My Own Space Here (Moreaus/Boys)

[Matthew Moreau]

It had taken longer than he would have liked, but they had finally gotten the second bedroom set up well enough to hold both of the kids and give them their own space. Across from the door against the back wall and set into a corner was a bunk bed, and along one wall a dresser and wardrobe. Another dresser was by the closet, and at the end of the bunk was a lamp with lights for both the top and bottom. Rhys had said that little shelves for each bunk wasn't exactly necessary, but Matthew had insisted, because everyone needed a bedside table for clocks and glasses of water.

They'd sent off an owl to tell Andy to come by when he had a spare evening or weekend, but hadn't said why, and Matthew had been anxiously waiting a response or visit ever since. Though Rhys said not to take it to heart, it was difficult not to be affected by how he was unable to make Andy feel accepted and at home, and now that he knew Andy was coming to visit, he could barely stop himself from bouncing on the balls of his feet.

"So, you think he's going to like it, Tam?" he asked the younger brother.

[Rhys Moreau]

Rhys was excited for Andy to see the room, too, even if he didn't show it like Matthew. He intended to let Matthew take center stage on this one, but he was glad he didn't have work so he could see. It was good to see Matthew so upbeat again after the ever-so-slightly down mood he'd been in lately. "Haven't you asked that five times already?" he teased.

[Andy Moreau]

If he doesn't like it, it's 'cause aliens took his brain and put in someone else's and then he wouldn't be Andy anymore so it totally wouldn't matter, and UGH! Tam cut himself off with a hard thrust of his elbow into the neck of a giant stuffed shark that lay on the floor. It had been alternately a bed companion, chair, prey, and now wrestling buddy, among other things, since the day it had come home.

[Matthew Moreau]

Matthew chuckled and shook his head at the display. Had he been like this as a kid? He glanced toward the doorway, where a slightly amused looking Rhys leaned against the frame, but attempted to contain the anxious feeling that knotted his chest. He was marginally successful. "Maybe we need an alien tester thing just to make sure," he said, busying his hands with some knick knacks on a dresser. "We'll use it on you first to make sure you're not actually a Martian."

[Rhys Moreau]

Rhys almost wondered if he should pour Matthew a drink to help him relax a little, but if he was honest with himself, it was endearing. The trips out to buy things had been an adventure and a half, with Matthew and Tam working in tandem to make the journey as childish as possible while Rhys tried to keep some form of control. The shark had been a bit of an issue, though in the end it seemed to be a good thing they'd gotten it. Magnum could only handle so much excited five year old, and the durable shark was a good alternative when the pup begged for nap time. It was by far one of the most eye-catching things in a room that brought some of the darker, heavy woods from the living room coffee and end tables through the doorway.

They'd managed to find a matching set for the larger pieces of furniture, dark woods that were heavy enough to hold strong when a monkey tried to climb them. Or, well, a kid. The bedding was plush and soft, in colors and patterns Tam had almost-helpfully assisted them in choosing, though the receipts for what would be Andy's were tucked safely away just in case an exchange was necessary. The bunk that was currently Andy's was made up, with puffy pillows and a stuffed animal of his own arranged to welcome him home.

They'd rearranged things a hundred times, it seemed, with the help of a wand or two, but they'd finally figured out how to get the most out of the space and agreed everything was perfect. Mostly. "You're rearranging again," Rhys pointed out to Matthew, who looked up, surprised for a moment before his lips curved in a sheepish smile.

[Andy Moreau]

I'm not a Martian, Tam argued, attempting to put the shark into a chokehold. His arms couldn't reach all the way around it though, so he settled for giving it a hug. Is Andy really coming back? he asked. He flopped against the shark's side to watch Matthew and Rhys. I miss Andy. Will he get to stay here tonight? Is school over yet? He didn't quite understand the concept of boarding school, and thought that Andy had bizarrely long school days. Which lasted months. It made more sense than there suddenly being different kinds of schools.

[Matthew Moreau]

"This term isn't over for another month, then he'll be home for Christmas if he wants," Matthew said, forcing his antsy hands back under his control. "His school's not over until next summer, but he can stay here tonight if he wants to. He can always floo back to the school through Dare and Michael's tower when he needs to be back." He turned to look at Tam again. "I'm sure he misses you, too."

[Andy Moreau]

Outside, Andy stood staring up at the sign, which was becoming more familiar over time. The note he'd gotten was a wrinkled mess in a hand stuffed into a coat pocket, and he debated once more the wisdom of answering it. He'd tried writing a note back, but after a couple failures, decided to just show up. If they weren't telling him why he had to come here, he wasn't telling them when.

Still, that tiny act of rebellion hadn't helped as much as it should have. He was still afraid of showing up at the wrong time, still afraid of the bad news, because sooner or later there was always bad news. He wasn't doing well enough in school, his brother was too much of a handful, they'd spent too much money in a whirlwind of excitement and they regretted it.

Nice to see you, here's your brother, this scrap of paper has your new address on it, don't let the door hit your arse on the way out.

He removed his hand from his pocket, but left the note hidden as he pulled his full backpack
further up his shoulder. He'd had time to pack it this time, rather than throwing in the first things he could reach, and was confident that he and Tam could make it a while before they'd be noticed.

