Archive of Our Own

The last week of August came to Solace with an unseasonable wave of heat. The air quality at Strongtower Luxury Apartments was pretty poor at the best of times, but with no central air conditioning things had gone from poor to miserable. It was times like this that Sklonda was especially grateful to have a west-facing apartment, mostly sparing herself from the morning and midday sun. She was kneeling in the living room with Riz, helping him get ready for a day out. The soft hum of two electric fans, doing little more than pushing the warm air around the apartment, filled the room. Penny had invited Riz over for the afternoon to play in the sprinklers, and later Sklonda was going to join them for dinner. But going outside presented its own set of challenges, and Riz wasn't making it easy on either of them.

"It will be over faster if you stop squirming," Sklonda said, but she was laughing. Riz grimaced as she applied sunscreen to his nose and cheeks, reaching up past his bangs to get his forehead.

"Mama, my hair," he protested.

"Your hair will be fine, kiddo, and we'll wash it when you get home. You'll probably get soaked while you're there anyway."

"I'll wear a hat."

"Oh I know you will, that's non-negotiable. But that's not going to solve everything." As if to make a point, she began massaging sunscreen onto his ears, making sure to cover them thoroughly from shell to tip. When she was finished, she sat back to give him a once over, nodding with satisfaction. "Alright, all done."

Riz immediately pulled back and did a full body shake, as if to reset himself, dropping his hat to the floor. He picked it up and shook it before tugging it over his head, crushing his sweaty curls.

"You know I can cut your hair if you want," Sklonda offered, but she knew he wouldn't take her up on it. Ever since the cut she had given him last summer, Riz had been pretty protective of his hair. Sure enough, the suggestion was met with a withering look, one that always seemed so out of place on his small face, but found its way there often nonetheless. He shook his head, walking to the door and strapping on his sandals. Sklonda followed him, popping a few snacks and a water bottle into his backpack before handing it to him. At the last minute, she tucked the tube of sunscreen in as well.

"I'm going to tell Bonnie I sent you with sunscreen, and she's going to tell me if you reapplied it." Riz groaned.

"Mom…"

"I know it feels gross right now, but imagine how much worse you'll feel if you get burned and then start getting itchy while it heals in this stuffy apartment." She tapped the brim of his hat, smiling down at him. "You have to think ahead, Gukgak."

"Copy that." Riz sighed, but he couldn't stop himself from smiling. He liked when his mom called him that. It was something she called his dad as well, and it made him feel grown up. "And you'll come and get me and we can stay for dinner, right?"

"Absolutely. I just have some work to do, and then I'll be right over. Now, you go wait in the lobby for Penny, okay?"

"Yes, mama."

"Perfect. Have fun, kiddo," she said, opening the door and gesturing out.

Riz stepped into the hall, turning back and standing on his toes to rub his nose to hers, leaving a greasy streak of sunscreen in his wake, before he headed down the stairs with a wave. The elevator had been acting up lately, and in heat like this the idea of being confined in the shaky metal box was far from worth it. The stuffy air in the lobby was also not worth it, and Riz considered it for a minute before opting to stand just outside the door beneath the shade of the awning. Surely this was close enough to the lobby that his mom couldn't technically be upset, right? The logic seemed sound enough to him.

He stood patiently, observing the small cracks in the building's facade and the insects gathered around the sconce lights, some crawling sluggishly, others long dead and trapped in old spider webs along with bits of leaves from the previous autumn. It was just dawning on him how dirty the apartment really was, when he heard the bus pull up down the street and his focus instantly shifted. There was Penny, looking both ways before crossing the street, her braid swishing behind her as she ran to meet him.

"Hey bud!" she called, grinning and offering him a hug. Big mistake.

"Ugh, too sticky," Riz said, quickly shrugging her off and shuddering. Penny laughed.

"You're not wrong, it's gross out here. It'll be nice at my house though! Dad even filled up the pool, so we can cool off there if you want. C'mon!" She grabbed his hand and led him to the bus stop, standing in front of him to shade him while they talked and waited.

When their bus pulled up, she helped Riz find his footing and sat with him in the row of lower seats toward the front, still holding his hand. Riz didn't mind. Taking the bus with Penny was always kind of thrilling. It was different from taking the bus with his mom. It felt like such an adult thing to do, and Riz was excited for the day when he would be old enough to bus to Penny's house by himself and visit whenever he wanted. He kicked his feet, listening to Penny talk enough for the both of them as they drove past the fancy Skullcleaver estates and Riz's favourite, the pirate ship mansion by the bridge. He and Penny held their breath crossing the bridge, and he let himself imagine for a minute what it would be like to live there, and whether or not it had really functioned as a ship in the past as he'd been told. It seemed improbable, but so did a lot of things that were true.

When they stepped off the bus, Riz was immediately aware of the temperature change between the two neighbourhoods. Back in the concrete landscape of Ballaster, the sun baked the pavement all day long and radiated heat; but here in Tillering the sprawling lawns and clusters of trees offered some relief. The air here smelled better too, like fresh cut grass and flowers. Riz took a deep breath as they passed the gardens of the neighbouring properties, drinking in all the good scents and taking in all the colour; the lazy movement of butterflies and bees. Penny was still talking, and he tried his best to listen despite the overwhelm of sensory information he was commiting to memory at the same time. The feeling of her hand around his helped keep him grounded.

