Rafael Lee

He looked over at Danny for a little, watching the toddler move around a little and make some soft sounds. He smiled softly at the sight, letting you have your moment with their kid before he eventually got over toward him as well. He kissed his pacifier, and forehead, smiling softly. “Sleep well, angel. Love you,” he whispered, pulling away a little and then eventually walked out of the room with you, smiling softly as you had turned the small light on.

“He does. And so do you,” he said, and then smiled softly, nodding his head once afterwards. “You do. Seeing you like this makes me happy. Seeing you with our boy,” he said, and then bit his lip. “Makes me adore you even more. And just tonight, seeing your smile, and hearing you giggle. I won’t be forgetting about it anytime soon,” he said, biting his lip and then flashed you a little smile, nodding his head once. “I know, sweetie. I could tell,” he said, feeling his heart skip a beat when you actually admitted that you were feeling happy. “Small steps, darling. You’re doing so well,” he said, and then flashed you a loving smile. “I’m so proud of you. Honestly,” he added.

“You’re welcome. More than welcome,” he softly said, and then smiled brightly when you kissed his cheek. Your small forms of physical touch meant the world to him. “I love you,” he said as he looked down into your eyes. “More than anything. Okay?”, he hummed, and then bit his lip softly. “Do you want to go back downstairs and play with Chase for a little while longer?”, he asked. He figured Chase was missing you as well, but you needed to be in the right headspace to be able to enjoy yourself again.

‘‘Thank you, daddy’‘ he said softly, flashing you a smile. ‘‘Me neither, I needed it so much, daddy’‘ he told you, he wanted to hold on to that warm, happy feeling for as long as possible. He didn’t want to go back to feeling sad, but he knew it was gonna wash over him soon again anyway. ‘‘Small steps are steps too’‘ he said very softly, swallowing once. ‘‘Thank you, daddy’‘ he said again, your support meant everything.

‘‘I love you too, daddy. So much’‘ he whispered, looking up into your eyes. ‘‘More than anything’‘ he repeated after you, nodding once. ‘‘Yes, please. I’d like that’‘ he said softly, he missed his friend a lot too and he really wanted to spend some more time with him, especially now that he finally was in the right headspace for it again.

“I know. I can feel it in everything you do,” he said, and then looked down into your eyes, nodding his head once. “Let’s go, then. I’m sure he’d love to play with you,” he said, smiling softly and then followed you back downstairs. He flashed you a comforting smile, and then eventually settled down next to Nolan again. “Danny’s out,” he said, chuckling softly and then looked over at you and Chase, smiling softly. He could tell that Chase was trying really hard to make you feel better, and he truly appreciated his effort.

Danny was just so low on energy now, so he just let you help him with everything, just letting you do your thing. He made some sounds when you were brushing his teeth - it definitely wasn’t his favorite thing in the world, but he knew that it had to be done. “My dog too?”, Danny asked confused, but with a little excitement as well. He had already wanted a dog, just like Nolan and Chase, but he was always told no, and now they seemed to have one anyway.

Danny went to use his potty when you made him, and then proudly got up again. “Done,” he chirped, getting in bed with your help and then moved around to get himself comfortable. He wrapped his arms around his stuffed animal, and then got his pacifier as well, looking over at you when you went to sit down upon the edge, and then listened to your reading, soft giggles escaping every once in a while when you changed your voice, but he eventually ended up falling asleep, because he was just so tired.

He had eventually gotten upstairs anyway, quietly, but he wasn’t going to interrupt your moment with Danny. He just waited until the toddler had fallen asleep, and then smiled softly. “That was really cute, darling.” He said, and then smiled again, looking over at Danny’s sleeping figure after he had entered the room. “He looks so peaceful. I’m glad he’s having a good time here,” he whispered, and then looked over at you again. “You warm my heart,”

He smiled softly once Danny seemed to have fallen asleep, leaning in to kiss his pacifier softly. ‘’Sleep well sweet angel’’ he said softly, booping his nose very softly before he silently got back up on his feet, putting the book away again and looked up as soon as he noticed you. ‘’Danny loves stories!” he said softly, getting over towards you after he turned on the small nightlamp.

‘‘Me too, really glad’‘ he admitted softly, eventually leaving the room with you. ‘‘Do I, daddy?’‘ he asked softly when you told him he warmed your heart, swallowing once. ‘‘I-I was finally feeling a little happy again’‘ he said softly, swallowing once. ‘‘Felt so nice’‘ he admitted, biting his lip softly.

