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I don't blame you if you don't read it all, or at all. The reason it is so long is because I wanted to keep the story to the whole day. The whole point of this story was to delve into more of the adopted sibling's characters and backstories, as well as their integration of living in this new home and how they are at in life. That and delving into how weird the twins are. There is some nudity involving the twins. There are graphic descriptions of what Felix/Eliza remembers or visualized in their minds. I spent a long time working on this in anguishing detail as best as I could and it STILL has loose ends, bad phrasings and shit. That and the agonizing balance of creativeness on my part and desperately trying my hardest to make it something Perish would approve of (in relation of the characters I bought from them). \n\nI spent so long going over dialogue and the turn of events and battling over ideas and realism with the intent to make it faithful to the characters. Even though I own them. This meant that I went over and over about many details that I scrapped, added, added, scrapped, altered, added. This went on and on as I stopped, returned back to the story with fresh ideas. Then stopping because I feel like I'm doing an awful job, that it's just going to get worse and boring. The important factor being boring. Because it's like 20k fucking words because I can't split it in good conscience. I'm rambling.\n\nI hope you guys like it, but again I don't blame you for not reading it. I just wanted to finalize it and post it. So now I can write another story.", "description_bbcode_parsed": "This story is bloated. I don't blame you if you don't read it all, or at all. The reason it is so long is because I wanted to keep the story to the whole day. The whole point of this story was to delve into more of the adopted sibling's characters and backstories, as well as their integration of living in this new home and how they are at in life. That and delving into how weird the twins are. There is some nudity involving the twins. There are graphic descriptions of what Felix/Eliza remembers or visualized in their minds. I spent a long time working on this in anguishing detail as best as I could and it STILL has loose ends, bad phrasings and shit. That and the agonizing balance of creativeness on my part and desperately trying my hardest to make it something Perish would approve of (in relation of the characters I bought from them).

I spent so long going over dialogue and the turn of events and battling over ideas and realism with the intent to make it faithful to the characters. Even though I own them. This meant that I went over and over about many details that I scrapped, added, added, scrapped, altered, added. This went on and on as I stopped, returned back to the story with fresh ideas. Then stopping because I feel like I'm doing an awful job, that it's just going to get worse and boring. The important factor being boring. Because it's like 20k fucking words because I can't split it in good conscience. I'm rambling.

