Chapter Text
Sirris was picking up Sydney from the temple, when he saw a figure moving in the forest. He felt heat run through his veins. He recognized that person. "Eden?" He called out softly, under his breath. The figure stopped, and turned to look at him. For a moment, everything felt still.
And then Sydney bounded out of the temple, startling Sirris.
When he looked back, the figure was gone.
He let out a soft breath, and drove Sydney home, gently shaking him awake and helping him to his room, before Sirris could finally go to his bedroom and lay down.
It had been almost nineteen years. Why was he still missing him?
He picked up a locket from his nightstand, and opened the photo, looking at it, before laying on his side.
He wasn't sure if he regretted this or not. Sydney was an amazing kid, but... he really missed Eden.
But he'd been firm. And no meant no. No matter how much the breakup hurt.
He'd gotten used to it, and had been able to handle it, but that had brought back so many memories. Memories he didn't want to deal with.
Throughout the next week, he tried to keep his mind off of it.
At least until the weekend, he reminded himself. Then maybe he could go into the forest, and try and figure out who he'd seen.
If Eden was even alive.
It had been almost nineteen years since he'd last seen him. A lot can happen over that time.
On Sunday, he drove Sydney to the temple early that morning, and once Sydney was inside the temple, he headed to the forest. He'd read so much saying the forest wasn't safe, and not to go there alone, but he needed to know. So in he went.
Despite how sunny and warm it was outside of the forest, it was damp and slightly dim under the cover of the trees. The walk was quiet, peaceful, almost. A wide variety of plants grew alongside the trail.
It didn't take long for him to realize he was being followed, and he slowed his pace slightly, pulling out his phone to check behind him.
He stopped walking when he recognized the face, and pocketed his phone. He felt the barrel of a gun press into his back. "Look what I've found."
Sirris didn't look behind him as he was led through the forest to a quaint home in the forest, surrounded by a small clearing. He was led inside, and directed to sit. Eden sat in a chair across from him. "I recognize you. What are you doing in my woods?" Sirris let out a soft breath. "Hello, Eden. I've missed you." He felt Eden stiffen behind him. "Sirris?" He cleared his throat, clearly feeling awkward. "I thought it was you earlier, near the temple." An awkward pause. "Yeah, me and... my son."
The air felt tense, electric.
"Our son?" Eden finally whispered, and Sirris nodded. "I, uh. I'm surprised you kept him."
The air went silent again. When Eden spoke once more, there was a hint of sadness to his tone. "Have you found someone else?"
Another awkward pause, before Sirris shook his head. "Nobody right."
More silence.
Finally, Eden stood. "Would you like tea? Coffee?" Sirris nodded. "Tea is fine. Thank you." "You still like it the same way?" "Yeah."
When Eden returned with two mugs, he gently handed one to Sirris. "That should be just how you like it." Sirris took a slow sip, and relaxed. "Just how I remember. Sorry if I'm making this awkward, it's just been... so long. And we didn't end on the best of terms." Eden froze, before forcing himself to relax. "I mean, we definitely could've done worse." Sirris stiffened, a flicker of anger in his eyes. "We could've done worse? I was 19, and pregnant, and you made me choose between our kid and you." Sirris took a sip of his tea, and let out a breath, calming himself. "Do you know how hard that was on me?" Eden looked away. "I sent money. Every month." "I had to explain to Sydney why his other parent was never there! And I was barely able to do that. Especially since he saw me as his mom when he was younger. Back when I wasn't yet on HRT, and hadn't gotten top surgery. I don't know what Sydney believes about you, but I don't like having to deal with it. I don't like always needing to come up with reasons he can't see you, short of lying and saying you're dead."
Eden went quiet.
"One dinner. That's all I ask." Sirris said softly. He wrote down an address, date, and time on a piece of paper.
"Whatever meal you want. Sydney deserves to know you."
He stood to leave, and Eden grabbed his hand. "Sirris, you know I had a reason, right?"
Sirris squeezed Eden's hand tightly. "I know. That's what makes it so hard."
They spent a quiet moment, before Sirris set down his mug, moving to leave. Eden stood as well, putting a hand on Sirris' shoulder. "How about I walk you back to the border of the forest?"
The walk was quiet, peaceful.
Halfway there, Sirris spoke up. "Wait, so you're the person who has been putting an envelope full of cash in my mailbox each month?" Eden nodded, and they went back to walking in silence.
Sirris hadn't realized how much time had passed. When he and Eden stepped out of the forest, Sydney was headed out of the temple. Sirris froze upon seeing Sydney. Sydney walked over. "Hey, dad. Time to go home?" Sirris nodded quietly, before realizing he'd been holding Eden's hand. He pulled away, face turning red. "Y-yeah, we can go home now. Sydney, this is my friend, Eden." Eden waved awkwardly, before turning back into the forest without another word.
The drive home felt awkward, but Sydney didn't seem to feel any discomfort about it.
Business as usual.