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 Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2021 5:53 pm
The fight had happened shortly after dinner. It had been Caius’ turn to do chores, and he had never really minded cleaning up after dinner, even if he got frustrated that no one seemed to know how to scrape their plates or clean up their messes at the table. It had taken him nearly half an hour to get everything clean, and by the time he’d dragged himself back to his room, he knew something was wrong.
He had one request. One request, in this whole house, and it was that people not touch his stuff. Specifically, not his tablet. He kept it in his bag, and he kept his bag with him at all times--except, of course, at the dinner table, where he was not allowed to have it.
There were six people at the table most nights, and Caius was always good and quiet, and used his manners, and stayed out of the way. He was one of three foster kids, and they had shelter and food, and the house was strict but not bad. The two adults in the house clearly favored their biological kid, which. Fine, Caius got it.
Except, said kid knew he wasn’t supposed to go into the room Caius shared with one of the other foster boys.
Or, maybe that didn’t matter since his parents owned the place.
But, he knew not to touch Caius’ stuff.
And, he had.
Caius had gotten mad and asked him to put his tablet down. The kid wouldn’t. Caius demanded he put it down. The kid wouldn’t. Caius marched over to take it, and the kid still wouldn’t give his tablet back. He was playing on it like he owned it, and Caius was visibly distraught.
He reached again for it, and the kid pushed him backwards. Mocked him. Insulted him. Called him selfish. Caius didn’t remember when it turned into a fight, but he remembered hitting the wall. He remembered watching the kid throw his tablet at him--right into the wall by his head. He remembered trying to grab it before it fell. He remembered seeing the cracked screen before it hit the ground. He remembered watching it shatter on the ground afterwards.
He saw red for a little while. He didn’t remember punching the kid but he remembered being dragged off of him. He remembered the yelling. He remembered the way everyone was so quick to pull him off and yell at him while they fussed over the kid and babied him while he sobbed and whined and acted pathetic. At some point in time, they’d slammed the door to Caius’ shared room shut to keep him in there and away from them. They left him alone while the rest of them flocked to reassure and comfort Steven.
They left him alone to pick up the broken pieces of the only thing he had in the world that meant anything to him. He knew it wasn’t going to turn on again when the back fell off, and the glass came off in pieces, but in his frantic state he gathered up every piece he could see. Not that he could see, not with the tears filling his eyes. He wasn’t thinking when he shoved it into his bag, when he grabbed everything he owned and shoved it into the bag.
When he opened the window and ran.
It’s not like anyone had any way to get in contact with him. They didn’t know he had a phone. They probably called the police on him. Probably filed a police report. He’d probably go to jail. He’d probably get a criminal record and lose any chance of getting a scholarship. He’d ruined his whole future.
He threw up dinner. He hadn’t had anywhere to go so he hid in the park, and then when it looked like it was going to start raining he realized that he couldn’t stay outside. He needed somewhere to hide.
There were only two people in the world that he could think of that might let him spend the night--and Nick was always asking.
Somehow, he’d wound up at the bakery, at the back entrance by the stairs that led up to where Arias and Nick lived. The door was locked so he couldn’t even try to take shelter in there for the night without bothering them, so he sat down outside and tried to wipe his eyes one more time.
It was midnight now; with trembling fingers, he’d texted to ask Nick he was awake.
Nick had answered almost immediately, which was suspicious.
Caius sniffled from where he sat on the ground and wiped at his eyes. He’d stopped crying a while ago but his nose hadn’t quite got the memo and his eyes still burned. Caius texted back, ‘I’m outside. Can I come in and spend the night?’
Nick hadn’t texted back within three seconds, which made Caius’ stomach twist uncomfortably, so he texted back, ‘I can stay in the stairwell if that’s ok. It’s going to rain soon. I’m sorry for bothering you.’
Oh, it was such a bad idea. He shouldn't have texted. He should go. Caius had been sitting on the second step outside the door, feet on the ground and knees drawn up. His back was clutched tightly to his chest and he held it protectively, but he had the distinct urge to just get up and run and go hide in the bathroom at the park, or something, instead of whatever thought he was doing here.
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2021 6:41 pm
Nick hadn’t yet been asleep, honestly, he was too nervous. They had gotten the confirmation that they were approved to adopt Caius, and they were planning to invite the boy over for lunch to see if he would want to be adopted...and then head to the courthouse if he agreed. He was on the couch, cuddled up with Arias who was mostly asleep, watching some baking show as per usual. At least, as per usual lately. After the whole battle and kidnapping fiasco...Nick hadn't liked watching anything more brutal than baking shows...which...was okay for the moment.
