I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.
https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon
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Chapter 31: An Unexpected Bond
Sam had to admit it—when she first imagined her very intimidating father meeting Jon, she had pictured a lot of things. An awkward interrogation. A long, uncomfortable silence. Possibly her dad sharpening an axe while staring Jon down.
What she hadn't pictured was Jon and her dad sitting together, drinking coffee, and bonding over survival techniques.
She watched in stunned silence as Jon, ever the eager learner, leaned forward attentively while her dad explained the real way to build a shelter in the wild.
"See," Ron said, his deep voice steady, "books will tell you to build a lean-to, but that only works if the wind is coming from one direction. What happens if it shifts at night?"
Jon, instead of arguing or acting like a know-it-all, nodded thoughtfully. "Good point. So what's a better option?"
Ron actually smiled—or at least, the closest thing to a smile she had ever seen on his face. "Depends on the terrain. But if you've got time, a debris hut is always a safer bet. Retains body heat better too."
Jon absorbed the information like a sponge, nodding as he filed it away in that ridiculously sharp brain of his. "That makes a lot of sense. I've always had respect for people who've actually lived these things instead of just reading about them."
Sam watched as her father's expression shifted—his usually stoic face softened just a little, and there it was. That unmistakable prideful grin. The one he usually only reserved for a perfectly grilled steak or a flawless woodworking project.
But the moment he realized it was showing, he cleared his throat and wiped it away.
Sam had to suppress a laugh.
Jon had just effortlessly won over the most stubborn man she knew.
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Somehow, an hour later, Sam found herself standing in the doorway of their home gym, watching something she never expected to see.
Her father and Jon were sparring.
At first, she had panicked. She thought maybe her dad had challenged Jon to some ridiculous test of strength—some kind of medieval, prove-your-worth battle to the death.
But no.
Jon was teaching him.
Her dad, while not someone to mess with, had some outdated techniques when it came to hand-to-hand combat. Jon, on the other hand, had spent years training in modern self-defense. And now, here they were—her boyfriend instructing her father in how to disable an opponent in close quarters.
"See, if someone comes at you like this—" Jon stepped forward, making a slow-motion grab for Ron's arm. "Most people's instinct is to pull back, but instead, if you step in and pivot your weight—"
In a blur of motion, Jon twisted, sending her father off balance just enough to prove his point.
Ron grunted, nodding in approval. "That's good."
Jon grinned. "Want to try?"
Ron didn't hesitate. The next thing Sam knew, her father was actually practicing these techniques with Jon, sparring back and forth, exchanging moves like they'd been training partners for years.
Jon demonstrated a counter-move, showing how to redirect force rather than resist it. "It's all about control. If you try to overpower someone, you waste energy. But if you redirect their momentum—"
Ron followed Jon's lead, and soon, they were testing each other's reflexes. Sam could see her dad's usual intensity kick in, his focus sharpening.
Jon wasn't just teaching; he was impressing him.
"You learn this from martial arts?" Ron asked between movements.
Jon nodded. "Yeah, started when I was a kid. I also did some tactical training courses."
Ron raised an eyebrow. "Tactical training?"
Jon shrugged, smiling. "I got bored one summer. Figured I might as well learn something useful."
Sam almost laughed. Of course, Jon had just casually taken tactical training like it was a hobby.
Ron huffed in amusement. "Smart. Most people don't think about practical self-defense."
Jon nodded. "It's not just about fighting. It's about knowing how to avoid fights too."
Sam could tell that really struck a chord with her father. Ron had always believed in being prepared rather than reckless. And here was Jon, not just strong, but disciplined.
She watched, almost in a daze, as they continued sparring. Her father was taking Jon seriously. Jon was holding his own. The two most important men in her life were bonding over combat.
It was honestly ridiculous.
Eventually, they called for a break. Jon wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, grinning. "You're really good. Your instincts are solid."
Ron smirked, rolling his shoulder. "Not bad yourself. You ever think about teaching?"
Jon shrugged. "Never really considered it, but I wouldn't mind."
Ron nodded, clearly impressed. Sam, still leaning against the doorway, crossed her arms and shook her head.
This whole situation was wild.
When Jon first walked into her house, she had expected an interrogation. Instead, her dad was treating Jon like a worthy apprentice.
Jon had done the impossible. He had won over Ron Smith in a matter of hours.
She didn't know how, but he had.
And honestly?
She wasn't even mad about it.
Instead, she felt something else entirely.
Pride.
Jon wasn't just her boyfriend. He was someone who could stand his ground, someone who could walk into a room full of intimidating figures and hold his own without arrogance or fear.
And, more importantly?
He was exactly the kind of man her father could respect.
Jon walked over to her, an easy smile on his face. "So, how'd I do?"
Sam rolled her eyes. "I don't know whether to be impressed or horrified."
Jon laughed. "I'll take that as a win."
Her dad crossed his arms. "He's alright."
Coming from Ron Smith? That was the highest praise possible.
Jon chuckled. "I'll take that too."
Sam sighed, shaking her head. "This whole day has been surreal."
Jon grinned, sliding an arm around her shoulders. "Hey, reality's often weirder than fiction."
Sam exhaled, leaning into him. "You're telling me."
As she looked between Jon and her father, she realized something.
She had been so worried about them meeting.
But in the end?
She never should have doubted Jon.
He always had a way of surprising her.