Wren

S. Part 2

Matteo found Wren on the floor later that night. He checked his forehead for fever, and when he was sure he was okay, he gently woke him. "Puppy, you gotta wake up. . . "

Wren woke as he was pulled into Matteo's arms. He blinked up at him, and Matteo noticed his eyes were bloodshot. 

"Wren? Did the light hurt your eyes?" Wren had mostly gotten used to regular light again, but sometimes if he accidently looked right at it or it was a bright LED, it would hurt his damaged eyes.

"No," Wren mumbled as he turned his face away, slightly embarrassed. "during dinner, I just-- I don't know what happened. I think I had a panic attack or something. It was like the world was fuzzy and spinning and I just needed out."

Matteo pulled him closer, wrapping his arms around him as he rocked them back and forth, rubbing Wren's back in slow circles. "Why? What happened?"

"I don't know. Sophie's just been at my throat about everything and it's really stressing me out." Wren didn't want to mention that part of his stress was caused by Matteo's absence, knowing he was busy enough without needing to worry about him, too.

"She still bugging you to let her train?" 

"Yeah. Almost every day. . . the only relief I get is when she's at school."

Matteo kissed Wren's forehead, then dug out his phone from his pocket, showing the lock screen to Wren. "It's past nine, puppy. Let's go to bed."

Wren laughed a little as he and Matteo stood up. "We're old now, going to bed so early."

They showered and went to bed, but as Wren lay in the darkness, listening to the dull rumble of the house, he found himself worrying again. He rolled to his side, curling his body close around Matteo. Would he ever be free of the guilt he felt? Of the fear that he was a burden or that he wasn't good enough for Sophie and Matteo?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sophie spent the morning getting ready for school. She rushed around the room, trying to collect herself from her recurring spiral over the weekend. She'd always lose her homework, couldn't find what she wanted to wear, or had a hard time taming her dark curls. She threw on jeans and a black hoodie, swiped on some mascara, slipped on her combat boots, and rushed out the door. 

Sophie had long ago moved out of the adjoined room she'd had as a child, and her parents had turned it into library/studio for themselves, but Dad was the only one who used it because Papa was always so busy. He spent time in there reading or painting, or playing the piano that sat in against one of the dark red walls.

She knocked on her parents' room, and when she heard them call, 'come in!', she obliged. 

They were still in bed, Matteo's arm wrapped around Wren as he scrolled on his phone. Wren simply sat with his eyes closed, absorbing what little time he had with his husband. 

"Good morning," Sophie said as she sat on the edge of the bed. Matteo put his phone away, and gave Sophie a mild reprimanding look. 

"Sophie, we need to talk." Wren said, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice.

Sophie waited, fidgeting nervously, but she kept her face frozen, almost in a glare, even.

"You need to stop harassing Dad. He's stressed already, and the answer is no no matter what you try to do to change it." Matteo said, keeping his voice low and even.

Sophie glared at Wren. Why had he gone and tattled and gotten her in trouble with Papa? "I'm not harassing him." She stood defensively and snatched up her bookbag, heading towards the door. "I just wanted to talk, but if it stresses him out too much to talk to his own daughter, I guess I'll leave him alone. He can sit around and do nothing in peace and quiet."

She slammed the door behind her, choosing to ignore the hurt look on Wren's face. She nursed her anger, storming out of the house to meet her driver. She hopped in, and spent the whole ride glaring out the window as light rain trickled down it.

      * * * 

Wren sat stunned, as Matteo growled deep in his throat. 

"That little--"

"Does she really think that poorly of me?" Wren whispered, heartbroken.

Matteo turned to him, paling when he saw a tear slip down Wren's face. "Oh Wren, it's okay. Come here." He pulled Wren on top of him, to straddle his lap. He cupped Wren's face in his hands, staring into the drippy pools of deep brown. "She's just angry at the world, puppy. Don't take it to heart. Kids are always like this, then they come around later. You'll see."

Wren played his words on loop in his mind, but he just couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in his chest. Sophie had been acting out more and more lately, and Wren was worried about how bad it might get. At least the guards trained here, so even if she did go behind his back, she was still at home. Wren was just trying to protect her, but Sophie saw it as a betrayal.

Matteo had to leave then, and Wren couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as he departed. He was alone with his thoughts, his anxiety growing with each passing minute. It felt like his chest was constricting and tightening and he couldn't breathe. He got up and dressed and slowly made his way downstairs. 

He tried to distract himself by helping the maids clean or cleaning the kitchen with the cooks, but his mind kept drifting back to all his worries. Hours passed, and Wren found himself pacing the house, unable to sit still. He needed to work some of this out. He felt like his family was falling apart. Sophie should've been home from school by now, so he called her phone to see if he could meet her somewhere. 

But she didn't answer.

                    Part Three Coming Soon