Immediately upon entering, a familiar head of blonde hair greeted me with a beaming smile. "Can we play now?" Damian bounced on his heels, dancing in place with excitement as his eyes practically begged me to say yes.

"How about I get something to eat and then we can decide what to play?" I paused to gesture down to my legs, "I can't really play like most people though."

The briefest flash of sadness swept across his eyes before he visibly shook it off. "That's okay, do you like to read?"

When he made no move to step aside, I gestured to my lap. "I do, but before we get into that I need to make my breakfast. You can sit here again if you'd like?"

The words were barely out of my mouth before he was scrambling up into what was starting to be his spot. Securing him so he wouldn't fall off, I began preparing a basic sandwich as I continued where we'd left off.

"Do you like to read?"

Immediately he ducked his head, shame and discomfort making themselves known to my alarm. "I'm not good at reading… I try really hard!...But I usually don't understand a lot of words."

It broke my heart seeing the previously ecstatic little boy so downtrodden. Absentmindedly wrapping him into a hug, I reassured. "That's alright, not everyone's good at reading. I've known people who can program a computer to do nearly anything but can't tie their own shoelaces. There's nothing wrong with not being great at everything, it just makes you human."

That seemed to perk him up again, his smile waining slightly as he hesitantly questioned. "Can you help me read? Mom used to read to me because she said I'd never learn, but I want to."

Oh this kid was going to shred my heart without even trying, "Absolutely, I adore reading and I'd love to teach you. We can start with a series of books about a boy not much older than you who learns he's a wizard. His family are all nasty to him but a friendly giant named Hagrid comes to take him from them to go to the magical school."

I watched as his eyes lit up with interest, had I looked like that when my mother had first told me about Harry Potter? Shaking the thought to the side, I answered the many questions Damien had about the books while I finished my sandwich.

By the time I was done he was all but vibrating with joy. Biting back my chuckles, I turned toward my room and started wheeling my way. I should have that book somewhere in my things and if I didn't I'm sure Leila could tell me where to find a copy.

As I glanced down at the happily humming child in my lap, it struck me that his constant companion was gone. "Damien, where's Mira?"

He paused in his humming to tilt his head, the sight making me want to coo but I forced the urge down. Now was not the time to melt over how cute he was.

"I think she went with the lady from yesterday, the one who saved us with the fire man."

Hearing Vlad referred to as 'fire man' nearly made me lose it, but keeping it together, I nodded. "Good, she shouldn't be wandering around alone. This castle is big and she could get hurt."

Damien stared for a moment, a mix of uncertainty and hope in his eyes. "You really care about us, don't you?"

It took me by surprise, causing me to stop in my tracks. "Well, of course I do! You two and all the other children have been through more than enough as it is. I want to make sure you all stay safe, or as safe as possible."

The hope steadily grew until his eyes were overflowing with it, his little hands clutched my shirt as if terrified of letting go. "Would-...Would you adopt me?"

The question threw me for a loop. I hadn't even thought of children since Maximus and I had gotten together, his natural infertility making it a moot point. But I had to admit, Damien had wrapped himself tight around my heart and the thought of leaving him hurt.

I bit my lip, considering how to answer without getting his hopes up. I wouldn't mind adopting him, he was a sweet boy and I was sure between Maximus and I we could handle any problems he might have, but there was the problem. I had no idea what Maximus's thoughts were on the subject, so I couldn't answer for both of us.

Gently stroking his hair, I answered while reminding him not to get too excited. "I would love nothing more than to do that, you're adorable and so well behaved for your age that you constantly impress me. But I can't give you an answer right now. It's not just me who would be adopting you after all. Maximus would have to agree too."

Damien's eyes lost their previous excitement, the sudden downtrodden face and wobbling lip clawing at my heart. Wrapping him into a hug, I tried to sooth him. "I didn't say no Damien, I'll discuss it with Maximus once he's done with his work for the day.

The boy still didn't cheer up, tears running over as he clutched to my chest. "But he won't want me. I was a burden to him, I'm not supposed to be a burden or else I won't get adopted…"

If I'd been moving that would have brought me to a screeching halt. "Now who told you that? And you are not a burden! Where did you get such an idea from?"

His face angled down to hide his tears as he mumbled, "I got caught after they freed us, he had to save me. My mother said-."

I cut him off, tightening my hold until he was pressed to my shoulder. His tears soaked into my shoulder as he scrubbed his face against me, not bothering to finish his sentence as silent sobs rolled through him.

Oh! That woman had better pray I never met her! I'd give her a piece of my mind for what she did to this poor little boy.

Gently tugging him off my shoulder, I shook my head determinedly. "No. You are not a burden, okay? Any blame falls to the horrible men who held you captive, not you. If Maximus doesn't want to adopt anyone it won't be because it was you personally. Okay?"

I wish I could erase all the horrid thoughts that devil woman had planted in his mind, but for now I'd be happy just to make his tears stop. As he wiped at his cheeks, sniffling miserably to himself, I knew there was nothing I could do to truly cheer him up. So I'd distract him and as soon as possible I'd talk to Maximus.

I couldn't see a reason why we couldn't adopt him, but the topic of kids had never come up before. What would Damien do if Maximus didn't want to adopt him? Would he find a good home or would another monster sink its claws into him? The thought made bile climb into my throat and my arms clutch him closer as if to shield him from it all.

Forcing myself to focus, I gave what I hoped was a convincing smile. "How about a Disney movie marathon after we read some? I think we could both use the relaxer and maybe we can get Maximus to join us."

Leaning in to whisper as if telling him a secret, I told him. "Not many people know that Maximus likes those movies just as much as I do, don't tell anyone okay?"

Damien nodded, not commenting on the subject change as I wheeled us both into my room. As I unburied my old copy of Harry Potter Sorcerer's Stone, Damien cuddling into my lap as I began to read while pointing at the words for him to see, I sent up a prayer that Maximus agreed to take him in. I didn't want to see him go anymore than he himself wanted to leave.