François was crying as his husband and his friends celebrated him. He was shut off for so long that he forgot he was loved, and today was a delightful reminder. He got so many gifts. Gift cards, clothes, jewelry, songs, but all that mattered was the joy around him.

"I'm so happy!" He felt Bella wiping his tears away with the purple napkin. Lloyd thought it was red, and nobody wanted to disappoint him with the truth. "Thank you!"

"Franny, blow out your candles! It's causing global warming!" Him and Charles thought that was the funniest thing ever, the two men laughing as they embraced.

He blew out all twenty-four candles. The others cheered as he wiped his tears.

"What did you wish for?" White was sitting next to him.

He looked at him with bright eyes. "Nothing. I have everything I want right here."

"IT'S HERE!"

Everyone turned to Lloyd, who was already floating outside. They ran out and awed. There was a giant doom on the roof.

"Lloyd, what's this?" James brought the cake outside. He didn't trust Jr alone with it. That cat has been eyeing it all day.

He eagerly picked them all up and put them inside. He was outside the glass, smiling widely.

"Okay, nobody leaves. There's no air where we're going."

Before anyone could ask any questions, he was carrying them up. They looked at the clouds moving past them one by one. White was laughing, feeling like he was back in his plane. It finally stopped when they reached a purple planet.

They saw the stars. All of them. Bella held François' arm, both in awe. The white lights shined brighter than any light in the world. The world seemed like a painting. It was the most beautiful thing the five had seen.

"Grandson!" They jumped when they saw a strange looking man flying over to Lloyd, wrapping him up in a hug. "Look at you! Our hero!"

"Who's this?" François had his hand on the glass.

Lloyd put his on the other side. "Remember when I told you I met people when I was away? This is one of them." He shoved the man in front of them. "Meet Ye-eun, my wayyyyyyy back great-great grandfather."

Ye-eun rubbed his hands. "Okay, son! Who's the lucky girl?" He looked around before noticing Bella. "Well, isn't she something! I would shake your hand if I could." She was stiff, feeling jealousy burn off her best friend. "He is the lucky gentleman, isn't he?"

His cheeks turned a dark purple. "Oh, um, that's not her."

He turned to him. "But you said you would bring your spouse up here for her birthday."

"Grandpa, this is my spouse." He floated to François, who tried his best not to have bitch face. No amount of testosterone will ever get rid of that.

He turned his head. "Very interesting looking woman, Lloyd."

His hands got cold. "Grandpa, that's François. Remember, I told you about him? We're married."

His eyes got wide. His ears turned red again. "Oh dear. My deepest apologies, I'm not used to such things." He bowed to him. François nodded.

Charles was covering his mouth. "Hehe, Mrs. Doh." He stopped when White gave him an angry face.

François, feeling very uncomfortable, turned to Lloyd. "Why are we here?"

He beamed. "You're here to watch magic!"

He floated next to Ye-eun. They stood behind the bubble. "Ready, kids?"

"Yeah!"

"Totally!"

"Oui!"

Although neither of them could see colors, it was best thing the people in the doom will witness in their lives. Blue and red stars flashed. They watched the brightness of a white sun forming, exploding with a boom. The storm of lights poured on them, thundering planets left and right. They reached out as they saw blue rings forms, circling around red planets.

When it was finished, Lloyd happily turned to them. All of them were in shock, their mouths wide.

"This universe is for you, François. The franverse." His husband chuckled, his throat tighten by all the beauty around him.

"Lloyd...this is unbelievable..." He looked around, taking it all in.

Charles shook his head as stars twinkled in his eyes, his hands on his hips. "Can't wait for my birthday."

Ye-eun turned to Lloyd as he crushing two stars together. "Now, I was promised something, I believe..."

François could tell they were related. They had the same cheeky face when they wanted something. Lloyd pulled out every chocolate bar that was ever made and gave it to him. Ye-eun happily took it, hugged him, and sent them back to Earth.

"Lloyd, Jesus Christ!" Bella was the first to run out, still in awe.

