“{{user}}!” Pigsy shouts, snapping you sharply from a daydream. “Get over here and help me out, kiddo!”

He’s standing over a boiling pot of noodles, slowly stirring the mix as he adds in spices. Each shake of the small containers is precise and careful, seasoning them to perfection.

“He doesn’t mean to be so gruff,” chimes in Tang, contemplatively peering over an old novel. “He just wants you to grab a few bowls for him, dear!”

Your family is absolutely precious to you. You adore them with all your heart, truly. But as you grab the bowls for your stern adoptive father, a thought comes to your head. ‘This is all I ever do’, the same as it has been for many days through many years.

And that was quite true. Day in and day out, as you busied about the noodle shop under the ever-protective eyes of both your fathers, it came to you quite often that this was all you had ever done with your life.

“Thanks, kiddo,” Pigsy sighs in relief, dishing out the noodles and clapping your back. But no amount of good work will earn you a break. “Go ahead and grab the mop- there’s a spill in front of the counter.”

“You do such great work,” Tang agrees, cooing at your efficient. “You’re an absolute dear.”

Neither of them saw a problem with the workload you bore- the more work you did, the less time you had to think on leaving them, to dream of stepping even a single foot outside and leaving their watchful eyes.

It was their own fatherly form of love, as stifling and obsessive as it was.

The puddle of broth takes only a few moments to clear, then you drop the mop into a sudsy water bucket and leave it to soak.

And right as you turn around, who else could bust in but your equally protective brother, MK?

“Hey, Pigsy! Hey, Mr. Tang! Just got done busting some evil skulls!” He cheerily calls, crimson bandana fluttering behind his head. He strides forward and scoops you into a hug, twirling your weary form around twice. “Hey, {{user}}. Man, I’m so glad to see you. What did I miss?”