H.O.P.E.F.U.L

immm like a bird i wanna fly away

(Matto)

Although I shouldn't have stayed, I woke up in her bed with Kaylee.

As I lay there, I knew I should leave. But I couldn't bring myself to just leave without letting her know. And I couldn't disturb her.

So, I lay there, arms wrapped around her, until she woke up.

"Hi," She said softly, turning around so she was facing me.

"Good morning," I replied, smiling. I needed to leave, or my father would get suspicious. Plus, I had to find the guys that had taken Lillia.

Her eyes searched my face, and she frowned as she said, "Do you need to go?"

I nodded slowly, feeling guilty already.

"I want to stay but..." I started half-heartedly.

"I know," she said gently, kissing my cheek.

I left the warmth of the bed and grabbed my jacket, offering her a smile before I walked out of the door.

In the living room, exactly where I first saw him, Ben sat on the couch.

"Hello!" He said. "I've been waiting ages for you to get up."

"Oh?" I said, the only thing I could think of. "What for?"

"I dunno," the boy shrugged. "We could watch TV?"

"I have to go..." I said helplessly. "I'm sorry,"

"It's fine," Ben smiled, seemingly unaffected. "Mom always leaves, too, so I'll be fine,"

I didn't know what to say to that. I had forced them into this life, where Ben had to spend time alone, and Kaylee always had to work.

I nodded stiffly and left, waving him goodbye.

Once I closed the front door, I let out a sigh of relief. Though I... loved them, it was awkward being there after all those years.

I started walking back, taking the same route as I had always.

When I got there, the house was dead quiet. To be fair, school had already started, Leo was probably back in Massachusetts, Flynn should be checking up on the businesses and doing whatever, and my dad... well, he was probably upstairs, doing whatever he deemed important - never anything work related.

I was pouring the straight black coffee into my favourite mug when Flynn walked in.

"Morning," I greeted him, trying to muster a tired smile.

Flynn rubbed his eyes, a mixture of exhaustion and frustration apparent on his face. I guess he'd also been affected by everything, even though I wouldn't expect it.

"Morning." he responded, pulling out a chair and slumping down heavily on it.

I leaned against the kitchen counter, taking a sip of my coffee. The silence lingered for a moment before Flynn spoke up.

"So you went and saw..." he paused. "Your son?"

"Yeah," I replied, my gaze focused on the swirling steam rising from the coffee. "Kaylee and I talked."

"About what?" he asked, with a small grin spreading across his face.

I rolled my eyes.

"About what to do with our work and Ben," I responded shortly.

"Ugh. You're telling me you talked to her about work? You haven't seen her in what? Five years, and you didn't chat and catch up?" he asked loudly, outraged.