The journey to Corona was long, but uneventful. They mostly traveled in silence, though Adira, who liked to hear herself speak, sometimes told stories of her adventures. Those tales were fine and amusing enough, but what Hector really liked hearing about was Varian and Quirin.
Adira visited them about as often as she visited Hector, though these past few years she'd stopped by more frequently out of concern for Quirin. Apparently his wife had left, not because she didn't love their family anymore, but because there was something else that she had deemed more important, and she'd just never returned.
Hector barely kept himself from pointing out the irony of the situation. In his eyes, Quirin had done just that, and so had Adira. They left their home because there was something else calling to them. Hector had been hurt by their decisions, and now Quirin was grieving because of his wife's.
Hector wanted to think that he wasn't cruel enough to point it out, because that would just start an argument and then their family would fall apart all over again. But he thought it, and if the disapproving look that Adira gave him was any indication, she knew what he was thinking. But he didn't say a word about it, and neither did she.
Adira had started to spend a fair amount of time with their brother and nephew, helping them get through the grieving process in her own way. Adira said that Quirin had grown distant and cold. That he threw himself into his work. He still cared for Varian, but not in a loving way. Adira said that if she didn't know better she would say that Quirin was treating raising his son as an obligation rather than a gift.
Varian was still too young to understand, but even he knew that his dad wasn't as warm and loving as he'd always been. Hector understood the nuances of the situation, but he also understood that Varian couldn't.
Hector's priority was the moonstone and making sure its power was under control, but he also wanted to keep an eye on Varian just because he was his nephew, and he could far too easily see how the kid would grow to be lonely and resentful.
Hector was all too familiar with that type of living. He knew that more likely than not it would end with him at the bottom of a ravine. Hector wasn't scared of that future for himself, but let the moon curse him if he allowed his nephew to follow him down that same path.
When they finally reached Corona it was the middle of the day, and Hector saw his brother long before he saw them. Quirin looked the same as he had fifteen years ago, though his choice of clothing was definitely different. Instead of wearing the fur and leather clothing that prioritized warmth and protection, Quirin was wearing the simple wool of someone who needed flexible clothing more than they needed protection from the elements.
Quirin was kneeling in a garden, weeding or gardening. Hector wasn't familiar enough with either practice to tell the difference, if there even was one. As they came closer Quirin finally looked up. They were close enough that Hector could see the shock in his eyes, and he saw the moment when that shock turned to a cold caution.
"Varian, go inside." Quirin stood up. Hector didn't see a kid around, but sure enough a little kid poked his head out from inside a nearby cart. There was the blue streak that Adira had mentioned. That wasn't something that occurred naturally.
"But Dad," Varian started to protest. Quirin frowned sternly. He lifted Varian out of the cart and set him on the ground. He pushed him towards the wrecked looking old church or castle. Hector didn't know which it was, but it seemed to be their home. It was just like Quirin to take advantage of an isolated location, no matter how sacred people may consider it to be.
"No buts, Varian." Quirin said. "Go." The boy pouted, but did as he could. As soon as he was inside Quirin turned to face them, and he just looked tired. Hector felt both indignant and ashamed that his brother, who he hadn't seen in so long, was just wary to see them.
"You brought Hector." Quirin looked at Adira. "Even though I told you not to."
One would think that after fifteen years of not hearing from his brother after being left by him, Hector would be ready to hear the confirmation that his brother really didn't want to see him. He wasn't ready for it at all, and he felt a pang of hurt and longing in his chest. It almost made him want to turn around and go right back to the Great Tree. Being alone hurt, but not as much as this rejection did.
"Good to see you too, Brother." Hector growled. He wanted to just sound irritated, but a fair amount of fear crept into his voice. Quirin's gaze softened slightly, and Hector hated it. He didn't need or want his brother's pity. Especially not if it didn't come with his care.
Quirin sighed. "Of course I'm happy to see you, Hector." He said quietly. "I just wish it was under different circumstances." He gave Adira a sharp look, which she ignored.
"Sorry to disappoint." Hector grumbled. He wasn't convinced that Quirin was even remotely happy that he was here. Maybe it was petty, but Hector didn't want to talk to Quirin anymore. Not right at this moment.
"I'm gonna go introduce myself to the nephew I apparently have." Hector said. Quirin's eyes flashed and he looked like he was going to disapprove. Hector growled and raised an eyebrow at him. "Unless you think I'm too dangerous to be around him."
Quirin looked like he was about to say just that, but then he sighed again and shook his head. "No, no, of course you're not. Just…be careful with him. Varian's a sensitive kid."
"We'll be in in a few minutes." Adira said. "I need to have a quick word with Quirin." Based on the look in his eyes, he wanted to have a word with her as well. Hector found a small amount of comfort in the fact that he wasn't the only one that Quirin was feeling cautious around. Maybe he was just having a bad day.