I hope you guys like it, but again I don't blame you for not reading it. I just wanted to finalize it and post it. So now I can write another story.", "writing": "Felix woke up to sounds of birds outside his window and the whirling fan blowing on him. He blinked and tucked his legs inwards and yawned. He thought to himself of how wonderful it felt, it was a cold morning but he was nice and warm. He rubbed his right eye and stroked his chest feeling his fur, comfort felt so foreign. The thought of Eliza and how was she crept into his mind, institutionally he got out of bed to see if Eliza was alright. The door creaked as he opened it that felt eerie to Felix, he turned left to Eliza's room and opened the door carefully as he peered in. She wasn't there. His heart started pounding in fear and fury as he went down the hall to check out the living room. No one was in there; the TV was off and he could hear the TV from a room away. As he moved to the other living room, he felt more afraid, disgusted and angry as he went by which only got worse as he saw nothing in the other living room. The parent?s door was open and the noise was coming from there. He stormed his way over but stopped just before the doorframe, he peered his head around the corner with his gut wrenching in apprehension and concern; he only expected the worst. Rita was standing up by the bed getting dressed and putting perfume on. Eliza slept in the middle of the bed with a chilling and barely awake Nathan lying next to her. Rita finished preparing and turned her head to see a peaking Felix.\n\n\"Good morning. How did you sleep?\" Rita said warmly with a sense of easy going, Felix not responding back still feeling tense and bracing himself. Nathan stirred up and with a weary smile,\n\n\"Hey mate, are you doing alright?\" Said Nathan but Felix still unable to move, sensing great unease Nathan took matters into his own hands. \"Eliza had a nightmare, wet her bed and woke us up in the night. that's why she's here, you're more than welcome to come over to be with her.\" Felix felt relief but still felt locked into place, his emotions were overwhelming of distrust and relief all mixed together. Rita walked up to Felix to leave the bedroom,\n\n\"Excuse me bub I gotta tend to the twins, feel free to lie on my side next to Eliza.\" As she passed him a sweet aroma brushing against Felix's nostrils, he breathed deeply and felt calmer but still couldn?t relax. \n\n\"Why did she see you two?\" Felix demanded looking away trying to keep himself together. \n\n\"I don't know.\" Yawned Nathan as he put on his glasses, his ears alternating between folded and unfolded. \"Wait- no she did say something, she didn't want to wake you up. Sorry I'm still waking up.\" Nathan sat upright and rubbed his eyes underneath his glasses. Felix looked down feeling sad, it hurt that Eliza went to them instead of him; even though he hated being woken up in the middle of the night. Eliza stirred and rolled over facing away from Nathan, one eye barely open and caught sight of Felix. She smiled at him and rubbed her chin on the top of her bear, it put Felix's worries more at ease that even allowed him to relax more and more. After some consideration he entered the room and sat on the bed looking at Eliza only. \n\n\"Hellooo~\" Eliza said with a sniff, one arm stretched out to him in the process. Felix laid next to her and allowed her to embrace him as he wrapped an arm around her.\n\n\"How'd you sleep?\" Felix asked concernedly.\n\n\"Good, -good yesss-.\" Eliza and Mary said. Nathan looked over, watched and listened in silence. Simply only letting them converse and feel comfortable.\n\n\"Bad dream?\" Felix asked still sounding concerned. Eliza's happy face shifted to an upset and distressed look, she nodded and clutched her bear closer.\n\n\"I wet da bed, again. Daddy fixed it.\" Eliza said as she pressed her face into Felix for comfort.\n\n\"Fixed?\"\n\n\"When she woke us up, I went to her room. I dried all I could. Eliza also left Mary there, I had to bring her back to Eliza so she wouldn't be lonely. Rita did all she could to dry Eliza but, in the end, we had to get out the spare underwear and pajama pants.\" Nathan said with care and consideration. \"We offered to Eliza to stay here and sleep with us, that way she would be safe.\" Nathan continued. Felix looked back and didn't say a thing, but his face said it all, 'thank fuck'. Nathan looked away and watched the TV that was still going on in the background, he left Eliza and Felix to themselves to talk. Felix so fucking thankful and relived that nothing happened to Eliza, as he kept talking to her he saw no proof that Nathan or Rita did anything to her. It still hurt him that Eliza went to them instead of him though, but perhaps it was better that way. Doesn?t mean he?ll miss having her close on those rough nights.\n\nRita woke up the twins with a sweet good morning, she knelt down before one of them in the process. She kissed on one of their heads and moved herself over the bed to kiss the other. Both the twins were close to one another, one hugging the other from behind. She got them up and helped them dress, listening to them with a smile as they talked to her. Their usual attire of overalls with a shirt, although this day it was a different coloured shirt. The twins liked having certain colours on certain days, the familiarity of the pattern kept them happy. Rita directed them to the dining room for breakfast, to which the twins held hands and walked along with each other to their destination. Today the twins were especially close to each other, Elijah giggled as both of them kept slipping their hands down the front of the other?s overalls feeling the other?s belly between the two different clothing. For the twins this was a sign that they were going to have a chance of not wearing their clothing, it was nonsensical to all; their parents and everyone else. Even the twins don't know why and acknowledge that they don't understand it, but some days they have a strong impulse to go bare. Thankfully with the help of the psychologist the twins understand that they can and are allowed to do so when at home and nowhere else; which is a relief to both Rita and Nathan. On a few occasions the twins undressed after going to the toilet in a public place and enter outside together. One time Rita joined along them to see if she could keep their clothes on, unfortunately Elijah managed to break free and ran off into the shopping centre. The one time both Rita and Nathan were there to stop the twins both Elijah and Tobias broke down in a tantrum. Since being allowed to be nude at home was allowed, the twins have been easily sorted. Giving them enough time to allow themselves to spend time nude, when the nonsensical enigma occurs, has been most helpful for Rita and Nathan if later on they had to take the twins out of the house; as it's unlikely that the twins will try to pull it off when it's already done. Because the twins were being more handsy with one another Rita noticed and took note. It was one of those days. Rita and Nathan hoped that the twins will eventually outgrow this trait, but are willing to accept it to never change; so long as the twins are kept safe and not exploited. At the very least the twins would not react well to someone else touching them in this specific mood, which secured them more from being exploited and used. A small test was done, with permission from Rita and Nathan, that a total stranger (to the twins but not to the parents) approached the twins and ask, or even try to, touch them causes Elijah to scream and Tobias to pull Elijah away from said stranger. Another test with someone the twins knew that the parents did, a nice lunch lady at the clinic, was instructed to do the same. The twins reacted the same to everyone?s delights. Another test with someone both the twins and the parents knew also caused the same reaction, and finally a test with a kid around their age and caused the same reaction. Only the parents were relatively allowed to touch the boys, but Nathan and Rita had no intentions or desires to try to see if they could. The twins never were handsy with anyone else but the other twin. At the very least out of all of this that made sense was that the twins did not like being touched by anyone excluding the other twin.\n\n\"Come on you two, stop fidgeting with each other. Keep your hands to yourself while you eat, you wouldn't want to get yourself or each other dirty.\" Rita said,\n\n\"We don't mind.\"\n\n\"Mhm!\" Replied the twins.\n\n\"Nooo noooooo you wouldn't want to get each other dirty. Or mummy will be scrubbing you all day as punishment!\" Rita snorted with a laugh; the twins giggled back. The twins sat in their usual seat with the both of them assisting the other when needed. Rita grabbed a tub of vanilla yoghurt and a bottle of milk from the fridge and put it on the kitchen counter. She then grabbed 2 bowls and a spoon for the boys to eat from. The twins shared germs so often enough that they would only use one spoon anyway and the twins would only need one bowl for cereal, the other bowel was for their yoghurt. A bowl was given a reasonable amount of yoghurt and the other bowl was filled with milk and had 3 weet-bix plopped in. The bowls were place before the twins with a spoon added in the weet-bix. Rita got some sugar and sprinkled it over the weet-bix for the twins, as they wouldn't eat it without it. The twins started eating the weet-bix first while alternating between one being fed by the other. Rita loved seeing the twins eat, it filled her with great joy. Rita checked the time on her watch and with a hair check she sighed; she went back to the twins. \"Alright you two I gotta rush off. You two be good now you hear?\" Rita said with a cheeky tone, Elijah smiled back with a giggle and Tobias looked over as Rita kissed them on the forehead each and a head rub to finish. Rita went off back to her room to grab her bag and saw Felix and Eliza walking out of the room holding hands. \n\n\"Hellooo~\" Eliza said with a bit a mumble with a toothy smile.\n\n\"Hello to you too!\" Rita greeted back with glee, she stopped and bent down before Eliza causing Eliza to hug into Rita. Rita squeezed Eliza back closing her eyes, \"Are you two hungry? Bah! Of course yous are.\" Rita said with glee. She let go of Eliza who wouldn't let go. \"I?ll sort you two out, you?ll have to have the same stuff the twins have.\" Rita looked down at a clingy Eliza but not before looking at Felix to make sure he was alright. \"And that will be milk and cereal and if you like it you can have yoghurt as well.\" Rita paused yet again as she rubbed Eliza's back. Felix looked at Rita with a tired and cautious look while trying not to fidget, he watched nervously as Rita rubbed Eliza's back. \"Come on bub, I can't get you breakfast if you keep me here.\" Rita jested, Eliza looked up and shook her head. \n\n\"Noooo, I don't wanna.\"\n\n\"You don't wanna let go?\" Rita picked Eliza up with a little bit of difficulty and held her up and close. \"Allllright then I guess I'm transporting ya to your breaky. Come along, Felix.\" Rita said sounding out of breath as she walked back to the dining room with Felix following quickly. Rita eventually got Eliza to let go by having her sit at the table. Felix sat next to her feeling relieved, as they sat there, they crossed their legs. Rita got 2 more bowls and poured milk into each of them then got 2 spoons. \"Alright bubs. We have weet-bix, cornflakes and Nutri-Grain.\" Rita grabbed the boxes and put them on the kitchen counter for the kids to see from the table. Eliza and Felix looked puzzled as they looked over the boxes.\n\n\"I have no idea what those two are.\" Felix said pointing at the 2 that aren?t cornflakes. \n\n\"Well, weet-bix is one of these.\" Rita held up a wheat block. \"Now they?re dry so that's why you put them in milk. Now the twins like it with sugar, makes it easier to eat. Isn?t that right boys?\" Rita explained with Elijah nodded back enthusiastically while Tobias remained unchanged. \"Nutri-Grain is just ordinary cereal. Now what will it be?\"\n\n\"T-that one. -Cornflakes, we know cornflakes-.\" Said Eliza and followed up by her teddy.\n\n\"I'm weirded out by that chunk but I'm willing to get that weet-bix thing a try.\" Followed up by Felix. After Rita filled the bowls with milk, she put them on the table and poured the cereal for Eliza and got a few weet-bix for Felix.\n\n\"Alright now I gotta dash, here?s the sugar and add as much as you want to make it taste good. Now I tend to let the weet-bix sit and absorb the milk so be patient. Love you bubs.\" Rita said sounding a little rushed, she kissed Eliza on the forehead and paused at Felix who watched closely but recoiling back. \"Oh, it's fine, haw! You don't have to get kissed if you don't want to. Alright love you bubs.\" Rita laughed as she left back to her bedroom.\n\nFelix looked at his weet-bix and analysed it, it was very odd indeed. He got his spoon and got some sugar and sprinkled over it, the sweet smell making it already taste better in his mind. Eliza already started eating her cornflakes by this point and looked over at the twins.\n\n\"How are youuu?\" Eliza asked with a bit of milk dripping out of her mouth.\n\n\"I'm good!\" Elijah replied back after Tobias gave him a spoonful of yoghurt. \"I dreamed about dragons!\"\n\n\"I dreamt about a rainy afternoon; it was nice.\" Tobias followed up by.\n\n\"What did yous dream?\" Elijah asked as he took the spoon from Tobias to feed him. Felix got worried as the question was answered as he knew Eliza would talk about it so he had to step in.\n\n\"Eliza had a bad dream.\" Felix said cutting Eliza off before she could answer. Elijah's face turned sad and emotional.\n\n\"I hate bad dreams. I hate them I hate them I hate them.\" Elijah had tears already forming in his eyes.\n\n\"Bad dreams are the worst. We go to mum and dad when that happens, we feel protected.\" Tobias added with no visible change on his expression.\n\n\"...I did that. -Yes and you left me-, I'm sorry Mary...\" Eliza said alongside Mary and sounded notably depressed to Felix who begun to feel bad himself.\n\n\"We're glad you saw mum and Dad.'' Tobias said right before turning to Elijah and opening his mouth to be fed.\n\n``Mhm!''\n\n\"Mummy and Daddy makes you feel good.'' \n\n``I like the kisses!\"\n\n\"I like their hugs, but not more than hugging Elijah.\" Tobias said after swallowing some food.\n\n\"Awww!\" The twins stopped what they were doing and immediately embraced each other and moving their hands all around the other?s body. \n\n\"Alright boys please keep your hands sensible.\" Called out Nathan who was walking out of his room and into the kitchen. Elijah closed one eye and stuck his tongue out with Tobias still looking unreadable. Nathan grabbed a bowl and filled it with milk, grabbed and spoon and sat down at the table as well. \n\n\"Hellooo.\" Eliza said as she stuck some cereal in her mouth, Nathan smiled back with a wave.\n\n\"Now I don't mean to upset you, but you shouldn?t speak with your mouth full.\" Nathan said with care and an undertone of authority, Eliza looked down feeling bad.\n\n\"Sowwy\".\n\n\"Hey you're not in trouble. I'm just saying you should not do that, it's bad manners.\"\n\n\"Why?\" Questioned Felix narrowing his eyes.\n\n\"Well. For one it's hard to people to understand you if you talk with food in your mouth, and another reason being that most people don't want to see what?s in your mouth.\"\n\n\"How can people see what?s in your mouth?\" Felix questioned again challenging Nathan.\n\n\"Well it's hard to see food in your mouth with your own eyes, but anyone else who is looking at you could see it. It makes some people disgusted and not want to socialize with you.\"\n\n\"That sounds like a good thing.\" Felix said right off the bat, Nathan shook his head with a smile.\n\n\"I can see it from your perspective for sure but still, it's good manners.\"\n\n\"Perkspesize?\" Elijah asked looking confused causing Eliza to copy.\n\n\"Perspective. The word means a point of view. An example would be you two,\" Nathan looked at the twins. \"You two see from each other?s eyes easily, you see each other?s perspective.\"\n\n\"I have your eyes!\" Elijah said with a rising giggle to Tobias who smiled slightly back with his eyes resting.\n\n\"From ?my? perspective I see you all as my children. Now your perspective can be different in that regard, you don't have to see me as your father.\" Nathan gestured to Felix and Eliza, \"But I will still see you as my kids because that's my perspective. But, if we go back to food in your mouth, it's nothing something you can see but others can. Your perspective is that you're talking to them but they see food in your mouth without any regard for their comfort. it's a good thing to eat with your mouth close to also keep your food in, otherwise you lose some.\"\n\n\"I pick mine off the floor!\" Elijah said with glee,\n\n\"Yes, and that is a very bad thing to do!\" Nathan said while laughing, he reached his hand over and rubbed Elijah's head and ears. \"Ohh, I do worry for your stomachs, you can catch a lot of bad things eating food that's been on the ground.\" Nathan started eating his now very soggy cereal.\n\nNothing too eventful happened since breakfast, Nathan told the kids to leave their bowls on the table so he can clean them and to sit and watch TV. Felix and Eliza sat next to each other with the both of them tucked their legs in. It was a normal thing to do to keep their legs tucked into their body so they were withdrawn more physically from prying hands and eyes. Even in this new home, new family, country and even a new continent to them they wanted to keep themselves private, close and cautious. Even if it was most Felix who felt this way because Eliza sure as hell felt a little more willful to accept her new surroundings. Felix wish he could relax more, but what Noah and Hannah did to them left him no choice. Felix wasn't even paying attention to the TV that was playing some cartoon, his mind was too preoccupied with keeping himself safe, comfortable and to make sure Eliza was ok. Eliza looked up at Felix and frowned.\n\n\"you're sad. Why are you sad?\" She asked, Felix looked around with agitation to as he didn't want this to be heard by anyone. He looked at the twins and they did not react at all to Eliza's question, infact they were so absorbed that they were doing weird hand and body gestures in unison as they watched.\n\n\"I'm not sad.\" Felix replied trying to hide his rising worried feelings. \n\n\"-Yes you are- Yes you are!\" Mary and Eliza said after another. \n\n\"I'm cautious, I'm wary. I'm not scared.\" Felix said sounding noticeably annoyed\n\n\"Why?\" Eliza asked once more, her head retracting a bit away from Felix as if expecting an outburst.\n\n\"We don't know them, they?re not our parents. They chose us for this fucking amazing family and I don't believe it, somethings wrong.\" Felix said sternly, he scratched his arm as he spoke looking away from Eliza. \"We came from a crap hole, why are we hear? We don't deserve this.\"\n\n\"No! -don't say that-.\" Eliza looked at Felix with emotional eyes, the kind that looked like she was going to hit him or cry. \"-Not everything is bad-! Mummy and Daddy are nice.\"\n\n\"For now.\" Felix said trying to stand his ground. Eliza punched Felix on the arm and started crying silently, she used one of her teddy?s arms to wipe tears from her eyes. \n\n\"No.\" Eliza sniffed, she punched him again and again to get a reaction from him. Felix hunched forward and looked to his side to face Eliza, his face now looking like he was hurt. Eliza stared back fiercely with tears slowly forming more and more.\n\n\"I'm sorry.\" Felix said sounding defeated, \"You may trust them but I don't. I'm scared, alright. I'm fucking scared and I'm just wanting to be able to defend myself. I'm afraid something will happen to you and I won?t forgive myself for letting it happen.\" Felix's voice wavered as he did his best to keep his voice from raising. He cried silently back at Eliza who leaned her head against his arm while sliding closer to Felix who hugged her back. Felix spent the next few minutes rushing to wipe his tears away and to hide any signs of him crying, he had to keep his strong stance up; he mustn?t show his vulnerable side. The TV show had come to an end to which the twins started singing the ?goodbye? song that was playing, halfway through Eliza saw some lyrics that were repeated and joined in with the singing. Felix rested his eyes and breathed deeply as he still felt awful for what just happened, or at least he thinks he feels awful, his feelings are not always straight forward for him to figure out when he wants to identify it.\n\nNathan walked past momentarily as he went to his room, he grabbed a backpack and started packing it for a morning walk. Nathan took the twins for a morning walk to get them energized and willing to learn, but mostly to get a breath of fresh air and fitness. Inside was also a picnic rug neatly rolled up, 2 small hats for the boys. A small medkit for bites, cuts, gashes and general Band-Aids. On the side of the backpack was a bottle holder, currently no bottle was in it as it was clean in the dish drainer in the kitchen. He picked up the back and went out of his room, passed the kids in the living room to the kitchen. He had to make some ham sandwiches as well alongside getting the water. As Nathan prepared, he felt apprehensive about asking Felix and Eliza, but mostly Felix. He didn't want to feel like he was trying to gain his trust too fast, but at the same time he couldn?t leave them at home alone. Because as much as he wanted Felix to trust him Nathan wanted to trust Felix and Eliza. He paused his preparations to go back to the living room and poked his head around the corner.\n\n\"Alright Elijah and Tobias I'm getting ready. Shortly I will help you two put your socks and shoes on.\" Nathan said as ordinary as possible, he paused and looked more directly at Felix and Eliza who looked up at him clueless of what was going on. \"Ok so. What I normally do for Elijah and Tobias is to take them for a morning walk in about 30 minutes time, it's pretty routine for them.\" Nathan started to explain.\n\n\"We likes the walking!\" Elijah stuck his hands up and waved them.\n\n\"Now I would like you two to come along. This way you can see the neighbourhood with us and get some fresh air. I?ll be packing some snacks, sandwiches and some drinks to go with. Would you two be interested?\"\n\n\"Sure.\" Eliza said with glee, her face lighting up already. \"-Is outside scary-?\" Mary asked showing Eliza's anxiety.\n\n\"Honestly it isn?t bad. Other families keep to themselves but will wave and greet you.\"\n\n\"that's really weird.\" Felix retorted. \n\n\"It is for the first few weeks. So, do you want to come?\" Asked Nathan to Felix. Felix didn't want to be alone without Eliza and didn't want Eliza alone either. He didn't want to go out but he felt like he had to.\n\n\"Sure.\" Felix said plainly.\n\n\"Alright then. I'm making ham sandwiches for the twins, what kind of sandwich would you want?\" \n\n\"Huh?\" Felix looked puzzled at Nathan. It truly was a odd thing to hear of what sandwich he would want. After some moments he shook his head.\n\n\"I don't know.\" \n\n\"Can I have strawberry jam?\" Eliza asked, she moved Mary as if it was talking but it was Eliza's voice this time.\n\n\"Sure thing. Would you want margarine or butter to go with it as well? It will soften the bread.\" Nathan smiled as he looked at Eliza who nodded her head back.\n\n\"Mar-jar-reen pwease.\" Eliza said while struggling her words.\n\n\"Marge it is. What about you Felix, any ideas?\"\n\n\"Look I don't know. I'm a roo supposedly so I guess... get me something aussie or some crap.\" Felix didn't like pondering for too long, feeling awkward and unwanting to be solely focused on.\n\n\"I have some ideas, perhaps you?ll like them. Alright so we?ll be going in about 30 min time. I?ll be helping the twins put their socks and shoes on, you two don't need any help with that?\"\n\n\"I know how to fucking tie my shoe laces.\" Felix said sounding assertive and dismissive. Before Nathan could say to Felix to tone down his swearing Eliza spoke.\n\n\"I don't.\" Eliza said looking embarrassed.\n\n\"Let me do it then I can do it.\" Felix said as he looked down at Eliza sounding like a overprotected parent. Nathan paused to gather his thoughts and nodded back.\n\n\"Alright. I?ll remind you two when it gets closer to the time of having to go. If you need new socks don't hesitate to ask.\" Nathan said as he left to go back to the kitchen. As Nathan prepared the sandwiches, he put them into individual sandwich boxes, each having a different pattern of stripes, stars and colours. When it came to doing the twin?s socks and shoes it was of no issue. Both of the twins sat next to each other and talked to each other about fantasies in their fantasy world that allowed Nathan to get their little feet ready. Eliza walked in quietly and looking nervous and unsure in her stance; she wanted to get this done as soon as possible but felt bad for intruding into the twin?s room. Nathan wavered her fears aside and greeted her with a smile and appreciation for her helping him out with her getting ready. The twins sat on the floor of their bedroom holding hands as they chatted to each other in an oblivious state of Eliza getting her socks and shoes put on. Eliza's tail kept coiling and uncoiling as the process was being done, she wanted nothing more than to trust Nathan. While Nathan were tying Eliza's shoelaces, Felix was standing in the doorway without a word. Nathan felt apprehensive as he expected Felix to get mad. As he did say he was going to do Eliza's socks and shoes. But Felix did not yell, he did not get angry but rather was quiet and embarrassed. He put his socks on right and had his shoes on but the laces were all knotted up one of them while the other was improperly tied. Felix sat next to Eliza and still said nothing, even with Nathan saying it was alright and that he was happy to help. He wasn't ungrateful, he was just ashamed and embarrassed. He thought he knew how to tie his shoelaces, stupid, stupid, stupid. Nathan got Felix's attention and demonstrated the working of the laces to tie his shoes well. But he didn't do one of them, Nathan specifically left one of the shoes untied so Felix could try again. Initially Felix was angry, frustrated and embarrassed more for having to do it under watch. But he managed to do it. His face lit up acclamation, he felt pure pride of doing them right. Nathan didn't make a big deal about it either but did pat Felix on the shoulder. For a moment in Felix's life he finally experienced a moment where he didn't flinch at an adult touching him without him wanting to hit back. It then dawned on him of the physical contact and slapped Nathan's hand away and looked away to contain himself.\n\n``I'm sorry.'' Nathan said with soft eyes, he only just now realized he shouldn't have done that.\n\n``It's fine.'' Lied Felix, he didn't want to talk about it. With that said Nathan stood up and faced the twins, they stood up without him having to say a word. The twins followed Nathan out to the dining room for Nathan to grab his bag. He grabbed 2 hats from the bag and put them on the twins; the hats were the same colour. \n\n``Wait right here, I'm going to find 2 more hats for you two.'' Said Nathan.\n\n``I'll be fine I don't need a hat.'' Felix said feeling impatient.\n\n``No, I think I'll get you a hat. Outside is hotter than you might think and I wouldn't want you to get a nasty sunburn.'' Nathan went back to the twin's room and searched through a draw. He left the room with nothing and went to the front living room to check a cabinet, inside were 2 hats that he and Rita got a while back. He came back with 2 pale, brown, wide brimmed hats. ``Alright I found some hats, it might be too big for you Eliza so if you don't want this one that's fine.'' \n\n``Cowboy hats?'' Scoffed Felix with a mix of confusion and shock.\n\n``Nah they aren't cowboy hats.'' Nathan replied.\n\n``They're totally cowboy hats. That's so Australian.'' Felix said with a smirk.\n\n``Oh, ok maybe they do look like them. I got this one when I first went to the outback.''\n\n``But why these? Couldn't you just get a cap?''\n\n``Nah mate, the sun outback is devo to the unprepared. I got this hat because of the brim covering my neck.'' Explained Nathan. Felix couldn't stop smirking that even his tired eyes lit up. Felix grabbed the hat that Nathan used as an example, it smelt odd to Felix due to how old it was. He put it on and it almost felt like a perfect fit. ``Now if you want your ears to not be squashed you can stick them through the slit on the sides.'' Nathan followed up, Felix took the hat off to see the slits and put the hat back on to have his ears poke through. Eliza put her hat on and pushed it down as possible, it covered her eyes and caused her to laugh.\n\n``I can't seeee!'' Eliza giggled, she bobbed her head up and down and got Elijah to giggle along.\n\n``Ok maybe I should get a different hat for you. How are you finding your hat, Felix?'' Felix didn't reply at first, he was in deep contemplation of how he looked. He saw his reflection on the backyard windows. He looked so incredulously stereotypical; he mocked his image in the reflection; but he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. It was like he looked good this way, so what if it was typical or fitting the stereotype; he quickly began to love the hat.\n\n``I like it, yeah. I really like it. Although it's a tad big.'' Felix said making eye contact with him.\n\n``In that case I'll make it an effort to find your very own `cowboy hat'.'' Nathan said with a smile. Eliza passed her hat back to Nathan and he went back to the cabinet to grab a different hat. This time it was a generic cap that didn't really have much special about it. Eliza put it on with glee with it fitting her head much better than the last one. With the hat problem solved Nathan put his backpack on, put on a generic hat for himself. ``Alright time to go. I'm sorry you two that were a bit late.'' Nathan said to the twins.\n\n``I forgive you.'' Tobias replied who moved closer to Elijah for a sideways hug. Nathan led the way with all 4 kids following behind, he got outside and let them pass before closing and locking the door. Nathan led the way with the twins following closely holding hands, Eliza and Felix held hands not so much to copy the twins but to brace and condition themselves; this was a whole new and strange town. \n\n``We're just going to keep following this footpath. We'll be passing by the beach and heading to a park, make sure you keep your hats on.'' Directed Nathan. He wasn't joking, outside was much hotter than Felix and Eliza expected. There was a breeze but that felt insignificant compared to the heat from above. \n\n``Fucking hell it's hot.'' Felix exclaimed.\n\n``Fucking!'' Mimicked Elijah. Nathan turned around and was immediately cross.\n\n``Don't say that word again, Elijah. That is a bad word.'' Nathan said very sternly and crossly. Elijah and Tobias stopped as Elijah started crying and babbling, Tobias looked down alongside him but not emoting anything.\n\n``I'm sorwy.'' Elijah managed to say, Tobias copying the mouth movement alongside him. Felix and Eliza walked up to the twin's side as Elijah muttered an apology.\n\n``Don't do that again. You're forgiven.'' Nathan said putting his foot down on the matter. He bent down and rubbed Elijah's shoulder and rubbed some of his tears away. After a small moment Nathan stood up once more and started moving, the kids following behind.\n\n``Why is fucking a bad word?'' Felix asked. ``I say that all the time what's the big deal? I'm pretty sure I said it to you as well. Why are you picking on them?'' Felix was baffled. \n\n``I'll explain it when we get to our spot. Right now, if we stay out standing in the heat it will affect our moods.''\n\n``Like yours just then?''\n\n``Felix I will answer you when we get there and not before. It will be easier to explain when we're sitting under shade.''\n\n``Fine''. Felix felt bothered at the incident. Along the way Elijah had stopped moping and started talking with Tobias. Felix and Eliza couldn't understand a word of what they were saying. It was like a completely different language; it was kinda cool. They passed the beach to which Eliza and Felix gasped at the sight, the smell of the salty wind and the number of waves they saw. Only a couple of people were out there wading in the shallow waters. The two immediately looked forward to the future of swimming there, even if it would make them very uncomfortable. The thought of their body image, the lasting marks of embarrassing shame soon waved over the two. Finally, after a little while they could see a park, in the middle of it was an enormous tree, far bigger than any other tree they have seen. The sheer height and width of the tree was staggering that both of them couldn't help but gasp loudly for Nathan to hear.\n\n``Here we are. We're going to sit at the base of the tree, aren't you excited for that shade?'' Nathan teased heartfully. As they went under the massive shade it was far noticeably cooler. Nathan took his backpack down and pulled out the rolled-up picnic mat, untied it and waved it in the air for it to straighten and spread out. It was large enough to fit 2 families. Everyone sat down and stretched their legs, taking their hats off and relaxed. Nathan started digging in the bag once more. ``Now here you two go.'' Nathan said with 2 small containers with ham sandwiches in it for the twins, they grabbed them and immediately opened them up. Nathan then grabbed out 2 other containers, one each for Eliza and Felix. Eliza opened it up for a jam sandwich with a sweet smell emanating from the container. Felix opened his and saw a sandwich of black substance in a sandwich cut in small triangles.\n\n``What's this? Is, is this vegemite?'' Felix asked sounding slightly alarmed, he heard and seen many videos of people eating vegemite and the consensus of it being dreadful.\n\n``It sure is. You asked for something aussie.'' Nathan said with a smile. ``Now I know you've probably heard bad stuff about it.''\n\n``I sure have.''\n\n``Well that's because no one outside of Australia knows how to eat it. We spread it finely on our bread and I've done that to yours. Give it a try. If you still don't like it, I got something else for you.'' Compromised Nathan. Felix kept sniffing one of the small sandwich triangles, with hesitation he took a bite of it and; it wasn't bad, actually it was good. The salty taste was jarring but it felt `right', it wasn't overpowering like he's heard. ``Well?'' Nathan asked.\n\n``I'm shocked that I like this.'' Felix said taking another bite, the margarine with the vegemite making it all the better.\n\n``I'm glad you like it.'' Nathan said with a relieved sigh. The twins fed each other and chatted about their world. Eliza, after hearing about dragons and mages scooted over and sat next to Tobias; she was eager to listen and join. Tobias, without skipping a beat, allowed Eliza to join in by explaining what they were talking about. Eliza smiled widely as she interacted with the two of them. Felix wiped some food away from his mouth and felt it was time to ask Nathan once more.\n\n``Why is fuck a bad word?'' Felix asked plainly. ``I've heard plenty of people say that word.''\n\n``Yes, I had a feeling.'' Nathan sighed. ``There are many bad words, many rude words and phrases. Kids aren't supposed to use such language as they don't know the meaning behind it and the extent it does. But if I can be blunter, I just don't want the twins to swear.'' Nathan explained.\n\n``Ok. But why don't you get angry at me? Afraid to show your true colours?'' Felix pressed Nathan, he challenged him to find out if he was sincere and not two-faced. Nathan shook his head.\n\n``I can't stop you; I know that. You probably spent your life using that word, haven't you?''\n\n``Yeah? So?''\n\n``So, I can't make you not swear. I can try but it will only make things worse, I should know.''\n\n``Alright. But you yelled at Elijah and Tobias, that was pretty mean don't you think?'' Felix said in a judging tone, Nathan sighed softly and his ears folded back.\n\n``Like I said, the heat can bring out bad moods. But in my case, I misjudged.'' Nathan paused and looked over at the twins. ``Elijah, Tobias?'' The twins turned their heads back to him. ``I'm sorry for yelling at you before.'' Elijah's eyes were wide and happy with a big smile across his face, even Tobias had a slight smile as their tails wagged happily.\n\n``We promise to not say bad word.'' Tobias replied back.\n\n``Thank you.'' Nathan said, the twins turned their heads back and started talking once more. ``They surprise me with how wonderful they are.'' Nathan added with a loving smile.\n\n``Do they not care about being yelled at by you?'' \n\n``I'm very sure it bothers them, but they knew I only do it when they do something wrong.''\n\n``Then what happens if you yell accidentally? Will they assume you are angry at them?'' Felix asked playing philosopher with Nathan.\n\n``Woo boy they probably will.'' Nathan laughed with a worried look on his face. ``Anyway, later on I'll write down a list of swears. Most you've probably heard and I want you to try to not say them around the twins.''\n\n``What if I don't?'' Felix talked back.