gentlemanlybaker:

[ James hugged his son as tightly as he could, attempting to stem the tide of tears pouring from his eyes onto John’s shirt. He really had missed this boy more than he could say in mere words - his son was everything to him, and it had been so, so long since he’d seen him, since he’d hugged him. He could barely believe that after all this time, John was home. 

He didn’t smell of cookies and pizza like he had when he was younger, but he was unmistakeably John - whether he was indeed the one James had raised or not. James didn’t care - he was here, he was home, and he would care for and love him all the same, no matter what. 

The smile the boy gave him made his heart melt - how long had it been since he’d seen his son smile? ] 

‘I’m very glad that you’re alright as well, John. Don’t worry about where I went - I… I don’t like to think about it much. What’s important now is that I’m alright, as are you.’

[ Reluctantly, he let go of his son and gestured towards the meal sitting on the table. ] 

'I’ve made lunch for you. There are cookies in the oven, and your room is just as you left it.’

He frowned. “I don’t want to think about it, either.” Mainly because he couldn’t remember what had happened. If it even happened? He had no idea. All he knew was that his dad disappeared, and now here he was, in front of him, gesturing towards the table.

Eyes brightened as he saw the spread on it, looking up to his dad once more before heading over. He sat down in a familiar chair, taking everything in for a minute. This felt more home-like than his own house did. Which was… a little sad, all things considered. Maybe it was the fact that this house smelled like someone lived in it - not just lived, existed, went to work, did things in it that made it a home. Unlike where John lived, which was mainly used for sleeping and internetting and video games and being sad and lonely. Beaming at his father, he sighed quietly.

“Thanks, dad.” Starting on the meal, he let the scent of the house envelop him, as well as the strong vibe of love and care that he felt around him. Man, this was good. He’d forgotten how good of a cook his dad was. “This is great! Man, better than the stuff I’ve been eating.” Living off what few spoils he’d managed from the game, tv dinners and instant rice had been his main dish for a while now. He wasn’t used to food so well-prepared and… filling.

Looking up again, if his dad wasn’t busy, he patted the chair next to him earnestly, just wanting to be close to him and enjoy his company while he had it.