Hector went inside the building and he found the five year old sitting near a window, watching Quirin and Adira as they talked. Hector just watched him for a long moment. The kid was so small. Hector couldn't imagine the powers that might reside in that kid. It couldn't be possible.
He was usually so good at sneaking up on people and remaining unnoticed when he wanted, but without turning around Varian addressed him.
"You know my dad." Varian said simply. It wasn't a question.
"I know him really well." Hector said. "He's my brother."
Varian turned his head and gave him a look of disbelief. "Dad doesn't have a brother."
Hector took a step closer to the kid. "Believe it or not, he has two. And Adira is our sister."
Varian blinked. "Aunt Adira…Oh, you're friend brothers."
"That's one way to put it." Hector said. He had a question on his mind, but he was a little scared of asking it. He knew that Varian wouldn't judge him for it, and that was ultimately the reason why he asked. "Has your dad talked about me?" Even if what Quirin had to say was just bad, that would be better than being forgotten about completely.
"Varian stared at him for a few long moments before he shook his head. "No." The boy said plainly, completely oblivious to how much that stung. Varian tilted his head at him. "What's your name?"
"Hector." He said. The boy's slightly dull eyes lit up just a little bit.
"Aunt Adira talked about you." Varian said.
"I'm surprised it didn't scare you away from talking to me." Hector half joked. He and Adira were siblings, but they also ranted about each other every chance they could get. He could easily imagine her only having bad things to say when they were apart. "What did she say?" Unlike with Quirin, Hector wasn't worried about hearing what Adira's opinion of him was. He knew that she both loved and hated him, and he was comfortable with that.
"You're loyal." Varian said. It was not at all what Hector expected. "You're really nice, but you act mean because you're scared of getting hurt." Varian was quiet for a moment. "I think my dad's like that now."
"Yeah, I got that too." Hector said.
"Are you here to visit, or to stay?" Varian asked.
"I don't know yet." Hector said.
"Aunt Adira said you weren't coming, but if you did then it would be for good." Varian said.
"We'll see." Hector said, because he didn't know yet. Besides Varian's hair, there wasn't any sign yet of his potential connection to the moon. Unless Hector counted the kid's eyes. Varian's eyes were a vibrant blue, but they were also strangely dull and almost lifeless. His whole life Hector had been told that his own eyes were like that. Unnervingly vibrant, and concerningly dull.
Hector had once felt self-conscious about his eyes, but Edmund had told him that he saw it as a sign of the Moon's blessing. The vibrant color was like the Moon's light, and the lifelessness was a reflection of the Moon's harsh nature.
Maybe it was a stretch to think that the same was the case for Varian, but he couldn't shake the thought.
They didn't talk much after that, because Hector didn't know how to talk to a kid, and Varian looked like he wasn't too sure how to talk to anybody. They just looked out the window until they saw Quirin and Adira finish their conversation and make their way inside. Adira looked hopeful, but Quirin seemed tired. Hector's stomach churned. He assumed that Adira had convinced Quirin to let Hector stay. He was glad that his sister was fighting for him, but he hated how reluctant and cautious Quirin looked.
"Varian," Quirin called out. The boy sighed, not looking too eager about going to his dad. Still, he obeyed. Hector followed him. Quirin's eyes were softer than Hector had seen from him all day.. He crouched to his son's level. "How do you like your uncle?"
"He's sad." Varian said simply. Hector grimaced and looked to the side so he wouldn't have to see Adira and Quirin's looks of pity.
"That's what I heard." Quirin said. He didn't sound happy. "Well, you're really good at making people happy, aren't you? I'm sure you can help cheer him up."
"We'll have time for that later." Adira said. "First, Silver, why don't you help me make dinner while your dad shows Hector his room?" It was the most obvious excuse Hector had heard for someone to give people privacy, but Varian was too young to catch on. The boy nodded and joined Adira. Quirin gave Hector a look that he didn't understand, and then he walked deeper into the house. Still feeling like he was doing something wrong, Hector followed him.
"What's with the nickname?" Hector asked. Adira always gave nicknames to people. She even had some for the Brotherhood. Edmund was Barrier because of how protective he was, as well as the walls he put up around himself. Quirin was Sirius, both because of his serious personality, and because of his fascination with astronomy and the night sky. Hector was Lynx because of his love for animals, and the fact that he wore lynx fur and had an earring made from one's fang.
The only reason why Adira didn't call them by their nicknames was because of their Brotherhood bond. She was closer to them than anybody else, and this was a gesture to represent that.
Hector understood the origins behind their nicknames, but Silver for Varian was a weird one.