Charles followed. "Literally the best thing ever."

François picked him up, kissing his face. He was teary-eyed. "Thank you, Lloyd. I can't believe you would do that for me. I'm forever grateful."

He chuckled, playing with his hair. "It's your birthday, dear-boy! Of course I would do that for you!"

"Can we eat now? I'm starving."

They went back into the house, eating and discussing the stars they saw. They left late into the night, Lloyd having to take multiple trips to get them home.

"Lloyd..." François was holding his forehead as they sat at the balcony, holding hands. "I still can't believe it..."

"I'm sorry if he made you uncomfortable. He didn't try to, y'know."

"I get it, don't worry. He was pretty cool."

He pulled something from out of his pocket. "I made this from the stars." It was a headband. The sides were covered in diamonds he never saw before. The center was an Alexandria that turned pink and green, depending on how it was moved. François bent down to let him put it on his head. "Stunning."

He was bright red, smiling ear to ear. "I really don't deserve it."

The other smiled at him. "You deserve it after everything. I'm happy you liked it."

He smirked at him. "I do want something else, if you don't mind."

Lloyd blushed. "Well, I could make it come true."

"No, not that, love."

The shorter, who was wearing a long white hanbok, raised his eyebrow. François opened his arms, so he floated into them, wrapping his long tail around as his head was on his chest while stroking his beard. It was a quiet moment. Underneath the stars they now both adore, holding each other.

"I want to go see your parents, Lloyd." The shorter shifted, frowning. "I know you're scared, but we kept them waiting for a while."

The wind blew in their hair and went underneath their clothes. "...Franny, I think you're right."

He sat up, still feeling the warmth he brought. François was still hugging his back.

"What would they say? I look...different.." He was hiding his tail and horns, but his wings were impossible to hide. He was still gray. He was able to hide his eyes with sunglasses.

The other could see himself through the glasses. He slowly took them off. He could see the tears he was trying so hard to fight. He let one fall, the freckled finger wiping the cold drop away.

"They're your family. They love you. I love you." He rubbed his curls. "You're not alone, Lloydie."

He held his hands, rubbing the soft human skin. "..okay, I think I'm ready." He leaned into him again. "One more kiss? I don't want to smoke anymore." François stared at him. Lloyd, with a slightly trembling hand, passed him the last pack of cigarettes he owned. There were two left in there. "I just don't like it anymore. It reminds me of a bad me, a sad me. I never want to be like that ever again."

François crushed them. He blinked rapidly, his hands on his cheeks. "You've made me the happiest man on Earth, Lloyd." His lip trembled. "This is the best day in a very long time."

He kissed him first, touching his wings and waist. Just a few months ago, he didn't think of his birthday. Now, he loved his birthdays again. Lloyd was touching his smooth face. When he was sick, it was hard to kiss like this. His breathing tube made it hard to reach his lips, and the kissing always got him tired.

"Come on, Franny." Lloyd let go first, still on his chest. "We must go."

----

"I wish Lloyd would come back soon. Mom seems so sad." Da and Étoile were in Lily's room. They were watching the TV, enjoying the actors and their foolishness.

"All we can do is wait."

They saw blue light. They stood up, their stomachs hot with excitement. Lloyd, who was wearing a red hankbok now, was just as shocked. They looked so human. How the roles reversed.

"Little brother?" Da was standing in front of the younger ones. They were already tearing up. "You're.."

"I know." He nervously held out his arms.

Da scooped him up, crying. François watched on as they reunited. They were crying and embracing each other, talking about the new things they learned. The noticed the few differences between them. Étoile played with its hands as it spoke, Da used hers to explain things, Lily had hers nicely folded together like she were praying, and Lloyd had his straight to his sides as if he were a soldier again. They did all smile and laugh the same.

"This is Franny." He blushed as the eyes turned to him.

"U-um, nice to meet you!"

Lily was staring at his eyes. "Wow, you have blue eyes too! We know so much about you!"

He blinked. "Oh!"

Étoile tapped away. "You look cool!"

