"Arthur?! Arthur, where are you?!" Douglas called. For an idiot, that boy could hide. He took a breath before entering Martin's room; the boy was frail enough from nerves as it was. He knocked gently, "Martin?" He called softly.

"Yeth?" A small voice lisped.

"It's Douglas, can I come in?" He asked gently.

There was a short pause before the reply of, "O-okay…"

Douglas opened the door as quietly as he could. Martin was sitting at his desk, trying to glue together a model aeroplane with shaking hands. Progress. "Hey, Captain; what are you up to?"

Martin smiled frailly at the nickname. "Trying to put my Lockheed McDonnel 3-12 together. But I can't do it right, my handth won't thtop shaking again…" Martin sighed.

"Do you want me to help?" Douglas offered.

"No, it'th ok…"

Douglas smiled sadly at the back of the little boy's head as he turned away, embarrassed. "Arthur's hiding again; do you think you can help me find him?"

Martin considered this for a second. "I can try…" the seven year old shrugged, slipping off his chair cautiously. Douglas knew Martin was like a fragile wall-flower – he needed care to grow and be strong. Ever since he had been attacked by the older boys a few months ago, Martin hardly left his room; the anxiety was that bad. Luckily, Douglas was a good tutor, so Martin still got some education – but they needed to help the boy through the anxiety. "Douglath…"

"Yes, Captain?"

"Why do you think Arthur keepth hiding?" Douglas knew the answer, but how to say it? "Ith it like what happened to me…?"

"Do you mean the bullies…?" Douglas asked. He knew Carolyn fostered Martin (and was considering adoption), but he didn't know why. He hoped Martin just meant the bullies.

"Not jutht them…" Martin admitted, subconsciously leaning closer to the older boy.

"What do you mean, Captain?" Douglas kneeled in front of the small boy.

"Daddy… didn't like me much…" fat tears threatened to spill down the little boy's face as he blushed and stared at his feet. Douglas barely managed to stop himself sweeping the child into a hug.

"Hey, Chief," he began to joke, "I might be wrong, but I think you're very sad. This makes me feel quite upset, also. One thing I could do is give you a hug. How does that sound to – oof!" Martin threw his arms around Douglas neck and buried his head in the crook of his neck.

"It wath thcary…" Martin squeaked, Douglas held the boy tighter. It made so much sense, it made him sick. If he ever found Martin's real parents… Well, that was better left unsaid. His shoulder was becoming very soggy.

"It's alright, Captain. Shh, now…" Douglas soothed, rubbing small circles on the boy's back.

Martin gasped and pushed away, almost like he had just realised what he was doing, Douglas let him so he didn't feel constricted, "I-I'm th-thorry, Douglath! I shouldn't do that…" Martin was trembling.

"Martin, I'm not mad; I wanted to give you a hug…" Douglas assured, careful not to touch Martin.

"Really?" Martin sniffed, wiping his nose scruffily on his too-long sleeves of his too-baggy pyjama top. Douglas never minded Martin wearing his pyjamas instead of regular clothes; they were soft, warm and comforting; God knows the boy needed all the comfort he could get!

"Yeah, why would I offer to hug you if I didn't want to?" Douglas smiled slightly.

"Daddy thaid he wanted to hug me tho I'd come to him; then he'd shove me, or hit me, or call me bad wordth…" Martin looked down at his feet, shuffling them as he bit his lip.

"I promise you, Martin; I will never do that, and neither will Carolyn. We'll make sure nothing like that ever happens again, ok?" Douglas promised.

Martin's head snapped up in surprise. "You mean it…?" he ventured cautiously.

"Of course I do. Now, if you're up to it, we'll go find Arthur and then have some Toblerone cupcakes and play aeroplanes," Douglas smiled.

"O-okay. I thought I heard something in the attic…" Martin nodded.

Douglas looped and arm around the ginger boy's shoulders as they made their way to the attic.

"Love you Douglath…" Martin mumbled. Douglas smiled down at him. Yes. Martin would be fine.