A week had passed since their walk in the park and they had slipped into a comfortable routine, they would spend two days with Stella watching cartoons and playing video games , then on the third day before work she and Ritter would arrive with Tuesday, then Kelly Matt and Sonny would take the pooch for a walk; afterwards Kelly would return her to fifty one in the evening. So far all Boden knew was that Kelly needed some time off, but Kelly wasn't sure how much longer he could keep the chief in the dark. They still hadn't told anyone else apart from Kidd and Ritter about Sonny being found, they believed the boy still needed time to adjust. Sonny still wasn't sleeping properly and they were still having problems with his eating habits. The teen always wolfed down his food as quickly as he could, it was as if he expected them to take it away if he didn't eat fast enough. Neither Kelly or Matt had known what to do, feeling completely helpless Kelly had contacted dr Charles for advice. Since the call they'd made a meal plan which was pinned up on the refrigerator door, they also ate at the same times everyday. It was suppose to reassure Sonny that he'd always have access to food. But what didn't help matters was that they didn't know what the teen genuinely liked to eat as so far he'd eaten everything they gave him, well except the burnt toast Kelly had made back at Matt's old house.
As Kelly walked into the living room to take Tuesday back to fifty one he found Sonny sprawled out on the sofa with the Dalmatians' head rested on his lap. Kelly stared at the scene in disbelief, it was the closest Sonny had ever gotten to Tuesday, he felt incredibly guilty about having to ruin the moment.
"Sorry kiddo it's time for me to take Tuesday back to Ritter" informed Kelly gently.
"Ok" responded Sonny softly as a thoughtful expression appeared on his face and he looked down at Tuesday.
"Can I come with you?" He asked in a time voice while a hopeful smile played on his lips. Matt who had been sat beside Sonny immediately looked up in shock.
"Uh I don't know Sonny, that might not be a great idea " replied Kelly and instantly the boys hopeful expression fell. Kelly felt another wave of guilt wash over him as Sonny nodded dejectedly. They were both eager to introduce Sonny to fifty one but had been holding off because they wanted to protect him. Both Kelly and Matt knew the boy could be overwhelmed easily; he still held their hands in public, not that either of the men were complaining. But they knew the boy was starting to get embarrassed as passerby's tended to stare, A few times Kelly had almost lost his temper; if the nosy strangers knew what Sonny had been through they would understand. Matt knew everyone at fifty one would do their best to make Sonny feel welcome but new places and being around more than five people put the boy on edge.
"Oh, that's ok" responded Sonny in a voice barely above a whisper. Matt furrowed his brow as he tried to decide what to do, he felt like his head was spinning. Deep down Matt really wanted to take Sonny to fifty one, it would be just like old times but he wasn't going to let what he wanted cloud his judgement, he needed to do what was best for Sonny. But now the boy had suggested it himself and Matt was worried if they said no the teen would become even more reluctant to go out again; he was concerned that Sonny would see it as them not having faith in him.
"Why do you want to go Sonny?"Inquired Matt softly, he wanted to check that the teen wasn't doing it just to make them happy. Once again Sonny stared off into the distance thoughtfully as he began absentmindedly stroking Tuesday.
"It sounds like a nice place " admitted the boy in a quiet voice, over the past week he'd heard a lot of stories about fifty one. He also had a few memories of going there when he was little, which was probably why he felt so drawn to the place.
"Ok then, go grab your shoes and jacket" instructed Matt with a smile which Sonny happily returned. Meanwhile Kelly was staring at him in shock.
"Are you sure about this Matt?" Whispered Kelly.
"Not really but he needs to know we trust him to make his own judgments, if he believes he's ready then I do too" Matt explained as butterflies fluttered in his stomach, he hoped he wouldn't regret his decision. Suddenly a thought popped into his head, it would probably be better if they told everyone about Sonny first so they could answer any questions without the teen there, without a doubt Herman would say something harsh about Ryder which would definitely upset Sonny. They needed to warn everyone that Dr Charles believed Sonny was most likely suffering from Stockholm syndrome which was why he didn't take any insults about Ryder very well.
"Maybe you should text Kidd and ask her nicely to explain the situation before we get there" suggested Matt, he felt bad about leaving the job to Kidd but they had no choice.
"Good idea" agreed Kelly but before he grabbed his phone he walked over and gave Matt a brief one armed hug.
"You're really good at this parenting thing Matt" whispered Kelly, it hurt him to know that the blonde still doubted himself.
"You are too" shot back Matt, Kelly had and always would be another parent to Sonny, he'd been there since day one.
"Now Sonny if you need to leave at anytime just tell us" reminded Matt, Sonny practically knew the older man's speech off by heart now but he didn't bother to interrupt, in a strange way he found Matt's worry reassuring as it showed how much he cared. It was a stark contrast to Ryder, who after Eve's death did his very best to avoid expressing affection, a small part of Sonny was beginning to wonder if Ryder ever truly cared about him or if Sonny's only value had been the fact he made Ryder feel less lonely.
"It's ok I'm ready" announced sonny taking one last deep breath.
The nervous teen grasped Tuesday's lead tightly as they stood in the entry way, a large smile appeared on his face as he caught sight of one of the engines, before Sonny could move towards it Kelly leaned in close.
"No matter what happens we're proud of you kiddo"he whispered in a warm voice helping Sonny relax slightly. As they walked inside anxiety gnawed at Kelly's insides, truck eighty one was out on call. Kelly hoped that Kidd managed to explain the situation before she was called out, but as he heard a loud gasp he realised they weren't so lucky. He turned around slowly to see Capp moving his mouth up and down as if he was trying to speak but no words were coming out.
