David closed and locked his bedroom door with a sigh.

Max had been a pain in his neck that day, doing whatever he could to get a reaction out of him. The foster parent had blown up twice, and was barely able to calm himself down the second time around.

If only Max would just let him breathe.

The man sat heavily at his desk chair, opening his drawer. He took out a couple pill bottles, staring at them with disdain.

He was still lying about them.

Honestly, David knew lying about his medication wasn't getting him anywhere. Max and Harrison would learn about them soon enough.

He just wasn't ready to talk about it.

Such an idiot.

Maybe he shouldn't have fostered those two at all -

No.

They needed him.

David sighed again, clenching his fist around the pill bottles. He should stop before they cracked. He had a pretty strong grip.

David set the bottles on his desk. He had carelessly left "friendship" out of his little safe that he kept the meds in, leading to Max finding it. "Happiness" had been safely tucked away. If Max had found that one, he most likely would have figured out the reason David needed it.

He still didn't want to talk about it.

He was being stupid.

He would have to open up eventually.

As he took the required dosages, he thought again if he should've been fostering the children. After all, was he actually ready to do so? After the last time?

After him?

He still didn't know.

But it's not like he could change his mind.

Besides, he didn't want to change his mind. He didn't want to feel like this. He had promised both Max and Harrison that he wouldn't leave them.

David hated going back on his word.

David plugged his phone into the bedside outlet, leaving it on his nightstand as it played sounds of the forest.

With anxious and intrusive thoughts swirling through his head, he dozed off into a deep slumber.

X-X-X-X-X

"Hm. Weird that David locked his door. He never does that."

"Guess I annoyed him a bit too much yesterday." Harrison turned to Max.

"Oh, right, I forgot to ask : why are you like this?"

"Dude, we all know that I'm a terrible little twerp, I gotta live up to it."

"No you don't."

"Yeah, I do." Harrison sighed, knocking on David's door again. There was no response. "Maybe we should just make breakfast ourselves."

"Max, neither of us know how to cook."

"We could just have cereal and toast or something."

"Yeah, okay, but what about your coffee?"

"Oh, I used to make coffee all the time at my old house." The two reached the kitchen. Max turned on the coffee maker. "Just watch, I know what I'm doing."

"What if you burn yourself?"

"I said, I know what I'm doing." Harrison sighed in defeat.

"David's gonna be mad."

"Whatever."

As the children made their breakfasts, they chatted about idle things, such as new videos games coming out and recent cartoon episodes. Max was about to voice his opinion on something when Harrison dipped his toast in orange juice.

"...Harrison, what the frick."

"Huh?"

"Did you seriously just dunk your toast in orange juice?"

Harrison stared at Max for a moment before taking a bite of his juice soaked toast.

"Yeah. You should try it."

"No."

"Aw, c'mon!"

"No, that's gross Harrison -"

At some point, the argument escalated, and Harrison had thrown his toast at Max.

It landed on his head.

The boys stared at each other.

.

.

.

.

.

When David rushed in at the sound of yelling, he froze to the sight of Harrison and Max covered in food.

"...Are you two fuh-reaking kidding me."

.

.

.

"In the tub. Now."

Harrison sighed, starting to undress himself. Max stood motionless.

"Max? Tub."

The Indian boy didn't respond.

"...Max?"

He glanced at David.

The man sighed.

"Look, I'm sorry for shouting earlier -"

"That's not it."

"Then what's the problem?"

Max gestured vaguely at the tub filled with water.

"You don't want to go in."

Max nodded.

"But Max, we're covered in food."

The boy avoided Harrison and David's gazes, pointing at the bathtub again.

"Max," David spoke softly. "Are you embarrassed?" Max shrugged. "Scared?" He shrugged again. David pinched his forehead. "Okay, Max. I can't understand what's wrong if you don't give me an answer." Max mumbled something. "Speak up?"

"I don't...wanna go in…"

A hand fell on Max's shoulder, and he turned to face David.

"Alright, Max. You don't have to go in with Harrison. Sorry I didn't give you a choice, that was stupid of me. You can bathe after Harrison. Stay outside the bathroom, alright?" Max nodded, and walked past Harrison, averting his eyes again.