"Almost as charming as your brother." He kissed its hand. It blushed so deeply that Lloyd playfully reminded it that he was his husband.

Da was grabbing their hands. "C'mon, everyone's here! Valentino, Uncle Ho, Sarah-"

"They are?!" He froze in place. The others looked at him as François embraced him. "No, no!"

"What's wrong, Lloyd🥶? Don't you want to see them😱?"

"I do, Étoile. I just can't looking like this!" He was in François' chest, his pointy ears purple.

They didn't understand. Their grandparents loved them either way, why wouldn't their parents?

"Hey, it's okay." Lily hugged him. She missed him terribly, she couldn't let him be upset. "You can see them at your own time."

"Children! Dinner!"

"Coming!" The couple was frozen. "Just stay quiet, they won't find out."

François nodded. Lloyd was too worked to speak. "Okay. Go eat, we had dinner in France already."

Once they were gone, Lloyd started crying again. "Oh, Franny! I've missed uncle's voice!"

"I know you did." He carried him to the window sit. He wrapped Lily's fluffy blanket around him. "But we must be quiet."

He sniffled. "I've missed my family. I've-" Monsieur Noir was hoping around, trying to get attention. "-Oh, just like Ginger!"

"Shh, shh." He put the chubby bunny on his lap. He patted his head. "Not too loud, darling."

The door swung open, making them jump. Thankfully, it was just Étoile. It ate quickly so it could be with them again.

"Jeez, you almost gave us heart attacks." Étoile sat next to Lloyd, hugging him.

"Where did you go? I really missed you!"

He pointed up. "I was with the little Étoiles. I really didn't know I was dead."

"We knew you were dead 🥀🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️💀! We tried looking for you all over the place but didn't find you 😥😭🤧." (WHY IS THIS SO FUNNY LMAO)

"Why can't you speak?" François touched its tablet, liking the sticker on it.

It was a slow tapper. "We all gave up something to come down here, we were told you were here. Lily gave up her hair, Da gave up her smell, and I gave up my voice."

"You did that for me?" It nodded. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I feel so bad for keeping you waiting." He touched its face. It was a very pretty person.

"That's okay💚! You're here now🥳!"

He grinned at François, then back at it. "I'm going to ask you to do an important thing. I want you to choose one person and bring them here. Could be anyone but Mama and Appa."

It happily jumped up and ran to the hallway, leaving the door wide open.

François smirked at him, rubbing his necklaces on his horns. "I think you made its year."

It was happily looking for who was done eating. Luckily, Luna was eating in her room. It grabbed her hand.

"Do you have something to show me?" When it quickly nodded its head, she ran with it.

Luna stopped when she saw François, confused yet excited. Étoile closed the door as she began to run to him, then shouted when she saw Lloyd.

"Luna, it's me." He slowly opened all four of his arms to her.

She rushed into them, crying and grabbing his soft cloth. François was stroking her hair, then Lloyd's when he saw him crying.

"Everything's been a mess since you left!" She looked into her favorite uncle's eyes. "Mother hates me, mom hates me, and everyone's so sad!"

Lloyd pulled her off gently, squeezing her shoulders. "I'm here now. I can make it all better."

---

Because of the jetlag, the couple were asleep in Da's big closet by five in the evening. She was staring at them, taking in the sight of her youngest sibling.

Meanwhile, Lily was outside with the man again, who's name was Peter.

"Rocky, be careful with her!" The Rottweiler was licking her hands, excited yet still mindful of his owner.

She patted his head. "It's okay, I work with dogs a lot. How did you get the name?"

He whistled, the dog quickly coming over. "I like Rocky-Road. Best ice cream in the world." Although he didn't know it, he was serving the biggest cunt there ever was with his shiny bracelets and that hip out.

"I'm not too big on ice cream, I'm more of a homecooked person." Lily was feeling sluggish, but she didn't let herself nap yet. With her, naps could range from an hour to seven hours. She tells her parents all the time to not let her sleep so much, but they don't wake her because she looked "so cute" sleeping.