"Little Casey" he finally mumbled staring at the teen who to Kelly's relief was struggling to contain his laughter.
"Yep, now don't scare him off" warned Kelly even though his tone was light Capp knew Severide was being deadly serious.
"I won't" promised Capp as they all walked further inside.
"It's Good to see you too Matt" smiled Capp who then proceeded to walk towards the squad table where three other men were sitting. Matt's eyes quickly scanned over the firefighters, he presumed the man he didn't recognise was Kelly's temporary replacement , the other was Tony who hadn't changed a single bit. When matt's eyes landed on the final person the corners of matts mouth quirked in amusement, it was Cruz who was struggling not to stare at them. Kelly had told him that Cruz had joined squad but he had never quite believed it.
"Hey Cruz is Boden around?" Inquired Matt as he reached the squad table. Meanwhile Kelly steered Sonny towards the squad engine. The teen was still firmly holding onto Tuesdays lead and Kelly had an arm draped around his shoulders. The boy had become extremely tactile over the past week and appeared to take comfort from being close to them especially when out in public.
"Y-yeah he's in his office" Cruz stuttered.
"Thanks and sorry it late but congratulations for making squad" replied Matt causing Cruz to blush as he mumbled his appreciation.
"Hey Sonny I'll be right back ok?" Called Matt but the boy's eyes were glued to the fire engine in front of him.
"Don't worry Matt, we'll be fine. I can show him all the reasons Squad is better than truck" Kelly joked when he realised Sonny wasn't going to answer.
"Don't listen to him Sonny" laughed Matt partly at Kelly's remark and partly at Sonny's fascination with the engine.
As Matt lingered outside of Boden's office his palms were sweaty and he felt like his heart was going to burst out of his chest. Matt had always looked up to Boden but the last time he'd seen him was when he was at his worst. As his hand hovered over the door handle he felt ashamed for not visiting sooner, Boden didn't deserve to be frozen out. Finally Matt gathered enough courage and gently knocked the door,
"Come in" beckoned the deep familiar voice. Hesitantly Matt pushed open the door and stepped inside, Matt sucked in a deep breath as his eyes landed on Boden who was yet to look up from his desk.
"Well I definitely don't miss having to do paper work" remarked Matt. Instantly Boden froze in place and steadily lifted his head.
"Casey" he breathed out.
"W-what are you ... what are you doing here?" He questioned worry leaking into his tone.
"I moved in with Kelly" replied Matt nonchalantly.
"But why, why now?", he was glad to see Matt again but he'd accepted a few years ago that he probably would never see the blonde again.
"Come on Chief I'll show you" Matt responded. Hesitantly Boden rose to his feet as followed Matt.
"Casey what's going... Sonny" gasped Boden as the blonde teen came into view, Sonny was sat at the squad table laughing and smiling as he listened to one of Capp's tales.
"You found him" uttered Boden in disbelief. Suddenly everything made sense, Kelly's absence, Stella's extremely cheerful mood and why Kelly had been borrowing Tuesday.
Despite wanting to talk to the teen Boden kept his distance as he could sense his anxiousness, instead he listened closely to Matt who was doing his best to inform him of how they were doing now they had Sonny. Their conversation came to an abrupt end when they saw engine eighty one approaching in the distance, swiftly they led Sonny to Kelly's office, they thought it would be best if Sonny and Matt stayed in there while Kelly explained everything they needed to know.
As Matt sat down on Kelly's bed he felt incredibly strange, it was weird not having his own office but he didn't mind as much as he thought he would. Sonny looked around the room before picking up a small frame that had been displayed on the desk, it was of a younger looking Kelly grinning widely as he balanced a one year old Sonny on his knee. He placed the frame back down when he noticed another photo tucked way behind a pile of paper work. Sonny beamed as he studied the picture of Matt and Kelly dressed in their turnout gear.
"Do you miss it?" questioned Sonny Gently. Earning a surprised look from Casey.
"Being a firefighter? Yeah I do" Matt admitted after a few moments, he'd never really thought about his time as a firefighter while he was living in the middle of nowhere, but after moving back to Chicago it had been weighing heavily on his mind.
"Do you think you'll ever go back?"
"No" announced Matt honest resulting in Sonny almost dropping the frame.
"Why not?" The boy asked weakly.
"I'd rather stick to construction"stated Casey but Sonny eyed him sceptically.
"You don't have to do that for me" the teen mumbled, he could tell how much Matt had loved his job, he didn't want to be the reason he never returned to doing what made him happy.
"Yes I do Sonny, you're my son and I want to be there for you"
Sonny stared open mouthed at Casey in shock, he could hardly believe his ears. All Sonny had ever wanted was for Ryder to get a regular job, he hated spending so much time on his own but Ryder never kept to his promises of starting a normal life. But now Matt was willing to give up the job he loved just for him. Sonny chewed on his lip as he tried to suppress the sob rising in his throat, Ryder never loved him enough to leave behind a life on the road but after only spending two weeks together Matt was willing to sacrifice everything.
"Sonny are you alright?" Asked Matt tentatively, he was taken aback when Sonny barrelled into him throwing his arms around his shoulders.
The teen clung onto Matt for a few minutes soaking in the comfort. The only times Ryder allowed hugs was when Sonny woke up from a nightmare and wouldn't stop screaming. Eventually the teen reluctantly pulled away and swiped angrily at his eyes before Matt could see the few stray tears that had fallen,
"Thanks" he mumbled, even though he'd only been with Matt and Kelly for two weeks he felt like he finally had a proper home.