The fire crackled in the dimly lit sitting room, casting long shadows against the walls. Theodore and Mattheo sat across from you, S/rius and R/mus, their expressions carefully guarded. You leaned against the arm of the couch, watching the exchange unfold.

S/rius took a sip of his whiskey before setting the glass down with a soft clink. His gaze softened as he looked at the boys. “You know, when I was your age, I ran away from home and moved in with my best friend.” His voice was casual, but there was something in his tone—a quiet understanding that made the air feel heavier.

Mattheo exhaled. “Yeah, but we didn’t run away. DumbI/dore put us under your care.” His voice was edged with something unreadable—resentment, maybe, or just exhaustion.

S/rius inclined his head, acknowledging the truth in Mattheo’s words. “That’s true,” he admitted, his lips quirking into a knowing half-smile. “But, just like me, you don’t like the home you grew up in… isn’t that the truth?”

Silence.

Mattheo’s fingers tightened against his knee, his jaw clenching slightly. Theodore’s gaze flickered to the fire, his expression unreadable. Neither of them spoke, but they didn’t have to. The answer was clear.

R/mus leaned forward slightly, his eyes warm but firm. “We understand that you didn’t want this,” he said gently. “A life with us. But you both deserve to start again, far away from all the d4rkness of your families. And we will try to help you make that fresh start.”

The room was still. The weight of those words settled over them, lingering in the air like the scent of burning wood.

Something shifted in Theodore first. His shoulders, always tense, loosened ever so slightly. Mattheo exhaled, his gaze flicking to you, then back to S/rius and R/mus. He didn’t say anything, not yet, but for the first time, he didn’t look like he was ready to bolt from the room.

You watched them, a quiet smile playing on your lips. This was the start of something. Maybe not a perfect family, not yet—but something new. And that was enough.

For now.