"...Did Max just not want to take his clothes off in front of us?"

"I assume so. Now get in." Harrison obeyed. David scrubbed at his face. "What even lead to you two having a food fight in the first place?"

"I dipped my toast in orange juice, and Max thought it was weird." David looked grossed out.

"Why...would you dip toast in...orange juice?"

"It tastes good."

"What made you try that?"

"I was curious."

David stared at Harrison.

"I will never understand people who do weird things with their food. To each their own, I guess."

Harrison giggled.

"My parents thought it was weird too. They stopped questioning me after I started putting blue cheese on pizza."

David snorted.

"Well, at least it's a type of cheese."

When Harrison was clean, David wiped him down with a towel. He patted the child's hair dry.

"Alright, you're done."

"Thanks, David."

Harrison left, calling for Max.

The other child walked into the bathroom with with a moody facial expression.

"Max, you alright?" He nodded. "Do you wanna get in now?"

"..."

David let Max take his time to answer.

"...You...Do you have to wash me?"

"No, I just figured it'd be best to, so I could make sure all the food is washed off."

Max grumbled, tugging at his shirt.

"Hey, listen. It's okay. You can clean yourself, you don't have to do anything you don't want to."

Max looked at David with uncertainty.

He blew out a harsh breath.

"Okay."

He hesitated.

"Can...can you leave? I - I just -"

"Of course, Max." David started to ruffle Max's hair, but he flinched away. "Ah, right. You don't like that. Sorry."

David left, lightly shutting the door.

Max stood still for a moment before slowly removing his dirty clothes and dropped them to the floor. He rubbed his hands up and down his arms and sighed.

Max looked in the mirror.

And as always, he hated his reflection.

He hated the bruises, cuts, and marks that ran along his chest and legs.

But most of all, he hated the fact that one look at his frail body was evidence of the crap his parents put him through.

He looked at the water in the tub, wondering if he should just let himself go under and drown.

But he knew that he couldn't.

He had to stay alive.

For Harrison.

And maybe for David, too.

.

.

.

.

When Max walked out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around his small frame, David noticed the tears in his eyes and made his way over. He knelt down.

"You alright?"

Max looked down for a bit, before looking back at David and giving him a definite nod.

He would be alright.

X-X-X-X-X

Harrison propped his arms onto the counter and hoisted himself up.

"What'cha makin'?"

"Get down front the counter, and I'll tell you."

"But this isn't dangerous."

"Please get down from there, Harrison."

"Oh, alright."

"Good. I'm making chicken Alfredo and vegetables."

"Ohhh yum. Except for the vegetables."

"You will eat your vegetables, and you will like them."

"Naaaah."

"Oh yes you will!" David picked up a broccoli and waved it in Harrison's face. He shrieked and ran off. David chuckled to himself. Harrison then returned with Max in tow.

"Max! Protect me from the vegetables!"

"Harry, please."

Harrison's playful grin quickly left, and his face paled slightly.

"Uh. Harrison?"

"Don't...call me that."

"...You mean Harry -"

"I said don't call me that!"

Harrison ran out of the room. The other two stared after him.

"...What was that about?"

"I - I don't know…"

David quickly went to go find Harrison, Max following closely.

They found him hiding in the bedroom closet.

"Harrison, you okay?" The child looked up at David with tears streaming down his face. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Is it because of the nickname I gave you?" Harrison nodded. "I don't get it, why are you upset?"

"...I never told you guys...but...my brother."

"Huh?"

"His name was...is...Garrison. I called him Garry, and he called me Harry."

"...Oh…"

That was all Max was able to say.

David sat before Harrison.

"Are you two twins?"

"Yeah. It's. Kinda obvious, is it not? With how similar our names are…" Max squeezed himself next to Harrison.

"You never mentioned you were - are - a twin."

"Yeah, I know." The brunette sighed. "...I was - am - his older brother. But look now. I failed him…"

"Harrison, please try not to think like that." David put a hand to the child's shoulder.

"But...but it's true David! I caused his disappearance! I shouldn't have done such an advanced trick at an inexperienced stage!"