He raised his eyebrow. "You can cook? I like cooking a hella lot."

She blushed, her face feeling hot. "Yeah, a bit. I'm not the best at it but people don't complain." Da literally almost threw up when she made chicken but you do you, girl.

He looked so handsome. Shades, good hair styled for work, and a baby blue suit. "Maybe you should come to my work this Friday, we have a cooking show." He held out a business card for her. "Only if you want to, no pressure."

She blushed again. "Yeah, I would love to!" She didn't know why she was trying to hide it as she took the card. He can't see her.

"A date then?" How was he able to sound so cool? Lily's over here twisting in knots and he acts like it's another Monday.

Either way, she was over the moon. "Yes!"

----

Luna was, for the first time in years, carefree. She happily did Just Dance and painted her nails, though not good. Sarah, who wanted more than ever to connect with her, asked her about it.

"Okay, I can show you, but nobody else!" She actually felt she was talking to her mother, not a stupid queen who was usually busy.

She stood up, smiling. "Okayy."

Since Da was watching a movie with Susu and Valentino, she happily opened the door. The closet door was open. Sarah peeked over and gasped. Who's silk was that stinking out?

"Hey." Luna was already over there, shaking whoever it was. "It's me, Luna."

"Sweetheart," Sarah was already marching over there. Some strange man isn't going to call her daughter a pet name when she's there. "we-"

Lloyd spung immediately when he saw his shocked sister. François also woke up from the movement. Sarah was frozen, her brain barely being able to process what she was staring at.

"It's uncle Lloyd and François!" Luna pushed her mother's hand closer to them. Lloyd held it and teared up.

Sarah bent down, her mouth trembling. She touched his cheek, just like she did at the funeral. Instead of feeling like candlewax, he was scaly. He was alive, staring at her with wide eyes. She could feel him breathing. Before, he didn't. He didn't blink, he didn't smile, he was nothing but a body. His beautiful soul had left.

"It's you." Lloyd took a deep breath when she hugged him. She took François' hand, who gave her a gentle smile. "You both came back."

---

After two more hours of rest, Lloyd was with Sarah, letting her hold him and tell him all the things he missed. François was playing with Food, the golden retriever nibbling his fingers. He secretly asked Bella to come over to the house when she woke up so their pets wouldn't be alone. This little bratty puppy was the closest thing to their children.

"Lloyd, listen," She put her younger brother on the guest bed. "by tonight, everyone should know you're here."

François sat next to him, his arm around him. "I think it's fair, darling."

He looked down, playing with his fingers. He wanted to see them, truly, but look at the state he's in. If they had the Beau reaction, it'll break his heart in two.

She suddenly picked him up. He hugged her neck, his body getting cold. She didn't dare speak for a while, for she knew she already got her point across. The eldest sibling laid down the law, and now the youngest must obey. She soaked him in. She could feel his heartbeat against her body. She recalled when the guards brought his bruised body to her. She must've stayed there for hours, time froze that day. She held his icy hand as Vagu celebrated the new year, the brightness of the fireworks lighting up the dark room.

"Go see your mom, Lloyd." He looked at François. His face was serious, hiding his love. "Do you know how much I want to see mine? You have one that will embrace you with open arms, I could only dream of mine."

All the feelings of dread and guilt danced in his mind. François was right. Marie, despite all her faults, loved him to death. Lloyd, despite his fear, loves her more than himself. Every man turns into a little boy around mommy.

"Where is she?"

-

Marie was sleeping in bed. As her age increases, her body gets tired easier. She's sure by seventy, she'll be in bed by two in the afternoon.

The person she dreamt of slowly creaked opened the door. He looked around the room as he quietly shut the door. So warm, so loving. He flew into her bed.

He watched her breathing, feeling the warm minty breath on his hand. She looked older, yet still the same. Her hair had gotten longer, braided to her side. All of it was sliver.

"Mama." He shook her gently, but like any other mother, she woke up with a gasp like The Rupture started. "Mama, it's okay."