“He does. And so do you,” he said, and then smiled softly, nodding his head once afterwards. “You do. Seeing you like this makes me happy. Seeing you with our boy,” he said, and then bit his lip. “Makes me adore you even more. And just tonight, seeing your smile, and hearing you giggle. I won’t be forgetting about it anytime soon,” he said, biting his lip and then flashed you a little smile, nodding his head once. “I know, sweetie. I could tell,” he said, feeling his heart skip a beat when you actually admitted that you were feeling happy. “Small steps, darling. You’re doing so well,” he said, and then flashed you a loving smile. “I’m so proud of you. Honestly,” he added.

He looked over at you and then nodded his head once, flashing you a little smile before he watched how you lifted Danny in your arms. “Tired, dadda. Sleepy,” Danny mumbled, lazily wrapping his arms around you and then let you carry him upstairs. “Bye,” Danny said, waving a little before he closed his eyes, just letting you take him toward the guestroom. “Danny room,” the toddler said as they got inside, and then giggled once.

He figured he should keep his distance for a little, just letting you do your thing and bond with Danny, because it seemed to calm you down, and he wanted to hold on to that. Danny was already wearing his pajamas, so you didn’t have to change him anymore. “Big dog downstairs,” Danny said, referring to your service dog again. “Soft and warm,” Danny said about the dog, and then looked over at you, giggling once before he yawned, some tears appearing in his eyes, because he was just so tired.

“Dadda story? Please?”, Danny asked, looking over at you and then pouted once, his eyes already getting heavier and heavier.

‘‘Yes, this is your room!’‘ he chirped, putting the toddler back down onto his feet once they were upstairs in his room. The toddler was already wearing his pajamas so he only had to help him brush his teeth. ‘‘Yes, big dog downstairs!’‘ he said, booping the toddler’s nose once. ‘‘He really is, isn’t he?’‘ he said, smiling softly. ‘‘He is your dog too now!’‘

‘‘Yes of course!’‘ he said, carrying him over towards the bathroom first to go and help him brush his teeth, making him use his potty as well before he carried him back over towards the bedroom. He helped him climb into his bed and then settled down on the edge of the bed with a nice story book.

Danny went to use his potty when you made him, and then proudly got up again. “Done,” he chirped, getting in bed with your help and then moved around to get himself comfortable. He wrapped his arms around his stuffed animal, and then got his pacifier as well, looking over at you when you went to sit down upon the edge, and then listened to your reading, soft giggles escaping every once in a while when you changed your voice, but he eventually ended up falling asleep, because he was just so tired.

He looked over at you and then nodded his head once. “Of course it is, and it better is, else daddy won’t be able to fit.” He said, and then narrowed his eyes once, chuckling softly afterwards. You definitely looked carefree right now, and it made him so happy. He just wanted this for you, and he needed this for you. You deserved to be happy more than anyone in this entire world, and he really hoped that you would find it again. He figured playing with Danny like this really helped, though.

He just watched you and Danny together for a little, sneakily taking some pictures and then smiled softly to himself. Danny kept on making some loud noises, just playing with you, but eventually followed your lead and then started drinking as well, taking some big gulps. “Tired,” Danny said, yawning once and then crawled closer toward you. Whenever he was tired, he would start getting rather clingy, always wanting to be close to one of them, if not both, as he really found some comfort in that.

“Dadda warm,” Danny said as he leaned against you a little, his cheeks getting slightly rosy - they always did. He watched the two of you for a little, and then smiled softly. “Do you want to take him to bed, darling?”, he asked as he looked over at you.

‘‘Easy, Danny!’‘ he chuckled when Danny took some big gulps from his drink while in reality he was no better, just like Chase he had a habit of drinking too little and once he did he’d drink rather quickly. He’d already finished his drink and put his empty glass down somewhere. ‘‘I can tell, sweetie’‘ he pouted when the toddler mentioned he was tired, he didn’t expect any differently, though.

He slipped his arms around him, pulling the toddler a little closer and kissed his head softly. ‘’Danny too’’ he said softly when he mentioned him being warm. He kissed his head again, just talking to him for a little but then looked up when he heard your voice. ‘’Yes’’ he said softly, eventually getting back up on his feet and lifted Danny in his arms.

He figured he should keep his distance for a little, just letting you do your thing and bond with Danny, because it seemed to calm you down, and he wanted to hold on to that. Danny was already wearing his pajamas, so you didn’t have to change him anymore. “Big dog downstairs,” Danny said, referring to your service dog again. “Soft and warm,” Danny said about the dog, and then looked over at you, giggling once before he yawned, some tears appearing in his eyes, because he was just so tired.

