Epilogue:

It was just a little past dawn, and Aaron knew he should be sleeping, but instead he found himself leaning against the window as he watched the world in silence.

He'd always found a liking to dawn; it was so peaceful, so silent save for the whispers and hushed goodbyes between the sun and moon that swept through the cold wind. His eyes had always marveled at the soft orange tinge that would adorn the sky behind the sun as it rose, and at the rays that fell from it and sifted through the leaves of the swaying trees; a comforting glow finally danced along the dark roads.

Everything was so calm at dawn; there were no words and no judgement, and he could let himself think and ponder silently about all that had happened without disturbance.

It had been two years since the kidnapping, and things had changed a lot.

After police interrogation and all the necessities had been completed, none of the captors had been sentenced to jail; they were all transferred to a mental hospital. Among them, Lou was the least screwed up, but even as parts of his sanity lingered, he still needed help. He was the most responsive to therapy, behaving well and eager to heal from all the insanity, longing to live a normal life.

And now, Lou was spending his last months in there; he was getting out soon.

And of course, with the checkups both Leo and Aaron had undergone, the police immediately noticed their old scars that the doctors quickly associated to past years, before the kidnapping—this had immediately dragged their fathers into the equation, and soon enough both were hanging out in their prison cells, keeping each other company.

Aaron hadn't entered into the foster care system; his mom had traveled over and now lived with him instead of his father with her husband. And for the first several months after they'd gotten saved—when police were still interrogating and things still hadn't quite settled dowm—Aaron had been able to see Leo and help him adapt. Leo hadn't been able to take in the new life well at all, and he'd refused to open up to anyone or even listen to doctors. He'd only wanted his brother. But with Aaron's help, he'd gradually gotten coaxed into accepting the doctors', officers', and therapists' help and guidance into healing.

But things went a little downhill when Leo was thrown into the foster care system; he was fostered by a married man and woman, who were willing to pay for all his therapy but lived ages away from Aaron. Aaron lived in the outskirts of a small town, and Leo had to move with them to the other side of the country. Aaron had tried to convince his mom to adopt Leo—an idea she hadn't been against, but at that time the entire kidnapping case had still been fresh and she didn't think it was the right time to adopt—so she'd simply refused.

This had led to the separation.

And it made things worse that Aaron didn't have the chance to visit between his own therapy sessions, psychologists, work as a waiter, and school commitments. For two years, he'd barely visited Leo once, and that one time was rushed because he'd barely had time to stay there. They lost contact for a while save for a few phone calls.

Aaron really missed Leo.

The thin curtains shuddered as the cold air that wafted through the half open window blew past them and nipped at Aaron's bare arms, the icy sting against his skin bringing him out of his trance.

He realized he was still only clad in black trousers, half way through getting dressed to go for a walk, something he'd taken as a habit to dissipate part of the loneliness killing his heart.

Aaron got up and put on a sweater and a thick forest green jacket on top. As he zipped it up entirely to the neck, he walked out of the room and slowly closed the door, tiptoeing like a thief past his mom and step-dad's room as he made his way down to the front door.

He cursed under his breath as he fit the keys into the lock. They kept jiggling, clattering against each other until he finally opened the door and stepped outside, allowing the brewing wind to whisk through his hair, disheveling the messy black locks he'd lazily brushed his fingers through.

And his feet dragged along the ground beneath him absently, keeping him moving even though he didn't have a specific place in mind; he just walked and soaked in the cool air that surrounded him and the sweet caresses of the dawn light that barely licked by his skin, so soft, so gentle like it wasn't even there.

It was when he found himself walking by the edges of the small, modest apartments, and stepping onto pavement rather than gravel and dirt, that he realized he'd gotten to the town right by his village. Aaron grimaced as the tall cement buildings began covering up the sky and veiling the orange tint with how high they towered; he liked the view, and they were ruining it. So he decided to turn back.

But then something happened

He'd barely turned around when he heard hasty footsteps pounding from his side, followed by tired breaths and pants for air. Aaron frowned, turning to the source so he'd figure out what the ordeal was, but it was at the same moment he squinted into the distance that the person running forwards crashed into him; both stumbled back with the impact.

"What the hell," Aaron mumbled as he pulled whoever had run into him away, staring at the face for any acknowledgement; it didn't take a second for him to realize who he was. All it took for him was a look into the pair of blue eyes that cradled distinct innocence.

