Post Crucible and Pre Destiny - Titus, Victus and the trouble of two sons

Identity

Sappho marveled at the differences; at how they could be so similar and yet not the same.

As she held a small young hand that barely knew the strength in its grip as it clutched the fingers of her far larger and scarred one, Sappho could only stare and wonder.

She'd pondered far too many times leading up to the moment she first laid eyes on him whether she could look upon a child like Tib and see a baby to be loved and not a strange monster composed of two species.

And yet that very first moment when Tib's adoring bright yellow eyes gazed up at her with wonder, Sappho couldn't imagine not being there for him.

"Has he smiled yet?"

Titus glanced up and shook her head at Miri. "Not yet. I think he's a bit too taken with staring."

"He will. Tib adores you. Always lights up when you're around," Miri replied with a chuckle as she folded up the freshly washed baby clothes.

Sappho had noticed the many pastel colours that marked a lot of the clothes and blankets that Miri bought for Tib. The human had imposed a ban on any gifts for her son while he was young, instead directing anyone who wanted to buy a present for him to give the money to charity instead.

As far as Miri was concerned, Tib would want for nothing but there were people out there after the war that needed help.

"How is Victus?" Sappho asked as she watched Miranda deftly fold and organize the laundry fresh from the dryer.

"He's good. Busy. I think he's a little disappointed he couldn't keep away from work as long as he wanted. It's not so bad. He's gets to have Tib as company most days."

"Good. I know he took the loss of Tarquin very hard."

"As did you," Miri replied softly. "He says you haven't been to visit the vault since his body was returned from Tuchanka."

Titus swiftly turned her attention back to the baby in her arms. "Oh! I got a little smile!"

Tib gurgled at her happily as Sappho lifted him up closer to her face.

"Sappho... about Tarquin..."

"Stop," came the turian's sharp snap. Tib jumped a little at the sudden change in mood before, with a deep frown, he lost his smile and started to cry.

Miri quickly scooped him out of Sappho's arms.

"Oh now, baby! It's alright!" she soothed. "Auntie Sappho wasn't mad at you. It was me that she was mad at."

Titus sat on the couch and watched Miri walk back and forth as Tib slowly calmed in her arms.
"I wasn't mad," she finally said.

"It's okay. I shouldn't have pressed it."

"Tarquin... I miss him so. The vault's just too... real."

Miri stopped in her pacing and stood in front of the seat turian with a hiccuping baby in her arms.

"I know, Sappho. Adrien does too. I'd like it if you would go with him next weekend to the vault. It'll be good for you both. Take Tiberius with you."

Titus gazed at her wided eyed. "But why? Tib's just a baby."

"Adrien is compartmentalizing them both. He's making Tarquin's memory all his own. But Tib... he's Tarquin's half brother whether he knew him personally or not. He needs to feel as though he too has claim to part of Tarquin's legacy. Adrien doesn't see that if he doesn't include Tib in this that it will led to a chasm forming between them. The heroic dead son and the lesser living one."

"Adrien would never-"

Miri interrupted her softly. "It already did once. The other Tiberius... he told me so much before he... died. I trust you, Sappho Titus. I trust you with my son and with my partner. You're the only one who has as much claim to Tarquin as his father. I need you to bridge this gap for me. For Tiberius. I don't want him growing up feeling as though he's lesser."

Titus gazed at the baby in Miri's arms before she nodded. She got back to her feet and gently took the calm Tib back into her arms as the baby cooed at her.

"I promise you, Miranda. I'll fix this."

Sappho was still there when Victus arrived back from the series of events he was obligated to attend just in time for dinner.

"Sappho!" he cheerfully greeted. "And there's my boy!"

Adrien took the deliriously happy Tiberius from Sappho's arms.

"You staying for dinner?" the Primarch asked Titus after enjoying his son's squeals and squeaks of welcome.

"Indeed."

"Excellent. Sappho, look..." he said as he lifted the baby up to show her. "... look at that face. He looks just like Tarquin did when he was a baby. Always had that expression!"

"No, Adrien," Sappho replied softly causing Victus to frown a little.

"What?"

"Tib looks like himself. He looks like Tiberius Victus."

Victus glanced back at the baby.

"Huh... I guess you're right."

They started back towards the kitchen where Miranda was busy organising some food.

"I'm going to the vault tomorrow," Sappho said evenly, her voice not betraying her own turmoil.

"Oh? I mean that's great. I've been doing some work at there. Tidying it."

"I'd like you to come too."

Victus stopped and turned to face Titus. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Bring the small one too."

"Tib doesn't-"

"He's going or I'm not. One day he'll be grown, Adrien, and he'll never know the brother he's lost. Let him grow up with Tarquin being part of his life in some way."

Victus focused his gaze on the baby who cooed and chirped at him.

"You're right," he said softly before he pressed a kiss on Tib's small fringe.