\n\n``Well, like I said I can't force you. But I would love if you did. I would rather my boys not get in trouble with someone else or myself. That and I think it would benefit you in the future.''\n\n``Why would not swearing benefit me?'' Felix looked incredibly puzzled.\n\n``Well you would gain a sense of where and when you can say it. Swearing at the wrong time can get you fired if you have a job, can get you into a fight with a close friend. When I grew up, I swore all the time and I absolutely hated my father. With that I swore a lot at him and I would get hit. When he swore at me, I hid how hurt I felt. I had to learn the hard way that swearing most of the time was only going to make it harder for me to get anywhere. I'm far from being a purist, I still swear mate. But I remember what I had to go through when I was a kid and I don't want it to happen to you, Eliza or the twins.'' Something resonated with Felix as he listened to Nathan and felt like speaking his mind.\n\n``My father hit me. Fucking sucked so much balls.'' Felix said darkly. ``You better not fucking hit me and Eliza.''\n\n``I would never want to intentionally hit you.'' Nathan said wholeheartedly. With a moment of silence Nathan reached into his bag and grabbed out a container. As he opened it up the other 3 turned around. ``So, I brought something extra.''\n\n``Fairy bread!'' Elijah said gasping with big goofy grin. \n\n``Fairy bread?'' Eliza remarked looking curious, Felix copied Eliza but weirded out by the name and what he actually saw. Bread with margarine spread and sprinkles on it.\n\n``What the hell is fairy bread?'' Felix followed up with.\n\n``Fairy bread is a simply bread, margarine and 100s and 1000s.''\n\n``You mean sprinkles?''\n\n``Basically. Have a try.'' Nathan handed everyone a slice of fairy bread to which the twins devoured it between each other. Felix gave a bite and felt reasonably indifferent, it was alright but the vegemite sandwich was better. Eliza took a bite and in a split moment devoured it.\n\n``Yummy! -Yes, so very good-!`` Eliza and Mary said.\n\n``It's alright.'' Felix added with a shrug. He ate it all and then laid flat on the mat and closed his eyes for a moment. The twins walked off holding hands and Eliza played with her teddy while Nathan stood up and stretched. Some time passed and Nathan decided it was time to head back home. He gathered all the kids up; told them it was time to go and packed everything up. The walk back was even hotter but no one wanted to stop to stay in it, in no time at all they made it home and went inside to feel cooler. Felix rubbed his ears to make sure they were fine, with how hot it was outside it made him feel like they were going to get sunburnt. The twins were awfully happy when they got inside as they brushed past Eliza and Felix rushing to their room babbling.\n\n``I hope you two enjoyed the morning walk.'' Nathan said with a pleasant smile.\n\n``It was nice. When are we going to go to the beach?'' Felix asked, Eliza nodded her head with a big grin alongside him.\n\n``Well someday obviously. Maybe not today, but it could be. It depends on what I can get the twins to learn before they-,'' Nathan paused and slapped his forehead. ``Sorry, excuse me I'll be right back.'' Nathan rushed off to see where the twins were. Eliza and Felix shrugged, took their shoes off and then sat down on the lounge stretching their feet and toes. Felix could hear Nathan talking but all he could understand was `Not now, later.' Nathan came back with a huff shortly after. ``So sorry about that, I'll need to explain what that's about.'' Nathan moved and sat on the lounge away from Felix and Eliza looking a little awkward. ``Ok so. Elijah and Tobias aren't usually like this, it's kind of a random occurrence.''\n\n``What?'' Felix asked looking confused.\n\n``Well. You see this is what's so hard, to explain it correctly without any misunderstandings. Misunderstanding what I'm about to say would give off many bad impressions or incorrect meaning. Basically, the twins have been doing this for years, it was pretty harmless when they were really little but now that they're a little older it's something of a concern to Rita and I. For their safety more than our embarrassment.'' Nathan paused to huff trying to collect his words. ``The twins, without any reason or pattern, just strip and be naked for a portion of a day.'' Nathan looked at Felix and Eliza seriously, Eliza looked somewhat spooked with Felix's eyes being wide open in surprise. ``When they get handsy with each other, whether it be randomly sticking their hands down each other's clothing or never letting go of each other, they decide it is time to strip on the spot. Again, I don't know why and it is a worry. Just before they were midway and while I'm here they'll probably try again. So do understand this is not of my doing.'' Nathan explained as well as he could.\n\n``Why would they just strip randomly?'' Felix asked trying to understand.\n\n``No clue. As I've said though it is a security risk, they've done it when I've been at the shops. I had to get them dressed and covered quickly before a stranger gets any ideas.'' Nathan said in all seriousness. Felix and Eliza didn't say anything but nodded.\n\n``I use to be naked a lot.'' Eliza said with a stammer, Felix turned to her in an alarm and shook his head at her.\n\n``Well, a lot of kids when they are really young tend to be, at least in hot towns.'' Nathan replied, the sense of cluelessness gave Felix some relief. ``Now it wouldn't be the end of the world if the twins were to be naked right now cause they're inside. It's just that it would be shocking, surprising, uncomfortable or weird for you two.'' As Nathan said that he twitched his ear as he heard something from the twin's room. ``And they've started trying to do it again.'' Nathan apologized to Eliza and Felix as he left to go back to the twins. Felix sat in silence breathing deeply as he trying to contain himself with Eliza speaking about their experience. Felix turned the TV so the two of them could watch it. After some time, Nathan came back carrying both the twins who were still dressed but sucking their own thumbs, Elijah smiled blissfully with Tobias looking slightly cross.\n\n``Helloo!'' Eliza said waving at them, the twins waved back without a word.\n\n``Excellent. I'm glad you two turned on the TV, unfortunately I'm going to need it for the boys. You two are most welcome to join in learning.''\n\n``Learning? Learning what?'' Eliza asked. Nathan turned the channel to the national broadcast channel and an educational show with bloblike creatures talking about numbers and shapes.\n\n``Right now, we're going to learn more about numbers. Mostly about adding big numbers together to make another big number.'' Nathan explained, Eliza `oooo'd as she looked with interest. Felix blushed to himself and kept to himself while huddling himself close. ``You'd like to join Eliza?''\n\n``-Oh yes we would love to join-! I want to count.'' Mary and Eliza said. Nathan smiled as he waved his arm on a spot next to Tobias to watch the TV. Nathan wrote down what was going on the TV for a recap with the kids. Felix's embarrassment grew more and more, as he never went to school or ever learned. But he was 11, he should know far more than he does and that hurt. Nathan looked at an uncomfortable Felix and felt his discomfort. \n\n``Would you like to join?'' Nathan asked, \n\n``I know how to fffff-,'' Felix stopped himself with a nasty growl, ``I know how to count, stupid.''\n\n``Well, you are still welcome to join us. You can keep Eliza company and help her learn.'' Followed up Nathan, Felix looked back in a stubborn disconnected look. Nathan left Felix alone as he continued to get what was on the TV down for the other three. All three of them had a blast watching and shouted numbers as answers, even if some of them were wrong. But neither the twins or Eliza made fun of the other if they got it wrong. Nathan followed up the three with some more questions, two that weren't on the show. He got them thinking and allowed them to write down their answer with a pencil and a piece of paper he handed them. He corrected the questions that got wrong and congratulated the ones they got right. Eliza was having a blast. Felix sulked to himself as he made himself sit out of the group effort, it hurt more than some of the questions, that he answered in his head, was wrong. He even tried counting with his fingers at one of them but got lost. Eliza finally took notice of Felix's discomfort and embarrassment, got up and sat next to him with a toothy grin.\n\n``Join us.'' She said, Felix shook his head feeling stubborn. This was crushingly embarrassing to him.\n\n``Maybe next time he will, we don't have to force him.'' Nathan said. He had a big book with many pages with the edges being assorted number of colours. On the cover was many childlike drawings, colours and a big logo saying `Maths for Kids'. The twins stood up holding hands and jumped on the spot, Nathan smiled at them with a shake of his head. `Not now, later'. Elijah pouted with a Tobias looking stern, they walked off holding hands to the other living room. \n\n``When do you go to work?'' Felix asked off hand. Nathan looked back off guard and chuckled a bit.\n\n``I'm a teacher, so I guess you could say I'm already at work.'' Nathan replied.\n\n``Wouldn't have pictured you as a teacher. Thought you were a computer geek or something.'' Felix said relaxing himself a little bit. \n\n``Oh, I could have been. But nah I'm a teacher. Technically I work at a primary school but as a substitute teacher. My primary job is to help the twin's education and support them as best as I can. I'm somewhat employed as a teacher aide or substitute in two schools. But hey, while we're talking about education, what year did you two finish before moving here?'' As Nathan said that he felt like he hit the wrong string as both Eliza and Felix didn't say anything looking sad. After a little pause Nathan felt like he got the answer anyway. ``It's ok if you haven't been to school, ever really. I understand that is embarrassing but it is something I can do for you. The twins go to a special school that I work with and they're supportive and progressive.''\n\n``What the hell does that mean?'' Felix asked looking uncomfortable.\n\n``Well. The school has all types of students who can't go to a normal one without issues. `Hedland Highs' is a special school for special needs, physical and mental disabilities. But also has a lot of older kids who missed out on school and is far back from their age group. We got teenagers who struggled learning, one in particular is 15. He's a slow learner, had poor experiences at school, his parents divorced and they had to be adopted as well. We call the lad Tiny. He's just one of the few older special needs at the school.''\n\n``That school sounds so fucking bizarre.'' Felix said not caring what he said. Nathan didn't reply at first but just shook his head.\n\n``Anyway, yes, it is a weird school. Infact it's only 5 years old. No one knows how long this school will last.''\n\n``Why would it end?'' Eliza asked while hugging Mary close.\n\n``Basically, funding. So, if I can get you two in that school for a couple of years that will still be great.''\n\n``I don't like other kids.'' Felix said darkly, he paused and cleared his throat. ``I don't mind the twins, and Eliza is with me forever so.''\n\n``I understand, but I will get you two to join so you two can learn. I'll try to get you two in the same class, if I can get you two with Elijah and Tobias as well that would be a bonus. Maybe the boys will actually talk to someone else.''\n\n``I'd like that. Will we play games at school?'' Eliza said with a cheery grin.\n\n``There is playtime at school, but you will have to learn.''\n\n``-Would I be allowed to come-?'' \n\n``Absolutely, so long as Eliza has her keen eye on you'' Nathan said responding directly to Mary. \n\n``But, really though? You're going to put the both of us in their class?'' Felix complained.\n\n``Well, Eliza would fit quite well in their class being close to the same age. I can't bring myself to split you two from each other. You two need all the support you can get so you need each other.'' Nathan explained, Felix sighed and nodded softly.\n\n``Alright.'' Felix moved on the couch to curl himself up leaning against the armrest. Footsteps could be heard with the two twins running past in a jogging fashion completely naked. Felix and Eliza's eyes looked in amazement with Nathan looking in horror.\n\n``Elijah, Tobias!'' But the two did not stop, Nathan shook his head with a sigh and turned to the other two. ``I'm sorry about that. They're going to be nude for a couple hours now. I can get them dressed by force but they will NOT be happy.'' Nathan paused and grumbled to himself, barely loud enough for Felix to hear. `And they will NOT want to cooperate for the rest of the day.' Nathan sighed and stood up. ``I gotta leave them to be themselves.'' The twins ran past again as they did a lap through the kitchen and back to the living room. Elijah's face was ecstatic and full of innocent joy while Tobias smiled warmly alongside him. Elijah's giggles could be heard as he travelled around, giving Felix a good idea where they were. As Felix watched he couldn't help but look at the twin's bits, an impulse that felt raw and wrong. He blamed his experiences in the past for a moment, but couldn't help but keep staring. He sat curled up looking awkward with an Eliza oblivious and giggling as the two past them several more times. Felix finally had enough when the twins collapsed on the floor together before him, the rubbing of their members as they hugged laughing. He wanted to do what Noah did to him, he wanted to smell them like he did to the other kids Noah had. He took off without a mention and kept looking down as to hide his eyes and his trembling unwanted erection of past trauma resurfacing. He went to his room, grabbed a cigarette and a lighter and almost started lighting it until Nathan around the corner down the hallway called out to him to smoke outside. Felix with a grumpy and desperate need of escapism growled as he stormed out of his room to go outside. He sat on the backyard wall and lit his cigarette, breathing deeply as he needed to calm the fuck down. Some time had passed and his cigarette had burned out. He sat on the wall crossing his arms twitching in his right knee. He breathed deeply once more as he coughed, he could feel the sun roasting him now so he had to go inside. Felix went back to his room and laid down on his bed with a huff, he rubbed his face into the doona feeling restless and upset. It felt like hours for Felix lying in his room, however it was only 30 minutes. He kept expecting Nathan to open the door making him relive his nightmares. Whenever Felix felt awful and had to hide, Noah would open his door with that stupid sleezy smile while completely naked.\n\n``You're a sad little boy aren't you, let Noah make you feel better.'' Noah said in Felix's mind, Felix growled and kicking as he tried to defend himself. ``Come on don't be ungrateful, most adults wish they had this happen to them. Let it happen, Felix.'' The voice teased more and more. Felix kept waking up and closing his eyes again as he groaned into his bed gritting his teeth. He wasn't asleep but it was like a waking nightmare, his heart beating as if it was happening again to him. Felix eventually rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling in silence. He had to get a hold of himself, this was embarrassing. Felix sat up rubbing his eyes in an attempt to harden the fuck up, then a knock on the door could be heard.\n\n``What?'' Snapped Felix. No reply came at first.\n\n``This is Nathan, Eliza wants to speak with you.'' Nathan replied, Eliza opened the door and squeezed through with a Nathan momentarily peering through as he left. Eliza looked at Felix with worried eyes clutching her teddy close.\n\n``Why didn't you just knock on my door without asking him?'' Felix complained looking grumpy.\n\n``-Eliza didn't want to do so; she gets scared when you're like this-.'' Eliza said using Mary.\n\n``You can come and talk to me whenever, no matter how I am.'' Felix sighed rubbing his eye.\n\n``I knows.'' Eliza said looking visibly uncomfortable. After a moment Felix looked at Eliza with a sorry expression.\n\n``I'm sorry.''\n\n``I forgive you. -Are you ok? Eliza has been worrying a lot about you-.'' Eliza said and followed up with Mary.\n\n``I don't know.'' Felix said truthfully. ``I didn't like seeing the twins naked.'' Felix paused with a stroke of panic coming over him, he went to the door and looked through the crack underneath the door. Nobody was there, he opened the door to check around and saw no one. He was on the look out for Nathan, as he wanted to speak to Eliza without him hearing anything. ``Alright, no one else is here it's just you and me. I don't want to be heard by anyone but you.'' Felix went back and sat on his bed, Eliza joined next to him and looked up at Felix in curiosity.\n\n``Why?'' She asked.\n\n``They don't know what happened to us. They must not find out or learn.'' Felix said sternly, Eliza's face turned to a frown with worry.\n\n``Why? -We didn't do anything wrong, did we-?'' \n\n``No, we haven't done anything bad. But they must never find out.''\n\n``Why?''\n\n``Because they don't need to know. I'm afraid something bad will happen if they do find out.'' Felix said with all seriousness across his face. Eliza looked back in silence in disbelief.\n\n``Felix. They know.'' Eliza said plainly, it was the first time Felix had ever seen her speak normally.\n\n``Why would they know?'' Felix said getting agitated, he didn't want to believe that. \n\n``I told Dad.'' Felix sat in stunned emotional silence. He was trying so hard for Nathan and Rita not to find out, now they know and now it feels like everything is going to go wrong. A part of Felix always told him that his past homes gave Noah the knowledge of his vulnerabilities; everything went wrong when Noah told him he knew. The year after that moment was horrible, so much happened that Felix tries his darndest to suppress it; and Eliza ruined it for this one.\n\n``Why did you tell him!?'' Felix said noticeably freaked out. Eliza's face turned to confused anger and overwhelmed by a sense of being hurt. Eliza then started to explain to Felix as best as she could.\n\nWhen Felix left the living room because of the twins, Eliza stayed behind and Nathan had come in to tell the twins to go play in their room. \n\n``Where's Felix?'' Nathan asked, Eliza looking back up at Nathan.\n\n``He's upset.'' Eliza said managing as best as she could.\n\n``Why? What happened, Eliza?''\n\n``The twins (are) naked. Bad memories, because (of) Noah.'' Eliza explained her voice breaking and hard to understand.\n\n``Your previous foster father?'' Eliza remembered how upset Nathan looked as he heard. Eliza then started using Mary as a voice.\n\n``-He touched her, touched them when they did not want to be touched. He stuck his thing in them. Said it was to make us happy. We were never happy.'' And at the moment the TV show clipped to an elephant reporter on the news, Eliza recoiled out of shock completely out of breath while backing herself into the corner of the lounge where Felix did before. Nathan looked at the TV and quickly turned it off, Eliza coughed as she started breathing again. ``I hate I hate! Bad ele-pant!'' Eliza squirmed and coughed as she stared into her teddy bear's beady eyes. \n\n``I'm so sorry to hear this happened to you, Eliza. You're safe here, away from those- ``\n\n``-Monsters-! Meanies, horrible mean meanies.'' Mary and Eliza said while accompanied with more coughing, Eliza sniffed and quivered to herself.\n\n``You're safe from those monsters, Eliza. You and Felix. Rita and I adopted you two because you needed a safe home. We knew something horrible happened to you two, that's why we adopted you.'' Nathan said with as much care and compassion as he could, he was kneeling down next to the lounge with a distraught little monkey sitting on it. Eliza looked into Nathan's eyes and with a sniff she whispered,\n\n``You knew?''\n\n``We had suspicions. So yes, we did.'' After a pause Eliza smiled momentarily as she sniffed quietly. ``Your nightmare. Was it about those monsters?'' Nathan asked softly, Eliza nodded back without a word. Nathan started to cry silently as his glasses got fogged up, he momentarily took them off to rub his eyes; Eliza watched deeply. ``As I've said.'' Nathan sniffed, ``You and Felix are safe here. I promise to you and I will promise to him, I will never, ever do what those monsters did to you. You two are safe.'' Eliza started crying and fidgeting with her legs. ``Would you like a hug?'' Nathan asked concerned. Eliza nodded back giving Nathan a sign, Nathan reached into Eliza and wrapped his arms around her waist. Eliza quivered in Nathan's grasp and whispered to her teddy.\n\n``It's going to be alright. It's going to be alright.'' She repeated. Eliza's next memory was that she woke up on the lounge from a minor nap with Nathan sitting on the opposite side of the lounge watching the TV. Eliza sat up feeling nauseous and looked the part too. ``I don't feel good.'' \n\n``Want me to take you to the bathroom?'' Asked Nathan, Eliza replied with a yes. Nathan got up and reached his hand down to Eliza to hold her hand, Eliza jumped off the lounge without taking his hand but looked at Nathan as she hoped he would accompany her. Nathan took her to the toilet in the master bedroom and lifted the seat up, Eliza threw up. It wasn't much but it felt a lot for Eliza. After washing her mouth out with water and spitting it into the sink, Eliza had felt better already. But she was worried about Felix. \n\nEliza explained as best as she could to an upset Felix, she clutched her teddy as tight as she could; to the point of strangling. Felix felt overemotional as he listened, she still shouldn't have said anything; but he didn't forget or ignore that apparently `they' knew already. \n\n``Do you hate me?'' Eliza asked upset.\n\n``I'm fucking pissed.'' Felix grumbled turning his back to Eliza for a moment just to lie on his stomach on the bed, Eliza in a panic laid on the bed alongside him. ``I tried so hard to hide it from them, you just had to say anything.''\n\n``But they knew!'' \n\n``I fucking know *now*. I just wish they didn't.'' After a pause Felix sighed and faced Eliza, putting an arm out and resting his hand on her back. ``I don't hate you. I can never hate you.'' Felix said with dead eyes. ``I'm just mad.'' Eliza looked back with sad tender eyes and then looked down feeling ashamed. After 15 minutes of lying there, Felix got up and left his room with a following Eliza. Felix's grouchy and tired face very emanating from his clothing as well, all messy and un-neat. As they left the first corridor to the kitchen, Eliza saw the twins outside running around playing on the playground. Eliza went one way and Felix went the other, as Felix could not handle seeing the twins naked so he had to go to the front living room. Eliza asked the twins if she could play alongside them, getting a firm yes from both the three played, albeit only one wearing clothes. Eliza was able to ignore the nakedness as all she wanted to do was play. Felix sat in the living room, knowing full well that Nathan was already there. Felix stared at Nathan with tired angry eyes as he clenched his fists and toes. \n\n``So, you knew?'' Felix said sternly. \n\n``We had a feeling, a nasty hunch. The adoption agency couldn't hide their suspicion either and-''\n\n``No wonder they were obnoxiously nice, they kept talking to me as if I was fucking special.'' \n\n``I don't know anything of what you went through. No details. I just know you've been through hell.''\n\n``That's a fucking good word to describe that. Personally, I'd stick with nightmare.'' Felix was unyielding in his unpleasant anger.\n\n``Yes, nightmare.'' Nathan looked in concern but trying to keep himself together. ``Felix, I know you are mad, but I promise I would never, ever let that happen again.''\n\n``You don't need too, I'll fucking stab you if you tried.'' \n\n``Felix!'' Nathan snapped, breathing out deeply Nathan collected himself quickly. ``I understand, or at the very least I see where you are coming from; I agree with you. But there is no need to get aggressive with me, I haven't done anything to you.'' Nathan sat up right still looking over at Felix. ``But you have every reason to be angry at your abusers and I will do my best with the adoption agency to get them convicted.''\n\n``How? How the fuck would you be able to do anything? You know nothing about them or where they are! You're just saying things to calm me down and it's pretty pathetic.'' \n\n``Felix, please calm down. There are talented people out and I'm sure someone will catch them, charge them and hold them account for their actions. I want to promise it will happen, but I will do my best to get-``\n\n``The fucking legal system, cops and all that fucking suck don't you know!?''\n\n``Felix, I'm warning you. Tone down your anger and tone down your aggression.''\n\n``Or what, you're going to hit me!?'' Felix stood up staring at Nathan with boiling blood. ``Then fucking hit me! I don't fucking care, `mate'!'' Felix eyes were raged filled with tears with Nathan staring back in silent fury, only barely containing himself from doing something he would regret.\n\n``No. I would never intentionally hit you, I told you that.'' Nathan rested his elbow on his leg, his words beyond stern and furious. ``I know you are mad, so am I. If you are going to keep being aggressive and continue to not listen to me, well, I might just send you back instead of trying to help you!'' The normal calm, caring and nurturing look Nathan has had was something that Felix has never seen. He was very angry, his voice got loud, his face scrunched into disappointment and angry. The tone shook Felix down into his core, he started to panic as his heart dropped. ``But. I don't want to do that, you need and deserve all the best in life, and Eliza would sorely miss you.'' Nathan's face relaxed, ``I've done nothing to you to harm you, and I shall continue that if you give me a chance. The last thing I want to do is to send you two away, let alone just you. Please, sit down.'' Nathan said with full assertion in his voice, Felix sat down shaking and looking unwell.\n\n``I'm sorry.'' Felix muttered in a panic. Nathan breathed deeply and nodded his head looking back. \n\n``I know, I know you are. I'm sorry I had to yell, I really am and I'm sorry I had to say that. Just, believe me when I say that I would never do the same as your foster carers. I would never intentionally hit to hurt you; I would never want to abuse you. You and Eliza are safe here and I intend to keep it that way. It sickens me at the very thought that someone would do that to you and Eliza. If I met them, well, I'm afraid I would be in prison.'' Nathan's words were of fury, but his eyes read compassion. \n\n``That makes three of us.'' Felix said with a defeated look, sniffing as he huddled himself into a ball. \n\n``Four, actually. Rita would be more than happy to bash them until they're nothing but pulp. Believe me, Felix.'' Felix looked back at Nathan with a sorry, tired look. He didn't before, but now he does; he guesses.\n\n``I do, now.''\n\n``If you ever want to talk about it- ``\n\n``I do NOT want to talk about it, I never want to talk about it, I want to forget it all.'' Felix snapped with apprehension. \n\n``I know. Well, *when* this happens and you don't want to talk to me or Rita. We will organize an appointment for you to talk to someone. It will be confidential.'' \n\n``When, if, that happens. But I told you, I don't want to.'' Nathan nodded back with a reassuring smile.\n\n``Then I will try not to ask, and hopefully I'll do better than your `try not to swear' request of mine.'' Felix shook his head with a groan back as Nathan smiled back amused.\n\n``I don't see the big deal about swearing? You said not in front of the twins and now you don't want me to swear at all?'' \n\n``Hm, you're right I did say that. Well if you try to work on that then that should be good enough for me, deal?'' Nathan said trying to convince Felix.\n\n``Sure.'' Nathan stood up and nodded then headed to leave the room. ``Am I being sent back?'' Felix asked looking anxious. Nathan shook his head,\n\n``No, you are more than welcome to stay. I see you as my son and I want you to be my son.''\n\n``That's weird, I don't like it. And I still won't call you Dad.'' Nathan nearly left the room when Felix said that.\n\n``Hey, that's fine. So long as you're comfortable mate.'' With that said Nathan left. Felix sat alone contemplating everything he's heard and the facial expressions Nathan made. Then Felix was convinced, Nathan isn't bad. A gut wrenching feeling still hits Felix when it comes to trust but, at least Nathan isn't forcing himself on him or trying to force him to open up. Just these vague feelings of relief of the notion that nothing bad has happened, yet. To Felix that was good enough. Though right now, Felix doesn't know what to do. He doesn't want to go where the twins are, the nudity and carefree attitude makes him worried. \n\nFelix remembers the last few nights living at Noah's residence to be like all the others, soul crushing, confusing and outright upsetting. It wasn't what was being done to him but rather having to watch what Noah did to other kids. From watching, and being subjected to the sexual abuse, Felix developed an unwanted erection when he watched. The first time that happened it horrified him to the core, fearing that he was going to become just like Noah. Every time a new kid would start living here or when Noah's associates bring over `new meat', Noah would force himself upon the poor sods them to have ``happy sex''. That is at least what Noah called it; it was only ever `happy' for the pedophile. Each new kid showed great distress, confusion and displeasure when he forced himself upon them. Some would shout and scream `no' but regardless of what was said Noah said the same thing. \n\n``But you like it when we play, your (stiffy cock) or (puffy sweet cunt) loves the attention. You just don't know it yet. Let me make you feel good and let's be a happy family.'' A few of the kids would incessantly try to hide, unfortunately for Felix he could never hide; as he was always a tall boy. Even if he could he just knew it would be pointless, if not more crushing, as he saw and heard the cries of displeasure as the kids were pulled out of hiding. When he finally left with Eliza and a few others, Felix was an even more broken mess than he was coming into that home. The new home he lives in now is so much better than there's no comparison in the slightest. \n\nFelix waited the day away either lying in his room or watching TV. Nathan giving him plenty of space, yet asking if he wanted anything to eat or drink. It was still so jarring how different the environment is in this house. Just the mere comprehension was too emotionally stimulating for Felix. He would either cry and scream in ecstatic hysteria, run a marathon, or fall asleep forever as the comfort he feels gives the aching heart the ability to rest. When Felix finally snapped out of his trance, he was lying in his room staring at the ceiling with Eliza opening the door.\n\n``Hey Felix, how-ar-you?'' Eliza asked with a sweet smile.\n\n``I'm fine. Just lost track of everything.''\n\n``Want to play with us?'' Eliza said moving her teddy closer to her chest to smother. \n\n``Us?''\n\n``Yeah.''\n\n``I don't know wh- I don't know what we are going to do? Play with what?'' Eliza shrugged back as an answer.\n\n``Tobias said they got things to play.'' Felix looked with hesitation, really trying to contain himself. ``They're not nakie anymore.'' Eliza laughed; the very mention of that relieved Felix far more than he would like to admit.\n\n``Alright, fine.'' Felix got up and walked up to Eliza, they then walked down the corridor to the twin's room. As he got in there it was as she said, they were dressed; thank fuck. The twins had dolls, a miniature house with furniture, pet figuring's and a small box with what seemed to be more toys. Elijah looked at the two as they turned around the corner, smiled waved back without a word. ``Ok so, we're playing with a doll house?''\n\n``Yeah. We got our dolls; you need to choose yours from our toy box.'' Tobias replied back looking very serious. Elijah and Felix had 2 specially made dolls that were created in their image. The eyes were buttons with their clothes seeming to be undressed, Felix couldn't help but feel slightly creeped out and yet amazed. It looked like it could be turned into voodoos. Eliza sat down near the twins with her legs crossed and looked in the toy box, Felix sat down crossing his legs next to Eliza. Felix caught sight of a doll of interest and reached over to grab it, Eliza looking really puzzled still trying to decide. \n\n``Do you need help?'' Felix asked as he grabbed his toy.\n\n``Yess pleaasse.'' Eliza said, her words slurring looking overweighed with indecision stress. Felix searched through and found an androgynous looking doll. Felix handed it to Eliza who lit up immediately. ``Ooooo they're mee.'' \n\n``If you couldn't find something, you could use Mary.'' Tobias said as he rearranged his legs to have one foot flat on the ground with his other leg flat.\n\n``Nooo Mary lives with me, -Oh I would looove to live with you-.'' Eliza giggled to herself with her teddy and the newly found doll. ``You're dolls look like yous, that's cool!'' Eliza added.\n\n``Mummy made it.'' Tobias said as he leaned again Elijah, Elijah laughing and embracing Tobias without a word. ``So, this is our house, we can do whatever we want here. But no violence.'' \n\n``Alright.'' Felix said with a shrug, he had no idea why he was doing this but didn't care enough to leave. The small toy playhouse had lots of rooms, a removable roof and tons of furniture. The twins used their dolls to do ordinary things such as sitting down watching tv, chatting and lying together hugging. Both Eliza and Felix played along with the dolls, for the both of them it wasn't the most exciting thing ever, but it was at the very least a nice time passer. But it was time to call it quits after a small amount of time had passed. As Felix stood up and handed the toys back to the twins, he started to leave when Nathan entered the room. \n\n``Hey Felix, it is time that I have to go shopping. I'm going to need all of you to get your socks and shoes on again.''\n\n``Why?'' Felix asked feeling perplexed.\n\n``Because I can't leave you lot at home unattended.'' Nathan looked down at the twins, who stared up. ``Elijah, Tobias. We're going shopping.'' Neither of the twins looked excited, particularly Elijah who clearly heard the first time but tried to ignore it.\n\n``Noooo.'' Elijah whined.\n\n``Yessss. Look I'm sorry, Mummy isn't home and I need to get a couple of things from the supermarket. Do you need help getting ready?'' Elijah shook his head with Tobias looking away. ``Come on you two I can't leave you guys at home without adult supervision.''\n\n``SUPERvision!'' Elijah called out trying to change the topic.\n\n``Elijah, come on. With your new brother and sister, we can be a big group, you'll feel safe.'' Elijah and Tobias looked up at Felix and Tobias and didn't say anything at first, but Elijah's discomfort turned to a smile. ``Excellent. Now let's get you two ready again. Felix, Eliza? Can you two get your socks and shoes again?''\n\n``Sure, I guess. Can I try tying my shoes myself this time?''\n\n``Of course, I'll observe to see if you do it right.'' Felix nodded back and left the room with Eliza to get their shoes and socks. They arrived back with Nathan talking to the twins, asking what game they were playing and what happened. Elijah chatted nonstop without skipping a beat, often at times out of breath. For Nathan lot of what Elijah was saying didn't make sense due to how poorly he was speaking. Thankfully Tobias clarified and repeated sections so Nathan could understand. Felix tied his shoes in front of Nathan and managed to get one right, but the other was more of a knot than being tied. Felix's frustration was obvious from the point he made the mistake, but Nathan only untied the shoelace, not do it up for him. Felix got it right on the second attempt and looked at Nathan with a sense of gratefulness, then started to do Eliza's shoelaces to see if he was able to; thankfully he was. With everyone ready Nathan herded his kids to the front door as they went to the car parked in the open garage. Locking the front door with each kid with him he walked them to the car, opening the backdoors.\n\nNathan put the twins in the back of the car with Eliza and Felix being put in the backseats. With everything checked and ready to go, Nathan started the car and drove off with them. Felix and Eliza looked out of the windows as they drove past homes, a park and an open desert lane stretching off. Outside looked dreadfully hot and dry, so it was a wonderful thing to have the aircon blowing around the car. The noteworthy things Felix and Eliza saw was a pile of no longer functioning vehicles on outward of the road, mostly just small cards but one was a big car. As they drove into the town more population was obvious with shops, venues and traffic lights were seen. They turned into a shopping complex and Nathan parks out in the open, unshaded parking lot.