Leo looked up at him, tilting his head for a second. "Aar?"

Aaron opened his mouth to speak; a part of him wanted to greet his little brother but another was confused at what he was doing here when he was supposed to be at the other end of the entire country. But as soon as he tried to let out a single world, Leo interrupted him, patting his arm urgently as he glanced back over his shoulder.

"Run, Aar! Run!"

"What—"

"Not now. I said run!"

Maybe it was the urgency in Leo's voice that inflicted the fear of being chased in Aaron, but soon he found himself running with him even though he had no idea what the hell was happening.

"Leo?" Aaron said as he raced beside him. "What the hell is going on! What are we running from?"

"There were two boys there and they want money from me. I told them I don't have anything and now they want to beat me up! What kind of logic do they have!"

"Oh, great! What a typical way to see you again after two years!"

Aaron caught Leo's arm and rounded a corner, then only ran a little forwards before pulling him along into the mouth of an alleyway. He pressed his back against the wall, forcing Leo to do so as well. They both strained to quiet down their breaths as they listened to the hurried footsteps, praying silently for the boys to skip past the alleyway.

One boy didn't notice them and both Aaron and Leo heaved in a sigh as they watched his frame race past them. But the other slowed down and walked just behind the mouth of the alleyway. Aaron looked around for a weapon, for anything he could protect himself and Leo with, but he was interrupted when a hand slithered in, grasping Leo's hair, and another caught his shoulder tightly; the boy pulled Leo out of the alleyway then punched him across the jaw, sending him fumbling back with a pained gasp as he rubbed the sore skin, groaning.

Aaron's eyes widened. He lunged, without thinking, catching Leo and pulling him so he could face him; blood trickled down the edge of his lip, and the sight of the deep crimson oozing out had a surge of anger filling Aaron's veins. He let out a humorless chuckle, sharp and unwelcoming, before turning to face the boy who'd punched Leo. Amusement sparked in his eyes for a second as he recognized him; that boy had tried to mess with him before, dumbly oblivious of how much Aaron had changed.

"You did not just punch him," Aaron said with a sharp edge marring his voice. "You did not just punch my little brother."

The boy's face blanched as he took in Aaron; the recognition flooded his senses and he remembered how messing with him went last time. "Aaron?"

"Hell yes, Aaron." Aaron took a step towards him, watching him squirm, the feigned anger he'd bursted at Leo diminishing into fear that lingered on his face in a worried frown and weakness swirling in his eyes. "Didn't I tell you don't ever mess with me last time? Do you think you're messing with little fourteen-year-old Aaron?"

"I wasn't messing with you, I was just messing with... him." The boy pointed a finger at Leo.

"That's worse, idiot!" Aaron gripped the front of his shirt in his fist, clenching the fabric between his fingers tightly as he made him step back until he was pressed against the wall. "Don't ever mess with him again, understand?"

"What even are you talking about? You don't have a little brother!"

"You're so slow it makes my head hurt." Aaron caught the back of his head and turned his face towards Leo, who stood in the distance just staring with wide eyes. "You see him? Blue eyes, brown hair? Yeah that's Leo, my brother. Okay? And you just punched him."

"I didn't—"

Aaron punched him; the way his fist collided with his jaw emitted along a sickening smack that made Leo cringe, and yet he couldn't do anything but stare silently as the boy groaned, slumping against the wall defeatedly. Aaron caught his clothes one final time, tugging him close for a warning look.

"You should thank God I'm done with one punch. If Leo wasn't watching I would've gone with a couple more."

Aaron let go of him and turned to find the other boy now standing a little behind Leo, frozen, watching with panic in his eyes as his friend slumped against the wall with a bruise across his jaw. "Take your friend and get out of my face," Aaron hissed as he gestured him aside, gripping Leo's arm and towing him along as he brushed past both boys.

Leo stopped Aaron when they went out of sight. "That was... I mean, thanks," Leo mumbled, smiling. "But, I didn't know you could do that... I mean, since when are you strong enough to, you know?"

"Two years." Aaron smiled back. "Shit changes." He devoted a minute to take in how much Leo had changed. He'd grown quite taller, but still shorter than Aaron. His voice now wasn't as soft as Aaron could remember it had been; it was now maturer and stronger with a soft rasp clinging bearably to the edge.