Riz became aware of the sounds of yelling and splashing as Penny led him up the driveway to her house. She reached up for the key she always wore around her neck out of habit, before remembering her mother was home and the door wouldn't be locked.

"You can drop your bag off inside, and then we can go play," Penny said. "Just a heads up, everyone's being crazy right now, so you'll probably get tackled."

Riz nodded, thankful for the warning. The risk of getting tackled was always pretty great at the Luckstone house and he had been planning his dodges ahead of time, though it was harder to duck and roll from people the same size as you. As if on cue, two of the youngest kids barreled past them at that moment, diving through the open door, and Riz hopped aside quickly to avoid them. Their wet feet slapped loudly against the hardwood floor as they ran, giggling, through the kitchen and back out into the yard.

"Billy, Jenny, if you run through here with those wet feet again one more time, so help me–!" Bonnie was shouting as she entered the foyer. She looked harried and overwhelmed, but her face lit up when she noticed them.

"Penny, you're back. And Riz, darling, so nice to see you!"

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Luckstone," Riz said politely, adding his backpack to the pile near the door. Bonnie beamed at him, walking over to tousle his hair.

"Always so formal! Your mama has raised you well. She's still coming for dinner, right?"

"Yes ma'am, she's just finishing some paperwork."

"Excellent. Now, you put that hat back on if you're going outside, young man." Riz nodded dutifully, replacing his hat even though she had been the one to remove it. "And Riz, your mother tells me she sent you over with sunscreen…"

"Yes ma'am, and I'll reapply it in 2 hours," Riz said stiffly, baring his fangs in a smile that was more of a cringe. Bonnie didn't seem to notice. She was already walking back to the kitchen, where Joey, the newest addition to the family, was fussing in his high chair.

"Penny, will you lend me a hand?" Bonnie called. Penny slumped a little, slipping off her shoes and patting Riz on the shoulder.

"You head outside, okay? I'll meet you out there in a few minutes," she whispered. Then she straightened up. "Coming, mom!"

Riz watched her go, noticing how quickly her posture changed as she and her mom started talking; the effortless way she picked up Joey and how quickly he went from fussing to joyful as she bounced him on her hip, smiling and cooing at him as she carried him off to bed and Bonnie went back to making dinner. It struck him as odd that it should be Penny, not her mother, who would take the baby; but Riz also realized that when it came to babies he knew very little and perhaps he couldn't judge. He tried his best to put it out of his mind as he crossed the living room to the back door and stepped out into the sunlight.

The backyard was absolute chaos. The sprinklers had left parts of the grass spongy and cold, while other patches were slick and slippery with mud. The Luckstone children were soaked to the bone, chasing each other around in a soggy game of tag, shouting and laughing. The whole thing struck Riz as exciting but also incredibly intimidating, and he held back for a minute to take it all in, wondering where he might fit into the madness. Johnny, one of the boys Riz's age, spotted him from across the yard and lit up.

"Riz! Riz!" he shouted, before being tackled to the ground by his twin, Bobby. They wrestled for a minute in the grass, and it wasn't until Bobby had successfully gotten Johnny into a headlock that he noticed Riz as well, offering Johnny a chance to wriggle free.

"Riz, come play with us!"

Riz laughed, walking over to join them, careful to avoid any of the extra soggy spots in the grass. "What are we playing?"

"Whatever we want!" they shouted over each other.

"We were playing tag, actually," someone said from behind him, and Riz turned around to see Katie, the second oldest, approaching. Katie looked a lot like Penny, just smaller, with the same braided hair and bright eyes. She could be a little more stern than Penny, but sometimes Riz liked that. Right now it looked like she was trying her best to guide the rest of the kids into something resembling an actual game.

"Johnny, Bobby, get out of the dirt! Penny left me in charge, and I said we're playing tag. And tag isn't about tackling, it's about taking turns! Right, Riz?"

Riz's ears perked up in surprise. Katie wanted his expertise? He wasn't sure he had much to offer, but it was an honour to be considered an authority. "Yes, turns," he said, nodding confidently. "Tag is about turns."

"You bet it is," Katie said. "And right now it's your turn, Riz. Tag, you're it!" she shouted, pushing the brim of his hat down before taking off across the lawn.

Riz cried out in surprise at the trick, before quickly fixing his hat and sprinting after Katie. The mud puddles made for unstable terrain and he had a tough time keeping his footing as the others ran and dodged, but soon he started imagining this as a feature rather than an obstacle. He tried to keep track of the worst spots, gradually corralling the others onto the slippery patches to slow them down and make them easier to catch. With this strategy, Riz was able to tag Billy without much trouble, and then he could switch gears and work on dodging instead, which he preferred. Riz was at his best when he was on the offensive, slipping past the others, hiding if he had to, essentially disappearing into the chaos. It also felt much better to be hunted, rather than to be someone that everyone was trying to avoid.

The game ended as one by one the kids dropped to the ground in an exhausted pile. Johnny and Bobby sat side by side, comparing grass stains on their arms and knees. Satisfied with inspecting each other, they turned to Riz to check him too before realizing the stains were nearly invisible on his skin. Susie seemed to find this exceptionally funny in a way that made Riz self conscious, and he was grateful when Penny stepped in to get her to stop laughing. There was little time to argue about it anyway; Bonnie had made lunch. They rinsed their hands off with the hose and then everyone gathered together at the picnic table to grab something to eat.

