When they got home, they hauled the groceries inside and set them on the table, making sure they had gotten everything. Thankfully they did because Aicusa did not feel like going back to the store and have chances with bumping into Samantha and Rachel. She put the groceries away with Cole’s help and got on her computer.

She checked her social media profiles, seeing really nothing of interest. Cole sat on the floor next to the computer and looked at her. “You can’t go a day without being on your computer?”

“I have multiple times,” Aicusa answered honestly.

“Okay, can you go a day without thinking about your computer?”

Aicusa opened her mouth to prepare a steadily thought-out lie, but then shut her mouth, sighing in defeat. “You’re about to ground me, aren’t you…”

Cole grinned. “You know me so well. Starting tomorrow, you’re grounded until I say otherwise.”

“Noo, Coolle…” Aicusa whined and put her head on the keyboard. “What if people actually want to read the stuff I write and I can’t fulfill their requests?!”

“The stuff you write can wait. You don’t have to be writing and watching youtube videos 24/7 and you know that. You could be outside! Enjoying nature!” Oh hell, there he goes… “Not everywhere is visible from a computer screen, Aicusa.”

She sighed and looked at him, lifting her head up from the keyboard and turning to face his direction in the swivel chair. “Cole-”

He got up and planted his hands on the arms of her chair, towering over her. “Aicusa.” His face was serious, and it kind of scared her. She had never seen him looking this serious… It was… concerning. Blow him off! Don’t listen to him! He doesn’t boss you around! She said the exact opposite of what was on her mind.

“Okay…” No! Why did I-?

His face softened and a small smile came over his face, then it was replaced by a frown. She must’ve looked upset. She looked down and placed her hands in her lap, fiddling with the hem of her shirt. “Hey,” He gently grabbed her chin and lifted it, making her look at him. “I’m doing this for your own good, Aicusa… Staring at the computer isn’t good for you. I don’t want to see you losing your eyesight.” He was concerned about her… Genuinely concerned.

Not like the false concern that acquaintances would express when they wanted you to shut up, but actual concern. “Cole… That won’t happen-”

He cut her off. “I want you to be able to enjoy your vision while you can. You’re already going blind. Retinit-pig-cement…”

“Retinitis pigmentosa?” Aicusa corrected him.

“Yeah, that… You being on the computer isn’t helping your case, and you have to go in every few months just to get new glasses. The doctor said that you have a few years-two at most-to keep your sight. Staring at the computer isn’t gonna lengthen that time.” Cole pulled away from her as he spoke, and she looked back down.

He was right. If she kept going on like this, her eyesight would waste away faster than Deadpool could say a pun… Something like that. Aicusa, despite her mind saying not to give in, agreed and turned the computer off, not even caring if her work didn’t save or not. “You’re right, Cole…” She got up from her chair and popped her neck, then her fingers. Cole made an audible sound in disgust and his nose scrunched up.

“How can you do that?” Cole shuddered.

Aicusa shrugged, a grin spreading across her face. “I dunno. It’s stress relieving and it’s from old habits. Old habits die hard I guess.”

“Yeah, that’s another bad habit.” He shuddered again and fake-gagged.

“You telling me what is and isn’t a bad habit is a bad habit.”

“You telling me that I tell you what is and isn’t a bad habit is a bad habit… That’s a bad habit.”

Aicusa opened her mouth to speak but when the words came out, they jumbled together and felt like Jell-O and applesauce in her mouth. Cole laughed hard and fell back against the wall, slumping to the floor.

“It’s not funny!”

“You always sucked at-” He couldn’t speak from laughing so hard.

Aicusa bent over and covered Cole’s mouth with both of her hands. “Stop laughing!” He licked her hand between breaths and she pulled her hands away, crying out. “I will get the duct-tape!”

Cole caught his breath and stopped laughing. “O-okay! Okay, I-I’m done! Phew… I haven’t had a laugh like that in 36,000 years.” He composed himself and got up, wiping her hands off on his hoodie from earlier.

“You laugh like that all the time…” She shuddered and resisted the urge to grab his hoodie and hug him.

“What’s wrong?” Shit...

“Tired… Yeah…” She let out a forced yawn and stretched. “Just… busy day. Being on the computer wears me out sometimes…”

“Things that take effort wear you out.” Aicusa shrugged. It was true… “And it is getting late.” Truth was, she was actually tired. She started to walk towards her room but Cole gently grabbed her arm. “Remember. Grounded.”

“Yeah, I know Mom.” She pulled her arm away and went into her room.

Before she shut the door, she heard his reply, “I thought I told you I like the Dad role.”