Gregory firmly gripped Edgar's arm and guided him towards the stairs. With determined strides, they made their way to the base of the staircase. Without uttering a word, they began ascending to the second floor.

     Gregory and Edgar reached the second floor, stepping into tranquillity and silence. The absence of noise allowed them to hear their panting breaths. Gregory dragged Edgar with his grip still firm on Edgar's wrist. They moved towards a wide-framed window, and the soft outdoor light streamed through the glass, casting a gentle glow on them.

"Greg, I've never seen you this angry before," Edgar said as they approached the window.

Gregory sighed. "Ed... I just wanted to apologise to you, okay?" he spoke with a guilt-ridden expression.

Edgar's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, huh? Apologise for what?" he tilted his head.

"I got mad at you downstairs earlier," Gregory admitted. "But I realize now that it was unreasonable of me..."

Edgar shrugged. "...Well... it's still reasonable for you to get mad at me, especially since I was messing with the utensils downstairs without permission."

Gregory raised an eyebrow. "So, you're not upset at me for calling you out?"

"Why would I?" Edgar replied with a grin. "I thought you're the one who's upset, not me."

Gregory's expression softened as a slight smile emerged across his flushed face. "You know, I was just worried about you," he confessed.

"What do you mean?" Edgar asked, tilting his head further.

"Look, I'm sorry if I have to say sorry again, but I'm sorry that you're stuck with us. I should've convinced you to evacuate while there was still time. Instead, I let you help me help others escape from this city," Gregory explained as his smile faded.

"Greg, don't pity me," Edgar stepped forward.

"I feel guilty. I've always wanted to keep you away from trouble. But now, leaving is inevitable. I couldn't just let you run to the docks alone. But I couldn't leave Oliver either," Gregory tightened his lips.

"Gregory, I'm fine," Edgar reassured him with a quivering smile.

"It's easy for you to say that you're fine. But what about your parents? I bet they're worried about you. I assume they're still here in the city, hesitant to leave without their son, just like Mr Frederick is for Oliver," Gregory pointed out.

     Edgar looks down at the floor. He clenches his fists and takes a slow, deep breath through his nose. His frown makes his cousin, Gregory, furrow his eyebrows from worry. Edgar then glances at Gregory.

"What's wrong...?" Gregory asked worryingly.

"Greg, I haven't told you about this yet," Edgar stated nervously. "I was too scared of how you'd react."

"React to what?" Gregory wondered as his grip on Edgar's hands tightened.

"React to..." Edgar paused, contemplating whether or not to disclose the information. "Should I even tell you this?"

Gregory's eyes bore into Edgar's. "I will listen," he whispered.

Edgar took a nervous breath. "Okay... Greg, have you noticed I've been staying with you for almost a year?" Edgar sighed.

"You rarely go home nowadays, yeah," Gregory nodded, his brows furrowing deeply.

"We've become like roommates in your house. We live together. It's like an endless sleepover," Edgar carefully explained, his gaze shifting to the floor. "And... every time you leave, I'm always worried. I couldn't leave you by my side or let you leave my side. That's why, one day, I decided to find you. I can't disclose where you were, but I managed to spot you. And I followed you, accepting the risks. Now... I'm here, still accepting the risks. Do you know why?"

"Why?" Gregory's curiosity grew.

Edgar's voice quivered with emotion. "It's because I'll do everything to ensure that you, my last living relative whom I can trust and who lives near me, are safe..." he said in a rush.

"What do you mean by that?" Gregory asked as his brows raised.

"Greg... you're the last living relative I can be with," Edgar confessed.

Gregory held Edgar's hands tightly. "Tell me what happened to your parents," Gregory said softly.

"...They didn't abandon me. They didn't forget where I was. They didn't forget about me," Edgar's voice trembled as he revealed the truth. "In fact... I was the only person in their thoughts when they succumbed to... the deadly smallpox disease nine months ago."

"You mean to tell me that your parents are..." Gregory's voice shivered.

Edgar nodded, tears filling up in his eyes. "...Yes."

Gregory sighed as his thoughts swirled into his heart. He then directed a stern glare at the wooden floor. "Is this why you started living with me and sticking by my side?" he asked.

Edgar nodded again. "...Yes..."

     Gregory's heart ached as he empathized with Edgar's loss. The news of his cousin's parents' death brought back painful memories of his mother's passing. The weight of the emotions overwhelmed him, and tears flooded his eyes until they streamed down his cheeks.

"Greg...?" Edgar stepped closer to his cousin.

     Suddenly, Gregory's overwhelming empathy and love for his cousin consumes him. Without hesitation, he pulls Edgar towards his broad chest and encircles his arms around his cousin's neck. Gregory's sniffles echo in the air as he gently hushes Edgar.

     Edgar embraces Gregory back. His arms wrap around Gregory's torso. Silence envelops them, creating a serene sanctuary where their unspoken connection speaks volumes.

"I will be here with you," Gregory whispered to Edgar.