"Which one's your favorite?"
"Orion.See?The three stars in a row are his belt."
"That's deadly.I'll have to remember that."
Warren's practically vibrating with excitement.He's never had a man pay attention to him like this.Never had someone care about what he likes without it being twisted into control.
"It's nearly bedtime," I say gently."Go brush your teeth, yeah?"
Warren groans but obeys, running to the bathroom.Mam’s gone home, wanting to give us some privacy which I love her for doing, so it’s just Warren, Devin, and I here now and it’s been blissful and perfect.Everything I could have thought it would be and then some.
Devin stands and looks at me."He's a good kid."
"He is.The best."
"He's like you.Smart.Observant.Brave."
"He's five."
"Still brave.After everything he's been through."
The reminder of what Warren's been through hits hard.He shouldn't have memories of Declan.Shouldn't have nightmares.Shouldn't have to ask if his da is coming back.
But he does.And he will.For years probably.
Warren returns, climbs into bed, and looks at me expectantly."Story?"
"Course.Which one?"
He thinks, then his eyes drift to Devin."Can Devin read it?"
My breath catches."You want Devin to read your story?"
"Yeah.If that's okay."
I look at Devin.He looks uncertain, nervous even.
"You don't have to," I say softly.
"I want to.If Warren wants me to."
Warren's already holding out the book.Dragons and Knights.His current favorite.
Devin takes it, sits on the edge of the small bed, and opens to the first page.
I stand in the doorway, just watching.Listening to Devin's rough voice soften as he reads.Watching Warren's eyes go heavy.Watching something new form between them.
Trust.Connection.The beginning of something that could become love.
By the time Devin finishes, Warren's nearly asleep.But he murmurs, "Thanks, Devin."
"Any time, mate."
I move to the bed and kiss Warren's forehead."Love you."
"Love you too, Mam."His eyes flutter, then he whispers, "Is Da coming back to make you cry?"
Everything stops.
