Nathan, on the other hand, had gone home after dropping Carla off. He had a call to make.

-

Nathan sat cross-legged on his bed, his laptop in front of him. He hit the CALL button.

BEEEEEEEP. BEEEEEEEP. BEEEEEEEP.

_click!_

The screen flickered to life, and a man - seemingly in his mid 40s - appeared on the screen, sitting cross-legged on a well-kept tan couch. The light on his end was warm and inviting, and the room he sat in was decorated with pleasant, earthy colors. There was a lively spark in his emerald green eyes, and he ran a hand through his salt and pepper hair as he grinned, seeing Nathan on the other side of the video call.

**Man:** Heyyyy, Nate!

Nate smiled softly.

**Nathan:** Hey, Dad. Mom around?

**Dad:** Of course!

The man twisted in place, calling out over the back of the couch.

**Dad:** Gwen, sweetie, Nate's calling!

**Gwen:** [in the distance] OHMYGOSH I'LL BE THERE IN A SECOND

A woman around Dad's age came sprinting through the entryway behind the man, her long skirt fluttering as she expertly vaulted over the back of the couch, bouncing to a sitting position next to the (now startled and slightly disheveled) man. Surprisingly, she had managed to not spill a single piece of popcorn from the large bowl she was carrying.

**Gwen:** Hiiiii, sweetie! Happy birthday!!!

**Nathan:** Heh, thanks, Ma. So what are you guys up to?

**Dad:** Well your mother and I were gonna watch a movie. How about you? Got any big plans for the spoooOOOoookiest night of the year?

Nathan winced for just a moment before he smiled again.

**Nathan:** Nah. Been busy lately.

Nate's parents gave each other a hesitant glance.

**Dad:** ...Nate, I think it's time we talk.

Gwen not-so-subtly elbowed the man.

**Gwen:** Peter...!

**Peter:** Nate, we're concerned about you. You're pushing yourself in ways you really, really shouldn't. In other circumstances we'd understand, even support you, but-

**Nathan:** I get it, I get it. Trust me, I do. You gotta understand, though, it's the only way-

**Gwen:** [frustrated sigh] No it's not, sweetheart. There are other ways, there really are!

**Nathan:** Are there any that are gonna work like this?

**Peter:** Please, just-

**Nathan:** Just... trust me, okay?! This is how it has to be for now.

The two looked at each other once more. Gwen shook her head, and Peter sighed.

**Peter:** Nate. We promised that we'd let you do this as long as you needed to. You don't need to any more.

**Nathan:** Yes, I do. Not for long, though. I promise.

**Peter:** ...you promise.

**Nathan:** Yeah. I promise.

The two glanced at each other apprehensively, then nodded.

**Peter:** Alright. Hey.

**Nathan:** Yeah?

**Peter:** We love you, champ.

**Gwen:** Have a good birthday, alright?

Nathan smiled.

**Nathan:** Yeah. Happy Halloween.

**Peter and Gwen:** Happy Halloween.

_click!_

Nathan sighed, running a hand through his own green hair.

**Nathan:** ...I'm sorry.