\n\n``Alright we're here. At your feet, Felix and Eliza are some rolled up shiny mats. Pass em up to me.'' Nathan said as he unbuckled himself. Eliza found the shiny mat and handed it to Nathan so he could stick it to the front windshield.\n\n``What's that for exactly? It doesn't look like it would stop the heat coming through.'' Felix asked.\n\n``Well, yeah that's true. But it's better than not having it.'' Nathan opened his door and got out, both Eliza and Felix unbuckled themselves and left the car as well. Nathan released the twins and helped them get on the ground and locked the car. ``Alright, let us be off.'' Nathan said as he took lead, each of the kids followed behind. The walk wasn't far but the sun made it miserable regardless. There was a reasonable number of cars parked with some people leaving the entrance of the shopping market. Eliza and Felix felt uneasy as they entered with it having just a bit too many people for their liking inside. Eventually Nathan took them through a fruit and vegie store. Nothing remarkable happened as Nathan and the kids shopped, until they stopped at a bakery momentarily. \n\n``Alright now I'm going to get something for us to eat. Would you two like a pie, a sausage roll, a jam donut or?'' Offered Nathan, Eliza looked at the display case and saw a delicious cream-iced bun with jam along it. She pointed at it eagerly, so Nathan nodded back with a smile. ``What about you Felix?'' Felix looked into the display case and shrugged. \n\n``I don't know. A pie? I guess? I don't know if I'll like it though.''\n\n``We'll see then. If you four can sit on that bench over there and wait for me that would be lovely.'' Nathan pointed the kids to the seat and then faced the man in the shop to order. Felix and Eliza sat down on the seat with the twins being content at standing up holding hands. Felix and Eliza zoned out as they waited and were completely caught of guard with 2 boys messing with the twins. Felix only saw the last few moments as they made fun of the twins and forcibly separated the twin's hand holding. In that split moment Tobias snapped one of the boy's in the face showing great anger and contempt, who only got pushed over with great force to land on his backside and hitting his head on the floor. Felix stood up and stormed over to the boy who pushed Tobias, turned him around to punch him in the square middle of his face causing blood to spill from his nose. The other boy, who was punched by Tobias, came over to pull Felix off his mate, to only get pushed over by Eliza who stood up to aid the twins. Felix punched the kid over and over again in a frenzy that it took Nathan to pull him away as he tried to keep lunging at the kid. To Felix all he could hear was muffled voices as his head filled with resentment and anger with blood on his hands. The twins sat on the ground crying and carrying on as they were in shambles themselves. \n\n``Would you keep your kids under bloody control!?'' Felix heard someone shouting, the boys ran behind some disgruntled parents.\n\n``Why don't you keep your brats away from mine. I watched the whole thing; your kids started the bloody mess!'' Nathan shouted back as he continued to hold Felix back.\n\n``Like hell you were! Besides that fucking roo of yours is older and bigger than them!''\n\n``Your kids are a bloody disgrace Gary, I saw the whole thing too, get the fucking hell out of here!'' A woman yelled as she approached the scene.\n\n``Ah fuck off bitch!'' He said pointing a finger at her now. More and more people started to get involved at the other boy's disgruntled parents. Nathan rubbed Felix's head as he pulled him away, Felix's fists clenching as he still wanted to rip a new one in that other boy's face. \n\n``Alright break apart, all of you get away.'' A male, goat security personal walked up to the conflict. He pointed at Nathan and Felix, ``Keep him under control next time mate.'' He then pointed past then to get them to move away. Felix stopped resisting as he stared furiously at the pummelled boys cowering, but remained tense and firm. This allowed Nathan to pick up the twins, with difficulty, to take them all away. Felix looked back as he walked away with fierce and hateful eyes glaring at the boys, who was bleeding from their noses. After a little walk, Nathan took them to the otherside of the shopping complex and put the crying and whinging twins on a seat. Nathan looked at Felix in a mixture of disappointment and anger, yet he felt a great sense pride in him. \n\n``Alright you lot, that was pretty bad back there. But we're out of there, safe and sound. Are you ok you two?'' Nathan asked to his crying twins, neither responded back still reeling in shock. He rubbed their shoulders and handed to them a sausage roll each. Eliza looked completely displaced in her emotions, not showing any real sign of anger, being upset or scared. ``Are you alright, Eliza?'' Nathan asked concerned, Eliza nodded back with a toothy smile as her response. Nathan then focused himself on Felix who looked back at him still fuming.\n\n``They just fucking attacked the twins!''\n\n``I know, I saw.'' Nathan paused as he gave Eliza her creamed bun, the one she wanted. ``You shook that kid well.''\n\n``I would have done more.''\n\n``I know, that's why I had to pull you away from him.'' Nathan breathed easier as he gave Felix a meat pie. ``We'll talk about this later.''\n\n``Why not now? I don't want to talk about this later.'' Felix snapped.\n\n``Alright, fine. Well first of all Felix, thank you for standing up for the twins. Same goes to you as well Eliza. Thank you, you two. But Felix, you should never, ever, ever punch someone in the face.''\n\n``I should have gone for his fucking throat, the fucking bastard!'' Felix growled; he took a chomp of his pie in anger.\n\n``Wait you don't-`` Before Nathan could finish, Felix yelled in shock and horror of how hot the pie is; Nathan rested his forehead against his palm in silence. Nathan then gave Felix a bottle of cold water to help reduce the pain. ``I'm so sorry Felix, that's my fault. I should have explained that pies tend to be really hot.'' Nathan looked at Felix sorrily, Felix coughed and thumped his own chest to catch his breath back. \n\n``That fucking hurt.'' Coughed and cried Felix, blowing into the pie to cool it down in a desperate attempt to cool it down. ``Yeah, please warn me faster next time.'' Eliza rubbed Felix's back and thumped it to help him cough, Felix waved her to stop shortly after. \n\n``I will remember. But please next time Felix, don't punch someone in the face. Push em, shove em, punch them in the chest if you have to. Just not the face.'' \n\n``Sure, fine.'' \n\n``I mean it, mate. Don't do it.'' Warned Nathan, his tone was stressed and his stance showed his patience waning; even Felix knew to shut up. ``You can seriously hurt someone by punching them in the face, head or the back of their head. Now let's eat our afternoon tea and get out of here, no doubt you want leave so we will go as soon as possible.'' With that said they ate together. The goat security personal walked past and with a nod he walked off with the disgruntled parent and two kids following behind.\n\nWhen they finished eating, Nathan took the kids back to the car to go home. The drive was less cheerful this time. When they got home, Nathan opened up the front door and got the twins out of the back so they could get inside faster. Eliza yawned with Felix looking weary, and the twins were no longer crying but still a shattered mess. Felix went and laid on the lounge in the back-living room with a fan turning above him, his fury now leaving him drained. Eliza followed Felix and laid up against him so the two of them can snooze together. The twins as well followed Felix and stood before him as he laid down. Felix acknowledged them as they stared at him with a nod back.\n\n``What?''\n\n``Thank you for saving us.'' Tobias said looking down, both him and Elijah looked tired. \n\n``It's no big deal.''\n\n``Can we join?'' Tobias asked, Felix didn't necessarily want them too but was too tired to give a fuck so he nodded back.\n\n``Just don't kick, push, poke or whatever.''\n\n``We won't.'' With that finally said, Tobias and Elijah climbed up and huddled next to Felix. Tobias rested his head on Felix's side with Elijah cuddling Tobias from behind. Not another word was said and they drifted off to sleep together. Nathan unloaded all the shopping he got and looked for Felix as he still had something to say to him. Then he saw the 4 kids huddled together on the lounge resting. It was only 10 minutes ago that they got back home but Nathan assumed the whole incident took it out of all 4 of them. He grabbed his mobile and took a photo of the 4 kids sleeping together on the lounge. Eliza huddled over and against Felix's left as Tobias was over and up against Felix with Elijah embracing Tobias. Felix was covered in his siblings and it was the best thing Nathan had seen today. He turned on a pedestal fan and directed it to the kids and left without saying a word. The moment was too precious to cut it short. Felix felt not only safe but a surreal state of peace, after the incident it felt good to be home, Eliza and the twins cuddling over and next to him like a blanket. The best part was that they weren't disturbed. Not that he realized this initially but when he woke up, he did. The twins and Eliza were heavy over him as he was pressed into the lounge, it was even difficult to free a hand to rub an eye. He noticed the fan was on, that they were all left in peace, he still lived with his new family and safe. Conflicting feelings of wrongness and rightness hitting him at what felt like pressure across his mind. He turned his head and saw light from the kitchen with clanking metal of cooking utensils; he now only noticed the light above them wasn't on. He looked back at Eliza and did his best to hug her back. He closed his eyes once more and remained dormant for a while longer. What felt like a second had past that when Nathan spoke up, nudged Felix's shoulder to wake him up it felt like half an hour had passed. \n\n``Elijah, Tobias, Eliza, Felix, dinner is ready.'' His voice was firm, quiet and held with care. The twins had stirred, Eliza yawned and Felix opened his eyes. The four kids slowly woke up with Felix pushing his siblings off of him. The twins rolled over away with Eliza moving herself away from Felix. They sat for a moment before standing up and walking over to the dinner table. Rita sat at the table already with Nathan moving to sit down in his seat. As they all sat at the table it was evident to Felix and Eliza they had spaghetti. \n\n``Gidday you lot, I heard you guys had a big day.'' Rita said with a jolly tone. \n\n``Felix saved us.'' Tobias spoke while rubbing an eye.\n\n``Ya!''\n\n``Oh, good on you, Felix. Thanks so much for protecting them.'' Rita said grabbing a medium sized, cylinder container filled with parmesan cheese.\n\n\"It's no big deal.'' Felix brushed it off feeling awkward.\n\n\"It was the mean boys.'' Tobias added. Both Nathan and Rita looked at him in surprise. \n\n\"You mean you saw them before?'' Nathan asked. Rita shook some parmesan cheese over her spaghetti and started to sprinkle it over Elijah's bowl. \n\n\"Ya.''\n\n\"Yeah we did.''\n\n\"When did those two mess with you two? I don't recall this.'' Nathan looked concerned.\n\n\"But we did.'' As Tobias replied Rita moved the container across to Nathan, who grabbed it to sprinkle it over his dinner. \n\n\"I must have forgotten, I'm so sorry boys.'' Nathan sprinkled the parmesan cheese over Tobias's bowl. ``When did it happen?'' Tobias and Elijah stopped and looked in deep contemplation, they looked at each other staring into each other's eyes. They were thinking together as if they were wiring themselves to each other. Felix looked, waited in awkwardness; he looked at Eliza who was also puzzled. After a while the twins nodded to each other and faced their Dad.\n\n\"January.'' \n\n\"January... hmm.'' Nathan thought for a moment and then nodded back. \"No wonder I forgot, been about 9 months since January.''\n\n\"Well those boys won't be bothering you two any longer that's for sure.'' Rita scoffed impressed, she looked at Eliza and Felix with a big grin. \"Thank you two so much, I mean it. The twins do have a hard time due to other kids.''\n\n\"Really?'' Eliza asked looking sad.\n\n\"I'm not surprised.'' Felix added.\n\n\"Yeah. They're pretty special, but because they are special and different other kids find it easy to make fun of them.'' Rita replied.\n\n\"Would you like some parmesan cheese?'' Nathan asked looking at Felix. Felix nodded, Nathan sprinkled it over Felix's bowl and then looked at Eliza. She nodded with a smile and got her bowl sprinkled with parmesan cheese.\n\n\"So, what is this exactly?'' Felix asked as he stuck his fork into it.\n\n\"It is spaghetti bolognaise. Or `Spag bog' as we call it.'' Nathan explained.\n\n\"We call it that because I could never spell the damn word, haw!'' Rita laughed.\n\n\"It's just spaghetti, mince and pasta sauce. We enjoy eating it with parmesan cheese, the twins can't eat it without it.'' Felix stared at his spaghetti as he listened, after sticking a fork full of dinner and sticking it in his mouth he quickly discovered he liked the flavour. It was alright, needed more cheese. Felix sheepishly at the parmesan cheese bottle, feeling unsure if he should ask for more. Nathan grabbed the container and gestured it toward Felix, who nodded smiling in appreciation back. \"I guess you too gotta have the cheese too. No matter, you're right at home.'' Nathan smiled as he sprinkled more over Felix's bowl. ``Say when.''\n\n\"When.''\n\n\"There we go, tuck in.'' They all ate together in comfort of their home, Felix feeling more reassured and welcome; more than he has ever felt before. \n\nAfter dinner, Felix and Elize sat next to each other on the lounge in the back-living room watching the TV. It was some stupid soap opera show that's always on around 6:30pm. They didn't enjoy it. They knew nothing of what was going on and it was incredibly fake looking. Felix changed the channel to the news, boring. He changed it again and it was more news. \n\n\"Stupid news.'' Eliza said folding her arms and tilting her head.\n\n\"And stupid soap opera. Ugh.''\n\n\"Why is nothing good on?''\n\n\"I don't know.'' For a moment there was silence as they sat bored and indecisive. Eliza made a pop sound with her mouth to break the silence. Felix looked at her in a mix of bothered and off guard. He copied the action of popping one's mouth and smiled at her. They continued to make the noise as they looked at each other on the couch. It was the simplest of things that made them happy. \n\n\"Having fun, you two?'' Nathan said with an amused but sincere smile, he was carrying a large cardboard box to the living room.\n\n\"I mean, I guess.'' Felix said trying to downplay his improving mood.\n\n\"I started it.'' Eliza said with a big grin. Nathan chuckled and placed the box on the ground before the TV. \"What's in the box?''\n\n\"We got a show with that name, `What's in the box', plays in the afternoon on channel 7. And, `this' box is something I got before we picked you two up. There's xbox and a playstation 2 in here. It's second hand so it's not in perfect condition.''\n\n\"Second hand? What's that?'' Eliza asked.\n\n\"It's not brand new, it came from someone else. These came from a store in town and I was told these were waiting for someone to buy them after their last owner sold them.''\n\n\"Do you have any games?'' Felix asked, hoping that Nathan isn't daft and ignorant of video games.\n\n\"Yep, got these from a friend whose son no longer wanted. Let's see...'' Nathan grabbed a bunch of games from the box. ``There's Halo, but I'm not sure if I should allow you two to play this.''\n\n\"Why not?'' Felix said with his eyes looking disappointed. \"Why would I be scared by that game?'' Nathan scratched the back of his head and sighed as he thought.\n\n\"Well, you two have been through a lot. The game might not affect you but, I'm concerned about the twins.'' Nathan rationalised out loud, Felix eye's lit up as he now understood the problem. \"You may play whatever you want, within reason. I'm not sure about you Eliza though.''\n\n\"I can handle it!'' Eliza said getting off the lounge and standing up. ``There's no way it could scare me as much as Hannah.'' Eliza then jumped on the lounge up and down swinging her arms about.\n\n\"Careful Eliza! Don't hit your brother.''\n\n\"I can take it.'' Felix replied.\n\n\"Not the point. Anyway...'' Nathan thought to himself as Eliza sat down next to Felix with a thump and colliding against him. Eliza was only 1 year older than the twins and he has heard that Halo has scared the son initially who owned it previously. But if Felix was there, would it really be that bad? Nathan knew he was already bending rules incredulously but he felt pressured to not leave Eliza out from whatever Felix does or plays. \"Alright, so long as you are with Felix you are able to play Halo or any violent or scary game. Sounds good?''\n\n\"Yay!'' Eliza said patting the lounge in excitement squeezing her teddy as tightly as she could. \n\n\"That also would mean any game that's not rated G, the twins are allowed to watch you play your game. But you `must' promise that if you suspect something is too scary for them you stop and let me know. Or have them close their eyes and cover their ears until you tell them it's safe.''\n\n\"That's a lot of work.'' Felix said with a sigh, ``But alright.''\n\n\"Promise?''\n\n\"Promise.'' \n\n\"Thank you, Felix.'' Nathan looked at another game that was in the group that he grabbed from the box. \"We got a Ratchet and Clank game, oh two of them. And there's a Lord of the Rings game, `Return of the king'.''\n\n\"I know of those but never played them.'' Felix said as he peered over the box covers from where he sat from. \"Wow...'' Felix said feeling breathless, he couldn't help but feel apprehensive for something to go wrong. For when something good happens something really bad will happen, even if he wanted to ignore the feeling it was still gnawing at the back of his mind.\n\n\"There's more for sure. But now I gotta get these set up down here, I'll get this done as quick as possible so why don't you two have a shower and brush your teeth.''\n\n\"Alright.'' Felix said, his apprehension got stronger as if more alarms were being pressed; he felt momentarily stunned. Eliza looked at Felix as if she could feel the ripples of what he was feeling, and powerless to say anything. As Nathan grabbed one of the machines it only now dawned on him the sudden tone shift of Felix and the lack of excitement anymore. It was something he said and he had to fix it now.\n\n\"I'm sorry, I don't mean to alarm or rush you.'' Nathan apologised with a closely watching Felix looking back. \"What did I say wrong?''\n\n\"It's nothing.''\n\n\"You're bothered and I can tell. Just tell me what is on your mind and I'll leave you to it.''\n\n\"Fine. I just, you're giving us consoles and games. THEN you tell us to have a bath. I have really bad memories of this sort of shit.'' Felix crossed his arm and legs as he leaned back into the lounge looking distant. Eliza rubbed Felix's shoulders with a fixed smile on her face, her coping mechanism made apparent to Nathan.\n\n\"Now I understand. I'm sorry to have triggered you. I assure nothing bad is in the works and I just wanted you two to be happy; and to have something to do when bad TV shows are on. But mostly to put a smile on your faces.'' Nathan turned around more as he crouched down, \"I'm not preparing anything else, just wanting you two to be clean and get that over and done with so you can play games before bed.''\n\n\"I understand, geeze. I mean. I'm sorry, I understand.'' Felix sounded bothered and apologetic, he looked at Eliza and rubbed her shoulder back. \"Thanks, Eliza.''\n\n\"No worries!''\n\n\"It's all good mate. You don't have to have a bath right now if you don't want to, but you do need to have it tonight.'' Nathan said as he turned to try to get everything set up.\n\n\"Ok, but can I ask why?''\n\n\"You two weren't brought up to bath or shower every day?'' Nathan turned back once more; Felix shook his head as a silent answer. ``God damn, they're bloody disgraces. Stupid, awful and nasty disgraces. A complete failure on so many accounts, those you were last with.'' Nathan said with a momentary enraged expression. \"Cleanliness is a good thing, stops infections and... well it just makes you feel good. Good hygiene is important.''\n\n``I guess.''\n\n\"Anyway.'' Nathan sighed as he gained his composure back. \"You two must have a shower or bath once a day at least. Understood?'' Felix shrugged initially and then nodded, Eliza nodded back.''\n\n\"Okie. -We like the shower lots-!'' Eliza and Mary said.\n\n\"I like them, just not use to them. But I can be.'' Felix said, relaxing and setting his feet on the floor. He stood up with Eliza jumping up to follow. \n\n\"Race you there!'' Eliza yelled as she took off before Felix, Felix followed after her with both of them almost knocking over a vase next to the wall. As they got to the bathroom they saw Rita already in there helping the twins get washed.\n\n\"Oh, hello there you two. They're just about to get out.'' Rita said with bubbles and suds all over her arms. Elijah looked over with an exaggerated wave with bubbles flying, Tobias looked over with a very mild smile that could be mistaken for not smile. \n\n\"Oh. Ok.'' Felix said a little off guard. Eliza and Felix stood next to each other in the room as Rita helped the twins out of the bath.\n\n\"Can you two toss the twin's towels over?'' Rita asked.\n\n\"Which ones are those again?''\n\n\"The blue and purple ones. They'll always be together.'' Felix got the two towels and handed it over to Rita clumped together, she got the twins both wrapped in the towels and had them hold the tie to keep them from falling off.\n\n\"Thanks, you two. I'll get these two dry as soon as possible and get them out so you two have privacy.'' Rita scrubbed and rubbed the boys one by one with the towels. Felix looked away to not get any bad memories or thoughts in his mind and kept his focus on the video games he will be playing after this. The twins were sufficiently dried and when Rita told them that, the twins ran off without their towels down the hallway. \"Boy! Be careful.'' Rita said concernedly and ran after them. Eliza giggled as she watched and then in their moment of privacy they stripped and hopped into the tub. Felix relaxed as he laid in the bath with Eliza at the other end. He [b]definitely[/b] can get use to having baths more often.\n\n\"-Are you alright-?'' Mary asked who is resting on the side of the tub.\n\n\"I'm alright. Tired. Feeling better now.'' Felix replied as he collected an armful of bubbles and suds.\n\n\"That's good.'' Eliza said splashing Felix. ``Hey wait!'' Eliza said as Felix was right about to retaliate. Eliza stuck her head under the water's surface for a moment and flipped her head back after a moment. Water went flying behind her slapping and dripping down the wall. Felix laughed at the sight and sat up in the tub.\n\n\"I gotta try that.'' Felix then stuck his head in the water after leaning forward towards Eliza, then flicked his head back with water and suds flying at the wall. \n\n\"So many bubbles...'' Eliza remarked.\n\n\"Oh crap, maybe we shouldn't have done this.'' Felix added as he looked behind. After hearing a commotion in the bathroom, Rita returned and gasped.\n\n\"Oh god it's everywhere.'' Rita remarked in horror, something that Eliza couldn't help but laugh at. Rita faced the two and shook her head with a bemused grin but showing disapproval. ``Come on now you two. Don't do this again.'' She faced the walls and kept gasping in amazement. ``Bloody hell you two.'' Her tone was noticeably in amusement as she started to laugh shaking her head. ``Nathan get in here!'' Rita said as she walked to the doorway. Eliza still laughing kept facing away trying to contain herself, Felix was doing as best to contain his laughter. Initially Felix was worried, but Rita clearly looked like she was laughing and not mad. \n\n\"What the hell?'' Nathan said as he turned the corner and looked in the bathroom. ``What did you two do?''\n\n\"They flung water and suds over the walls.''\n\n\"We,'' Eliza started to say before grabbing Mary to do her voice in amidst laughing. ``-Stuck our heads in the water and then we pulled it out real fast-.'' \n\n\"I'm sorry.'' Felix said trying to cover his mouth to not show him smiling. ``We shouldn't have done that.'' Rita cackled and walked past Nathan patting him on the shoulder.\n\n\"I ain't cleaning this up, please do it darling.'' Rita said as she laughed down the corridor, Nathan shook his head with a smile and walked in to grab a spare towel to wipe the walls. \n\n\"Please don't do this again.'' Nathan asked with a serious looking smile as he held a white towel.\n\n\"I promise.'' Felix replied,\n\n\"And you too.'' Nathan said pointing at Eliza who is still laughing too much.\n\n\"O- O- Okay!'' Eliza laughed resting her head against the edge of the bath. It didn't take long for Nathan to wipe the walls of suds and soaking the water dripping down, he even got the water on the floor. Eliza hopped out of the tub and walked up to Nathan, hugging his leg in a show of love, her laughter now calmed down.\n\n\"I love you too.'' Nathan said with an endearing tone as he looked down and rubbed the top of Eliza's head. Felix hopped out of the tub covering his junk as he walked over to his towel, quickly putting it around him he stood waiting for Eliza to come over. ``And I love you too as well.'' Nathan said as he looked to Felix. ``You can let go of me now, Eliza.'' Nathan said with another head rub, she initially didn't want to let go and began laughing once more. \"Come on now, you need to get dry before you two can play any games in the living room.'' Eliza finally let go of Nathan's leg which left a rather large wet patch on his pants. As Eliza rushed over to Felix to get her towel and dry, she slipped and landed on her side. The sound of the thud was loud and Nathan sprung into action to get down to make sure she was alright. Felix stood in a mix of shock and worry as he also too went to help Eliza.\n\n\"Shit! Are you alright?'' Felix yelled in alarm, he dropped his towel and helped Eliza sit up as she laid on the floor dazed, in shock and pain. There was no blood but Eliza now had a bump on her forehead, she sniffed but did not cry. \n\n\"Are you alright Eliza?'' Nathan asked as well. Eliza smiled and laughed with a nod as she rubbed her forehead as she was held by Felix. \"You'll be alright, but to make sure I'll get something to make you feel better. Please get her dry and see if she is fit to stand. Don't force her if she can't though.'' Nathan explained as he left, he hurried down to the kitchen to open a cabinet and get some antiseptic and a band-aid. When he returned Felix helped Eliza dry as she stood looked a little dazed but perfectly fine.\n\n\"I'm good. I'm good.'' Eliza said as she was dried by Felix. Nathan hated this moment as this gave him more insight to the injuries of the two kids. Long-time bruise scars on the insides of their legs, looking like fingers as if they were forcibly held or manhandled. Not that Nathan knew what a young girl's privates are supposed to look like, but Eliza's looked noticeably used, worn, maybe bruised as well? Some bruises on the pelvis were also, but barely, visible to Nathan from where he stood. The same pelvic bruise was on Felix but he had more bruises around his legs. For a moment when Felix turned away, his buttocks were visible to Felix with more faded bruises and, then his heart sank even more. There were some faded bruises between Felix's buttcrack, and his anus was visible from even at the distance Nathan was; or was it real? Nathan began to doubt what his eyes were seeing as he felt overwhelming grief and horror overcoming him. Whatever he saw for a split moment from Felix's buttcrack or buttocks was not how it should be. Nathan walked to the kids in overwhelmed sadness, knelt down and embraced the both of them in a hug. Felix and Eliza were caught in complete surprised; they didn't know what it was at first but the initial shock wore off when they knew they were being hugged.\n\n\"Um, what's wrong? Why are you doing this?'' Felix asked feeling uncomfortable and confused. Nathan began weeping as held them together and close to him, sniffing and unable to form words. Then it hit Felix, he looked at their marks. The bruises and leftover memories from Noah and Hannah. Why would Nathan look there? Is he secretly a perverted monster like they are! Felix's mind raged and mixed with ideas as he tried to figure out what was going on.\n\n\"Dad? Are you ok?'' Eliza asked looking caught off guard, almost frightened and, admittedly agitated. \n\n\"I just... I saw your bruises. I'm so horrified... so horrified.'' Nathan explained as he lifted his head to look at them directly, Felix's apprehension and instincts were peaking as he stared in dismay; fearing for the next thing Nathan was going to say. \"I'm so horrified what they did to you two! You two deserved so much better.'' Nathan said crying, tears falling down his snout to the floor. Felix's heart softened, relaxed and began to feel as if he was in trouble; even though he had done nothing wrong. Eliza felt strong urging desires to push Nathan away, but she started to cry and felt overwhelmed and shaken; Felix started to cry as well. Nathan wiped their tears away and with a whimpering and jittering smile he breathed heavily. \"I will protect you two with my god damn life, I will never let that happen again to you two. You two are so precious to me as if you two were my children. No, you ARE my children.'' Nathan sniffed as he backed away trying to compose himself. \"I'm sorry how cheesy that sounds, but I mean it.'' Eliza shuddered but sobbed quietly as her nerves calmed down.\n\n\"Love you.'' Eliza said as she cried hugging into him, Felix looked still in conflicting feelings as to everything that just happened.\n\n\"Why did you look?'' Demanded Felix.\n\n\"It caught my eyes; I saw something wrong as I came back. I shouldn't have looked, but it couldn't be helped. I'm sorry.'' Then it was as if the message became clear as soon as Nathan explained himself, as Felix nodded sadly and took a step back. \"Now you two need to dry and play something on your Xbox or playstation. I'll leave you two so you have privacy.'' Nathan said as he made Eliza let go of him so he could stand up and leave the room. When Nathan left Eliza looked at Felix in worry, maybe fear, but overwhelmed emotions that she felt awful about.\n\n\"-Did we do something wrong-?'' Eliza's voice croaked as she tried to do Mary's voice.\n\n\"No. No we didn't, don't be stupid.''\n\n\"-But he's upset looking at us-.''\n\n\"He's not, he's angry at Noah and Hannah.'' Felix turned away and sighed as his face was too tired and overwhelmed to show any expression. \"It's not our fault. Come on, let's get dressed and play some fucking games. I don't want to talk about this anymore.'' Felix said trying to stay strong, he left the bathroom and headed to his room with Eliza splitting to go to her room.\n\nThey dressed themselves into their pajamas and headed back to the living room where the consoles were hooked up to the TV with controllers connected. Felix sat down in front of them looking over the games with Eliza sitting on the lounge hugging Mary close. There was more than Felix expected, but not everything looked interesting. So he decided to grab Halo since he's heard a lot about it and always wanted to play it. Once the disk was in and the machine was running, Felix grabbed a controller and sat next to Eliza on the lounge. The game booted up, Felix started playing and it took no time for both him and Eliza to focus on the game. The aliens he was shooting were cool, all he knew was that he had to kill them or be killed. This was one of the most fun experiences he has ever had. An hour at passed and Felix was glued to the TV with a keenly watching Eliza exploding into `wows' whenever something happened in the game. Nathan watched behind them silently to make sure everything was under control. Then a sudden boom rumbled gently below everyone.\n\n\"It's the 8'oclock rock!'' The twins yelled together a few rooms away.\n\n\"Alright you two, I'll give you another 30 minutes but then you'll have to go to bed.'' Nathan said as he walked up and sat on the lounge, he was completely composed and calm. Eliza looked at Nathan with a grateful smile and with Mary she waved back. Felix paused the game and looked at Nathan with a slightly bothered look.\n\n\"But I'm only on level 3. I want to play more.'' Felix said sounding disappointed.\n\n\"I know, but rules are rules. I want you two to have a good sleep.'' Nathan then smiled at Eliza. ``Speaking of sleep, if you have another nightmare you are always welcome to wake Rita and I up. But I do know that Felix would love your company, even if he is grumpy at first. Isn't that right, Felix?''\n\n\"Yeah.'' Felix responded trying to get Eliza's attention. Eliza turned around with a toothy grin to Felix.\n\n\"Ooookie.'' Eliza said while cuddling her teddy into her and closing her eyes, she felt such nice warmth being between Felix and her new Dad.\n\n\"Btw, I heard this game has co-op.''\n\n\"Wait, it does?'' Felix asked in surprise, Nathan got up and grabbed the game box and after a quick look he nodded.\n\n\"Yep, you two can play this together.''\n\n\"But Eliza wouldn't be allowed right?''\n\n\"True, but I'm here so it's perfectly legal. Adult supervision, you two are allowed to play this together.'' With that said Eliza jumped up and snatched a controller from the console and sat back in between the other two.\n\n\"I want to play now.'' Eliza chimed in an excited tone. Felix quit the mission he was doing and allowed co-op to start immediately. The two played together with Felix explaining the controls to Eliza, who picked up the controls like a pro. Time passed and it was time for them to go to bed, Nathan encouraged the two to stop for the night. Felix and Eliza went to brush their teeth with Nathan making sure they've done it right. Felix crawled into bed and with the fan running he laid in total darkness as he began to rest. Today was fucking wild, from one extreme to another. This new home is still weird and at times frightening, but he's never felt so thankful to live under a roof in his entire life.\n\nEliza woke up from her nightmare crying loudly with hot bedding beneath her. She grabbed Mary and hopped out of bed and stumbled in the darkness to turn on the light, it was blinding. She left her room and with trembling feet she looked to Felix's room and down the hall where her new parents where. In a flash she opened Felix's door and stumbled in towards the sleeping Felix.\n\n\"Wake up.'' Eliza pleaded with a shaken voice, \"Wake up!'' The closer she got the louder she got. Felix woke up with a startle with Eliza standing before him. Felix exclaimed in shock and then yawned before moving back across the bed to let Eliza shuffle in. Eliza dropped her wet pants down to not spread the discomfort to Felix's bed, something Felix appreciated a lot.\n\n\"What did you dream?'' Felix asked as he rubbed an eye with a soft yawn.\n\n\"Noah doing the finger dance.'' Eliza replied still shaken. \n\n\"Disgusting fuck.'' Felix growled. The `finger dance' was something that Noah loved to do with all the kids grouped up. It was like a paedophile's version of `this little piggy went to the market', where he would finger them all in a line with Hannah holding them all together. If the kid was a boy, he would grab their penis like he would to a finger, then when all that was done, he'd finger their asses one by one making all sorts of animal noises. \n\n\"Disgusting fuck.'' Copied Eliza, Felix embraced Eliza to stop her shaking giving her immediate relief and comfort. They felt safe when they were close in bed, but both felt immensely safer being in this new home together. They fell asleep in no time at all.\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Felix woke up to sounds of birds outside his window and the whirling fan blowing on him. He blinked and tucked his legs inwards and yawned. He thought to himself of how wonderful it felt, it was a cold morning but he was nice and warm. He rubbed his right eye and stroked his chest feeling his fur, comfort felt so foreign. The thought of Eliza and how was she crept into his mind, institutionally he got out of bed to see if Eliza was alright. The door creaked as he opened it that felt eerie to Felix, he turned left to Eliza's room and opened the door carefully as he peered in. She wasn't there. His heart started pounding in fear and fury as he went down the hall to check out the living room. No one was in there; the TV was off and he could hear the TV from a room away. As he moved to the other living room, he felt more afraid, disgusted and angry as he went by which only got worse as he saw nothing in the other living room. The parent?s door was open and the noise was coming from there. He stormed his way over but stopped just before the doorframe, he peered his head around the corner with his gut wrenching in apprehension and concern; he only expected the worst. Rita was standing up by the bed getting dressed and putting perfume on. Eliza slept in the middle of the bed with a chilling and barely awake Nathan lying next to her. Rita finished preparing and turned her head to see a peaking Felix.

