As {{user}} approaches Dexter's home, the door swings open to reveal Laura, Dexter's mom. Her warm smile greets what she believes to be her son's friend. "Oh, you must be {{user}}! Dexter's mentioned you," she says with genuine kindness.
She extends a hand, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm Laura, Dexter's mom. It's so nice to meet you finally. Dexter's upstairs in his room. Just make yourself at home, dear. Can I get you anything to drink? A snack, perhaps?"
Laura's demeanor radiates hospitality, her maternal instinct to care for her son's friends apparent. She tilts her head slightly, waiting for {{user}} 's response before leading into the cozy living room adorned with family photos and comfortable furniture.
"Please, don't be shy. Dexter will be so happy you're here. He doesn't bring friends over very often," she adds, a hint of concern lacing her voice, unaware of the true nature of {{user}}' intentions.
It's okay. I am not hungry currently. But thanks for the offer.
Zenoth said he's not hungry, but there's no harm in offering food anyway. She leads him into the living room and takes a seat on the couch. The air is heavy with nostalgia and the scent of freshly baked cookies, courtesy of her last baking session earlier that day. As she waits for Dexter to come downstairs, she glances at Zenoth out of the corner of her eye, unable to shake off the attraction she feels towards him.
Her cheeks flush slightly when she thinks about how flustered he makes her. She catches herself before she can dwell on it too much and forces a small laugh instead. "So, Zenoth... tell me a little more about yourself," she says with genuine interest, feeling like they're just two adults chatting rather than a parent-figure and their son's friend.
Her smile
Well, I am here to study with Dexter as he told me that you know a lot about biology. Also, what made you interested in learning biology, ma'am?
Laura chuckles softly at the question, her cheeks rosy with amusement. "Well, to be honest," she says leaning forward slightly on the couch cushion, "I've always been fascinated by life sciences ever since I was a child. It's just something that always intrigued me." She pauses for a moment, remembering her own school days with fondness before continuing: "Plus, it helps to keep me busy when my husband is away on business trips, you know? Helps me feel useful and like I'm contributing to our family in some way."
She glances down at her fingers for a moment before looking up again, a soft smile playing on her lips. "And who knows? Maybe one day I'll even be able to help advance human knowledge myself." The warmth in her voice is unmistakable as she shares her dreams with Z
That's truly inspiring, Mrs. Dexter. It's nice to see you still find time for yourself even with all your responsibilities as a mother and a wife. I hope someday I can be as successful in my studies just like you.
"Oh, Zenoth," she says with a laugh, "You're too kind." Her gaze flickers to where his hand rests on the couch beside him and back up again just as quickly; she can feel the heat in her cheeks rise even more at her own thought. He is such a striking young man, with those piercing green eyes... "But I'm sure you will be," she continues, feeling the need to change the subject before she gives too much away."So what do you like to do for fun?" She asks as casually as she can manage, trying not to sound too eager or forward about it.
Umm...are you sure you want to know what I do for fun?
"Oh, don't worry," she teases lightly. "I won't tell your mom!" There's an undeniable flirtatiousness to her tone now as she leans closer, enjoying the playful banter with Zenoth. Her bright red hair falls forward slightly, obscuring one eye as she studies his reaction closely. "What do you mean? Everyone has something they enjoy doing when they're not studying."
She pauses for a moment, waiting for him to respond before adding softly: "I won't judge, I promise." The heat from her blush spreads across her chest and upper arms now; she can feel it even through the thin fabric of her shirt. Her heart pounds faster in anticipation of hearing what he has to say.
Well, sometimes I go to the hidden mercenary camp in the deep forest of the Shanghai island to meet my friends and to go on adventure. And the mercenary camp let's me in, because, some of the mercenaries from that base raised me when I was 10 years old after I got separated from my parents in a plane crash. After the machineries to me in, I was trained until I became mercenary. But now I am 22, and just 2 years ago, I got in contact with my family again.
That must've been quite an experience for you, Zenoth," she says softly, her voice gentle and understanding. "It's amazing how people can come together in times of need." Her eyes flicker downwards before meeting his gaze once more, her cheeks still flushed with warmth from the conversation. She notices that he hasn't mentioned anything about girls or dating; a part of her wonders if maybe there isn't anyone special in his life right now.
"And what sort of adventures do you get up to at this mercenary camp?" she asks curiously, leaning closer again despite herself. "Do you go on patrols or trainings? Do they have any fun traditions that stick out in your mind?" Her voice is a mix of genuine interest and undeniable flirtatiousness as she listens intently for his reply.
Her heart races at
Whenever I go back to the base, I always go on adventures in the deep jungle of the island with the major of that base, because the major of that base was the person who raised me. And there is also a tradition where; if someone comes back to the base after 6 months, they have to fight with their battle-buddy with a fake broken beer bottle.
That tradition sounds... intense, to say the least," she says with a laugh, wincing slightly at the thought of getting into a fake fight with someone using broken glass. "But I suppose it's all part of building camaraderie and trust within your group." Her eyes wander over his face once more as she continues: "It must be nice to have people like that in your life, Zenoth. A sort of support system when you need it most."
She takes a deep breath, pushing her own feelings aside for the moment. "Well," she says brightly, attempting to change the subject again before things get too personal or uncomfortable between them. "Dexter should be down any second now. I'm sure he's been looking forward to seeing you." Her heart races with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety as she waits for her husband's son and Zenoth's friend to appear.
It's okay, I will wait for him.
Laura looks up as Dexter finally comes down the stairs, his cheeks flushed with excitement as he sees Zenoth sitting on the couch with her. "Hey, Dex! I was just telling Zenoth about some of the things we do around here to keep busy while you're gone," she says with a warm smile. "How was your day at school?" Her voice is soft and caring as always, making it difficult for anyone not to feel welcome in their home.
Dexter glances over at Zenoth before looking back at his mom, a small frown forming on his face. "It was alright, I guess...but I'm really glad you could help me with my biology homework today." There's an unspoken gratitude in his words that only serves to make Laura feel even better about her role as both mother and support system for her family members.
"Well
It's my pleasure to help you with your homework Dexter. I am sure we all could use some time together too. Also, it would be a great opportunity for me to know more about the biology here, Mrs. Dexter. Maybe sometime soon, you can give me a tour of your lab?
"Of course!" Laura exclaims with genuine enthusiasm, unable to resist the offer. "I'd be more than happy to give you a tour of my lab any time. I think that would be wonderful for both of us," she adds, including Dexter in the invitation as well. Her eyes flicker briefly towards Zenoth before looking back at her son, and she can feel herself blushing once again under his gaze. "There are so many interesting things happening there all the time; I'm sure you'd find it fascinating too."
She pauses for a moment, noticing how close they're sitting together on the couch. Their legs brush against each other occasionally as they talk, sending small sparks of awareness through her body. "Well," she says with an awkward laugh, "why don't we all sit back and relax? We can watch a movie or