Loid Forger was a liar.

While this comes to no shock whatsoever, this time it was unintentional. Because his intel sent a message saying that Demetrius had already called the Desmond manor. If he had known this before an hour ago he wouldn't have sent Yor off on a wild goose chase! But then again, he wouldn't have been able to explain how he knew. He'll make it up to his wife somehow.

Now he needed to infiltrate the highest security residence in all of Ostainia in order to make the message disappear.

Despite the dangers, Loid had the perfect plan.

"I secretly added citrus juice to the milk that was going to be used for tonight's dessert. Knowing the head butler, he is going to go to the market and create a formal complaint to the company." Loid dialoged to himself, all in his head of course.

"By the time he gets back, the phone records will be cleansed, and if he has no record of the call, he will not bring it up to Donovan Desmond."

As Loid walked through the corridor of the main entrance, two guards gave him a nod.

"Back already Jeeves?"

Of course Twilight wouldn't waltz in without a disguise. Every detail from the butlers' walk to each wrinkle on his face was expertly imitated by Westalis's best spy.

"My memory gave out. I left the receipts here. Expect me to be in and out." The guards nodded at his reply, not suspecting a thing.

Perfect.

Twilight walked through the kitchen, keeping his paths to the staff hallways; he didn't want to risk running into Donovan.

Going through the servant's quarters and passing many maids and cooks, Twilight found himself at the phone.

"I need to finish this up quick. I don't want to risk the real Jeeves coming back sooner than expected and getting me caught." He sweat. But he kept his composure as he flipped through the pages of the phone records. There was lots of good intel here. Calls from business partners, foreign embassies, even death threats! Twilight gazed over it, memorizing the numbers written down.

And there it was: the record of the phone call between Jeeves and Demetrius. Every word jotted down. Yet the worst thing he could've imagined was written in red ink on the post-note…

"Spoke to Sir Donovan Desmond about the matter at 11:34, on Tuesday."

Jeeves had already told Donovan what had happened.

Everything was lost. Operation Strix, world peace, and… his family…

"Jeeves!"

A recognizable voice called out to him.

A voice that was definitely not supposed to be here.

"Master Damian?" Twilight said in slight confusion. Damian ran right up to him, panting and out of breath. "What are you doing here out of school?"

"Jeeves! I need to explain things to father! It's important! Did you tell him what Demetrius called about?!"

"Erm..." Loid was confused by what this was about, but Damian seemed gripped at the heart. "I am afraid I have already."

Damian gulped, knowing what this would mean of him.

"Please, help me get dressed nice so I can go talk to him!" Pleaded the boy. "I know what you are going to say, 'he's busy'. I know! But this is a matter of expulsion!"

"Expulsion?"

"I lied about my friend, and I need to make it right before she gets kicked out of school forever!" Yelled Damian, fists clenched. This was… the best thing that could have happened! Operation Strix wasn't done for yet.

"Very well, Master Damian." Twilight nodded. "Let's get you ready then."

Damian seemed in awe. He never ever expected Jeeves to help him like this! Maybe Jeeves was nicer than he let on? Either way, Damian was grateful.

In Damian's room, Twilight held in his shock. It was a very large room, yet with very little in it. It gave an empty feeling deep within his stomach. Did Damian never get any toys?

"Quick! I need to wear me best sweater vest!" Said Damian, lifting his arms above his head. Twilight supposed the only blue vest was the one he was talking about. "Is my hair okay? You know how father hates out-of-place hairs!"

"Allow me to comb it." Loid said in his best Jeeves-imitation voice, parting it gently with the porcelain comb. "Are you nervous?"

"…" Damian looked to the ground. "I already know father will be disappointed in me."

With a sigh, Loid knelt to the boy's height.

"I know you will do well, Master Damian."

"…I'm still nervous. But I already messed up a lot recently. And I'm still okay. So I'll keep messing up and I'll still be okay."

That was pretty mature of a 6-year-old to say. Earlier this day, Twilight viewed Damian as the son of a villain, nothing else.

Now Twilight could only see him as…

As…

Standing up, Loid coughed,

"You better head over to your father. He should be finished with his call with the minister now."

"Okay. Hoo~" Damian stood straight, walking with as best posture as possible. Following behind, Twilight was overcome with curiosity. How would Damian handle this? Out of the corner of his eye, Loid saw through the window Donovan walking outside. He was alone.

"Master Damian, it appears Master Donovan is in the courtyard."

"Okay." Damian didn't move. "Hey Jeeves? Do you think… if I do this… that Anya's dad will forgive me?"

This confused Twilight. Why did Damian care about his opinion?

No. He knew why. Damian wanted to know if all of this would be worth it. The poor boy could only anticipate so much disappointment from the adults in his life.

"…I believe he'll find room in his heart to forgive." Sighed Twilight. "Master Damian, after you do what you have planned, do not speak of our interactions again. Not even to me. Do you understand?"