But his eyes were the same: lockets cradling calm blue oceans and familiar innocence. And his face, even though his features had also gotten maturer—sharper jawline and defined cheeks—still glowed with the same childlike guileless looks.

"I can't believe you're seventeen now. You're taller," Aaron said, raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah. I changed a lot. I can write and read hard words now. And I know a lot more things." Leo nodded awkwardly when he finished speaking. Both didn't know where to start. Even with the few phone calls and one-time visit that broke the separation, they felt so flustered to finally see each again. "And you're taller too."

"Yeah. So how's it been?"

"Um... good I guess? I was in a rehabilitation center at one point; y'know, physical therapy because I didn't do a lot of movement when I was... when we were... you know. With them. And a lot of psychologists and therapy and whatnot." Leo pursed his lips. "How's it been for you?"

"It was good—" Aaron stopped, then shook his head to himself and extended his arm out. "What the hell are we doing? It's been two years and I've barely seen you, come give me a hug before we talk about all this shit."

Leo's cheeks lifted as Aaron finally broke the invisible wall standing between them. He quickly stepped in and gave him a hug, the curve of the smile lingering on his lips as he felt himself settle.

"I missed you so much, Aar," Leo mumbled as he looked up to Aaron; he didn't only look up to him physically—not only through his sight as his eyes connected with his—but he also looked up to him with his heart. He knew that the same Aaron would be there, that he hadn't forgotten him even after the two chaotic years. After everything, he still felt that deep trust erupting from within him towards Aaron.

"I missed you too." Aaron smiled at him, then gestured him to walk along. "Let's go back. We have a lot to talk about. Especially about what you're doing here now."

Leo shrugged. "I told my foster parents that I wanted to see you. My psychologist said it would be good for me to go. So I'm here." The smile that had been hanging upon his mouth dropped, and his bottom lip jutted in a sad pout. "I guess brothers think the same; we both like having walks at dawn?" Both boys laughed for a second. "I'm only staying for a few days. I have to go back. But I want to stay here. With my brother."

"Ah, I see." Aaron smiled at the last of his words; it wasn't vain, something brewed behind it but Leo decided to ignore it instead, only frowning to himself unsurely as he fought to locate the pleasure Aaron had found with the tragedy of separation all over again.

And they strolled beside each other silently until they were back in the village, moving and turning until they were standing by a small pond with an old, worn and creaky wooden bench set just by the brink of the water.

They settled on it, and for a second they lost themselves to the serenity of the tinted dawn sky reflecting onto the calm waters with a faint orange that swirled among the blue. The sun lingered on the horizon shyly, as if peeking onto the two and listening to all they spoke.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you after you had to move with your foster parents. I didn't want you to move away, and I tried to convince my mom to adopt you. But she said it was still too early for that. She still couldn't believe I was kidnapped in the first place." Aaron's shoulders heaved in sync with the heavy, tired sigh that left his lips; he hadn't had enough control to decide for Leo what was better, and it killed him to think he'd had to watch him leave and live so far away without a chance to protest.

"No, Aar. Don't say that. If you didn't help me for the first months before the fostering shit I wouldn't have agreed to listen to the therapist and doctors at all," Leo said. "The only reason I did as everyone told me when I went with my foster parents is because you told me they wanted to help me. And I trust you, Aar. Every time I felt like I didn't want to listen I would remember what you told me. And I know you had the same thing going on with you. We both barely had time to live at all."

"Yeah. I had to see a psychologist for both the kidnapping and what my dad used to do to me. Then school started and I went to self-defense classes too. And then the therapist said I needed to work to forget; so I started working in a café. And between all of this, I barely had time for anything."

There was silence for a moment; Leo's eyes dropped down, skimming the surface of the clear blue water. "The doctors and the therapists... they all explained to me how wrong what... you know... they were doing to me was. They told me how much they hurt me. And I'm convinced, Aar. I am convinced they made the wrong decision in helping me. They did it in the wrong way. I know. I realized." He stopped, squinting and blinking to himself as if going over the words he had in mind for a final time. "But they still saved me, Aar. They saved me from my dad. I'm convinced what they did was sick and wrong, but—"

"Leo, no. Don't think that way—"

"Aar, listen." Leo turned to Aaron, catching him straight in the eyes. "If they never kidnapped me, I would've died in my dad's basement without anyone knowing about me. And if it wasn't for you, the police would've never come and I would've never gotten help like now. The four of you saved me. They saved me from dad and you saved me from them."