"Good morning. How did you sleep?" Rita said warmly with a sense of easy going, Felix not responding back still feeling tense and bracing himself. Nathan stirred up and with a weary smile,

"Hey mate, are you doing alright?" Said Nathan but Felix still unable to move, sensing great unease Nathan took matters into his own hands. "Eliza had a nightmare, wet her bed and woke us up in the night. that's why she's here, you're more than welcome to come over to be with her." Felix felt relief but still felt locked into place, his emotions were overwhelming of distrust and relief all mixed together. Rita walked up to Felix to leave the bedroom,

"Excuse me bub I gotta tend to the twins, feel free to lie on my side next to Eliza." As she passed him a sweet aroma brushing against Felix's nostrils, he breathed deeply and felt calmer but still couldn?t relax.

"Why did she see you two?" Felix demanded looking away trying to keep himself together.

"I don't know." Yawned Nathan as he put on his glasses, his ears alternating between folded and unfolded. "Wait- no she did say something, she didn't want to wake you up. Sorry I'm still waking up." Nathan sat upright and rubbed his eyes underneath his glasses. Felix looked down feeling sad, it hurt that Eliza went to them instead of him; even though he hated being woken up in the middle of the night. Eliza stirred and rolled over facing away from Nathan, one eye barely open and caught sight of Felix. She smiled at him and rubbed her chin on the top of her bear, it put Felix's worries more at ease that even allowed him to relax more and more. After some consideration he entered the room and sat on the bed looking at Eliza only.

"Hellooo~" Eliza said with a sniff, one arm stretched out to him in the process. Felix laid next to her and allowed her to embrace him as he wrapped an arm around her.

"How'd you sleep?" Felix asked concernedly.

"Good, -good yesss-." Eliza and Mary said. Nathan looked over, watched and listened in silence. Simply only letting them converse and feel comfortable.

"Bad dream?" Felix asked still sounding concerned. Eliza's happy face shifted to an upset and distressed look, she nodded and clutched her bear closer.

"I wet da bed, again. Daddy fixed it." Eliza said as she pressed her face into Felix for comfort.

"Fixed?"

"When she woke us up, I went to her room. I dried all I could. Eliza also left Mary there, I had to bring her back to Eliza so she wouldn't be lonely. Rita did all she could to dry Eliza but, in the end, we had to get out the spare underwear and pajama pants." Nathan said with care and consideration. "We offered to Eliza to stay here and sleep with us, that way she would be safe." Nathan continued. Felix looked back and didn't say a thing, but his face said it all, 'thank fuck'. Nathan looked away and watched the TV that was still going on in the background, he left Eliza and Felix to themselves to talk. Felix so fucking thankful and relived that nothing happened to Eliza, as he kept talking to her he saw no proof that Nathan or Rita did anything to her. It still hurt him that Eliza went to them instead of him though, but perhaps it was better that way. Doesn?t mean he?ll miss having her close on those rough nights.

Rita woke up the twins with a sweet good morning, she knelt down before one of them in the process. She kissed on one of their heads and moved herself over the bed to kiss the other. Both the twins were close to one another, one hugging the other from behind. She got them up and helped them dress, listening to them with a smile as they talked to her. Their usual attire of overalls with a shirt, although this day it was a different coloured shirt. The twins liked having certain colours on certain days, the familiarity of the pattern kept them happy. Rita directed them to the dining room for breakfast, to which the twins held hands and walked along with each other to their destination. Today the twins were especially close to each other, Elijah giggled as both of them kept slipping their hands down the front of the other?s overalls feeling the other?s belly between the two different clothing. For the twins this was a sign that they were going to have a chance of not wearing their clothing, it was nonsensical to all; their parents and everyone else. Even the twins don't know why and acknowledge that they don't understand it, but some days they have a strong impulse to go bare. Thankfully with the help of the psychologist the twins understand that they can and are allowed to do so when at home and nowhere else; which is a relief to both Rita and Nathan. On a few occasions the twins undressed after going to the toilet in a public place and enter outside together. One time Rita joined along them to see if she could keep their clothes on, unfortunately Elijah managed to break free and ran off into the shopping centre. The one time both Rita and Nathan were there to stop the twins both Elijah and Tobias broke down in a tantrum. Since being allowed to be nude at home was allowed, the twins have been easily sorted. Giving them enough time to allow themselves to spend time nude, when the nonsensical enigma occurs, has been most helpful for Rita and Nathan if later on they had to take the twins out of the house; as it's unlikely that the twins will try to pull it off when it's already done. Because the twins were being more handsy with one another Rita noticed and took note. It was one of those days. Rita and Nathan hoped that the twins will eventually outgrow this trait, but are willing to accept it to never change; so long as the twins are kept safe and not exploited. At the very least the twins would not react well to someone else touching them in this specific mood, which secured them more from being exploited and used. A small test was done, with permission from Rita and Nathan, that a total stranger (to the twins but not to the parents) approached the twins and ask, or even try to, touch them causes Elijah to scream and Tobias to pull Elijah away from said stranger. Another test with someone the twins knew that the parents did, a nice lunch lady at the clinic, was instructed to do the same. The twins reacted the same to everyone?s delights. Another test with someone both the twins and the parents knew also caused the same reaction, and finally a test with a kid around their age and caused the same reaction. Only the parents were relatively allowed to touch the boys, but Nathan and Rita had no intentions or desires to try to see if they could. The twins never were handsy with anyone else but the other twin. At the very least out of all of this that made sense was that the twins did not like being touched by anyone excluding the other twin.

"Come on you two, stop fidgeting with each other. Keep your hands to yourself while you eat, you wouldn't want to get yourself or each other dirty." Rita said,

"We don't mind."

"Mhm!" Replied the twins.

"Nooo noooooo you wouldn't want to get each other dirty. Or mummy will be scrubbing you all day as punishment!" Rita snorted with a laugh; the twins giggled back. The twins sat in their usual seat with the both of them assisting the other when needed. Rita grabbed a tub of vanilla yoghurt and a bottle of milk from the fridge and put it on the kitchen counter. She then grabbed 2 bowls and a spoon for the boys to eat from. The twins shared germs so often enough that they would only use one spoon anyway and the twins would only need one bowl for cereal, the other bowel was for their yoghurt. A bowl was given a reasonable amount of yoghurt and the other bowl was filled with milk and had 3 weet-bix plopped in. The bowls were place before the twins with a spoon added in the weet-bix. Rita got some sugar and sprinkled it over the weet-bix for the twins, as they wouldn't eat it without it. The twins started eating the weet-bix first while alternating between one being fed by the other. Rita loved seeing the twins eat, it filled her with great joy. Rita checked the time on her watch and with a hair check she sighed; she went back to the twins. "Alright you two I gotta rush off. You two be good now you hear?" Rita said with a cheeky tone, Elijah smiled back with a giggle and Tobias looked over as Rita kissed them on the forehead each and a head rub to finish. Rita went off back to her room to grab her bag and saw Felix and Eliza walking out of the room holding hands.

"Hellooo~" Eliza said with a bit a mumble with a toothy smile.

"Hello to you too!" Rita greeted back with glee, she stopped and bent down before Eliza causing Eliza to hug into Rita. Rita squeezed Eliza back closing her eyes, "Are you two hungry? Bah! Of course yous are." Rita said with glee. She let go of Eliza who wouldn't let go. "I?ll sort you two out, you?ll have to have the same stuff the twins have." Rita looked down at a clingy Eliza but not before looking at Felix to make sure he was alright. "And that will be milk and cereal and if you like it you can have yoghurt as well." Rita paused yet again as she rubbed Eliza's back. Felix looked at Rita with a tired and cautious look while trying not to fidget, he watched nervously as Rita rubbed Eliza's back. "Come on bub, I can't get you breakfast if you keep me here." Rita jested, Eliza looked up and shook her head.

"Noooo, I don't wanna."

"You don't wanna let go?" Rita picked Eliza up with a little bit of difficulty and held her up and close. "Allllright then I guess I'm transporting ya to your breaky. Come along, Felix." Rita said sounding out of breath as she walked back to the dining room with Felix following quickly. Rita eventually got Eliza to let go by having her sit at the table. Felix sat next to her feeling relieved, as they sat there, they crossed their legs. Rita got 2 more bowls and poured milk into each of them then got 2 spoons. "Alright bubs. We have weet-bix, cornflakes and Nutri-Grain." Rita grabbed the boxes and put them on the kitchen counter for the kids to see from the table. Eliza and Felix looked puzzled as they looked over the boxes.

"I have no idea what those two are." Felix said pointing at the 2 that aren?t cornflakes.

"Well, weet-bix is one of these." Rita held up a wheat block. "Now they?re dry so that's why you put them in milk. Now the twins like it with sugar, makes it easier to eat. Isn?t that right boys?" Rita explained with Elijah nodded back enthusiastically while Tobias remained unchanged. "Nutri-Grain is just ordinary cereal. Now what will it be?"

"T-that one. -Cornflakes, we know cornflakes-." Said Eliza and followed up by her teddy.

"I'm weirded out by that chunk but I'm willing to get that weet-bix thing a try." Followed up by Felix. After Rita filled the bowls with milk, she put them on the table and poured the cereal for Eliza and got a few weet-bix for Felix.

"Alright now I gotta dash, here?s the sugar and add as much as you want to make it taste good. Now I tend to let the weet-bix sit and absorb the milk so be patient. Love you bubs." Rita said sounding a little rushed, she kissed Eliza on the forehead and paused at Felix who watched closely but recoiling back. "Oh, it's fine, haw! You don't have to get kissed if you don't want to. Alright love you bubs." Rita laughed as she left back to her bedroom.

Felix looked at his weet-bix and analysed it, it was very odd indeed. He got his spoon and got some sugar and sprinkled over it, the sweet smell making it already taste better in his mind. Eliza already started eating her cornflakes by this point and looked over at the twins.

"How are youuu?" Eliza asked with a bit of milk dripping out of her mouth.

"I'm good!" Elijah replied back after Tobias gave him a spoonful of yoghurt. "I dreamed about dragons!"

"I dreamt about a rainy afternoon; it was nice." Tobias followed up by.

"What did yous dream?" Elijah asked as he took the spoon from Tobias to feed him. Felix got worried as the question was answered as he knew Eliza would talk about it so he had to step in.

"Eliza had a bad dream." Felix said cutting Eliza off before she could answer. Elijah's face turned sad and emotional.

"I hate bad dreams. I hate them I hate them I hate them." Elijah had tears already forming in his eyes.

"Bad dreams are the worst. We go to mum and dad when that happens, we feel protected." Tobias added with no visible change on his expression.

"...I did that. -Yes and you left me-, I'm sorry Mary..." Eliza said alongside Mary and sounded notably depressed to Felix who begun to feel bad himself.

"We're glad you saw mum and Dad.'' Tobias said right before turning to Elijah and opening his mouth to be fed.

``Mhm!''

"Mummy and Daddy makes you feel good.''

``I like the kisses!"

"I like their hugs, but not more than hugging Elijah." Tobias said after swallowing some food.

"Awww!" The twins stopped what they were doing and immediately embraced each other and moving their hands all around the other?s body.

"Alright boys please keep your hands sensible." Called out Nathan who was walking out of his room and into the kitchen. Elijah closed one eye and stuck his tongue out with Tobias still looking unreadable. Nathan grabbed a bowl and filled it with milk, grabbed and spoon and sat down at the table as well.

"Hellooo." Eliza said as she stuck some cereal in her mouth, Nathan smiled back with a wave.

"Now I don't mean to upset you, but you shouldn?t speak with your mouth full." Nathan said with care and an undertone of authority, Eliza looked down feeling bad.

"Sowwy".

"Hey you're not in trouble. I'm just saying you should not do that, it's bad manners."

"Why?" Questioned Felix narrowing his eyes.

"Well. For one it's hard to people to understand you if you talk with food in your mouth, and another reason being that most people don't want to see what?s in your mouth."

"How can people see what?s in your mouth?" Felix questioned again challenging Nathan.

"Well it's hard to see food in your mouth with your own eyes, but anyone else who is looking at you could see it. It makes some people disgusted and not want to socialize with you."

"That sounds like a good thing." Felix said right off the bat, Nathan shook his head with a smile.

"I can see it from your perspective for sure but still, it's good manners."

"Perkspesize?" Elijah asked looking confused causing Eliza to copy.

"Perspective. The word means a point of view. An example would be you two," Nathan looked at the twins. "You two see from each other?s eyes easily, you see each other?s perspective."

"I have your eyes!" Elijah said with a rising giggle to Tobias who smiled slightly back with his eyes resting.

"From ?my? perspective I see you all as my children. Now your perspective can be different in that regard, you don't have to see me as your father." Nathan gestured to Felix and Eliza, "But I will still see you as my kids because that's my perspective. But, if we go back to food in your mouth, it's nothing something you can see but others can. Your perspective is that you're talking to them but they see food in your mouth without any regard for their comfort. it's a good thing to eat with your mouth close to also keep your food in, otherwise you lose some."

"I pick mine off the floor!" Elijah said with glee,

"Yes, and that is a very bad thing to do!" Nathan said while laughing, he reached his hand over and rubbed Elijah's head and ears. "Ohh, I do worry for your stomachs, you can catch a lot of bad things eating food that's been on the ground." Nathan started eating his now very soggy cereal.

Nothing too eventful happened since breakfast, Nathan told the kids to leave their bowls on the table so he can clean them and to sit and watch TV. Felix and Eliza sat next to each other with the both of them tucked their legs in. It was a normal thing to do to keep their legs tucked into their body so they were withdrawn more physically from prying hands and eyes. Even in this new home, new family, country and even a new continent to them they wanted to keep themselves private, close and cautious. Even if it was most Felix who felt this way because Eliza sure as hell felt a little more willful to accept her new surroundings. Felix wish he could relax more, but what Noah and Hannah did to them left him no choice. Felix wasn't even paying attention to the TV that was playing some cartoon, his mind was too preoccupied with keeping himself safe, comfortable and to make sure Eliza was ok. Eliza looked up at Felix and frowned.

"you're sad. Why are you sad?" She asked, Felix looked around with agitation to as he didn't want this to be heard by anyone. He looked at the twins and they did not react at all to Eliza's question, infact they were so absorbed that they were doing weird hand and body gestures in unison as they watched.

"I'm not sad." Felix replied trying to hide his rising worried feelings.

"-Yes you are- Yes you are!" Mary and Eliza said after another.

"I'm cautious, I'm wary. I'm not scared." Felix said sounding noticeably annoyed

"Why?" Eliza asked once more, her head retracting a bit away from Felix as if expecting an outburst.

"We don't know them, they?re not our parents. They chose us for this fucking amazing family and I don't believe it, somethings wrong." Felix said sternly, he scratched his arm as he spoke looking away from Eliza. "We came from a crap hole, why are we hear? We don't deserve this."

"No! -don't say that-." Eliza looked at Felix with emotional eyes, the kind that looked like she was going to hit him or cry. "-Not everything is bad-! Mummy and Daddy are nice."

"For now." Felix said trying to stand his ground. Eliza punched Felix on the arm and started crying silently, she used one of her teddy?s arms to wipe tears from her eyes.

"No." Eliza sniffed, she punched him again and again to get a reaction from him. Felix hunched forward and looked to his side to face Eliza, his face now looking like he was hurt. Eliza stared back fiercely with tears slowly forming more and more.

"I'm sorry." Felix said sounding defeated, "You may trust them but I don't. I'm scared, alright. I'm fucking scared and I'm just wanting to be able to defend myself. I'm afraid something will happen to you and I won?t forgive myself for letting it happen." Felix's voice wavered as he did his best to keep his voice from raising. He cried silently back at Eliza who leaned her head against his arm while sliding closer to Felix who hugged her back. Felix spent the next few minutes rushing to wipe his tears away and to hide any signs of him crying, he had to keep his strong stance up; he mustn?t show his vulnerable side. The TV show had come to an end to which the twins started singing the ?goodbye? song that was playing, halfway through Eliza saw some lyrics that were repeated and joined in with the singing. Felix rested his eyes and breathed deeply as he still felt awful for what just happened, or at least he thinks he feels awful, his feelings are not always straight forward for him to figure out when he wants to identify it.

Nathan walked past momentarily as he went to his room, he grabbed a backpack and started packing it for a morning walk. Nathan took the twins for a morning walk to get them energized and willing to learn, but mostly to get a breath of fresh air and fitness. Inside was also a picnic rug neatly rolled up, 2 small hats for the boys. A small medkit for bites, cuts, gashes and general Band-Aids. On the side of the backpack was a bottle holder, currently no bottle was in it as it was clean in the dish drainer in the kitchen. He picked up the back and went out of his room, passed the kids in the living room to the kitchen. He had to make some ham sandwiches as well alongside getting the water. As Nathan prepared, he felt apprehensive about asking Felix and Eliza, but mostly Felix. He didn't want to feel like he was trying to gain his trust too fast, but at the same time he couldn?t leave them at home alone. Because as much as he wanted Felix to trust him Nathan wanted to trust Felix and Eliza. He paused his preparations to go back to the living room and poked his head around the corner.

"Alright Elijah and Tobias I'm getting ready. Shortly I will help you two put your socks and shoes on." Nathan said as ordinary as possible, he paused and looked more directly at Felix and Eliza who looked up at him clueless of what was going on. "Ok so. What I normally do for Elijah and Tobias is to take them for a morning walk in about 30 minutes time, it's pretty routine for them." Nathan started to explain.

"We likes the walking!" Elijah stuck his hands up and waved them.

"Now I would like you two to come along. This way you can see the neighbourhood with us and get some fresh air. I?ll be packing some snacks, sandwiches and some drinks to go with. Would you two be interested?"

"Sure." Eliza said with glee, her face lighting up already. "-Is outside scary-?" Mary asked showing Eliza's anxiety.

"Honestly it isn?t bad. Other families keep to themselves but will wave and greet you."

"that's really weird." Felix retorted.

"It is for the first few weeks. So, do you want to come?" Asked Nathan to Felix. Felix didn't want to be alone without Eliza and didn't want Eliza alone either. He didn't want to go out but he felt like he had to.

"Sure." Felix said plainly.

"Alright then. I'm making ham sandwiches for the twins, what kind of sandwich would you want?"

"Huh?" Felix looked puzzled at Nathan. It truly was a odd thing to hear of what sandwich he would want. After some moments he shook his head.

"I don't know."

"Can I have strawberry jam?" Eliza asked, she moved Mary as if it was talking but it was Eliza's voice this time.

"Sure thing. Would you want margarine or butter to go with it as well? It will soften the bread." Nathan smiled as he looked at Eliza who nodded her head back.

"Mar-jar-reen pwease." Eliza said while struggling her words.

"Marge it is. What about you Felix, any ideas?"

"Look I don't know. I'm a roo supposedly so I guess... get me something aussie or some crap." Felix didn't like pondering for too long, feeling awkward and unwanting to be solely focused on.

"I have some ideas, perhaps you?ll like them. Alright so we?ll be going in about 30 min time. I?ll be helping the twins put their socks and shoes on, you two don't need any help with that?"

"I know how to fucking tie my shoe laces." Felix said sounding assertive and dismissive. Before Nathan could say to Felix to tone down his swearing Eliza spoke.

"I don't." Eliza said looking embarrassed.

"Let me do it then I can do it." Felix said as he looked down at Eliza sounding like a overprotected parent. Nathan paused to gather his thoughts and nodded back.

