It's yet another day in their new life, they don’t have a clock to keep track of time in this new world so they have to rely on the sun—which currently hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over the simple yet charming room Marcus and Adrian called home. It was a peaceful afternoon until the quiet was broken by the creak of the wooden door.

A middle-aged man stepped inside, his presence filling the room with a quiet gravity. His dark beard was neatly trimmed, his eyes thoughtful. This wasn’t the first time Marcus and Adrian had encountered him. He’d been a frequent visitor, though his role in their lives remained unclear. To Adrian, however, the truth seemed painfully obvious: this man might very well be their biological father in this world.

The man approached them with a conscious, calm demeanor, his warm smile broadening as he leaned down to scoop Marcus into his arms. Marcus responded immediately, though not with the affection one might expect from a baby. Instead, his tiny hands shot out, tugging roughly at the man’s beard, followed by a series of playful punches from his small fists.

｢Marcus, stop that!｣ Adrian’s voice rang out in their shared mental space, sharp with disapproval. His brown eyes narrowed as he stared at his brother, who continued his antics without missing a beat.

｢What are you doing?｣ Adrian demanded.

Marcus only laughed, undeterred by Adrian’s scolding. He pulled at the man’s beard again, his tiny fingers gripping onto the coarse strands with mischievous intent. The man let out a soft chuckle, seemingly more amused than annoyed by the rough treatment.

｢If this guy really is our father, then we ought to train him properly,｣ Marcus declared through their telepathic link, a grin playing across his babyish face. ｢No favoritism allowed. I call dibs on being the rebellious son!｣

Adrian sighed, exasperation bleeding into their connection. ｢Is this really necessary?｣

｢Absolutely.｣ Marcus responded with a mental smirk before turning his full attention back to the man. Without hesitation, he delivered a series of rapid, uncoordinated baby punches to the man’s chest.

The man merely raised a brow, looking more entertained than anything. He tilted his head, studying Marcus as if trying to decipher the peculiar actions of his child. Adrian, for his part, merely observed the interaction with an unimpressed gaze.

Marcus then turned to Adrian, pointing dramatically in his direction with his chubby finger. ｢Listen up, dear brother! This man's training starts today! You, of course, will take the role of the obedient son to contrast my rebellious nature. That way, he will be dancing all over our palms.｣

Adrian stared at Marcus as if he had lost his mind. ｢That is the most ridiculous thing you’ve said all day. And that’s saying something.｣

Marcus ignored him and resumed his antics, babbling nonsense as he lightly pummeled the poor man. His small fists, though lacking in strength, made up for it with enthusiasm.

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The man, who had remained mostly silent throughout, suddenly chuckled and reached out with surprising agility. Before Marcus could react, he was effortlessly scooped up and placed on the man's right side.

Then before Adrian could even process what was happening, he found himself lifted as well, gently placed on the man’s left side. Adrian stared at the man’s face as they were held side by side. The man’s visage was striking—marked by the lines of age and experience, yet softened by the gentle curve of his smile. There was something about him that felt familiar and comforting, though Adrian couldn’t quite place why.

As the man’s warm, blue eyes met his, Adrian’s thoughts drifted. Memories of his previous life surfaced, like fragments of a fading dream. He thought of his mother and father in his previous life.

Their faces, which were once vivid in his mind, now felt a little blurry and indistinct, the more time went on, the more their features slipped away like sand through his fingers. A pang of sadness welled up inside him every time he thought about it.

He wanted to remember them, to hold on to their image, but it was becoming harder with each passing day with no pictures of them to help him by.

The man’s voice broke through his reverie, speaking words Adrian didn’t understand. His tone, however, was gentle and encouraging, coaxing the boys to respond. He repeated the same word several times, pointing to himself, and then gesturing toward them. It was clear he wanted them to mimic him—to say their first word.

Adrian’s chest tightened. In his previous life, he’d been born mute, unable to speak despite his sharp mind and strong will. If only his parents can see him now and hear his voice.

As if sensing his brother’s thoughts, Marcus nudged him through their mental link. ｢Hey. You okay?｣

｢I am…｣ Adrian answered simply.

The man continued to coax them, his eyes filled with patient hope. Marcus, with his best friend turn brother's blessing and ever the showman, decided to take the mantle and cover for Adrian. With a determined gleam in his eye, he babbled incoherently, his baby mouth forming nonsense sounds as he tried to imitate the man’s words.

The man chuckled, a glimmer of pride in his expression. He ruffled Marcus’s hair affectionately before turning to Adrian, his gaze expectant and encouraging.

Adrian hesitated, his small body stiffening in the man’s arms. For a fleeting moment, he considered trying—but he’s just not in the right headspace for it. Instead, he met the man’s gaze silently, his eyes filled with an unspoken apology.

The man seemed to understand. His expression didn’t falter, his kindness still shining as he cradled both boys closer.

Adrian felt a strange mix of emotions—gratitude, sorrow, and a quiet longing for the people they left behind.

Marcus noticed the gesture and quieted, turning to Adrian—trying to distract and cheer him up. ｢This guy seems to be not that bad, huh?｣

Adrian wasn’t sure how to answer. ｢Yeah? Maybe...｣

The man, oblivious to their mental exchange, began humming a tune. It was a simple melody, but it carried a strange familiarity that tugged at Adrian’s memories. He closed his eyes, letting the sound wash over him. For a moment, he could almost picture his old life—his mother’s hands, the faint scent of lavender that always clung to her clothes, the way she used to hum a lullaby just like this one when he was young.

Tears prickled at the corners of his eyes, but Adrian didn’t let them fall. Instead, he nestled closer to the man, accepting the comfort he offered, even if it wasn’t the one he truly longed for.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the room in hues of orange and pink, Adrian let a tentative sense of peace settle over him. This world might not be the one he had known, and this man might not be his true father at all. But at this moment, surrounded by warmth and light, Adrian realized that perhaps it didn’t matter. Family wasn’t always about blood—it was about the bonds they chose to forge.