There were egg salad sandwiches, carrot sticks and watermelon slices. Riz sat with Billy and they took turns seeing how far they could spit their watermelon seeds. After everyone had finished eating, they were ready to play again, and Penny suggested hide-and-seek. This was a game that Riz couldn't lose, and she knew that. Sure enough, Riz vanished almost immediately once the counting started, ducking away and slipping into shadows where no one else would think to hide. This also gave him an opportunity to demonstrate one of the advantages his complexion gave him; he had a much easier time camoflauging himself within the shrubs and flowers than the rest of the kids did. Once everyone else had been found, and the seeker had to admit defeat, even Penny was surprised to see how well he had hidden himself in plain sight. Riz volunteered to seek for the next round to keep things fair, though it could be argued that he was equally lethal when it came to investigating, and the game quickly devolved back into tag when it was clear they couldn't beat him.

By late afternoon, all the ruckus had stopped. The youngest kids had gone inside for their naps, and the older ones had dispersed to do their own solo activities. Only Riz and Penny had chosen to stay outside, taking turns splashing lazily in the pool and enjoying the relative peace and quiet. As much as Riz liked visiting the Luckstones, he was always glad when the noise took a break. It was exciting to spend time with siblings, but it was also very overwhelming. He didn't understand how Penny could handle it the way she did.

"The grass is sticky," Riz observed, looking down at his legs. He was sitting at the edge of the pool with Penny, feet in the water. Little bits of dirt and grass had drifted to the bottom, and he was studying the way they moved when the water rippled. Penny turned to him, tilting her head.

"Sticky?"

"Sticking to my hands," he elaborated, holding them up in demonstration. "I tried to dust it off my legs but now it's stuck to my hands." He scrunched his nose, brushing his damp palms on his shirt irritably. "I don't like it."

"I know something else you're not gonna like," Penny said, glancing at her watch just as it began to beep. "Two hours bud, you know what that means. Sunscreen time."

"Nooooo," Riz moaned, hopping off the edge of the pool and dunking himself swiftly. He splashed as he rolled his way onto his stomach, dragging himself along the bottom of the pool so only his ears, eyes, and nose were near the surface, like a very sullen crocodile. He eyed Penny for a moment before lifting his mouth out of the water. "If we stay in the pool, does that count?"

"I don't think so. At least, I don't think that will work on your mom."

Riz frowned, kneeling down and biting his index finger. Sklonda called this his thinking face. "What if we stay in the shade?"

"If we stay in the shade, can I at least get your ears?" Penny bargained. Riz didn't seem convinced. She slipped into the pool and waded toward him, mirroring his pensive look as she got to his level. "Hm… okay. How about this: I do your ears, but then we sit in the shade and we both get a popsicle. Is that a good deal?"

Immediately, Riz's hand shot out of the water for a shake. "That's a deal."

"Alright, good," Penny said, grinning as she shook his hand. "Get out of the water, little beast."

Riz grinned back at her, baring his fangs and chomping playfully as he stood up. If anyone else had called him a beast it would be different, but with Penny, he knew it was just a game.

"I'll go get my backpack. Oh! My mom packed me some snacks too, if you want to share." He scampered off before she could reply, taking the long way around to avoid tracking water into the house. When he returned, Penny was waiting for him in the shade under the oak tree, wiggling her toes in the one dry patch of grass she had managed to find. He handed her the sunscreen and sat down in front of her, tearing into the bag of fish crackers his mom had packed for him while Penny gently worked on his ears. He reached back while she worked, offering her a cracker.

"They're the cheesy kind," he said, popping it into her mouth. "They're different colours, but I like the white ones best."

"Hm, I don't think I've had those ones before."

"When my dad is home we eat them sometimes, and we see who gets the most of which colour. He likes the orange ones." Riz went quiet, happily munching. All the running around had tuckered him out more than he realized, and he'd worked up quite an appetite. He switched back and forth between crackers and water, pausing frequently to lick the salt off his fingers, picking up on the distinct flavour the pool water had left on his skin. It tasted like summer.

"Alright, all done," Penny said finally, snapping the cap back onto the sunscreen. She had managed to get the back of Riz's neck as well while he was busy snacking, and she felt satisfied enough with that.

"I'm going to wash my hands and get those popsicles, okay?" Riz nodded absently as she rose, taking another sip of water. By the time she returned, he had dozed off, curled up in the shade with his backpack under his head like a pillow. Penny crept over and returned to her spot beside him, careful not to disturb him as she sat down.

"Riz?" she whispered, nudging his arm. "Riz, I got you a popsicle." Riz only snuffled in his sleep, rubbing his face into his backpack for a moment before going still again, softly snoring. Penny smiled, turning away from him to do a quick scan of the backyard. No one else around; no siblings to cause a fuss or interrupt or see what she was about to do. The sun was already melting the popsicles, sending little streams of cherry and orange running down her fingers.

