Lucien's heart sank as Troy dismissed Blaise's plea without a second thought. He couldn't fathom how their family could turn their backs on their own kin so easily. Somehow or other, he had to make Troy understand.
"Please, Troy," Lucien said. "Think about how it reflects on us as a family if we don't support our own. We can't abandon Blaise like this. He said he doesn't have any place else to go. He'll be homeless."
Troy frowned, eyes softening slightly. He grabbed Lucien's arm and pulled him aside, away from where Blaise could hear him. "You don't understand, Lucien," he said in a hushed tone. "There's something wrong with Blaise. It's more than what you think."
Lucien felt a pang of despair. He felt a renewed gratitude for his own father, who hadn't rejected him outright after the incident at the Catholic school. He knew he had his own secrets, his own hidden desires that he dared not speak of, and could only assume that's what Troy was alluding to. And Blaise was so bold about his amorous activities, and seemed to attract and accept lovers easily. His lack of discretion must have been causing the family pain. But it hurt Lucien, knowing Troy would reject him too, if he ever knew.
Troy continued, looking more apprehensive now. "Blaise is... sick. It's not just about his behavior or his choices, which there are lots of rumors about. There's something deeper, something we can't ignore. Something wrong with him. Maybe it's mental, or maybe it's physical at this point. It's all Raphael's fault, whatever he is doing, Raphael is the one who introduced him to it, and now it's like he is addicted."
Lucien's mind went into overdrive, trying to piece together the puzzle. From what Troy said, it sounded like maybe it wasn't only about his sexuality, as Lucien had initially assumed. Could it be something else? He tried to think. Something that seemed like a sickness... something Raphael had introduced him to... Was Blaise struggling with an addiction of some kind?
Troy's voice brought Lucien back from his thoughts. "I need you to trust me, Lucien," he implored, his eyes searching for understanding. "Blaise needs help, I understand that, but we have to handle this carefully. We can't bring shame to our family. And we can't bring harm to ourselves."
Lucien nodded, his mind still spinning with questions. He didn't want to jump to conclusions, but he couldn't ignore the unease that lingered beneath Troy's words. There was something more to Blaise's situation, something hidden in the shadows, waiting to be unveiled.
He knew he had to find a way to convince his stepbrother to extend a bit of grace to Blaise, to offer him whatever he needed to overcome whatever this illness was.
"Troy, I understand that whatever Blaise is going through is difficult for everyone involved, but leaving him to fend for himself will only make things worse," Lucien reasoned. "Think about it. If he ends up on the streets or falls back into the wrong crowd, his condition will deteriorate further."
Troy's expression hardened, the weight of responsibility for his younger brother starting to crush him. "Lucien, I can't take on the burden of his problems. He's made his choices, and he needs to face the consequences."
Lucien took a step closer, his eyes locked on Troy's. "But we're family, Troy. We have a duty to each other, to help one another in times of need. Look."
Lucien reached for a weathered photograph on a nearby bookshelf, its sepia tones capturing a day from a bygone era. The image depicted a sunlit garden, adorned with vibrant blooms, and two young boys standing side by side. Their arms were slung around each other, their smiles radiating innocence and the carefree joy of childhood. Troy's light blonde hair was shorn rather short, while Blaise's darker golden locks danced in the breeze. They wore matching sailor- style suits with shorts, and their knobby knees were sticking out.
Troy's gaze softened as he glanced at the photograph. He looked more sad and worn than Lucien had ever seen. He sighed, his resolve wavering. "Fine, Lucien. Until our parents return from their honeymoon, he can stay. But after that, it's out of my hands. We'll see what they decide."
Lucien smiled, relieved that his appeals had succeeded. "Thank you, Troy. I know it means a lot to Blaise. We'll find a way to help him, together."
Lucien and Troy made their way towards Blaise and Maisy, who were seated at a small table adorned with delicate teacups and a plate of delectable cookies. Blaise, his gaze downcast, idly swirled the spoon in his cup of Darjeeling tea. Maisy, ever the gracious little hostess, offered a warm smile to her brother, and was keeping him company with conversation that he was clearly not interested in.
As Lucien approached, Blaise looked up and shot him a nervous smile, almost more like a cringe. Lucien noticed that Blaise's canines were noticeably sharper than most people's, more akin to those of a feline. It was cute. Lucien couldn't help but find it endearing, a unique quirk that set Blaise apart.
Blaise shifted his attention to Troy. He tried to sound humorous, as if being thrown out of his family home weren't a big deal. "Is it time for me to see myself out already, or can I at least finish my tea?"
"Blaise, you don't have to go anywhere," Troy announced, trying to sound very official and authoritative. "You can stay in your old room until our parents return. Consider it a second chance."
Blaise's eyes widened in disbelief, his lips parting slightly as he absorbed Troy's unexpected words. He looked at Lucien and said, "You... you convinced Troy? How?"
Lucien stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on Blaise's shoulder. "I made him see that family takes care of each other, no matter the circumstances. We're all in this together now."
"So... I can stay here?" Blaise's voice was full of of disbelief.
Lucien nodded, a small smile gracing his lips. "Yes, Blaise. At least until Marie and Father come home which is in two weeks. And who knows, maybe we can convince your mother just as easily."
Blaise's shoulders relaxed, the tension easing from his slender frame. "I... I don't know what to say. Thank you, both of you."
Maisy reached out and gently patted Blaise's hand. "We missed you, Blaise. It's good to have you back, even if it's just for a little while."
Blaise offered a weak smile, his guard momentarily lowered. "Thank you, Maisy."
Troy, ever the pragmatist, interjected with a firm tone. "But let me make one thing clear, Blaise. This is a second chance, not a free pass. You must behave yourself and stay out of trouble. We don't want any unnecessary attention drawn to this family." Troy met Blaise's prideful glare with a hardened resolve. "Just remember, this house is our sanctuary, and we must protect it. Stay out of trouble, keep a low profile, and focus on getting yourself together. We'll see what the future holds once our parents return."
Blaise's pride flared momentarily, but he seemed to know better than to provoke further conflict right away. He swallowed his retort and nodded in reluctant agreement. With a bitter tone, he said, "I understand, Troy. I won't cause any trouble. You won't even know I'm here."