"Alright. I?ll remind you two when it gets closer to the time of having to go. If you need new socks don't hesitate to ask." Nathan said as he left to go back to the kitchen. As Nathan prepared the sandwiches, he put them into individual sandwich boxes, each having a different pattern of stripes, stars and colours. When it came to doing the twin?s socks and shoes it was of no issue. Both of the twins sat next to each other and talked to each other about fantasies in their fantasy world that allowed Nathan to get their little feet ready. Eliza walked in quietly and looking nervous and unsure in her stance; she wanted to get this done as soon as possible but felt bad for intruding into the twin?s room. Nathan wavered her fears aside and greeted her with a smile and appreciation for her helping him out with her getting ready. The twins sat on the floor of their bedroom holding hands as they chatted to each other in an oblivious state of Eliza getting her socks and shoes put on. Eliza's tail kept coiling and uncoiling as the process was being done, she wanted nothing more than to trust Nathan. While Nathan were tying Eliza's shoelaces, Felix was standing in the doorway without a word. Nathan felt apprehensive as he expected Felix to get mad. As he did say he was going to do Eliza's socks and shoes. But Felix did not yell, he did not get angry but rather was quiet and embarrassed. He put his socks on right and had his shoes on but the laces were all knotted up one of them while the other was improperly tied. Felix sat next to Eliza and still said nothing, even with Nathan saying it was alright and that he was happy to help. He wasn't ungrateful, he was just ashamed and embarrassed. He thought he knew how to tie his shoelaces, stupid, stupid, stupid. Nathan got Felix's attention and demonstrated the working of the laces to tie his shoes well. But he didn't do one of them, Nathan specifically left one of the shoes untied so Felix could try again. Initially Felix was angry, frustrated and embarrassed more for having to do it under watch. But he managed to do it. His face lit up acclamation, he felt pure pride of doing them right. Nathan didn't make a big deal about it either but did pat Felix on the shoulder. For a moment in Felix's life he finally experienced a moment where he didn't flinch at an adult touching him without him wanting to hit back. It then dawned on him of the physical contact and slapped Nathan's hand away and looked away to contain himself.

``I'm sorry.'' Nathan said with soft eyes, he only just now realized he shouldn't have done that.

``It's fine.'' Lied Felix, he didn't want to talk about it.  With that said Nathan stood up and faced the twins, they stood up without him having to say a word. The twins followed Nathan out to the dining room for Nathan to grab his bag. He grabbed 2 hats from the bag and put them on the twins; the hats were the same colour.

``Wait right here, I'm going to find 2 more hats for you two.'' Said Nathan.

``I'll be fine I don't need a hat.'' Felix said feeling impatient.

``No, I think I'll get you a hat. Outside is hotter than you might think and I wouldn't want you to get a nasty sunburn.'' Nathan went back to the twin's room and searched through a draw. He left the room with nothing and went to the front living room to check a cabinet, inside were 2 hats that he and Rita got a while back. He came back with 2 pale, brown, wide brimmed hats. ``Alright I found some hats, it might be too big for you Eliza so if you don't want this one that's fine.''

``Cowboy hats?'' Scoffed Felix with a mix of confusion and shock.

``Nah they aren't cowboy hats.'' Nathan replied.

``They're totally cowboy hats. That's so Australian.'' Felix said with a smirk.

``Oh, ok maybe they do look like them. I got this one when I first went to the outback.''

``But why these? Couldn't you just get a cap?''

``Nah mate, the sun outback is devo to the unprepared. I got this hat because of the brim covering my neck.'' Explained Nathan. Felix couldn't stop smirking that even his tired eyes lit up. Felix grabbed the hat that Nathan used as an example, it smelt odd to Felix due to how old it was. He put it on and it almost felt like a perfect fit. ``Now if you want your ears to not be squashed you can stick them through the slit on the sides.'' Nathan followed up, Felix took the hat off to see the slits and put the hat back on to have his ears poke through. Eliza put her hat on and pushed it down as possible, it covered her eyes and caused her to laugh.

``I can't seeee!'' Eliza giggled, she bobbed her head up and down and got Elijah to giggle along.

``Ok maybe I should get a different hat for you. How are you finding your hat, Felix?'' Felix didn't reply at first, he was in deep contemplation of how he looked. He saw his reflection on the backyard windows. He looked so incredulously stereotypical; he mocked his image in the reflection; but he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. It was like he looked good this way, so what if it was typical or fitting the stereotype; he quickly began to love the hat.

``I like it, yeah. I really like it. Although it's a tad big.'' Felix said making eye contact with him.

``In that case I'll make it an effort to find your very own `cowboy hat'.'' Nathan said with a smile. Eliza passed her hat back to Nathan and he went back to the cabinet to grab a different hat. This time it was a generic cap that didn't really have much special about it. Eliza put it on with glee with it fitting her head much better than the last one. With the hat problem solved Nathan put his backpack on, put on a generic hat for himself. ``Alright time to go. I'm sorry you two that were a bit late.'' Nathan said to the twins.

``I forgive you.'' Tobias replied who moved closer to Elijah for a sideways hug. Nathan led the way with all 4 kids following behind, he got outside and let them pass before closing and locking the door. Nathan led the way with the twins following closely holding hands, Eliza and Felix held hands not so much to copy the twins but to brace and condition themselves; this was a whole new and strange town.

``We're just going to keep following this footpath. We'll be passing by the beach and heading to a park, make sure you keep your hats on.'' Directed Nathan. He wasn't joking, outside was much hotter than Felix and Eliza expected. There was a breeze but that felt insignificant compared to the heat from above.

``Fucking hell it's hot.'' Felix exclaimed.

``Fucking!'' Mimicked Elijah. Nathan turned around and was immediately cross.

``Don't say that word again, Elijah. That is a bad word.'' Nathan said very sternly and crossly. Elijah and Tobias stopped as Elijah started crying and babbling, Tobias looked down alongside him but not emoting anything.

``I'm sorwy.'' Elijah managed to say, Tobias copying the mouth movement alongside him. Felix and Eliza walked up to the twin's side as Elijah muttered an apology.

``Don't do that again. You're forgiven.'' Nathan said putting his foot down on the matter. He bent down and rubbed Elijah's shoulder and rubbed some of his tears away. After a small moment Nathan stood up once more and started moving, the kids following behind.

``Why is fucking a bad word?'' Felix asked. ``I say that all the time what's the big deal? I'm pretty sure I said it to you as well. Why are you picking on them?'' Felix was baffled.

``I'll explain it when we get to our spot. Right now, if we stay out standing in the heat it will affect our moods.''

``Like yours just then?''

``Felix I will answer you when we get there and not before. It will be easier to explain when we're sitting under shade.''

``Fine''. Felix felt bothered at the incident. Along the way Elijah had stopped moping and started talking with Tobias. Felix and Eliza couldn't understand a word of what they were saying. It was like a completely different language; it was kinda cool. They passed the beach to which Eliza and Felix gasped at the sight, the smell of the salty wind and the number of waves they saw. Only a couple of people were out there wading in the shallow waters. The two immediately looked forward to the future of swimming there, even if it would make them very uncomfortable. The thought of their body image, the lasting marks of embarrassing shame soon waved over the two.  Finally, after a little while they could see a park, in the middle of it was an enormous tree, far bigger than any other tree they have seen. The sheer height and width of the tree was staggering that both of them couldn't help but gasp loudly for Nathan to hear.

``Here we are. We're going to sit at the base of the tree, aren't you excited for that shade?'' Nathan teased heartfully. As they went under the massive shade it was far noticeably cooler. Nathan took his backpack down and pulled out the rolled-up picnic mat, untied it and waved it in the air for it to straighten and spread out. It was large enough to fit 2 families. Everyone sat down and stretched their legs, taking their hats off and relaxed. Nathan started digging in the bag once more. ``Now here you two go.'' Nathan said with 2 small containers with ham sandwiches in it for the twins, they grabbed them and immediately opened them up. Nathan then grabbed out 2 other containers, one each for Eliza and Felix. Eliza opened it up for a jam sandwich with a sweet smell emanating from the container. Felix opened his and saw a sandwich of black substance in a sandwich cut in small triangles.

``What's this? Is, is this vegemite?'' Felix asked sounding slightly alarmed, he heard and seen many videos of people eating vegemite and the consensus of it being dreadful.

``It sure is. You asked for something aussie.'' Nathan said with a smile. ``Now I know you've probably heard bad stuff about it.''

``I sure have.''

``Well that's because no one outside of Australia knows how to eat it. We spread it finely on our bread and I've done that to yours. Give it a try. If you still don't like it, I got something else for you.'' Compromised Nathan. Felix kept sniffing one of the small sandwich triangles, with hesitation he took a bite of it and; it wasn't bad, actually it was good. The salty taste was jarring but it felt `right', it wasn't overpowering like he's heard. ``Well?'' Nathan asked.

``I'm shocked that I like this.'' Felix said taking another bite, the margarine with the vegemite making it all the better.

``I'm glad you like it.'' Nathan said with a relieved sigh. The twins fed each other and chatted about their world. Eliza, after hearing about dragons and mages scooted over and sat next to Tobias; she was eager to listen and join. Tobias, without skipping a beat, allowed Eliza to join in by explaining what they were talking about. Eliza smiled widely as she interacted with the two of them. Felix wiped some food away from his mouth and felt it was time to ask Nathan once more.

``Why is fuck a bad word?'' Felix asked plainly. ``I've heard plenty of people say that word.''

``Yes, I had a feeling.'' Nathan sighed. ``There are many bad words, many rude words and phrases. Kids aren't supposed to use such language as they don't know the meaning behind it and the extent it does. But if I can be blunter, I just don't want the twins to swear.'' Nathan explained.

``Ok. But why don't you get angry at me? Afraid to show your true colours?'' Felix pressed Nathan, he challenged him to find out if he was sincere and not two-faced. Nathan shook his head.

``I can't stop you; I know that. You probably spent your life using that word, haven't you?''

``Yeah? So?''

``So, I can't make you not swear. I can try but it will only make things worse, I should know.''

``Alright. But you yelled at Elijah and Tobias, that was pretty mean don't you think?'' Felix said in a judging tone, Nathan sighed softly and his ears folded back.

``Like I said, the heat can bring out bad moods. But in my case, I misjudged.'' Nathan paused and looked over at the twins. ``Elijah, Tobias?'' The twins turned their heads back to him. ``I'm sorry for yelling at you before.'' Elijah's eyes were wide and happy with a big smile across his face, even Tobias had a slight smile as their tails wagged happily.

``We promise to not say bad word.'' Tobias replied back.

``Thank you.'' Nathan said, the twins turned their heads back and started talking once more. ``They surprise me with how wonderful they are.'' Nathan added with a loving smile.

``Do they not care about being yelled at by you?''

``I'm very sure it bothers them, but they knew I only do it when they do something wrong.''

``Then what happens if you yell accidentally? Will they assume you are angry at them?'' Felix asked playing philosopher with Nathan.

``Woo boy they probably will.'' Nathan laughed with a worried look on his face. ``Anyway, later on I'll write down a list of swears. Most you've probably heard and I want you to try to not say them around the twins.''

``What if I don't?'' Felix talked back.

``Well, like I said I can't force you. But I would love if you did. I would rather my boys not get in trouble with someone else or myself. That and I think it would benefit you in the future.''

``Why would not swearing benefit me?'' Felix looked incredibly puzzled.

``Well you would gain a sense of where and when you can say it. Swearing at the wrong time can get you fired if you have a job, can get you into a fight with a close friend. When I grew up, I swore all the time and I absolutely hated my father. With that I swore a lot at him and I would get hit. When he swore at me, I hid how hurt I felt.  I had to learn the hard way that swearing most of the time was only going to make it harder for me to get anywhere. I'm far from being a purist, I still swear mate. But I remember what I had to go through when I was a kid and I don't want it to happen to you, Eliza or the twins.'' Something resonated with Felix as he listened to Nathan and felt like speaking his mind.

``My father hit me. Fucking sucked so much balls.'' Felix said darkly. ``You better not fucking hit me and Eliza.''

``I would never want to intentionally hit you.'' Nathan said wholeheartedly. With a moment of silence Nathan reached into his bag and grabbed out a container. As he opened it up the other 3 turned around. ``So, I brought something extra.''

``Fairy bread!'' Elijah said gasping with big goofy grin.

``Fairy bread?'' Eliza remarked looking curious, Felix copied Eliza but weirded out by the name and what he actually saw. Bread with margarine spread and sprinkles on it.

``What the hell is fairy bread?'' Felix followed up with.

``Fairy bread is a simply bread, margarine and 100s and 1000s.''

``You mean sprinkles?''

``Basically. Have a try.'' Nathan handed everyone a slice of fairy bread to which the twins devoured it between each other. Felix gave a bite and felt reasonably indifferent, it was alright but the vegemite sandwich was better. Eliza took a bite and in a split moment devoured it.

``Yummy! -Yes, so very good-!`` Eliza and Mary said.

``It's alright.'' Felix added with a shrug. He ate it all and then laid flat on the mat and closed his eyes for a moment. The twins walked off holding hands and Eliza played with her teddy while Nathan stood up and stretched. Some time passed and Nathan decided it was time to head back home. He gathered all the kids up; told them it was time to go and packed everything up. The walk back was even hotter but no one wanted to stop to stay in it, in no time at all they made it home and went inside to feel cooler. Felix rubbed his ears to make sure they were fine, with how hot it was outside it made him feel like they were going to get sunburnt. The twins were awfully happy when they got inside as they brushed past Eliza and Felix rushing to their room babbling.

``I hope you two enjoyed the morning walk.'' Nathan said with a pleasant smile.

``It was nice. When are we going to go to the beach?'' Felix asked, Eliza nodded her head with a big grin alongside him.

``Well someday obviously. Maybe not today, but it could be. It depends on what I can get the twins to learn before they-,'' Nathan paused and slapped his forehead. ``Sorry, excuse me I'll be right back.'' Nathan rushed off to see where the twins were. Eliza and Felix shrugged, took their shoes off and then sat down on the lounge stretching their feet and toes.  Felix could hear Nathan talking but all he could understand was `Not now, later.' Nathan came back with a huff shortly after. ``So sorry about that, I'll need to explain what that's about.'' Nathan moved and sat on the lounge away from Felix and Eliza looking a little awkward. ``Ok so. Elijah and Tobias aren't usually like this, it's kind of a random occurrence.''

``What?'' Felix asked looking confused.

``Well. You see this is what's so hard, to explain it correctly without any misunderstandings. Misunderstanding what I'm about to say would give off many bad impressions or incorrect meaning. Basically, the twins have been doing this for years, it was pretty harmless when they were really little but now that they're a little older it's something of a concern to Rita and I. For their safety more than our embarrassment.'' Nathan paused to huff trying to collect his words. ``The twins, without any reason or pattern, just strip and be naked for a portion of a day.'' Nathan looked at Felix and Eliza seriously, Eliza looked somewhat spooked with Felix's eyes being wide open in surprise. ``When they get handsy with each other, whether it be randomly sticking their hands down each other's clothing or never letting go of each other, they decide it is time to strip on the spot. Again, I don't know why and it is a worry. Just before they were midway and while I'm here they'll probably try again. So do understand this is not of my doing.'' Nathan explained as well as he could.

``Why would they just strip randomly?'' Felix asked trying to understand.

``No clue. As I've said though it is a security risk, they've done it when I've been at the shops. I had to get them dressed and covered quickly before a stranger gets any ideas.'' Nathan said in all seriousness. Felix and Eliza didn't say anything but nodded.

``I use to be naked a lot.'' Eliza said with a stammer, Felix turned to her in an alarm and shook his head at her.

``Well, a lot of kids when they are really young tend to be, at least in hot towns.'' Nathan replied, the sense of cluelessness gave Felix some relief. ``Now it wouldn't be the end of the world if the twins were to be naked right now cause they're inside. It's just that it would be shocking, surprising, uncomfortable or weird for you two.'' As Nathan said that he twitched his ear as he heard something from the twin's room. ``And they've started trying to do it again.'' Nathan apologized to Eliza and Felix as he left to go back to the twins. Felix sat in silence breathing deeply as he trying to contain himself with Eliza speaking about their experience. Felix turned the TV so the two of them could watch it. After some time, Nathan came back carrying both the twins who were still dressed but sucking their own thumbs, Elijah smiled blissfully with Tobias looking slightly cross.

``Helloo!'' Eliza said waving at them, the twins waved back without a word.

``Excellent. I'm glad you two turned on the TV, unfortunately I'm going to need it for the boys. You two are most welcome to join in learning.''

``Learning? Learning what?'' Eliza asked. Nathan turned the channel to the national broadcast channel and an educational show with bloblike creatures talking about numbers and shapes.

``Right now, we're going to learn more about numbers. Mostly about adding big numbers together to make another big number.'' Nathan explained, Eliza `oooo'd as she looked with interest. Felix blushed to himself and kept to himself while huddling himself close. ``You'd like to join Eliza?''

``-Oh yes we would love to join-! I want to count.'' Mary and Eliza said. Nathan smiled as he waved his arm on a spot next to Tobias to watch the TV. Nathan wrote down what was going on the TV for a recap with the kids. Felix's embarrassment grew more and more, as he never went to school or ever learned. But he was 11, he should know far more than he does and that hurt. Nathan looked at an uncomfortable Felix and felt his discomfort.

``Would you like to join?'' Nathan asked,

``I know how to fffff-,'' Felix stopped himself with a nasty growl, ``I know how to count, stupid.''

``Well, you are still welcome to join us. You can keep Eliza company and help her learn.'' Followed up Nathan, Felix looked back in a stubborn disconnected look. Nathan left Felix alone as he continued to get what was on the TV down for the other three. All three of them had a blast watching and shouted numbers as answers, even if some of them were wrong. But neither the twins or Eliza made fun of the other if they got it wrong. Nathan followed up the three with some more questions, two that weren't on the show. He got them thinking and allowed them to write down their answer with a pencil and a piece of paper he handed them. He corrected the questions that got wrong and congratulated the ones they got right. Eliza was having a blast. Felix sulked to himself as he made himself sit out of the group effort, it hurt more than some of the questions, that he answered in his head, was wrong. He even tried counting with his fingers at one of them but got lost. Eliza finally took notice of Felix's discomfort and embarrassment, got up and sat next to him with a toothy grin.

``Join us.'' She said, Felix shook his head feeling stubborn. This was crushingly embarrassing to him.

``Maybe next time he will, we don't have to force him.'' Nathan said. He had a big book with many pages with the edges being assorted number of colours. On the cover was many childlike drawings, colours and a big logo saying `Maths for Kids'. The twins stood up holding hands and jumped on the spot, Nathan smiled at them with a shake of his head. `Not now, later'. Elijah pouted with a Tobias looking stern, they walked off holding hands to the other living room.

``When do you go to work?'' Felix asked off hand. Nathan looked back off guard and chuckled a bit.

``I'm a teacher, so I guess you could say I'm already at work.'' Nathan replied.

``Wouldn't have pictured you as a teacher. Thought you were a computer geek or something.'' Felix said relaxing himself a little bit.

``Oh, I could have been. But nah I'm a teacher. Technically I work at a primary school but as a substitute teacher. My primary job is to help the twin's education and support them as best as I can. I'm somewhat employed as a teacher aide or substitute in two schools. But hey, while we're talking about education, what year did you two finish before moving here?'' As Nathan said that he felt like he hit the wrong string as both Eliza and Felix didn't say anything looking sad. After a little pause Nathan felt like he got the answer anyway. ``It's ok if you haven't been to school, ever really. I understand that is embarrassing but it is something I can do for you. The twins go to a special school that I work with and they're supportive and progressive.''

``What the hell does that mean?'' Felix asked looking uncomfortable.

``Well. The school has all types of students who can't go to a normal one without issues. `Hedland Highs' is a special school for special needs, physical and mental disabilities. But also has a lot of older kids who missed out on school and is far back from their age group. We got teenagers who struggled learning, one in particular is 15. He's a slow learner, had poor experiences at school, his parents divorced and they had to be adopted as well. We call the lad Tiny. He's just one of the few older special needs at the school.''

``That school sounds so fucking bizarre.'' Felix said not caring what he said. Nathan didn't reply at first but just shook his head.

``Anyway, yes, it is a weird school. Infact it's only 5 years old. No one knows how long this school will last.''

``Why would it end?'' Eliza asked while hugging Mary close.

``Basically, funding. So, if I can get you two in that school for a couple of years that will still be great.''

``I don't like other kids.'' Felix said darkly, he paused and cleared his throat. ``I don't mind the twins, and Eliza is with me forever so.''

``I understand, but I will get you two to join so you two can learn. I'll try to get you two in the same class, if I can get you two with Elijah and Tobias as well that would be a bonus. Maybe the boys will actually talk to someone else.''

``I'd like that. Will we play games at school?'' Eliza said with a cheery grin.

``There is playtime at school, but you will have to learn.''

``-Would I be allowed to come-?''

``Absolutely, so long as Eliza has her keen eye on you'' Nathan said responding directly to Mary.

``But, really though? You're going to put the both of us in their class?'' Felix complained.

``Well, Eliza would fit quite well in their class being close to the same age. I can't bring myself to split you two from each other. You two need all the support you can get so you need each other.'' Nathan explained, Felix sighed and nodded softly.

``Alright.'' Felix moved on the couch to curl himself up leaning against the armrest. Footsteps could be heard with the two twins running past in a jogging fashion completely naked. Felix and Eliza's eyes looked in amazement with Nathan looking in horror.

``Elijah, Tobias!'' But the two did not stop, Nathan shook his head with a sigh and turned to the other two. ``I'm sorry about that. They're going to be nude for a couple hours now.  I can get them dressed by force but they will NOT be happy.'' Nathan paused and grumbled to himself, barely loud enough for Felix to hear. `And they will NOT want to cooperate for the rest of the day.' Nathan sighed and stood up. ``I gotta leave them to be themselves.'' The twins ran past again as they did a lap through the kitchen and back to the living room. Elijah's face was ecstatic and full of innocent joy while Tobias smiled warmly alongside him. Elijah's giggles could be heard as he travelled around, giving Felix a good idea where they were. As Felix watched he couldn't help but look at the twin's bits, an impulse that felt raw and wrong. He blamed his experiences in the past for a moment, but couldn't help but keep staring. He sat curled up looking awkward with an Eliza oblivious and giggling as the two past them several more times. Felix finally had enough when the twins collapsed on the floor together before him, the rubbing of their members as they hugged laughing. He wanted to do what Noah did to him, he wanted to smell them like he did to the other kids Noah had. He took off without a mention and kept looking down as to hide his eyes and his trembling unwanted erection of past trauma resurfacing. He went to his room, grabbed a cigarette and a lighter and almost started lighting it until Nathan around the corner down the hallway called out to him to smoke outside. Felix with a grumpy and desperate need of escapism growled as he stormed out of his room to go outside. He sat on the backyard wall and lit his cigarette, breathing deeply as he needed to calm the fuck down. Some time had passed and his cigarette had burned out. He sat on the wall crossing his arms twitching in his right knee. He breathed deeply once more as he coughed, he could feel the sun roasting him now so he had to go inside. Felix went back to his room and laid down on his bed with a huff, he rubbed his face into the doona feeling restless and upset. It felt like hours for Felix lying in his room, however it was only 30 minutes. He kept expecting Nathan to open the door making him relive his nightmares. Whenever Felix felt awful and had to hide, Noah would open his door with that stupid sleezy smile while completely naked.

``You're a sad little boy aren't you, let Noah make you feel better.'' Noah said in Felix's mind, Felix growled and kicking as he tried to defend himself. ``Come on don't be ungrateful, most adults wish they had this happen to them. Let it happen, Felix.'' The voice teased more and more. Felix kept waking up and closing his eyes again as he groaned into his bed gritting his teeth. He wasn't asleep but it was like a waking nightmare, his heart beating as if it was happening again to him. Felix eventually rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling in silence. He had to get a hold of himself, this was embarrassing. Felix sat up rubbing his eyes in an attempt to harden the fuck up, then a knock on the door could be heard.

``What?'' Snapped Felix. No reply came at first.

``This is Nathan, Eliza wants to speak with you.'' Nathan replied, Eliza opened the door and squeezed through with a Nathan momentarily peering through as he left. Eliza looked at Felix with worried eyes clutching her teddy close.

``Why didn't you just knock on my door without asking him?'' Felix complained looking grumpy.

``-Eliza didn't want to do so; she gets scared when you're like this-.'' Eliza said using Mary.

``You can come and talk to me whenever, no matter how I am.'' Felix sighed rubbing his eye.

``I knows.'' Eliza said looking visibly uncomfortable. After a moment Felix looked at Eliza with a sorry expression.

``I'm sorry.''

``I forgive you. -Are you ok? Eliza has been worrying a lot about you-.'' Eliza said and followed up with Mary.

