Lucas scanned his surroundings. All was peaceful and quiet, but then again it was the middle of the night. He felt really silly now. How impulsively had he behaved! After his argument with his stepfather, he simply took out the phone and called for a scram-jet, to take him to Cornwall. He told them it was a personal business. He haven't thought this through though. He haven't even phoned, to tell he's coming. Only now, he'd realized how silly he'd been. He let out a deep sigh. What's done is done, and there was no point in crying over spilt milk. He had to carry it through. He had no option. He couldn't call the jet back, so shortly, and besides he didn't really feel like coming back home. The sole thought made him shudder. He therefore headed onwards, and soon he saw two-story building made of gray stone. He turned into the yard. There were lights in the windows, indicating that the occupants are not yet asleep. Just like he'd expected. Taking a deep breath he knocked on the door. After a relatively short while, it opened and a tall, flaxen-haired man appeared. Damian Herondale, his biological father. The man's green eyes winded a little, at the sight of the young Casterwill on his doorstep.

"Lucas?" he asked surprised

"Hey dad" smiled the caramel-haired man sheepishly "listen I do know, it's rather unexpected but...you did say I have an open invitation..."

Damian nodded

"Sure" he said stepping aside "come in"

As he stepped over the threshold, Lucas noted that the surprise on his father's face, mixed now with concern. Undoubtedly the man had many questions, but he didn't put them forward. Damian just closed the door and turned to his son.

"Let's go to the living room" he said at length "I'll make you some tea. It's rather chilly outside, and you probably need some refreshment after your journey"

The caramel-haired man said nothing, following his father into the living room. The older man left him on the sofa, and went straight into the kitchen annex, returning few moments later with steaming cup of tea, and gave it to his son.

"So" he asked sitting down "what brings you here? I don't want it to sound bad or anything, but it's not like you to make such impulsive decisions and not inform beforehand that you'll be coming. And in the middle of the night none the less. So, what's wrong?"

Lucas said nothing at first, starting at the tea. He felt even more stupid than before, and it wasn't helping that the topic itself wasn't very pleasant for him. He knew however that he has to tell. He had to get this out of his system, or he'd go mad. He needed to talk to his father, he needed support. And he had to account for his strange behaviour as well. He took a shuddering breath, steadying himself.

"Dad" he started quietly "do you think it's my fault that mother died?"

There was a brief pause, and then a deep sigh.

"Your stepfather had been putting these ridiculous ideas into your head, hadn't he?" it wasn't even a question.

"How do you know?" asked the Casterwill looking at his parent. The man sighed again.

"Well, after years of not showing tiniest sign of being alive, this guy appears out of nowhere" he said "and few weeks later you arrive at my door asking me strange questions. It's a bit too much to be a mare coincidence"

Lucas let out a sigh. Come to think about it, it was rather obvious indeed.

"We had a talk" he said at length "during dinner Sophie had asked me something, but I wasn't paying much attention so I haven't heard her. Afterwards stepfather took me to the side room to talk to me. About my behaviour"

With that he described everything that has passed between him and his stepfather. Damian furrowed his brow, and the aura in the room became heavier. It was clear that the vampire is not happy with what he's hearing. He calmed himself down however.

"Lucas" he said after a while, his voice gentle "look at me, please"

The young elder of the House of Nobles raised his head. His eyes were glistening with unshed

tears.

"It wasn't your fault" said his father "you were just ten years old then. And that argument about your race makes no sense. Even a vampire wouldn't be able to save everyone, and would be in deadly danger. Fire is one of the few things that can kill us. The fact that Santiago, had found Sophie was just a fluke" he paused "and besides your stepfather isn't the one to talk. He'd survived, as well hadn't he? Why hasn't he done anything? He was an adult and could've easily called for a titan or cast a chilling spell on himself. Or if not, he could've called for firemen. But he didn't. Instead he decided to flee, and leave everyone to their deaths. Including a little child. He had never cared about anyone in his household accept your sister. I can assure you, he does not feel bad about any of those deaths"

"He'd also said that I should've died there" whispered Lucas lowering his gaze again, in order to gain control over his emotions. It was difficult to stay calm when his father looked at him with such warmth "that it would've been better for everyone if I had. And maybe he does..."

"No" interrupted him Damian firmly "don't you even dare to think like this. Don't invite such ideas. No one would be better. They would be worse. It wouldn't make anyone happier. Son" he said turning the younger man's face, so he would be looking into his eyes "if you had died there, nothing would be better, only worse. Dellix and Lane wouldn't have a leader. Sophie wouldn't have a brother, and the family an elder. Your mother wouldn't be happier. I do know she's gone, but I'm sure she wouldn't be happy if you'd died there with her. And if she would have made it alive instead of you, she would have been a broken woman. She'd loved you. She still loves you. Wherever she is, she loves you, and she's proud of you. Same as I am. You mean a world to me Lucas. It's only because of you that I'm here, that I've woken from my hibernation."

Hearing this was all too much for Lucas. The tears that had gathered in his eyes, fell down his cheeks. He threw his arms around his father. The vampire froze in shock. Although tenderness, such as hugs, embraces, kisses on the temples and brows were normal between children and parents in the world of immortals, he he had not expected Lucas to act this way. The young man had been, raised in a human and rather reserved family. And his past had not been overwhelmingly encouraging when it came to oneness and affections. He'd gotten hold of himself however and pulled his son closer. After a longer while, he pulled apart, but only on arm's length.

"Both me and your mother, love you" he said softly "more than anything, more than life itself. Don't you ever forget it"

Lucas nodded. He knew that his demons weren't completely exorcised, that his nightmares will probably haunt him. That from time to time, he will still wonder, but he felt a lot better. He knew his father loved him unconditionally. Just like a parent should. That he understood and supported him. A small smile appeared on his face.

"Thanks dad" he muttered.

FLUFF. Because I need family fluff, and because Hobbit fandom isn't inclined to give it to me.

Originally this fic was going to end with Damian inviting Lucas over to live with him, but I think cutting it short here gives it more meaning or at least is sweeter and fluffier.

And I'm still not over Hobbit. Nope. I still need caring Thranduil, and injured/angsty Legolas, and lots of elvish inputs. Sindarin is just such a lovely language. I just find words like Ada, Nana/Naneth and Ion-nin/iell-nin, so beautiful and charming that I simply can't help but grin when I see them. Tolkien's linguistic skills and imagitnation are gift from God.