Eric rang the bell, waiting for the door to open. It opened slightly, Mr Moon looking worse than before.

"I'm sorry about the other day. I needed to get myself together. May I come in?"

The door was closed in his face. Well, it was expected considering how he left. Mr Moon was just protecting his son. He turned to leave before hearing the door open.

"Come in."

Eric walked in, placing his bag beside the couch.

"Is Kevin home?"

"Yeah. He's... not feeling well."

Kevin was sick? He looked healthy just yesterday. He moved to head over but was held back by Mr Moon.

"Be careful."

Eric felt uneasy at his warning. He swallowed, knocking on the door.

"Kevin? It's-"

The door flew open, Eric's backside meeting the floor. Kevin's weigh was keeping him pinned to the floor. He kept whispering apologies, forcing Eric to assure him no harm was done.

"You came back...! You don't hate me! You... you still like me, right?"

"I never stopped."

Kevin's lightless eyes seemed to sparkle in that instant. Now that he thought about it, why did Kevin look so hopeless? His room as if he'd given up on living? He had questions he wanted answered, but would Kevin tell him?

"I'd like to sit in your room so..."

Kevin quickly got to his feet, helping Eric up. The room looked messier than when he last saw it. At least the bed was clear. Eric sat down, Kevin standing off to the side picking at his sweater sleeves.

"Kevin, I want to know what's going on. This isn't like you. And the whole seal deal too! Why did you destroy our treasure?"

Kevin shifted his weight, often glancing at him. Was he waiting for permission? Odd.

"You can sit next to me. I won't run this time."

It seemed that was all he needed. Kevin sat beside him, thinking his words over.

"I didn't mean to. I was scared of myself. But... the damage had been done. I couldn't reverse it..." he spoke meekly, avoiding Eric's gaze.

"What about the note?"

"I was worried about you. I knew you'd come so I wanted to scare you. Clearly it didn't work..."

"Why do you want to keep me away?" questioned Eric.

"I... Is it not obvious..."

Eric lifted Kevin's face, getting a good look at him. The lightless eyes, the eyebags, his pale skin, the hopeless tone...

"Kevin, what's ailing you? Help me understand..."

Kevin closed his eyes, silently rolling something around in his mind.

"I won't force you to talk. Talk to me when you're ready, okay?" smiled Eric.

Eric let his face go, turning his attention to the room. His body was prevented from moving, Kevin holding him by his waist.

"My mom..."

Eric kept quiet, letting Kevin speak at his own pace. He felt a tug, knowing that gesture anywhere. Eric laid down, Kevin wiggling closer to him. He was still wary after what he saw, but this was probably the best way to get him to open up.

"She's gone..."

He had a feeling, noticing the lack of her touch anywhere. Mrs Moon had a magic touch when it came to decorating. Yet this place was devoid of her touch.

"Vacation, right?"

Kevin's face darkened, saying enough. There was more to it.

"Can you tell me the real story?"

Kevin clung to him like a child. It was going to be a tough one.

"She just left. She told me she loved me, that it was breaking her heart, but she had to be elsewhere. And she left. She... she's been... for three years..."

Three years?! Kevin curled into himself, trying not to drown in his emotions. He knew how close Kevin was to his mom, so her leaving had to have hit him hard. Why did she leave? He wanted to ask but it took this much for him to open up about it. His questions could wait.

Kevin wept in silence, remembering the day vividly. How she had tears in her eyes, how she hugged him as if she'd never see him again. She wasn't lying when she said she loved him. He could hear the sincerity in her voice.

"Mom..." hiccuped Kevin, his tears falling non stop.

Eric rubbed his back, waiting for Kevin to calm down before pressing him any more than he already has. Kevin eventually stopped crying, having cried himself to sleep. He guessed questions would have to wait longer. He quietly left the room, seeking out Mr Moon.

"Mr Moon?"

"Oh! I forgot you were here... Uh, yes Eric?"

"Why did your wife leave?"

Mr Moon dropped the dish he was washing, clearly startled by the question. Did he have something to hide?

"She wanted to see the world. Would a loving husband stop her from doing so?"

Eric excused himself, pretending to go to the bathroom. He hurried back to Kevin's room, whispering an apology as he unlocked his phone. Something just didn't sit right at the vacation reason. He found Kevin's chat with his mom. At least they still kept in contact. He scrolled through, seeing Kevin mention it a few times but she always dodged the question.

"Were the Moons always this secretive?" he whispered, seeing Mr Moon was the only one to give him the answer.

Mr Moon smiled, welcoming Eric back.

"Could you tell me what really happened? For Kevin's sake?"

Mr Moon said nothing, his focus on putting dishes away before taking out ingredients to cook.

"He knows."

Kevin knew? Then again, those messages of him asking were over two years old.

"It would help me understand Kevin better if I knew too."

Mr Moon seemed to get smaller and meeker. Just what in the world happened?

"It was a dumb mistake. She found out. We were both tipsy and the mood was right." he admitted, saying nothing more. "The wife found out and the rest is history..."

"You cheated, Mr Moon?!"

Having it out in the air and so bluntly made the man before him shrink into himself more. At least the man felt guilt and shame. Then it brought up another question.

"Why did Kevin stay with you? That part makes no sense."

"We both agreed it wouldn't be right to uproot him when he was happy and comfortable. Once he's done with highschool, he'll be living with her." explained Mr Moon, getting lost in his thoughts. "I ruined my family..."

Eric couldn't find the heart to comfort the man before him. He agreed after all. Eric quietly thanked him before heading back to Kevin's room. He was still out like a light. Eric laid down next to him, putting the broken pieces back together.

Three years ago, Mrs Moon found out about Mr Moon's cheating. Kevin knew nothing at the time and was confused and hurt by his mother's actions. Knowing how close Kevin was to Mrs Moon, this must have been devastating. It probably contributed to his current state of mind. Then two years later, Kevin found out the reason why his mom left.

Now that he thought about it, he started thinking back to the initial interaction between the two. Mr Moon's jumpy behavior, how they spoke to each other. Mr Moon seeming like he'd be in trouble for not telling Kevin something and Kevin showing disgust at the mere fact he was speaking. All the strange behaviors connected together now.

Kevin awoke, seeing Eric was still here. He was still here. He didn't run away. Eric turned, seeing Kevin clasping his hand in both of his.

"My mom-"

"I know, Mr Moon told me. I'm sorry that this happened to you and your mom."

Kevin sat up, a scowl forming in his face.

"I HATE HIM!"

"Kevin, calm down."

Kevin was breathing heavily, tears threatening to leave his eyes again. It had to be hard, especially if he was keeping it bottled up. It wasn't something you could just come out and tell someone. Yet just that couldn't result in whatever Kevin's become.

Kevin seemed to finally calm down, looking tired. Then again, when didn't he look tired? He could probably ease up on questioning for today. He was still unpacking the fact the happiest couple he knew besides his parents had fallen apart like this.