It would be a shame to let it go to waste, she thought, and before she could guilt herself out of it she ate them both. Considering all the work she had put in so far that day, it only seemed fair. When she was done, she went to the pool to rinse off her arms, then spent a few minutes picking up and organizing the toys that had been strewn across the yard. Once everything was tidy she joined Riz again, reading under the oak tree while he slept. And if she happened to doze off too? No one could say she hadn't earned it.

—

Four o'clock rolled around to find the children gathered in the living room, rooting through the game cupboard. They tried to get a board game or two going, but when it became clear to Riz that the rules were being amended on the fly, he opted instead to join Jenny in a quieter corner of the room and share a puzzle. This mostly consisted of Riz placing the borders and saying "Oh, thanks," a lot when Jenny tried to help by offering him pieces, but it was still a lot more fun than all the yelling that was going on with the other kids. Besides, Riz liked Jenny. She wasn't as rambunctious as some of the others, and though she was still quite young she had thankfully gotten out of the grabby stage that some of the youngest Luckstone's were in, the one where Riz's ears still looked like free game for a good yank.

Riz was intently focused on fitting the last few pieces together when he perked up to the sound of a car coming up the drive. It was a lower pitch than he was used to though, and he immediately recognized that it wasn't his mom's. There was a sudden scramble as the other kids heard it, and he swiftly ducked out of the way as they stampeded to the door. Riz looked around as the room emptied, feeling his heart skip a little before rising to his feet and trailing after the others, maintaining some distance.

"Dad's home!" Katie was shouting over the racket, following after her siblings as they all went to greet him. Riz watched them crowd around the car as Danny Luckstone got out, laughing at the ambush. He took a moment to say hello to his kids, each getting a hug and a kiss and none of them forgotten. He hoisted Becky up last of all, kissing her on the nose and balancing her on his hip before making his way to the front door where Riz stood waiting. Waiting for what, he wasn't sure.

"Hey there, Riz," Danny greeted him. Riz hung back in the doorway shyly, feeling his ears twitch. Suddenly he didn't know what to do with his hands.

"Mr. Luckstone," he replied, offering him a polite nod. Danny smiled, reaching down to pat Riz lightly on the shoulder.

"I told you before, you can just call me Danny if you like." Riz shook his head quickly, wringing his hands.

"No thank you, sir."

Danny laughed, wrangling Kathy into his other arm so he could carry them both to the kitchen.

"Offer stands if you ever change your mind, kiddo," he said, and he turned away before he could see Riz wince at the nickname. He stood alone in the doorway, surrounded by shoes that didn't fit him in a house he didn't belong in, and suddenly he felt very cold and out of place. Penny, who had held back and watched the whole scene unfold, looked at him from across the room and walked over softly. She saw his ears twitching again, something she'd seen so many times before when he would get upset and not know how to show it, and noticed the glazed look on his face. She tapped him gently on the shoulder, one, two three, before taking his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

"You wanna help me set the table, bud?" she asked. "I could really use an extra pair of hands."

Riz blinked, his eyes refocusing, and squeezed her hand back. "Yes, I'd like to help," he whispered. He let her tug him towards the kitchen, gradually taking control over his feet again until they were side by side and Penny no longer had to fight his resistance. They set to work gathering plates and utensils, and Riz appreciated that Penny didn't try to ask him what was wrong. They both knew she didn't have to.

He and Penny were just setting the last of the silverware when Riz heard his mom's car pull up, and it was finally his turn to rush to the door.

"Mom!" he called, racing down to meet her and tackling her in a hug. Sklonda laughed, leaning against the door to steady herself as she hugged him back, stroking his head. His hair was full of flecks of grass, and though his arms were clean, she could see smudges of dried dirt on his legs and feet, and the way his shirt had crinkled as it dried in the sun.

"You're a mess, Gukgak," she said lovingly as he let her go. Riz beamed up at her.

"You look great," he countered, and it was true. Sklonda rarely had an opportunity to go out for dinner, and she had done her best to dress nicely after spending all day sweating in the apartment. Her hair was still a little damp from the shower, but she'd managed to tame the humid frizz and had put on her favourite summer dress. She'd even put on jewelry, something Riz rarely ever saw her do. It was nice to wear something other than her work clothes for a change.

"I brought cookies for dessert," she said, leaning back into the car and grabbing a plastic clamshell of chocolate chip cookies from the grocery store. "I wanted to bake them, but the apartment was too hot." She dropped her voice suddenly, leaning down to whisper in Riz's ear. "How was your day, honey?" she asked.

"Noisy, but good," Riz whispered back. "Dinner's almost ready, and everyone's home now… Penny and I set the table."

"Good job, kiddo," Sklonda said. She had noticed a flicker of something painful on Riz's face when he said everyone was home, and tried not to think too hard about it. Instead she smiled, cupping his face in her hands. "You want to help me with these cookies?" Riz nodded, taking them from her so she could grab her purse.

The kids had begun to gather around the table when the Gukgaks entered, chattering excitedly amongst themselves. Sklonda followed Riz's lead in finding a place to leave her shoes by the door, searching in vain for an empty hook for her purse. She hadn't been here nearly as often as Riz had, and somehow she always forgot how crowded this space could be. She let Riz take her hand and lead her to the kitchen to drop off the cookies. Bonnie turned from the oven to greet them, brushing her hands on her apron before coming to give Sklonda a hug. Riz watched them, noticing his mother's ears flick at the contact in a way that he knew meant she was feeling surprised and bashful, and smiled encouragingly to her from behind Bonnie, offering her a quick thumbs up.