``I don't know.'' Felix said truthfully. ``I didn't like seeing the twins naked.'' Felix paused with a stroke of panic coming over him, he went to the door and looked through the crack underneath the door. Nobody was there, he opened the door to check around and saw no one. He was on the look out for Nathan, as he wanted to speak to Eliza without him hearing anything. ``Alright, no one else is here it's just you and me. I don't want to be heard by anyone but you.'' Felix went back and sat on his bed, Eliza joined next to him and looked up at Felix in curiosity.

``Why?'' She asked.

``They don't know what happened to us. They must not find out or learn.'' Felix said sternly, Eliza's face turned to a frown with worry.

``Why? -We didn't do anything wrong, did we-?''

``No, we haven't done anything bad. But they must never find out.''

``Why?''

``Because they don't need to know. I'm afraid something bad will happen if they do find out.'' Felix said with all seriousness across his face. Eliza looked back in silence in disbelief.

``Felix. They know.'' Eliza said plainly, it was the first time Felix had ever seen her speak normally.

``Why would they know?'' Felix said getting agitated, he didn't want to believe that.

``I told Dad.'' Felix sat in stunned emotional silence. He was trying so hard for Nathan and Rita not to find out, now they know and now it feels like everything is going to go wrong. A part of Felix always told him that his past homes gave Noah the knowledge of his vulnerabilities; everything went wrong when Noah told him he knew. The year after that moment was horrible, so much happened that Felix tries his darndest to suppress it; and Eliza ruined it for this one.

``Why did you tell him!?'' Felix said noticeably freaked out. Eliza's face turned to confused anger and overwhelmed by a sense of being hurt. Eliza then started to explain to Felix as best as she could.

When Felix left the living room because of the twins, Eliza stayed behind and Nathan had come in to tell the twins to go play in their room.

``Where's Felix?'' Nathan asked, Eliza looking back up at Nathan.

``He's upset.'' Eliza said managing as best as she could.

``Why? What happened, Eliza?''

``The twins (are) naked. Bad memories, because (of) Noah.'' Eliza explained her voice breaking and hard to understand.

``Your previous foster father?'' Eliza remembered how upset Nathan looked as he heard. Eliza then started using Mary as a voice.

``-He touched her, touched them when they did not want to be touched. He stuck his thing in them. Said it was to make us happy. We were never happy.'' And at the moment the TV show clipped to an elephant reporter on the news, Eliza recoiled out of shock completely out of breath while backing herself into the corner of the lounge where Felix did before. Nathan looked at the TV and quickly turned it off, Eliza coughed as she started breathing again. ``I hate I hate! Bad ele-pant!'' Eliza squirmed and coughed as she stared into her teddy bear's beady eyes.

``I'm so sorry to hear this happened to you, Eliza. You're safe here, away from those- ``

``-Monsters-! Meanies, horrible mean meanies.'' Mary and Eliza said while accompanied with more coughing, Eliza sniffed and quivered to herself.

``You're safe from those monsters, Eliza. You and Felix.  Rita and I adopted you two because you needed a safe home. We knew something horrible happened to you two, that's why we adopted you.'' Nathan said with as much care and compassion as he could, he was kneeling down next to the lounge with a distraught little monkey sitting on it. Eliza looked into Nathan's eyes and with a sniff she whispered,

``You knew?''

``We had suspicions. So yes, we did.'' After a pause Eliza smiled momentarily as she sniffed quietly. ``Your nightmare. Was it about those monsters?'' Nathan asked softly, Eliza nodded back without a word. Nathan started to cry silently as his glasses got fogged up, he momentarily took them off to rub his eyes; Eliza watched deeply. ``As I've said.'' Nathan sniffed, ``You and Felix are safe here. I promise to you and I will promise to him, I will never, ever do what those monsters did to you. You two are safe.'' Eliza started crying and fidgeting with her legs. ``Would you like a hug?'' Nathan asked concerned. Eliza nodded back giving Nathan a sign, Nathan reached into Eliza and wrapped his arms around her waist. Eliza quivered in Nathan's grasp and whispered to her teddy.

``It's going to be alright. It's going to be alright.'' She repeated. Eliza's next memory was that she woke up on the lounge from a minor nap with Nathan sitting on the opposite side of the lounge watching the TV. Eliza sat up feeling nauseous and looked the part too. ``I don't feel good.''

``Want me to take you to the bathroom?'' Asked Nathan, Eliza replied with a yes. Nathan got up and reached his hand down to Eliza to hold her hand, Eliza jumped off the lounge without taking his hand but looked at Nathan as she hoped he would accompany her. Nathan took her to the toilet in the master bedroom and lifted the seat up, Eliza threw up. It wasn't much but it felt a lot for Eliza. After washing her mouth out with water and spitting it into the sink, Eliza had felt better already. But she was worried about Felix.

Eliza explained as best as she could to an upset Felix, she clutched her teddy as tight as she could; to the point of strangling. Felix felt overemotional as he listened, she still shouldn't have said anything; but he didn't forget or ignore that apparently `they' knew already.

``Do you hate me?'' Eliza asked upset.

``I'm fucking pissed.'' Felix grumbled turning his back to Eliza for a moment just to lie on his stomach on the bed, Eliza in a panic laid on the bed alongside him. ``I tried so hard to hide it from them, you just had to say anything.''

``But they knew!''

``I fucking know *now*. I just wish they didn't.'' After a pause Felix sighed and faced Eliza, putting an arm out and resting his hand on her back. ``I don't hate you. I can never hate you.'' Felix said with dead eyes. ``I'm just mad.'' Eliza looked back with sad tender eyes and then looked down feeling ashamed. After 15 minutes of lying there, Felix got up and left his room with a following Eliza. Felix's grouchy and tired face very emanating from his clothing as well, all messy and un-neat. As they left the first corridor to the kitchen, Eliza saw the twins outside running around playing on the playground. Eliza went one way and Felix went the other, as Felix could not handle seeing the twins naked so he had to go to the front living room. Eliza asked the twins if she could play alongside them, getting a firm yes from both the three played, albeit only one wearing clothes. Eliza was able to ignore the nakedness as all she wanted to do was play. Felix sat in the living room, knowing full well that Nathan was already there. Felix stared at Nathan with tired angry eyes as he clenched his fists and toes.

``So, you knew?'' Felix said sternly.

``We had a feeling, a nasty hunch. The adoption agency couldn't hide their suspicion either and-''

``No wonder they were obnoxiously nice, they kept talking to me as if I was fucking special.''

``I don't know anything of what you went through. No details. I just know you've been through hell.''

``That's a fucking good word to describe that. Personally, I'd stick with nightmare.'' Felix was unyielding in his unpleasant anger.

``Yes, nightmare.'' Nathan looked in concern but trying to keep himself together. ``Felix, I know you are mad, but I promise I would never, ever let that happen again.''

``You don't need too, I'll fucking stab you if you tried.''

``Felix!'' Nathan snapped, breathing out deeply Nathan collected himself quickly. ``I understand, or at the very least I see where you are coming from; I agree with you. But there is no need to get aggressive with me, I haven't done anything to you.'' Nathan sat up right still looking over at Felix. ``But you have every reason to be angry at your abusers and I will do my best with the adoption agency to get them convicted.''

``How? How the fuck would you be able to do anything? You know nothing about them or where they are! You're just saying things to calm me down and it's pretty pathetic.''

``Felix, please calm down. There are talented people out and I'm sure someone will catch them, charge them and hold them account for their actions. I want to promise it will happen, but I will do my best to get-``

``The fucking legal system, cops and all that fucking suck don't you know!?''

``Felix, I'm warning you. Tone down your anger and tone down your aggression.''

``Or what, you're going to hit me!?'' Felix stood up staring at Nathan with boiling blood. ``Then fucking hit me! I don't fucking care, `mate'!'' Felix eyes were raged filled with tears with Nathan staring back in silent fury, only barely containing himself from doing something he would regret.

``No. I would never intentionally hit you, I told you that.'' Nathan rested his elbow on his leg, his words beyond stern and furious. ``I know you are mad, so am I. If you are going to keep being aggressive and continue to not listen to me, well, I might just send you back instead of trying to help you!'' The normal calm, caring and nurturing look Nathan has had was something that Felix has never seen. He was very angry, his voice got loud, his face scrunched into disappointment and angry. The tone shook Felix down into his core, he started to panic as his heart dropped. ``But. I don't want to do that, you need and deserve all the best in life, and Eliza would sorely miss you.'' Nathan's face relaxed, ``I've done nothing to you to harm you, and I shall continue that if you give me a chance. The last thing I want to do is to send you two away, let alone just you. Please, sit down.'' Nathan said with full assertion in his voice, Felix sat down shaking and looking unwell.

``I'm sorry.'' Felix muttered in a panic. Nathan breathed deeply and nodded his head looking back.

``I know, I know you are. I'm sorry I had to yell, I really am and I'm sorry I had to say that. Just, believe me when I say that I would never do the same as your foster carers. I would never intentionally hit to hurt you; I would never want to abuse you. You and Eliza are safe here and I intend to keep it that way. It sickens me at the very thought that someone would do that to you and Eliza. If I met them, well, I'm afraid I would be in prison.'' Nathan's words were of fury, but his eyes read compassion.

``That makes three of us.'' Felix said with a defeated look, sniffing as he huddled himself into a ball.

``Four, actually. Rita would be more than happy to bash them until they're nothing but pulp. Believe me, Felix.'' Felix looked back at Nathan with a sorry, tired look. He didn't before, but now he does; he guesses.

``I do, now.''

``If you ever want to talk about it- ``

``I do NOT want to talk about it, I never want to talk about it, I want to forget it all.'' Felix snapped with apprehension.

``I know. Well, *when* this happens and you don't want to talk to me or Rita. We will organize an appointment for you to talk to someone. It will be confidential.''

``When, if, that happens. But I told you, I don't want to.'' Nathan nodded back with a reassuring smile.

``Then I will try not to ask, and hopefully I'll do better than your `try not to swear' request of mine.'' Felix shook his head with a groan back as Nathan smiled back amused.

``I don't see the big deal about swearing? You said not in front of the twins and now you don't want me to swear at all?''

``Hm, you're right I did say that. Well if you try to work on that then that should be good enough for me, deal?'' Nathan said trying to convince Felix.

``Sure.'' Nathan stood up and nodded then headed to leave the room. ``Am I being sent back?'' Felix asked looking anxious. Nathan shook his head,

``No, you are more than welcome to stay. I see you as my son and I want you to be my son.''

``That's weird, I don't like it. And I still won't call you Dad.'' Nathan nearly left the room when Felix said that.

``Hey, that's fine. So long as you're comfortable mate.'' With that said Nathan left. Felix sat alone contemplating everything he's heard and the facial expressions Nathan made. Then Felix was convinced, Nathan isn't bad. A gut wrenching feeling still hits Felix when it comes to trust but, at least Nathan isn't forcing himself on him or trying to force him to open up. Just these vague feelings of relief of the notion that nothing bad has happened, yet. To Felix that was good enough. Though right now, Felix doesn't know what to do. He doesn't want to go where the twins are, the nudity and carefree attitude makes him worried.

Felix remembers the last few nights living at Noah's residence to be like all the others, soul crushing, confusing and outright upsetting. It wasn't what was being done to him but rather having to watch what Noah did to other kids.  From watching, and being subjected to the sexual abuse, Felix developed an unwanted erection when he watched. The first time that happened it horrified him to the core, fearing that he was going to become just like Noah. Every time a new kid would start living here or when Noah's associates bring over `new meat', Noah would force himself upon the poor sods them to have ``happy sex''. That is at least what Noah called it; it was only ever `happy' for the pedophile. Each new kid showed great distress, confusion and displeasure when he forced himself upon them. Some would shout and scream `no' but regardless of what was said Noah said the same thing.

``But you like it when we play, your (stiffy cock) or (puffy sweet cunt) loves the attention. You just don't know it yet. Let me make you feel good and let's be a happy family.'' A few of the kids would incessantly try to hide, unfortunately for Felix he could never hide; as he was always a tall boy. Even if he could he just knew it would be pointless, if not more crushing, as he saw and heard the cries of displeasure as the kids were pulled out of hiding. When he finally left with Eliza and a few others, Felix was an even more broken mess than he was coming into that home. The new home he lives in now is so much better than there's no comparison in the slightest.

Felix waited the day away either lying in his room or watching TV. Nathan giving him plenty of space, yet asking if he wanted anything to eat or drink. It was still so jarring how different the environment is in this house. Just the mere comprehension was too emotionally stimulating for Felix. He would either cry and scream in ecstatic hysteria, run a marathon, or fall asleep forever as the comfort he feels gives the aching heart the ability to rest. When Felix finally snapped out of his trance, he was lying in his room staring at the ceiling with Eliza opening the door.

``Hey Felix, how-ar-you?'' Eliza asked with a sweet smile.

``I'm fine. Just lost track of everything.''

``Want to play with us?'' Eliza said moving her teddy closer to her chest to smother.

``Us?''

``Yeah.''

``I don't know wh- I don't know what we are going to do? Play with what?'' Eliza shrugged back as an answer.

``Tobias said they got things to play.'' Felix looked with hesitation, really trying to contain himself. ``They're not nakie anymore.'' Eliza laughed; the very mention of that relieved Felix far more than he would like to admit.

``Alright, fine.'' Felix got up and walked up to Eliza, they then walked down the corridor to the twin's room. As he got in there it was as she said, they were dressed; thank fuck. The twins had dolls, a miniature house with furniture, pet figuring's and a small box with what seemed to be more toys. Elijah looked at the two as they turned around the corner, smiled waved back without a word. ``Ok so, we're playing with a doll house?''

``Yeah. We got our dolls; you need to choose yours from our toy box.'' Tobias replied back looking very serious. Elijah and Felix had 2 specially made dolls that were created in their image. The eyes were buttons with their clothes seeming to be undressed, Felix couldn't help but feel slightly creeped out and yet amazed. It looked like it could be turned into voodoos. Eliza sat down near the twins with her legs crossed and looked in the toy box, Felix sat down crossing his legs next to Eliza. Felix caught sight of a doll of interest and reached over to grab it, Eliza looking really puzzled still trying to decide.

``Do you need help?'' Felix asked as he grabbed his toy.

``Yess pleaasse.'' Eliza said, her words slurring looking overweighed with indecision stress. Felix searched through and found an androgynous looking doll. Felix handed it to Eliza who lit up immediately. ``Ooooo they're mee.''

``If you couldn't find something, you could use Mary.'' Tobias said as he rearranged his legs to have one foot flat on the ground with his other leg flat.

``Nooo Mary lives with me, -Oh I would looove to live with you-.'' Eliza giggled to herself with her teddy and the newly found doll. ``You're dolls look like yous, that's cool!'' Eliza added.

``Mummy made it.'' Tobias said as he leaned again Elijah, Elijah laughing and embracing Tobias without a word. ``So, this is our house, we can do whatever we want here. But no violence.''

``Alright.'' Felix said with a shrug, he had no idea why he was doing this but didn't care enough to leave. The small toy playhouse had lots of rooms, a removable roof and tons of furniture. The twins used their dolls to do ordinary things such as sitting down watching tv, chatting and lying together hugging. Both Eliza and Felix played along with the dolls, for the both of them it wasn't the most exciting thing ever, but it was at the very least a nice time passer. But it was time to call it quits after a small amount of time had passed. As Felix stood up and handed the toys back to the twins, he started to leave when Nathan entered the room.

``Hey Felix, it is time that I have to go shopping. I'm going to need all of you to get your socks and shoes on again.''

``Why?'' Felix asked feeling perplexed.

``Because I can't leave you lot at home unattended.'' Nathan looked down at the twins, who stared up. ``Elijah, Tobias. We're going shopping.'' Neither of the twins looked excited, particularly Elijah who clearly heard the first time but tried to ignore it.

``Noooo.'' Elijah whined.

``Yessss. Look I'm sorry, Mummy isn't home and I need to get a couple of things from the supermarket. Do you need help getting ready?'' Elijah shook his head with Tobias looking away. ``Come on you two I can't leave you guys at home without adult supervision.''

``SUPERvision!'' Elijah called out trying to change the topic.

``Elijah, come on. With your new brother and sister, we can be a big group, you'll feel safe.'' Elijah and Tobias looked up at Felix and Tobias and didn't say anything at first, but Elijah's discomfort turned to a smile. ``Excellent. Now let's get you two ready again. Felix, Eliza? Can you two get your socks and shoes again?''

``Sure, I guess. Can I try tying my shoes myself this time?''

``Of course, I'll observe to see if you do it right.'' Felix nodded back and left the room with Eliza to get their shoes and socks. They arrived back with Nathan talking to the twins, asking what game they were playing and what happened. Elijah chatted nonstop without skipping a beat, often at times out of breath. For Nathan lot of what Elijah was saying didn't make sense due to how poorly he was speaking. Thankfully Tobias clarified and repeated sections so Nathan could understand. Felix tied his shoes in front of Nathan and managed to get one right, but the other was more of a knot than being tied. Felix's frustration was obvious from the point he made the mistake, but Nathan only untied the shoelace, not do it up for him. Felix got it right on the second attempt and looked at Nathan with a sense of gratefulness, then started to do Eliza's shoelaces to see if he was able to; thankfully he was. With everyone ready Nathan herded his kids to the front door as they went to the car parked in the open garage. Locking the front door with each kid with him he walked them to the car, opening the backdoors.

Nathan put the twins in the back of the car with Eliza and Felix being put in the backseats. With everything checked and ready to go, Nathan started the car and drove off with them. Felix and Eliza looked out of the windows as they drove past homes, a park and an open desert lane stretching off. Outside looked dreadfully hot and dry, so it was a wonderful thing to have the aircon blowing around the car. The noteworthy things Felix and Eliza saw was a pile of no longer functioning vehicles on outward of the road, mostly just small cards but one was a big car. As they drove into the town more population was obvious with shops, venues and traffic lights were seen. They turned into a shopping complex and Nathan parks out in the open, unshaded parking lot.

``Alright we're here. At your feet, Felix and Eliza are some rolled up shiny mats. Pass em up to me.'' Nathan said as he unbuckled himself. Eliza found the shiny mat and handed it to Nathan so he could stick it to the front windshield.

``What's that for exactly? It doesn't look like it would stop the heat coming through.'' Felix asked.

``Well, yeah that's true. But it's better than not having it.'' Nathan opened his door and got out, both Eliza and Felix unbuckled themselves and left the car as well. Nathan released the twins and helped them get on the ground and locked the car. ``Alright, let us be off.'' Nathan said as he took lead, each of the kids followed behind. The walk wasn't far but the sun made it miserable regardless. There was a reasonable number of cars parked with some people leaving the entrance of the shopping market. Eliza and Felix felt uneasy as they entered with it having just a bit too many people for their liking inside. Eventually Nathan took them through a fruit and vegie store. Nothing remarkable happened as Nathan and the kids shopped, until they stopped at a bakery momentarily.

``Alright now I'm going to get something for us to eat. Would you two like a pie, a sausage roll, a jam donut or?'' Offered Nathan, Eliza looked at the display case and saw a delicious cream-iced bun with jam along it. She pointed at it eagerly, so Nathan nodded back with a smile. ``What about you Felix?'' Felix looked into the display case and shrugged.

``I don't know. A pie? I guess? I don't know if I'll like it though.''

``We'll see then. If you four can sit on that bench over there and wait for me that would be lovely.'' Nathan pointed the kids to the seat and then faced the man in the shop to order. Felix and Eliza sat down on the seat with the twins being content at standing up holding hands. Felix and Eliza zoned out as they waited and were completely caught of guard with 2 boys messing with the twins. Felix only saw the last few moments as they made fun of the twins and forcibly separated the twin's hand holding. In that split moment Tobias snapped one of the boy's in the face showing great anger and contempt, who only got pushed over with great force to land on his backside and hitting his head on the floor. Felix stood up and stormed over to the boy who pushed Tobias, turned him around to punch him in the square middle of his face causing blood to spill from his nose. The other boy, who was punched by Tobias, came over to pull Felix off his mate, to only get pushed over by Eliza who stood up to aid the twins. Felix punched the kid over and over again in a frenzy that it took Nathan to pull him away as he tried to keep lunging at the kid. To Felix all he could hear was muffled voices as his head filled with resentment and anger with blood on his hands. The twins sat on the ground crying and carrying on as they were in shambles themselves.

``Would you keep your kids under bloody control!?'' Felix heard someone shouting, the boys ran behind some disgruntled parents.

``Why don't you keep your brats away from mine. I watched the whole thing; your kids started the bloody mess!'' Nathan shouted back as he continued to hold Felix back.

``Like hell you were! Besides that fucking roo of yours is older and bigger than them!''

``Your kids are a bloody disgrace Gary, I saw the whole thing too, get the fucking hell out of here!'' A woman yelled as she approached the scene.

``Ah fuck off bitch!'' He said pointing a finger at her now. More and more people started to get involved at the other boy's disgruntled parents. Nathan rubbed Felix's head as he pulled him away, Felix's fists clenching as he still wanted to rip a new one in that other boy's face.

``Alright break apart, all of you get away.'' A male, goat security personal walked up to the conflict. He pointed at Nathan and Felix, ``Keep him under control next time mate.'' He then pointed past then to get them to move away. Felix stopped resisting as he stared furiously at the pummelled boys cowering, but remained tense and firm. This allowed Nathan to pick up the twins, with difficulty, to take them all away. Felix looked back as he walked away with fierce and hateful eyes glaring at the boys, who was bleeding from their noses. After a little walk, Nathan took them to the otherside of the shopping complex and put the crying and whinging twins on a seat. Nathan looked at Felix in a mixture of disappointment and anger, yet he felt a great sense pride in him.

``Alright you lot, that was pretty bad back there. But we're out of there, safe and sound. Are you ok you two?'' Nathan asked to his crying twins, neither responded back still reeling in shock. He rubbed their shoulders and handed to them a sausage roll each. Eliza looked completely displaced in her emotions, not showing any real sign of anger, being upset or scared. ``Are you alright, Eliza?'' Nathan asked concerned, Eliza nodded back with a toothy smile as her response. Nathan then focused himself on Felix who looked back at him still fuming.

``They just fucking attacked the twins!''

``I know, I saw.'' Nathan paused as he gave Eliza her creamed bun, the one she wanted. ``You shook that kid well.''

``I would have done more.''

``I know, that's why I had to pull you away from him.'' Nathan breathed easier as he gave Felix a meat pie. ``We'll talk about this later.''

``Why not now? I don't want to talk about this later.'' Felix snapped.

``Alright, fine. Well first of all Felix, thank you for standing up for the twins. Same goes to you as well Eliza. Thank you, you two. But Felix, you should never, ever, ever punch someone in the face.''

``I should have gone for his fucking throat, the fucking bastard!'' Felix growled; he took a chomp of his pie in anger.

``Wait you don't-`` Before Nathan could finish, Felix yelled in shock and horror of how hot the pie is; Nathan rested his forehead against his palm in silence. Nathan then gave Felix a bottle of cold water to help reduce the pain. ``I'm so sorry Felix, that's my fault. I should have explained that pies tend to be really hot.'' Nathan looked at Felix sorrily, Felix coughed and thumped his own chest to catch his breath back.

``That fucking hurt.'' Coughed and cried Felix, blowing into the pie to cool it down in a desperate attempt to cool it down. ``Yeah, please warn me faster next time.'' Eliza rubbed Felix's back and thumped it to help him cough, Felix waved her to stop shortly after.

``I will remember. But please next time Felix, don't punch someone in the face. Push em, shove em, punch them in the chest if you have to. Just not the face.''

``Sure, fine.''

``I mean it, mate. Don't do it.'' Warned Nathan, his tone was stressed and his stance showed his patience waning; even Felix knew to shut up. ``You can seriously hurt someone by punching them in the face, head or the back of their head. Now let's eat our afternoon tea and get out of here, no doubt you want leave so we will go as soon as possible.'' With that said they ate together. The goat security personal walked past and with a nod he walked off with the disgruntled parent and two kids following behind.

When they finished eating, Nathan took the kids back to the car to go home. The drive was less cheerful this time. When they got home, Nathan opened up the front door and got the twins out of the back so they could get inside faster. Eliza yawned with Felix looking weary, and the twins were no longer crying but still a shattered mess. Felix went and laid on the lounge in the back-living room with a fan turning above him, his fury now leaving him drained. Eliza followed Felix and laid up against him so the two of them can snooze together. The twins as well followed Felix and stood before him as he laid down. Felix acknowledged them as they stared at him with a nod back.

