5. Duty before Emotions

[Xavier]

Those two words stay in his mind like a heavyweight, an uncomfortable presence. Every meeting he attended, every conversation he had, those two words always stayed with him. It's been a week since his first visit to Tristan. His brother was steadily recovering, still in his half-changed form but he was now able to sit with the help of support and talk in minimal sentences. He never minded one of his family members being there with him. Ava had practically started staying at the hospital until Mathilda had to convince her to stay at their house for the time being.

However, Tristan had not spoken another word about his time in captivity. According to Dr.Reese, it was the trauma. Once their father had tentatively broached the subject instantly Tristan had deflated and stopped talking. Since then, no one has dared to bring it up. Even though Xavier wanted to know more than anyone but he was also concerned about his brother's well-being.

He has visited him every day since then,