The front door creaked open just as the sun was starting to dip below the horizon. Mark stepped in, still wearing his Invincible suit, but his helmet was off, his hair tousled and eyes tired.
"I'm home," he called softly.
He expected silence. Maybe tension.
Instead—
"Big bro!" Naruto's voice shouted from the hallway as the boy sprinted across the floor and jumped straight into Mark's arms. "You're back! Did you beat any bad guys today?!"
Mark laughed, catching him. "Only like… four."
Sasuke stood nearby with his arms crossed. "He's exaggerating."
Itachi, ever calm, nodded toward him. "Welcome home, Mark."
Mark blinked, surprised. The mood was so normal. So… peaceful. "Uh, thanks."
Nolan stepped out from the kitchen, no blood, no burns, just a quiet look on his face.
"You're back," he said simply.
Mark stepped forward, still holding Naruto on his back like a monkey. "Yeah. And I saw the news. You… saved the Earth."
Nolan nodded. "I did."
Mark's eyes met his father's. "You didn't hold back, huh?"
"No. Not anymore."
There was a beat of silence before Mark smiled. "Good. I'm glad you're finally doing the right thing."
Nolan blinked. "You're… glad?"
Mark set Naruto down. "I've been thinking. You screwed up. Big time. But… you're trying now. I see that. I don't know what changed you, but these guys—" he gestured to Naruto, Sasuke, and Itachi, "—they look up to you. So I'm gonna try too."
Nolan didn't expect that. His throat tightened, just for a second. "Thank you, Mark."
Debbie appeared with a tray of drinks and a warm smile. "Dinner's almost ready. I made sure to get Naruto's favorite."
"Ramen?!" Naruto shouted, eyes sparkling.
"With miso," she confirmed, chuckling.
Mark glanced around at the small crowd in the house—his new brothers, his father trying to be better, his mom holding the family together—and for the first time in weeks, he felt… peace.
As they all gathered around the dinner table, Itachi helped Naruto set the bowls, Sasuke sat next to Mark without a word but with a glance that said he respected him, and Debbie poured drinks with a quiet pride.
Nolan sat down last, letting out a rare, deep breath.
Mark nudged him with an elbow. "Y'know… this family's kinda weird now."
Nolan smirked. "Yeah. But it feels right."
They ate together, laughter echoing through the house.
For now, things were good.