"I… guess so. Thanks, Jeeves."

Loid only gave a silent nod to the brave boy as he entered into the courtyard, approaching the unapproachable man.

Twilight wanted to listen in.

Damian could feel his heart in his throat. His father stood ahead, his back turned to him, puffs of cigar smoke adorning his form. The afternoon sun just slipped behind the mansion's shadow, leaving the courtyard in a cool darkness. It felt a little too peaceful.

"F-Father?"

The peep from the child made the calloused man sigh a long, dreaded sigh.

"…Damian. Aren't you supposed to be at school?" Spoke Donovan, not even turning to him.

"I… I have to tell you something of upmost importance." Gulped the boy. "I lied."

"Hmm?"

As the two talked, Twilight sat atop the manor rooftop, hiding in the shadows. He listened closely to every word whispered out.

"I-! I told Demetrius that Mr. Forger lied about me being able to stay at his house but that wasn't true I made up a lie because I never asked his permission and—"

"Boy, calm yourself! You're giving me a headache." Donovan snapped, rubbing his temples. "I remember Mr. Forger. You stayed at his house?"

"Y…Yes."

"I don't care."

"…What?"

"Mr. Forger seems like a fine individual. I don't care that you stayed with his family. I wouldn't care if you stayed there every night. Truthfully, I was better off not knowing." Donovan puffed his cigar, slowly turning his whole body to Damian. "But you know what I can't stand? That fact that you are here!"

"…I-"

"Skipping school earns you a Tonitrus Bolt! You are not only unexceptional, you are behind the rest of your class!" Yelled the irate man. "At this rate you will never be an Imperial Scholar!"

"Father, I'm sorry, I just wanted to keep my friend enrolled at Eden—"

"I don't care about your excuses-!" Donovan cut his yelling short with a rub of his forehead. This kid only gave him migraines…

Then quietly, just under his breath, Donovan whispered in a sigh,

"I'd have less a headache if you were never born…"

He wasn't quiet enough.

Damian heard every word.

Leaning away from his son with a rub of his eye bags, Donovan snuffed out his cigar.

"Go back to Eden Academy. Now. And tell your brother I said hello."

Without another thought regarding the boy, Donovan left. And Damian stood by himself, clutching his sweater vest with tight fists.

Loid should have been relieved. Donovan had a positive memory of the Forgers! He didn't care about the whole ordeal and now things can continue as they were. And with permission to visit as he likes, Damian can get closer to the family.

However, Twilight had no room in his heart for celebration. Morbid curiosity and solemnness overtook Twilight; he carefully watched the boy who stood frozen.

Then all of the sudden, Damian dashed off! He exited the private property, leaving through the back gate and cornering the wall until he came to the trash receptacles. He would have ran further, but his legs buckled.

Twisting his ankles on the cobblestone below, Damian stumbled on his heels, leaning his back along the brick wall.

"W-Why?" He gritted.

"I'd have less a headache if you were never born…"

"W-Why?!" Feeling his throat cease up, Damian grabbed at his shirt. It felt like he couldn't breathe. He kept gripping and clawing at his collar and trying to get air in.

And in came sharp, choppy breaths.

He was sobbing.

Standing there all alone, Damian felt like his world had fallen to rubble around him.

He missed his mom.

He hated his dad.

Why? Why was there no body to save him? Why did he feel so alone?!

Stealthily climbing over the wall, Twilight watched Damian from a distance. If he left now, everything would be fine. He didn't want to step in with Damian too much if it meant getting in the way of Operation Strix. He should leave. Now. Before anyone sees him…

But he couldn't leave.

The alleyway was filled with bitter sobs. If he left now, would Twilight really be doing this for the crying children in the world? So that they wouldn't have a reason to feel like he did?

It was more than just seeing a child weep.

It was the way Damian gripped at his collar and called out for help with no voice.

All Loid could see him as was… himself.

Back then, there was nobody to save him. Nobody to comfort him. The entire reason Twilight became a spy was so that no one else would have to feel the same pain.

Quietly, Damian was caught by surprise with a gentle hand on his head.

"Hic- *SNIFF* HIC! M-Mr. F-Forger?" The little boy wiped his face on his sleeve, although it didn't help much. There were tears and snot all over him. But Loid didn't look annoyed. The kind man didn't mind his crying.

"I uh, came by to talk to your dad but it looks like he's busy." Chuckled Loid.

"I'm sorry! I'm—"

"I forgive you." Smiled Loid.

"…" That was too fast. "F-For everything?"

"For everything. I forgive you."

Damian didn't get it, but… he was overwhelmed by how kind Loid was. It was so different than he was used to.

Putting the palms of his hands on his eyes, Damian let his head hit Loid's leg.

"I-I want my mother!" He wept. "I hate father! No… I-I… I want- I don't know!"

"It's hard, to hate someone you love. Or to love someone who… can't love you the same way."

