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Matteo knew a lot of things. They know their siblings are always there for them. They know they’re the only one of their siblings that doesn’t have a last name. They know all three of their dads are busy, and they know they would rather be with grandpa right now instead of having to deal with this old hag in front of them. She just keeps staring at them like they’re a piece of meat! They hate her already!
Matti buries themself in Papa’s clothes, trying to hide even though they know it’s not going to help. Papa does hug them, though!
“Caterina.” Dad states evenly. “Stop scaring our son.” Son. Matti doesn’t know why, but they’ve always hated being referred to like that.
“You don’t get to tell me how to interact with my flesh and blood, de Riva.”
“And you don’t get to hurt my family.” Dad hisses. “Come on, we’re leaving.”
“No.” The hag states. “You will not.”
Matti can feel Dad’s magic on their skin. Is he going to kill the hag? They hope so! She deserves it!
“Either you get out of our way, or we give our boy a lesson in assassination today.” Matti still doesn’t like it.
The hag has the audacity to sound offended. “I don’t know why I let my grandson marry you. It was clearly a mistake.”
“I’m quite capable of making my own choices.” Papa states. “I was going to marry him anyway, with or without your approval. Now, please move before we’re forced to do something regrettable.” The hag stands down, letting them go. Matti sticks their tongue out at her as they pass.
“Teo. Stop that.” Papa scolds. “You don’t have to like her, but you still shouldn’t be rude.”
Matti pouts. “Why?”
“Because it’s not good business.” Papa explains. “Let’s say you and your siblings are playing together and you decide you want a toy one of them has. Would you just go up and take it from them?” Matti shakes their head. “Why not?”
“‘Cause they’d get mad at me?”
“Right!” Papa states. “But unlike your siblings who will forgive you eventually, other people aren’t always going to do so. Some of them are going to be mean right back.” Matti nods. That makes sense. They look back to the guest house as Papa carries them away. At least they don’t have to see the hag that much since their dads don’t like her much.
Fey smiles at them as he swings into their room. “There’s my favorite little brother!” Matti frowns. “What’s wrong? Not happy to see me? Want me to leave?”
“I don’t like being a brother.” Matti mutters.
Fey perks up with a bright smile. “Do you like the thought of being a sister, instead?” Their brother settles down beside him, more than happy just to be with them.
“Uh uh.” Matti decides. That feels even worse than being a brother.
“Then you can be my favorite little sibling!” Fey decides. “We could ask Dad and Papa if we can visit Captain Taash! They might be able to help you!” They. Maybe Matti’s like the Captain.
Matti nods. “Great! Let’s go ask Dad!” Fey decides, grabbing their hand and pulling them through the estate.
They find Dad on his way from Papa’s office. “Dad! Can we visit the Captain?” Fey asks.
Dad blinks at them. “You remember the way?”
“Through the Eluvian and back to Lighthouse island. Then we take the path in the middle and up to the next set?”
“Yeah.” Dad agrees. “Take Rosa with you. If you see Esha, say hi for me.” Fey nods. Dad’s actually going to let them go? But they’ve never even been out of Treviso before! All their siblings have, but not Matti.
They find Rosa in a matter of minutes. She makes sure they’re ready for the trip, and even makes a quick stop in the kitchen to see Lucas and get some snacks. Matti doesn’t know why they feels so excited about the thought of visiting the Captain, but they know they’re excited for going on their first adventure!
Matti strolls back to their room with a head full of thoughts. Captain explained things as well as they could for them, and now they have a lot to think about. Munching on a cookie, they wonder if they’d be happier if their dads and siblings knew.
“Hey, Teo.” Dad calls leaning in the doorway with his usual smile. “Fey says you have something to tell me.”
“He didn’t tell you?” Matti quickly wipes the crumbs from their face, downing the rest of their cookie in moment.
“Nah.” Dad kneels down in front of them, cocking his head and waiting.
Matti worries their lip for a moment before deciding that Dad won’t care. “I’m not a brother. Or a sister.” They don’t look at Dad. What if they’re wrong. Dad has only ever cared that them and their siblings are happy, but what if he cares about this?
“‘Kay!” Dad grins, messing up their hair. “Are you still okay with your name?” Matti nods. “Cool!” Dad’s face lights up. “You know what this calls for?”
“What?”
“We’re going to go bake whatever sweets you want, and then we’ll tell Luca and the others.” Dad picks them up and takes him to the kitchen. Matti smiles. An afternoon of baking with Dad is the best way that could have gone.
“Can I have another cookie?” It’s in front of their face before they even finish speaking. Matti munches on it happily as Dad carries them.