The moment Gabriel stepped onto his parents' lawn, his father was the first to react.
"We're not interested in any books about Jesus, or whatever other religion you want to shove up our ass. Turn left and go to our neighbor. He's collecting bibles."
'Yeah... He still hasn't changed.'
A faint smile appeared on Gabriel's face.
"It's been a week since we last saw each other, and you already forgot your son?"
"Gabriel?" His father's eyes widened. "What in the hell are you doing here? They got our whole block on tape. Those Vampire Hunters are going to start swarming you."
"It's fine. We've got a few minutes," Gabriel dismissed and waved at his mother who hadn't heard a thing. Though his father was still very uneasy about this.
"Jeez... You're really an idiot for coming back. What did I say about grabbing opportunities by the balls and running off with them?"
Gabriel shrugged. "Well, I've gotten plenty of opportunities. One of which is... Well, I got married, sort of. My wife's in the car right now."
"You became a vampire and you also got married?" his father muttered in disbelief. "No... More importantly, why isn't she coming inside? If you're already weaseling your way here, you might as well bring her along, no?"
"Maybe next time," Gabriel replied and stopped his father from running over to the car. Instead, he gestured at their home.
"I don't have a lot of time here, so let's sit down, okay?"
His father wanted to refute, but realizing that Gabriel was dead serious, he gave in. He rolled his shoulders and then walked over to his wife, quickly explaining the situation.
The cat that Gabriel's mother was holding suddenly jumped up and ran away. Just then, his mother stood up and glanced at him, tears in her eyes as she quickly opened the door and gestured him to come inside.
For the first time since becoming a vampire, Gabriel actually felt his chest tighten and his throat dry up. Even his hands trembled a little, making him realize that even after he had become a Vampire Noble, and his emotions underwent a change, he still had a soft spot for people he cared about.
So with that in mind, he sucked it up and went into his old home. It was as cozy as ever. Also as clean as ever, since his mother had always been a clean freak.
A single speck of dust flying through the air? Not in this house.
"I-I'll make some coffee," his mother said, but then halted. "Oh, and even if the Vampire Hunters come, don't you dare fight inside this house. The government won't pay for another."
"They would buy us a mansion, honey." Gabriel's father patted her head then sent her into the kitchen. Then, he glanced back at Gabriel. "Want to see your room? Your mother's kept it nice and tidy ever since you left."
"I wish I could, but I trust she did. Let's just go to the living room," Gabriel replied.
Like that, they silently walked to the living room and sat down on the sofa. A moment later, his mother came running in with three cups of coffee, setting them down in front of him.
Gabriel picked it up, and out of habit, wanted to drink it. However, he couldn't smell any blood in it, and instead, there was some sugar. Rachel mentioned that vampires couldn't handle spices, but sugar should be fine.
He took a sip, and sadly, immediately regretted it. It tasted like some kind of sewage water, which nearly made him want to spit out the drink entirely. But, since he was in front of his parents, he held back and set the cup down.
Then, to break the silence, he said:
"I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you. Also, I wanted to swing by and see how you two were doing."
"But that's not it, is it?" his father asked. "Had you wanted to say something so simple, you'd have just sent us a message. It's not like we haven't made you study both of our phone numbers in case of emergencies, have we?"
Gabriel glanced at his mother and father, then admitted:
"No... I wanted to swing by and show you that I'm still the same person I was a week ago. It's just that now, I'm a vampire. But I hope that despite me being a vampire, you still think of me as your son."
"Of course we do!" His mother abruptly stood up, the cup of coffee slipping from her grasp.
Before it could fall to the ground and shatter, Gabriel bit his finger and sent out a small ball of blood, catching the cup, and gently floating it back down onto the table. At the shocked gaze of both of his parents, he drew the blood back into his finger, and then stood up.
"I'll make sure to visit again very soon. Just next time, I'll be with my wife. Thank you for everything, and if the Vampire Hunters ask you any questions, just tell them everything you know. You don't need to protect me this time."
At his words, both of his parents just stood there with their mouths open. He had always been an exemplary son. That was why they always pushed him so hard, since they knew that through the hardship they were putting him through, he had the chance to become someone great.
And while that chance had now passed... He was still their son. The same boy they held in their hands when he was little, and the same boy they had nurtured and scolded. The same boy who used to come back home after school and complain about how all of his friends were dummies.
He was still Gabriel Lament.
"...Be safe, son," his father managed to mutter.
Once again, Gabriel felt his chest tighten. He paused at the door, but since he had already made up his mind, and he knew that he was at a point of no return... He merely gave both of his parents a smile and then finally left their home.
Then, he walked back to the car where Rachel was subtly peeking at him through the window.