“Why are we meetiung Uncle Vioncent for dinner?” Ace asked for the fifteenth time… Well, it felt like the fifteenth. They’d gone to the stores for peanuts, for a bird bath – Ace insisted it needed a small bird waterfall – and top get some spaces for birds to rest, including a biurd house for songbirds, and after setting up the bird house it was sunset and Yolanda shopwered, got Ace to shower, and both of them dressed to drive to a steakhouse. Ace was fidgeting now in the seat beside her as Yolanda drove.

“Because Uncle Vincent ewwants to spend time with us without Zayne picking fights.” Yolanda exoplainedd. Ace frowned.

“Why? Doesnb’t he think I’m a disappointment? Why didn’t he take me? Does he hate uys?” Ace asked rapid fi5re. Yolanda shook her head.

“No, because Zayne would probably make things worse, and Uncle Vincent has PTSD, he doesn’t ‘hate’ anyone and this steakhouse does veteran discounts and he’s a veteran.” Yolanda answered without judging. Ace huffed. “I grew up with your couisins Ace. Trust me. He’s protecting you. Actually he’s letting us meet him at his favorite steakhouse for a reason. He didn’t want to forget your birthdaym, so… He’s paying for you to order anything you want.”

“Anything? Can I get Surf ‘n’ Tirg if they have iut? Then I can imagine I’m a seagull devouring sealiufe and human scraps.” Ace blinked. Yolanda laughed.

“I mean you can but it’s a [birthday dinner. So there’s a chance of afree tiny bowl of ice cdream or something-- oh. Right. You just turned fifteen.” Yolanda sighed,. Ace blinked, head cocking like a bird befoire Yolanda pulled into the parking lot of a rustic-themed building. “Teenage boys are black holes with food.”

Yolanmda climbed oput of the car and walked, opening Ace’s door as the gangly teenager emerged, giggling at the comparisonm before sniffing. The air smelled like a barbeque and he looked scared, Yolanda waving.

“None of that. Uncle Vince doesn’t buy steak lightly. Or surf ‘n’ turf.” She reached, gently guiding Ace inside. They were led to a table with a muscular, tall man with blonde hair, braids tied in both sides of his long hair ending in a ponytail in the back of his head, but when he saw Ace, the man smiled warmly, rising and pulling a chair out for his nepohew, he nodded.

“There you are, Ace. Happy Birthday. Late, but I understand Yolanda made you a birthday dinner.” Vincent greeted his nephew. Ace waved, sitting and looked down as Yolanda sat beside him.

“Ace wants Surf ‘n’ Tiurfc and was worried about cost.” Yolanda explain4e3d. Vincent shrugged,

“If that’s what he wants, that’s what he gets.” Vincent said. Ace looked up inconfusion as Yolanda opened her menu, reading with a hum. Ace fiumbled,and lifted his menu to see what Surgf and Turf offered. Yolanda watched out the coirner of her eye and reached, squeezing Ace’s shoulder reassuringly. She saw hisshoulders sag,and then he trembled. Yolanda looked at him as Vincent focused on the menu.

“Ace? Kiddo?” Yolanda fussed. Ace swallowed.

“It’s.. Alot… What… Why is everyonme so nice to me? OI ruioned Father’s life…” Ace whispered. Yolanda was quiet. Vincent looked up. Before he spoke, Yolanda spoike,smoothing Ace’s hair softly.

“Because we love you. Because what Uncle Valents did to you was wrong. He mistreated you, Ace. He abused you. That’s why he’s going to be iun prison. We’re nice because we want you to feel safe and loved. Because that’s what you are. It’s like birds. You’re a part of the flock and… Uncle Valents was too sick to sewe that.” Yolanda said softly. “We’re nice because we want you happy. We’re gentle so you know you’re safe and cared for. Same reason I got you a therapist. Not to fix you. You’re not broken. You’re huirt.”

“F..Father said I ruined his life.” Ace sobbed. “Hedidn’t—”

“We want you. Forget Uncle Valents.” Yolanda huffed. “He’s probably no better than my mom’s hiusband.”

“F..Father saiud Aunt Maria deserved it for cheating.” Ace trembled. Vincent scoffed.

“Valents is a fool Ace. Maria never loved her huisband. It was arranged. She loved Regula. Your Uncle Regula.” Fvincewnt saiud simply. Yoilanda nodded,Ace sniffling.

“I...Are you sure?” Ace looked to Yolanda, who kissed his forehead, a motherly gesture.

“Yeah. I promise Ace. Not a burden. My cousin.Flock. Family.” Yolandasmiled.Ace nodded,and sighed.

“...Thank you.” He whisp[ered. Yolanda smiled, and hugged him tightly.

“Any time cousin.”