Interlude

Hisoka stirred, but only to stretch. Waking could be taken slow when there wasn’t a schedule to keep. His agenda—if he even had one anymore—held no obligations, and he wasn’t in a hurry to leave Rhomiko’s arms. Because that’s where he found himself. Draped and petted and on the verge of purring.

There was a scent unique to stars. He’d been catching whiffs all his life, but this close, where it was thick and warm and nuanced …? Hisoka nuzzled and breathed deep and deeper. Memorizing. Making himself at home.

Rhomiko began humming, and Hisoka knew the song.

Old enough to be ancient, a song once sung by a tree.

Histree. His twin.

Taken and taken again.

Yet here was Rhomiko, giving back something so long gone, Hisoka hadn’t realized he’d forgotten it. A small thing. So simple. And precious.

Slowly, deliberately, he wound his arms around Rhomiko. Holding onto the starry remnant who was holding him in turn. And humming along.

Hisoka had eaten every bit of the food that Anjou and Sonnet brought from the kitchen, then allowed his nephews to smuggle him into Jacques’ en suite for a much-needed grooming session. Jacques laid out festive attire, because somehow Hisoka had slept straight through to Dichotomy Day.

When he returned to his room, which Sonnet had freshened, he was feeling more like himself than he had in … well, he supposed if he was honest, it had been a few years. A communique sat on the table, and he pulled it closer, turning his head to read the headlines.

The world, it would seem, had been carrying on without him.

How freeing.

When Rhomiko slipped into the room, they set a thick journal and a pen on the table before taking over the bed in order to cuddle the rock imp. Hisoka got the impression that Rhomiko had chosen their spot in order to keep him from returning to his former cocoon. But Hisoka’s sense of freedom had his mind racing, and it pleased him to commit plans to paper.

Lesson plans and practicums.

Field trips and mentorships.

He was so caught up in possibilities that he barely heard the bump that came low on the door. Only belatedly did he realize that Michael was there … and that he must be using his foot to knock. Hisoka glanced Rhomiko’s way.

“It is for you,” they said, a secretive smile on their face.

Unsure what to expect, Hisoka hurried to open, then quickly stepped back, pulling the door wide so that Michael could enter. The man’s arms were filled with a doubly precious burden.

Michael smiled crookedly. “Did we actually manage to surprise you?”

“I am surprised. Nobody mentioned your news.” Hisoka had always liked this part of Michael. Fatherhood suited him.

From the bed, Rhomiko called, “Bring them. I want to see! Oh. Oh, they are so new.”

Michael angled his head, and Hisoka accepted the direction. Closing the door, he followed the man, who asked, “Room for another, Rhomiko?”

The star-crosser swiftly set aside the wardstone and extended both arms.

“This little man is fresh from a bath, during which he squalled with hearty disapproval. But he’s as ready as we could make him from an introduction. He is Pavel.”

Rhomiko kissed his down of blond curls. “Perfect.”

“When did they arrive?” Hisoka asked.

“Sansa would tell you they’ve been here all along. But they were born a week ago, more or less. While you were sleeping.”

“A week and a day,” said Rhomiko, whose face was radiant.

“Pavel is easily differentiated from his twin,” Michael began.

“By their wards …?” guessed Rhomiko. “Such strong ones.”

“Well, yes. I did a bit of sigilcraft when they arrived. The precaution seemed wise with so many Impressions joining the household. I’ll be curious if they can build up a resistance to impish allure, having been exposed since birth. But if need be, Argent and I can maintain our assortment of wards against starshine and pollen and whatever else the winds may bring.” Michael turned toward Hisoka and offered the other baby. “He is Nikolay.”

Hisoka caressed a tuft of dark hair. “Fraternal.”

“Yes.”

This wasn’t the first time Hisoka had been in this position. He’d dared to renew his acquaintance with Michael and Sansa in order to settle Deece in their household. And since then, Michael had been presenting Hisoka with babies. It was flattering of course. The enormity of trust involved. In this way, Michael had given his former mentor the most precious thing he could, since he couldn’t give himself.

“Two sons. Congratulations.”

Michael’s fingertips came to rest on Hisoka’s shoulder, and his gaze took on a hopeful quality. “Sansa and I have a tradition. It began with Ginkgo. We placed our children into his hands, and they flourished in his care. Every one of them, right through Lilya. He fostered them. Then with Sonnet’s arrival, Sansa asked to let the honor pass to the wolf she counts as a sister. Vanya considers Sonnet his second mother.”