A part of Aaron couldn't help but find logic in what Leo had said. It was true, and he was glad he could at least realize that even as they'd saved him, they'd still done something unbelievably sick and disturbing. He sighed, but just as he opened his mouth for a word of consolation to tumble out, footsteps pattered forwards hurriedly from behind, and suddenly a certain weight was flung onto his side, familiar, warm arms curling around his neck.

"Aaron," Erika mumbled as she nuzzled into the side of his head, eyes closed. "You're here. Your mom called me and she said she couldn't find you when she woke up and I was so, so worried."

Aaron slipped an arm around her waist and hugged her back, smiling at the warmth that radiated off her and thawed out the frost of the wind nipping at his face. "Don't worry," he said. "I'm fine."

Leo raised his eyebrows awkwardly before looking away and straightening in his seat. He felt like he was intruding, but as he began pulling himself off the bench, Aaron's hand held his knee and pushed him back down.

"Erika," Aaron whispered into her ear. "I have someone with me."

Erika immediately sprang back. She hadn't noticed anyone as she had run forwards. All her eyes had been set on was Aaron, and a bashful blush crept up to her cheeks as she realized she'd thrown herself onto him. She laughed awkwardly and tucked a strand of her hair behind the curve of her ear, her brown eyes tracing the grass beneath their feet before finally forcing them to connect with Leo's.

"Uh... hi. I'm sorry, I honestly don't know how I didn't see you." She found Aaron's hand and held it. "I love him. Couldn't resist."

Leo nodded at her. "Yeah. I could tell. You were all over him."

"Uh?"

Aaron's eyes widened, and he quickly grabbed Erika's arm, leaning towards her. "That's my little brother. I told you about him. He's innocent. Trust me, he doesn't mean it that way."

Erika nodded at him slowly, before something set in. "Wait, he's your little brother?" She smiled as Aaron nodded at her, extending her hand forwards towards Leo. "Leo! Aaron told me a lot about you a lot. I'm Erika. Nice to meet you."

Leo frowned for a second, confusion stirring deep in his eyes as they skittered back to Aaron. Should I? The way he looked at him conveyed the words in his mind without the need to speak.

Aaron understood what Leo meant. "She knows how we met, don't worry. She knows how much you mean to me."

Leo nodded, then hesitantly shook hands with her. He smiled, but his eyes kept springing back to Aaron for assurance. He relaxed a little more when he saw an encouraging look on his face. If he trusted her, then he could trust her too.

"Erika," Leo repeated. "Wait... Erika? Isn't she the girl you like? Are you guys like... actually together or something now?"

"Yeah." Aaron glanced at Erika then looked at Leo, nudging him with his elbow. "And what about you and Carly. Still like her?"

Leo snorted, shaking his head. "Not really. I watched her kiss Freddie. I was crushed. I don't like her anymore, still heartbroken."

Aaron and Leo laughed, although Erika couldn't quite get the joke.

They stayed silent for a moment as the wind swept across the pond, making the water ripple until it splashed against the cracked stone-lined brink.

The buzz of Aaron's phone as it vibrated his pocket was the first sound to break their trance. All eyes subconsciously followed his hand as it dipped in his pocket and pulled out the phone, his fingers pressing against the screen briefly before he lifted it to his ear and excused himself for a minute.

"Mom," Aaron said as he pulled himself up and strolled a little further away. Leo caught Aaron's wrist. Aaron knew what he meant: don't leave me alone.

So Aaron didn't. Phone pressed against his ear, he stood beside Leo, to the left of the bench, letting him keep his grip on his wrist because that assured him around strangers.

Leo remained silent for a moment as Aaron talked on the phone. He gave Erika a side-glance, akin to a curious kitten, then gathered his confidence, plastering it as best as he could as he decided to speak. "So, how was Aaron? Did he suffer too much?"

Erika shook her head. She lowered her voice. "Nah. He went through everything like a pro. I mean, he did go through a phase where he just wouldn't let anyone touch him, or do anything for him at all. He wanted to be completely independent. Completely. But with psychologists and stuff he got over it. He's still a little sensitive when it comes to touching him, but it's way better than before. He doesn't flinch with me."

