My biggest issue before was no integration or extended history. It was all jumping into canon, so I am fixing that.

Dinner was awkward, after being introduced to Thea Queen ( his half sister he was pretty sure) and Water Steele ( a very handsome older black man married to Moira) they just sat there in silence until Moira said something to stem the tide of awkward.

"So, uh, Austin, what do you think of your books?"

The boy beamed, a happy smile to bright it could have dimmed the son. "They are amazing, even with your money it shouldn't have been possible to get your hands on so many! Some of actual occult books, centuries old! Some are modern techs on paganism, and some belong in a museum! How you managed I don't know but damn it I am happy!"

That made Moira smile, as it did Malcolm. "I am happy to hear it." She turned to Thea, who sighed after a moment under her mother's stare.

"Do you need more clothes, I can help you shop. Mom said you were homeless..."

He gave her a soft smile, not as blinding but with as much love. "I would love that, thank you. I haven't much to my name right now... I am not sure who's clothes I am wearing, they were just in my closet."

"I bought them, I guessed your measurements at the hospital." Moria started. "Speaking of money, you are getting an allowance, one to help get you comfortable and established. We can discuss the specifics in the morning."

"Thank you, Moira, really... I gotta say, I love you for all you've done. I half expected to die alone on the streets."

That made them quiet, and Walter offered him a warm smile. "Well, I for one am glad that was not the case."

"Same... really, same..."

And for the first time, he felt good about his life... he had money, he had protection and he had magic. Life... was worth living once again.

"""

Thea smiled at Austin as he put on the nice jeans she picked out. The boy was cute, with his curly blonde hair and pretty brown eyes. He looked almost cherubic, and she couldn't bring herself to resent him for anything. He was really nice to her, and super respectful to her mom and Walter. It was nice to see and she was warmed by it.

"How do I look?" He asked.

"Cute."

He smiled, his face dimpling. "I am a bit chubby, despite being homeless. My mom was that way too, I think I am going to start working out. Maybe take a combat class. I don't need to go to school, so that helps give me more time."

She blinked, stunned. "How old are you, Mom didn't say?"

"Sixteen, a bit older than you."

She nodded. "You look a lot younger."

"I get that a lot... so, what do you want to do after we are doing buying my clothes? Maybe search for classes, you could join me, you are really pretty and rich, you might need it some day?"

She was stunned by how... genuine his concern was, like he really had thought of her life being at risk and it scared him. That made her love him almost instantly. "Maybe I will... what do you have in mind?"

"Well, Judo is good for slight people, and kickboxing is badass... and MMA is for everyone, so really anything it welcome."

They would end up going for Kickboxing, which later one Thea would describe as freeing, powerful and honestly engaging as hell...

"""

"Surge!" Austin muttered, and watched as the newly bought candles in his room levitated off of the table they were on. Each one was unlit, he was not dumb, but the raw focus the spell took was a lot. It was like looking at a dozen different words at once, with each at a different focus point. Still, he enjoyed the practice.

Mental clarity is key to the craft, if one is to cast a spell, they need to know great focus

And so, that is what he practiced for the next two months with the Queens. Meditation, Yoga, Kickboxing, Magic and a lot of focus exercises. He didn't learn too much actively on magic, but he was mastering sigils, rituals, spell words, Latin and so many other things. He was a busy bee at that point, but it was worth it as he slowly, and drastically changed. Losing twenty pounds, gaining some muscle. He spent hours in the pool on the Queen's property, adoring swimming ( Unlike Thea who hated it, as had Oliver apparently) which really helped. He loved his life...

And then something changed.

One day, while walking the property, he saw the graves of Oliver and Robert and tears started to flow off of his face. Kneeling, sweaty from the warm summer sun, he brushed them off and started to speak.

"I am so sorry, I wish I had the chance to meet you. My dad and brother... I ... I wish life was different. I wish you could have helped rescue me, and be proud of me, and help me grow. I am sorry you will never have the chance to meet me, or watch Thea grow, or meet any grandkids and nieces, or nephews. I am sorry that we never will get to see anything of each other." Pulling out a pocket knife, he pricked his finger and droplets on their empty graves. "Beati figuli, cresce et monstra, meo sanguine signata. Oritur vita." The blood and magic, a simple blessing, surged and in a purple glow two thin purple flowers started to sprout on their graves.

Marking, for a time, the empty graves of family he would never meet with a love he never expected to feel...

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a blast to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.