Sebastian had made his decision before he’d even left Rowan’s side. There was no way Rowan was going back to his “home” planet. No way he was going to let that crazed inventor anywhere near if he could help it. A part of him was sorely tempted to just let the inventor rot in prison, but the better part of himself (the part made better by loving two soft-hearted men) rejected the idea immediately.

“Thomas.”

Thomas jerked his head up. He’d been sitting in a dark corner on the bridge, cheeks smudged with tears, and clearly still too drunk to make it to his room. Sebastian sighed and knelt before him. “You’re an absolute mess.” He held out his hand and helped Thomas stagger to his feet then waited for the rest of his crew to appear.

“Alright, crew.” He clapped his hands together and said with false cheer. “This is what we’re going to do now that Rowan’s entire world has been completely gutted and rebuilt with robot parts.”

Thomas opened his mouth to defend himself, but Sebastian pointed at him. “Not a word or you’re going to get to experience the joys of space without those pesky suits.”

“We still need him.” Brie said while Rowan frowned in disapproval.

“Fine, fine. Thomas, you’re going to be the one to get your father out of Shark’s Bay.”

“No way.” Thomas shook his head. “I won’t help him.”

“Look, I don’t care what problems you two have, but you need to sort them out. You really want to honor your brother’s memory like this?”

“Don’t you dare use him against me.”

“Stop it.” Rowan glared at them. “You’re the only one he has left now.”

“I can’t forgive him for what he’s done. I don’t expect you to understand.”

“Because it’s a human thing?”

“Because it’s a family thing.”

“We all come from messed up families.” Sebastian said. “I don’t think your father meant any harm. You can’t keep running away from this; it’ll eat you up inside.”

“You’re one to talk.” Thomas spat. “When was the last time you saw your mother?”

“A few months ago.” Sebastian replied, crossing his arms. “I forgive my mother for her drug abuse, for making my childhood hell, because it hurt too much to hold onto that anger. I see her for ten minutes out of the year, enough to see how she’s doing, which is enough for both of us to see why she’s not a bigger part of my life. I’m not saying to invite your dad over for Sunday dinner or to let him sleep in your room. Just don’t let his grief be the reason he never sees the sun again.”

Thomas hesitated, looking suddenly lost with every eye on him. “Fine.”

“That’s the spirit.” Sebastian slapped him on the back, earning a wince and a reproachful glare. “Onwards to Shark’s Bay, and afterwards, we’ll take Rowan to another brilliant inventor who can help us figure out why he’s suddenly developed tear ducts.”

“Why not just let the inventor who built him do it?” Thomas asked.

“First of all, your father is not going anywhere near Rowan ever again if I can help it. And second--”

“Your father didn’t build me.” Rowan finished. “I’m the last thing your brother ever created before he died.”

Everyone had gone to their rooms the moment they were back in space, leaving Abilene behind as the Chimera hurtled past planets and stars to try its luck with the prison once more. Rowan had little hope that it’d work. He had gone down into the seldom visited living area just past the kitchen instead of Sebastian’s room. He was unwilling to pretend to sleep next to someone who’d turned out like everyone else. Not a single person had told him the truth when it counted. Only when they couldn’t hide it any longer.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

The living area consisted of a couch and two chairs with a large rainbow-colored rug covering every inch of the floor. He nearly bumped into a three-legged table (the missing leg replaced with a stack of books) as he passed the worn furniture to curl up on the window ledge. It overlooked the beautiful display of swirling galaxies and burning orbs of planets in the distance. He always looked to the stars as a way to escape his planet. Now he could see how lonely it truly was. He’d give anything to return to that humble little town of his. He’d give anything to just go back home.

He pulled out the picture he’d taken from his house before everything had gotten so complicated and mixed up, back when he’d still been human. The photo was worn, but they were still there. His smiling parents. His teasing brother. And himself. Right there in the middle. But they weren’t his family. That wasn’t him. It had all been a lie, but still, he clutched that photo to his chest. It was a lie he could have lived with.

“You okay?”