"You didn't know any better, you -"

"Yes, yes I did! I knew it was dangerous, but I did it anyway!" Harrison covered his head as if he were blocking the world out. "I was too damn confident in my skills, which might I add were barely even good! My skills at the time were mediocre, yet I thought, "wow! I'm soooooo good at this! Why not make my brother disappear and reappear! That's such a great idea!" Harrison's voice cracked, and he broke down into a fit of sobs. "I'm so freaking stupid!"

Max, noticing Harrison's fingers digging into his scalp, grabbed his hands, holding them gently. David rubbed circles into his arm.

"D-...David, I know you said I can get him back, I know you believe in me, but I don't believe in me! I don't think I can do it! I - !"

"Bullcrap."

The children looked up at David in shock.

"Don't doubt yourself."

"B-but...he could be dead…"

"But you don't know that! You don't know whether he's alive or not!" The foster parent took Harrison's face into his hands. "So I say you should keep trying. Because there's no evidence. There's no way to know if he's gone forever. So keep trying. Keep practicing your magic. Try to bring him back. I believe you can do it." David took a moment to breathe. "Is my belief enough for you?"

"I - I…"

Harrison gulped.

"...I...I'll let it be. I'll let it be enough."

X-X-X-X-X

"Hey."

Harrison turned to see Max standing in the doorway.

"Oh, hey Max."

"What'cha reading?"

"Geronimo Stilton."

"What, that book about mice and newspapers?"

"Yeah, it's pretty funny."

"C'mon, Hare. I know something better we can do."

"Hm. Alright." Harrison put the book down and followed Max out of the room.

The magician paused.

Max turned to face him.

"...Did you just call me "Hair?"

"Yeah. Like the rabbit."

"Oh. I thought you were talking about -" Harrison gestured to his head. Max rolled his eyes.

"No, that doesn't go with your name."

"So. Why a nickname?"

"It's shorter. And -"

"...And?"

"W - well, uh. Figured I should nickname you, cause that's what fam - uh. I mean. What friends do."

Max looked away embarrassed.

Harrison stared at him with wide eyes and his jaw dropped.

"Um. Anyway. Let's go bother David "

Max quickly left the room, face burning red.

Harrison stood there for a moment.

"He...called me his family…"

He ran after Max.

"Hey, wait up!"

X-X-X-X-X

David woke up with a start.

...That was some dream he just had.

David sighed. He needed some water.

David started to make his way to the kitchen, when he heard someone swear. He turned to face the noise.

It was Max.

"...What are you doing awake? It's, like. Two in the morning."

"I, uh. W - why are you awake?"

"Was thirsty." David yawned. "Did you need something, Max?"

"N-no…"

"...You sure?" Max started sweating. David frowned, and started to walk over. Max stumbled backwards. "Woah, Max, it's okay. Please calm down. Why are - oh."

David, having gotten closer, was now able to see the problem.

"Did you wet the bed?" Max shook. "Hey, it's alright. It was just an accident."

Max looked up at David, tears in his eyes.

"Y-y-you...you're not mad?"

"What? Why would I be mad?"

"C-cause I did something gross and wrong!"

"Max, shhh. It's not your fault. Everyone has accidents sometimes, it's alright." David knelt down, holding his hands out. "Come here."

Max slowly made his way over to his foster parent. When he reached David, the man placed his hands on his shoulders.

"You're okay. You're okay."

"I - I...I…"

"Hm?"

"I had...I had a nightmare…"

"Oh, Max…"

"It - it was bad…"

"It's okay. It wasn't - uh. Well. It'll be alright. I'm here." Max looked up.

"Y-you...you're not going to say it's not real?"

David sighed.

"I, uh. Don't want to say that in case the nightmare was based on something real."

"...Oh...y-yeah….it kinda was…" Max sniffed. "I uh…"

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"...I…"

David rubbed Max's arm.

"Why don't we get you cleaned up first?" David led Max back to his room, where Harrison sat awake. Max froze.

"Max? David?"

"Yeah, Harrison?"

"What's going on?"

