He squeezes Nova’s hand as best he can. “I think you’ll have to open the door for me.”

"I can do that," Nova says, and when they reach the door, does so.

'Chelle is leaning against the banister, messing around with her phone. She looks up when the door opens, and tucks her phone into a pocket. "Here, I can take that tray."

He gives her a grateful smile, and hands it over, immediately entwining his and Nova's hands again. 

Strange that his hand feels empty without his now.

Nova smiles, as close to happily as he has ever managed.

'Chelle grins and leads them down to the kitchen.

There's another teenager setting the table, and he looks up and smiles warmly. "Yo. I'm Lan, itenerant freeloader and handsomest friend of 'Chelle's."

"Teo's prettier than you," Aaren says from beside the stove.

He keeps Nova behind him, but smirks. "Seems you overestimated your handsomeness, Lan." 

He heads towards the table, tugging Nova along. "I'm Zev. This is Nova."

"Alas, Dad is determined to wound me," Lan says cheerfully, not sounding at all wounded. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Hi," Nova says shyly, perfectly willing to stay sheltered behind Zev.

"Dad isn't wrong, Teo is very pretty."

"And yet you brought around this one instead." Zev's stomach is still uneasy with the stranger, but it was so easy to fall into banter with 'Chelle. He felt comfortable around her. 

He pulls out a chair for Nova, and same as this morning, brings the other closer to it. 

"Eh, this one followed me home." 'Chelle pokes Lan's side playfully.

"Speaking of following people home, hey Esca."

Esca briefly leaves Nova and Zev's side to jump up, rest his front paws in Lan's shoulders, lick his face, before dropping back to the ground and padding back to Nova's side, looking smug.

"Yes, he appears to have adopted Nova." He smiles very approvingly at the dog.

Woof!

Nova keeps his head ducked, but scratches Esca's ears.

"Remember that Esca did adopt that clutch of orphaned ducks that one time."

Aaren hands Lan two plates that are promptly deposited in front of Zev and Nova, while 'Chelle brings hers and Lan's. It's a simple enough meal, grilled chicken, boiled potatoes with a little butter and fresh vegetables that look the correct colour.

Zev makes sure Nova is eating his portion before he starts on his own. "The dog can wait a few minutes while you eat, mi vida," he says fondly.

He does keep one eye on Lan, however. 

"Speaking of," Aaren says, picking up a bowl off the counter. "Here, Esca."

Esca doesn't move.

Aaren has a brief staring contest with the dog. Which he loses. "How does Drex deal with you?" he asks fondly crouching down to slide the bowl over to Esca without approaching before grabbing his own plate and joining them at the table.

Lan, meanwhile, is giving Zev a considering look. "Spanish?"