He turned back toward Nolan, smiling softly and then got back to playing as well. He figured he could just let you play with Chase, and their kid for a little. Benji had literally fallen asleep, so he figured you were feeling rather peaceful right now. If the dog felt like it was alright to go to sleep, then you were probably having fun right now, and it warmed his heart. He was so happy for you, and this was all that he wanted, and needed to happen now.

He looked up when Chase got up, following his movements, but then turned back toward the video game he was playing with Nolan. It felt nice to be able to do this, knowing that you weren’t feeling miserable - not right now, that was. Though, when you called out for him, he paused the game and then looked over at you, putting his controller down afterwards. “It does!”, he said, and then grinned once, chuckling softly when you made some race car sounds. “Yeah, sounds exactly like that!”, he chuckled. “Dadda car!”, Danny giggled once, but then got back to playing again.

He felt his heart melting in his chest, and he felt like he could burst at any second - from happiness. Seeing you like this just meant so much to him. He bit his lip once and then got up, eventually settling down upon the floor as well. “Vroom, vroom!”, Danny said as he moved another car of his leg, and then looked over at you. “Dadda’s the track,” he giggled. “Right,” he said, shaking his head once and then chuckled softly.

‘‘But daddy’s car is much bigger!’‘ he chirped, a bright smile forming to his lips by now. He was feeling so carefree and happy right now and he truly wished he could hold onto that feeling forever, like before everything went down. He needed this so badly, he needed this more than anything. ‘‘Yes!’‘ he giggled when you told him it were the exact sounds your car made. ‘‘Yes, dadda’s car!’‘ he chirped, smiling brightly.

He giggled when Danny made some race car noises as well and moved the car toy over his leg, looking up at his face. ‘’Tickles’’ he chuckled, moving around a little before he picked up his car again as well, moving it over Danny’s leg instead. ‘’Now Danny is a track too!’’ he giggled, just playing with the boy for a little while longer.

He just watched you and Danny together for a little, sneakily taking some pictures and then smiled softly to himself. Danny kept on making some loud noises, just playing with you, but eventually followed your lead and then started drinking as well, taking some big gulps. “Tired,” Danny said, yawning once and then crawled closer toward you. Whenever he was tired, he would start getting rather clingy, always wanting to be close to one of them, if not both, as he really found some comfort in that.

He pulled his legs up on the couch and then moved around a little to get himself a little more comfortable, just watching the three of you for a little together with Nolan. He had always loved watching you play together with Danny, but he figured you just really needed it right now. He smiled softly, sipping from his coffee in the meantime, but then eventually turned toward Nolan, taking one of the controllers over from him - just wanting to play some video games.

Danny was having a good time with you and Chase, for sure. He loved playing with you so much, and he giggled really loudly when you moved the car over his leg. “Dadda’s so silly!”, Danny squealed, moving around and then threw his head back a little, moving his train over your leg, and your arm instead, making his train bump into your car afterwards. 

He looked up as soon as he heard the giggling and chirping, but mostly looked up because of your giggling and chirping. He bit his tongue harshly, looking over at Nolan and then smiled softly, figuring it was best to keep his mouth shut right now, because he didn’t want to pop your bubble, but he was feeling very happy right now. And very proud - he always did. Though, he did shoot Chase a wink, and he flashed him a loving, and thankful, smile. 

It felt so liberating to finally be like this again, even if it was just for a moment. He needed a moment like this so bad, a carefree moment in which there were no worries or fears. ‘’Dadda not silly!’’ he giggled, moving the car over Danny’s leg again and giggled again when the boy moved the train over his leg and arms. ‘’Oh oh!’’ he giggled when he made the train bump into the car.

Chase looked over at you once, flashing you the brightest smile. He was really proud of his friend and he was so glad they managed to accomplish this, if anyone deserved happiness right now then it was Diego for sure. Chase eventually got back up on his feet to go and refill Danny’s sippy cup and got him and Diego something to drink as well.

He looked up when Chase got up, following his movements, but then turned back toward the video game he was playing with Nolan. It felt nice to be able to do this, knowing that you weren’t feeling miserable - not right now, that was. Though, when you called out for him, he paused the game and then looked over at you, putting his controller down afterwards. “It does!”, he said, and then grinned once, chuckling softly when you made some race car sounds. “Yeah, sounds exactly like that!”, he chuckled. “Dadda car!”, Danny giggled once, but then got back to playing again.