He finally entered the shop in a way quite similar to the last time. A harried mother had just gotten the last of her brood inside and held the door a moment longer than necessary. Are ye' comin' in, then? she asked. Andy sighed, nodded, and walked in behind her.

[Matthew Moreau]

It was impossible for anyone but Mag to hear the tinkling of the bell, but the dog was so used to it he barely even perked an ear at the commonplace sound. Of course, everyone who worked in the shop knew both Andy and Tam at least by sight, so it wasn't long before a short note whizzed its way underneath the doors separating the flat from the shop, up the steps, and across the living room to hover by Matthew's head. Most of the time, such notes required his attention, and they always ignored Rhys.

Withholding a sigh, Matthew snatched the paper out of the air to read it, then his eyes brightened. "Well, it looks like he's shown up," he said, then glanced toward Tam. "Do you want to go get him for us? Can you remember that it's a secret surprise?"

[Andy Moreau]

Tam's eyes widened, and he made a zipping motion over his lips as he bounded to his feet.I can get him! he said, chest puffing with the honor of being given such an important mission. He took off running, and as the sound of little feet hit stairs, it was accompanied by his voice. Andy! There’s a surprise in the bedroom but I can't tell you 'cause it's a seeeecret!

In the shop, Andy caught his brother with a low oomph. "What kind of secret? Is it a good secret? You know you shouldn't keep bad secrets."

It's a good secret, but I can't tell you what it is. He pulled back a bit and eyed his brother cautiously. Are you a alien?

[Matthew Moreau]

Matthew was anxious to follow, but just managed to keep himself from doing so, instead staying in the living room with Rhys. For now, it was a good idea to let the brothers greet one another. With how hyper Tam tended to be, it would likely only be moments before the brothers were back in the flat, anyway. "What if he doesn't like it?" he asked, a question that had crossed his lips more than a few times.

"Stop worrying," Rhys responded. It had been strange seeing Matthew worry and fret from time to time over the past weeks, and he hoped that the reveal would go smoothly.

[Andy Moreau]

Andy took his time greeting Tam. He wanted to know if his brother was really happy, what he'd been doing, whether the cracks were beginning to show yet. They weren't, but that didn't ease Andy's suspicions. Nobody was this perfect.

And then yesterday we went shopping, Tam said, though it had been the week before. Almost everything in the past was yesterday to him. And we got secret things that I can't tell you and Matthew's been all worried and he keeps saying will Andy like it and duh you'll like it, so if you're not a alien, come on!

Andy could hardly make sense of Tam's babbling. It felt like the surprise had already been half spoiled, but just enough was missing that he couldn't decide what it might be. He had clothes, and it sounded like it was a good thing, so maybe they still weren't being kicked out. It had only been a few months, of course...

Tam had grabbed Andy's hand in a death grip and was pulling hard enough that Andy was nearly jerked off his feet. Come on you have to seeeee iiiit!

"All right, all right, I'm coming."

At the top of the stairs, Tam crowed, I got him! Here he is! He was sooo slooow, though! You shoulda let me told him! Tam released a confused-looking Andy to launch himself into Matthew's arms.

[Matthew Moreau]

Matthew chuckled as he caught the flying child, something he'd gotten rather good at over the past weeks. If nothing else, dealing with Tam every day ensured a good night's sleep at the end. "He'll see it in literally like thirty seconds," he said, then looked up at Andy. "I'm glad you came, it's good to see you. Go take a look in the bedroom before Tam here explodes from anticipation."

It wasn't much, but it was what they had. Though maybe sometime in the future more space could be added, they'd done the best they could with the space. Other than a brief greeting to Andy, Rhys stayed back a little for now. While often it was Matthew who sank into the shadows, Rhys was happy to take on that role this time.

[Andy Moreau]

Andy gave Matthew a long, suspicious look, and Tam wriggled back onto the floor. Come on, slowpoke! The child caught his brother's hand and resumed tugging, something which Andy didn't fight this time. He just let himself be led into what had been a guest room the last time he'd seen it, with a big bed and little else.

He stopped in the doorway and stared, but Tam gave a hard pull to get him further inside and he moved without thinking. He hardly heard the excited chatter which described the stories behind absolutely everything.

And I was like, Andy wants Doraemon 'cause I already got Avengers, but Matthew was like, I think YOU want Doraemon, and I was like, maybe a little, but that's baby stuff, and so you got boring old stripes and patterns things, and they're not pink, but the dragon is pink OH MY GOD THE DRAGON! Tam grabbed Andy and pushed him toward the bunk stairs.

I can't go on top because I won't bounce...

"Is this stuff new?" Andy wondered aloud, the question not directed toward anyone. It all looked new, though.

[Matthew Moreau]

"Yes, it is," Matthew said, nodding as he and Rhys entered and stopped just inside on either side of the door. "We traded in the old stuff; we don't need it anymore. Tam helped us pick things out, but if there's anything you want different, we've got the receipts so we can do an exchange. You asked if you had your own space, and we wanted to make sure you did. If you want to decorate, you can decorate.

"Tam's already kind of claimed a bit of the room, but I'm sure the two of you can come to an agreement if you want to switch dressers or something." However the room ended up being split in reality, he hoped it would feel like home for Andy, too.