Chapter Text
“As I’m sure you’ve noticed…” Debbie stood in the living room, hands clasped together. “Hyde and I have become very close over the last six months…”
Mark sat stiffly on the couch, aloof but still listening, his gaze lost, unfocused on the ceiling, arms crossed, while next to him, Oliver sprawled on the other side in his usual restless way.
“We saw you making out!” Oliver teased.
“Oliver, please.” Debbie closed her eyes briefly, exhaling through her nose. She smiled, bright though falsely hopeful. “We’ve been talking a lot, and he wants to stay close to the family. So… he suggested, and we agreed to buy a house together. And sell this one.”
The words seemed to land unevenly, snapping Mark out of his dazed trance.
“You’re selling the house?”
“You can’t sell the house, Mom!” Oliver whined. “Where am I gonna live?”
“You’ll both live with us—as long as you want.”
Oliver hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. “I mean, I like Hyde. But why move out? Can’t he just move in with us?”
“He says it’s for our safety. Which…I agree,” Debbie held her hands close to her chest.
“When is this happening?” Mark pushed off the couch, moving toward her. “Did you already list the house?”
“No. Of course not.” Debbie chuckled with unease. “I wanted to tell you both first.”
Mark exhaled impatiently, pressing the bridge of his nose. “I can’t believe this right now… It’s just odd for him to decide that.”
“We decided it.”
“Yeah, but who came up with the idea first? You? Or him?”
Oliver shifted uncomfortably in his seat, now just a passive observer in the confrontation between his mother and brother. His gaze moved quickly around the room, finally settling on Debbie, whose shoulders sagged with hurt etched on her face.
“...Mark…” she said, her voice small.
Mark let out a single huff to ease himself.
“I’m sorry,” he said, softening his tone. “You know how I feel about Hyde. But maybe he really seems to care about us. I want to think he does.”
“I truly believe he means well,” Debbie replied. “Things have been a little easier with him around. Still, we never know what or who else might target us here again, and that worries him. And me.”
“Yeah…true.” Mark nodded slowly, like he was convincing himself as much as agreeing. “And I have to admit that I feel a weight off my shoulders knowing he’s been looking out for you while I’m not around. You… do seem happier lately.” A pause followed as the thought settled. “Maybe a new start at a new house won’t be so bad.”
Debbie’s eyebrows raised a little as her whole face brightened.
“Thank you." She smiled.
Oliver shot upward, hovering over the couch. “I get to pick my new room first!”
A sharp click of the door, followed by a soft thud as it shut, drew everyone’s attention to the mudroom, where Hyde emerged, humming a cheerful tune accompanied by the light tapping of his cane.
“Alright,” he said, presenting a grocery bag hanging between two fingers. “I managed to find the sauce you—”
Hyde blinked once, lowering the bag awkwardly to his side. Oliver and Debbie smiled upon his arrival. But Mark remained stiff, only averting his gaze, but it lacked his usual brooding glare beforehand; his body shrinking in place with quiet resignation gave Hyde no less curiosity as to what could be going through the boy’s mind. But he certainly sensed the shift.
“Hey, Hyde!" Oliver said quickly, holding out a fist as he glided close.
A small smile tugged at Hyde’s face despite his confusion, and he bumped it gently with his own. “Hello, Oliver.”
“I’m gonna head out for a bit, Mom. I’ll see ya later.” Oliver glanced toward Hyde and hurried off before anyone could stop him, the front door shutting again not long after.
Mark cleared his throat, still avoiding Hyde’s eyes.
“I’m going to my room,” he muttered. “Had a long day.”
“…Mark.” Hyde took a small step.
Mark paused on his way at the base of the staircase without turning his head even a little, his hand gripping the rail tightly.
The words never made it out past Hyde’s lips. He knew better than to press the boy with questions.
“It’s good to see you.” He prodded politely.
Mark glanced back briefly, smiling faintly with a quick flash of guilt across his face. “Yeah. You too.”
It was a small gesture, but it brought Hyde relief as Mark disappeared upstairs. His eyes then found Debbie, who returned his smile as if she understood what had just happened. The tension in the room eased the moment he looked at her.
Debbie rested a hand against his chest as they shared a light kiss, warm and unhurried despite the lingering tension around them. When they parted, Hyde stayed close with his forehead pressed on hers, studying her face carefully.
“You alright?” he whispered.
“I am now.”
“Did something happen while I was gone?”
Debbie rolled her eyes with raised eyebrows, letting out a little huff.
“I told the boys about what you and I discussed earlier… about the house.”
“Ah…” Hyde’s brows furrowed. “Do tell.”