Out of the blue, another chapter appears! I swear I'm making an effort to finish my WIPs. Consider it a belated birthday gift to JustPocketChange! Also, as a side note, I'm going to start slowly abandoning . I'll be primarily using archiveofourown under the same name.

TW: discussions of domestic violence

Normally I would just use my key since Viv would be in the office and Reggie would be waiting not so patiently for me in the entryway, but it wasn't that kinda day. Those two were actually already at my apartment, hunkered down for a movie day with Maka since my worry-addled brain couldn't dare leave her alone. We were in any day– any hour– any minute territory and I needed backup if I was going to keep my promise of being there when Jack was born.

Instead, I knocked and waited for the casual footsteps. When the door opened, Wes's face was definitely far from nonchalant as his eyebrows climbed up his forehead. "Did something happen?"

"Ha–" My hand swept up to cradle the nape of my neck, gaze threatening to fall to the floor. 'Course he thinks it's bad. Haven't shown up like this since– I tried to crush that with a breath. "I just– I wanted to talk."

That word was so alien between us that it took him a minute to recover. "Of course. Come in." He reached, hesitated, and just barely whiffed his fingers by my elbow. It should have been an escort but he turned it into a wave, and I followed. The foyer stretched into their amazingly spacious living room, the pocket doors to Viv's study left ajar. I half expected her humming to drift through before I reminded myself of why I was really here– what I was really doing. "Is this alright?" He motioned towards the sofa arrangement.

"Yeah." I followed his lead and sat on the short end of the L after he positioned himself in the middle of the long section. My sweaty palms pressed against my knees, leaving my focus there rather than his face. "It's not a big deal…"

The couch creaked, and Wes's knees came into view in my periphery. His hand had started to intrude in the space between us but trembling fingers stopped just before my own. "Well, whatever it is, I'm happy to help." His voice was barely above a whisper– delicate as if even the atmosphere around us could crumble like a pillar of salt.

What I'd been rehearsing all week sat on my tongue, not budging until I cleared my throat. "I sorta realized something with the baby."

"Oh?" His reply hit the air even more gingerly, but at least he was coaxing– making sure I knew I had his ear.

I managed to raise my eyes to him before letting them dart to the safety of Viv's office again. I waved an absent hand towards it. "Space. We're already tripping over all the baby stuff as it is and… I'm wasting money on my apartment since I'm with her all the time and…" My line of thought crumbled momentarily as the realization hit me: this was the longest, most revealing conversation we'd had since… well, since the Clara meltdown. Even if it'd been years, that wound was still fresh– threatening to tamper down the rest of my hopes for help.

"Yes?" Wes carefully prompted again. I met his gaze, finding a soft shine to his eyes that brought a wave of nostalgia.

A shaky breath shot from my mouth before I could start again. "I wanna suggest moving in together, but I wanna have spaces in mind. I don't want another trashy apartment– I want something nice." I knew I was bordering on pleading, but Wes didn't show any sign of annoyance. He was listening, plain and simple. "I just don't know the first thing about finding something like that so I was wondering if you'd help me."

Wes never was good at making a mystery of what he was feeling. There was an instant swell of excitement that he tried to tramp down but his smile wouldn't lose its glow. "I can most certainly do that. It'd be helpful if you had some requirements and then I could start sending out some feelers…" His trail off was dripping in thought and careful analysis followed with the silence.

"I can," I tried to urge him forward, "unless you already got something in mind?"

Guilt. It was a quick flash, but there it was. The fiddling and flexing of his fingers into fists clinched it.

We were both on a razor's edge, and there was all the chance in the world to fall. I had always been sure there wasn't enough thread in the world to stitch us back together, but maybe that was before. Before he had the nerve to admit he was scared. My perfect brother. Scared. "Wes, I wanna hear it."

"I know there's an open unit in the building."

I shot down the urge to raise my eyebrows, just nodding in reply.

