The light in the bedroom flickered. Onyx lowered the medieval tome he was trying to work through and glanced at the mirror. Someone else might identify the figure that appeared in it as Onyx himself, but Onyx recognized the differences.

The slightly longer black hair. The missing birthmark just below the corner of the left eye. And the disgruntled lines around his mouth – yes, it really spoke volumes.

Onyx swung his legs over the edge of his bed, though he didn't bother to get up. "Little brother."

Opal squeezed his eyes to slits. "What's taking you so long?"

Onyx shrugged. "You should ask sis. I'm just here for mental support."

"Don't lie. I know you spend time with him."

The corner of his mouth curled up. "So what?"

"You can bring him to me. You know he belongs to me."

He shrugged. "That's none of my business. If you have no patience, you'll have to get him yourself."

Opal clamped his lips together. "According to Ivory, you are in her way and impeding his return – and hers, as well as your own."

"I'm in no hurry to go back. I like it here just fine." He looked at his twin defiantly. "I can't help it he has a soft spot for me."

Opal wrinkled his nose. "He's human."

A chuckle left Onyx's lips. "Not at all. You know he's more. That's how you made him."

"It's still repulsive."

Onyx shrugged. He found it entertaining. He thought back to how the boy had beamed when Onyx had walked with him through the exhibit, telling him stories, and how his face lit up when he shared a story himself. Onyx hadn't seen enthusiasm like that in a long time. And taking him back to the past... No one had ever been enthusiastic about his gifts. Most were jealous or thought it a waste of time to wander through the past. Will was different. Easy to impress, but he was also honest–and pure, despite the darkness that swirled deep inside of him.

The darkness his brother thought he had a claim to.

Returning to the Upside Down would destroy the child in him. For some reason, Onyx disliked the idea.

"Oh my... You're not going to say you've come to care about him, do you?"

Onyx turned toward the doorway, where his sister had appeared. She planted a hand on her side. "He amuses me," he replied dryly.

She pulled a face. "I don't want to know how."

Grinning, he shook his head. "Well, is this family reunion over?"

"No," his siblings said in unison.

"He keeps me at arm's length," his sister complained. "I'll never get him to go through the portal when he doesn't trust me."

"Then maybe you should stop your "I'm his girlfriend" act first. I don't think he's very charmed by you."

Onyx slid back on his bed again, until his back was against the wall. He picked up his book. "But as I said, dear brother and sister. This is not my problem. I'm having a great time here."

The only damper on a nice day had been Will's mother. She was not stupid, and she could sense that he had not just stumbled into Will's path for no reason.

But she really didn't need to worry.

Not for the time being.

All weekend, Will had wondered what he should say to Onyx when he saw the boy again. His mother's invitation kept running through his head. She wanted him to stay for dinner sometime. The very thought made him blush deeply. What would Onyx think about that? Maybe he would laugh at him! Mike, Dustin and Lucas had stayed for dinner so many times, yet it felt different with Onyx. They weren't such close friends yet. And his mother had acted like a deranged woman around him! He probably wouldn't set a step in their street ever again!

At lunch, he saw the boy sitting at a table, reading a book as usual. For a moment Will hesitated. Normally, he sat with El and her friends, but he really wanted to talk to Onyx. He needed to apologize for how his mother acted. He didn't have to sit next to him – I'm sure Onyx wouldn't want that, sitting next to a baby like me – but he could at least say something.

Will took a deep breath and walked over to the table. With each step he took, he grew more nervous. He squeezed his fingers by the time he stood next to the boy.

Onyx looked up, somewhat annoyed at first, until he saw Will. A smile crossed his lips that made Will's legs go weak. He squeezed his fingers even harder.

"Hey, you want to join me?"

Will's eyes grew big with surprise. "Y-you mean h-here?"

Onyx chuckled and gave him a playful look. "Unless you think you need more privacy?"

Will gulped. "Privacy?" Where... for what?

Laughing, Onyx shoved the chair next to him back with his foot. Afraid that his feet couldn't carry him much longer, Will sat down. Self-consciously he stroked his hair; actually, he hadn't looked at it at all to see if it was neat. When he kept picking at his hair, he quickly folded his hands in his lap.

"Hi," he stammered. His cheeks grew warm–he had the feeling that the whole auditorium was eavesdropping on their conversation. At least a lot of people were looking at them. Although he felt awkward, he was also secretly honored that he could just sit here next to Onyx.

"Hey." Onyx closed his book.

Will's heart made a tumble. Quick, say something! He didn't want to choke, not after last Saturday. He'd hoped those stupid nerves would be gone by now!

It's because of Mom. Because she made everything so weird. Once the air is cleared, I'm sure things will feel normal. Like with his other friends. Yes, it had to.

"I er, I wanted to say... sorry about my mom. She – she was very unkind to you." He bit his lip.

"It's okay. Like I said – I know what you've been through. Her... concerns are understandable. Though I can imagine it makes you feel awkward."

Will lowered his gaze. He was so sweet!

He took a deep breath – just ask him!

"My mother does regret it, too. About uhm, how she did. And she suggested that uh, that maybe you could come over sometime. She can uh, she can cook well. So you could maybe come over for dinner sometime?"

He didn't dare to look up. He's probably laughing at me. Who asks such a thing? His breathing quickened, he was already hugely regretting this stupid suggestion.

Will felt a gentle push against his knee. With a jolt, he looked up.

"Are you asking me?" He showed a slight grin. "Or the tabletop, since you were staring at it so intensely?"

Will turned so red they might hire him as a traffic light.

"I - I..." He couldn't get his words out.

"Kidding, I'm messing with you. Of course I'd love to come over."

"Really?" Will blurted out.

The boy chuckled and winked. "Yes. Really."