"We're so happy to have you over," Bonnie said as she released her, and Sklonda stepped back, tucking her hair behind her ear shyly. Riz noticed her floundering and jumped to her aid.

"Mama brought cookies," he piped up, passing the container to Bonnie and grinning proudly.

"Oh, that was sweet of you, dear!" Sklonda blushed.

"I was thinking of bringing wine, but I wasn't sure–"

"Ah yes, no worries," Bonnie laughed. "We have more than enough here to keep us busy." She gestured to the liquor cabinet above, which was stocked to the brim with various wines and spirits.

"A benefit of owning your own tavern," Danny said as he entered the room. "The supply never really runs out!" He smiled at Sklonda and offered his hand to shake, which she eagerly accepted. She was much more accustomed to handshakes as a form of greeting, especially in her line of work. She felt Riz squeeze her other hand before watching him get dragged to the table by the other kids, swallowed up in the shuffle, and she suddenly felt a bit stranded. She glanced around the kitchen at the many trays and dishes of food helplessly.

"Can I give you a hand bringing anything to the table?"

"Oh no dear," Bonnie shushed her. "You're a guest!"

"Yes, leave it to us! You just get yourself comfortable." Danny nodded toward the dining room before busying himself with fixing drinks.

Sklonda made her way into the dining room, scanning the table for empty seats. Penny caught her attention on one side and patted the chair next to her invitingly. They exchanged warm, knowing smiles as Sklonda joined her.

"Nice to see you, Mrs. Gukgak," Penny said. Her voice was a welcome and familiar sound amidst the noise. Sklonda immediately felt more relaxed, sinking into her chair and letting go of the tension she hadn't realized she'd been holding in her shoulders.

"Nice to see you too, sweetheart. How have you been? Excited for school this year?"

"Oh yes, I actually am!" Penny replied, and she proceeded to launch into a cheerful explanation of all her upcoming plans. This would be her last year at Mumple, and she was thrilled to be going to Aguefort the next year. She would be the first of her family to attend the Academy, and Sklonda couldn't help but wonder whether the idea of being somewhere completely new and separate from her siblings was one source for her excitement. Surely it would be a healthy way for her to explore her interests and broaden her horizons. She listened as Penny talked about her future, sipping at the cider Danny had brought her but doing her best to give Penny her undivided attention. When she heard Penny intended to take rogue classes, Sklonda lit up.

"I took rogue classes too, you know," she said. "I think you'd do really well with that. And there's a lot of different directions you can take those skills in your future. If you have any questions at all, I'd be happy to help!"

"I would love that," Penny said, eyes sparkling, and Sklonda knew she meant it.

All at once, the noise at the table stopped, and Sklonda looked to see everything had been laid out now and Danny and Bonnie had joined them. There was a moment of blessed silence as Danny raised his glass of cider.

"To the end of a beautiful summer, and to the health of our wonderful guests," he declared warmly. Everyone raised their glasses in return, and Sklonda felt the tips of her ears warm a bit at the attention.

"Cheers!" Bonnie said brightly, clinking her glass to his. "Alright everyone, help yourselves."

Immediately the room returned to a happy chaos as dinner began. Dishes were passed around the table, with all but the youngest kids serving themselves. There was grilled trout and tomato tarte tatin, creamy scalloped potatoes, and roasted mixed vegetables with lemon and herbs. Bonnie had even baked bread rolls for the occasion, and they were pillow soft and still warm from the oven when Sklonda tore off her share. The kids guzzled back lemonade and Sklonda watched with some pride as, amidst the cacophony of clinking glasses and happy voices and scraping silverware, Riz ate his dinner calmly and politely across the table from her. When they were alone at home, they both tended to be quite noisy and messy, but he knew better than to frenzy in public. There were different standards of table manners when you were a guest, and it was both reassuring and slightly painful for her to see how firmly that idea had already taken root within him. All the manners in the world could do little to contain his appetite though, and she was happy to see him indulge himself just as much as the other kids. A nice big dinner like this was a rare treat, and he deserved to enjoy it.

—

Once dinner was over and the dishes had been washed, the kids headed to their rooms to wind down for the night and Sklonda joined Bonnie and Danny in the living room for a drink. She found herself a clear spot on the sofa, sinking into the soft cushions and tucking her feet beneath herself. The cider had begun to hit, and after a hearty dinner and dessert, she was finally starting to feel herself relax.

"Thank you again for having us over," Sklonda said, sipping her wine. "And for taking care of Riz this afternoon. I really appreciate it."

"Oh, it's our pleasure!" Bonnie replied, settling in on the sofa across from her. Danny joined her, smiling and nodding.

"Riz is a sweet kid," he said. "You and Pok have done a great job with him."

"That's very kind, thank you." Sklonda wasn't sure what else to say. A part of her stung at the mention of Pok, a bitter seed in the pit of her stomach that she tried her best to ignore. Usually she was quite good at that, but occasionally someone would say something that would trigger it and she would have to choose her replies with care. The Luckstones didn't seem to pick up on her discomfort though.

