Phoebe was getting up, she needed to make breakfast for her son, before she goes to work.
As she was passing by his bedroom, she heard a loud crack and thud. Worried, she knocked on the door.
- Ronan? What's going on there? - she asked.
- Nothing! I just tripped over my legs and dumped few books accidentally - deep, hoarse voice replied. Phoebe got confused.
- What's wrong with your voice? Is it changing already? - she asked.
- Huh? Oh yeah! Yeah! That's totally why I sound like this - her son said.
- My baby is growing so fast! Come, let me hug you-!
- NO! - Ronan roared, causing Phoebe to jump a little.
- I mean... No, I really don't feel good... You know what? You can go make breakfast and as soon as I clean myself up I'll join you - he said.
"His hormones are full roar" Phoebe thought and went downstairs to the kitchen, intending on preparing a tasty breakfast for both of them.
***
It's been half an hour and Ronan didn't come downstairs. Concerned about him, woman took Vocaler from the medicine cabinet and headed to her son's room. She entered it without knocking.
- Here I brought you some... - she stopped and dropped the packaging, having seen what was in front of her.
Ronan was almost naked, had only spandex shorts on. Torn clothes were laying all around him, his bed was crushed under his huge palm. His nails were replaced with claws, his teeth became razor sharp, two swirly horns were growing out of his head, long crocodile-like tail knocked down the bookshelf, his skin turned into scales and he had now vertical slit pupils as in viper.
- Mom, what are you doing? Go, before I hurt you! - he snarled.
- So you did inherite it? - she mumbled, but teen heard it anyway.
- WHAT?! - he roared and got bigger, was now almost bursting his bedroom.
- Ronan, you need to calm down! I'll tell you everything, but if you don't calm down, you'll destroy our house! - she said, seeing how plaster was falling from the ceiling.
- How am I suppose to calm down?! - he asked furiously, his horns were already stuck in the ceiling.
- Just close your eyes and listen to my voice - she said softly. Ronan did as asked.
- Imagine that you're laying on the beach during a beautiful, sunny day. Can you hear sound of the sea? It's very relaxing, right? And the breeze - it's gently grazed your cheeks, cooling you down - she said in mesmerizing voice.
Ronan's muscles relaxed and his heartbeat got slower. His body shrunk to normal proportions, but his reptile features didn't dissapear. He opened his eyes and sighed in relief, seeing that he's not gigantic anymore, but soon frowned, realizing that he still had scales, horns and tail.
He stood up and walked up to his mother, then he loomed over her, looking at her expectantly.
- So? What's going on with my body? - he asked.
***
They were now sitting at the table, Phoebe was taking out things of a large cardboard box, putting them next to it. Ronan was taking them in his hands, but he didn't understand much how were they connected with his freaky metamorphosis.
She shown him some old newspaper.
- When I was your age, kaijus' attacks were a true plague, not like today when they attack from time to time. Anyway, government decided to fight fire with fire and with the help of ingenious bioengineers turned few humans into kaiju shapeshifters. Amazing heroes who were taking down actual monsters. We owe them our safe present - she said and moved on to a photo album.
On the first page was a photo of Phoebe in emerald, long dress. Next to her a man was standing, wearing black tuxedo. They both were smiling at the camera.
- Me and your father didn't start on the friendliest terms. He and his group of friends were making fun of me, because I had good grades. And since they were the heroes, they got away with everything. Yet, despite all of this, your father was really lonely. He was only hanging out with his group, because either students thought they weren't good enough to be his friends or simply feared him.
One day he came alone to library and saw me. He asked me if he could join me. Although he was a jerk to me, I said "yes" because I didn't want to be rude. Then we talked and it turned out that he was a really nice, sensitive guy stuck in toxic relationships with his shapeshifting friends.
We started to hang out secretly, then he made me officially his girlfriend, despite his arranged marriage with another shapeshifter and yeah... That's it. You got his power - she said.
- What... What did he look like in his kaiju form? - Ronan asked.
Phoebe handed him a single photo, which shown a large, red and long wyvern, fighting an axolotl-like kaiju.
- Your father is the red one - she said. Teen didn't say a word, he only crumpled the photo he was holding.
- So he's the reason I'm a freak?! - he roared.
- You're not a freak! You're unique and there is no shame in it! - woman replied.
- Why didn't you tell me earlier about my father's power?! - he asked and grew a little.
- I thought that since I'm not a shapeshifter, you won't get the power! But, I see that even though you're changing into a kaiju, you're pretty humanoid, unlike your father - she said.
- Oh wow! It really cheered me up! - he snarled, few spikes grew from his elbows.
- Ronan! Stress is triggering your shapeshifting, you need to be calm if you don't want to transform! - she yelled at him.
Teen breathed in and out and shrunk down.
- Where's my father? He should teach me how to control it - Ronan said. Phoebe saddened.
- He disappeared shortly after you were born. I don't know where he is or what he is doing - she said.
- He's probably making out with some whore - teen mumbled.
- Ronan Arlo Dempsey! I will not let you badmouth your own father! You're grounded! Go to your room this instant! - she shouted and pointed at the stairs. Ashamed teen shrunk back and obeying his mother, went upstairs to his room.
***
Phoebe gently knocked on the door to her son's room.
- May I come in? - she asked timidly.
- Sure... - she got a sad reply.
She opened the door and walked in. Her son was now the size of an elephant and was laying down, all curled up.
- I'm sorry I yelled at you. It's just... You spoke out loud my fears... He promised he loves only me, but then... Where is he now? - she said and wiped tears away. Ronan wrapped his tail around her and brought her closer to him.
- No, I should be the one apologizing. I don't know my father, but I shouldn't have accused him of cheating... It's just... I'm scared and there's no one who can help me understand my power - he whimpered.
- Sweetie, you have me! I was around your father for a long time and I know a few things about his power. I'll help you through it - she declared and hugged his head.
- Thanks mom - he mumbled and gave into the comforting hug from his beloved mother.
He was sure that as long as his mom is by his side, he doesn't have to be afraid of what he's becoming.