"You want us to what?"

In all his life, Khalon had never felt this angry or protective before. The heat, the eternal fire raging in his body... It was aimed at one person. His father-in-law. 

"You want to raise Buster?" the venom in his tone was sharp. Enraged at what he was suggesting. 

If Shin Mao was fazed, he didn't show it. Instead, it seemed like he was taking pleasure as he repeated, "I want to teach him to be a legendary hero, like myself." 

"Excuse me? Have you forgotten that he's half-dragon?" Minori was not pleased as well. Hybrids had to learn about both sides, otherwise it could lead to disaster. She had done her research about raising hybrids, thank you very much.

Shin scoffed, "Half-dragon? He's a Mao, and thus he has to embrace his Mao side." 

"He has to embrace both sides," Khalon corrected, fluorescent yellow eyes narrowed at the elder. When he had first met Shin, he had been against doing anything with him, but Minori had told him to let him be. That didn't mean he didn't have a grudge, of course. "Have you not learnt anything from parenting?" 

"My parenting is A+. Isn't that right, dear Minori?" he looked at his daughter, expecting an agreement.

That was why he was speechless when she gave him a level glare and stated in a firm tone, "You hurt Mao Mao. How can you even call yourself a father?" 

It wasn't only Shin who was shocked now. Khalon was as well. 

Upon noticing the disbelieving face on her husband's face, Minori gave a soft smile towards him. Her eyes conveyed the unspoken words.

You two matter more than him.

Seeing that, he looked away, attempting to hide his flushing face. He was touched and relieved that she would protect them, but it was still kind of cute- Wait, if she knew that he had thought that, Minori would not be pleased. And Khalon knew better than to anger his wife.

However, Minori herself was looking away, unable to meet Khalon's eyes. She was never one to express her feelings so openly, and this qualified as open. WAY too open, mind you.

"E-Excuse me?!" Shin's eyes narrowed. Even his own daughter was rebelling! "What has this hooligan been teaching you, Minori?"

"You're the hooligan here!" She snarled angrily. Apparently insulting Khalon had snapped her out of her trance. "You never paid attention to Mao Mao, and got him mentally ill! We heard from his therapist that you played a hand in his mental state, so you're delusional if you think we'll let you do the same to Buster!"

"Do you not trust me?!" Shin slammed his hands on the table separating them. "I was the one who made you the hero you are now! Don't be an ungrateful child like him!"

"THAT WAS ALL MY WORK! YOU ONLY CARED AFTER I GOT SOME GLORY! IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY, YOU KNOW! YOU ALWAYS PUT YOUR PRIDE AHEAD OF WHAT ACTUALLY MATTERS! AND YOU NEVER WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HURT SOMEONE! WHAT KIND OF PERSON ONLY CARES FOR THEMSELVES?! YOU!" she screamed, the fire in her eyes now visible.

All these years, she had tried to excuse him. She had told herself that Mao Mao was a guy, and thus he was being trained. But after meeting Khalon and marrying him, she came to realise that Shin Mao had been nothing but a horrible parent.

If anything, she wanted to thank Khalon for opening her eyes. He had been nothing but supportive, caring and loving as he took her to therapy. Again and again, his love for her surpassed that of Shin Mao's ridiculous excuse of love. He had proven that. Shin Mao would have never taken an attack for his daughters. He would have let them be.

Khalon was the one who guided her away from her darkness. When she felt empty and lost and sad. It was so dark in those times, but he had stayed. He had helped her out so much... She wanted to help him. She wanted to help him prove her father wrong. 

No matter how much he would hate her, she would do it.

Shin Mao's face was red in hot anger. How dare she? How dare she talk back to him? What had this hooligan taught her? "Minori Mao, what on Earth is going on in your head you useless-"

The sound of someone being slapped echoed through the compound, and now even Khalon was rendered speechless.

His wife had just SLAPPED her father.

"I can't even look at you without feeling disgust," she spat out to him, anger blazing in her eyes. "Unless you repent, don't even think about getting near Buster or any of my nieces and nephews. All you are is an excuse of a hero who only cares for pride and your prestige. I won't let you touch them. Over my dead body you snake."

"Let's go Minori," her husband took her hand and gently led her outside, giving Shin Mao a snarl of anger that was filled with contempt and disgust before they left.

Shin Mao was frozen. What had just happened? Did his daughter just... Rebel? Did she just SLAP him?

His hand moved to the red mark on his cheek, feeling its pain. It held so many repressed anger and emotions she had bottled up over the years.

Meanwhile, the two had walked to Buster's room, picking him up and packing their things before they stepped out.

Still a toddler, Buster babbled out some gibberish, a concerned look on his face as he reached out, letting his chubby hands touch his mom's cheek. He wasn't all that familiar with emotions yet, but he could tell that something had made his parents feel bad.

Khalon could only chuckle upon seeing the red face his wife had. It was cute and adorable alright.

Minori playfully hit her husband, smiling all the while. She felt free now. All this time, Shin Mao had put her on a leash. But now, she had broken free.

And she would inspire her siblings to do the same, to teach him a lesson.

For their children's safety.

Requester: venusaura

Prompt: Minori x Khalon, Shin Mao vs Minori & Khalon over rights to train Buster.

Notes: Khalon and Buster belong to the requester.