𝗘𝗫𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗘. ❪ 𝚔𝚊𝚖 ❫

six

☾ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗 ☾

'It is with our deepest regrets that we inform you that Biana Vacker has been lost to us all. A seed will be planted in the Wanderling Woods at midday for any of who would like to pay their respects.'

"That's what I thought it would say..." Keefe said.

"Yeah." Tam said.

"But it's still hard seeing it. It's like a confirmation that she's never coming back, you know?" Keefe said.

"I guess."

"Okay, you're acting a little weird. Did something happen at Eternalia?" Keefe asked. He grabbed Tam's hand, his forehead crinkling after a second. Tam yanked his hand away.

"I know what your doing, Keefe. Stop." Tam said.

"No. What happened?" Keefe demanded. "And don't say nothing, because I know something's up."

"Nothing happened!" Tam said.

"Yes it did! You can't lie to an Empath."

"Please drop it. Please, Keefe."

"No. I want to know what happened." Keefe's expression softened. "What's wrong? Did something bad happen?"

"No. It was just hard."

Keefe walked over to the couch and sat down. He patted the spot next to him. "Tell me about it."

Tam sighed. "Fine." He sat down.

"So, did you drop off the adoption request?" Keefe asked.

"Kind of. I was just going to give it to them and leave, but they asked me to stay when they saw it was an adoption request. They asked me why they would ever trust the two biggest rule breakers with a child. You know they disapprove of us in the first place anyway."

"Wait, the Council thinks that we're gonna turn the baby into a gay troublemaker like us?" Keefe asked.

"Basically." Tam said. "So anyway, I told them that Biana doesn't have any family to take care of the baby, and that we're the best option. That didn't seem to convince them, so I made up a bunch of garbage about how we've changed and that we aren't troublemakers anymore. And the bought it!"

"Haven't we used that one, like, five other times already?" Keefe said.

"Six." Tam corrected. "But the point is that the Council hates us but is still letting us adopt Biana's baby."

"Wait, what? After all that?" Keefe asked incredulously.

"Yes!" Tam said.

"That's crazy."

"Agreed. Let's call Linh and Sophie and tell them."

-- ☾

"That's so exciting!" Sophie said. She and Linh had arrived at the boys apartment in a whirl of green fabric and enthusiasm.

"It's shocking." Keefe corrected. "I don't even know how do do this! What if I mess up?"

"Hey." Tam said. He waited until Keefe met his eyes. "You aren't going to mess up, Keefe. We're doing this together, remember?"

"Yeah." Keefe said.

"Look, I know we don't have the best parents, but maybe that's a good thing. We just do the exact opposite of what they did. It's going to be okay." Tam said reassuringly.

Keefe laughed. "You're right."

"I agree. You're going to be great parents." Linh said. Sophie nodded.

Keefe took a deep breath. "Okay."

"I hate to end this conversation, but we should probably get ready for Biana's planting." Sophie pointed out.

"Yeah." Linh agreed. "Sophie and I were almost done when you called, so we shouldn't take too long. You guys, on the other hand, need some work."