"...Well, I don't know if Max wants me to say…"

"...I - I...um…"

"Did you have a nightmare?"

"Y-yeah…"

Harrison got up.

"Hare? What - w-wait -"

Harrison hugged Max, immediately figuring out the elephant in the room.

"...You had a really bad nightmare, didn't you."

Max could only nod.

David patted Max's shoulder.

"Let's go to the bathroom."

The kids walked the short distance holding hands. David filled up the tub. "Alright, Max. Do you want us to leave?"

Max stayed silent.

"Max, what do you want?"

He gulped.

"S….stay?"

"Of course, Max. Now let's get these clothes off of you." Max started shaking again. "You sure you don't want us to leave?"

"I - I...don't...don't leave me alone…"

David held Max's face.

"I'm not leaving your side."

David helped peel the sticky clothes off the child, frowning when he saw the state Max's body was in. Harrison gasped, covering his mouth.

Max had never directly told them what he had been through.

David set his hand on Max's shoulder.

"...Are you in pain?"

"I, uh...I guess some of the bruises are kind of sore…"

"I've got something that can help with that. Now, into the tub." The boy complied. David picked up a cloth before pausing. "Do you wanna clean yourself?" Max shrugged. "Max, I'm not cleaning you unless you say it's alright."

"...Why do you let me choose?" David blinked.

"What?"

"Why do let me choose instead of doing things your way?"

"Because it's the right thing to do. Besides, I gotta make sure you're comfortable."

Max looked away.

"I...guess I don't mind if you clean me this time…"

"Alright. But let me know if it's uncomfortable for you." Max nodded.

"...Thank you, David."

X-X-X-X-X

"Hey. David."

"Yes, Max?"

"How are you so good at parenting?"

David was still for a moment.

"You...think I'm a good parent?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, it's been what, nearly half a year, and you've already done so much for Harrison and I. And. I guess I was wondering…"

David held his breath.

"Did you have any kids before us?"

"..."

There was a very long pause.

"Max, if David had children before us, wouldn't he had said so?" Harrison asked, setting down his deck of cards.

"..."

"Uh. David? You okay?"

"...You saw the framed picture in my room, didn't you Max."

"...Yeah."

"Wait," Harrison looked between the others in confusion. "What picture?" David sighed.

"I have a picture of a little boy in my room. Max is right. You two weren't my first foster children."

"Oh."

A moment passed.

"His name was Brandon. He's...gone now. And. After he...passed on, I didn't think I'd be able to foster any other kids...but. You two proved me wrong." The man smiled. "Thank you, you two."

"Wait. You're thanking us?" Harrison stood. "We should be thanking you! You got us both out of the bad situations we were in!"

"Yeah, David, you shouldn't be the one giving thanks."

"Well, I am." David shook his head. "It's only been half a year, but you two are already family to me. I think I've said this to you once, but I need to say it more. I love you guys."

"...David."

"Yes, Max."

The ten year old sighed, walking up to David with an eye roll.

Then he hugged him.

It was the longest hug Max had given to David.

Harrison joined the hug as well.

"I love you too, David!"

David laughed.

What a happy little family they had become.

.

.

.

"David?"

"Yes, Max?"

"What's with the pill bottle? You ever gonna answer that?"

"Oh...guess I should tell you guys...I'm sorry I lied about it before. The medicine you saw is uh. It's...for anger management. I can...get out of control sometimes."

"Huh. That explains a lot."

"Max!" Harrison reprimanded. "Don't be rude!"

"...Actually. I have one other pill bottle."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. " David sighed. "That one's for depression."

The children stared at David in horror.

"No, I'm not suicidal."

"Oh thank goodness." Max stated, holding his chest.

"Is it still really bad though?" Harrison asked. David rubbed the boy's head.

"It's...not as bad as it used to be."

"That's good."

"Yeah…"

David glanced out the window. The sun was shining. A person was walking their dog down the street. There were children stopping an ice cream truck for some treats.

And Max and Harrison were in his arms.

"Alright, I can only take so much hugging."

Well, Harrison was in his arms.

But still, he had both his foster children, and they were starting to get better.

Everything was looking up.