Warm For Once

5

The rest of the time at the science museum you spent thinking about how you would not be a burden to Bo and Lorene. You really needed to prove to them that you were a good kid so that they wouldn't kick you out of the house. You couldn't sleep on the streets again and you couldn't have them beat you for not doing anything around the house as your parents did. So, it was decided, when you get home you clean the whole house. 

Bo noticed something was off with you after you had explained what black holes were to them, you were so quiet all of a sudden. Were you having some sort of existential crisis? He had no clue, so he reached down and squeezed your hand "Hey, what's up? You seem kinda lost in thought there hon" 

"Oh- Uhm- nothings up just reading. I'm all good" you insisted.

"Alright, just tell me if there's anything wrong. Okay?" 

After the science museum, you ate lunch and headed home. Bo had expected you to go in your room and start reading or something like that, but instead, he saw you grab a broom and start sweeping the floor, he knew it was normal for kids to do their chores, but he hadn't even given you any. Not even two days ago you were sleeping on the streets, you should be resting not cleaning. 

"Hey, what's with the broom?" 

"I -uh" you had a feeling that they weren't gonna like you doing all their chores, but you needed to work so you wouldn't feel horrible "I'm just giving myself something to do, that's all" 

"Well, you don't have to sweep, I'm sure you can find something more entertaining to do around here" 

"I just wanna help around the house that's all" 

"(Y/N), I really do appreciate it, but you need to rest. After a week of sleeping outside, you must get pretty tuckered out. So how about we find something else to do, huh? 

You hesitated for a moment but decided to give in, maybe you can do it later. You wanted to please them really bad, you couldn't just let yourself sit around the house all day, you would feel horrible about it. The only thing you thought you were good for was cleaning. 

 For a few hours, the couple had been chasing you away from doing chores you had tried at least five times at this point and you got ushered away each time. It was getting annoying, you wanted to help but they just weren't letting you. They both seemed to have caught on and during dinner, they asked about why you wanted to clean so bad. 

"I just want to help around the house, you did so much for me already" you simply stated. there was a few seconds of awkward silence before you started back up again "and all I'm good for is cleaning anyways" 

"(Y/N), no. You're so smart and strong, you don't need to do everything for us, your presence is enough make us happy" Lorene assured you. 

"It's just- just that every time I didn't do my chores at my old house I was hurt" your voice cracked. 

"It's nothing like that here (Y/N) we love you so much and we wouldn't trade you for the world" Bo reached over the table wiping a tear off your face. Bo then sighed, looked over at Lorene, and got up from his seat, making his way over to you. "Alright c'mere," the next thing you knew you were being carried over to the couch. Bo sat you down as Lorene joined and he hugged you tightly, softy pushing your head into his neck "We are not your biological parents, we love and respect you just the same even if you don't do any chores". You didn't know how to respond, all you could do was sit there and silently cry while Bo held you. 

You woke up, finding yourself being placed into bed by Bo, you were so tired that you didn't even notice that you let a small "thanks Dad" before slipping back into a deep sleep. Bo smiled at the use of the word 'dad' he was glad to see that you already see him and Lorene as parents, even if you didn't say it out loud. Bo kissed your forehead and shut off the lights before heading to his own room.