"And I know your financial situation only just changed," he was slow to add. "But I'd like to– we'd like to offer assistance in that if you'd allow us."

"But that's–" Even those two words took almost every ounce of strength I had to shoot out. The rest were grainy wood against the sandpaper of my tongue. "These places aren't cheap, Wes. That's not just a loan, that's–"

"A gift," Wes replied carefully. It was walking on butterfly wings rather than eggshells. "It wouldn't be all of it, just enough of a down payment that would make the monthly mortgage manageable for the two of you. It's not even on this floor, so I swear you'd have separation from us. Viv and I want to respect your space."

There was something new building in the pit of my stomach– a conglomeration of feelings that I couldn't suss out. "Did you– you talked to Viv about this?"

"Yes," he admitted immediately, followed by that flash of guilt again. "The last time we were at Maka's apartment I brought it up. Viv agreed, but she said… I didn't say anything because I knew I should be careful. I meddled in your life once before and it hurt you."

That brought a churn– a bit of bile threatening at the back of my throat.

"I know you haven't forgiven me—I don't deserve it—so I didn't want to press into your affairs. I want to help you, but I'll only offer to do as much as you want." Wes's hands shook as he pulled them back, leaving just his words to bridge the gap.

Forgive him? To be honest, I hadn't even considered what that meant since I'd never actually considered this a grudge. While the living situation was pressing and what I'd actually come to talk about, that stir in my stomach made me unable to leave the rest alone. "Are you– Wes, I'm not sure what you want forgiveness for."

His eyebrows jumped, lips gaping momentarily as an extra sheen came to his eyes.

Don't cry– almost jumped from my mouth but I let it hang. Maybe part of me actually wanted to see it again– not Wes hurting, but just another glimpse of someone actually showing me their entire hand. Our parents hadn't exactly been good at that, after all.

Wes rubbed his face, smearing away anything that could make a mess of his cheeks before it even got there. It took a long, slow breath to bring anything forward: "When you came to me about Clara, I made so many mistakes."

I managed to cut the groan that wanted to erupt from my throat into a sharp grunt. The moment was flooding back to me and—like most of the memories from that time—it was like tearing out stitches with your teeth.

"I can't say I knew anything about that kind of situation"—he cut himself off with a rough sigh before locking eyes with me—"about abuse. But ignorance isn't an excuse. I-I read some books. I even went to some meetings–"

"Meetings?" I managed to force the word out since each sentence was tightening my muscles– constricting everything around my heart.

"I found a domestic violence support group." Fuck, he was crawling ever so lightly over each syllable, and his gaze was nothing short of pure empathy. "It's not just for survivors but their families as well– to help them understand and not make the same mistakes. I-I don't share. I always go just to listen and hopefully learn."

My whole body was a limb that had fallen asleep, pins and needles nudging me with the sudden realization of his devotion. "How often do you go?"

"It's twice a month. I started going when you moved in with us and only stopped when we went abroad. It's this Thursday, though, and I was going to…" He lost whatever war he was waging as his hand came to his mouth. There was a battle of breaths before he started again. "I want to keep going, and—again, I don't want to pry—but I want to suggest you come with me."

Dizzy, double-vision threatened me. Abuse– domestic violence– none of those terms had ever applied to me. All I'd ever gotten was the lion's share of the blame and endless shame for being a man who wasn't. In all of our circles—parents included—it'd been clear that the real travesty was breaking my engagement. Toughing it out– making it work– those were the mantras I was fed over and over. It was completely disorienting to watch all those letters crumble before my eyes– especially when it was my brother who was crushing them.

"But that– I don't want you to think that's contingent on the apartment. I'll do whatever you'd like on either front, but I want to emphasize–" Wes shook his head before pulling his hand through his hair, making it almost as much of a mess as mine. "Please let me help you, Soul."

