“What’s that smell?” Eric asked, wandering into the kitchen.

“Cider! We’re mulling it!” Seren said with a bucket full of mashed apples. Bits of apple skin and applesauce over their face, punctuated by their deranged smile.

“Oh.” Eric said, looking Seren up and down. He looked over to Clark at the stove with the stockpot. Boiling other ingredients.

“Sorry about the mess, we’ll clean it up.” He said, revealing not only the bucket of pulp but also another bowl of chocolate. “If you’d like, you can help us with the Yule log.”

“No, I detest cooking.” Eric said, taking a seat at the bar. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better, thanks.” Clark said shortly. “Seren, are those apples ready to be strained?”

“I think so,” Seren lifted the bucket up. Clark chuckled and took the bucket.

“Thanks, can you get the frosting ready for the cake?” He asked.

“Yes!” Seren said and dove into the cupboards to find another bowl.

“How was the meeting with your family?” Clark asked, placing a cheesecloth over the stock pot and pouring the apple mush into it.

“Don’t remind me.” Eric sighed, covering his face. “Seren’s reading and writing comprehension vastly improved. Though they seem to have some trouble with equations.”

“That’ll clear up with a little practice.” Clark said, squeezing the juice out of the cheesecloth. It was silent for a few minutes, before Clark spoke up again. “Did you hear about that disaster a few years back?” Eric looked up with interest.

“What disaster?” He asked, Clark’s eyes lit up. Seren whisked the frosting and giggled like a madman, spilling it over the edges of the bowl. Behind them, their dad moved closer to gossip about a missing cart and the people who had been left stranded in the forest. Eric stood up when Clark moved back over to the stove.

“Oh, Seren, I think you got it.” Clark hissed and took the frosting from them and handed it to Eric and continued on about what happened to the survivors. Seren stood staring at their empty hands in confusion. They looked back annoyed at the two completely engrossed in their gossip. Seren crossed their arms as Clark put the used apple remnants in the sink.

“I got it!” Seren announced, collecting the scraps and running out the back to toss the apple scraps in the compost bin. They tossed the cheesecloth in the incinerator and ran back inside.

“Wash your hands,” Eric said once they were back in the kitchen. Now leaning against the counter with Seren’s dad. “I don’t believe it.”

“It’s true! Absolutely insane, but true.” Clark insisted, Seren jumped up to the sink and started washing their hands. The kitchen bloomed with the smell of chocolate.

“How do you not know your husband is offing people in his spare time?” Eric scoffed. “For fifty years? No, I’m not buying it.”

“I didn’t either but you know it couldn’t have been a happy marriage if she knew that little.” Clark shook his head.

“How long until the cake’s ready?” Seren knelt down in front of the oven and watched the window at the cake tray.

“Hourish.” Clark said, “Cider’s bubbling too, a good time to practice that math.”

“Nah, I’m good.” Seren said, without diverting their attention from the oven.

“I never knew you were into horror.” Eric said, shaking his head. “I thought you’d stay away from that.”

“What are you kidding? You can’t look away!” Clark laughed. “Especially the really crazy stuff. The cult ones are always insane.”

“I’m more interested in unusual circumstances.” Eric shrugged. “Is that all you do?”

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“I sketch a bit, but I can also appreciate a good mystery.” Clark said, then gestured to the oven. “Bake. You?”

“I do love a good puzzle, it’s the challenge.” Eric said and Clark grinned.

“Right?!” He agreed, “I hate being told I can’t do something.”

“Explains where they get it,” Eric said under his breath. Clark frowned then looked down at Seren and glared back at Eric.

“Shut up.” He said and shook his head.

“Call it a weird question, but tell me. What career plan were you on prior to…” Eric gestured vaguely. Clark’s face fell and he looked down at Seren, who suddenly was staring up in interest.

“I didn’t have any plans but I was referenced for modeling and did a few gigs for some small clothing shops before I met Seren’s mother.” Clark said slowly.

“What? Really?” Seren asked in disbelief. Falling back to sit cross-legged on the floor.

“Yeah,” he said.

