Corliss happily hummed as she helped the children hang up their drawings. They excitedly looked at one another's, comparing and deciding whose was best. Honjo tightly held his, feeling embarrassed.

"Why don't we hang yours up, Honjo?" she suggested.

"I don't want to..." he mumbled, clutching it to his chest.

"May I see it?" she asked in a soft voice.

Honjo reluctantly handed it over. Corliss covered her mouth as she stared. She looked at Honjo who nervously rubbed his arm.

"It's nice, Honjo. You'd make a fine artist one day." Corliss said, beaming.

The picture in her hand consisted of Honjo holding hands with two adults. Her and Illumi. A little sun was drawn up above as they stood in grass. An outing most likely. She understood why he was hesitant to show it off.

"I'll keep it since you don't want to hang it up. Is that okay with you?" she asked waiting for a response.

"Yes! Let Mr. Zoldyck see it too." he said enthusiastically.

"Why don't you look at everyone else's?" she said, sending him on his way.

She looked at the picture again with a sad smile. She didn't know when Honjo took a liking to Illumi, but it was refreshing to see him willing to open up to other adults. She looked up at the sound of the children arguing.

"What's going on?" she asked, making her way over.

"He said it's not possible to have two mommys, but Yurina has two." the girl with an irritated look.

"Everyone knows that you can only have one mommy and one daddy. It's weird not to have both." he said, his hands on his hips.

Corliss rubbed her temples, wondering how this even started in the first place. The children looked at her as she breathed out.

"I'm going to explain something to all of you, so please listen." she said, making sure they understood that it was important. "Traditionally, a family consists of a mommy, a daddy and their children. As the world continues to change, so do traditions."

"So, is having a mommy and daddy not a tradition anymore?" another child asked.

"Not as much as it used to be. As of today, you can see children with one parent or children with two mommys or two daddys. Those kinds of families are just as normal as the traditional mommy and daddy." Corliss explained.

"Ms. Steinbeck, would you adopting me make you a single parent?" Honjo asked.

"Yes. There's only so much I can explain to you all at this age. You all should be having fun and being young." she said with a smile. "Just remember, not every family is perfect, but as long as there's love, you won't feel lonely."

The children nodded then headed back to their seats to continue their individual activities. Aoyuzu stayed behind with Honjo. Corliss noticed the hidden distress on his face.

"Aoyuzu, would you like to take a walk with me?" she asked.

He quietly took her hand. She walked him outside then had him sit.

"What's on your mind, hm?" she questioned softly.

"What kind of relationship do two mommys and two daddys have?" he asked, fidgeting.

"You don't have to worry about that right now." she said, holding his hands.

"I don't...?" he responded.

"One day when you get older and remember, I'll tell you everything you want to know." she said, giving him a warm smile.

"But... will you still be here when I do?" asked Aoyuzu worriedly.

"I'll allow you to send me letters when you're adopted. That way we can stay in touch." said Corliss.

Aoyuzu leaned forward and gave her a hug. Honjo was lucky to be adopted by someone as kind, caring, loving and understanding as Ms. Steinbeck.

"Ms. Steinbeck." he quietly called out. She pulled away and waited for him to continue. "Nothing..."

She quietly watched him climb out of the seat and hurry back inside. It was obvious he wanted to say something, but she was confused as to why he hesitated.

____

Aoyuzu quietly stared at Honjo as they lied in their beds. They weren't close like the others were with their buddies, but Aoyuzu assumed they just weren't meant to get along. Honjo was a lone wolf.

"Aoyuzu, you're staring again." Honjo muttered, opening his eyes.

"S- Sorry..." he quietly apologized, turning his back to Honjo.

"Is there something hanging around me when I sleep?" Honjo asked.

"No... I'm sorry." he apologized again.

Aoyuzu heard shuffling behind him then felt something grab him from behind. Honjo was dragging him out of bed.

"Really, it's nothing. I didn't mean to stare." Aoyuzu panicked, afraid he'd be hit.

"I know." he replied, closing the bedroom door behind them. "I just want to talk."

Honjo let him go then sat down on the floor. Aoyuzu followed suit. They sat in silence until Honjo spoke up.

"What did Ms. Steinbeck tell you?" he asked quietly.

"About what?" Aoyuzu asked, clueless.

"When you went on the walk." he said, remembering her concerned look.

"Oh, she just told me to ask her when I get older. I guess I'm too young to know." he said, hearing her voice in his head.

Honjo nodded then pulled his his knees to his chest. He looked at Aoyuzu who drew invisible circles on the floor.

"Are you scared of me?" Honjo asked.

"Huh? No. I..." Aoyuzu said then quieted down. "I like you... I'm the burden..."

"A burden? You're not... You're the only one willing to put up me, though I'm sure it's just because you're my buddy." said Honjo, a faint smile on his face.

"It's not just because we're buddies. I really do like you. You're brave, going outside to find Mr. Zoldyck, you care a lot about Ms. Steinbeck's happiness and got rid of mean Mr. List." said Aoyuzu, placing his hand atop Honjo's as he scooted closer. "I like you, Honjo."

Aoyuzu gave him a toothy grin. Honjo turned his hand so that it was now holding Aoyuzu's. Aoyuzu couldn't help but notice how warm his hand was. He himself didn't know why he always stared at the boy beside him nor why he went along with his whims without giving it much thought. Was it because he considered them friends? Was it trust? Or was it something completely different?

____

Corliss yawned then noticed a few women heading over to her. She silently exhaled and mentally prepared herself.

"So this is Corliss? My expectations about you were low but holy fuck." she said, pulling on her hair. "Did a bird make a nest on your head?"

"Is there something I can help you ladies with?" she asked, prying her hand off her hair.

"Yeah, break up with List. He's way out of your league." another woman said. "I bet you paid him to date you."