He looked over at you and Danny for a little, just watching the two of you interact, and hen bit his lip softly. He reached for his cup of coffee afterwards, wrapping his hands around it and then blew into his cup, taking some small sips afterwards. It warmed his heart to watch you with Danny, though - it always did, and he loved watching you interact together.

He flashed you a little smile when you settled down next to him, and then put his coffee back down. “You can, sweetheart. Of course you can,” he said, narrowing his eyes and then flashed you a loving smile before he watched your movements. “Yay!”, Danny chirped when you went to settle down with them, and then handed some car toy over to you. “Play with dadda,” Danny giggled, moving back toward his train again, and then started making some sounds.

He smiled at the sight, and then turned toward Rafael, sighing softly before he eventually started talking to his friend a little. He was long glad that Danny was adjusting so well, and that their friends were willing to help out - and look after Danny. They really couldn’t ask for more, and he just felt so grateful. He just hoped that Danny and Chase were going to bring you some comfort now, though. Benji just laid down somewhere close to you, wanting to let you do your own thing, but linger around anyway.

‘‘Yes, play with dadda!’‘ he said, booping the toddler’s nose once and smiled softly before he picked up a car toy as well, moving it over the floor a little and made some noises as well. Thankfully playing with Chase and Danny like this helped him get back to his own little safe place and forget about everything for a little, even if it was just for a little. 

He eventually even ended up chirping and giggling, which was the first time since everything went down. Danny was really cheery and giggly as well, just playing with his toys together with his father and with Chase. ‘’Vrooom’’ he chuckled, moving the car over Danny’s leg instead.

Danny was having a good time with you and Chase, for sure. He loved playing with you so much, and he giggled really loudly when you moved the car over his leg. “Dadda’s so silly!”, Danny squealed, moving around and then threw his head back a little, moving his train over your leg, and your arm instead, making his train bump into your car afterwards. 

He looked over at Nolan and then flashed him a little smile before he turned toward Bella instead, petting the dog a little when she went to sniff him, and then watched her hop over toward Benji instead. Pip kept his distance, though - just staying in his lane, but watched whatever was happening anyway. “Gracias,” he hummed as Nolan got all of them something to drink, and then looked over at Chase, flashing him a slight smile.

“Why sad?”, Danny asked, frowning once. He knew that feeling sad was a bad thing, but he didn’t understand why people could be sad. “Danny will make it better,” the kid stated, and then wrapped his arms around you when you hugged him again, hugging you back. “Miss dadda’s so much,” Danny said, and then frowned once. He was so used to be around you at basically any time, and he was just really happy to see them now.

Danny eventually let go again, and then settled down upon the ground, getting back to playing with some train, and some car toy - already slipping back into his own little world. “I’m glad he’s doing so well,” he said, biting his lip and then just watched Danny for a little - the kid just warmed his heart. He was so glad Danny was still so innocent, though.

He had a hard time not bursting out in tears again when Danny asked him why he was sad, he couldn’t explain why he was sad to their kid. He was too young. ‘’Nothing you have to worry about, sweetie’’ he said softly, smiling softly when the toddler promised he’d make it better, he already did, though. ‘’You already do’’ he said softly, hugging him a little tighter. ‘’Dadda’s miss you so much too’’ he pouted, kissing his head softly.

He slowly let go of him again, watching him settle down with some toys. He was glad he seemed to adjust so well. ‘’Me too’’ he said softly, swallowing once and settled down next to you. Meanwhile Chase went to join Danny on the floor, though. ‘’I-I want to play with him too’’ he eventually said, wanting to slip in their own little world too for a little.

He flashed you a little smile when you settled down next to him, and then put his coffee back down. “You can, sweetheart. Of course you can,” he said, narrowing his eyes and then flashed you a loving smile before he watched your movements. “Yay!”, Danny chirped when you went to settle down with them, and then handed some car toy over to you. “Play with dadda,” Danny giggled, moving back toward his train again, and then started making some sounds.

“Hi, sweet boy. Missed you, missed you, missed you.” He said, feeling his heart skip a few beats. He was really fond of their son, and he had missed him so much. “Come here,” he hummed, pulling him back into his arms, and then held him tightly, getting back to kissing his chubby cheek another number of times. “My boy,” he hummed, and then smiled brightly. He was just so happy to see their son, and to hold him. He missed him so much, but he knew it was better for both you - and Danny, to be away from home for a little.