“Why’d you stop?” Seren asked, their dad sighed.

“Well. It’s hard to model when you can’t stand upright for long periods of time.” Clark smiled though the pain was still visible on his face. Seren’s smile faded from their face.

“Sorry…” They said, hanging their head.

“No worries kid,” Clark said. “Hey, why don’t you go help Mrs. Houper with putting up the decorations? I’ll call you when the cake comes out or it’s time to add more to the cider.”

“Kay!” Seren jumped up and ran out of the kitchen and into the sitting room where Mrs. Houper hummed and picked through the decorations.

“Oh, hello Seren!” Mrs. Houper said joyfully. “I thought you were helping your dad?”

“Gotta wait for the cake to bake and the cider to bubble, so he sent me to come help you.” Seren said, locking their hands behind their back and rocking back and forth on their heels.

“That’s wonderful, it smells absolutely amazing from here.” Mrs. Houper said, “shall we hang up the lights?”

“Yes please!” Seren said excitedly. They bounced over and helped Mrs. Houper with the lights and decorations.

Eric peeked out from the kitchen to see if Seren was distracted, then returned to the kitchen.

“Everything okay?” Clark asked, watching him curiously.

“I don’t want Serenity to hear,” Eric said quietly. “But we do need to have a word.” Clark stopped leaning on the counter and stood up straight in alarm.

“Is this about the boy?” Clark whispered.

“No,” Eric said, waving his hand dismissively. “I’ve dealt with that.”

“What do you mean you ‘dealt’ with it?” Clark whispered only in further alarm.

“Focus.” Eric snapped. “My family gave me a letter this morning. Afternoon. Today.”

“Oh, gods. Don’t tell me it’s an eviction.” Clark sighed. Eric stared at Clark in confusion.

“The hell are you talking about? I own this house..” Eric asked. “No, it was the invitation.” Clark stared blankly at him for a few before alarm lit up his face.

“THE invitation? The Yule-”

“That one.” Eric agreed. Clark looked to the doorway and stepped closer.

“You can’t take Seren to that. They’re fae-touched. It’ll be a disaster!” Clark whispered. Eric shook his head.

“It has their name on it. It’s already been sent in, if you think it’s a disaster to go, think of the repercussions of refusing.” Eric said, “This isn’t a matter of if we go. It’s how.” Clark covered his face and sighed.

“When is it?” He asked finally through his palms.

“Two days,” Eric said. “It’s going to be a lot of work to get them up to speed but I think it’s possible.”

“There’s no way to get out of it?” Clark asked.

“No, and honestly I think it’ll be good for them.” Eric said, “I think it’ll be a good experience for them. You can’t shield them from the way people think forever. Eventually they’ll have to learn how to cope on their own.” Clark fell heavily against the counter and looked at the ground. Eric narrowed his eyes.

“What?” He asked suspiciously, “What aren’t you telling me?”

“It’s.” Clark hesitated, “nothing. I just don’t think it’s a good idea. Seren’s never been away for the holidays.”

“No. That’s not it. There’s something you aren’t telling me.” Eric stood up, watching Clark’s face. “What are you hiding?”

“I told you, it’s nothing.” Clark said and brushed past him. “SEREN! Cider’s ready for stirring!” Eric glared at the back of Clark’s head as Seren came bounding back into the kitchen at full speed.

“Yay!” They yelled and hopped up onto the counter to look into the pot. Then they frowned. “Are you sure? It still looks pretty watery to me.”

“It’s fine.” Clark said curtly. Handing Seren a stirring spoon, they stared at their dad then at Eric. Feeling they had missed something. Eric scoffed and stormed out of the kitchen.

“What’s happening?” Seren asked meekly.

“Nothing, we just had a little disagreement about holiday traditions.” Clark said, “let’s not worry about it and just make this the best cider we’ve ever made.”

“Yeah!” Seren said and started stirring the cider. “We should add… cinnamon! And… uhm. Oh! What about a little of some other kind of fruit?”

“Whatever you want.” Clark said, not bothering to stare at the stock pot. All his focus was on Seren.