"Okay kiddo. What would you like to know?"

"You have scars scattered everywhere, but I noticed you have a long one on your back. What happened there?" Pat asks after some time thinking.

"Well, my scars are from knives and cigarettes pretty much and that one is no different. I was made to work once I was old enough to, and one day I got fired because I kept nearly falling asleep. Going home to tell my dad resulted in him beating me worse than usual, and it ended with him throwing me onto the glass coffee table. A large bit stabbed into me, hence the scar." I explain, internally shivering at the memory.

"But wouldn't you have needed stitches? Surely people would have been suspicious." Pat asks baffled

"Yeah, but mum was a nurse. So I'd be told to lie or get worse next time. That day I had to say I fell on the table, mum stitched me up and I was made to look for a new job the next day." I smile sadly at a Pats horrified face.

"How the hell can a parent do that to their child?" He gasps.

"I was barely their child."

He sits there in thought for another ten minutes. I've told him to ask anything he desires, I've made peace enough with my old life that if it can help him open up, I'll open up.

"Do you hate them?" He whispers after a while longer.

"I did. For a very long time, but after many years I realised that hate was only dragging me down. I still don't like them, nor do I forgive them. But I accepted that I can't change my past, only my future." I try to give him a reassuring look.

"I hate the people who took me. I wasn't well off in the orphanage, but I was safe and they took me away from that."

"I think you are allowed to still hate them sweety."

He curls up into my side while tracing a scar that is around his wrist. A single tear slides down his face as he gets lost in his thoughts. Gently placing my hand over the his slightly shaking one, I slowly pull his away from the scar and hold him.

"It's from when we were tied up. The doctor said over time it'll mostly fade, so I just have to look forward to that day for now." He quietly explains. "I won't have many long term scars over my body, according to the doctors. The people who took me had kept up drugged up and malnourished, but wouldn't damage us. Just beat us bloody if we ever stepped out of line."

"I'm sorry you went through that. I can't even fathom trying to survive what you did, but they thing that matters is that you're here. You are surrounded by people who love you, and always will." I say, holding him close. "I love you, sweety. Never forget that I'll be with you always."

I hear a quiet sniffle before his arms wrap around my neck, holding me so tightly I'm surprised I can still breath with ease. Stroking up and his back, I hold him close as his body shakes on top of me.

"I love you too, you're the best sister I could have asked for. Will you always be my sister?" He croaks out, once his cries slow enough for him to be able to talk.

"Always and forever, Pat. I promise." I tell him, kissing the top of his head before continuing to rub his back.

We lay on the couch together for a while longer until I realise he has fallen asleep on my lap. He really is still small for a seventeen year old. But he has been growing more and more, with good food and regular exercise.

Later that night Remy and Eddy come into our place talking as they walk through the door, until they spot me holding a finger up to my lips. Understanding the signal, they quieten down as they walk towards me. Concern evident on both their faces when they see Pat curled up on my lap, tear tracks dried on his face.

"Is everything okay?" Eddy asks softly.

"Yes, we just had a deep conversation. Do you think you could carry him to bed though?" I ask, realising my bum is starting to feel flat from sitting so long.

"Of course." He says, carefully picking a sleeping Pat off of me.

Walking into our room, I tell him to put Pat onto my bed tonight. I know he'll have a nightmare on days where he's spoken about his earlier years. Remy already knows that I let Pat sleep next to me some nights, and I'm thankful he doesn't make a big deal about it. He seems to understand the relationship Pat and I share.

Explaining vaguely some of the conversation after leaving the bedroom, Remy pulls me into a warm embrace seeing the exhausted look on my face that comes with those memories. Deciding to have an early night too, I bid goodnight to the two men after requesting they be wary of the noise. Hearing them decide to watch Fast and the Furious, I kiss Remy goodnight and go get ready for bed.

Sliding into my bed next to Pat, he rolls over and snuggles into my side again. After wrapping my arm around him again, I continue to rub his back gently.

"Thank you for letting me sleep here." Pat startles me slightly, hearing a small chuckle after I jump at his words.

"You're welcome, sweet dreams Pat." I whisper.

"Sweet dreams, Aria." He mumbles as sleep already starts to take over our tired bodies.

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