If there had been one thing Conor had been dreading, it would have been having to call home. He had managed - through sheer force of will and pointedly not reminding his warden - to avoid having to do so for the better part of the year. However, his luck had finally dried up, and he sat in the small private office of his cousin, phone in hand, listening to the phone ring as he made the international call back home. He had no desire to talk to his family. Not to his nag of mother, not to his loser father.

When the phone picked up, and it was his mother’s voice that answered, he bit back an exasperated sigh.

“It’s me,Ma,” He said into the phone, giving Mathias a glare as the man slipped out of the room to give them privacy. He did note that the door was held open a crack - to allow the older man to hear him. He wasn’t stupid, he wasn’t about to expose his secret second life to his mother - not for what it would cost him. “I see ye’ finally nagged ye’ cousin enough to get me useless warden to finally get me to ring ye’.”

“Conor, you are very lucky you’re across an ocean right now or I’d have half a mind to slap that smug tone right out of your mouth.” His mother replied, her voice already moving to the stern, naggy tone it always took when they talked. “It’s been almost a year and we here nere a word from ye’, what were we supposed to think!”

“That I was doing just fine and I have no reason to beg you for money or help,” Conor said flatly. “Why else would I call? To hear your LOVELY voice?” He laughed then. “Please, I’m almost a man grown in the eyes of the law here - I might just stay. I like it here.”

“Once you’re 18 you can do anything ye’ damn well please, but don’t expect any help from me or your Da.” His mother hissed into the phone. “We just sent ye’ cousin a stipend to pay for your expenses, I hope you’re behaving well for him and minding your lessons.”

“Oh, school’s going great Ma, he’s got me enrolled in a military academy, you’d be right proud. I’m damn sharp in my uniform.” He said with a low chuckle. “I’m passing my classes or I’m sure you’d be hearing from Mathias about it.” He made a face then. “But I’m staying out of trouble, if that’s what’s worrying you.”

“That’s good to hear,” His mother said, and then she sighed. “I don’t suppose you want to speak with your Da at all?” She asked, her voice pointed.

“I’d rather not - but I doubt you’ll give me a choice in the matter, now, are you?” Conor said, rolling his eyes. “Put the ******** wanker on.”

There was a pause, and the sound of the phone being passed to another person, and then he heard his father’s reedy voice on the line.

“Hello?” His father said, voice soft and gentle.

“Hello, Da, how are you?” Conor asked, biting back his usual scathing tone, and rolling his eyes.

“I’ve been better… The leg’s not hurting too bad today. How are you?” His father asked.

“I’m… I’m doing alright, Da. Doing good in school, making friends. Becoming a right productive member o’ society, just like you wanted.” He said, gritting his teeth as he spoke.

“Good, good…” The voice on the line paused for a long moment. “So when are you coming home?”

“Da… I’m not going to come home - I think. I like it here, and I met a nice bird and I think the two of us are gonna shack up and have loads of kids together. You wanna be a grandda? I’ll make you a grandda, give me two years and you’ll have so many right little bastards running around you won’t know what to do.”

“Conor…” His father said, his soft tone growing harder, but only just. “You have responsibilities here. When I retire…”

“Ian can take over the ******** shop - I want none of it.” Conor spat in the phone angrily. “I’m not gonna become some sad old man, tinkering with pots and knives… I can make a new life here - a life without… YOU.”

Conor angrily hung up the phone, and tossed it on the table, getting up from the chair and moving to the door, almost kicking it open as he stormed out into the hallway.

“I’m going back to my dorm - I’ve got to patrol tonight…” He growled to Mathias as he walked out.

“See that you do,” Mathias said, coldly, as the young man stormed out of the gym, and made his way toward the bus stop.

He hated calling home… He hoped they wouldn’t ask again. EVER.

If anything, the call home had resolved him to never go back home. No matter what. He would stay in the states - he was sure that would be easy enough to do with his secret life. Even if his VISA wore out, he could always stay as Wardite - live that way. It would be easier that way too. He could basically live for free - and make money on the side the same way he’d always been. As long as he followed orders - paid his dues - it would be no time before he made his way up in the ranks. With power came perks.

If he proved himself useful and effective, those perks would be great - and he wouldn’t have to worry about a damn thing. It was these thoughts, and more, that mollified him on the long bus ride back to Romanos. He could have let Mathias drive him - but he’d of been stuck in the car with his cousin, who would like as nag him about respecting his parents and all that other bullshit he had zero time or patience for.

They didn’t understand - nobody but Jaybird did. He let his head rest against the window of the bus as it drove along the busy street, wishing he had a blunt, or a starseed right then, to stave off the annoyance that was driving into his skull. He’d probably kill a few people tonight - that always made him feel better...