#rhysocks

Shaking his head he pushed up to a sitting position. He wasn’t a killer, hell he couldn’t even stand the sight of blood. A heavy sigh left him, grabbing his ECHO comm and checking any messages that had come in during his sleep. Mostly check ins about projects, some of his underlings giving updates. 

When that was done he moved to the kitchen, smiling to find Angel already there. “Waiting for me, sweetheart?” 

She nodded, her curls (so much like her mothers…) bounced as she did so. “Can we have pancakes today?” 

“Of course,” there was a smile, patting her on the head as he leaned in to kiss her forehead. 

Jack’s eyes searched hers as he pulled back, frowning at the apprehension there. “Dad—” when he didn’t interrupt her, she sighed, wringing her hands. “Do I have to go into the angel core today?” 

So that was what was on her mind. He pushed her hair back, pulling her in close and kissing the top of her head, resting his chin there. “No, just—” he couldn’t let her leave the apartment, not after what happened. Someone could hurt her, and he couldn’t lose her. Not like he’d lost her mother. “Just don’t leave here, alright?” 

He pulled back, eyes on hers, smiling when she nodded. “Yes, Dad.” 

“That’s my girl.” He took her face in his hands, brushing his thumb over her jaw. “I gotta go deal with Tassiter after breakfast, and check on the Eye of Helios. I want you to be good and check in with me alright?” 

I only want wants best for you. 

The words rang unsaid, but they didn’t need to be said, he’d said them enough. Truthfully, he knew she could kill him just like she had her mother, even though he knew that she didn’t mean it. 

That she missed her as much as he did. 

It was why he kept her in the core, not just because her powers could reach out and find vaults, but because in the core she was safe. No one could hurt her, and she couldn’t hurt them. 

Pushing the thoughts from his mind he moved to prepare breakfast for them, adding a few fruits Angel liked to hers. Once done eating, he headed out to make sure reports were sent out to Tassiter. He grit his teeth as the image of Hyperion’s CEO was pulled up on his screen. 

“John—”

“It’s Jack.” 

“Whatever,” he couldn’t help the scowl at that. He was the damned head of programming. Yet Tassiter loved to remind him of just how little he thought of the man from Pandora. “The board—” oh now that had his attention, sitting up straight. “Wanted me to let you know they’ve—ugh—recognized your efforts on Helios. That you will be receiving a bonus for your work.” 

“Thank you sir.” The scowl was completely worth it as the call ended, though once Tassiter was gone from his screen he fell back in his seat, eyes closing as his head faced the ceiling. 

He was going to show that bastard one of these days. He was going to be a goddamn hero like he’d promised Angel. Was going to reform Pandora, and turn Hyperion into the great company it could be.