The following weeks proceeded slowly. Everyone was hesitant and unsure where to go from here, but as time moved on we found our ways. Riv's nervousness around Reverend dissipated quickly and I think my words about the encounter did much to relieve him and reassure him of his own feelings. Reverend didn't mean to hurt his little boy-- rather he was on the floor, cornered and terrified, looking for a way out of a living nightmare. Though still young I think Riv understood much of the sentiment. I was glad, too, because I was afraid I might have to take charge of him from here. While I didn't mind the idea in theory, I think that would increase the tensions between them and make it harder to heal in the long run.

A few days after the incident I'd take in Riv under the guise of a normal checkup to get his thoughts about everything. He had very little reluctance toward his father, rather he was mostly concerned about him and if he was getting taken care of or feeling any better. For better or for worse, both of these people left a lasting impression on one another and their care for each other was reassuring.

---

"Riv?" I pat the cot. "Could you please sit up here? I'd like to ask you some questions."

The little boy did so, his legs dangling off the side.

"Alright, now then," I readied my journal, "I'm going ask you some questions regarding the incident between you and Reverend. Please be honest with me, okay?"

"Okay."

"Thank you. To start with: How do you feel about him? Are you afraid of him?"

"I feel mostly okay," he said, swinging his feet. "I was scared when it happened and I was a little scared after he got back, but he looked really scared, too. When people at home were mean they didn't look or act like that, like they were afraid or sorry. They looked happy about it and would keep doing it, which isn't what he did."

"What do you mean by 'mostly okay?'" I continued.

"I'm scared, but not really of him, but for him," he scratched his head. "He looked really upset when he was back in the house and it worried me. I just want him to be okay. I remember he woke up from some kind of dream a long time ago and he was breathing really hard and looked like he saw something really horrible."

That was a new one to me, but not surprising.

"So you feel alright about him and you're not afraid of him?" I repeated, looking for confirmation.

"Mhm."

"And you're certain? If there's any doubts you have, any fears this might have caused, I need to know so I can help work you through them. Things like this can be very traumatic, which is why I need your honesty."

"I'm sure, Daniel."

"So if he tries to hug you or anything, you won't be uncomfortable?" I continued writing my notes. "You won't think he's going to hurt you?"

"I want him to hug me. I want him to feel better. He never tried to hurt me before and when that happened he looked really afraid and was crying like that dream. That isn't what people do when they want to hurt you. He's always been really nice to me, so something was wrong."

"Alright, kid, those are some good answers," I said, finishing my writing and stowing it in the filing cabinet. "Now, if you ever have any worries or doubts, just let me know and we can talk about them out here in private. What happened was bad, but it's not something that can't be overcome. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Good," I reached out my hand. "That's all I need for today. Let's head back inside and see how he's doin'."

With his tiny hand in mine we left and locked the infirmary to go pay Reverend a visit.

---

Reverend was more apprehensive to go anywhere, likely afraid of getting caught in that state again. With enough gentle support from both Riv and I, slowly but surely he started taking the necessary steps forward.

I think he was also surprised how quickly Riv forgave him. I don't think the kid could really hold it against him given how uncharacteristic it was-- something was clearly wrong and it wasn't anything Riv, himself, did to cause it. In fact, the first thing Riv did when he saw Reverend next was give him a very firm, much-needed hug. At first the small man wasn't sure how to respond, but eventually those skinny arms would wrap around the boy and hold him just like they did so many times over the past year or so.

If anyone needed convincing about forgiveness, honestly, it was Reverend.

It was clear as day that he carried around a heavy weight of guilt on his shoulders over the incident, and given some of the nastier rumors that very likely fed right back into his insecurity. I was there to remind him as often as I needed that it was an accident, it was something he didn't realize was going on, and that those outbursts are unfortunately normal for someone in that kind of state. Despite the dirty looks from the staff I still kept both of them close. They needed it, as did I, and if the staff had a problem with it they could go get bent. If I wanted to hug on or cuddle my friend or child, I was going to do just that.