"I'd be ashamed to be seen with you." the third said, laughing with the other two.

"If you don't need anything, I suggest going to check on patients who need the attention." she said, keeping her smile.

They threw a few more insults before walking away. Corlis sighed then took a deep breath. She survived a round without snapping. She moved to work then noticed a spot on the paper below her was damp. A few more spots appeared. She quickly got up from her seat and made a beeline for the restroom.

Corliss gripped the edge of the surface as tears streamed down her face. She wouldn't let them get to her. She wouldn't. Everything was fine. They were just envious. She herself still did find it strange, but if they were happy, not much really mattered. She carefully cleaned her face, making sure not to ruin her makeup. Her phone vibrated in her pocket and took it out to see what it was.

She sat back down at her seat and opened up the chat.

She smiled happily, her dampened spirit rising from despair. She found motivation to work and found it easier to do after talking to Illumi. He was like a breath of fresh air. During the time she worked, not once did List cross her mind.

____

Corliss stood outside, waiting for Illumi who offered to drive her home.

"Liss! You going home?" a familiar voice asked.

"Oh, hi List. I am heading home." she replied.

He wrapped his arms around her waist. Corliss easily blushed.

"Did you get an Uber?" he asked.

"Uh, yeah. They should be arriving soon." she lied, remembering what almost happened between them from earlier in the week. "You should head back inside. It's getting cooler."

"I want to see you off safely." he said, holding her tighter.

"Really, you don't have to. I promise to text you once I'm home." she said, hoping he'd back off.

Illumi's car came into sight, so she quickly turned him around and pushed him back into the hospital.

"I promise I'll text you." she said then quickly took off.

She jumped into Illumi's car and told him to step on it. Illumi did as he was told while she buckled herself in.

"What was that about?" he asked as they drove along.

"List wanted to see me off, but I didn't want a repeat of last time." she explained. She looked back and saw a plastic sitting comfortably on the backseat. "What's in the bag?"

"Our dessert. I got a bit ahead of myself and bought on the way here instead of on our way back." he said with a chuckle. "If you want to eat it now, I think there's a knife in glove compartment."

"A knife...?" she asked in confusion.

"It's a long story. If you're lucky there might be a fork." he said.

"You practically have everything but a spoon and the kitchen sink." she said.

They looked at each other then burst into laughter. She closed it, telling herself to wait until they got to her place.

"Thanks for this. I had a god awful time at work." she said, feeling like venting.

"Ah, save it for when we get to your place. That way you're comfy and eating something delicious." Illumi replied.

Many minutes and turns later, they found themselves climbing the stairs up to Corliss's apartment. She unlocked the door then paused. Did she leave anything out? Illumi looked at her, wondering what was wrong. She continued inside, feeling everything was safe. She went to the kitchen to grab spoons while Illumi put on music to listen to in the background.

"So, vent. I'm all ears." said Illumi before eating from his pint.

"So, I'm sitting at my desk..." she said, telling him every bit of information she remembered. Illumi nodded, wondering if women were really that nasty when it came to men. "Then you texted me and I felt better. Thanks, Illumi."

"All in a days work." he said with a wink. "You haven't been talking about List lately. Are you two not on speaking terms?"

"We're fine. It's just, I don't really have anything to say." she said then remembered the picture. "Oh, I wanted to show you something."

Illumi quietly watched as she left. She came back holding a folded piece of paper. She unfolded it then held it up for him.

"Honjo drew this. It's kind of cute isn't it?" she said.

"He drew this? I guess he really does like me, huh. Did he tell you what he meant by this?" Illumi asked.

"I never did ask. I just assumed he wanted to go on an outing with us." Corliss replied, looking at it again.

"What if he meant us being his parents?" Illumi suggested, causing Corliss to choke on her ice cream. "Are you okay?"

He patted her back as she coughed. She looked up at Illumi who had a face full of concern.

"His parents...? The only way that work is if we..." she said, trailing off.

"I know. I wouldn't mind being the father of a kid like him, but we're just... I mean, you have List..." said Illumi, moving away from her.

They sat far apart while the picture sat in between them. How did things go from relaxed to awkward? Illumi quickly got up and made his way to the bathroom. Corliss glanced at the picture then looked away. He couldn't mean it like that.

Illumi closed the door behind him then hit himself for bringing it up. Why would he do that? He looked around for a washcloth and checked the small cabinet.

"What's this...?" he muttered as he pulled out clothing. "These are guy's clothes... and a cock ring..."

Illumi pieced it together, leaving two answers. They either belong to Corliss or she tried hiding List's things.

"You..." he heard from behind him. He turned around and saw Corliss looking at him with a horrified expression. "Get your hands out of there!"

Illumi quickly did as he was told and closed the cabinet doors, stepping away to avoid invoking more of her wrath. Corliss glared at him while her insides were a total mess. He saw it. She couldn't imagine what he was thinking about her.

"I didn't-" he said but was silenced by her booming voice.

"Get out! Get out right now! Don't you dare tell anyone what you saw or else I wouldn't mind going to jail." she shouted, hiding her fear and despair behind anger.

Illumi quickly fled the bathroom. She started to sob uncontrollably. Illumi poked his head inside, feeling heartbroken at the sight. He opened the door fully then quietly gave her a hug. She fought back but gave up halfway as she didn't have the strength nor patience.

"I didn't know List's things were there. I'm really sorry." he said, figuring she was embarrassed. "I was just looking for a washcloth..."

"Huh...? Oh, yeah..." she muttered, confused as to why he thought it belonged to List. She decided to roll with it. "You could've asked."

"Sorry..." he said, wiping her tears. "Let's go enjoy our melting ice cream."

She quietly nodded, letting Illumi guide her back to the living room.