Just a warning, this story will eventually deal with themes of abuse!

Miles loved his job as a therapist, but sometimes, it just got to be too much. He had known going into it that it wouldn't be easy, but he didn't care. He didn't want any child to feel like he had growing up, and he was going to do everything in his power to help them. And along the way, he made connections with many of his clients. There was nothing more rewarding than seeing a child smile or hearing them laugh. But of course, with such an emotionally taxing job came some stories that hit a bit close to home. And unfortunately, though he tried, Miles couldn't save everyone from their shitty situations.

Over the years, Miles had gotten used to controlling his emotions inside the workplace. After all, if he broke down crying, how was that going to help the kids he worked with? In that moment, he had to be a rock for them. But there was no rule that said Miles couldn't let it out when he got home.

And today had just been one of those days.

Miles walked through the door. He was so emotionally drained that even closing it behind him was a challenge, but he managed. Once he removed his shoes and coat, he walked into the living room, where Tristan was seated in his usual spot, doing something on his laptop until he noticed Miles. Immediately, Tristan picked up on the signs that something was wrong. Miles was hunched over, his eyes were red, and his face was pale. It wasn't the first time he had come home like this, so it was easy enough for Tristan to put the pieces together. Both men were grateful that their son, David, wouldn't be home from school for a while, giving the two time alone.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Tristan asked, closing his laptop and walking over to his husband. He barely got the question out before Miles had wrapped his arms around Tristan, pulling him into a tight hug which the other man gladly returned.

"Work was hard." Miles's voice had barely raised above a whisper, but Tristan had heard it. The two stayed locked in embrace for a moment before Miles finally pulled away. Tears were starting to roll down his cheeks.

"Come on, let's go somewhere more comfortable." Tristan laced their fingers together before gently leading him over to the couch. Miles rested his head on Tristan's chest, listening to his husband's heartbeat as he tried to gain his composure. However, now that he'd started, it was near impossible to stop. However, Tristan didn't push him, instead running his hands up and down Miles's arms in an attempt to provide some comfort. They sat in silence for a few moments until Miles finally spoke.

"There were- I met with two new clients today. A boy and a girl. Twins. And they're just- so little? You know? Only 13 years old. And just? Why do people hurt children, Tris? Do you know why? Because I just don't understand how somebody could look at a child and hit them. It was their father-mother died when they were young. And even though they've been removed, the boy still has a bruise on his face, and the girl wouldn't even look me in the eyes. They're supposed to be happy and carefree. Not- this." Once he'd started, Miles couldn't stop ranting. Because of confidentiality rules, Miles couldn't give too much information away, such as names, but he trusted Tristan with what he did share. Tears were streaming down his face as he finally let out all of the frustration from the day.

Tristan listened intently, letting Miles rant. His heart ached for the twins that Miles was describing. While he figured that Miles did not know them very well, (he was very knowledgeable about the client confidentiality rules, though he wasn't really sure how much information Miles could legally give away, nor how much information Miles himself actually knew) Tristan could tell that this case was a bit personal for Miles.

"But you said they're out of that home, right? So they're away from him?" Tristan questioned.

"Yeah, but the system doesn't always give something better. They could very easily get placed in different homes. You know how I feel about twins being separated, but these two really can't afford it. If you had seen them, you'd know what I mean." Miles knew he was speaking from personal experience, but he didn't care. He always fought to keep siblings, but especially twins, together.

Tristan felt like he knew where this was going. He couldn't say he wasn't slightly wary about the unspoken idea. It was obvious that Miles wanted to help these kids in a more personal way than he would ever be able to solely by doing his job, though Tristan truly wasn't sure what Miles had in mind. Fostering? Adopting? They hadn't done either before, and while they heard that many had amazing results, Tristan always worried about the possibility that things wouldn't work out like they wanted them to. They had their license to foster, but nothing had come from it yet.

"Today was your first time meeting them, right?" Miles nodded. "I know you're concerned, and I understand, but it's important to not get ahead of ourselves. I know you want to save them, but there are some things to think about. Maybe you should meet with them a few more times, just to get to know them a bit better." Tristan suggested. He didn't want Miles's first instinct emotions to be the driving force behind such an important decision.