"He'd make a fantastic big brother some day," Bonnie continued. "Have you ever given it any thought?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Riz! He's such a sweetheart, and he's so good with the little ones. I see the way he jumps in to help Penny sometimes when they're playing. Did you and Pok ever plan on having another?"

Sklonda blinked, mulling it over. It was a question she hadn't been asked for a long time. If she thought back, she could remember having the conversation with Pok before, but that had been years ago, before his work had become so demanding and his schedule had taken so much of his time away from them. It was difficult enough to keep Riz satisfied as it was. She suddenly remembered the flash of pain on Riz's face when he'd met her at the car earlier.

"I mean, Pok is so rarely home…" she began, unsure of how to continue. The Luckstones shared a knowing look.

"You know, it doesn't take much," Bonnie started, and Sklonda felt her face turn red as she realized what they were implying.

"No, no, that's not what I meant at all!" she sputtered quickly. "We don't – there isn't any trouble when it comes to that. I meant that he's not around for the raising part…" She trailed off, staring ahead for a moment and taking another drink as she tried to find the words to convey what she was feeling. How empty the other side of her bed felt, how much she worried about Riz when he was on his own. How exhausting it was to come home after working all day, and how guilty she felt for being exhausted when Riz deserved so much. 

"It's hard enough to feel like a single parent to one child. I don't think I could handle any more than that. I wouldn't want to spread myself too thin."

Sklonda caught herself before she could continue, suddenly afraid she might offend them. She looked around the living room, at the stacks of books and toys, the overflowing craft cabinets, the weight of all the possessions that surrounded them. She thought of all the kids here, each of them their own person, each with opinions, likes and dislikes, wants and needs; each deserving so much love and care and support. She thought of coming home to Riz, alone in the apartment, waiting to tell her about his day. The way his face lit up when he got her undivided attention, how precious their shared time together was. She couldn't imagine having to split herself now; now that he was almost eight years old and they were all the other really knew.

Last of all, she thought of Penny; still so young but already so burdened with responsibility, basically a mother before even starting high school. She couldn't imagine doing that to Riz either. And on top of all that, to take care of a baby again…

"No, I don't think it would work for us," she said finally. "Besides, I don't think Elmville wants any more goblins."

"I think Elmville would be better for it," Danny said warmly. He nudged his wife and raised his glass. "We'll thank our stars for the goblins we have."

—

The backyard was bathed in silver moonlight as Riz ventured out again to look for Penny. The only sounds were the hum of night insects and, if Riz really focused, the soft croaks of frogs in the distance. He walked over the damp grass, soft and cool on his bare feet, letting his eyes adjust to the dark as he searched.

"Penny?" he called quietly. No answer. Puzzled, Riz stopped under the large oak tree and thought for a moment. An idea struck him, and he let out a small two note whistle, ears perking up for the response. Sure enough, from the depths of the tree above his head, he heard the notes repeat. "Penny!"

"Shh, don't let them know I'm up here," she hissed, meeting his eyes in the dark. Riz nodded, then cocked his head, reaching up to the closest branch experimentally.

"Is it safe?" he asked, and he heard Penny laugh.

"Safe for a halfling, safe for a goblin," she replied. "C'mon up."

Riz reached out, feeling the rough bark under his fingers before beginning to hoist himself up. Goblins were made for climbing, and without his sandals his feet had an easier time finding purchase in the various nooks and crannies of the grizzled old tree. There were patches where the bark had been worn smooth from years of use, and once he discovered them he was up in no time at all. His head broke through a clearing in the leaves and there was Penny, sitting in a small gathering of branches that made a natural seat. She patted the branch next to herself and smiled, her eyes bright in the moonlight.

"Good job, bud. I knew you could do it."

Riz beamed back with pride, carefully making his way over to join her. Now that his eyes had properly adjusted, he could see there were a few good sitting spots on this level of the tree, where the bark was worn smooth like the climbing branches below. He settled in close and Penny held him, her summer skin cool against his, smelling of sweat and sunscreen. A breeze rustled through the tree, carrying the scent of roses from Danny's garden, a rich sun baked aroma, and Riz purred softly in approval before catching himself.

"Why are you up here?" he whispered, meeting her eyes. Penny shrugged.

"It's quiet," she said simply. "But also – Riz, look up."

Riz followed her gaze and gasped. Right above them, where the canopy was thinnest, the sky glittered brightly with countless stars. He had never seen them so clearly before. Back home, he often fell asleep stargazing in his bay window bed, but the light pollution in Ballaster was terrible and blotted most of them out. The Luckstone property was much darker and more rural, and here the sky was velvet and dark and endless. Riz was speechless, gold eyes as wide as Penny had ever seen them, and she gave him a minute to take it all in before she spoke.

"Isn't it great?"

"It's beautiful… I didn't realize there were so many of them." Penny nodded and smiled.

"I like to come up here during the summer and watch them. Sometimes they shoot across the sky too, and you can make wishes on those ones. Last year there was a whole shower of them, and I watched it for hours."

"A whole shower," he whispered. He felt his heart race a little at the thought.

"If it happens again, I'll tell you, and we can watch them together."

"Yes, please."

