Author's Note: To break my pattern of writing emotionally unstable problematic young boys at problematic times of my life, Uncharted 4 exists and provides me with beautiful peace and parallels. I am happy to have an existential hideaway wraphole for the past 3 weeks. And at least this way I can write about emotionally stable problematic young boys for once.

This took me a week or so, but I haven't had a more pleasant brainstorming session before, including writing the outline on napkins. Typed mostly to 'Sic Parvis Magna' and 'The Brothers Drake' from the OST, Know Thyself by Aephanemer and listening to walkthroughs of the chapter.

Disclaimer: Naughty Dog owns everything related to Uncharted and rightfully so. Thank you. You go Drake bros.

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Birthdays weren't that special. It wasn't like he was changing and magically growing up after the last chime at midnight. He didn't really know at what time he had been born, so it wasn't like he knew for sure he already existed in the world and was held on his mother's arms precisely at this moment nine years ago.

And it was easier to not really care much. Birthdays meant parties and presents, and it wasn't like he could have all or any of that. He tried to be happy with what he got, and to be with the people he wanted.

That meant one person.

Sam wasn't here. Five days ago, Sam had gone upstairs earlier during dinner, and despite Sister Catherine's sharp (and keen) remarks that he should stay in the dining room like everyone else or at least be watched over, Sam had fled the orphanage shortly afterwards through the windows and rooftops. There hadn't been word of him since, even though the local policemen, already used to be on the lookout for the casual runaways - and particularly familiar with Sam - were notified that very evening.

Much to Nate's request to go with him, all his pleas ended with a saddened and guilty expression as every time it was a 'You gotta stay here, Nathan'. Nate tried playing all sort of cards, even picking on his approaching birthday, but Sam reassured him he wouldn't be long nor would he be far off. He wasn't abandoning him. He never would. Nate knew that, but at the same time...

It wasn't the first time Sam would flee, but Nate didn't like to be left alone. All the times, Nate would be the one to stay behind and hear everyone's comments and remarks. The compliments on Sam's evading skills were more often than not sprayed with jealous mockery, and then there were the disappointed and annoyed scoldings and complaints of most Sisters and caretakers. Father Duffy was always leaning towards educational reabilitation rather than punishing strategy, but he obviously wasn't satisfied when these situations happened and his disappointment always left Nate feeling guilty himself.

He might try not to care much about birthdays, but that didn't mean he didn't care at all. And Sam wasn't here.

"Happy birthday, Nathan."

Nate looked up, caught off guard. It took him one moment to process the words he heard before actually understanding them, and Father Duffy smiled when he tried to compose himself.

"Uh, thank you Father Duffy. I'm sorry, I didn't even hear you approaching."

"Yes, you did seem far off." Father Duffy had to frequently keep track of everyone's personal files, because he never missed any of the boys' birthdays. It was actually a small but nice kindness on his part. "Have you eaten something nice today? I'm sure you can ask for a treat at the kitchen, tell them."

"I'll think about it, Father. Thanks. I don't really... care much for birthdays, but I'll see if I go eat something. After lunch."

"Sister Mercy and Sister Catherine are going for a morning walk outside. You should be alright to go with them, you haven't got any bad grades or been intro trouble lately."

"I'm trying to, Father. And you know Sam is always telling me that too, maybe it's working out."

"Yes, I know. He should listen more to his own good advise, don't you think?" Father Duffy noted, and Nate had to smile at that. His expression didn't last long before falling and a saddened frown made its way to his expression before he could try to hide it. He didn't really want to look at Father Duffy, but he suspected he knew the look on the priest's face. "You should go outside, Nathan. It's not too cold today. It'll be a change of air, specially since today is your birthday. It'll be nice for you to do something different."

"Yeah, I know. It might be nice to go out, I'll think about it."

"That's good to hear." Father Duffy gave him a gentle and reassuring pat on the shoulder. "If you see Samuel, tell him to listen to his own advise and stay out of trouble. Tell him he can come home."

"He knows, Father."

Father Duffy nodded and turned, greeting two boys nearby before moving around the room to talk with a Sister.

Nate sighed, but he knew Father Duffy was right. Going out would be good. Maybe Sam would send a word to him. Obviously he wasn't going to come strolling down the road where the Sisters and a small group of kids were without being escorted back to the orphanage, but at least they might see each other.

Or not. Well, it was a better plan than any he had before.

That meant he would have to go ask Sister Catherine if he could go. Nate didn't really like to live in this place for an endless list of reasons, and most of the Sisters were part of it. Sister Catherine wasn't a big fan of Sam, and had a default mistrust when it came to Nate. She talked to him with a tone of pity, as if he was 'the good brother', a boy of good potential doomed to follow bad advise from the bad brother. She hadn't been too nice in her comments about Sam and his latest escape. She had been the first to insist that an upgrade on barred windows should be considered either on repeat runaways, or on all the older boys dormitories by proxy. Father Duffy immediately refuted those suggestions.

It didn't take long to find her. Climbing down the stairs to the main courtyard, she was already pairing a small group of boys, all older than Nate, together with Sister Mercy.

"Oh, hello Nathan," Sister Mercy, the elder of the two, greeted him as he approached.

"Hi, can I still go with you?"

"Nathan." Sister Catherine turned to him. "You want to come with us? That's unsual."

"Uh, Father Duffy suggested it. It's my birthday, he said it might be nice for a change."

"Oh, happy birthday," one of the boys said, and Nate started wondering if he should have said anything about it, not so much to avoid other kids either congratulating him or picking on him, but more to avoid Sister Catherine making some mental connections. Which was precisely what seemed to happen.

"Happy birthday, Nathan. So, your brother's expecting you I suppose?"

"I haven't heard a word on Sam, Sister. I don't know where he is."

In her effort to try to salvage him from his brother's 'bad influence', Sister Catherine had also tried to make Nate believe Sam would one day move on with his life during one of such escapes and leave Nate behind. They should grow apart, it was for the best; Sam was already doing it, Nate should do so too. That comment had made absolutely nothing to make him feel better, and he was still hurt about it. His reply to her on that day might have not been the nicest.

"I'm sure he'll come back soon, though," he added, just a bit too harsh.

"Maybe he didn't really leave you, he just waited for you to go to him. You're intelligent, Nathan. You should know going out isn't the best option for you today."

Now that the idea had already grown on him, they wanted to take it away. Nate felt the horrible pinch of frustration and was ready to try and presist, but Sister Mercy intervened in his stead.

"Sister, don't be so stern. Nathan is a good boy. Of course he can come with us."

"You'll need a pair."

"There's no need, Sister, I-"

"Thomas? Come with us, we're going for a morning walk outside."

Nate sighed quietly as a boy his age, smaller than him and wearing a sparkly white shirt, joined the group. He was frequently picked on because of his size and because he was highly and devotely catholic, unlike most of the other boys. Nate didn't really care for the boy, but he didn't really want to have extra reasons for the older boys to mock him, and specially he didn't want to be paired up if he was going outside.

"I heard, today is your birthday, right? Happy birthday," the boy Thomas said. Nate blinked in surprise and muttered a thanks.

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to be continued

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Author's note: As usual, what was meant to be a 1000 word one chapter will turn into something with three times more words and two chapters because I physically don't have more time to finish this. Story of my life I guess.

Sorry Sam isn't in this chapter yet, believe me I wanted to.

Thanks for reading please point out mistakes and bad grammar. Second chapter should be up tomorrow hopefully.