For days, I had prepped myself to not fall apart. I'd run drills in my mind—any scenario I could imagine—and coached myself into staying cool. That was before I realized that maybe whatever I'd let myself believe about Wes was just as faulty as the ideology I'd used to put space between Maka and me. There was a chance that I'd let a gap grow just because of that old fault of mine– that there was no hope for loving me. Wes had barely finished his plea before I broke, my shoulders trembling as I lowered my head into my hands.

"Soul…"

I pressed my palms to my eyes even though once again there was no hope to dam that river.

"Soul, can I come sit next to you?"

"Yeah," I managed weakly through a sob.

The couch creaked before Wes's warmth was next to me. "I'm going to touch you."

"Okay." Murmuring was all I could do as my hands worked over my face, trying to keep whatever mask I could in place. It was a complete failure especially as Wes's arm landed softly around my shoulders. I couldn't remember the last time we'd done this, but I couldn't deny how much it settled something inside me. With another painful whimper, I let the reality set in: if only he'd done this when I came to him about Clara. If only I could have cried. If only I could have felt like he heard me. If only I could have been safe, even for just a minute.

"I'm so sorry you've had to carry this," he murmured as his fingers clutched tightly at my shoulder. "I want you to know I'll do anything you ask to support you. Your decisions will never change that you are my little brother and that I love you."

If I'd learned anything from my struggle with Maka, it was that asking wasn't exactly my forte. Still, this was one of those do or die moments—like the one where I kissed her—and I had a choice to either sabotage it all or finally allow myself another tiny corner of happiness. With a deep, gulping breath, I rested my head against Wes's shoulder. "I love you too."

I honestly had expected a dog-pile when I got home– banking on Viv, Reggie, and Maka to all be snoozing on the couch. Instead, I opened the door to a cacophony of voices. The din overpowered my presence– not something that I minded. If anything, I needed it. So I stood, caught my breath, and took in the view. The apartment was buzzing as Shelley and Reggie ran circles around the couch. Marie and Viv chatted back and forth, Maka's sweet hum interrupting every now and then. They fluttered through discussions of work– kids– life. I appreciated the normalcy of it since everything with Wes still struck me as so surreal.

Suddenly it was boy-meets-legs, Reggie barreling into me at top speed. "Uncle!"

"Oh," Maka exclaimed joyfully as she turned her head to expose her smile over the back of the couch. "You're home! We–" She paused, and I knew I was being examined.

"Having a party without me?" I finished for her as I took wobbling steps with Reggie encumbering one of my legs.

"I guess so," she replied softly– tone definitely spelling out the fact I wasn't off the hook.

"Uh, hey, Marie. Nice to see you. Hi, Shel–" I couldn't get through the name before the girl herself was colliding with the other leg. Both leeches erupted into giggles, adding another bit of evenness to my breath. "You're both trying to kill me."

"No," the duet answered in chorus with all the devious sweetness they could muster.

"Were you out late for work?" Viv's tone completely gave her away as she joined Maka in the subtle discovery mission.

Hell, I didn't blame either of them since I knew my eyes probably looked like I needed a case of Benadryl. Marie's addition to the mix made me hesitate, but in the end, after dragging the kids towards the couch, I actually answered: "Nah, I was with Wes."

Wide eyes met my response, and I could see both women's gears start to turn. They were both calculating, measuring, and honestly, it was warming my heart. But it wasn't either of them to break the silence. "Well, now that we know Maka's safe and sound, I think it's time to get home to Daddy, Shelley." Marie clapped her hands together before standing. There was something in her smile, too, but I was a little too inundated to read it.

"But–" Shelley started.

"Don't worry, Shelley. Reggie and I are going, too." Viv apparently had come to the same conclusion as Marie, mimicking her in every way down to the reach for Reggie.

I was reluctantly freed by both before each scuttled to their mother. Marie leaned and kissed Maka before offering me a quick wave. Viv opted for the shoulder squeeze on Maka before coming to me and throwing an arm around my neck. I was still pretty drained, but I could at least manage the hold as I gave into a sigh. "Call me when you're ready to," she murmured.