Quirin looked both annoyed and fond. "Silver is an alchemical element that represents the moon. My wife was an alchemist, and Varian's been inspired by her."
"Alchemy?" Hector raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that a little complicated for a kid?" Hector barely understood what the word meant.
"I always thought so, but Ulla was insistent." Quirin said. "Even when she's gone, Varian's trying to follow in her footsteps, and I've found that if I try to forbid him from doing it, he'll just do it behind my back, and then I won't be aware to save him from himself."
Quirin stopped in the middle of the hallway, and Hector stopped as well. "Varian's a very bright child, but he's young, and vulnerable. All I want is for him to be safe." Quirin turned and looked at Hector. "I know what Adira told you about Varian. I know you have your own ideas about what it means to protect him. I'm happy to have you stay and get to know Varian, to be a part of our lives, but I don't want him to know about this Moon business. Whatever you need to do, keep him out of it."
Hector didn't know how he was supposed to do that. If Varian had the Moon's power inside of him, then it was a part of him. Not knowing could just be dangerous. But maybe Varian was a little young right now. Hector supposed he could compromise.
"I'll watch the kid, and keep him safe from the Moon's dangers." Hector said. "But when he's old enough to understand the Moon's will and blessings, he'll need to know."
"We'll cross that bridge should we come to it." Quirin said. "But until then, I don't want Varian to hear one word about the Moon. Am I understood?"
Hector clenched his jaw and pressed his hands against his thighs to keep them from shaking. He was hurt and frustrated that Quirin was talking solely as a protective parent, and not as a brother.
"Understood, Sir." Hector said with a biting tone that was just shy of sarcastic. Quirin's harsh look fell away to one of surprise. They looked at each other for a moment before Quirin sighed tiredly and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"I'm sorry." Quirin said. "I don't want to be harsh with you. I really don't. I'm just worried about Varian. Things have been so hard since Ulla left, and I feel like everything I do is wrong. I can't lose him the way I lost her. He's the only family I have left."
Hector's stomach tightened painfully. "I thought we were family."
Quirin looked stricken. "Of course we are. I just meant-"
"I know what you meant." Hector said stiffly. Varian was Quirin's blood. A part of the family he'd chosen to have. Hector was his brother, yes, but their bond was through a duty that Quirin didn't hold himself to anymore. He'd left behind the beliefs and responsibilities of the Brotherhood. Why wouldn't he leave behind the relationships that came with that?
"If you don't want me here, I'll go." Hector said. He could watch Varian from a distance to see if he had the powers of the Moon. He would rather be nearby, but if being close meant dealing with barely restrained animosity from his brother, he would rather stay away. His brother already tried to forget about him. Hector didn't want to make him hate him on top of that.
"Of course I want you here." Quirin insisted, and Hector couldn't help but believe him. "Just…at least for now, can you forget about the Moon? We haven't been together as a family for fifteen years. We should just enjoy each other's company, and then we'll see where we'll go from there."
Hector knew he shouldn't abandon his duty. He'd made an oath to serve the Moon, and these past several years he'd felt like his efforts were beyond inadequate. It would be so much worse if he didn't even try to do the Moon's will.
But he was tired, and lonely, and he wanted to have his siblings in his life again, at least for a little bit.
He wouldn't ever forget the Moon. He would always serve her. But her will was always so unclear and devastating. He needed a little break, or else he was going to fall to pieces and be even more useless than he already was.
"Kay." Hector agreed, and he hated himself for doing so. The small smile and look of relief that Quirin gave him eased the pain at least a little bit.
"You must be tired after your trip." Quirin said. He continued down the hall, soon stopping at a door. He opened it and let Hector into the small guest bedroom. "As long as you're with us, consider this your home."
"Thank you." Hector said. He sat on the bed, and soon found himself falling back on it with a groan. It was unbelievably soft. He felt like he was being swallowed by a cloud. He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept on an actual bed. He felt like he could fall asleep in a matter of minutes.
"I'll come get you when dinner's ready." Quirin started to leave the room, and Hector felt the familiar abandonment creep up on him. He sat himself up slightly.
"Stay." Hector said. "Just for a little bit. I haven't heard from you in fifteen years." He'd been alone for all this time. He was so tired of being by himself.
Quirin gave him a soft look and sat on the bed next to him. Hector took a chance and curled around Quirin, just like he used to when they were children in the Dark Kingdom, seeking warmth and comfort from each other. He thought for a moment that his clinginess would be rejected, but Quirin slowly put an arm around Hector's shoulder and then ran his hands through his hair. Quirin was accepting his affection, and though Hector still felt so hurt, he also felt an intense relief.
"I really am happy to see you, Brother." Quirin said softly. "I've missed you more than I can begin to explain." He sounded like he was being sincere. Hector just wished that he knew how to believe him.