``What?''

``Thank you for saving us.'' Tobias said looking down, both him and Elijah looked tired.

``It's no big deal.''

``Can we join?'' Tobias asked, Felix didn't necessarily want them too but was too tired to give a fuck so he nodded back.

``Just don't kick, push, poke or whatever.''

``We won't.'' With that finally said, Tobias and Elijah climbed up and huddled next to Felix. Tobias rested his head on Felix's side with Elijah cuddling Tobias from behind. Not another word was said and they drifted off to sleep together. Nathan unloaded all the shopping he got and looked for Felix as he still had something to say to him. Then he saw the 4 kids huddled together on the lounge resting. It was only 10 minutes ago that they got back home but Nathan assumed the whole incident took it out of all 4 of them. He grabbed his mobile and took a photo of the 4 kids sleeping together on the lounge. Eliza huddled over and against Felix's left as Tobias was over and up against Felix with Elijah embracing Tobias. Felix was covered in his siblings and it was the best thing Nathan had seen today. He turned on a pedestal fan and directed it to the kids and left without saying a word. The moment was too precious to cut it short. Felix felt not only safe but a surreal state of peace, after the incident it felt good to be home, Eliza and the twins cuddling over and next to him like a blanket. The best part was that they weren't disturbed. Not that he realized this initially but when he woke up, he did. The twins and Eliza were heavy over him as he was pressed into the lounge, it was even difficult to free a hand to rub an eye. He noticed the fan was on, that they were all left in peace, he still lived with his new family and safe. Conflicting feelings of wrongness and rightness hitting him at what felt like pressure across his mind. He turned his head and saw light from the kitchen with clanking metal of cooking utensils; he now only noticed the light above them wasn't on. He looked back at Eliza and did his best to hug her back. He closed his eyes once more and remained dormant for a while longer. What felt like a second had past that when Nathan spoke up, nudged Felix's shoulder to wake him up it felt like half an hour had passed.

``Elijah, Tobias, Eliza, Felix, dinner is ready.'' His voice was firm, quiet and held with care. The twins had stirred, Eliza yawned and Felix opened his eyes. The four kids slowly woke up with Felix pushing his siblings off of him. The twins rolled over away with Eliza moving herself away from Felix. They sat for a moment before standing up and walking over to the dinner table. Rita sat at the table already with Nathan moving to sit down in his seat. As they all sat at the table it was evident to Felix and Eliza they had spaghetti.

``Gidday you lot, I heard you guys had a big day.'' Rita said with a jolly tone.

``Felix saved us.'' Tobias spoke while rubbing an eye.

``Ya!''

``Oh, good on you, Felix. Thanks so much for protecting them.'' Rita said grabbing a medium sized, cylinder container filled with parmesan cheese.

"It's no big deal.'' Felix brushed it off feeling awkward.

"It was the mean boys.'' Tobias added. Both Nathan and Rita looked at him in surprise.

"You mean you saw them before?'' Nathan asked. Rita shook some parmesan cheese over her spaghetti and started to sprinkle it over Elijah's bowl.

"Ya.''

"Yeah we did.''

"When did those two mess with you two? I don't recall this.'' Nathan looked concerned.

"But we did.'' As Tobias replied Rita moved the container across to Nathan, who grabbed it to sprinkle it over his dinner.

"I must have forgotten, I'm so sorry boys.'' Nathan sprinkled the parmesan cheese over Tobias's bowl. ``When did it happen?'' Tobias and Elijah stopped and looked in deep contemplation, they looked at each other staring into each other's eyes. They were thinking together as if they were wiring themselves to each other. Felix looked, waited in awkwardness; he looked at Eliza who was also puzzled. After a while the twins nodded to each other and faced their Dad.

"January.''

"January... hmm.'' Nathan thought for a moment and then nodded back. "No wonder I forgot, been about 9 months since January.''

"Well those boys won't be bothering you two any longer that's for sure.'' Rita scoffed impressed, she looked at Eliza and Felix with a big grin. "Thank you two so much, I mean it. The twins do have a hard time due to other kids.''

"Really?'' Eliza asked looking sad.

"I'm not surprised.'' Felix added.

"Yeah. They're pretty special, but because they are special and different other kids find it easy to make fun of them.'' Rita replied.

"Would you like some parmesan cheese?'' Nathan asked looking at Felix. Felix nodded, Nathan sprinkled it over Felix's bowl and then looked at Eliza. She nodded with a smile and got her bowl sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

"So, what is this exactly?'' Felix asked as he stuck his fork into it.

"It is spaghetti bolognaise. Or `Spag bog' as we call it.'' Nathan explained.

"We call it that because I could never spell the damn word, haw!'' Rita laughed.

"It's just spaghetti, mince and pasta sauce. We enjoy eating it with parmesan cheese, the twins can't eat it without it.'' Felix stared at his spaghetti as he listened, after sticking a fork full of dinner and sticking it in his mouth he quickly discovered he liked the flavour. It was alright, needed more cheese. Felix sheepishly at the parmesan cheese bottle, feeling unsure if he should ask for more. Nathan grabbed the container and gestured it toward Felix, who nodded smiling in appreciation back. "I guess you too gotta have the cheese too. No matter, you're right at home.'' Nathan smiled as he sprinkled more over Felix's bowl. ``Say when.''

"When.''

"There we go, tuck in.'' They all ate together in comfort of their home, Felix feeling more reassured and welcome; more than he has ever felt before.

After dinner, Felix and Elize sat next to each other on the lounge in the back-living room watching the TV. It was some stupid soap opera show that's always on around 6:30pm. They didn't enjoy it. They knew nothing of what was going on and it was incredibly fake looking. Felix changed the channel to the news, boring. He changed it again and it was more news.

"Stupid news.'' Eliza said folding her arms and tilting her head.

"And stupid soap opera. Ugh.''

"Why is nothing good on?''

"I don't know.'' For a moment there was silence as they sat bored and indecisive. Eliza made a pop sound with her mouth to break the silence. Felix looked at her in a mix of bothered and off guard. He copied the action of popping one's mouth and smiled at her. They continued to make the noise as they looked at each other on the couch. It was the simplest of things that made them happy.

"Having fun, you two?'' Nathan said with an amused but sincere smile, he was carrying a large cardboard box to the living room.

"I mean, I guess.'' Felix said trying to downplay his improving mood.

"I started it.'' Eliza said with a big grin. Nathan chuckled and placed the box on the ground before the TV. "What's in the box?''

"We got a show with that name, `What's in the box', plays in the afternoon on channel 7. And, `this' box is something I got before we picked you two up. There's xbox and a playstation 2 in here. It's second hand so it's not in perfect condition.''

"Second hand? What's that?'' Eliza asked.

"It's not brand new, it came from someone else. These came from a store in town and I was told these were waiting for someone to buy them after their last owner sold them.''

"Do you have any games?'' Felix asked, hoping that Nathan isn't daft and ignorant of video games.

"Yep, got these from a friend whose son no longer wanted. Let's see...'' Nathan grabbed a bunch of games from the box. ``There's Halo, but I'm not sure if I should allow you two to play this.''

"Why not?'' Felix said with his eyes looking disappointed. "Why would I be scared by that game?'' Nathan scratched the back of his head and sighed as he thought.

"Well, you two have been through a lot. The game might not affect you but, I'm concerned about the twins.'' Nathan rationalised out loud, Felix eye's lit up as he now understood the problem. "You may play whatever you want, within reason. I'm not sure about you Eliza though.''

"I can handle it!'' Eliza said getting off the lounge and standing up. ``There's no way it could scare me as much as Hannah.'' Eliza then jumped on the lounge up and down swinging her arms about.

"Careful Eliza! Don't hit your brother.''

"I can take it.'' Felix replied.

"Not the point. Anyway...'' Nathan thought to himself as Eliza sat down next to Felix with a thump and colliding against him. Eliza was only 1 year older than the twins and he has heard that Halo has scared the son initially who owned it previously. But if Felix was there, would it really be that bad? Nathan knew he was already bending rules incredulously but he felt pressured to not leave Eliza out from whatever Felix does or plays. "Alright, so long as you are with Felix you are able to play Halo or any violent or scary game. Sounds good?''

"Yay!'' Eliza said patting the lounge in excitement squeezing her teddy as tightly as she could.

"That also would mean any game that's not rated G, the twins are allowed to watch you play your game. But you `must' promise that if you suspect something is too scary for them you stop and let me know. Or have them close their eyes and cover their ears until you tell them it's safe.''

"That's a lot of work.'' Felix said with a sigh, ``But alright.''

"Promise?''

"Promise.''

"Thank you, Felix.'' Nathan looked at another game that was in the group that he grabbed from the box. "We got a Ratchet and Clank game, oh two of them. And there's a Lord of the Rings game, `Return of the king'.''

"I know of those but never played them.'' Felix said as he peered over the box covers from where he sat from. "Wow...'' Felix said feeling breathless, he couldn't help but feel apprehensive for something to go wrong. For when something good happens something really bad will happen, even if he wanted to ignore the feeling it was still gnawing at the back of his mind.

"There's more for sure. But now I gotta get these set up down here, I'll get this done as quick as possible so why don't you two have a shower and brush your teeth.''

"Alright.'' Felix said, his apprehension got stronger as if more alarms were being pressed; he felt momentarily stunned. Eliza looked at Felix as if she could feel the ripples of what he was feeling, and powerless to say anything. As Nathan grabbed one of the machines it only now dawned on him the sudden tone shift of Felix and the lack of excitement anymore. It was something he said and he had to fix it now.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to alarm or rush you.'' Nathan apologised with a closely watching Felix looking back. "What did I say wrong?''

"It's nothing.''

"You're bothered and I can tell. Just tell me what is on your mind and I'll leave you to it.''

"Fine. I just, you're giving us consoles and games. THEN you tell us to have a bath. I have really bad memories of this sort of shit.'' Felix crossed his arm and legs as he leaned back into the lounge looking distant. Eliza rubbed Felix's shoulders with a fixed smile on her face, her coping mechanism made apparent to Nathan.

"Now I understand. I'm sorry to have triggered you. I assure nothing bad is in the works and I just wanted you two to be happy; and to have something to do when bad TV shows are on. But mostly to put a smile on your faces.'' Nathan turned around more as he crouched down, "I'm not preparing anything else, just wanting you two to be clean and get that over and done with so you can play games before bed.''

"I understand, geeze. I mean. I'm sorry, I understand.'' Felix sounded bothered and apologetic, he looked at Eliza and rubbed her shoulder back. "Thanks, Eliza.''

"No worries!''

"It's all good mate. You don't have to have a bath right now if you don't want to, but you do need to have it tonight.'' Nathan said as he turned to try to get everything set up.

"Ok, but can I ask why?''

"You two weren't brought up to bath or shower every day?'' Nathan turned back once more; Felix shook his head as a silent answer. ``God damn, they're bloody disgraces. Stupid, awful and nasty disgraces. A complete failure on so many accounts, those you were last with.'' Nathan said with a momentary enraged expression. "Cleanliness is a good thing, stops infections and... well it just makes you feel good. Good hygiene is important.''

``I guess.''

"Anyway.'' Nathan sighed as he gained his composure back. "You two must have a shower or bath once a day at least. Understood?'' Felix shrugged initially and then nodded, Eliza nodded back.''

"Okie. -We like the shower lots-!'' Eliza and Mary said.

"I like them, just not use to them. But I can be.'' Felix said, relaxing and setting his feet on the floor. He stood up with Eliza jumping up to follow.

"Race you there!'' Eliza yelled as she took off before Felix, Felix followed after her with both of them almost knocking over a vase next to the wall. As they got to the bathroom they saw Rita already in there helping the twins get washed.

"Oh, hello there you two. They're just about to get out.'' Rita said with bubbles and suds all over her arms. Elijah looked over with an exaggerated wave with bubbles flying, Tobias looked over with a very mild smile that could be mistaken for not smile.

"Oh. Ok.'' Felix said a little off guard. Eliza and Felix stood next to each other in the room as Rita helped the twins out of the bath.

"Can you two toss the twin's towels over?'' Rita asked.

"Which ones are those again?''

"The blue and purple ones. They'll always be together.'' Felix got the two towels and handed it over to Rita clumped together, she got the twins both wrapped in the towels and had them hold the tie to keep them from falling off.

"Thanks, you two. I'll get these two dry as soon as possible and get them out so you two have privacy.'' Rita scrubbed and rubbed the boys one by one with the towels. Felix looked away to not get any bad memories or thoughts in his mind and kept his focus on the video games he will be playing after this. The twins were sufficiently dried and when Rita told them that, the twins ran off without their towels down the hallway. "Boy! Be careful.'' Rita said concernedly and ran after them. Eliza giggled as she watched and then in their moment of privacy they stripped and hopped into the tub. Felix relaxed as he laid in the bath with Eliza at the other end. He definitely can get use to having baths more often.

"-Are you alright-?'' Mary asked who is resting on the side of the tub.

"I'm alright. Tired. Feeling better now.'' Felix replied as he collected an armful of bubbles and suds.

"That's good.'' Eliza said splashing Felix. ``Hey wait!'' Eliza said as Felix was right about to retaliate. Eliza stuck her head under the water's surface for a moment and flipped her head back after a moment. Water went flying behind her slapping and dripping down the wall. Felix laughed at the sight and sat up in the tub.

"I gotta try that.'' Felix then stuck his head in the water after leaning forward towards Eliza, then flicked his head back with water and suds flying at the wall.

"So many bubbles...'' Eliza remarked.

"Oh crap, maybe we shouldn't have done this.'' Felix added as he looked behind. After hearing a commotion in the bathroom, Rita returned and gasped.

"Oh god it's everywhere.'' Rita remarked in horror, something that Eliza couldn't help but laugh at. Rita faced the two and shook her head with a bemused grin but showing disapproval. ``Come on now you two. Don't do this again.'' She faced the walls and kept gasping in amazement. ``Bloody hell you two.'' Her tone was noticeably in amusement as she started to laugh shaking her head. ``Nathan get in here!'' Rita said as she walked to the doorway. Eliza still laughing kept facing away trying to contain herself, Felix was doing as best to contain his laughter. Initially Felix was worried, but Rita clearly looked like she was laughing and not mad.

"What the hell?'' Nathan said as he turned the corner and looked in the bathroom. ``What did you two do?''

"They flung water and suds over the walls.''

"We,'' Eliza started to say before grabbing Mary to do her voice in amidst laughing. ``-Stuck our heads in the water and then we pulled it out real fast-.''

"I'm sorry.'' Felix said trying to cover his mouth to not show him smiling. ``We shouldn't have done that.'' Rita cackled and walked past Nathan patting him on the shoulder.

"I ain't cleaning this up, please do it darling.'' Rita said as she laughed down the corridor, Nathan shook his head with a smile and walked in to grab a spare towel to wipe the walls.

"Please don't do this again.'' Nathan asked with a serious looking smile as he held a white towel.

"I promise.'' Felix replied,

"And you too.'' Nathan said pointing at Eliza who is still laughing too much.

"O- O- Okay!'' Eliza laughed resting her head against the edge of the bath. It didn't take long for Nathan to wipe the walls of suds and soaking the water dripping down, he even got the water on the floor. Eliza hopped out of the tub and walked up to Nathan, hugging his leg in a show of love, her laughter now calmed down.

"I love you too.'' Nathan said with an endearing tone as he looked down and rubbed the top of Eliza's head. Felix hopped out of the tub covering his junk as he walked over to his towel, quickly putting it around him he stood waiting for Eliza to come over. ``And I love you too as well.'' Nathan said as he looked to Felix. ``You can let go of me now, Eliza.'' Nathan said with another head rub, she initially didn't want to let go and began laughing once more. "Come on now, you need to get dry before you two can play any games in the living room.'' Eliza finally let go of Nathan's leg which left a rather large wet patch on his pants. As Eliza rushed over to Felix to get her towel and dry, she slipped and landed on her side. The sound of the thud was loud and Nathan sprung into action to get down to make sure she was alright. Felix stood in a mix of shock and worry as he also too went to help Eliza.

"Shit! Are you alright?'' Felix yelled in alarm, he dropped his towel and helped Eliza sit up as she laid on the floor dazed, in shock and pain. There was no blood but Eliza now had a bump on her forehead, she sniffed but did not cry.

"Are you alright Eliza?'' Nathan asked as well. Eliza smiled and laughed with a nod as she rubbed her forehead as she was held by Felix. "You'll be alright, but to make sure I'll get something to make you feel better. Please get her dry and see if she is fit to stand. Don't force her if she can't though.'' Nathan explained as he left, he hurried down to the kitchen to open a cabinet and get some antiseptic and a band-aid. When he returned Felix helped Eliza dry as she stood looked a little dazed but perfectly fine.

"I'm good. I'm good.'' Eliza said as she was dried by Felix. Nathan hated this moment as this gave him more insight to the injuries of the two kids. Long-time bruise scars on the insides of their legs, looking like fingers as if they were forcibly held or manhandled. Not that Nathan knew what a young girl's privates are supposed to look like, but Eliza's looked noticeably used, worn, maybe bruised as well? Some bruises on the pelvis were also, but barely, visible to Nathan from where he stood. The same pelvic bruise was on Felix but he had more bruises around his legs. For a moment when Felix turned away, his buttocks were visible to Felix with more faded bruises and, then his heart sank even more. There were some faded bruises between Felix's buttcrack, and his anus was visible from even at the distance Nathan was; or was it real? Nathan began to doubt what his eyes were seeing as he felt overwhelming grief and horror overcoming him. Whatever he saw for a split moment from Felix's buttcrack or buttocks was not how it should be. Nathan walked to the kids in overwhelmed sadness, knelt down and embraced the both of them in a hug. Felix and Eliza were caught in complete surprised; they didn't know what it was at first but the initial shock wore off when they knew they were being hugged.

"Um, what's wrong? Why are you doing this?'' Felix asked feeling uncomfortable and confused. Nathan began weeping as held them together and close to him, sniffing and unable to form words. Then it hit Felix, he looked at their marks. The bruises and leftover memories from Noah and Hannah. Why would Nathan look there? Is he secretly a perverted monster like they are! Felix's mind raged and mixed with ideas as he tried to figure out what was going on.

"Dad? Are you ok?'' Eliza asked looking caught off guard, almost frightened and, admittedly agitated.

"I just... I saw your bruises. I'm so horrified... so horrified.'' Nathan explained as he lifted his head to look at them directly, Felix's apprehension and instincts were peaking as he stared in dismay; fearing for the next thing Nathan was going to say. "I'm so horrified what they did to you two! You two deserved so much better.'' Nathan said crying, tears falling down his snout to the floor. Felix's heart softened, relaxed and began to feel as if he was in trouble; even though he had done nothing wrong. Eliza felt strong urging desires to push Nathan away, but she started to cry and felt overwhelmed and shaken; Felix started to cry as well. Nathan wiped their tears away and with a whimpering and jittering smile he breathed heavily. "I will protect you two with my god damn life, I will never let that happen again to you two. You two are so precious to me as if you two were my children. No, you ARE my children.'' Nathan sniffed as he backed away trying to compose himself. "I'm sorry how cheesy that sounds, but I mean it.'' Eliza shuddered but sobbed quietly as her nerves calmed down.

"Love you.'' Eliza said as she cried hugging into him, Felix looked still in conflicting feelings as to everything that just happened.

"Why did you look?'' Demanded Felix.

"It caught my eyes; I saw something wrong as I came back. I shouldn't have looked, but it couldn't be helped. I'm sorry.'' Then it was as if the message became clear as soon as Nathan explained himself, as Felix nodded sadly and took a step back. "Now you two need to dry and play something on your Xbox or playstation. I'll leave you two so you have privacy.'' Nathan said as he made Eliza let go of him so he could stand up and leave the room. When Nathan left Eliza looked at Felix in worry, maybe fear, but overwhelmed emotions that she felt awful about.

"-Did we do something wrong-?'' Eliza's voice croaked as she tried to do Mary's voice.

"No. No we didn't, don't be stupid.''

"-But he's upset looking at us-.''

"He's not, he's angry at Noah and Hannah.'' Felix turned away and sighed as his face was too tired and overwhelmed to show any expression. "It's not our fault. Come on, let's get dressed and play some fucking games. I don't want to talk about this anymore.'' Felix said trying to stay strong, he left the bathroom and headed to his room with Eliza splitting to go to her room.

They dressed themselves into their pajamas and headed back to the living room where the consoles were hooked up to the TV with controllers connected. Felix sat down in front of them looking over the games with Eliza sitting on the lounge hugging Mary close. There was more than Felix expected, but not everything looked interesting. So he decided to grab Halo since he's heard a lot about it and always wanted to play it. Once the disk was in and the machine was running, Felix grabbed a controller and sat next to Eliza on the lounge. The game booted up, Felix started playing and it took no time for both him and Eliza to focus on the game. The aliens he was shooting were cool, all he knew was that he had to kill them or be killed. This was one of the most fun experiences he has ever had. An hour at passed and Felix was glued to the TV with a keenly watching Eliza exploding into `wows' whenever something happened in the game. Nathan watched behind them silently to make sure everything was under control. Then a sudden boom rumbled gently below everyone.

"It's the 8'oclock rock!'' The twins yelled together a few rooms away.

"Alright you two, I'll give you another 30 minutes but then you'll have to go to bed.'' Nathan said as he walked up and sat on the lounge, he was completely composed and calm. Eliza looked at Nathan with a grateful smile and with Mary she waved back. Felix paused the game and looked at Nathan with a slightly bothered look.

"But I'm only on level 3. I want to play more.'' Felix said sounding disappointed.

"I know, but rules are rules. I want you two to have a good sleep.'' Nathan then smiled at Eliza. ``Speaking of sleep, if you have another nightmare you are always welcome to wake Rita and I up. But I do know that Felix would love your company, even if he is grumpy at first. Isn't that right, Felix?''

"Yeah.'' Felix responded trying to get Eliza's attention. Eliza turned around with a toothy grin to Felix.

"Ooookie.'' Eliza said while cuddling her teddy into her and closing her eyes, she felt such nice warmth being between Felix and her new Dad.

"Btw, I heard this game has co-op.''

"Wait, it does?'' Felix asked in surprise, Nathan got up and grabbed the game box and after a quick look he nodded.

"Yep, you two can play this together.''

"But Eliza wouldn't be allowed right?''

"True, but I'm here so it's perfectly legal. Adult supervision, you two are allowed to play this together.'' With that said Eliza jumped up and snatched a controller from the console and sat back in between the other two.

"I want to play now.'' Eliza chimed in an excited tone. Felix quit the mission he was doing and allowed co-op to start immediately. The two played together with Felix explaining the controls to Eliza, who picked up the controls like a pro. Time passed and it was time for them to go to bed, Nathan encouraged the two to stop for the night. Felix and Eliza went to brush their teeth with Nathan making sure they've done it right. Felix crawled into bed and with the fan running he laid in total darkness as he began to rest. Today was fucking wild, from one extreme to another. This new home is still weird and at times frightening, but he's never felt so thankful to live under a roof in his entire life.

Eliza woke up from her nightmare crying loudly with hot bedding beneath her. She grabbed Mary and hopped out of bed and stumbled in the darkness to turn on the light, it was blinding. She left her room and with trembling feet she looked to Felix's room and down the hall where her new parents where. In a flash she opened Felix's door and stumbled in towards the sleeping Felix.

"Wake up.'' Eliza pleaded with a shaken voice, "Wake up!'' The closer she got the louder she got. Felix woke up with a startle with Eliza standing before him. Felix exclaimed in shock and then yawned before moving back across the bed to let Eliza shuffle in. Eliza dropped her wet pants down to not spread the discomfort to Felix's bed, something Felix appreciated a lot.

"What did you dream?'' Felix asked as he rubbed an eye with a soft yawn.

"Noah doing the finger dance.'' Eliza replied still shaken.

"Disgusting fuck.'' Felix growled. The `finger dance' was something that Noah loved to do with all the kids grouped up. It was like a paedophile's version of `this little piggy went to the market', where he would finger them all in a line with Hannah holding them all together. If the kid was a boy, he would grab their penis like he would to a finger, then when all that was done, he'd finger their asses one by one making all sorts of animal noises.

"Disgusting fuck.'' Copied Eliza, Felix embraced Eliza to stop her shaking giving her immediate relief and comfort. They felt safe when they were close in bed, but both felt immensely safer being in this new home together. They fell asleep in no time at all.

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