Just as Silas finished licking cinnamon sugar from his fingertips, Daddy Roberts strolled into the kitchen with his usual morning flair — one sock on, hair half-tamed, and reading glasses still perched on his forehead like he forgot they were there.
"Well, don't you all look like a cereal commercial," he said, dropping a kiss on Sam's head before plopping into the seat beside him. "Save any toast for your dear old dad?"
Leo slid a plate in front of him with a soft smile. "Of course. I know how you get without carbs."
Roberts took a dramatic bite. "Mmm. That's the taste of domestic bliss."
"More like cinnamon and consequences," Leo teased.
The kids groaned in unison. "Daaaaads."
After breakfast, the usual chaos kicked in. Backpacks zipped, shoes were half on, and Silas was still trying to find the other half of his headphones. Sam grabbed his water bottle from the counter and turned toward the door just as Max clapped his hands together with royal flair.
"Alright, peasants," Max declared with a mock British accent. "Your noble chauffeur awaits. Try not to touch the leather."
Sam rolled his eyes, smiling. "You have cloth seats, Max."
"Velvet-adjacent," Max sniffed, sweeping his imaginary cape as he led the way out.
As the front door swung shut behind them, the kitchen fell quiet again — except for the clink of forks in the sink and the soft sound of Daddy Roberts humming as he wiped down the table.
Leo leaned against the counter, watching him with a smile.
Roberts caught his eye and raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Nothing," Leo said, still smiling. "Just… you. You're my favorite view."
Roberts blinked, then grinned — that soft, crooked smile that always made Leo's heart flutter a little. "Careful. You'll make me blush in front of the dishrack."
Leo shrugged, stepping closer. "Let it."
They stood there for a quiet moment, hands brushing, eyes full of things they didn't need to say out loud. Just love — gentle, solid, and steady, like the walls of the home they'd built.
Outside, the sound of the car starting up echoed faintly. The kids were off. The day had begun.
And inside the house, all was warm.
All was whole.
---
Scene: The Car Ride to School
The morning sun bathed the driveway in soft gold as Max backed the car out like he was piloting a spaceship. He adjusted the rearview mirror with flair, smoothed his curls dramatically, and said, "Destination: The Glorious Academy of Suffering and Homework."
Sam chuckled in the back seat. Silas groaned beside him. "Why do you have to say it like that every morning?"
"Tradition," Max said, completely unbothered. "One day, when we're all famous and fabulous, you'll miss this."
Sam leaned his head against the cool window. The hum of the car, the smell of Max's coconut hair gel, the faint beat of music from the speakers — it all felt familiar and safe. But there was a quiet flutter in his stomach today, too. A different kind of nervousness.
He shifted in his seat slightly. Everything about his body felt just a little... heavier. Tender. Changed. His period had started this morning, and now he was heading into a regular school day like nothing had happened — like he wasn't carrying this soft, enormous truth tucked away inside him.
His brothers didn't know. Not yet.
He loved them fiercely, but this? This part of him still felt delicate. Not secret out of shame, but out of... care. He needed to hold it close a little longer. Like a candle shielded from the wind.
"You okay?" Silas asked suddenly, glancing sideways at him.
Sam straightened. "Yeah. Just tired."
"You always say that."
"It's always true," Sam replied, smiling a little.
Silas snorted. "Well, don't fall asleep in English again. Mr. Barnes was this close to sending you to the nurse last time."
Max glanced at Sam through the rearview mirror. "You sure you're okay though? You're being all… soft."
Sam blinked. "Soft?"
"Like... soft, but in a poetic way. Like a marshmallow with feelings."
Sam laughed, genuinely now. "Thanks?"
"Anytime."
As the school came into view, the buzz of morning chatter, buses pulling in, and students clambering out filled the air.
Max pulled into their usual spot like he was parking a limo at a red carpet event.
"Alright, nobles," he said, putting the car in park. "You've arrived."
Silas jumped out first, backpack swinging. Sam took a deep breath, then followed. The school looked the same as it always did, but something about him felt a little different. And somehow... that was okay.
Because he wasn't alone. Even if they didn't know everything yet, his brothers were close. Loud. Protective. Silly. His.
And that made facing the day just a little easier.
---