Chapter Summary: Attending a family gathering with Cassie, Solis finds themself missing something.

"There you are!"

Cassie jogged up the path, panting, and stopped in front of the bench under the tree. "Sol, c'mon, you can't just disappear like that," she implored. "Thought you'd been kidnapped or something."

She didn't get a response. "Sol?" she inquired, stepping closer. It took her a moment, in the dim light of the park's streetlamps, to realize that Solis was hunched over, their face buried in their hands.

They cleared their throat, straightening stiffly to sweep their hair out of their face. "Sorry," they said roughly. "Didn't think."

Pursing her lips, Cassie sat next to them. "What's the matter?" she asked softly.

They glanced away, going quiet for a long moment. She took their hand in hers, rubbing her thumb in gentle circles, and some of the tension left them in a sigh. They were shaking, she realized, and not because of the chill in the air; their eyes shone when they lifted their head enough to illuminate their face, and every once in a while their lip would tremble, and their breath would hitch. She wished they would just let themself cry a bit longer.

"Was it too loud?" she murmured, when they still couldn't bring themself to answer. "Too many people?"

Solis shook their head. "It's… I–" Their voice cracked, and they grit their teeth in frustration.

"It's alright," she whispered. "You don't have to."

"I'm not used to it," they said suddenly, their tone brimming with pain. "The– the family thing, I don't... I never got that. I've never h– had parents and siblings and cousins, not properly. I don't know what to do with it, I'm no good at it, I– I can't..." They looked down, breathing hard, as if they didn't want her to see them admit it. "It's not fair," they said quietly. "It's not fair, I… why couldn't I have that?"

"Oh. Oh, Sol." Cassie pulled them into her arms, and they leaned against her, curling in on themself. Their shoulders shook, but they made no noise. "I'm sorry," she murmured, rubbing their back idly. "I didn't realize. I... can't imagine how hard that must be."

They didn't respond, but their body was wracked by another series of sobs, drawing a quiet whimper from their throat.

"You know..." Cassie paused, unsure whether she was crossing a line. "You know they love you, right? We all do, you– you're just as welcome there as I am."

They took a halting breath, calming as they listened to her.

"I know, they aren't your birth relatives and– and it's no replacement for growing up without a family, but–" She hugged them tighter. "You've got one now. If you want it. We're all here for you, whenever you're ready."

After a moment of silence, Solis drew away from her. "Really?" they asked. Their eyes were wide with trepidation, their body held stiff and proper; she offered a reassuring smile.

"Of course," she said. "Always."

Slowly, they allowed themself to relax, and a soft smile played across their lips in turn. "Thank you," they said quietly.

Cassie leaned in and pressed a kiss to their forehead. "D'you want to go back now?" she asked.

They hesitated.

Seeing their reluctance, she suggested, "Maybe a walk instead?"

Relieved, they nodded.

"Sounds good."

Taking their hand, she pulled them up off the bench and immediately wrapped them in another tight hug. "Love you, Sol," she whispered.

She felt their chest rise and fall with a deep, shuddering breath. "You too," they murmured.