Angus woke before dawn, a bundle of energy and excitement. Today was the day! He bounced on his bed until the light was bright enough to see, and rushed through his morning ablutions at maximum possible speed. There was one thing he couldn’t do, and that was the rest of getting ready.
He needed Apa and Dad.
Still in his PJ’s and bed socks, Angus scurried to the master bedroom. Apa and Dad liked to sleep in, but today was way too important. Dad was dead to the world, of course. Apa wrapped around him and purring in his sleep. Angus had more than half a chance with waking Apa.
He clambered up onto the big bed and picked a spot free of lurking limbs or body parts, then started jumping. “FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! COME ON APA! COME ON DAD! FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!”
“…dunwanna go t’ school…” Apa mumbled. “…five more minutes…”
“Apaaaaaa… it’s time for me to go to school. I gotta get ready, come oooonnnn….”
Apa’s purr turned into a low growl. “Ango, baby. It’s…” he fumbled around for a timepiece and squinted at it. “It’s not even five AM yet.” He yawned. “Gimmie half an hour, m’kay?”
“Half an hour? But that’s forever…” Angus bounced even more. “I wanna get ready nooowwww…”
“MmmmnnnnNNNNGH…” Apa shoved at Dad. “Babe. Babe wake up. Babe! Up and at ‘em lazybones.”
“…mmh?”
“Your son wants us to get ready already.”
“My son?” said Dad. “Lemme explain some basic biology to you, babe.”
“I wanna get ready, I wanna get ready,” chanted Angus. “First day of school!”
“…i need coffee,” sighed Apa.
Dad sighed and lurched into a sitting position. “All right, Dove. I’ll get this little lad bathed and your coffee ready. You see to breakfast and the lunchbox.”
“…sch’l unif’rm’s inna top draw’r…” mumbled Apa, burrowing under the covers.
“I swear ‘e does that just to get in the extra kip,” Dad muttered, and then scooped Ango up. “Awright, young master. Let’s start the coffee before we have a bath, eh?”
Angus laughed and cheered, and almost missed the rude gesture Apa made with the one hand poking out from the bedclothes, which made the morning even funnier as Dad tried to distract him.
Morning chaos was always fun, but this? This was exciting too. Angus got bathed and dressed in his brand new uniform. Of course he helped Dad prepare the coffee. Apa was still in his PJs as he took his first cup.
Stronger than the love of the gods, blacker than the depths of space, and with enough maple sugar to sweeten the heart of Asmodeus himself. Bit by bit, degree by degree, Apa came to life. Which was always a bit weird because technically? Dad was the dead one.
Apa helped with the lunchbox. Angus selected the things to pack. Sandwiches, snacks, fruit… everything a small, yet growing magic boy needed to have a good day. And, of course, breakfast. It was a larger family affair in the big kitchen, with Aunt Lup and Apa having their ongoing sibling argument while getting everything ready and stealing each other’s ingredients. Dad and Uncle Barry could be relied upon to peel or chop things, but they spent most of their time admiring their respective spouses.
It was a great morning.
Apa picked out some super glittery clothes and readied his favourite deer saddle. They were going to ride in style. Angus grinned. He couldn’t wait to see the other kids’ faces when he came to school on a real live Elven Riding Deer! Of course Apa picked the one with the impressive antlers and the tack that included silver bells. Apa just adored showing off.
Dad could just take a portal if he wanted to, but he chose to ride with, this day. His mount was more… his work aesthetic, so he changed out of his fleshy look and went with his work look on.
“Think I’m going to knock ‘em dead?” Dad asked.
“Da-a-aad…”
“Only figuratively, babe.”
It was going to be the best day.
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