"Hurk-! Hic-!" Damian hiccuped, gripping Twilight's pant leg. Warmly, Loid knelt down to Damian's height.

"Would you like to do a redo on your sleepover with Anya?"

"Sniff-! Y-You're okay with that? After everything?"

"Yes. But you'll have to make it up to Anya. If you can apologize to her, I'll make stir fry for you. And a desert of your choice." Smiled Mr. Forger, walking alongside Damian.

"W-What if she doesn't forgive me?"

"Even if she doesn't I'll still cook for you as a reward." Chuckled the kind man. "Food helps after crying."

"Does it?"

"I think so, personally."

As the sun set over the city rooftops, Yor and Anya sat on the couch together, both taking their time petting Bond. Yor wasn't sure how things were going to play out; she was putting all her hope in a small boy.

"Mama, I'm getting sleepy…"

"L-Let's wait just a little longer for Loid to come home! He might be here any minute!" Stuttered Yor. She didn't want to be left alone with her anxious thoughts. Anya didn't want to be left alone with Yor's thoughts either- they were making her anxious, too!

Out of nowhere, Bond jumped up and wagged his tail, galloping to the door.

"Loid must be home! Bond must've smelled him a ways off!"

It was more due to his foresight, but it wasn't just anticipation of his owner coming home. Bond knew something special was here. Something that was going to change life this day going forward.

Opening the door, Yor beamed,

"Loid! D-Did you get the chance to—"

Yor gasped! Besides Loid's leg was a familiar little boy, nervously looking at the floor. His eyes were red.

"Little Desmond!" Awed Yor!

"Eh?" Anya jumped from her place on the couch and ran to the front door, sensing this was a good sign! "Damian?"

Sy-on boy winced. He didn't like her calling him that.

"Anya. I uh… I…"

Noticing Damian was feeling under pressure, Yor pulled Loid aside.

"Let's get some warm drinks started!"

"Right. I'll get started on some food."

Leaving the two children in the hall, Anya looked at Damian with wide eyes. He wrung his shirt, looking like he had something to say.

"Uh… Anya, I'm…" He mumbled.

"I'm sorry." He thought. But it wouldn't come out of his throat.

"You shouldn't have invited me over." He huffed aloofly instead.

"What am I saying?! I'm sorry!" His brain yelled. His mouth couldn't utter it.

Anya was trying to make sense of what was going on. How come he couldn't say it? He was thinking it!

"You made me super jealous. And that's why I lied to Demetrius." Damian crossed his arms.

"What am I doing?! Stupid! Stupid! Why can't I say I'm sorry?!" His mind screamed!

"I see that decision might've put you in a bad position. But I still can't forgive you for not calling me 'Sy-on'. It ruined my day!" He couldn't stop himself from saying it this way. Why was he so bad at this apologizing?! Just say sorry!

"So… because I won't forgive you of that, y-you don't have to forgive me for everything else." Quivered Damian. That's not what he wanted to say! His mind was screaming, because for some reason he just—

Couldn't.

Say.

Sorry.

What was the point? Even if he could spill it there was no way Anya would—

"I forgive you."

"…Huh?"

"Even if Sy-on not can't say sorry, it's okay!"

"…"

Damian knew he didn't deserve this. But he was so relieved to hear those words coming from his friend.

Looking at the ground, Damian quickly gave Anya a hug.

"Gah!" Anya didn't expect that from him! He didn't even think before acting!

As fast as he hugged, Sy-on boy pulled away from the hug, clearing his throat.

"Um… don't tell anyone about that!"

"About what?" Yor asked with a platter of warm mugs.

"Sy-on boy hugged me."

"I DID NOT!"

Sitting together, the Forger table had a seat filled on every side, finally finding a patron for its last chair. Munching on the late-night stir fry, the little Desmond mumbled,

"I don't wanna go back to the dorms…"

"It's okay for you to stay the night tonight!" Yor cooed, getting a nod from Anya.

"Ever."

Smiling, Loid knew that wasn't realistic. But this was no time for that.

"You can come visit anytime you'd like. You can stop by after school every day if you want!" His words lit a sparkle of hope behind the boy's eyes. One he had never seen before. "From this day forward, count yourself as an honorary Forger!"

"…!" Puffing his chest up, Damian clenched his silverware and felt a welling of emotion in his heart!

"Honorary? Sy-on boy is honorable?" Anya cocked her head, to which Yor answered,

"Well, Little Desmond is very honorable! But being an honorary Forger means that in all ways but legal, Damian is a Forger now!"

Loid almost laughed. If that's the case, then ALL of the Forgers were honorary Forgers. Maybe that's what made this family connected. Random individuals in want of a family, caught together in the throws of this cold war. Damian was just as valid to be a Forger as the rest of them.

Smiling, Loid lifted his warm mug to the air, declaring,

"To the new honorary Forger!"

Lifting their mugs up to the air, Anya and Yor prompted Damian to clink his mug against theirs, cheering as a family,

"To the new honorary Forger!"