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“Well—I expected a five-year-old would… sorry, I don’t want to sound rude. But she doesn’t seem to be missing her parents as much as I’d expect?”

“Oh. That.” Uros jerked his shoulder. “She misses her nannies, I guess. She’s too young, so our parents are basically strangers who sometimes bring expensive toys. They don’t care until the kid’s old enough to take on some duties.”

“Was that the same for you?” Roy asked quietly.

“Yeah. But Cal always took care of me. Once he left for the Academia, I was all alone for a couple of years. Then Adria came.”

“Sounds rough.”

“Meh.”

Up on the slide, Adria seemed to have a diplomatic conversation with a copper-haired girl. After reaching a treaty about the slide—Adria let the girl go first—they dove into the plastic ball pool, throwing handfuls of colourful orbs into the air.

Across the playground, a teenage girl rushed toward them. “Lila! There you are. I thought I lost you.”

With a giggle, Lila grabbed Adria’s hand and tugged her toward the tiny wooden house in the middle. The girls disappeared inside and shut the see-through windows.

“Well.” The teenager sighed, running a palm across her face. “At least I know where she is, I guess. Um, you’re the girl’s parent?” She asked, looking toward Roy.

“Brother,” Uros replied. The tips of his ears flushed bright red.

“Oh. Cool. So, you understand my suffering.” She collapsed onto the neighbouring bench and extended an arm toward Uros. “I’m Sally. You?”

“Uros,” he replied and shook her hand.

“Alright. I’ll get some coffee while we’re waiting. Can I get you guys something?” Roy asked.

“That’s so sweet!” Sally’s eyes widened. “Could you get me a latte? And a chocolate muffin? Let me give you the coins⁠—”

“Don’t worry. My treat. Anything for you, Uros?”

“I’ll have the same,” he said, a bit too quickly. Roy suspected he wasn’t paying much attention to the order, but he’d take the chance to feed the kid, even with chocolate muffins.

After remounting the child seat in the front, Roy strapped Adria in, tugging the buckles four times to make sure she was safe. He glanced at the back seats and couldn’t help but grin. Cal snoozed on Uros’ shoulder, a bubble of spit pulsing in the corner of his mouth, while Uros looked out of the window, his face dreamy and distracted.

“Let’s get you home,” Roy murmured, warmth washing over him.

“Will you join the tea party?” Adria asked, kicking her little feet.

“Do you think Buttercup will let me?” Roy chuckled, closed the door, and moved to the driver’s side. Once he hopped into his seat, he looked to his right—Adria was waiting for his answer. “Of course, I will.”

“Yay!” Adria’s squeak drowned in the engine’s rumble. The truck lifted from the ground, levitating over the cobblestones.

A snore echoed from the back, followed by a yelp. “Where am I?”

“In the truck. We’re going home,” Roy answered.

“Mmmh. Good. I like home,” Cal answered with a yawn. “And I love you, Roy. Have I told you that?”

Roy’s breath caught in his windpipe. “No, you haven’t.” And you also didn’t want to tell your brother just yet.

“I knew it.” Uros sighed. “I’m not blind, for y’all’s information.”

Roy glanced into the rear-view mirror. To his surprise, Uros wasn’t pouting; he didn’t seem angry. His arm tightened around Cal’s shoulders, pulling him closer.

Fabric rustled as Cal stirred. “Oh—Uros. Do you even know how much love my heart holds for you? We shall always remain brethren. Always. I promise.”

“Okay, calm down.”