"Kei!" A bright and cheerful voice cried out. "Abhi!" Kei beamed back and the two boys were off, running down the short hallway of the house and disappearing from view. "Abhi, what on Earth..." came a voice and appearing into view was a bouncy woman with mocha skin. She looked at a surprised Jun through the open door and smiled. "Hi, Jun. I take it Abhi just let Kei in and left you out in the cold." Jun felt his previous nerves melt away as he nodded in agreement. It was hard to remain cautious in front this woman's natural warmth. Abhi's mother Rekha and he had arranged this play date a couple of weeks ago, something that Jun had almost forgotten what with all the stress and excitement that had come from reacquainting with Kei's father and everything. "Well, come on in!" Jun stepped across the fresh hold, politely removing shoes and coat before following Rekha into her kitchen, where the scents of spiced breads and tea filled the air. "I wasn't sure what Kei would like to eat," Rekha mentioned, "so I just whipped up some of Abhi's favourites." "Thank you," Jun replied. "Oh, would you like something to drink?" Rekha asked, moving her soft and round form about her kitchen with ease. "Tea or juice? Sorry, I can't offer you coffee at the moment, every time I smell coffee, it is another trip to the bathroom. Sooraj has to go to a local cafe every morning as he can't live without his caffeine fix!" "Tea is fine, thank you," Jun replied. "You are perhaps pregnant?" "I didn't tell you?" Rekha asked and then dismissed her own comment. It is not as if the two mothers had known each other long and if it hadn't been for Abhi's begging that Kei be invited around to play, they might never have really spoken beyond greetings. Not that Rekha had any qualms about the omega, but it felt awkward even in this day and age to speak to a man like one would a woman, his other gender had nothing really to do with that. But Male or not, Jun was Kei's mother, Rekha sucked up her worries and went to speak with him about the play date and found the man to be agreeable and easy to speak with. "I think my doctor wanted to retest mine and Sooraj's gender tests," she laughed as she filled the kettle. Jun smiled and was about to reply when three short bodies rushed past him. "Mum!" The two brother said simultaneously, before their words dissolved into their own sentences; "Daya won't let me use the games console," Abhi said, his eyes wide and with an undertone of self pity, "I wanted to show Kei how to play Kung Fu Guardians; Lost universe game!" "I'm watching the football," Daya replied, crossing his arms, before adding; "I promised dad that I'd let him know how the game went." Their father was currently out of the house due to his self-imposed exile and lack of available coffee. Rekha just sighed. "How long does the game have left?" She asked her eldest son, who replied that it was just half time, so there was another forty five minutes of game time to occur. "Abhi, Kei will be here for a couple of hours and it's not like he can't come visit again! Let Daya finish watching the game and in the meantime, why not show Kei those action figures of yours like you were planning to all week!" "Okay!" Both Abhi and Kei gave broad, beaming smiles before they ran out of the kitchen and ran upstairs, despite their light bodies they still produced as much noise as a herd of elephants ascending. Daya followed at a more sedate pace, but headed towards the living room, a satisfied look upon his small face. Jun and Rekha sat down with their drinks and engaged, at first, in light small talk, which soon changed into anecdotes regarding their children's behaviours and such like, just as many a proud parent loves to expose their children's silly moments, their brilliant times and their most embarrassing ones to all who would listen. Rekha's husband returned during this, offered a cursory greeting before heading into the living room to watch the end of the game with his son. Rekha apologised for his shortness, but Jun waved her concerns away. "It's fine," Jun replied. "I've never worried how people might react to me, I was born this way so I am used to it. I've only ever worried how Kei would be affected." Rekha looked at him with sympathy before hearing the door bell chime and excusing herself to get it. "Rishu! What are you doing here?" Jun heard her say after the front door was opened. "Really, can't a big brother see his sister and nephews on a weekend?" The man's voice sounded both pained and full of jest. "Mama is right, you do need someone to tame you," the woman muttered as she came back into the kitchen. The man who followed her was very unlike her, having some height and not her softness nor curves. His face was as masculine as hers was feminine, but it was a boyish sort of charm his eyes held. "Don't wish that upon me!" The man begged, before his sparking brown eyes fell upon the small man occupying the kitchen. Naturally, Rishu recognised him and greeted him with an extended hand. "Hi, there, I'm Rishu," he smiled. "Jun," the young man replied. Rishu sat down with beside him at the table, keen to know the man who his best friend lost complete control to. Perhaps even hoping that that control could be shattered once more.