"Oh. Yeah, I know him. I knew he'd handle it well. And he doesn't flinch with me either." Leo smiled awkwardly. But then even that dropped when he remembered how he'd have to leave in a few days, back to the dreadful house away from Aaron.

"Hey, cheer up." Erika pinched Leo's cheek, gently pulling his face up along. "I've just gotten to know you, but if you're Aaron's brother then you must be as awesome as him. Consider me a friend, I'm here if you need anything."

Leo subconsciously pulled away from her hand. Aaron's girlfriend and everything, but he wasn't about to let her get too touchy with him. He mumbled, "Thanks," and tightened his hand around Aaron's wrist.

Aaron rounded the bench again whilst shoving the phone in his pocket and settled down between the two. A bright smile lingered on his lips as he looked at Leo, and his eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Remember when we first got saved, and you got fostered and I wanted mom to adopt you so you don't have to move away, but she said she couldn't do it. That it was too early?" Aaron waited patiently as Leo tilted his head before nodding; he could remember that. He could remember how saddened he'd been when reality had been set and he'd had to leave his Aaron. "And she saw you again when I visited you that one time, remember? Well, I've been talking to her a since then. I've been discussing it with her and my step-dad. And guess what?"

Leo's heart pounded as he gathered all what Aaron had said together, the speculations and anticipation of the outcome now swamping his chest with anxious excitement. "What?"

"My mom and step-dad want to adopt you. They're ready."

Leo blinked at Aaron for a moment, his lips never lifting into a smile. "Wait, what? Did she just agree? On the phone?"

"No. She was just checking on me on the phone. We've agreed on this for a while before. And I was waiting to tell you. That means you're staying here. And now we'll be brothers, for real."

The idea of being able to stay beside Aaron stunned Leo for a moment, like a soft punch to his heart. "Aar.." Leo's eyes scoured Aaron's, trying to detect any sort of joke. But they were so steady and serious. So this was true. It was happening. Leo's stomach churned, both ecstatic and anxious. "You're serious?"

"Yes I'm serious. There's a lot of paper work and crap to be done. It's going to take some time, but it's going to happen. You're gonna stay with me."

"Aar," Leo mumbled, eyes glistening like the pond beside them. He leant forwards, giving Aaron a quick hug. "I can't believe it, Aar. This is the best thing that's happened to me in two years."

"Yeah. Same."

Erika's instinct told her to throw her arms around both but she decided not to intrude. She watched them until they pulled apart. And when they did, she pecked Aaron's cheek, mumbling, "I'm so happy for you."

She looked at Leo, only to notice that he'd been frowning a little in the background. She smiled at him. Leo finally mirrored her expression. "I'm happy for you too, Leo. I barely know you but I love you already."

Leo's eyes attached themselves to his lap. He needed time to warm up to her. Aaron knew that too. It didn't matter. Right now, all that mattered was that for once, they felt safe, no fear to run from and no happiness to chase. For once, stars aligned into a constellation and heartbeats finally found a rhythm.

Three people, one world. Three other people, another world. The distances were immeasurable but a mother's heart wouldn't forget her babies.

In the confines of the mental hospital, Mommy sat on her bed like she'd done for the last two years. Even with the therapy and medication, she couldn't forget how she'd gotten separated from her baby boys. She'd always sat and pondered the possibilities: what could've happened if they'd all just died, if they'd managed to escape the police all together and live somewhere else, if all of that hadn't happened at all, and Leo and Aaron—her precious little babies—were still beside her...

If, if, if. Speculations. Wishes. Dreams. But reality was something else, something bitter, like her loneliness right now. Like realizing everything she'd planned for her entire life, just to build a family, her family, had gone to waste.

And yet, she'd do it all over again. Even if she knew it would end like this. Just to touch Aaron and Leo, to love them, to call them hers.

*_*_*_*_*

Don't remove the book from your libraries/reading lists!! Wait!!

There's a bonus chap (with Lou in it!) and and a/n chap (posting it tomorrow) and some more stuff coming so wait for that <33

(Also if you remember, yes, I changed the last 2 paragraphs because gosh they were the absolute worst cringe ever i was about to literally puke when i read them lmfao.)