They lay together in the tree for a while, watching the stars in silence and just enjoying each other's closeness. Occasionally a breeze would ripple through the leaves, rustling them in the moonlight and filling the clearing with sweet summer air. If he'd been alone, he might have gotten cold, but pressed against Penny's side Riz felt warm and secure. He contented himself with imagining stars shooting across the sky, still fixated on the idea of a whole shower. So many wishes… He looked up at Penny sleepily.

"Did you make any wishes during the shower?" he asked. She hummed, nodding.

"Not on every one," she said. "You have to share. But I definitely made a few."

"What did you wish for?" he asked, perking up.

"Mm, you can't tell. It's like birthdays: if you tell, they won't come true."

"Oh… right. I forgot that."

Penny felt Riz deflate a bit and winced. "Mostly I just wish for nice things though," she offered, and that was true at least. Penny tended to have good luck, and she never knew what to wish for, so she usually spent her wishes on good fortune for herself or her family. She wouldn't tell him, but in the past few years she had spent quite a few of her wishes on Riz as well. He was her family now too. Riz wouldn't tell her, because now he remembered he couldn't, but his wishes were usually very similar. Most of the time he spent them on his mom and dad rather than himself. With that in mind though…

"If they come true you can say, right?"

"Yes, I think that's how it works."

"Oh good." Riz paused for a moment, building up his courage. "Because the year before I met you, I wished I could have a friend," he blurted out, suddenly very aware of his whole body and the space he took up beside her. "And so I can say it because it came true."

Penny looked to Riz and saw the way his ears had pulled back anxiously, saw the look of fear and vulnerability in his eyes, and felt something in her heart shatter. She clasped her hands around his and pulled him close, giving him what she hoped was the most earnest and honest smile she could.

"Well, that's a crazy coincidence," she said. "I wished for the same thing."

"Really?"

"Sure did! And then I met your mom, and then I got to meet you. Isn't it funny how it all works out?"

Riz nodded quickly, tugging one of his hands free to swipe at his eyes. "It sure is," he said, sniffling, and Penny scooped him up into a tight hug. Riz hugged her back, and this time when he started to purr, he didn't stop himself. Penny noticed. She had heard him do it before, usually with his mom, but she had picked up on it other times too when he was especially happy. She had never brought attention to it, but it still seemed like something he felt shy about, and she wondered who had made him feel that way. She knew it probably wasn't her business, so she would never ask; but to hear him do it now felt like an honour.

"Our stars must be lucky," she whispered to him, and she felt him smile into her shoulder.

"Must be lucky," he echoed.

The sound of the adults chattering inside started to grow louder, and Penny checked her watch.

"Uh-oh, nine o'clock." She let Riz go gently, straightening up. "We better get back down, your mom is going to start looking for us soon."

Riz nodded, looking back to the edge of the clearing where he had climbed up. Why was getting down always so much harder? Penny must have sensed his fear, because she nudged him gently before standing.

"I'll go down first, you follow my lead. Okay, bud?"

"Okay."

Riz watched Penny make her way down with ease, having done this countless times before, then scrambled slowly after her. Just in time too; they reached the ground a moment before the porch light flickered on and their parents stepped out to meet them.

"Riz, honey, it's time to head home," Sklonda said. "Go grab your things, okay?"

"Yes, mama."

"Penny, can I get a hand with the little ones?" Bonnie asked, and Penny nodded dutifully. Sklonda held back as the Luckstones went back inside, catching Penny at the door before she could follow them.

"Thank you so much for inviting Riz over," she said softly. "He was so excited when you called."

"Of course, Mrs. Gukgak," Penny replied. She paused for a moment, mulling it over. "Riz is my friend."

"And he's lucky to have you," Sklonda said, without hesitation. Penny looked up at her, really looked, and smiled when she saw that Sklonda understood she truly meant it.

—

The ride back to Ballaster was quiet. Riz was staring out the window dreamily, all out of words, and Sklonda had quickly turned the radio off when she saw he was starting to crash. He looked so small in the passenger seat, scuffed and dirty and still covered in grass. She had noticed a fresh scrape on his knee when she'd gone out to call him in, and she had a feeling he'd gotten it while climbing. Sklonda doubted the Luckstones had been paying attention, but she was sharp enough to have seen Riz's last quick scramble out of the oak tree and had heard the telltale snapping of twigs as she'd opened the door. She wouldn't confront him about it though. He was safe and sound, and she trusted Penny too much to harbour any real concern about it; she didn't think Penny would let Riz do anything if she wasn't sure it was safe.

"Did you have a good time with Penny?" Sklonda asked as they reached the bridge. She stole a quick glance at Riz to see if he was holding his breath. It was a game Penny had taught him, and there were times that she questioned whether or not she liked it. Riz already had a tendency toward superstition and ritual behaviour, so anything that encouraged him to take on more worry seemed like it could be cause for concern. Sklonda could relax this time though; Riz was already fast asleep, curled up and leaning against the door. She turned her attention back to the road, being extra careful now to drive as smoothly as she could so as not to disturb him. When they finally got home, she pulled into their parking space gently and sat with him for a minute, watching him sleep. He snuffled, his breath fogging up the window, but soon enough he opened his eyes blearily, startled awake by the lack of motion.

"Hey, baby," Sklonda said, reaching over and ruffling his hair. "We're home.

