It was an idle morning at the Mage Academy. Richard opened the door to Headmaster Smith’s office without knocking, much the same way he did any other morning. The old secretary maintained a light smile, mentally preparing himself for yet another workday.

“Do you want me to fix a breakfast for you Sir?” Richard asked, acting like an attentive servant before even shutting the door.

“No need.” Headmaster Smith waved his hand, knowingly walking into a trap.

The door clicked into place, and Richard turned around. “Then, how about you make some for me?”

“You… You’re the lousiest attendant ever.” Headmaster Smith rolled his eyes with exasperation before continuing as if nothing was wrong. “What do you want to eat?”

“Eggs. Sunny side up, six of them. Leave the yolk a tad raw, but whites have to be well done. You know the way I like them.” Richard said without an ounce of shame. He tried not to smile while fondly thinking how Lord of Steel was the lousiest boss ever.

“Ah, fine… Just send someone to fetch me the eggs.” Daniel Smith smiled, recalling how, decades ago, he used to fix eggs for a little boy with scraped knees.

And the mental image of that little boy evoked the memories of the first time Lord of Steel met Richard.

“You must be little Dick?” Daniel asked ages ago, back when Richard was only two and a half.

“It’s Richard, Sir,” the boy replied with a straight face. Daniel and William stared at him for a moment, then roared in laughter at how perfectly serious the toddler was. It was one of Daniel Smith’s most treasured memories.

The little boy had grown and aged, forgetting the scene; but Lord of Steel’s icy heart warmed the tiniest bit whenever he heard those words.

“No need, Sir.” Richard brought back Lord of Steel from his warm memories and into the cold present. “I picked up a dozen eggs and this morning’s bread when I dropped by Uncle’s restaurant.”

Richard took out six eggs from his Ring of Holding and placed them onto the Headmaster’s desk.

“Is it alright if I spit in them once they are done?” The Headmaster looked at the eggs with a petty glint in his eye, hiding his true self from this boy who at some point aged into an old man.

“If that’s your preference Sir.” Richard didn’t bat an eye at the provocation, irking his boss.

“Don’t worry, I’d never do something like that to you, Dick.”

“It’s Richard, Sir.” The toddler corrected, and Daniel Smith’s lips curled up just the tiniest bit.