“Dog,” Danny brought out, confused, as soon as he spotted Benji. “Yeah, go say hi.” He said, putting Danny back down upon the floor, and then watched his movements before he went to settle down somewhere. Danny did approach Benji, and then giggled once, petting the dog a little. “Big dog,” the kid giggled, and then looked over at you. “Miss you!”, he said, rushing over toward you and then wrapped his arms around your legs. 

He bit his tongue harshly, looking down at his lap and then dug his nails into the palms of his hand. He just hated the situation so much, and he hated how Danny was too young to understand. The kid had no clue, though. “Sad?”, Danny asked, looking up at your face and then frowned, pulling on to the hem of your shirt a little. He easily picked up on things like that, though. 

‘‘Missed dadda too!’‘ Danny said softly, pouting once, though giggled cheerfully when you kissed his cheek another number of times. He was so happy to see you again, he was so fond of the both of you. He just watched you and Danny a little and it did make him smile just a little, their boy really was the light in his life and he loved the kid so much.

He looked up when Danny approached Benji, he could tell he was confused, though. ‘’Very big dog’’ he said softly, flashing him a little smile and just watched the kid with their new dog a little. ‘’Miss you too’’ he said softly, swallowing once and carefully hugged him when he wrapped his arms around his legs.

“Why sad?”, Danny asked, frowning once. He knew that feeling sad was a bad thing, but he didn’t understand why people could be sad. “Danny will make it better,” the kid stated, and then wrapped his arms around you when you hugged him again, hugging you back. “Miss dadda’s so much,” Danny said, and then frowned once. He was so used to be around you at basically any time, and he was just really happy to see them now.

He nodded his head once when you told him that you wanted to take Benji along, and then sent Nolan another text message, just to give him a heads up, and then took you outside - over toward the car. He yawned once, shivering once at the cold and then unlocked the vehicle, opening the door for you afterwards, and then got over toward the other side after you were settled with Benji.

He got in the car as well, getting settled and then started the engine. He soon enough drove them off, driving them over toward Nolan and Chase’s mansion, and then pulled up on the driveway soon enough. “It’s going to be okay,” he said, flashing you a little smile and then got out of the car, opening the door for you again as well, and then waited for you, eventually hopping over toward the front door. 

“Hi,” he said as soon as he spotted Nolan waiting at the door already - he had probably seen them pull up on the driveway. Pulling his friend into a hug, he soon enough got inside, hugging Nolan and kissing his cheek before he did the same to Chase, and then kicked his shoes off, slipping out of his coat as well. “Danny!”, he chirped happily when he noticed their son, and then got over toward him, wrapping his arms around him, and then scooped him up. “Missed you so much,” he hummed, leaning in to peck his cheek a numbe of time, and then eventually put the boy back down. 

He followed you outside over towards the car and got in after you unlocked the door, settling Benji down upon his lap. He took in a deep breath and fastened his seatbelt, swallowing once. ‘’Yes, daddy’’ he said softly, he truly wanted to believe that it was going to be okay, though. He just glanced out of the window when you drove off, petting Benji a little in the meantime and watched whatever they were passing.

He looked up once they arrived at the mansion of their friends, getting out of the car with you after you parked the vehicle. He got out with Benji after you opened the door for him, following you over towards the front door and looked up when Nolan was at the door already. ‘’Hi’’ he said softly, unlike you he didn’t hug their friends, though.

“Dog,” Danny brought out, confused, as soon as he spotted Benji. “Yeah, go say hi.” He said, putting Danny back down upon the floor, and then watched his movements before he went to settle down somewhere. Danny did approach Benji, and then giggled once, petting the dog a little. “Big dog,” the kid giggled, and then looked over at you. “Miss you!”, he said, rushing over toward you and then wrapped his arms around your legs. 

He looked over at you and then nodded his head once, biting his lip softly. “That’s okay. Just.. take your time,” he said, licking his lips and then leaned back a little, playing around with his fork for a little, and then looked over at you again. He hated life a lot right now, but he knew it was even worse for you - how could it not, though? He just wished that he could take your pain away, or erase your memories. He wished that none of this had ever happened, because he had finally gotten you happy, and now everything came crumbling down again. It really weighed on him as well, and it sucked.

