“Th-thanks. I didn’t think it’d be this scary,” Sky admitted quietly once she settled, glancing at both sleeping babies. “I know it’s not going to be easy, but... Bay really made it look easy, didn’t he? And I know Amir’s gonna be a natural, and you and Ash one day... Truth be told, I think Riv’s fucked,” she said with a watery laugh.
“Mm, well, he has Chad.”
“Eh. I think they’re both in for a rude awakening...” She paused and lowered her voice conspiratorially, despite them being alone. “Doesn’t it worry you, them tryna hide it this much?”
“It’s early, I guess.”
“Still. I dunno, I just worry River’s gonna live in denial until it’s too late. But you’re right; Chad’s pretty level-headed...”
“And they have all of us around to help, too. Just like Bay did. Just like you do.”
Sky gave him a grateful smile, though it still cracked at the edges. “You are... you are gonna be around, aren’t you?”
“Of course.”
“It’s just...” She bit her lip. “I know everyone thinks I’m oblivious, even Amir, but I’m not stupid. I know they don’t talk anymore, Loch. You don’t go from being as close as brothers to the way they are now and that go unnoticed.”
He couldn’t face her as she watched him intensely, and he broke eye contact.
“...You haven’t even been around to our new place,” she said in a small voice.
Loch winced. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“Do you... really hate Amir that much?”
“No. I can’t say we’ll ever be friends, but, no. I don’t hate him... anymore.”
“But Asher does?”
“...Ash isn’t going to get in the way, Sky. We... have an agreement about it.”
“Honestly, Loch, I don’t care what Ash’s problem is—no offence. Don’t get me wrong, I like him. But he’s not my brother, Loch. I want the twins to have their uncle. As much as I’d like Ash to be part of that too, I understand if he can’t do it. But... I... I need my big brother.”
“I’m right here,” Loch croaked.
“Yeah, for now. But I want the person that helped raise me see my kids grow up. I want them to know you. Properly. Not just awkwardly forced to be in the same room during family occasions.”
Loch shook his head. “That’s what I want. I swear.”
“...Okay.”
He could see she didn’t look convinced, even as she offered a weak smile.
“I’ll be around,” he said softly. “I promise, Sky. I’d offer to come over with a meal or something, but... I really can’t cook.”
That at least made her laugh. “I don’t need food. Just my brother. But, same offer I gave Sylvie. You bring chocolates or cake? All the baby cuddles you could ask for in return.”
He smiled, looking back over the twins. “That I can do.”
