[ That's just it, isn't it? The fear of being replaced. Forgotten. Kieran waking up and no longer feeling the need to think about his family. Leaving them behind the same way Mila left her parents behind. She hugs Teddie, thankful. And pathetic. ]
I used to be an only kid. Before Henry adopted me.
Oh, that explains his control issues. If he's upset with you, he might just be upset that he's not steering his own like right now. Even if he's making stupid decisions, y'know?
[...]
My parents are sort of old money types. I had a lot of pressure on me growing up to be presentable, which slowly filtered away when they realized I was... I am kind of.
[It's only embarrassing to tell her because he cares for her, and suddenly doesn't want to be perceived negatively:]
[ She kisses his cheek, rests her head on his shoulder again. A silent I'm here, neither deterred by his relationship with his family or the admission at the center of that wound. ]
And instead of taking care of you, they send you away.
[And maybe he'd believe that, thinking of another set of parents that don't exist - if he did this to them, he'd feel worse. But he also feels like (in this life, this reality?) he's honestly tried and just kept sinking in the water. He's made a handful of mistakes, it's true, and done things out of spite more often than he'd like to admit but... he's genuinely tried.]
[Ran from responsibility, ran from a lot of things.]
But in my case I didn't have anybody to stay for. He's got you to support him. If I were him, I would've really valued that. Fought harder, y'know? The running away doesn't solve much.
[ She's relieved that Teddie agrees with her. At the same time, a part of her keeps hoping for a sign that it's better to let Kieran go, some assurance that he'll be better off, even if she won't.
It isn't fair, placing that responsibility on her little brother — is it? ]
I need … [ A sniffle, ] I need to convince our dad not to send him away. And if I can't, maybe I should, uhm. Maybe I should help Kier? And that way I'll make sure he's okay?
You sure your dad's serious? Not just grand gesturing to get him in line? He might relent if your brother apologizes. Dads like that like groveling. Sad truth.
[Theo's father was more strategic but the bones of it are always the same.]
If not... we'll find a way to help him. Two heads together'll figure it out.
[ With another sniff, taming some hair behind her ear, Mila shakes her head. ]
No, he's serious. It's happened before.
[ Did her voice trail off there? She's pretty sure she remembers it happening, but no specifics are coming to mind. It's as though someone just placed instructions where a memory should be.
As Mila seems to freeze for a moment, in comes Delphine, off her sleeping spot to meow at them. Brought back, Mila half-laughs into the aww she produces, leaning away from Teddie to welcome her on their laps. ]
Thank you, Teddie. [ A sad little smile, searching his features while she wonders how she got to be so lucky. Look at him — look at everything he says and does. If she gave into her imagination, she might suspect that he'd been made just for her. ] You're the best.
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I used to be an only kid. Before Henry adopted me.
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[Growing up solo. Bearing the weight of being the only child, in his case...]
Was he, too? Now you've both got each other to depend on.
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[ And now Mila's the one scared of losing him. Sometimes she thinks she's being too much, but — is she? ]
What is your family like?
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[...]
My parents are sort of old money types. I had a lot of pressure on me growing up to be presentable, which slowly filtered away when they realized I was... I am kind of.
[It's only embarrassing to tell her because he cares for her, and suddenly doesn't want to be perceived negatively:]
An addict.
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And instead of taking care of you, they send you away.
[ Softly upset on his behalf. ]
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[And maybe he'd believe that, thinking of another set of parents that don't exist - if he did this to them, he'd feel worse. But he also feels like (in this life, this reality?) he's honestly tried and just kept sinking in the water. He's made a handful of mistakes, it's true, and done things out of spite more often than he'd like to admit but... he's genuinely tried.]
Families, huh?
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That's— that's why Kier wants to run. Because Henry's threatening to send him away.
Would you have done the same, if you could?
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[Ran from responsibility, ran from a lot of things.]
But in my case I didn't have anybody to stay for. He's got you to support him. If I were him, I would've really valued that. Fought harder, y'know? The running away doesn't solve much.
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[ She's relieved that Teddie agrees with her. At the same time, a part of her keeps hoping for a sign that it's better to let Kieran go, some assurance that he'll be better off, even if she won't.
It isn't fair, placing that responsibility on her little brother — is it? ]
I need … [ A sniffle, ] I need to convince our dad not to send him away. And if I can't, maybe I should, uhm. Maybe I should help Kier? And that way I'll make sure he's okay?
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[Theo's father was more strategic but the bones of it are always the same.]
If not... we'll find a way to help him. Two heads together'll figure it out.
another incoming 🎀
No, he's serious. It's happened before.
[ Did her voice trail off there? She's pretty sure she remembers it happening, but no specifics are coming to mind. It's as though someone just placed instructions where a memory should be.
As Mila seems to freeze for a moment, in comes Delphine, off her sleeping spot to meow at them. Brought back, Mila half-laughs into the aww she produces, leaning away from Teddie to welcome her on their laps. ]
Thank you, Teddie. [ A sad little smile, searching his features while she wonders how she got to be so lucky. Look at him — look at everything he says and does. If she gave into her imagination, she might suspect that he'd been made just for her. ] You're the best.
[ Cupping his cheek, she gives him a kiss. ]
🎀
I'm here for you - for both of you, okay? Anything I can do, just... let me know.
[He'd do anything for her, already. How is it so easy to give his heart away?]
I'll always be here.