At Least We Have Each Other (SBI AU)

Chapter 22- We Can't Let Them Go

Kristin POV

The week passed by quickly with music often filling the house. Tommy got stronger, most of his symptoms disappearing. The brothers felt more and more at home, much to Techno's annoyance. 

Kristin was happy to see the boys being themselves. It seemed like they had finally began to trust her. Phil was a tougher story, but she understood why.

The house seemed to truly light up, like the final piece was in place. She loved listening to Wilbur play, and watching was even more fascinating. The boy had so much talent. He spent nearly all of his time playing in the attic. Kristin had even found him falling asleep up there. But she didn't mind. She just enjoyed seeing him so happy.

With each day passing, she knew she could never let them go. And Phil seemed to sense it too. "We can't Phil, we just can't let them go." She said one night, bringing up her feelings to him.

"Kristin, it's not our choice to make." Phil sighed, wrapping an arm around his wife.

"They're only children! And they've already seen the worst parts of the world." She shook her head, ignoring the threatening tears. It just wasn't fair. How could the world be so cruel? "We have to give them a home, Phil. They deserve to be protected."

"We can't force them to stay here." Phil said gently. Even though she knew it was true, it didn't make it hurt any less.

"But they need us."

"I know... but they don't know that yet." he paused. "But we can offer. And even if they refuse, our door will always be open."

Kristin buried her face in his shoulder, barely noticing the lump in her throat. "We can't let them go." she whispered. Just the thought of leaving them to the cruel world broke her heart.

"I hope we won't have to."

Dinner came much slower than Kristin wanted. And her anxiety of the awaited question made it all the worse. Every second seemed longer than the last. The looming possibilities teased her brain, the ideas forming only making it worse. What if they said no? What if she really had to let them go?

As she prepared dinner, her stress only seemed to peak. Phil didn't leave her side, whispering soft reassurances whenever he could. That made everything a little better. He was nervous too, but he was much better at keeping it hidden.

Finally they were all sat around the dining table and the topic made its entrance. The brothers were eating, savoring the taste of the food in front of them. An encouraging nod to Phil officially started the conversation.

"So, there's something we wanted to talk to you boys about." he began, choosing his words carefully. Immediately, the boys froze.

Techno sighed, keeping his eyes glued to his plate. It was like he knew what to expect before the words even left his mouth. "I know we've overstayed our welcome. We-"

Kristin cut him off quickly. "Actually, we were wondering if you wanted to stay here." As soon as the topic was revealed, everyone stiffened. Looking at each boy, she so desperately wanted to know what they were thinking.

Wilbur was the first to break the silence, a look of confusion filling his face. "Like... forever?"

She nodded, her heart breaking. "As long as you want. We could even go so far as adopting you... if you wanted of course."

Tommy jumped up, his eyes lighting up more than she had ever seen. "Really?"

"Of course!" she paused, awaiting their response. Phil squeezed her hand, a smile on his face. "So what do you think?"

The boys glanced towards Techno, habit taking them by the hand. The boy had been silent, pondering over the offer. His eyes drifted back to Kristin's and for once she saw the scared boy he once was. At that moment, she knew what his answer would be.

"No."

"Tech-"

"We don't need your pity. We are perfectly fine on our own." She watched Tommy's excitement deflate almost instantly. "Besides, I think its about time we were getting home. We've stayed long enough."

Wilbur glared at his brother, unable to keep his mouth sealed. "What home? We don't have one."

Phil nodded, backing up Wilbur. "When I found you Techno, you were barely surviving." Kristin looked back at the oldest, filled with hope.

"But we were surviving!" Techno retorted, his stubbornness climbing each word.

"Techno, you're just a kid and-" Kristin regretted her words as soon as they reached his ears.

The brunette glared at her, his eyes filled with a hate she had never witnessed before. "I am fully capable of taking care of my siblings!" he roared, offended she could ever think differently. 

"Techno that's not-" she tried to retrace her steps. But he wouldn't let her.

"Then what? What are you saying?!" he demanded.

Luckily, Phil stepped in. He spoke in a calm manner. "Our point is, you shouldn't have to. You should be allowed to be a teenager. You shouldn't have to grow up yet."

Techno erupted, unable to control his anger anymore. "I've already grown up! I never had a childhood... What's done is done... Nothing will ever change that." He pushed his chair away from the table, sulking out of sight.

"I'll go talk to him." Wilbur volunteered, following after his brother.

But Kristin knew he wouldn't change his mind.

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-Snowy