Riz held her hand as they crossed the parking lot, and he kept on holding it even once they were in the elevator. A cool blast of air hit them both as Sklonda opened the door to their apartment, and she sighed with relief. Leaving the fan on in their absence had been a good idea. She flicked the hall light on and watched as Riz hung up his backpack and slipped off his sandals, stumbling to the bathroom.

"I'm gonna have my shower," he mumbled sleepily. Sklonda watched him, his sleep drunk wobbling steps, and she felt her heart ache with love.

"Do you need any help?" she called after him gently, and he shook his head.

"No, I can do it," he replied, offering her an unsteady thumbs up before closing the door behind him. She waited to hear the fan turn on, then watched the door creak open to let the steam out. Once the water started, she finished putting her things away and headed into her room to change. She could hear Riz humming to himself over the sounds of the shower and smiled. She hadn't anticipated how strange it would feel to actually watch Riz grow up. Realistically, she'd known it would be bittersweet to see him become more independent, but she hadn't expected the amount of pride she would feel balancing out the sadness. Small things, like him getting himself ready for bed or school, always seemed to hit her the hardest. So many little rituals and routines they had built together that he could take care of on his own; so many little ways he was already starting to need her less and less…

The water stopped. There was a familiar, soft slapping sound of Riz shaking the water out of his hair and ears, and then the squeak of the shower curtain opening. Over the sound of the rickety fan, Riz piped up:

"Mama, can you help with my hair?"

Sklonda snorted, lifting herself out of bed and heading to the bathroom. It seemed there were some ways she could still be counted on.

Riz was standing on his step stool in front of the sink when Sklonda entered the bathroom, choking a little on the steam. Even with the door open and the fan going, the ventilation here was so poor that the walls almost always felt damp. She cracked open the window before joining Riz at the sink, where he had already gotten everything set up for her. Sklonda watched the reflection of Riz brushing his teeth as she combed curl cream into his damp hair, making sure to scratch the comb a little harder against his scalp in the way that she knew he liked. She paused to let him spit, checking his teeth once before nodding to his reflection in satisfaction.

"Thanks, ma."

"Did you know you're the cutest thing I've ever seen?" Sklonda asked suddenly, and he blushed.

"Mama, don't–"

"The sweetest little thing in the world??" she pressed, scooping him up as he tried to wriggle away.

"Mama, no!" he protested, but she spun him around to nuzzle his face and now he was giggling, playfully slapping her shoulders as she held him close and carried him to her room. She tumbled onto her bed with him, peppering his face with kisses as he laughed, then got up and dusted herself off.

"Alright kiddo, pajamas and bed," she said, leaving to give him privacy. There was only one bedroom in the apartment and it was hers, but Riz kept his dresser in there and still used it to change. Someday she imagined they might move more of his things out into the main room if it seemed necessary, but that was a problem for the future. And who knows, maybe someday we can get a nicer apartment and Riz could have his own room… Sklonda thought, glancing around the tiny shared living space wistfully.

She busied herself with tidying the area around Riz's bed while she waited for him to change. It wasn't often that she allowed herself to go down this train of thought, imagining a newer, cleaner home for them, somewhere with space for Riz to grow and foster independence, somewhere in a nicer neighbourhood where he could go out on his own, and she wouldn't worry about him quite so much all the time. Occasionally, if she didn't catch herself in time, the dream might even include a new job for Pok. Something with better hours and less risk, and more time for them to be a family. She didn't indulge that thought this time though, not after the awkward conversation with the Luckstones. If she let herself get started now, it would keep her up all night.

Sklonda was sitting on the couch when Riz finally came out to meet her. He was wearing his sleep shorts and one of Pok's old sweatshirts, with the sleeves rolled up to make them fit. Her heart sank a little when she saw him. He didn't wear Pok's clothes often, and she'd noticed a pattern for when he did. She was certain now that seeing Danny at dinner that night had been difficult for him. If it was, Riz didn't mention it as he walked past her and climbed into bed, pulling his curtains back to look out at the stars. She followed him, looking out over the tangled mess of neon and streetlights below before turning her gaze to the sky as well, squinting to make out what stars she could.

"There are more stars at Penny's house," Riz stated, looking back at her. "How come we don't get them here?"

"That's because of light pollution. You see the streetlights? They make it so bright down here that it's harder to see the stars. They're still out there, though. Same as when it rains. They don't go anywhere."

"Penny said last year she saw a shower of stars at her house."

"Yes, that happens sometimes. Maybe next time we can go for a drive and watch them together."

"And we can take turns making wishes."

Sklonda nodded and climbed into bed behind him, lifting him into her lap. She rocked him gently as they watched the sky together and listened to the soft buzz of the fan. Riz was humming to himself, in that soft sleepy way he did sometimes when he was happy but overtired. Sklonda played with his hair and thought about what he'd said about wishes. She thought about what she would wish for if she knew it would come true. She wondered what Riz would choose.

"Riz, do you think you would want a sibling?" she asked, almost to herself. He shifted in her arms.

"What, like the Luckstones?" He craned his neck to look at her in surprise. "Oh no, they're so much!"

"They are pretty noisy, huh. Still… sometimes I wonder about you being lonely."

"No, mama, don't worry," he said, nestling himself further into her arms. "I like when it's just us." He took her hands and squeezed them as if to reassure her, purring softly when she squeezed him back.

Just us.