Rory sighed as he stretched out on his bed. As he opened his eyes, he realized that it was still dark out. His eyes lazily flicked over to the blue numbers floating on his alarm clock. 3:15 in the morning. So his father should still be home.
Rory was home from college for winter break. He loved any time he got to spend with his father. Since he had grown up without a mother, his father had acted as both parents. Rory rolled out of bed and fixed his boxers as he shuffled out of his room. The house was chilly, his father hadn't remembered to adjust the heat. So used to living alone, his father was. So used to an empty house.
His heart ached as he pulled in a sweater, thinking about all the time his father spent alone. How he buried himself in his work. It surely only got worse when his only son left for college at U of M, hours and hours south of their home.
Rory dragged his feet as he made his sleepy way down the stairs. He'd never had many friends in high school. He'd had the only friend he'd ever needed right at home. Being separated from his father was torture. But he was finally getting his footing socially. He went with his classmates to every football game. Attended late night parties. He was branching out. But his heart strings always tugged back his memories. His life waiting idle back home.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee encased him as he entered the kitchen, affirming that his father hadn't left for work yet. Rory sank down into one of the comfy chairs at the table, his eyes half open.
State Trooper Patrick Kramer smiled affectionately at his son. He missed his boy almost too much these days. He poured a cup of coffee for his not-so-little-anymore boy and placed it on the table. He couldn't resist cupping the side of his son's head in his big palm. When Rory leaned into the touch, he slowly wound his fingers into the messy blond hair and placed a kiss on the top of his head.
Ever used to the affection, Rory circled his arms around Patrick's waist. He always loved the smell of the pressed, clean trooper uniform and leather tool belt holding his gun and other things. Rory felt the rumbling timbre of his father's voice as the older man spoke.
"Thank you for getting your butt out of bed to see me off. Just like when you were little."
Rory smiled up at his father, content to just hold him for a moment and enjoy the gentle caress on his head. "You're not the only one doing the missing, dad. It's hard to be away from home."
"Tell me you're at least enjoying it. College life can't be all bad." He gave a playful tug on his son's hair, knowing full well that Rory adored his school and his new friends.