Father & Son

[Jean]

[Back in their current time line]





Jean was ready to talk to Zero about something very important. It’s been a long time since they had one of their father and son chats in private and hung out together at a place that wasn’t in the family home or without Zero’s beloved wife. This is where Jean would tell Zero how much he was proud of him. When Zero was 18, Jean was especially careful with how much he would praise Zero- as he didn't want that praise to get to Zero’s head. He wanted to balance that praise with things that Zero could always improve on, so that way it wasn’t just praise or constructive feedback that he was receiving, but both things which fostered growth, and confidence. And being young and 18 at the time made Zero very impressionable.

Yes being self aware of one’s own weakness was important but not to the point where it transformed into self doubt. Jean always wanted Zero to have a healthy self esteem. At times it was a struggle for him, but there was a lot to be proud of and Jean needed to vocalize to Zero how proud he was of him.

What happened in Zero’s life when he was a child wasn’t his fault but it was up to him on how he’d shape his future, and what he wanted after he was free from the adults that mistreated him. Jean could remember from moment that Zero and Mitsuko got married, moved in together, celebrating the birth of Matthew, Zero changed his attitude for the better. Fatherhood had turned his life around in a positive way because now he had a son that looked up to him. Zero loved his son, and by that same token, Jean loved Zero.

So Jean invited Zero to hang out at this newly renovated bar. This seemed like a good place to talk about plans for the future. Jean was also thinking about retiring- his body isn’t the same as it was before he was shot in the leg on a mission, and he was also getting older. He couldn’t work forever and Mitsuko herself hadn’t been looking too well lately, it was as if her energy levels were having trouble rising, so Jean wanted to also talk to Zero about that. “Even though we had a few arguments when he was 18, he's turned out to be a very fine young man. I give Miki a little credit for that too hahaha. I still remember the time where I knew her as Angelise. And Zero didn't know a thing! Hahaha."

‘I’m very proud of you Zero.’

[Zero]

[Zero]

Zero parks his motorcycle outside the newly renovated bar in the slums of Evnae. He used to be so very bad in directions, he kept getting lost. Though, since Jean gifted him a smartphone, Zero is making good use of the GPS feature to get himself wherever he wanted to go without Hunter as a chaperone.

He's an adult now in his 30s and he's going through life better than he thought he would. Marrying Mitsuko was a gigantic shift in his life. He actively tries to be a better person, a better husband, a better father. And he couldn't do it without the support of the foundation that was already in his life, Jean being one of the key people who is still a strong positive influence on him.

Pulling off his helmet, Zero carries it inside as he enters the bar Jean invited him to. Apparently it was renovated from an abandoned factory, so it looked quite bigger than a regular bar. The bounty hunter quickly spots a redhead within the small amount of people in the bar, locking eyes with the spectacled man he greatly respects as his own father.

"Chief!" He raised one arm high and jogged his way to the table Jean is occupying. "I made it! Aaahhh, GPS really is a life savior..." Zero placed his helmet at the edge of the table before opening his hand to greet Jean in a handshake.

After that, Zero pulls his phones out of his back pocket so he can sit comfortably. "Can you believe I still use the first phone you gave me?" He lifts the phone beside his face to show Jean the old model. "Works just fine even after all these years!"

After he puts that phone down, he shows Jean the other, more modern phone in his hand. "I got this one just to talk to Miki, 'cause I kept running out of battery talking to her. I thought it's best I have 2 phones, just in case." Being a bounty hunter, communication is important, so Zero has to be able to be contacted at any point. Hence, the use of his work phone.

Zero sits down and faces his body towards Jean, a clear indication that he's ready for whatever they're going to talk about. "So what's up? You wanted to talk to me about something?" If one would compare 18-year-old Zero to how he is now, they can tell he looks much more at peace with himself. He smiles more readily and his body language is open. He has worked long and hard on himself to be who he is today, older and wiser.

[Jean]

Jean chuckled at Zero-he really was proud of him. Zero really was his son. They didn’t have to be blood related to consider each other family, and with every teenager despite how well a parental figure gets along with them, there will be points of conflict. Zero and Jean had their fair share of arguments, but in the end it was all a part of them growing together, and now many decades later Zero was a dad, and he most likely had disagreements with Matthew every now and then too.

But the love for his children always remained- it was never tainted with anger. “Ah I remember when I gifted you that phone. It wasn’t fancy but it did what it needed to. You know Zero, I understand that I never said this to you often, because I didn’t want the compliment to get to your head. I wanted you to remain as humble and hardworking as possible- but from my old man heart to yours. I’m very proud of you. I know Miki has a lot to do with your growth and your ongoing healing, but I am proud of you.” Jean smiled at Zero. “You’ve turned into a fine young man. You have always been my son.”