She turned to him, staring into his eyes. He was afraid. What if she didn't recognize him? What if she didn't love him anymore? He was fortunately mistaken. Any women would know the spirit of her child, rather apart or together.

"Lloyd." She breathed deeply, then let the warm tears flow down on her face. "I'm sorry..."

Her voice brought a feeling he didn't realize he missed. "Mom.."

"I don't hate you, I never did. You are the best thing I've ever made." She was touching his face, stopping his tears from getting on the bed. "I've treated you so terribly. I'm a terrible mother."

"No. I understand. I wasn't easy. I was a problem. I wasn't even born right!" He held her hands. "Now that I know about them, my siblings, I understand everything!"

Marie sobbed, making her throat itchy as her body jointed. "You were never a problem. We didn't care what you had, and we don't care what you have now." She kissed his forehead. Both needed that. "I'm sorry you feel like that. You are a walking, well floating, miracle."

He blinked, wiping his tears. "I don't think you're a bad mom. The circumstances were never good."

"Well, they're good now. And I'm going make it up to you." It was almost like having him as a baby again. Someone she can protect. "We're going to see your father."

--

While the two were away, the siblings, the adopted siblings, and François were discussing among themselves. The atmosphere was light.

"I'm sorry about your mother." Sarah had Luna's sleeping head on her lap. It's been a while since they spent this much time together.

He shrugged. "I got used to it. I still love her, but sometimes she was a beast. Did you ever meet yours?"

"No, she never reached out. All I know is that she was too sick to take of me, and my biological father left. It's not really a big deal."

Susu, who was all smiles, happily swung her feet. "I never met my biological parents either, I know nothing about them."

"My mother's a saint." Haruki was just as happy, chewing on his gum. "Nicest women on Earth. I'm glad my 'father's' dead. He was a bastard."

François grinned. "You could say that again."

Valentino looked down, nervously picking at their nails. "I do have a few memories of my parents, and they did reach out. I more so see them as friends, though."

Da, who had Étoile sleeping on her shoulder, patted its hair. "We saw our parents for years, but it's different actually being with them."

"It is. We're happy little brother got to see them first." Lily was staring at François' head. "You were born with blue hair?"

He chuckled. She was precious. "No, Lilith. I dyed it for Lloyd. He likes blue."

"I really like your beard, François." Susu touched her face. "Really suits you."

He rubbed it, his cheeks flushed from all the positive attention. "Thank you, Su. Lloyd loves it, oh my gosh. He touches it all the time."

Thinking of a dirty joke, Lily only giggled to herself.

----

There was a knock on the workshop door. Ho, who was playing video games while his brother worked, opened the door.

"Marie and-" She put a finger to her lips. Ho covered his mouth slightly with his fingers. "-Lloyd, you're back!"

He picked him up, twirling him around as he hugged him. Lloyd was just as glad to see his uncle had returned as well.

"Big brother is working on something, I don't know what."

Marie had her arms around Lloyd. "Can you get him for us?" As he was gone, she whispered to her son, "It's okay. Don't worry."

He looked up, his hand trembling slightly. "Okay, mama."

Beom walked in, covered in sweat from his unfinished project. He froze in the doorway, staring at his wife and child.

"Lloyd..." He covered his mouth, tears already starting to fall.

His son flew over to him, too emotional to speak. The giant pulled him into an embrace, letting out a wail that could've shook the world. Falling to his knees, he cradled him, Marie bending over to join them. She pulled Ho down with her. Beom put his arm around all of them. Finally, the three people he had for his whole life were together. They were with him.

"Appa, I'm so sorry for keeping you..." he was shushed by his father, who kissed his face.

Ho was the only one smiling wide. "Isn't this great?"

Beom kissed his brother on the head, then his wife on the lips. "You're all here. Our children are with us."

He sobbed for a while, not being to speak a loving word. Marie felt Lloyd kiss her hand. "He's home again, Beom." She turned to Ho and patted his head, making him laugh. "They're all home."

---

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John Gannam