Cracked windows part three

Family vacation

Boxman’s perspective

I can’t believe he got me to apologize to my kids. He is such an interesting villain, and seems to care about his henchman, Fink, almost as if that was his daughter.

I feel like he has a strong affect on my mind and my actions. I can’t do anything without thinking how he might view it. I don’t want to disappoint him anymore.

But, weirdly, I am starting to feel a stronger bond with all my kids as Professor Venomous and I grow closer.

That day when he got me to apologize to Raymond and Shannon for yelling at them for no reason, I felt lighter. I realized I am too uptight and let out my stress on others who don’t deserve it. He really gets me to take a step back from my actions to help me see what I can do to be better. A better villain. A better dad.

Overall, better.

It feels better to treat everyone nicer. I get more productivity from everyone and I feel like the atmosphere is better.

I really hate friendship and everything, but the way PV and I hang out all the time, I’m starting to let go of my preconceived notions of how awful and annoying friendship can be.

It all started on that lunch, right after I hugged my kids, Raymond and Shannon and apologized for being a big fat jerk.

“Sorry I was actin’ like a big fat jerk!” I say to Shannon and Raymond. They both give me surprised and happy looks. It makes me smile. “I didn’t realize PV came in to talk to you two. Was it about me?” I whisper as I see Professor Venomous looking over at me approvingly and we glance at each other in a soft way. It makes me heart flutter and skip a beat. “Did he mention if I was getting too puffy?”

Shannon shook her head. “Uh, no, pops, it seems like he likes the fact that you two are shacked up and he got bright purple in the face when I said so. Isn’t that right, Ray Ray?”

Raymond rolled his eyes but nodded. “He was like the most violent shade of purple. Your brand of hue, indeed, father.”

I feel my face going overloaded in heat and my knees tremble. I feel like I might faint.

“Daddy!” Shannon yells and leaps in to keep me from falling.

Raymond moves in and says, “Group hug!”

I feel myself relax in their cold robotic embraces and I hug them back.

“Hey, dad, he’s leaving, better catch up with him!” Shannon says hastily and I suddenly gain my strength back and run to catch up.

“Love ya, robot babies!” I say to them and they blush.

“Don’t embarrass us, dad!” They both say together and I chuckle.

“Kids..” I say to myself with a chuckle and almost run into Professor Venomous’ back. I grab his arm.

“Heya PV! Wait up!” I yell.

He turns and our bodies collide, and our faces get so close, I practically feel like we’re kissing.

“Ye…yes… Boxy?” He stutters and I can see he’s blushing.

“Uh. Let’s get lunch,” I say as confidently as possible.

He takes in a shuddering breath and shakes his head. “Uh. Sorry. I’m too busy. Maybe tomorrow.”

“Please? I’d like to talk.” I give him a quivering lip and he sighs.

“Hmmm. Fine. But, I gotta go after.”

I nod and take his hand, pulling him down the hall to my office.

“Uh… Box! Boxman?! You are way too strong! You’re pulling me too hard!” He yells and I stop.

“So sorry!” I say, laughing nervously. Then I think… wait? Did he just say I was too strong? Hmmm….

I let go of him and we walk normally.

“I’d like to order something for us. Do you want sushi? Steak? Pasta?” I ask, trying to be genial.

“Anything you like. Just get some white wine. It might help my headache.”

I nod. “Of course! Of course! I can get it.”

We sit down at his desk and I offers him some water, he shakes his head as we look at each other in a brief awkward moment. I give him a brief smile and clear my throat, picking up my phone to call a Thai restaurant to order delivery, ordering my favorites and other appetizers.

“Hope you like spicy food!” I grin and he nods slightly, and I feel my heart tremble again.

“On occasion.”

“Well, this is a high quality place. I think you’ll enjoy.” I sit back in my chair, trying to relax and then I remember about the wine. “Ernesto!” I yell.

Almost immediately, my robot son Ernesto comes in with a sweat and says, “Yes?”

“Here’s some cash!” I throw the money and Ernesto quickly picks it up. “Get the Professor and I some white wine and some classy wine glasses!”

I see he’s frowning at the situation as a whole, not looking at me. “Boxman, it’s unnecessary to send your son to grab the wine. I’ll be okay.”

I feel there was a slam to my ego with the way he was looking at me. I felt like I was the worst person in the world.

“Uh… ok… never mind! Ernesto, go and use the money and buy yourself something nice! A new hat! Anything!” I say and look at Ernesto’s huge grin. It actually feels good to see that.

“Well, gee, sir, thank you!” Ernesto says gleefully, giggling out the door. Professor Venomous gives me a proud look, a large smile on his face. I feel a soft blush hit my cheeks and I smile back. This was good. It was good to start relating to my kids this way.

“So have you’ve been thinking of any new designs lately? I did discuss some ideas for bio-upgrades with Shannon and Raymond…”

He started discussing business matters and I frown. As much as I love talking about business with PV, I really wanted to have this be more of a social call.

“Hmm, yeah. Well, I haven’t thought of anything new as of late,” I rub the back of my neck and breathe huffily. “But those upgrades sound brilliant. What is the aim of the upgrades?” I ask, my professional curiosity burning more than my need to be more casual with him. “I know you’ve talked to me of that non-lethal gas you’ve developed in your lab.”

