Can the new family be mended?
Caesar gripped a light post outside of the restaurant, doubled over with sobs. He'd finally found the family he was looking for, dreaming of, breaking his crumpled little heart over, and they didn't really want him. He couldn't breathe, only gasp, only weep. If he was stronger he would have kept moving but there wasn't enough oxygen and not half enough will, so he merely shuddered tiredly and cried.
The day had been so bright. He had been hopeful, but hope had been a lie before. Not just once or twice, but every day. Every time he looked in the mirror. Every time his dad yelled and his mom didn't care. And every time that he had to fake a smile. He had no one to fool now. No one to charm. So he didn't have to fake anything now. He should keep running and knew that, but... HE HAD HAD HOPE. Had held it in his hand. He trembled angrily and managed to pull himself upright. He had to keep moving.
He pulled away from the light post with intention to leave when someone called his name. He couldn't help it, was an eternal optimist who couldn't suppress the hope. And so he had to believe that someone cared.
It wasn't Octavian. His heart sank. Instead his cousin stood in front of him.
"Caesar, hear me out before you go. We need to talk." Caesar lingered. He had always had the flaw of trusting people until they proved themselves untrustworthy.
"Where's Octavian?" He asked.
"I told him to stay inside. He doesn't know how to act around you."
"He doesn't want me."
"He's never been more excited to have family in all of his life. Which kind of hurts, you know, because I tried my hardest to be his family."
"You are. You are more than me he clearly likes you better."
"No, maybe, probably not. He knows me better, and he and I have been through some things, but you and him have been through some things too. Look. It's not that he doesn't like you or doesn't want you around. But he just found a bruised and broken piece of his family and he doesn't want you any more broken than you already are. I promise all he wants is you safe."
"Well he's just gonna have to risk it..." Caesar sniffled.
"Because I'm not letting go of the hope I just found."
"No," Luke agreed.
"Never let go of family when you find it. I made that mistake before, and I won't make it again. Lets go bug our brother, and tell him that we're sticking together for the good of all of us." Caesar nodded and grinned, following Luke back into the tiny cafe. Octavian was playing with a straw wrapper, a few tears in his own eyes that he quickly wiped away when his brothers returned.
"Caesar-" He started.
"Shut up." Luke and Caesar said at once, causing them to share a smile.
"Listen Octavian I'm so very excited to be a part of this new family and everything, but a few ground rules first. This is a family, which means we're going to stick together like glue. You're not going to be rid of me anytime soon. No buts. I know you're just worried about me, but that won't fly. You have to trust that we'll take care of each other. Camp Half Blood isn't the place for me. It won't be home. You guys are home." Caesar had never been able to voice his opinion so openly before. Had never been able to stand up to his family before.
Of course, that, that thing before, that hadn't been family.
"Deal." Octavian said, both surprised and proud. He then smiled at Luke, who was even prouder.
They would be just fine.
Probably.
What do you guys think? I'm probably going to give Caesar a chapter in Basically Octavian Wikipedia. And I'm thinking about giving Luke and Octavian a Octachel story which should be interesting...
Hm.
What do you guys think? Any suggestions for the future? Should I wrap this story up? Should I go cry because Thaluke can never be? Help me!