A Homecoming of Sorts (Open)

Loren felt guilty, and bad for Beatrix after everything the poor girl had been through. But there was a limit to that patience and understanding, and there was only so much abuse he would take from a family member before he was forced to defend himself. So, as she accused him of being a terrible family member the librarian felt it all come rushing back to him: the torture, the fighting, the derision, all the horrible things the Launceleyns did to him. He’d gotten over some of it, but he’d never be truly able to overcome the mental and physical scars they’d left. “The family abandoned me first, Bea. I know you don’t believe, or understand that, and I’m not asking you too. But they failed me, and yet I still tried to do my best for them.” His words were soft, but they carried a world of hurt. His best had never been good enough. And the one time he'd asked for something of his own, they'd rejected him. Making a mental note to find candy right away, Loren debated the efficacy of asking more after Peter. Given Beatrix’s reaction to the ‘Launceleyn from another dimension’—and given the fact that Loren was already on thin ice here—he decided it was best to deal with that issue another day. It helped that he had another problem to worry about, since right before his Beatrix took one of Edy’s dildos and tied it around her waist like a sword; Loren felt a panicky feeling rise in his chest as he imagined, well, anyone’s reaction to seeing that. “Hey uh, Bea, I know that the uh thing you just picked up looks fun, but it’s a...toy for adults. So can you please give it to me?” He held out his hand expectantly, not willing to take it from the girl by force. That’d be worse than taking candy from a baby. At least Jace was accepting, although that probably had more to do with his lack of understanding than anything else. Loren got down on his hands and knees so he was on the same level as the boy. “Thank you.” It came out probably a bit too gravely, but the librarian was trying. It wasn’t like he had any experience with childcare: the other Launceleyns wouldn’t have let a weakling near the youngest among the family, for fear his ineptitude would rub off on them. “What’re you doing? Can I help?” The words were awkward and stilted, but at least he was making an effort. LOREN Not quite an open book