He jerked up at the voice and peered into the darkness to see Thomas standing in the doorway, dim light spilling inside around him. Rowan wiped a hand over his eyes, unsurprised to see his sleeve stained with rust. What he assumed was rust at least. “I don’t know.”

Thomas came over and hesitantly sat beside Rowan on the ledge. “I think I miss the sun the most.” He started awkwardly. “That’s the downside of space, I guess. I’m sorry about before. I shouldn’t have--”

“It’s fine.” Rowan handed him the photo. “This belongs to you.”

Thomas’s fingers brushed his as he took it, his eyes widening when he realized what it was. Then he smiled. “I remember when we took this. It was a few months before Mom realized she was sick. You know, Dad had to drag me to that hospital to see her, and each time, she tried to tell me how much she loved me. Kept talking about the future like she wouldn’t be in it. The day she died, I hid in my room until it was over. I kept thinking that if I never said goodbye then she couldn’t leave us.” Tears dripped onto the photo, blurring the woman smiling back at them. “Dad fell into drinking. Right as soon as the funeral was over. He was never the same after. I had to take care of him and Rowan both, had to explain to my little brother why we’d lost both our parents.”

“Thomas?”

Thomas blinked wet eyes at him. “Don’t. Whatever it is. I can’t…” He sighed and leaned his head back. “Whenever I look at you, it’s so easy to pretend you’re him.”

“That’s why you left home.”

“Part of it. Dad kicked me out. I probably would’ve left anyway, but there was this huge argument.” He shook his head. “It was such a mess.”

“You tried to stop him.”

“Yeah, but I also told you the truth. Not that it did any good. I’d knew he’d just change your memories later anyway.”

“Did you handle it any better back then?” Rowan asked, trying to ignore the way his heartbeat quickened. Thomas had tried to tell him, had tried to prevent this entire mess.

“No. Not at all.” They looked at each other then laughed as the tension they’d carried within themselves eased. “Here. I meant to show you this earlier.”

Thomas passed Rowan another photograph, this one more wrinkled and torn, of two men standing in the red dirt of a foreign planet. An old building rose behind them, casting shadows in the dirt, with a sign in a language that, Rowan realized with a start, he could read. “No Name Saloon.” He said to himself.

“Recognize him?” Thomas reached over and tapped one of the men in the photo.

The man was younger, and a shade darker than usual, but there was no mistaking those luminous eyes. “Sebastian.” He traced a finger down the shorter man beside him. The lopsided smile and wind-swept blonde hair felt so familiar. The younger Sebastian had one arm wrapped tightly around his shoulder, a shoulder that descended into a metal arm. One leg bore the same tell-tale metallic glint, no synthetic skin to hide what he was. “He’s an android.”

“That was Neo. I met him once when Dad took me to visit his planet. Dad used to sell his inventions there.”

“What was he like?”

“I didn’t know him like everyone else did, but I know the happiest I’ve ever seen Sebastian are in these pictures. He’s like that with you too. For someone to love him that much, he had to have been pretty special.”

“Can I keep this?” Rowan asked.

“All yours.” Thomas stood.

“Hey, Thomas.” Rowan reached out to stop him. “I know we’re not really brothers, but I’d still like us to be. If you want.”

“Yeah,” His eyes softened, and he clasped his hand with Rowan’s. “Brothers.”

Rowan stayed staring at that picture for a few moments longer before tucking it into his pocket, beside the death certificate. He padded down the cold corridor, the engine rumbling beneath his feet, as he returned to Sebastian’s room.

The captain was laying on his side, his back to the door, and blankets cocooned around him. Rowan crept to the other side and gently slid in beside him. Sebastian’s eyes snapped open as Rowan wrapped his arms around him.

“I figured you were still mad at me.”

Rowan shook his head and placed a kiss to Sebastian’s bandaged shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

Sebastian turned and curled farther around him, his eyes shining in the glow of the nightlight. “Me too.”

“Can I stay? Even though I’m not Rowan or Neo. Even if I never remember who I’m supposed to be.”

Sebastian ran a hand through Rowan’s hair and down his back, soothing him. “I don’t care what you call yourself. I want you to stay only if you want to.”

“I do. I really, really do.”

“Then stay. Stay forever.”