The text had surprised him and he messaged back without thinking that he was awake, but the note that he was outside...that he wanted to spend the night…
...Something had to be wrong.
Kissing Arias’ cheek, Nick nudged him slightly. “Caius is downstairs…he’s asking to spend the night, I’m going to get him and bring him up, love...if you’re awake enough, can you make some hot chocolate? If not, I can do it sweetheart.”
He kissed his cheek again, adoring the feel of it, and then frowned at the second text, snorting and hurrying downstairs, his purple pajama pants decorated with a plethora of rubber ducks printed on them and his oversized teeshirt from the bakery were obviously classy enough to go outside in, and he opened the door for Caius after another few moments. “What’s going on, kid? Are you okay? Come on in, Of course you can spend the night. You can always spend the night.”
He had to bite back the ‘this is your home’, that was just aching to be said.
It wasn’t...not quite...but...soon.
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2021 7:30 pm
By the time Nick had come down, Caius had nearly gotten up and left. He was still considering running when he opened the door and barely heard anything Nick said. There was a strange hum in his ears and he was just so anxious. It was hard to see in the dark, he was safe from scrutiny or worry. Vaguely, he had awareness enough to be grateful that Nick couldn’t see the bruise on his cheek or his split lip. His blackened eye.
“I got into a fight,” he said stupidly, because if he was going to be scolded, he’d rather it happen out here where he could still run away. “Just with another kid in the house.”
There was a lump in his throat and his brain felt scrambled. “They’re gonna kick me out, I know it. He started it. But they all got mad at me. He broke my tablet.” His voice cracked, even though he tried so hard not to let it show. “So I hit him.”
A few times. But Steven hadn’t been helpless, he’d obviously gotten a few good blows in too.
“I’m going to get in trouble.” His voice was uneven and he didn’t know what to say, except, “I’m sorry.”
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2021 7:39 pm
“Hey, hey, Cai, honey, you’re all right. Come here, kid.” He opened his arms, and for once, didn’t wait, pulling the boy into an embrace. “We’ll handle it. Arias and I. Don’t worry. We’ve got you. You're safe here, and we’ll take care of everything.”
Nick jumped when there was a sudden flash of lightning, followed quickly by a rumble of thunder that rattled the windows. The smell of rain filled his nose a second later as well. “Come on, Caius. Let’s get upstairs. Arias may or may not be making hot chocolate, I asked him too but he was dozing pretty hard…”
He wanted to be supportive, wanted to make light of everything, but there was anger beginning to pulse in his veins. How dare that kid break his son’s tablet. What a brat. “I hope you broke his nose, Cai. What a rotten thing to do. That tablet was your life, your treasure. We’ll get you a new one, son. Don’t worry. Arias and I are right here…”
He got them both inside just as the rain started, the water coming down in sheets. Once they were inside, Nick drew in a sharp breath and clucked his tongue, scowling. “Damn. The brat got you good too...let’s get you some ice for that, and get you settled. You’re okay, Caius. You’re safe.”
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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2021 8:17 pm
Upstairs, it had taken all of Arias’ willpower to get up and actually start making some hot chocolate; it wasn’t anything fancy this time--just instant. It was too late for gourmet hot chocolate, and he’d had the briefest idea of just microwaving chocolate milk before he’d gathered his wits.
Caius hadn’t drawn away from the hug and let himself be led inside. His mine felt muddy and he was visibly confused and distraught. Nick knew how important his tablet was, and yet, hearing him talk about it just made Caius want to cry again. He was desperately shoving away his emotions.
“I didn’t want to hit him!” he tried to defend, but he didn’t know who he was trying to convince. “I just wanted him to stop touching my stuff. I asked him to stop first but he didn’t. He’s the one who threw it at me.” His bag suddenly felt so heavy, so he drew it closer and just tried to avoid looking at Nick, or thinking about how much his face hurt. “I was trying so hard. I only had to make it another year. I don’t know what happened. It all happened so fast? He knows he’s not supposed to touch my things. He went into my bag, he got it out. He knew what he was doing.”
Caius was again nervous, frantic. “I’m sorry. I--there’s no point in a new one.” His heart was pounding and his stomach was in a fresh, tight knot. “They’re going to send me away, I don’t know where. There’s no way they’ll let me stay there. I’m sorry. I messed everything up. I don’t want to leave,” he said desperately. His mind was all over the place and he could barely keep up with his emotions. “I like it here. I like you, and Arias. I don’t want to have move. I don’t want to lose you. I like you both. You don’t make me feel like I don’t matter. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to mess this up. You can keep using my art for the bakery, you can find someone else to do the seasonal things. It’s okay. I want you to succeed,” he rambled.