“He said it’s fine. We’re always welcome, and we don’t have to ask.” He said, humming once, quickly texting Nolan back, and then put his phone aside again. “Wanna go, then?”, he asked, getting back up on his feet and then went to clean up a little, washing his hands afterwards. “I want to see Danny,” he said, and then pouted once. He really wanted to see their boy, and hug him, and kiss him. 

He got over toward the hallway, slipping into his jacket, and his shoes as well. “Benji can come, too, if you want. Whatever you prefer,” he said, narrowing his eyes. Bella could get along with other dogs, but he figured it was going to confuse Danny a lot. 

‘‘Thank you, I appreciate that’‘ he said softly, he knew all of this was hard for you too, though and he hated it so much. He just wished none of this had ever happened and that he could just get back to being happy like before, but he had no idea how he could possibly do that. He was so grateful for you and your support, though. If it wasn’t for you, he probably would have tried to kill himself already, there was just no reason for him to live if it wasn’t for you being in his life.

‘‘Okay, that’s very nice of them’‘ he said softly, really appreciating their friends a lot. ‘‘Yes, please’‘ he said softly, getting back up on hs feet as well and then helped you clean up. ‘‘Me too, I miss him’‘ he said, washing his hands as well and then followed you over towards the hallway where he slipped into his coat and shoes.

He got in the car as well, getting settled and then started the engine. He soon enough drove them off, driving them over toward Nolan and Chase’s mansion, and then pulled up on the driveway soon enough. “It’s going to be okay,” he said, flashing you a little smile and then got out of the car, opening the door for you again as well, and then waited for you, eventually hopping over toward the front door. 

He looked over at you and then smiled brightly when you complimented his cooking - he was glad that you liked his pasta, though. “I’m glad! Put a lot of love in it,” he said, licking his lips and then chuckled softly, taking some bites himself as well and then let his eyes wander over your face. He was pretty hungry, and this was definitely making him feel a whole lot better. “Alright, I’ll text Nolan after dinner, and then ask if we can step by, okay?”, 

“Well, you ate an entire plate! Good job,” he said, smiling softly and then eventually finished his own food as well, shoving his plate away before he picked up his drink, taking some sips and then fetched his phone out - already texting Nolan to ask if they could step by; knowing that they always could, though.

“So, new race weekend is coming up. And ehm, I was wondering if you would want to come along?”, he asked, narrowing his eyes and then bit his lip. He didn’t want any pressure on you, but he was just feeling curious, and he knew that Christian wanted to know as well. “Maybe it could be a nice distraction for you,”

‘‘I can taste that’‘ he said softly, flashing you the slightest smile. ‘‘Yes, please’‘ he said, nodding once. He figured their friends were going to be okay with it, though. ‘‘Thank you, daddy’‘ he hummed when you told him he’d done a good job by eating his entire plate, then again he was rather hungry so that was why he ate all of it. He sat back a little, petting Benji a little again as well.

He looked up at you again when you asked him about your race weekend coming up, swallowing once. ‘’I-I’ll have to think about that’’ he admitted softly, swallowing once. ‘’I-I’ll let you know’’ he said, biting his lip softly. He wasn’t really sure about it, yet and he had to give it some more thought.

“He said it’s fine. We’re always welcome, and we don’t have to ask.” He said, humming once, quickly texting Nolan back, and then put his phone aside again. “Wanna go, then?”, he asked, getting back up on his feet and then went to clean up a little, washing his hands afterwards. “I want to see Danny,” he said, and then pouted once. He really wanted to see their boy, and hug him, and kiss him. 

He looked over at you and then nodded his head, flashing you a little smile. “That’s okay. Have fun,” he said, licking his lips, and then turned back toward his cooking again. He really wanted you to stay busy, and to do things you usually enjoyed - you couldn’t give up on that. He wasn’t planning on giving that monster any more satisfaction - you were definitely going to come back stronger, but he knew that it was definitely going to take a while.

He put everything into the pan, cleaning up a little afterwards, and then fetched himself something to drink - getting you something as well, and then brougt it over. “Nice colors,” he said, smiling softly and then went to fetch Benji some pet bowl, filling it with some water for him, and then put it down. After that, he just finished his cooking, and then put some upon their plates, not feeling like really setting the table right now.

He took some cutlery along as well, and then went to settle down at the table as well, putting your plate in front of you. “Enjoy, sweetheart. Hope it tastes nice,” he said, flashing you a little smile and then went to take some small bites already.

He decided to color for you, he always loved making drawings and colorings for you and he hoped you were going to like it. He looked up when you handed him something to drink, taking the glass over from you. ‘’Thank you, daddy’’ he said softly, picking up his glass and took a few sips. He put his glass down again afterwards, getting back to coloring like before.

