Hereford Base
Y/N's POV
0650 hrs.

Dad stood there and just started at me for a second longer before his lips finally parted. "You know for  someone named Maus I expected you to be even shorter"

That's it? We haven't spoken in years and that's the first fucking thing you say to me! No hey how you doing or I'm really glad to see you? I know you weren't happy when I enlisted but that doesn't mean you have to outright disown me!

It took everything I had to keep a straight face but I could feel my left hand twitch as Dad crossed his arms while Thatcher walked around my side to stand next to us. "I'm sorry to disappoint" I said with a small shrug and a forced smile. Glancing to my right I noticed the  three playing poker had seemingly wrapped up their game while the woman with the black hair had closed her book and set it down on the table. She had real pretty eyes. All four of them were looking at us now, no doubt judging me silently. This feels like boot camp all over again.

"Speaking of Maus" The black haired woman suddenly said, getting everyone's attention and when our eyes meet she smiled before continuing. "You don't actually use a real mouse right? It's just a rummer?"

"His name's Squeaks" I said with a more genuine smile this time. This must have caught her off guard because she had that surprised look on her face. "Does he fetch?" Thatcher asked with a hearty chuckle. One of the bearded guys couldn't help but grin and the woman with the tattoos shook her head. "Not yet, he's great at hide and seek " I replied, glancing at him before I tossed my duffel bag next to the door, out of everyone's way.

"Enough standing around you three come and sit down" The man with the shorter brown beard said as he waved us over and flashed me a bright smile. I have no idea who he is but he's already given me a more sincere welcome then my old man. "We don't bite I promise" The woman with blonde hair added as she tucked the deck of cards away in her back pocket.

"We'll hold you too it then" Dad replied as the three of us walked over. The woman with the black hair patted the chair next to her so that's where I sat down while Thatcher took the seat on the other side of me and Dad sat on the opposite of the table next to the blonde woman, the two men were on the other side of her.

"I'm Frost by the way" The black haired woman said with another inviting smile as she offered me her hand. "It's good to meet you"

"Likewise" I said, returning the smile as I shook her hand, which was really soft and warm. When she pulled her hand back she stuck her thumb out and gestures to the man with the brown beard who had just waved us over. "That's Buck"

"You don't look like a deer"

He just shook his head but I could see a tiny smile he was trying to hide. He enjoyed my terrible pun, though I doubt he'd ever admit it. "You some kind of comedian?" He asked, laying his arm on the table.

"Sorry, bad habit of telling terrible jokes" I replied, glancing around to see everyone's expression. Dad looked unimpressed, almost bored but at this point I shouldn't expect anything else from him.

The blonde woman and the other man had blank expressions so they were either annoyed or didn't really care. Thatcher had an amused look in his eyes, so he was at least okay with it. Buck's smile had disappeared but seemed happy nonetheless. Frost rolled her eyes when I spoke but was still smiling so maybe, just maybe, she enjoyed the pun. She is pretty when she smiles, I have to admit.

"I've heard better" Dad said rather bluntly as we locked eyes once again. The room feel into an awkward silence for a brief moment as we stared each other down, neither side wanted to give in but in the end I looked away first.

Warum hasst du mich Vater?

"Well if we're all introducing ourselves I'm Blackbeard" The second man said, obviously trying to change the subject and lessen the tension in the air.

"And I'm Valkyrie" The blonde women added, moving her arms a bit as both looked at me. Well at least I know everyone here.

"Nice to make your acquaintance" I replied, looking back and forth between the two.

"And you are?" I glanced back at Dad who lazily licked eyes with me before looking at something over my shoulder.

"Bandit. Welcome to the family"

Family. It sounds weird coming from you.

"Danke" I replied, exaggerating my slight german accent just a little as Frost patted me on the back. "So if we're a family are you the grampa? You've got the the right beard" I asked Blackbeard.

"No if anything that's Kaid. He's got the wrinkles for it" Buck said as Frost finally pulled her hand back.

"Don't let him hear you saying that" Valkyrie replied glancing at him just as I heard the door swing open.

We all looked over as a women with deep red hair walked into the room with a mug of steaming hot coffee in her hands. She had her long hair pulled back into a somewhat messy pony tail and the look on her face made me think she had just gotten out bed. The yawn was kinda of a give away but still.

"Morning" She said, looking over at us, her eyes lingering on me for a fraction of a second.

"Guten Morgen"