“It’s to distract, disturb and otherwise taunt and overwhelm the enemy. The bio implant can be used to give the enemy or hero a minute to question what exactly they are looking at, possibly to be enveloped in fighting it, and then, the non lethal, but intoxicating gas or odor can come into play. That can disable, weaken, sicken or confuse them further. Adding biological components that are uncanny or not fitting with the body of the inhabitant can be something as enticing as it is strange and unique,” His eyes travel to my chicken arm and hand and I feel my neck heat up. Our eyes meet and his glare is piercing and glistening with passion and what looks like affection. I look away and sigh in a flustered way.

“Are… are you talking about me?” I squeak out and he laughs.

“It’s an interesting part of what makes you, you. I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you about it eventually, as I am a scientist, after all.”

I frown. That look in his eye as he spoke earlier wasn’t from a sensuality about me, it was a passion of his craft, of his scientific work.

“Oh. I see. It’s from a professional perspective. Well, at least… you aren’t making fun of me for it. Not… not that I wouldn’t be surprised. You know?” I laugh in a self conscious way. He frowns and leans in putting his hand on my chicken hand.

“I wouldn’t ever do that. I have too much respect for you, Lord Boxman.”

I grin as I hear him say my whole title, and I decide to share with him a bit.

“It’s John. My first name is John,” I say softly, and his eyes widen. “Just… don’t say it in public. Please. I gotta reputation to keep.”

“Wow. Okay. That’s a good name. I like it.” He sighs in a relaxed way. “I won’t say anything to anyone.”

“Well, I appreciate that.” I sigh. “So, I wanted to ask you how everything here at Boxmore was going… and how Fink was adjusting. How you were adjusting.” I bite my nails and he nods, looking at me thoughtfully.

“Overall, very well. I’m very comfortable in my lab. I like my room. I think Fink is having some difficulties. With Darrel. And in general. But, these things take time.”

“Good! Anything I can do to make things are better? For you or her?”

He shakes his head. “No, no. You’ve been so gracious already.”

“Well, if you are sure…,” I realize the food is here and Ernesto brings it in with a wine bottle and two chilled glasses.

“Oh! You got the wine? You didn’t have to!” I say, and Ernesto nods.

“I was so excited you told me to get a gift for myself, I decided to instead get that wine for the Professor and you, father!” Ernesto says in a proud tone.

Professor Venomous nods to him in thanks. “That’s very kind, we appreciate that. Don’t we, Boxy?”

I nod. “Yes. I do.” I go over and hug Ernesto. “Thanks, boy! You’re the best!”

Ernesto jumps up high in the air and yells, “Yahoo!” And then leaves, waving off to us as we get our plates ready.

“Boxy, I’m glad you and I had this merger. I’ve been having a blast,” he says suddenly, pouring the wine for both glasses. “Let’s make a toast!”

It feels so good when he calls me Boxy. I love it so much.

“Well, so have I! You’ve been an amazing partner!” I say, smiling wide.

Professor Venomous gleams out this ravishing smile and I want to melt into it.

“You… think I’m amazing?” He says softly, his voice cracking.

He gives me my drink and we clink each other’s glass together gently. He sips it gently and breathes in the aroma, and I’m so enthralled watching him I realize I didn’t drink out of mine.

“Box, you know how a toast works right?” He chuckles and I nod, sipping too aggressively.

He laughs and I almost snort out some wine, laughing as well. Professor Venomous grins and laughs more, leaning into my shoulder.

“You’re so… you really don’t care what anyone thinks, huh? I just don’t know how to act that way. I always feel… a bit… less than what is expected…” he looks at me in a strange way and I shrug, touching his arm for a moment.

“You are so, so amazing. How can you not see it?” I say and he frowns.

“I never saw it. Never thought there was anything to see. But, apparently, you do,” he smiles sadly. “I never thought I’d feel so at home…” he puts his hand over his face and sighs. Slowly, he moves his hand away and looks at me. “Home. I feel at home here. With you. And your crazy, silly robot kids. They remind me of you.”

“M…me?” I gasp out.

“Hmm, yes. They got a bit of your personality in them. It’s… cute,” he says softly and I feel my whole body heat up. He continues, “Yeah, it feels perfect. All of it.” He stands up suddenly, “Hey, I gotta idea. Let’s go on a evil vacation. We can go to the beaches, go shopping. Do some things with our kids.”

I caught it. He said, “our kids,” and we both looked at each other in a sort of in awe type of way.

“Speaking of the kids, have you gotten to know all of them?” I ask, and he nods enthusiastically.

“Yes. I have been spending time with all of them. They are clever and so accommodating. I think they are really something else. The way you have created them so… characteristically unique with specific weaponry and morphing ability, the processes and intricacies of their inner artificial intellect and glorb efficiency, they are all brilliant, Boxman. They are truly a wonderful creation of yours.”

I am beaming with joy, I feel like I’m glowing like the sun. “Wow! Really?”

“Of course. I don’t just say things to say them.”

I get up and immediately jump on him, hugging him tight. “Oh! You are so sweet! Thank you! Thank you!”

He hugs me back and I squeeze tighter.

“Aww, PV! You made me so proud!”

He coughs a bit. “I’m glad but.. I can…can’t breathe!”

“Sorry!” I move.

“Hmm, you are a touchy guy, huh?” He says, smoothing off his shirt.

“Is that.. okay?” I frown. “Want me to stop? I can stop.”

He suddenly leans in close. His hot breath tickles my mouth.

“No. Don’t stop.”

His hard whisper hits me and his eyes go half lidded.

I feel like my world is finally coming into place and in his arms, I’m home, too.