It was comforting that both of them made up over the issue so quickly, even with Reverend's lingering guilt. That was something he'd need to work on, but I was sure he was capable if provided the right tools and the support to do so. At least once a week I brought him into the infirmary to check over him, give him some time to wind down in better privacy away from the staff and talk to me about anything bothering him. If he needed I had no problem leaving the place to give him true privacy, but so far he hadn't taken me up on that offer and preferred I stay close by. I had no issue with that.

Riv was not terribly bothered by the case alias, to our surprise, and treated it more as a nickname. I guess that's what it was in a way, and as long as we referred to him as some derivation of that alias within earshot of the staff they left us alone. Riv was probably too young to understand the gravity behind the whole thing, but his willingness and acceptance was appreciated. Reverend did try to assign an alias that sounded nice, going with 'Celadon' in reference to Riv's pretty eyes. Even then, when more in private, we called him by his name. Reverend hated this alias system but would do what he could to choose pleasant ones for his children-- it was the least he could do.

I did know, however, that these matters may come up in the future. Unfortunately such things are normal and people who love each other still hurt each other at times. It was very likely that these things would get brought up by Riv, very likely in his teens, and I'd need to assure Reverend that this was normal even if it hurt. Teenagers can be tense and volatile and not know or understand the best ways to solve problems-- it doesn't make one a bad parent if this happens. I'd do what I can should this occur, and I could guarantee it would.

Riv was still a very sweet kid and knew deep down where it mattered that his father loved him more than anything and would never willingly hurt him. I think this would still persist even in his teens, but may lead to some confusion and internal conflict once he'd start dealing with all the fun emotional messes that come with puberty.

We'd see when we got there.

---

Days, weeks, and eventually months would drift by, time lost to homework forms and artwork and spending time together. I helped Reverend with a fraction of his work when I had time -- and I almost always had time -- and he seemed to appreciate the freedom it granted later in the day. I only took as much as what would give him a more normal schedule as, for such a small man, he was very proud of his work and I didn't want to take that from him. So far Morissey either hadn't noticed this or didn't care, and I was fine with either possibility.

I noticed more people in his organization getup in town as time passed, either in or otherwise occupying different neighborhoods or buildings. It was honestly kind of unnerving. They'd eye me as I passed but I just rolled my eyes and continued on my way. People are free to think whatever garbage they want, but just in case they wanted to turn something into a physical altercation I'd begun arming myself with some simple wares in my pockets. Given how much larger I was compared to them it wasn't likely, but better to have something and not need it than need something and not have it.

Ulimi and the ramiotrans at the carpentry shop would quietly voice their concerns about where the town was heading, what with these strange people in the streets and buildings. They all kept a watchful eye over their respective parts of town for anything unusual or concerning, but so far nothing had really happened. Still, they'd continue watching. I appreciated their surveillance and was glad to know the creepy feeling wasn't just me. As I'd pass through town I'd hear little bits and pieces about the same concern, mostly hushed or from children who'd be shushed by their parents before too long.

Something just...wasn't right about any of this, but it was too soon to tell.

Nevertheless I purchased some nice white roses for Reverend while I was out that afternoon, hoping that the bright flowers might help ease him over the coming week or two. In fact, to make the interior a bit more cheerful I'd purchased some nice plants for the common areas, watering them as needed and keeping them healthy. He did seem to appreciate it and Riv seemed to enjoy them, which is what mattered.

Reverend seemed to sniff back tears when I gave him the vase of roses, saying they were Esmé's favorite. For a moment I was worried I'd upset him, but he gently smiled and hugged me. Over this time he'd made a lot of progress, coming to us more over the past while for the same things he used to long ago. So far his eyes no longer leaked the neutralized energy or needed his concealers. We still kept them on-hand should they be needed, locked away securely in his room desk.

