Toki was excited. He rushed around Mordhaus in between talking to Charles and sorting things out, who had been subjected to a horrid pile of paperwork.

That same day, the manager took Pickles and Toki to an orphanage. The drummer was certain he was going to start crying if Toki didn't first. For the first time in his life, he felt a sense of protectiveness towards the abandoned children. They were well-cared for, some ranging from almost newborn babies to ten year olds. Toki was desperate for a very young baby, and Pickles didn't really have a preference.

However, when he saw a young brown-haired, blue-eyed, beautiful boy sitting alone, Pickles knew he just had to have him.

His name had been Alex. Pickles stayed with Charles, standing in the office, his eyes brimming with tears. Toki sat in the chair, looking concerned for his lover.

"I want that little dood," Pickles gasped. "Charles, you have no idea. I fucking gatta have him."

"Pickles..." Charles sighed, knowing it was best not to anger or upset the drummer even more so. "I can understand that seeing those children was a very emotional ordeal for both of you. I will do my best, but adoption takes a lot of time, and there will be many, many procedures-"

"He looks exahhctly how Toki did when he was younger. I don't care how long it takes, Charlie. He's gat Toki's eyes. I jest...I want a son with Toki's eyes."

Toki was crying, his mouth hanging open.

The two had gone back to visit him again, and Toki had very gently asked the four-year-old if he wanted to come live with them. Upon heaing this, Alex burst into tears, begging for a family. Toki pulled him in to cuddle, promising that they would take him in, be the best fathers anyone could ever be, promising a whole load of things that spilled from his mouth. Pickles stood behind him, his own tears freshly rolling down his cheeks, the hope in his heart soaring, that they would have Alex. Toki had seen his own likeness in the little boy, and informed him of this.

Pickles and Toki were outside for some fresh air when the rhythm guitarist finally spoke, his voice cracking with tears. "How l-longs d-do we has t-to wait, Pickle?"

"Charlie said around six more months. And even then..."

Toki grimaced. "It won'ts be easies, will it?"

Pickles brought him in for a reassuring kiss, failing to realise that Alex opened the door in the attempt to find them. Pickles broke away sharply, but his heart sank, knowing Alex had already seen it. But instead of questioning their actions, the little boy simply broke out into an ear-to-ear grin.

"I knew you were like that with each other! Now I'll have two daddies instead of one!"

Pickles burst into tears.

Pickles had always been known as a man who took no bullshit. When he told that to Toki, the Norwegian giggled and agreed. When he told that to Charles, the manager didn't even crack a small chuckle. Things were not going to plan. Allegedly, the parents of Alex now wanted him back. Pickles and Toki had gone to bed crying their hearts out. Charles would find a way about it. He always did. Late at night, the manager was still awake in his office, making phone calls and filling out the necessary paperwork.

They'll get him. I'll make sure of it. I can see it in the way they both look at that little boy. Love and hope in their eyes. I hope that one day, it can be reflected in Alex's, too. They'll be amazing fathers. I'll make sure that they get him. There is no way I will let him be taken away by those monsters.

Pickles had always thought of his drumkit as his baby: sleek, beautiful and huge in comparison to the tiny boy he had loved so much. It had been a labour of love, and now love rushed through him, stronger than anything he felt for some piece of metal he liked to smash on occasion. Today would be the day when they found out whether they had suceeded in adopting Alex or not. Pickles and Toki stood outside Charles' office, trying to listen to phone calls, but the manager had suspected this beforehand and made sure to go into the en suite to make his calls. Eventually, after what seemed like hours, Charles left his office to find Pickles and Toki, staring at him with pleading faces.

Charles smiled. "He's all yours."