"How did you know what I was thinking?" Miles asked. Miles wasn't sure what he wanted, if he was being honest. He just wanted to take away the pain he'd seen in those kids' eyes. He knew what that pain felt like.

"Because I know you. And, you know, maybe we can start with a weekend visit or something, if you're still truly passionate about this after meeting with them some more. And if that goes well, then maybe we can revisit the idea." Tristan offered. It was easier for him to think reasonably than it was for Miles at the moment.

Miles nodded, knowing that Tristan was right. He looked forward to seeing the twins again, hoping that they could make progress during their next session together. It was hard, but so rewarding when it paid off.

"Sorry for unloading all of that on you," Miles said. "I know that I shouldn't be this affected, that I should be prepared for this stuff, it's my job, it's just- it was like staring at Hunter and Frankie. I couldn't help it."

"Don't apologize for having feelings, Miles. With all that you've been through, you can't expect certain things not to affect you on a personal level. Your job is hard, but guess what? I'm right here. You don't have to apologize for talking to me about anything, especially things that are hard." Tristan told him, giving him a small, reassuring smile.

"What did I do to deserve you?" Miles asked, a smile forming on his face for the first time since arriving home.

"Well, you being a rich, handsome, doctor helps a lot." Tristan joked, throwing a wink in his husband's direction. "But even if you weren't, I'd still love you," he assured Miles, causing the other man to laugh.

"Yeah, well I'm only in it for the sex," Miles retorted. It wasn't as though everything was suddenly fixed, but Miles felt much better than he had earlier.

He leaned up to kiss his husband, but they were interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

"Dads?" David called out, making his presence in the house known.

"In here!" Miles called back. They heard his footsteps getting louder, and sure enough, David soon appeared in the living room, joining Miles and Tristan. He rolled his eyes at his dads's proximity to each other.

"Really? It's been how long since you've seen each other?" He joked, blissfully unaware of how much his father had been hurting just moments prior.

"It's called being in love." Tristan replied. He and Miles rolled their eyes simultaneously at their son, despite the circumstances that led them to the position they were in.

"Yeah, alright, whatever you say. Anyway, onto something important, what's for dinner? I'm starving." David asked.

Tristan rolled his eyes. "You're always starving," Miles can't help but laugh.

"I'm a growing teenage boy. Not that either of you'd know much about that. It's been, what, twenty years since either of you have been teenagers?" David said, giving them that Hollingsworth smirk that both Tristan and Miles knew too well.

"You better be careful, or I'll call your Aunt and have her cook you dinner." David froze in fear at his Dad's suggestion.

"You wouldn't."

"Oh I would. Don't underestimate me, Miles David Hollingsworth." David cringed at the use of his full name.

"Okay, okay, please, just don't call Aunt Frankie, I'd rather die than eat her cooking. I'm still recovering from the meatloaf incident." David begged, Miles chuckled.

"Go do your homework." Miles told him, gesturing him away with his hand. David all but runs out of their sight.

"That's one way to get rid of him." Tristan laughed. Miles shrugged, pulling Tristan in close.

"Yeah, well, now we can continue what we were doing before we were so rudely interrupted." Miles gave Tristan a smile before pressing their lips together. They enjoyed the moment until Tristan broke the kiss, not wanting to get to heated while their son was in the house.

"You know it's been awhile since we've seen the twins. Did you want to call and invite them over for dinner?" Tristan suggested. Miles smiled at the thought of seeing his siblings. It was days like today that really reminded him how much he loved them.

"Yeah, that sounds really nice. I'll go do that now." Miles detangled himself from Tristan, getting up off the couch and pulling out his phone. "I'll be right back, okay?"

"Take your time, Miles." Tristan smiled at him. "I'll be here."

Miles exited the room, dialing the first number. His face breaking out into a smile when he heard the all-too-familiar voice.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Franks? How have you been? I miss you…"

Hello!

The idea from this came from a conversation I had with my best friend Angela (and this story's co-writer) about what Miles would do with his future. We agreed that he'd probably want to do something to help kids, especially kids from abusive homes.

What do people think about this turning into a multichapter with Tristan and Miles eventually fostering the aforementioned twins? Both Ang and I are really excited about the possibilities this story could yield.

Thanks to everybody who has read, reviewed, followed, or favored!

-Del and Ang