He then shifted topics to Mitsuko herself especially after the horrific events at Justice Peak. She wasn’t looking too good when they were able to get her out of the hell hole. “Speaking of Miki I’ll let you in on a little secret now that it’s been decades. She was that woman named Angelise. She made herself hard to track down on purpose because her biological dad was trying to find her. So whenever you felt a connection towards a woman in a white cloak, it was Miki. And… I was the one that sent you on that mission to Ida Valley. “ Jean crossed his arms still with a proud look on his face. “I know I was vague about Miki’s whereabouts, but it was to protect her, and I wanted to help you find her when the time was right.”

Jean was really glad that Zero did have Mitsuko in his life. There was truly something special about their marriage and relationship overall. “So what are your plans for your family in the future Zero? Have you thought about moving to a bigger space if you and Miki decide to have another child?” Little did Jean know Mitsuko was pregnant with her third and final child- just Zero and her have decided to keep it a secret until she passes her first trimester.

[Zero]

There's an obvious smug smile on Zero's face when Jean recognizes the phone he held up, proud of himself for keeping such a thing still in working condition through the years. "I assure you Chief, I would still stay humble and hardworking even if you shower me with praises..!" His mood is light as he jokes about it, almost like Hunter in a sense. Yet the color on his cheeks proved that Jean's words got to him, Zero is simply too awkward to accept it head-on and reacted with humor instead.

Even in his 30s, Zero still maintains a habit of running his knuckle under his nose when he's embarrassed. He does exactly that as his eyes darted down to the tip of his shoe, "C-c'mon dad... You don't have to say it so openly.." Even so, there's an unmistakable smile hidden behind his hand that he tries to hide. His thoughts are in shambles at the moment, but he's sure he would repeat Jean's words in his head once he's feeling down by himself.

Zero's facial expression drops down to confusion when Jean brings up the topic of Mitsuko being in hiding back then to escape an abusive parent. Even the mentioning of her father spiked Zero's blood pressure, but he stops himself from being carried away to focus on the main point at hand. "Wait, huh..?" Back then as a teenager, Zero was suspicious of everyone, he pointed his gun at every single stranger. He felt anyone can be threatening, it was his unguided way to protect himself.

He couldn't remember an Angelise nor a woman as Jean described. There was so much anger and pain in him at that point in his life, that he could barely remember much of anyone. Still, it makes sense now why he couldn't track his best friend when she herself doesn't want to be found. "So that explains it..." He ponders out loud. "Wait. So you knew her before I even found her..?" His thoughts finally clicked in place, that Jean was the mastermind all along. "Wait, wait, wait. I have so many questions..."

His blue eyes glinted when Jean confessed that he was the one who sent that mission where he finally found Mitsuko. "You what??" Zero's tone of voice is of disbelief, he had no idea Jean knew all these time. Before he could fire his questions, the spectacled man explains that he was vague about Mitsuko's whereabouts to protect her.

A part of Zero felt betrayed, knowing that Jean was just watching him while he struggled with his all back then to find the only person he cared deeply about. However, a part of him that has matured understood where Jean was coming from. It was for Mitsuko's best interest to remain hidden, even from Zero. He was much too young and inexperienced to properly protect her, he understands Jean was biding his time for the right moment.

Zero lets out a deep sigh through his mouth, now understanding what was happening behind the scenes. He just never expected Jean of all people is the chessmaster behind his meeting with Mitsuko, he thought it was the red string of fate, or the universe finally giving him a bone after all the bullshit he was forced to endure. It's a complicated feeling, for a part of his reality to shatter like this, but he refuse to hold it against Jean. The man did nothing wrong, he simply carried his duties confidentially. Zero just feels a bit let down that it took the kindness of his boss --now his father-- to change things around for him, instead of his supposed fate.

"Wow, um. Thanks for telling me all this... Sorry if I don't sound too happy, I'm just... in shock." Zero tries to explain with a distracted smile, still in the middle of processing all he heard for the past 5 minutes. He felt thirsty for having nothing to speak of, so he tries to get the attention of the bartender. Unfortunately, the bartender is distracted by another customer.

It was then that Jean brings up a question regarding Zero's future plans. For a moment, Zero thought Jean knew that Mitsuko is expecting a third child. He was just about to open his mouth to question that, but stops himself just in time when he realizes the way Jean poses the question seems incognizant of the fact.

Zero then decides to answer Jean's question in a manner that doesn't hint about their expectancy, "Miki and I are thinking about it. The kids are getting older, and Savannah decided to stay with us. We don't plan to kick them out when they're 18 or such, so a bigger space sounds appealing." He scratches his neck as he answers, sounding casual yet serious. "But at the same time, Alamo Inn has always been a space of so much memories for each of us. It's where everything started. So there's a certain heaviness to it if we do decide to leave."

