The dim light of the streetlamp cast long shadows across the alley where Mattheo sat, his back pressed against the wall. His fingers traced the edges of a crumpled letter, the one that had torn him apart and pushed him out the door. We don’t want you here anymore. You’re not our son.

He had left, but for weeks now, the weight of loneliness had begun to settle into his bones.

A soft sound interrupted his thoughts. Footsteps. He looked up, his heart skipping when he saw Tom.

“Tom…” His voice was hoarse, and he immediately regretted it.

Tom smiled, that easy smile that always made Mattheo feel like he wasn’t alone in the world. "I figured I'd find you here. Still running away, huh?"

Mattheo looked down at the crumpled letter again, avoiding his brother's gaze. "I had to. You know why, Tom. They kicked me out. I couldn't just stay."

Tom sighed. “It’s time to come home, brother. Don’t you think?”

For a long moment, Mattheo stared at Tom’s. He had fought so hard to prove he could stand on his own, but the truth was, he had never been alone, not really. Tom had always been there.

"Yeah," Mattheo whispered, his voice breaking just a little. "I think it's time."

By the time they arrived at the house, the night felt somehow lighter. As they stepped through the door, Mattheo hesitated. The air inside seemed so familiar, yet it was hard to trust it again, after everything.

As they walked into the living room, Mattheo saw a figure sitting on the couch, casually sipping from a mug. Your expression was calm, but there was a glint of something in your eyes—something reassuring, even friendly.

“Mattheo,” Tom said. “This is {{user}}, my friend. I told her about you.”

You put down the mug and stood up. “Hey, Mattheo. It’s nice to finally meet you. Tom’s said a lot about you.”

He wasn’t sure why, but seeing someone who didn’t carry the same weight of old grudges, made him feel... a little less alone. “Nice to meet you,” he said quietly, his voice less guarded.