He was leading up to something.

It wasn’t difficult to see what.

But … why?

Michael went on. “I would have spoken sooner, Sensei, but I wanted to be certain. I’ve never really hoped before—for a girl or for a boy. But this time, I did hope—for your sake—that there would be a son. Here are two. And there are two of you. Would you and Rhomiko do us the honor of taking these boys to your hearts? I know they’d benefit from your guidance and affection. Much as I did.”

“I … I never expected ….”

“Then I shall bask in the rare triumph of surprising you twice. Very appropriate, don’t you think. Twin surprises.”

Rhomiko spoke then, and their voice held the lilt of command. “Come here, Hisoka. These boys want to be together.”

So he left Michael’s side in order to take his own place.

He didn’t think that the softness in Michael’s gaze was entirely for his sons.

Chances were excellent that he knew what this honor meant. A fostering bond now linked him and Rhomiko, overlapping their connections, deepening their closeness. They would share Michael’s gift. And eventually, they would share everything.

Tsumiko decided not to remark on Hisoka-sensei’s sudden appearance in the kitchen. One of Michael’s twins snugged in the crook of his arm, he greeted Hannick Alpenglow, chatted amiably with Revic Nightbide, and apologized to Transcendence for taking so long to wish her and Ginkgo well.

Calm, poised, and present.

Argent would be so pleased.

Children were everywhere, trading names and touching palms. Lilya wove among them, facilitating introductions, and Dr. Elara was sweetness itself, making sure that everyone had a nametag. Tsumiko should have been right there with them, but she was doing her best to take her friend Kimiko’s advice and savor the moment. The was a new beginning for so many people, and watching over it felt right.

While Jacques and Anjou guided the newest members of their community toward the spread in the dining room, Rhomiko arrived, moving straight to Hisoka’s side. They also had a babe in arms, and they nudged Hisoka toward the two rockers over by the battered sofa.

“Pull your chair nearer,” Rhomiko urged. “Pavel is vexed that we parted them.”

“Is that so?” Hisoka asked. “Why don’t you hold them both?”

“I do not wish to be greedy.”

“Ah, but you could take Nikolay for Pavel’s sake. And I will go steal our rock imp back from Michael.”

“And return here,” Rhomiko said, their gaze steady.

“And return here,” Hisoka promised, mild in his obedience.

He met Tsumiko’s gaze, and he inclined his head in that same regal way that Argent adopted whenever he was feeling awkward. She was glad for him, and she thought he could tell. And that was enough. Sensei was such a private person.

She crossed to Rhomiko, who had also watched Hisoka leave.

Reading the imp’s expression could be difficult, and she found herself asking, “What are you thinking?”

So much for allowing Sensei his privacy.

Without a trace of embarrassment, Rhomiko answered, “That he is mine.”

“Is he?”

“Is that strange?”

Tsumiko sat in the neighboring rocker and began to sway in gentle tandem. “I suppose, like anything else, it depends on how you mean it.”

“We belong together,” Rhomiko stated. “And we belong to each other.”

She hummed to show her interest, but she didn’t pry further.

But Rhomiko continued anyhow. “For a very long time, my world was safe and small. Barely large enough for two. Hisoka is my other, now, and that is good. But we are not alone. You are part of my world, Lady Mettlebright. And so are Pavel and Nikolay. My world grows every time the enclave grows.”

“Yes.” She pondered all the things that had happened since their last Dichotomy Day celebrations, when the house had felt so empty with Kyrie and Lilya away at camp. “This has been a growing season for Stately House. So many answers to prayer. So much happiness.”

“This is a good place.” Rhomiko’s gaze turned inscrutable again. “I do not want it to be imperiled.”

Tsumiko’s chair stilled. “Is that a thing we can avoid?”

Rhomiko sadly shook their head.

“I see.” Having stars and half-stars in their community meant the odd brush with prophecies. But they weren’t always practical insights. “Can you guide my next steps? Is there anything we can pass along to Argent? Or to the wolves?”

“Can a message be sent with haste?”

Dipping into her cardigan pocket, Tsumiko held up her phone. “If I know their contact information, yes.”

“Begin with a message to Isla Ward, please. She did not listen. She needs to be reminded.”