"Yeah, 'course." She was slow to give up on the hug, leaving Reggie to impatiently tug at my shirt. I finally got away long enough to scoop the kid and walk the two of them to the door. Both managed too many glances back, making heat prickle my heart. I was going to turn back when I felt Maka's arms around my middle. All I could do was shut the door since her grip gave me no choice but to settle in.

"You've been crying."

"Yeah," I replied with a sour laugh. That was the understatement of the year. Felt like I needed about three gallons of water to catch up with the dehydration. "But, uh, can I get a free pass until this weekend? There's something else I gotta talk to you about."

Her fingers worried into the fabric over my stomach. "You swear you'll talk about it this weekend?"

"As much as I can." I tried to ease the fidgeting of her hands but she wouldn't have it. "It might come in pieces, but I'll start then. I just– I need to do a few things first. Like I'll be going with Wes Thursday night, too."

I was in for it now– her arms clutching me almost breathless. "Please just tell me he's– he's being a brother to you, right?"

I managed a lopsided smile, even if it was just for myself. My eyes burned but none of it mattered– tears weren't exactly a rarity now and who the fuck could be bothered to care about 'em? "Yeah. Guess you could say it's brother stuff."

"Okay." She released a long, slow breath but her muscles refused to budge. "What do we need to talk about?"

"Do we gotta do this at the door?" I chuckled softly, patting her hands again. "Think I wanna crawl into bed to get this started."

She squeezed as if I wasn't going to get my request, but suddenly she was gone. Those tender little footsteps were puttering their way to the bedroom. I listened, waited for her to settle with the clear groan of the bed frame, and only then allowed myself to move. There was a little corner for me in her room now– a designated spot for my nightclothes so I didn't have to lose time popping over to my apartment. I went over to my space and started stripping down to my boxers.

"Can you– please, Soul, just talk to me."

Her plea made me pause and finally look at her. My uncalculated misstep was written all over her face as she sat there in tears. "Hey…" Clothes were the last thing on my mind as I moved to her, cupping her cheeks as I leaned down to plant a kiss on her quivering lips. "Why're you crying?"

Maka sighed. "I'm scared. Worried. I don't like the way you looked when you came in now you're being quiet, and–"

I gave her another peck, trying to finish that sentence with love instead of worry. "Maka," I whispered as I sat down to share her space, "I wanna take care of you."

"You do," she urged.

"A little bit more," I corrected as I used my thumb to clear the next wave of tears I knew was coming. Her eyes were still shining when I pulled away but at least her cheeks were clear. "Technically, I went to talk to Wes today about you." Her trembling lips turned into a miserable frown. I tried to fix it with a soft stroke of my finger. "See, when I got this shitty apartment I wasn't exactly thinking about anything other than cheap."

"Same," she murmured back.

"But I think Jack needs– deserves more than cheap. Us too." While I gave that time to settle, her eyes started to clear with each blink. Maka was never slow on the uptake, but it was clear she was letting that churn. I wanted to give her the opportunity, but at the same time, I needed her to hear it from me first without any filter from her brain. "I wanna move us somewhere nice. Somewhere better where we can be a family– have room for all this baby stuff and you and me."

Stunning her into silence seemed impossible, but somehow I'd reached it here. Her eyes weren't even budging, just wide and settled on my face. I could barely tell if she was breathing until she sucked in air, her lip wavering with the exertion. "And that includes Wes, how?"

I couldn't stop the compulsion to grimace. It was a built-in response to the idea of Wes meddling– or I guess what I used to consider meddling. I still couldn't figure out if this was Wes learning to be less heavy-handed or me dealing with accepting help or somewhere in-between. Either way, I took a minute to feel the ugly in it before I managed a half-smile. "He's better at being an adult than me."

She managed a short snicker.

"Because I want to do this right," I murmured as I moved to stroke her hair. Thankfully she bent into the touch, exhaling with each smooth glide of my fingers. "So I know I definitely can't do it without your opinion. First I gotta know that it's what you want."