He looked up when you returned to the table with their food, which looked and smelled amazing. ‘’Thank you’’ he said softly, putting his drawing supplies aside and then picked up his cutlery, taking a few bites from his food and hummed at the taste. ‘’Tastes so good, daddy’’ he said, picking up his drink again afterwards and took another sip.

“Well, you ate an entire plate! Good job,” he said, smiling softly and then eventually finished his own food as well, shoving his plate away before he picked up his drink, taking some sips and then fetched his phone out - already texting Nolan to ask if they could step by; knowing that they always could, though.

He looked over at you, and then nodded his head once, flashing you a little smile. He figured he was just going to let you set the pace - in everything, and he was just going to let you come close to him from now on. He didn’t want to startle you, or upset you, and he didn’t want to make you feel bad. He was long glad you confided in him, and that you trusted him. He was going to give you all the time that you needed, and he was just going to respect you - and your boundaries.

“He does. I’m glad he does,” he said, and then smiled softly. “Okay, we can go, then. You just tell me when it gets too much, and we’ll go back home, okay?”, he hummed, letting his eyes wander over your face and then flashed you a slight smile. He then went to turn back to his cooking, starting to cut things up, and then looked over at you again. “That sounds good. Only if you’re ready for that, though.” He said, and then narrowed his eyes once. He really wanted to see Daniel again - the kid didn’t even understand what was going on, and it made him feel so bad.

He hummed once, taking some sips of his coffee and then started cooking properly. “Do you maybe want to go crafting, or drawing until dinner’s ready?”, 

He nodded his head at your words, looking up into your eyes. ‘’Okay, daddy’’ he agreed softly, he just really wanted to see their son. He figured he was just going to see how it was going to go and just like you already said, they could just go back home when it would get too much. He just watched you a little, petting Benji a little in the meantime because it seemed to bring him some comfort.

‘‘Yes, I want to go drawing I think’‘ he said softly, getting back up on his feet already to go and fetch his drawing supplies. He settled down at the table again afterwards, just starting on some page in his coloring book, he didn’t feel much for drawing something himself so he just wanted to color instead. 

He put everything into the pan, cleaning up a little afterwards, and then fetched himself something to drink - getting you something as well, and then brougt it over. “Nice colors,” he said, smiling softly and then went to fetch Benji some pet bowl, filling it with some water for him, and then put it down. After that, he just finished his cooking, and then put some upon their plates, not feeling like really setting the table right now.

He looked over at you and then nodded his head once, letting his eyes wander over your face. “I know, but.. showing them makes you even more special. You’re so strong for that,” he softly said, and then bit his lip. “I’m always here for you, okay?”, he whispered, licking his lips and then flashed you a slight smile, feeling his heart break at your words, and then swallowed once, looking down at the floor for a second. “I know, baby. I know,” he softly said. “I’m here, okay? Always,” he softly said.

He nodded his head once at your words, narrowing his eyes once and then fetched his coffee, looking over at you again. “Hm, then maybe we should go. We can always go back home again when it gets too much, okay?”, he suggested, and then flashed you a little smile. “Danny loves spending time with them, too.” He said, and then smiled softly at the thought. He figured the distraction would be very nice for you, though.

“I miss him, too. A lot,” he said, and then sighed softly. He would much rather have their boy around, because he already had to miss him so much during race weekends. It was completely understandable, though - it was better for Danny to be around their friends now. “Sounds good,” he said, nodding his head once before he eventually went to fetch the ingredients already. 

‘‘Thank you so much, daddy’‘ he said softly, he wished he could tell you and show you how grateful he was for you right now but he was really bad at expressing his love right now. Usually his love language was physical touch, but that wasn’t really an option right now. The thought alone triggered him already. Holding your hand today and the hug they just shared were such big steps for him already.

He nodded his head in agreement, figuring it would be good to spend some time with their friends again, hoping it could bring him some distraction. ‘’Okay, that sounds good’’ he said softly, nodding again. ‘’He does, he really likes Chasey and No No’’ he said, they were like uncles to him. He really missed their son a lot, though. But he couldn’t be a good father right now.

“He does. I’m glad he does,” he said, and then smiled softly. “Okay, we can go, then. You just tell me when it gets too much, and we’ll go back home, okay?”, he hummed, letting his eyes wander over your face and then flashed you a slight smile. He then went to turn back to his cooking, starting to cut things up, and then looked over at you again. “That sounds good. Only if you’re ready for that, though.” He said, and then narrowed his eyes once. He really wanted to see Daniel again - the kid didn’t even understand what was going on, and it made him feel so bad.