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Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2021 12:43 pm
“Caius, honey. It’s okay.” Nick murmured, squeezing him. “You want to stay here? If you could, would you? Would you want us to adopt you?”
The words weren’t delivered gracefully, or how he and Arias had planned to ask him, but...this wasn’t an ideal situation, and he knew it. But...Caius deserved to know that he had a home if he wanted it.
“Arias and I have been approved to adopt you. We were going to have you over tomorrow to ask if you...if you wanted it, all we have to do is go to the courthouse to make it official...of course there’s a point in a new tablet, that’s your passion, kid. You deserve to follow your passion. ANd you don’t have to leave. You’re okay. You’re safe, Cai. I’ve got you. I’ll always have you.”
He swallowed, biting his lip for a moment and letting out a breath. “You’re a wonderful boy, and we love you.”
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Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2021 4:49 pm
Caius didn't answer for a few seconds, like it just would not click. He stared across the room, brows furrowed as if he'd been insulted. And then, his face morphed into a mixture of emotions that was almost impossible to track. He went from confused to lost, and then to angry, and then afraid--humiliated--back to confused.
He couldn't make up his mind on what he was supposed to be feeling and there was no graceful transition from one emotion to the next.
"What?" he blurted, and he just sounded so confused.
"You want to adopt me?" he repeated, and then everything in him said it was a joke. A prank. It didn't matter how nice, how charming, how wonderful Nick had always been to him, his mind just told him it was too good to be true.
He took a step back and just seemed lost, only now looking at Nick and trying to process what was going on. His brows were furrowed in confusion but there was no hostility.
He fumbled for words and stuttered for a good few seconds, because every time he tried to speak, the words just wouldn't connect.
"But--"
He suddenly felt the need to protest, to tell him that was a bad idea, because he just couldn't process what Nick was saying. He shut himself up because there was at least one rational thought that said don't blow this.
So instead, even as the corners of his vision started to turn a fuzzy black, he asked, "Why?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2021 5:05 pm
Nick watched him, frowning just slightly and nodding slightly. “Yes, we want to adopt you. We have for...honestly, since I met you and learned about where you were living and your situation...Arias agreed after he met you, and we’ve been working on getting things ready. Buying the apartment next door and doing the renovations? We have your room ready, it’s the one that you do your studying in. Obviously it needs more personal touches, but it’s your room, Caius.”
He should have been more gentle with his approach. With his delivery. But…
“Arias and I wanted to adopt for a while. And you...you’re like us. You’re smart, brave, and passionate. You’re a knight just like we are. You felt like family to me from the moment I met you, and we have the resources and ability to keep you safe. I want you to thrive, Cai. I think you could thrive here. You shouldn’t have to be dreading turning eighteen, you should have a home. And you have one here if you want it. And if you don’t, we won’t hold it against you, and you’re still welcome always. We’ll still get you a new tablet. We’ll still be your friends. We’ll be here for you no matter what, in whatever form you want us.”
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Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2021 7:18 pm
Caius inhaled but it still felt shaky and unreal.
He seemed like he was desperately wracking his brain for some flaw in what Nick said, for some hole. Somewhere to catch the lie.
Again, he could find nothing.
“I don’t want you to think I’m using you,” he said, because in the absence of finding something wrong with what Nick said, he had to turn to criticizing himself.
“I like you two, a lot. You’ve been nice to me since we met. You don’t talk down to me.” He reached to rub at his face again, and it felt like it was on fire. “I feel dizzy, Nick. I don’t know. Do I have to make a decision right now? I don’t know. My head hurts. That’s really nice of you guys. What if the Court--can they say no? I don’t want to get sent to juvie, Nick. I shouldn’t have picked a fight. I shouldn’t have gotten so upset.”
He rubbed at his face again, trying to get his mind working again.
“I don’t want to mess up here, too. I make mistakes. All the time. I just try really hard not to let you see them. I don’t want to make you hate me. I don’t want you to see how messed up I am.”
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 5:46 pm
“You don’t have to make a decision right now. There’s no pressure. We want you, Caius. Mistakes and all. Mistakes make us human, you know. I won’t let you go to juvie, and no, I can’t see the courts saying no, we’ve already been approved. If anything, this fight might make them want you to go, so that just brings you to us anyway.”
Nick wanted so badly to hug him, to hold him and comfort him but…
He knew physical contact wasn’t something Caius enjoyed, and he had done enough tonight. There had been a lot of changes and he didn’t want to cause more stress.
“Come on, think about it tonight, I’ll get you tucked in...there are fresh pajamas in the middle drawer of the dresser of your room. All of the clothes in there are for you. We’ll get you more of course, but. These are just to start out with...if you want to get a bath or something, feel free, all right? Make yourself at home, Cai.”
