Aaron looked over the packages on offer, it seemed a better place to start than to just play around willy-nilly with something that might break reality. Some of the packages seemed like they could be fun for himself, others seemed like ones he might want to apply to his father. Then came the so-called group packages. He could change both of them at once.
Aaron leaned back in his chair and thought about it. He knew he wasn't completely thrilled where his life ended up, and he also knew his dad wasn't exactly happy. They got along as father and son, but they weren't close. They were so different in interests and personality and even looks to the point most people didn't even think they were related.
That was one of the problems. Aaron looked so much like his mother - petite, blond, slender; and ever since she had left them Dave had trouble looking at his son without thinking of his ex. Her leaving had broken him a little. He had never dated again, and while he raised his son there was always a rift between them like they weren't completely family anymore. Worse since Aaron was now in college and working part time and mostly supporting himself. Now they were more like somewhat cordial roommates.
Looking over the packages he saw one simply called 'Relationship Package'. He clicked on it and read it over.
'This package will change two individuals to create a new relationship between them based on their wants and desires. The exact nature of the relationship will be somewhat random but will be dependent on the changes the individuals desire. This change will alter the world to fit the changes. Aware and unaware options available. Time modification available.'
It seemed an interesting choice, "based on their wants and desires." Aaron did want to have a relationship with his father, in some fashion and to be more like him. Maybe this one could make them more similar as father and son. He confirmed his choice. The program showed a loading bar reading 'Searching for targets in range.' Finally a list of names popped up. He recognized some neighbors in nearby apartments, and other names he didn't know, but his father and him were right at the top. He selected them.
'Subject A: Aaron Meyers - Aware or Unaware?' Aaron wasn't exactly sure what that meant but he could guess, but aware seemed the safe option.
'Subject B: David Meyers - Aware or Unware?' Aaron hesitated here. Did he want his dad aware of things changing between them? What would he even think? But it didn't seem fair to leave him in the dark either so clicked Aware. He could always pretend he didn't know what was going on himself.
'Confirm both subjects Aware. Note: Subjects will still receive new memories but old memories will not be eliminated.' Aaron clicked through again.
'Set duration for change. Default: 2 hours.' That seemed far too short. Something in Aaron wanted to stretch this out, especially if things seemed to be going wrong he could abort or undo things. 2 days to take up the weekend seemed good. Finally he had the option to start the program. As he did so he felt a shiver pass through him.
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Dave poured himself a bowl of cereal with one hand as he idly scratched a hairy pec with the other. The mail sat on the counter meaning Aaron was up, but once more locked in his room. A perfectly good Saturday to go out and do things and no doubt his son would spend every minute inside on his computer. Well, that wasn't his business anymore he told himself. Aaron was eighteen and paying rent. He was determined to treat him like an adult.
A shiver passed through him as he reached for the milk. He shook his head to clear it and grabbed the milk jug, splashing some on his quick breakfast. He ate over the counter as he thought on things. Suddenly his phone went off, and he glanced at it with a frown. It was his work. Dave had worked at the same gym as a trainer for twenty-five years. Now, he was the owner's right hand. It got him perks like getting most weekends off, but then there was also this having to take the boss' calls... Dave accepted the call on speaker. "Yeah?"
"Hey, Dave. It's Owen. Marcus called out today, his kid's got a cold or something but we have too many trainer sessions booked to run short today, can you make it in? Overtime pay of course." Most weekends, Dave thought ruefully.
"What about Chuck?" Dave asked, just a touch hopeful.
"Requested off, he has his boxing thing." Owen answered apologetically.
"Fine, I'll be in in an hour. Tell Marcus he owes me lunch next shift." Dave crunched another spoonful of cereal.
"Will do." Dave hung up the phone and quickly finished his meal and went to get changed. He quickly pulled on his shorts and gym tee, frowning a little as it settled over him. He ran his hand over his gut. The shirt felt a bit looser there, though it hugged his shoulders and chest as it always did. The last few years he had grown something of a gut, a combination of not focusing on his diet as much and age. No one minded a gut on a physique like his of course. Weightlifters most certainly didn't mind, and he had a reputation as one of the best. Even if he was getting up in years. He took one quick check in the mirror to make sure he was presentable, pushing back his still mostly black hair, grey speckled the black and almost completely took over at his temples, and his stubble was salt and peppered liberally with grey. He was definitely looking his years, maybe it was time to give up training and just manage the gym full time.
He shook that thought out of his head like every other time it had popped up in the last few years. When he walked out of the bedroom, Aaron was in the kitchen eating his own bowl of cereal. Shirtless. Aaron never walked around shirtless, often seeming ashamed of his scrawniness. But Dave almost had to look twice. He was sure his son's arms were a little thicker than they once were and he couldn't count Aaron's ribs as easily. Was he taller? Maybe puberty wasn't done with his son quite yet.
"Work?" Aaron asked with his usual disinterested tone.
"Yeah, we had a call out. You could come work out for a bit, keep your old man company?" Aaron just shook his head like he had every other time Dave had made the offer. "Well, try to get out today, it's a nice day." And with that Dave headed out to work.