You sat curled up in one of the armchairs, a book resting in your lap. Your gaze flickered toward Mattheo, who was sprawled lazily across the couch opposite you.

Near the window, Regulus stood with his arms crossed. Beside him, Theodore lounged, occasionally smirking at Lorenzo, who was dramatically recounting some misadventure that had occurred earlier in the day.

Draco rolled his eyes at Lorenzo’s exaggerated gestures but was clearly entertained.

But it was Delphini who seemed most out of place tonight. She stood near the fireplace, her back to the rest of you.

“I still don’t understand why you insist on staying here,” Delphini murmured.

Tom, who had been silent in the corner, finally lifted his gaze. “This is our home,” he said simply. “Where else would we be?”

Delphini turned then. “Anywhere else,” she countered. “There’s an entire world beyond this manor, beyond this country. Don’t you ever wonder what’s out there?”

Mattheo chuckled. “Delphi, you act as if we’re locked in a cage,” he said lazily. “You can leave anytime you want.”

“I want to leave, but I don’t want to leave you,” Delphini shot back. “None of you seem to understand—”

You sighed, setting your book aside and standing. “Delphini,” you said softly. “We do understand. We just see things differently.”

Her shoulders sagged slightly at your words, her gaze flickering between you and Tom.

Silence stretched between you all before Lorenzo let out a dramatic sigh. “Alright, enough of this dreary talk,” he declared. “Who’s up for a round of whiskey and terrible decisions?”

A smirk tugged at Mattheo’s lips. “Now that sounds like a proper way to spend the evening.”

Even Delphini smiled, though it was small.

For all your differences, for all your ambitions and desires, at the end of the day, you always found your way back to each other.

Back to family.

Back home.