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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 6:44 am
Caius still seemed visibly upset, but it was more like he couldn’t tell if this was real or some delusion he’d tricked himself into believing to avoid the harsh reality of everything else. He was so tempted to reach his hands and just smack his cheeks, but he vaguely realized that his face already hurt.
He was incredibly reluctant, torn in a dozen different directions. “...What were you going to do if I said no?” he asked, hesitantly making his way into the living room.
Arias was up and the room was filled with the sweet smell of hot chocolate and marshmallows; he was stifling a yawn.
The increased light made him turn his face away again to hide the worst of his bruises, and he had renewed guilt.
He didn’t want to think about disappointing them by saying no. “...I should...call the family,” he said quietly. “...So they don’t have the police out looking for me.”
He looked anxious about all of it; he didn’t want to talk to them. He just wanted to disappear. Although, the offer of his own room and fresh pajamas and a bath were tempting. He didn’t know how to make himself at home; he hadn’t had a home in so long that the words were foreign to him.
He was a guest, from one house to the next, waiting until he was shuffled around or kicked out.
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Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 8:51 am
“If you said no to the adoption? Hopefully kept the relationship that we have. That we’ve been building. You’re a great employee. You’d have a job after school, and we’d most likely put aside some money for you for college if you needed it.”
Nick hesitated. “...And by most likely I mean I have a few hundred saved for you already, so that was a bit of a lie.” Nick did his best not to hover. But damn if it wasn’t hard. “Yeah, that’s fine. Here,” He held out his phone to Caius, giving a little smile. “Call them and let them know you’re safe and that you’re sorry. Or don’t tell them you’re sorry. But tell them that you’ll be out of their hair.”
The male rocked back on his heels for a moment. “...I hope you do say yes, Cai...and If you put the number in, I can call them. I’ll explain what’s going on and I’ll take care of everything.”
...Like a parent should.
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Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 8:25 pm
Caius’ eyes snapped up and he visibly didn’t know how to respond. That Nick and Arias had planned so much already left him feeling a bit winded. He held the phone in his hands, confused by all of this. “No, I--I’ll call. I don’t want them to think I’ve been kidnapped or something. If I call, they at least know it’s me. I should--I can call my case worker, too. I--do you mind if I just...can I borrow your phone and…”
He looked at the room Nick and Arias had cleared out for him--for him. For more than just borrowing when he came over.
For him.
He swallowed.
“Is it okay if I just go in there for a little bit? And if I close the door? I’ll try not to take long. You don’t have to stay up or anything. Unless you’re waiting for your phone back. I can find the one we got, I think I put it in my bag,” he said, already turning to pull it out. He nearly dropped his bag and just looked like he was a mess. His bruises were growing darker and his face was still red; he just wanted to do the right thing and he felt like he’d already messed up so much.
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Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 10:41 am
“Take all the time you need. I’ll be up. I’m normally up until two or so, honestly. I’m a heavy night owl.” Nick smiled softly and reached out, softly stroking the boy’s hair. “The only thing I ask is that you don’t leave, okay? If the family asks you to come home, tell them you’ll go tomorrow, but stay here tonight regardless, please. It’s late, and I don’t want you to end up getting hurt worse than you are, kid.”
He hesitated and hurried to grab a mug of cocoa from Arias, giving the male a quick kiss on the cheek before handing it to Caius. “Drink up, get warm, get a bath if you’d like one, you know your way around the kitchen if you get hungry. I’ll see you in the morning, I expect.”
Nick gave a warm, gentle smile and looked at the boy with obvious affection. “...I’m glad you came here. I’m glad you trusted us, Caius. Thank you.”
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Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 6:40 pm
Caius wasn’t honestly sure how to reply; for a few seconds he just stood there before he nodded. “Okay,” he agreed. He was holding the phone and the hot cocoa like they were both foreign to him.
“...I won’t leave,” he promised, even if it seemed like such a weird thing. He didn’t feel smothered. He felt confused, and lost, but--he had come here because he trusted them. He had believed that they would help him and--
They had.
He wasn’t disappointed. He was confused.
He was probably in a lot of trouble though, and he wanted to get it taken care of as quickly as possible. And not go to jail, preferably.
“Thank you,” he said again, and then before either of them could see him get emotional he sucked in a breath and turned quickly. It was strange to be able to go to the room, to close the door behind him. To feel safe, like he wasn’t going to be yelled at for breaking a rule.
To know he could be in a closed space and not feel like the walls were closing in on him.
He didn’t really understand anything right now, but…
He had until tomorrow to figure it out.
If he could make it through these phone calls, first.
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