He needed the same love and care everyone needed and was exhausted from trying to turn it away. There was nothing wrong with these things and, once he got a taste of what he was keeping himself from, it was that much harder to stay away. I knew he was still worried about the staff's judging eyes, but I kept him close and warm as much as I could. So far they did well to stay away so we could more or less resume our usual lives of work and comfort.

I flipped another page in my journal to document the goings-on of the foster home, my time with Riv and Reverend. I used this to keep track of Reverend's progress or note any ups or downs I'd encounter as he continued working through his corruption. So far, so good, and I couldn't be more proud of him. By now we'd had another round of birthdays-- I was thirty-two, Reverend was thirty-four, and Riv would be nine before too long.

Looking over to my side a small man and his child lay against me on the sofa in the staff room. Both of them were doing well, I felt, and it was heartwarming to see that even after that horrible incident the two were still inseparable. I reached out to gently pet them, both of them nearly asleep, as I closed my documentation and locked it up for the night. With enough nudging they both stirred back awake, Reverend deciding to bring Riv to bed and turn in for the evening. It was already around the usual bedtime so I certainly didn't mind.

We brought Riv to his room and said our goodnights, tucking him in nice and snug and each of us giving him a gentle nudge on his crown before taking our leave and closing the door. Even today Kuri still watched over him intently overnight, a security we couldn't really do without. I grabbed my sleepwear as Reverend went into the room to change for the night, my coming back out to change in the bathroom and give him his privacy. After doing my business and changing my clothes I sauntered back out into the hall, looking back down to the west wing to scan for any oddities. The staff on the other end seemed content enough with the distance, as was I. Thankfully no weird looks or gestures, so I guess both sides had finally grown complacent. I shot them a sly grin and a wave before walking back to the bedroom for the night.

With a long stretch and a yawn I crawled into bed. Reverend rolled over to face me and bury his face in my chest. I just chuckled and brought my arm around him to hold him close, running my fingers through his hair as I did just earlier. By now I think he had finally grown used to the extra security and come to appreciate the help I offered with his work. It wasn't much and I couldn't work as fast as he could, but it was still work he didn't have to do. His arm wrapped around me and I rubbed my snout gently over his head.

"Thank you," he said, muffled by my shirt.

"Hm?"

"For everything you do here," he continued. "...It means a lot to us."

"Everyone's gotta look out for each other, through both the good and bad," I whispered, nudging him more. "You've come a long way and made a ton of progress and I couldn't be more proud of ya. I'm sure Riv feels the same way."

"...Do you think he's...still upset?" he asked, shrinking back slightly.

"No, I think he understands that it wasn't intentional," I reassured. "Again, it may come up in the future, probably in his teens. You need to keep in mind, though, that such things are normal. They'll not feel great, but they'll come to pass. Try not to dwell on them too much and instead try to be there for him-- usually such things indicate some other problem that they have a hard time articulating."

"...Okay," he sighed.

"Don't worry, I'll be here too. You're not goin' through it by yourself."

"Do you think you'll...still be here?"

"Naw, I don't think so," I shrugged.

He quickly took his face from my chest and stared back up at me with wide, scared eyes. I returned it with a nuzzle against his forehead.

"I know so," I said as his ears reclined. "I'm not going anywhere if I've got any say. Guess you're both stuck with me."

He hung on a little tighter, returning his head to my chest and getting comfortable. I grabbed the comforter and pulled it over both of us, ready to call it a night. With a deep breath I rested my snout atop his head and we both started to drift off for the remainder of the weekend.

Though he still hung onto the confrontation with Morissey -- and thus with Riv -- and still showed apprehension toward the staff, he was slowly coming around. He'd stick close by, especially at night, and fortunately those staff were loathe to approach. I didn't mind, wanting to provide as much comfort and security as I could.

Everything in time.

As long as I could help it, they wouldn't be alone.

***

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