"We practically live together already," she replied with another quick laugh.

Can't deny that made my heart soar, but I had to keep it all in check. "Except if you want me gone you can kick me across the balcony."

"True."

As if I needed to erase that from her mind, I leaned closer to kiss her forehead. When I pulled away, it'd done a pretty good job of polishing her smile. "It's sorta early, I know, but–"

Maka sharply shook her head. "I don't care about timelines anymore. It feels right, so I want to do it."

A deep breath made my chest tremble almost as much as my hands as I cupped her face. "Next question: how do you feel about Viv and Wes's building?"

Her eyes went wide. "You're joking."

"I would be, if Wes hadn't offered the deposit."

"What?" It was half a shriek as she clasped her hands over mine.

I tried to shrug away the uneasy truth. "Didn't exactly tell you, but my family's that snobby sorta rich. At least Wes developed some charity about it, but none of them have been hurting for money since they came over on the Mayflower."

Maka kneaded into my knuckles nervously. "But that still has to be– a down payment like that would be in the hundreds of thousands, Soul!"

"Chump change," I replied as my smirk turned sour. "Even if they put down enough so the mortgage will be manageable."

Regardless of my nonchalant explanation, Maka was still crunching the numbers in her head. "We're talking the same as our rents?"

"Rent, singular," I answered.

That settled about as well as an ice cube down the back of her shirt. "Singular?"

"Singular."

Now we were talking about a bucket of frigid water because she was up off the bed and out of my arms' reach. She threw all of her effort into pacing, which at this point was a sight to see with that belly of hers. Her hands were in her hair, then her stomach, then tucking into her elbows before back to the baby. I wanted to scoop her back up, but I was pretty sure she needed to run it out. After a minute or two, she slowed to a stop and turned to me with a healthy-sized wrinkle in her forehead. "It seems stupid to refuse."

"But…?" I offered.

She huffed. "I-I've always let you come to me about things when you're ready, but to say yes to this, I need to know: Is this just Wes's way of buying you back into the family? Into a family that– that let that girl hurt you?" The last half of that sentence was spit like venom as her lips turned into a hard frown.

"Wes isn't like my parents." Admitting that came with a sting as I scraped away another hollow belief I'd held for the past few years. "If I were talking to my parents, yeah, this is something they'd do. Throw money at a problem 'til they think it's solved, and then expect their 'apology' to come with yours to match. Wes might be using his cash the best way he knows how, but he's not expecting anything back. All he wants to do is support me, not trap me."

Maka studied me for a moment before walking back to me. As soon as she was in range, her hands were taking fistfuls of my shirt. "And you're sure about that?"

"Yeah." I could smile at that answer, knowing none of it was laced with a lie. "Plus, you think Viv would let him?"

"No," she replied with a sigh. "Still, I… I can't help but feel like this is happening at your expense. You suffered, you struggled, and now, all of a sudden, I get to reap all the benefits."

To be honest, I hadn't even let that cross my mind. I should have known that Maka was getting a golden opportunity with this, but all I had been thinking about was my own selfishness. I wanted her. I wanted Jack. I wanted my brother. I wanted a whole family. What I had to go through for that seemed like nothing– I'd probably flay off a layer of skin to have it this way if I had to. "It's a fair trade."

"No, it's not," she answered with a scoffing laugh. "All I've done–"

"–Is give me a family." Pulling her in was a sweet victory, especially with the globe of her belly between us. "Shoulda taken a lot more– I woulda done a lot more just to have this. You, Jack, whatever else comes along. Maybe I wanna feel like that's what I've earned, okay? All that bullshit brought me to this sorta happiness."

Next thing I knew, her arms were slung around my neck, pulling me down into a fiery kiss. Maka didn't hold back, spelling out her answer clear as day as she started to push me back towards the bed. Yeah, this was definitely the happiness I'd earned.