The car pulled up near the park and Damien pulled over to the side of the road so the vehicle wasn’t in the way and was in a decent enough spot for them to get out without much danger, if any at all. John stretched as he got out and looked around, the sky was still clear as can be and the breeze felt nice on the somewhat warm day. He turned back to the car and smiled as he started helping Chris and the younger boys out of their seats, one at a time setting them down and moving them towards the sidewalk so they wouldn’t be standing in the road. Mike watched and helped where he could, kinda pushing his twin to get going. Kevin was a bit slow due to some health and mental issues and so Mike tended to help ease him into some things, and so he would do things like help him in and out of the car or just around the house when he needed help. Kevin smiled softly as Damien took his paw and helped him out of the car, Kevin moving out of the way and into the grass, breathing in happily as his tail wagged, the boy loving how peaceful the park looked, walking down the small hill a little just to keep on eye on Chris and Calvin who already took off to play on the playground. Mike saw and jumped out. “Chris, guys, gotta wait for us!” he called out and rushed to retrieve them, John laughing as he carried Drax out and around the car after shutting the door, Albus hopping out from the other side.
John set Drax down in the grass as the small dragon smiled up at his brother, and started walking to go see the others, Mike chasing Chris who was continuing the run around and basically just putting Mike through a hard time just because he could. Chris smiled as looked back at Mike, shaking his butt a little to taunt him before falling to all four and dashing up the hill to run and hide behind John, grabbing the gators leg and flinging himself around so he was behind John, Mike not immediately paying attention and ramming face first into one of his elder brothers shin. John looked down and leaned down to rub his shin a little before helping mike up, Chris making his escape down to the park, running over to Lyle who was setting up their stuff on a table. John chuckled and made sure Mike was fine as the foc groaned and rubbed his head. “That little punk is taunting me, I have half a mind to bend him over my knee and whoop him for that.” He groaned more and looked at his older brother who wrapped an arm over his shoulder and walked with him down to the others. “Oh relax Mike, he’s just playing around, and besides, do I need to remind you of how you used to give dad and Kenta so much grief because you refused to wear pants. You’d even taunt dad just because also, Chris is just taking after you, which might not be a good thing.” John teased him, Mike rolling his eyes before yelping as he felt a claw slap against his backside, making him jump off the ground and grumbled at John, who smirked.
Lyle watched and shook his head with a chuckle as he watched his grandkids all acting like a bunch of kids, as he sat down and relaxed, taking a drink from one of the sodas as he looked to see the cubs all playing, Chris was on a swing with Calvin, Damien standing next to it watching and occasionally pushing them once more, while Drax and Albus ran around on the playset, Drax enjoying the slides more while Albus seemed to enjoy climbing on anything that was easily accessed. John sat with Lyle and Mike and relaxed, looking around to make sure Kevin was still around, smiling as he saw him sitting by a tree, looking at a couple of squirrels that didn’t seem to mind Kevin’s presence. “Such an odd kid, but honestly I am just glad to see that he’s happy with what he does. Still scary to think he is going through so much that it caused his mind to kind of freak itself out. He has so many varying emotional and mental issues that it really scares me that he might struggle through life.” John said softly as he looked over at Lyle, who needed but smiled gently as he did, as he reached over and gently rubbed John’s back.
“Oh I wouldn’t worry too much bud, Kevin is a strong kid and he has a ton of wonderful siblings and two loving parents. I know that no matter what he goes through, he will face it head on and work through it. You guys just have to remember to be by his side as he does. Kevin is smart, he probably is thinking about it as we speak, and is making some plan to help himself. Like he always tells that one friend of his, you don’t have to be afraid or ashamed of what you are, you can just be happy for what you have. Kevin knows better than anyone that something like that can be used for a good purpose.” Lyle told John, smiling gently as he looked out at Kevin who gently picked up one of the squirrels as it climbed up his arm and sat on his shoulder, sniffing the wolf teen a little as Mike chuckled gently and got up, walking over to his twin as he was sniffed. “And besides, I think if Kevin seems fine and doesn’t feel it as a bad thing, we should do the same.” Lyle said, his years of parenting and all around experience showing through, as he learned some tough but good lessons in his life due to many times he was put in such situations.
John nodded and watched as his brothers watched the creature, it climbing on Kevin’s head but every time Mike tried to pet it, it would move away or push at his paw, the fox grumbling as he sat across his twin, before smiling and just petting Kevin, who was confused by the action but he smiled anyways as he let the squirrel off of his head, and watched it run up a tree, its friend following shortly after as Kevin chuckled. John smiled warmly as he saw the two so happy. John sighed gently as he always had a fear that he wasn’t doing enough for the boys, he did as much as he could to make sure that the kids were all cared for with how busy his parents schedules were, and he was glad that they still made time for them, but he did find himself often in the position of watching the house and the kids, and while he did not mind it much, it was still a lot for him because he was always left wondering how much of a good job he was doing. John leaned a bit onto his grandfather and sighed once more, he was at least glad that Damien did his best to help where applicable, and that Lyle was around enough to help as well. “Thank you for always being around when I need your help grandpa, it means a lot knowing I can rely on you through everything. I really hope dad gets that promotion, because once he does, Kenta can be home more and not have to work as much.” John said as Lyle gently rubbed his grandson on the back and nodded smiling, not needing words to express that he was fine doing it, they were his grandchildren, he loved them.
