“Tyler drinks a lot lately and his condition deteriorates…”

I trailed off trying to not quiver, while glaring toward Theodore which was livid. I know he was pissed off by the expression on his face. His lips were in a thin line, his eyes slightly closed and wrinkles on his forehead.

“What did you just say?” Sullen asked, while I felt like shrinking in my seat, gripping from Chris's shoulder, thinking for a second to use the kid like a shield in case… I know Theodore will never hit me but measures of protection must be taken.

It was about Tyler, his husband and the man he knew for nearly 13 years, from high school and with whom he slowly opened his heart about his past, his abuse and why he chose to drink so much, at such a young age.

I felt Christopher getting flaccid near me and Theodore snapped a bit from his moment of fumigating.

“Shit! He is all sweaty and flushed.” I said, while I stood up and placed softly the kid on the sofa to be in a lying position.

He was bleeding from his nose a thing which made me enter in a panic mode, not knowing what to do. My hands were sweating, while I felt woozy forgetting for a minute that I started to say something and how bad I felt after spilled everything about my past.

“He will be fine!” Theodore said, while stroking gently with his fingers the kid's face. “I gave him a pill and it seems it barely now kicked in his system.” Hearing this I breathe relieved, while suddenly felt in the back of my head the burning gaze of my “brother”.

Seemed to be something that I was used to.

Theodore breathes deep and sat near Chris, holding his head in his lap and caressing his head, tenderly. He lifted his head and looking at him I knew he still waited for my reply.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” He asked me, while passing with his free hand through his hair, revealing his eyes.

His warm amber eyes which looked dead beat. It was the same eyes that Tyler had lately. Both are dying slowly away from each other.

“Because Sky and I decided to not make you more worried. You already felt awful and when he left you had a breakdown…” I started to say breathless.

A flare of light scraped the sky making me flinch, while a loud thunder pierced the silence of the room. At that moment a flash that I always wanted to bury deep inside, came to surface.

It was a screeching sound and glass shattering.

“It is okay!”

I heard Theodore's voice pulling me from my reverie. I peeked at the man before my eyes. His face softened and he knew what I was thinking now. On the day Ivan died, before my eyes, while powerless again couldn’t do anything.

“Oh! I'll try…” I had no words to express the pain I was feeling inside, but Theo knows how it was. He lost his brother as well. He didn’t need to convey his emotions in words. Each time it rains, everything comes back to me vividly.

I still see before my eyes, Theodore thin and frail body pulled from the cold water by Alex, while for the first time in three years, I let my voice out, screaming.

“I’m sorry…” Theodore opened his mouth, but I stopped him, smiling.

“I’ll be fine, just been too much today.” It was too much for me. Jaxon appeared suddenly, finding out JD was his cousin, Sky kiss and my confession. I felt drained. I only wanted at this moment to sleep, but I was afraid.

Theodore nodded and let Chris slowly slip on a pillow which put it under his head.

“Let’s go see him… “Theodore said with an insecure tone in his voice.

We both were fucked up at this moment, but we had each other like pillars.

“Where you all go?” We stopped and turned around seeing how the kid was wobbling trying to stand up. “I want to go as well…”Staring at him, I saw a fragile kid, afraid to be let alone, like if we would have gone out the door, he would have lost us.

I glanced at Theo and at that moment I knew he won’t let Chris here alone.

“Go dress warmly and Luca go with him and pack some clothes for him.”

I raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. I held Chris and helped him walk until he felt stable on his feet. I turned back and saw Theodore having a serious look on his face, pulling up his sleeves that covered his arms and crossing his arms around his torso, staring at the window.

He was silently suffering, trying now to look strong for me.

“Come,” I told Chris, while lend him upstairs toward his room. The moment we arrived in front of the door he just stared at it.

“I messed up badly, no?” He said, while shaking, reaching toward the knob. “I mistook everything.” He continued, while opening the door revealing a messy room and dark. “This room is like I’m inside, cold, dead and messed up.”

I glanced at him while he entered in it hesitating. I knew perfectly what he meant. I know bites of his past and I know how well he felt, not long before Anthony came in his life, as well James.

He had them, now he was all alone again, betrayed.

Christopher took his school bag and put a few clothes in it and some things he needed. He looked over his shorts, a pair of black jeans and a shirt over, and in his head put a purple and worn out beanie.

I stared at it and stared at the draw full with beanies. “Why the old one?” I asked suddenly without realizing my mouth decided to open before my brain to processed.

Chris stuffed the beanie on his rusty head, covering his ears and smiles. “Someone when I was little gave it to me. It is like my safety blanket.” He chuckled and showed me the door telling me that he was ready.

Outside in the hall, little Adam was waiting with his eyes getting red. “Is he leaving for good? I… I’ll take care of him, I promise.” He said between sniffings making him look adorable.

Chris kneeled in front of him and kissed his forehead, while wiping his tears. “You’ll take care of me?” Adam nodded sniffing. “I’ll be back shortly.” He told him and stood up staring at me with sad eyes, while Adam vanishesed in his room.

“You’ll be home tomorrow, kicking everyone's asses,” I said.

“Let’s go!” He suddenly bounced taking me by surprise. He chuckled and ran outside, like flying on the stairs.

“Where is Chris?” Theodore asked me while I took my jacket. I showed him the door and outside, on the porch we find Chris looking pretty excited for a trip he has no idea where will lead him.

Toward a kid which hurt him deeply.

The moment Theodore approached him he let out a gasp and put his hand on his mouth, looking astonished.

“You?” He only said looking straight to the beanie.

Chris titled his head and shrugged, not knowing what just happened.

“Uncle Theo, you look slightly pale, are you okay?”

Theodore just let out a smile and hugged him.

“It is all great my little bunny.” He let go and watched me, laughing. "Only if I knew..." He only whispered, enough to be heard while I leaned toward him.

"What do you mean?" I asked puzzled, feeling the cold wind though my jacket.

Theodore doesn't say anything else besides a few words that made me even more confused.

"Tyler will be happy to know he is that child from the park."

I shrugged, while Theodore patted the kid's head. Staring at both I noticed that Chris was slightly taller than Theodore and in that moment I chuckled, feeling for a moment joyful.

The growth spurt avoided my Theo.

He glanced at me deadly like he read my mind and I raised my hands up, lighting a bit the mood between all three, paying attention how the wind howled, while I closed my jacket, rushing toward the car, feeling my heart slamming into my chest,as behind me both ran through the pouring rain.

It would be a disaster or a good thing the moment we will all be reunited under the same roof, only time can tell. All I know at that moment while I sat in the front and staring in the rearview mirror, that the goofy child and clingy slowly started to fade away, even if he struggled to show us, he was fine.

The moment we take our eyes from Chris he becomes lifeless...

"Message Sky to come at Tyler." I heard Theo’s voice while my thoughts scattered and I nodded.

"I forgot my fluffy slippers!"

Suddenly Chris yelled nearly to my ear, making me turn toward him only to see his pouting face, like a little child who didn't receive his sweets.

I let out a sight while typed a message, not wanting to hear Sky voice.

"We will find new ones," I replied to him while on the radio a song" bubble" started to play.

It was relaxing and remembered my sister, dancing on it, not before I got disowned for my sexuality.

"But...are not with bunnies..."

Yes, it shall be a long night for all. I scoffed while Theodore chuckled lightly, while we passed near the park.

"You're like a fluffy bunny, Chris." He only said, while his smile faded slowly.