again. Eventually, he sighed and got up, walking over to open the door.
"Can I help you, deari-"
"NIKOLAI, YOU B-STARD!"
Nikolai blinked in surprise before leaning forward to glance at guest. It was a woman that looked to be in her mid-thirties. She had a very generous chest, but her expression was spurned.
"Erm," the Sin started. "Do you need something...?"
When it became apparent that she wasn't remembered, the girl let out a huff. "I can't believe you've forgotten me! I bet you forgot about this too!" She shoved a picture into his arms. He looked at it to see a picture of a five-year-old child with curly brown hair and green eyes.
"And what would this be?" Nikolai mused while quirking an eyebrow.
"Your son," the woman sneered.

"This pig of a man left me years ago. He forgot all about getting me pregnant and now I'm putting my foot down!" the woman yelled while harshly pointing at Nikolai. "You're coming back and giving that boy a father!"
Nikolai blinked slowly at the woman. Who was this, again...? Ah... No, he couldn't remember. She looks like a Sharla? Was that a real name? The Sin scratched his cheek. Whatever the case, no amount of reasoning would stop her. He'd have to call Decius.
"I see," he said slowly. "And if I had to guess, darling, you're not going to leave unless I come with you, hmm?"
"Well look at that, maybe you are starting to remember," the girl smirked while crossing her arms. "And don't call me darling."
"Yes, well, dearie, why don't you come in then?" Nikolai grinned while gesturing her to step inside.

"No," Nikolai answered while scratching the back of his ear halfheartedly. The door bulged inwards with the woman furiously knocking, yelling profanities all the while. "I didn't knock anyone up, darling. At least, I'm quite positive."

"Forgive me, dearie, but it's been more than fifty years since the doctor worked on me. Whether he told me there's an expiration date or not, I can't remember." There was some truth to that. If Decius really had told him that it would end than the Sin was sure he didn't remember, but he was more than positive he was fine.
He waved his hand dismissively at Leon. "Don't worry about it, darling. There are plenty of women that claim to have my child, but not one has actually proved it. Let her in or else she'll throw a rock through the window, and I'll call the doctor."