Chapter Text
“Kevin’s dad? Sir?” Pausing in making the lot of them up dinner, Devin turned a smile on Gwen as she came into the kitchen. The way she spared hardly a glance to his tail and claws was more than good to see. She and her cousin’s reaction to finding out he and the other children weren’t human- or at least not entirely, in their cases- was less than preferable, but at least they adjusted quickly.
“Yes? Is everything alright?”
“Yeah,” she said, crossing the room to stand by him, “I was just wondering when Grandpa would be back.” Oh. Well, it had been a few hours. He’d assumed Max would’ve told the children what was going on before he left, but then they’d been shocked to learn hybrids were possible so apparently nobody in that family told anyone anything.
“I don’t know,” he said, honestly. “He’s gone to tell your parents what’s been going on this summer.” At least he better have been. The more insight into the situation he got the less Devin liked it and the more willing he was to just point Eva at the man and let her do as she would. Sometimes you married to help with childcare, sometimes you married for good blood and a willingness to cave in someone’s skull if need be.
“But,” Gwen said, face twisting in confusion, “he said we can’t tell them. They’d worry, and aliens are supposed to be a secret.” Resisting the urge to call his youngest mate, Devin kept his calm and settled into to sit on the floor, motioning Gwen to join him.
“Speaking as a parent,” he explained once she was settled, “we’re supposed to worry. It’s sorta our job. Our duty to you kids is to protect, teach, and support you, and worrying is just a natural part of that. Not knowing things like this doesn’t stop them from doing it, all it means is that they can’t give you the help and support you need. The fact your grandpa wanted you to keep something like the Omnitrix and your adventures a secret? Is beyond rude to your parents, and to you kids.” Gwen fidgeted.
“But then they’d find out about the aliens,” she reasoned, and Devin’s heart fucking ached. It wasn’t his place to say anything, it really wasn’t but- Who did this shit? Steeling himself, he placed a supportive hand on Gwen’s shoulder.
“I can’t speak for you or Ben’s mothers, but your dad and uncle know about aliens,” he told her, aching harder at the look of confusion and hurt that came over her face. “They grew up knowing about aliens.” It was tempting to say everything, to tell her about her grandmother, but no. No, that was going too far, and she was already visibly hurt. Maybe someday, but not right now.
“So, Grandpa just, lied to us.” Fuck, it broke his heart the look on her face, tight from hurt and anger.
“I’m sure he had his reasons.” He pulled her into a hug, giving a comforting croon when she hugged him back, face buried in his shirt. “He loves you and Ben, he really does, but he’s always been very bad about keeping secrets.” It was an understatement, and left out the sheer ego and savior complex involved in the whole mess, but it was as much if not more than a chick needed to hear. Especially a human-raised chick, where they had so few parents to work with already.
“Ben’s gonna be so upset,” she muttered, and Devin squeezed her tighter.
“You’re upset,” he made sure to remind her. Humans were, he’d noticed, weird about shit, and he wasn’t having her brush her own pain off. “And you have every right to be. I don’t trust your Grandpa right now-”
“Because of the secrets?”
“And because he let Ben run into fights alone, which isn’t something an adult is supposed to do. You’re kids, you shouldn’t have to worry about things like that.” Devin heaved a sigh. “I don’t trust him right now, so when he tells your parents about everything they’re going to come get you. What happens then is up to them. But,” he pulled back slightly, smiling down at her, “we’re only about an hour drive out from Bellwood, and I wholly intend to give your parents my number. So if you or Ben ever wants to come out for a visit- hang out with the other kids, practice with the Omnitrix, learn about different species- all you have to do is call ahead. You're welcome here, no matter what. Okay?”
“Okay.” Gwen took a steadying breath. “Thanks, Mr Kevin’s Dad.” He chuckled, climbing to his feet, helping her up as he went.
“Most people call me ‘Mr Levin’,” he said. She nodded.
“Thanks, Mr Levin.”
“You’re welcome. Any other questions?” For a long moment Gwen considered the question, and Devin let her do so in peace. Finally, she came to a decision.
“A lot, yeah.” With a snort, Devin patted a clear spot safely out of the way on the counter.
“Well then, sit down and ask away. I’m just making us some dinner.”
“Ooo,” Gwen craned to see as she climbed up, “what are you making?”
“Just some fried bread, with chicken and cheese, sorta an Earth-take on an Ossy recipe…”
As he went into his best explanation of the dish, then what Ossys were, how long he’d been on Earth, how long he’d known Max, truly this child was destined to get along with some of the boys, Devin kept an ear out for any arriving parents. The Tennysons were good people, Max was a good person, they’d show up eventually. He was giving them a week before he claimed their children as his own. Maybe went and grabbed the one that was left too.
He was giving them two days before he had Mike shipped back home and made introductions.
See how long it took the kids to figure the whole Anodite thing out on their own from there.