He looked over at you and then rose one of his eyebrows, licking his lips and then smiled softly. “Just because you’re doing so great, Diego. Something really bad happened to you, and you’re still fighting, even though you don’t want to.” He said, biting his lip and then looked over at you, tilting his head a little. “Next to that, you’re not afraid to show your emotions either, and I really admire that.” He said, looking over at Benji for a little, and then looked over at you again.

“Oh, did they?”, he asked, biting his lip once. He wasn’t really looking forward to Christmas, simply because he still couldn’t see his family, and he missed them so much. “Do you want to go?”, he asked, looking over at you and then flashed you a little smile. There was no way that they were going to spend Christmas with your family either; not after what happened, and not after your mother seemed to side with that monster. “Maybe it’d be good, and fun. I think Danny would love it as well,” he said, biting his lip softly.

“What do you want for dinner today, darling?”, he asked, walking in a little further and then hopped over toward the kitchen, making himself some coffee, and then handed you some cookie.

He listened to whatever you were saying, swallowing once at your words. ‘’Thank you’’ he said very softly, looking down at his feet for a little and bit his lip. ‘’I-I don’t want to show my emotions, really. But they are too strong to fight’’ he said, he really didn’t want to cry because it made him feel even more miserable than he already did, but he knew there was nothing he could do about it. ‘’It hurts, daddy. It hurts so much’’ he said, his gaze slowly meeting yours again.

‘‘Yes, No No texted me this afternoon’‘ he told you, knowing you weren’t really looking forward to Christmas either because you still couldn’t see your family. ‘‘Maybe’‘ he said softly when you asked him if he wanted to go, he missed their friends, though and he most certainly didn’t want to spend Christmas with his mother. ‘‘Yes, I think Danny would love it a lot’‘ he said, their son was really fond of Chase and Nolan, he was staying with them now too.

He nodded his head once at your words, narrowing his eyes once and then fetched his coffee, looking over at you again. “Hm, then maybe we should go. We can always go back home again when it gets too much, okay?”, he suggested, and then flashed you a little smile. “Danny loves spending time with them, too.” He said, and then smiled softly at the thought. He figured the distraction would be very nice for you, though.

He looked over at you and then swallowed once, letting his eyes wander over your face, and then nodded his head once. “I know you are, sweetheart. You don’t have to put anything into words,” he said, as he turned toward you and then flashed you a slight smile. “I can feel it in everything,” he said, biting his lip and then swallowed once, flashing you another smile. “I hope those aren’t tears from sadness,” he said, narrowing his eyes and then chuckled softly.

“Come here,” he said softly, looking over at you and then carefully took a step closer, and then pulled you into a hug. “I know you’re trying, baby. I can see that,” he whispered. “Something very bad has happened to you, okay? That’s going to take time, sweetheart. There’s no rush,” he softly said. “You’ve got all the time in the world,” he softly said, caressing over your back softly before he leaned in to kiss the top of your head, and hten slowly pulled away again.

“You should be really proud of yourself,” he said, licking his lips and then gave Benji some treat. “I know for a fact that I really am, and so is Chase, and Nolan.”

‘‘No, daddy. No tears from sadness’‘ he said softly, looking up into your eyes. He couldn’t help but flinch once when you told him to come here, those words were just really triggering for him right now. Though when you pulled him into a hug, he slowly calmed down again because you managed to make him feel safe. He carefully wrapped his arms around you as well, taking in your scent and closed his eyes. ‘‘Thank you so much, daddy’‘ he whispered, swallowing again when you kissed the top of his head.

He looked up into your eyes when you pulled away, slowly letting go of you again. ‘’W-why?’’ he asked, he didn’t feel like he had anything to be proud of. He looked over at Benji a little, watching the pet take the treat over from you very gently. The dog was very well mannered in every way, it seemed.

“Oh, did they?”, he asked, biting his lip once. He wasn’t really looking forward to Christmas, simply because he still couldn’t see his family, and he missed them so much. “Do you want to go?”, he asked, looking over at you and then flashed you a little smile. There was no way that they were going to spend Christmas with your family either; not after what happened, and not after your mother seemed to side with that monster. “Maybe it’d be good, and fun. I think Danny would love it as well,” he said, biting his lip softly.