27 Father Knows Best...Sometimes

Poor kid, blaming himself for the death of his mother.

Considering he was my kid, Becca and Vought were absolute morons for not teaching him about his powers.

It was an accident waiting to happen.

Fucking Jonah, went the opposite of what he did to me, like that would absolve him of the shit he put me through.

"It's ok son, it's ok." I said as he sniffled a bit. "How about you come spend the day with me at the tower today eh? We can play some games, go to the training room, watch some movies make a day of it. Would you like that?"

The teary eyed boy sniffled once then regained his composure. "Yea." He said while nodding.

"Ok, why don't you go inside and pack a change of clothes and whatever else you need to take while I have a word with Aunty Grace here. Ok?" Ryan nodded and walked briskly past Mallory into the house.

"I won't let you take him." Mallory said standing defiantly in front of me.

I actually chuckled. "Like you could do anything to stop me and also I'm not taking him he's decided he wants to come with me, I'm not forcing him." I said with a smug smile.

"Now I want to know the name of the school he's attending and who his home teacher is." I asked crossing my arms in front of my chest.

Mallory looked confused and taken aback by my question. "School?" she asked. I raised an eyebrow in response.

"Yes, school, you know the place where they teach you things, math, history, literature, you know school?" I elaborated like she was dumb.

"He's not attending school, that would have been too risky too…" That immediately irked me even though I knew the answer.

"So you're homeschooling him yes? I want your lesson plan, I need to know what where he's at." I pressed on.

"Well, uh" she stumbled. Yea, I bet this is not the conversation she was prepared to have. Death threats an exchange of promises of how we are going to stop each other and get Ryan back blah blah blah, all the good typical 'good vs. evil' crap but not parenting and school work. "We are not exactly following a lesson plan. He's been following some courses on YouTube, he's a brilliant boy…"

"Of course, he's my son." I cut her off sharply. "But are you telling me that you're not letting him attend school to learn and socialize with children his age and you're also not teaching him at home? You're letting him spend ungodly amounts of time online without any structure or supervision?" I was almost yelling at her, a few droplets of spit definitely reached her face.

"Are you kidding me?" She actually looked quite guilty on that one. I calmed myself and let out a big sigh. "Ok then who are his friends, what are their names and the contact info for their parents?"

Mallory regained her composure and stiffened herself once more. "You know he's too dangerous, too strong to be around other kids, once wrong move and he could…"

"Then show me what training program and exercises you guys have gone through to help him control his powers?" I cut her off again because she was pissing me off.

Even though I knew what the answer was I couldn't help the rage building up inside of me.

"Well, we haven't exactly practiced a lot, it was quite dangerous to…"

"Unfucking believable." I yelled over her. "No school, no home teaching, no socializing with friends no training to make sure he doesn't accidentally hurt someone, great, great fucking parenting." I said throwing my hands up in frustration.

"I don't even know what I expected from our so called government agencies, maybe some fucking heart and competence. God damn it Grace!" I yelled out once more then stop myself and rub the side of my head with my hands in frustration.

I can see guilt building up in the deep creases of her weathered face. Good, feel bad you dumb bitch. I let a sense of amusement and laughter fill me up as I start chuckling. She looks at me concerned.

"You know what the irony is here. You, Butcher and your government cronies are so scared Ryan's going to turn out a psychopath like me if I raise him, yet you're the ones doing more than I ever would to turning him that way. Jonah would be proud." I finished spitefully.

I could now see the horror fully on her face as she realizes what she's been doing in her dumbass attempt to keep Ryan locked up.

If he doesn't learn to interact and care for the world then you're just going to get a stronger and more cruel Homelander.

Fucking idiots.