There's a distracted smile on his face as he explains his plans to Jean. Jean has always been a strong pillar of support for both him and Mitsuko, it just seems like he barely has any time for himself and his own personal goals with how much he's helping them. "Jean... No, dad." Zero leans forward as he searches for Jean's eyes, intending to open a serious conversation. "What about you? What's your plan of the future? You're a Cipher to us, but you're Jean Cross first and foremost."

A gentle air descended on the two. "I've always known you as the chief. As my dad. But I never knew much about Jean Cross as his own person. Is it too late to ask about him?" He doesn't even know if Jean is interested in anyone, or have any interesting backstories to tell. Zero feels bad that he never asked before, but better late than never to know more of the man who has helped him for nearly 2 decades.

[Jean]

Sensing that Zero was a little disappointed that Jean had helped him all those years ago to reunite with Mitsuko, he offered some words of encouragement. “Listen Zero. Even with a higher power at our side, it’s still up to us to put in the work in everything. Including the relationships we have with people. The special bond that you have with Miki? That wouldn’t have happened if it not were for you both spending time together, helping each other, being friends, and later on falling in love. You both prioritized the friendship, the history began when you both were children yes. But as you two grew up into adults that chemistry had to be nurtured, a higher power at best can open the door to reunite with someone dear, but it’s still a bond that needs to nourished.” Jean smiled before he continued. He then saw a waitress coming to their table, Jean had heard through the grapevine that this waitress in particular was a major flirt. He knew that Zero is forever faithful to his wife and throughout all the years that they dated, Jean has known Mitsuko to have never been insecure in her relationship with Zero and she trusts her husband, but dealing with flirts when that kind of attention is unwanted, and of this magnitude can be challenging.

Since Zero was a married man, that would make him much more appealing to this flirtatious waitress heading their way because there are some people out there that are intoxicated and excited by what they can’t have, so they push. Not respecting boundaries. Jean eyed Zero seriously and whispered to him a heads up. “Son. Before I tell you my story, I need you to watch your back with that woman headed your way. Bars and club culture is commonly laced with flirtatious behavior and some women are attracted to married men. I’ve heard of a woman like her before. There was a waitress named Tina, who was flirting with the leader of the Domain Tyr during a date with his wife. Tyr by nature is a major flirt, and on occasion he does like to make his wife Iku jealous, but things went too far, and wasn't meant to be escalated in the way that it did." Jean paused again and took a drink of his virgin cocktail. “Iku certainly from what I heard about her from Miki, can hold her own, but she was still very very upset about the whole thing. So even though you can hold your own and can say no to someone’s advances… I just wanted to give you a heads up before this lady reaches our table. Be polite but firm.”

Then the waitress arrived with a notepad in hand, the scent of her perfume wafting in the men’s direction. When she arrived Jean kept an eye on Zero, but a part of him became lost in his own thoughts about his past. He wasn’t sure how much he should share with Zero, but then again it could make these two men closer. Now that a decade has passed, Jean was now in his late forties, a grandfather, a father, and unmarried.  Well, he USED to be married,  But he's never told anyone, it was something he kept close to his heart. He would've opened up about his previous marriage if he got involved with someone romantically currently. He and his wife at the time were happy, but something had occured during his marriage to her. She died in a car accident, and the worst part of it is, she was three months pregnant with their first child. Jean's heartfelt loss caused him to spiral into the dark underbelly of recreational drug use to numb the emotional pain, His life at the time had lost all meaning, he didn't know how to go on. He did walk to the edge and looked into the abyss, and it was dark. But Jean understood that with a little help, he could get to that happier place in his life. Zero too was proof of this. Just before the car accident his wife had called Jean and had left him a voice mail on his answering machine, expressing her love for him.

Up to this day Jean still has that voicemail. 

Jean's caring actions toward Zero,  Mitsuko, and his grandchildren were a result of what he had experienced and so when Mitsuko and Zero had hit a rocky patch in their marriage, he wanted to make sure that he helped guide them back to each other. He didn't want anything to be left unsaid between them. He was going to tell Zero about his past, after they took care of this fliratious waitress. Telling Zero about his past wasn't going to be about pity, more so as a way of inspiration.

[NPC: Female]

A striking redhead made her way to Zero and Jean’s table, and her hidden desires were ignited when she laid eyes on Zero. He was handsome of course but was considered to a forbidden fruit to enjoy. He was married by the resident angel Mitsuko and to be honest Camilla didn’t like the angel at all.. So she figured she’d try to worm her way in between Zero and Mitsuko’s marriage. This was one of those extreme cases of envy. “What can I get you, cutie pie? Did anyone ever tell you that you have pretty eyes?” She then whispered in the bounty hunter’s ear. “Why don’t you and I go somewhere else?”