Note: second clock tower fic, in the same day. wow a record. very short. also working with no knowledge of the timeline. i'm assuming grandpa didn't go completely nutters till alyssa was around twelve. so this is set around when she was eleven.

Disclaimer: don't own or make money off of this. capcom owns the game and it's characters. however, i find myself warming up to dennis and contemplate stealing him from them... nah. can i just have scissorman and chopper, please?

Warning: big spoiler for the game.

Favors by fairady

~

"Dennis."

"Yes, Mr. Hamilton?" the young boy looked up from the floor. He hadn't been the one to spill the juice, but somehow he ended up cleaning it anyway. Alyssa was always able to make him do stuff like that for her.

The older man smiled down at him. "I just wanted to ask a favor of you."

"Sure! What is it, Sir?" Dennis eagerly asked. Mr. Hamilton was the greatest. He was always teaching him the neatest things calling them 'favors.' Last month the old man had spent hours telling him scary stories. He'd been sent home from school once for 'causing a disturbance.' It wasn't his fault Becca Holston had gotten so scared she wouldn't stop screaming after he retold one gruesome story. Linda had let it slide saying she was just glad he had a 'father figure' in his life. Whatever that meant.

"Oh, you know how Nancy is," Mr. Hamilton smiled conspiratorially. "I just want Alyssa to take some archery lessons, but I know her mother would never stand for it if I were to make the suggestion."

"Yeah," Dennis giggled. He knew what the old man was gonna say next. "She can't stand that violence stuff."

"Yes, unfortunately," Mr. Hamilton waved his hand as if dispelling invisible smoke. "I'm sure she will give in if the idea came from someone else. Some young gentleman already taking lessons who begs for Alyssa to come too."

"Really!" Dennis jumped to his feet puddle forgotten as Mr. Hamilton held out a large case. Opening it he found a black painted bow with what looked like a long leather glove. He admired it before flinging his arms around the old man. "Thank you so much Mr. Hamilton!"

Alyssa's grandfather was the greatest man on the planet.

~

Dick Hamilton chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm. He was a bright one and would go far in life. It was good that Alyssa had such a good friend. The boy would begin his lessons and soon enough Alyssa would join him. The two children would become even closer with the extra time together. Dick wouldn't be surprised if they began a flirtation. They were both reaching that stage in their life.

Alyssa would get the training she needed to be a successful Rooder despite Nancy's wishes otherwise. He was determined that when the time came his granddaughter would succeed. The boy would also be trained. He had no inherent power like Alyssa, but Dick was curious to see if there weren't ways for non-Rooders to battle entities. If not then at the least it would ensure Alyssa had a strong husband.

He was oddly pleased with the thought. The boy was showing an admirable character under Dick's careful tutelage. He showed none of the weaknesses that had been present in Phillip. He had confidence that the boy would be do right by Alyssa.

No, the boy would be nothing like Phillip, not if he had anything to say in the matter. If worst came to worst, Dick could always kill the boy.