Obsidian Hearts: I

Thirty Six: All's Fair In Love And War

— Daddy Kane

I yanked at the chain wrapped around my hand tugging my wife along as she sagged behind.

"I'm sorry I didn't come and see you first son. I had some things I needed to take care of before I made my reappearance back into society. I'm sure you understand."

"I figured." He told me, grabbing his mother by her feet just as I caught her by her arms. "Did you get everything all figured out?"

"I did. Even found your uncle." I grunted, tossing Gaia into the trunk of my truck as she tried yelling through the duck tape I secured around her mouth.

"Really, where was he?"

We slammed the tailgate closed, and I leaned against it. "Surprisingly some Russian had him locked in one of their warehouses. Yea they fucked him up real good. Apparently they were going to use him as bait to lure you out— don't worry about it though, I killed all of those fuckers."

"Grigoriy Sidorov?"

"I think so." I tried to recall. "What'd you do to the guy, he was pretty pissed. Said some not so friendly things before I sliced his tongue out."

Paris shrugged, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lighting one. "He tried to screw me so I took half of everything he owned which wasn't much to begin with."

I looked at my son. He was definitely growing up, I felt proud. He was becoming the man he always wanted to be despite my wishes of a different career path for him. At first I thought I failed as a father but that's only because my old man failed me. Paris may be a little fucked but he was different.

He's better than most of us and for that I am proud. He'll make a great leader.

I wouldn't be a father if I didn't point out his wrong doings though. "You should have watched out for your uncle Paris. He may be a small dick grimey little fucker, but he's still family. They could have killed him."

"He'd live."

I chuckled, plucking the cigarette from his fingers and putting it between my lips. "You're right, but still. You don't leave your family son. Remember that."

I hopped into my truck, turning the key in the ignition. It took a few tries before it actually started up but soon enough she was purring beautifully. "There we go baby, daddy knew you had a little bit left to give."

I buckled up because safety first. I couldn't take my head flying through the windshield a second time. One lesson was enough. "Do me a favor and watch Ruddy for me. Don't kill him Paris, he may cry but that just means he's hungry."

"Since when have you taken a liking to that thing?"

I take a few pulls from the cigarette before ashing it in the tray. "Those eyes will get ya, stare at him long enough and you'll understand." He didn't look convinced and I actually wanted to be sure the kid was going to be okay. "Look just think of it as practice for when you and little miss in there decide to have one of your own."

"I'm not having any kids." Paris grumbled. "Where are you taking mom?" He asked, changing the subject.

Just like me when it came to avoiding touchy topics.

"We're going on a little vacation. It'll be a while before we return but I'll let you know if anything comes up." I salute, ready to leave the scene but the look on his face stops me. Putting the truck back in park I leaned out the window. "What's the matter?"

Hesitation was clear as day on his face but he cracked eventually. "I have a question."

"I have an answer."

He stepped closer to the truck as if trying to keep others from hearing our conversation. "How do you know if you love someone?"

Oh.

Oohhhh!

My lips slowly lifted into a little smirk and I jabbed him in the shoulder. "About time. I was starting to think you were entirely soulless, that maybe Gaia fucked the devil instead of me." I laughed.

Already tired of my antics my son huffs, turning to leave before I can even answer the question. I yell after him. "Paris! Come back, I'm just joking!"

Well, not really.

His steps halt but he doesn't turn to face me. I sigh, wondering where he gets that dull personality from. Couldn't be me or his mother— we're very outgoing people.

"Look, love is a very special thing. When you're in love with someone, you'll start to develop strong compassion for them. I know you probably don't know what that means but—."

"I know what compassion means." He tells me, turning around and being a smart ass.

I grab the ashtray from the car and throw it at him. "Not the textbook version of compassion idiot. I'm not talking about that shit you read online because you can't understand normal human behavior. Paris, compassion literally means to suffer together.

If you can't do that then forget about it. Love is when you can't stop thinking about the person. When you prioritize spending time with them. You feel safe. You're most affectionate with that person. You'll feel like you're on top of the fucking world!"

I can tell from the unbelieving look on his face that he must think I'm crazy. I get real passionate when it comes to love. What can I say, I'm a sucker for it.

"Would you do anything to be with Sable?"

He nods.

"Would you go to the ends of the earth if you had to in order to save that girl? Is there no limit to what's necessary to achieve your ends?"

"I'd do anything for her, I have no limits."

Then he had his answer. "All's fair in love and war son."

People in love and war are not held captive by rules of fair play, and they do not obey the rules of reasonable behavior. Anything goes. Whatever you do is worth it in order to win, either your love or your battle.

"That is how you know you're in love." I told him taking princess out of park. "Do your best to keep that girl around. She's honestly something son, which is good because with a name like Sable," I snickered. "lord knows I thought you fucked around and got you an ugly one."

I shook my head backing out of the driveway. Something hits my truck and I jerk forward. "Shit." Looking in the rearview mirror I spot the ugly green fucker. "Get that stupid ass trashcan out of my way, it's fucking up my truck!"