Bonds Left Unbroken

"...It's such a shame... You know we can't take both of you. "

I nod, smiling. "Yes, but I know Hershel will be happy." My little brother doesn't comment, thankfully. His wellbeing is all that matters now.

"And what about you?"

"Oh, don't worry. A family in the village will take care of me. The, uh... the Phibs!" Hopefully they won't find out that I'm telling fibs. (I actually plan on leaving with Mr Raymond soon.) But I'm a very good liar... My brother clings to my back tightly and I pat his shoulder.

"I see." Mrs Layton seems to accept my story. "Well, it was nice to meet you, anyway."

"You too."

As much as it hurts, I must let my brother go. I can see the confusion and the sadness in his eyes as he's gently ushered towards the cab. He's smart for his age, but he can't understand why we're being torn apart. I remain in the doorway, willing him (and partly myself) to accept it. Be happy, Brother. This is the start of your new life...

"N-no... NO!" There's a sudden howl. My sibling squirms past Mrs Layton and charges back to the house. Back to me. Racked with sobs, he throws his arms around my waist, burying his head in the front of my vest. "I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE MY BIG BROTHER!"

"Theo..." I breathe. He's a fairly quiet boy– I've never seen him so upset before, not even after our parents were kidnapped. "Stop it," I hiss, trying to be strict with him. This could ruin his chances of getting adopted...!

Mr and Mrs Layton watch with concerned, shocked expressions as I attempt to detach myself from my brother. But he stubbornly hangs on, weeping, sobbing, and begging me.

"You need to go," I grind out. There may be tears in my own eyes, but I force them back. "You can't stay here! J-just go...!" A quivering gasp escapes my lips. I can't do it. I can't say goodbye to him like this...

For these past moments, the Laytons have been talking.

"Perhaps... Perhaps we could take care of both of them?" Mrs Layton murmurs. "I can't bear to separate the poor dears..."

"I know it's hard for them, Lucille," her husband replies. "But we don't want to make any rash decisions."

"All we've ever wanted is a child of our own. But I couldn't live with myself if that child was unhappy."

"...Neither could I," Mr Layton eventually agrees. His mind made up, the man approaches the pair of us. My brother's grip tightens. He's scared he will be pulled away from me. Rather, Mr Layton puts a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Son... would you like to stay with us as well?"

With his kind, fatherly offer, my resolve finally comes crumbling down. The pent-up tears pour out like a burst dam. When I start crying, I can't stop. "Y-yes, please!"

I realize now, I'm not ready to get revenge on Targent and the Azran for taking my parents away. I'm not ready to abandon my brother. I'm not ready to be alone yet.

This is how my brother and I start our new lives together. Our lives as Hershel and Desmond Layton.