LUCA'S POV (Oldest Brother)

I arrived home in the dead of night, my body weary from a long and exhausting meeting. The house stood before me, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, a sanctuary from the chaos of the outside world. As I stepped out of my car, a sense of anticipation and unease washed over me, an instinctual awareness that something was amiss.

It was then that I noticed the two cars trailing behind me, their presence ominous and foreboding. Before I could fully comprehend the situation, chaos erupted. Gunshots pierced the air, and adrenaline surged through my veins, propelling me into a frantic struggle for survival. It felt like an eternity, dodging bullets and narrowly avoiding collisions, until finally, with a surge of determination, I managed to outmaneuver my pursuers and make it home.

Breathing heavily, my heart pounding in my chest, I rushed through the front door. The familiar hallways echoed with silence, and I instinctively made my way to my siblings' rooms, my mind consumed with worry for their safety. One by one, I checked on each of them, relief washing over me as I found them unharmed and sound asleep.

And then, I reached Harvey's room. My steps softened, and I approached her sleeping figure with a mixture of awe and regret. She had transformed so much since the shy, quiet toddler I once knew. I had missed so much, failed to understand her journey, her struggles. It was a regret that weighed heavily on my heart.

Leaning down, I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, a silent gesture of love and protection. She stirred slightly, a faint smile gracing her lips, and in that moment, I vowed to be better, to bridge the gap that had grown between us.

Retreating to my own room, I washed away the remnants of the night's ordeal, stripping down to gray sweatpants that felt comforting and familiar. I settled onto my bed, ready to immerse myself in work, to drown out the thoughts that threatened to consume me.

But just as I was about to open my laptop, a soft knock sounded at my door. Surprised, I opened it, finding my youngest brother, Adrien, standing there with a blanket and two pillows clutched tightly in his arms. Adrien had become somewhat of a rebel lately, drifting away from us, but now he stood before me, a silent plea in his eyes.

I welcomed him into my room, and he climbed into my bed, arranging the pillows and pulling the blanket over himself. I settled beside him, curious and concerned. "What's going on, Adrien?" I asked gently, hoping to uncover the reason behind his unexpected presence.

He shrugged, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. "Just needed somewhere to be," he muttered softly, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

My heart ached at the sight of the claw marks etched on his forearms, evidence of his inner turmoil. Anger and protectiveness surged within me, and I couldn't help but press further. "What happened to your arms, Adrien? You know you can talk to me."

Adrien's defenses rose, his expression guarded. "It's nothing, Luca. Just leave it."

I sighed, realizing that pushing him further would only push him away. Sometimes, silence was the only refuge someone sought. Instead, I chose to wrap my arm around him, pulling him closer in a wordless embrace. In the comforting darkness of my room, we found solace, our shared presence a balm to our wounded souls.

As the night stretched on, sleep claimed us, the weight of the world momentarily lifted. In the safety of each other's arms, we found fleeting respite, a bond forged in the face of adversity.

I groggily opened my eyes to the persistent prodding, my mind still clouded with remnants of sleep. The room slowly came into focus, and there stood Olivia, her expression a mix of shock, disbelief, and something far more troubling. Confusion gnawed at me as she began to unleash a torrent of incoherent words.

"What... What are you talking about, Olivia?" I managed to mumble, my voice heavy with sleep.

But her words only grew louder and more frantic, accusing us of something illegal, something disgusting. It took me a moment to piece together her accusations, and when the realization hit me, a burst of laughter threatened to escape my lips. Adrien, too, seemed to understand, his groan muffled by the bedsheets.

Her screams pierced through the tranquility of the morning, rousing the rest of the household. Like a tumultuous storm, our father and three brothers rushed into the room, their faces etched with concern. Olivia continued her tirade, her homophobic remarks cutting through the air, staining the room with a toxic energy.

"Daddy Luca and Adrien were making out. They're together and th-they were sleeping together." Olivia managed to stutter out.

My eyes widen in shock at her accusation, how she managed to twist something so painfully simple and innocent into something like that.

I rolled my eyes and looked at my father who seems to have had enough of her tantrums this early in the morning and sent her crying out of the room in a minute, her tail tucked between her legs. I'd always known we had spoiled her a little but being homophobic isn't something we'd ever tolerate in the house.

Adrien muttered under his breath, his frustration evident. I placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, wordlessly conveying my support. Turning to our father, I explained that Adrien sought solace and comfort, seeking refuge in my presence. I couldn't help but add a playful remark, teasing Adrien for being a big baby.