As they talked, the kids all soon rushed to the table, all quickly jumping up to sit, John looking around and chuckled seeing that hunger seemingly started to finally show itself. “Alright, was wondering when you guys would start getting ravenous and need to come eat.” He laughed and pulled out one of their bags from the store and began pulling out stuff to make the boys some sandwiches, Lyle grabbing another back to help, grabbing out the chips and drinks and passing out what he needed to while John listened to each sibling and their request for sandwiches, as he made various types since they all had drastically different tastes. For the younger kids, he smiled and cut them into four so they had an easier time to eat them, and did it for Kevin to as the boy just seemed to like it that way and never complained, just smiled whenever he got a sandwich that way. John nodded gently and handed out the nine sandwiches and relaxing, watching everyone eat before he finally started on his, usually letting everyone else go first just in case they needed something else. Once they were all satisfied, he ate peacefully, the kids all talking about what to do next, and what games they could play in the park. The older three chuckled softly.
Kevin was the first to finish as he smiled and relaxed, looking around, before something caught his attention as he excused himself and stood up, walking towards a tree nearby. Sitting beneath the tree was a young looking black scaled reptile, reading a book and relaxing under the tree, Kevin making his way over and waving, seemingly knowing who this stranger was. “H-hi there… Jino.” Kevin spoke slowly and shyly as usual as the lizard lowered his book confused for a second, glancing up before his expression brightened and he stood up. “Oh! Kevin, hello there.” He said with a smile as he hugged the wolf boy. Jino was one of Kevin’s best friends and one that Kevin usually told everything to, and Jino knew very well about all of the mental problems Kevin had, so he wasn’t afraid to help Kevin in any way he can. The lizard was also very flirty at times, which would always get an embarrassed reaction out of Kevin, who wasn’t all to use to the flirty nature of the lizard. “So what’re you doing here Kev? You aren’t alone are you?” He asked with some concern as he looked at his friend, smiling when the boy shook his head no and pointed to the family sitting nearby staring at them, Jino laughing realizing who they were, as he took Kevin’s paw and walked up to them.
“Hiya. You guys must be Kevin's brothers. And father?” He asked looking at Lyle, who chuckled and shook his head as he let the boy know who he was, getting a smile and nod from Jino. “Oh! Well it is good to meet you Lyle, I didn’t realize his grandfather was living so close by. Glad to see he has so many good people around.” Jino smiled at them as he gently leaned on Kevin, making him blush, Mike snickering a little bit to himself as Jino was always so flirty and loving on Kevin, and he knew that they were almost basically a couple in every way except title, as they both were to shy to even bring it up to one another. Mike always thought about doing it for them but he didn’t want to get himself into trouble with Kevin or otherwise. “Well I am Jino, I am a good friend of Kevin’s at school, he has told me so much about you guys.” Jino smiled softly as his tail wrapped around, Kevin blushing even more with a tiny yelp of surprise as it was placed across his backside, and Kevin knew he was doing it on purpose.
“Good to meet you Jino. We were just finishing enjoying a little lunch, if you want some we have some more left over.” John offered him as he watched how Jino acted to Kevin, and he was able to somewhat piece it together that they were very close, but John didn’t want to push it. Unlike Damien, John usually let the kids have their secrets and would only ever say something when they finally told him, and if Kevin had a secret boyfriend or anything like that, he’d just smile and watch as he only wanted Kevin happy and had no reason to interfere or give his own two cents. Jino shook his head but smiled softly. “No thank you sir, I was actually just about to start heading home, was just doing some reading and then Kevin came and got me distracted. But I appreciate the offer. I will see you at school Monday Kevin.” Jino said happily and hugged him again, waving to the family as he made his way up the hill back towards the houses nearby, holding his book to his chest as he walked, Kevin watching him the whole time until he was out of sight and then sat down.
“Good kid.” Damien smiled as Kevin nodded, happy to hear that his family seemed okay with Jino. Like Mike had suspected, Kevin did have feelings for Jino, but due to his emotional and mental issues he was never sure how to express such a thing and so he spent a lot of time just trying to find the best way to go about asking Jino out. He also secretly hoped Jino would one day say it himself so Kevin wouldn’t have to. John smiled softly as Kevin, seeing his face still a bit red from all his blushing as the others all chuckled. Before long the kids were off playing again, this time Mike and Kevin joined them. Lyle watched them happily, a proud smile on his face as he watched the kids he was able to call his grandkids all loving their time and having fun. “We shouldn’t stay for too long, we do have to get home and get some stuff done so your folks can just come home and just enjoy their meal.” He told John, who just nodded in response as he agreed with the man, but decided to let them play a bit more as he watched, smiling gently as he did some thinking.
![A happy family [Chapter 2]](https://va.ib.metapix.net/images80/overlays/writing.png "A happy family [Chapter 2]"){kind=small}
![Tale to the King [Arc: 3] [Chapter: 1]](https://va.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/3027/3027594_YusukeNakamura_tttk_3.1.jpg "Tale to the King [Arc: 3] [Chapter: 1]")