A genuine laugh escaped our father's lips, his warm chuckle echoing through the room. He understood, his eyes reflecting a blend of love and amusement. With a reassuring nod, he left us, granting us the space we needed.

As the tension dissipated, Knight, Benjamin, and Ronan, my other brothers in the room, joined us. They approached with open arms, calling out for a group hug, their voices filled with warmth and affection. Embracing them tightly, I reveled in the simple joy of their presence. In that moment, the barriers that often held me captive melted away, and my heart swelled with love for my brothers.

Knight grinned mischievously. "Well, Luca, it seems you've gained a bed buddy," he quipped, causing laughter to ripple through the room.

Benjamin chimed in, his voice filled with playful sarcasm. "Yeah, Luca, what are you guys plotting under those covers? Pillow fights?"

Ronan smirked and nudged Adrien. "I always knew you were a cuddler, little bro. Not so tough after all."

Adrien's cheeks flushed, a mixture of embarrassment and amusement. "Shut up, you guys. It's not like that. I just needed some comfort, okay?"

I chuckled, pulling Adrien into a tight side-hug. "We know, Adrien. We're always here for you, no matter what."

Knight slung an arm around Benjamin, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, if Luca's offering cuddles, I wouldn't mind joining in. We could have a real sleepover."

Benjamin playfully pushed him away. "Back off, Knight. Luca's cuddle sessions are reserved for the chosen few."

We laughed, the banter lifting our spirits. In that moment, the love and bond we shared as brothers grew stronger than ever.

As we finally broke the hug, laughter and smiles adorning our faces, I felt a renewed sense of gratitude. Gratitude for my family, for their love and support. And in the midst of it all, Adrien, my youngest brother, leaned into me, seeking comfort and finding solace in the warmth of our shared embrace.

Harvey's entrance into the room disrupted the peaceful atmosphere we had cultivated, her presence injecting a burst of energy into the space. She stormed in, dressed for school, her outfit surprisingly appropriate compared to what we had come to expect from her seeing the way Olivia dressed.

"What were you brats up to? And what's with all the screaming?" she demanded, her tone laced with annoyance.

I glanced at my brothers, silently signaling that I would take on the responsibility of explaining the chaotic scene that had unfolded earlier. I recounted the encounter with Olivia, the venomous words she had spewed, and our father's intervention to protect us. Harvey muttered something under her breath, expressing her disdain for Olivia's homophobia.

Harvey's gaze swept across the room, her expression betraying no emotions. She seemed ready to leave, dismissive of the situation. But before she could make her exit, I called out to her, my voice filled with a mix of longing and regret.

"Harvey, wait. Join us," I implored, hoping to bridge the growing divide between us.

Her raised eyebrow indicated her curiosity, and she paused, turning to face me. Her response was curt, a wall of indifference erected between us. "I'd rather puke for three days straight than ever touch any of you."

My heart sank, the weight of her words hitting me with a force I hadn't anticipated. I understood her pain, her lingering resentment, but I longed for the chance to rebuild our fractured relationship. Adrien, ever perceptive, spoke up, challenging her with a question that cut through the tension.

"Why don't you like them? They weren't the ones responsible for you being sent away," he stated, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and genuine concern.

Harvey sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as she walked over to him. Her voice softened as she responded, directing her words specifically at Adrien. "It's not you, Adrien. You were small when I was sent away. But the rest of them... They chose not to believe me, to side with Olivia, and they didn't even try to stop our father from sending me away."

Her words hung heavily in the air, the weight of our collective guilt settling upon us. Adrien, moved by her vulnerability, stepped out of our hug and made a request that tugged at my heartstrings. He asked for a hug, a simple gesture to bridge the gap that had formed between them.

Harvey shrugged, seemingly unfazed, and stepped into Adrien's waiting embrace. His arms enveloped her tightly, a silent promise of support and love. I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, knowing deep down that Adrien had been spared the burden of the past, while the rest of us had unknowingly contributed to Harvey's pain.

Once the embrace ended, Harvey detached herself from us, leaving us to process the weight of her words. Adrien, mischievous as ever, turned to the rest of us, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

"I'm the favorite brother, you know. She loves me the most," he teased, his words attempting to lighten the somber atmosphere.

We laughed, albeit uneasily, realizing the truth in Adrien's playful remark. But there was a shared understanding among us, a recognition of the work that lay ahead. We needed to rebuild the trust and mend the fractures within our siblinghood. It wouldn't be easy, but it was a journey we were willing to embark on.

As we dispersed, Adrien's playful words lingering in the air, I couldn't help but feel a renewed determination to earn Harvey's trust and to heal the wounds that had plagued our family for far too long.