“Lan’s parents...he calls Aaren Dad, and he seems to live here. But he has parents?”

Probably something he should ask Lan himself, but he’s curious. 

"Yeah, that is...a thing." Steve looks tired, but he shakes his head, as if to clear it. "Important for you to know: I'm only sharing things I know Lan would tell you if you asked him." He pauses, runs a hand over his head. "Lan's parents weren't cut out to be parents. Their marriage was far more a match for power and money than any real love. Don't get me wrong, they were good friends, but Lan...was not what they wanted in a son. He's got some very unique views of things like monogamy, and relationships. The fact that he's...bisexual seems far too restrictive a term, and I dislike labels anyway, but it does as an explanation, but they're very...traditional. And they're vocal about their disapproval. Aaren was briefly a consultant for their bodyguards, and in that time, Lan and 'Chelle met, and became close friends. And Lan felt weird not calling Aaren 'Dad', and Aaren was happy for Lan to do so, so Lan calls Aaren Dad. And I'm fairly certain that Lan's parents only care about where their son is if he's going to somehow cause bad publicity, or if they need him to continue the appearance of a picture-perfect family. So, Lan stays here as often as he can. It works out best for everyone involved."

Zev’s heart hardens bit, every beat feels heavier. 

“People shouldn’t have children if they’re not ready for them to be different to them. People should want a child, not a possession.” 

His grip on Nova tightens. 

"You're quite right. Unfortunately, people in...the social circle of Lan's parents, are expected to have an 'heir'. Ask him about his rant on the peerage sometime. But only if you can handle him spending a good ten minutes giving you a very in depth explanation on why it should be dismantled. He's got Aaren now, and 'Chelle, and the rest of us. He's got a proper family. Blood is only one kind of family, and people who say blood is thicker than water don't understand that quote."

"The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb," Zev quotes.

"Exactly."

Pauses. "I will warn you so you aren't blindsided by it. If Lan's feeling insecure, he switches to 'Mum'. Aaren doesn't mind, so it's not something to worry about."

"I'll keep that in mind. I wouldn't want to make Lan feel uncomfortable in his own house."

Steve smiles slightly. "You're good kids. I'm glad we can help you."

Zev smiles, resting his head on Nova's for a moment. "Thank you."

"Did you have any other questions?"

“Not...not really questions. I wouldnt even know how to start.”

He directs his words more at Nova. Originally, Steve was going to be brought over to help Nova feel like he didn’t have to...that. 

But after last night, he has to come to terms with the idea that they both need help, and Nova will suffer more if he doesn’t talk. 

"Okay, is there anything you want to talk about? Again. Any topic at all. I once had a debate with a client about whether AC/DC or Black Sabbath were better."

“...which one is better?”

Steve gives a sly grin. "Neither, Led Zeppelin is superior, but I wasn't going to confuse the matter by adding a third point of view to the argument and they had been having the Black Sabbath-AC/DC argument with someone else."

“You could’ve said anything and I would have to believe you,” Zev laughs. 

He quietens after a moment. His words seem to weigh heavy on him. He tightens his grip on Nova. 

“I...I don’t know what to do. Now. About anything. I want Nova safe, but that doesn’t mean me sticking my knife in whatever comes near him. I’m almost certain it means trusting whoever Aaren thinks will help.” 

Zev shrugs, more to stop himself from crying. Again. 

Steve rests his hand palm out on the table a silent offer.

"I can't say that I don't selfishly want you to trust us," he admits. "And I would on the whole prefer no stabbing. But I wouldn't expect you to just trust me on someone's word. I'll certainly do my best to earn your trust. And I'm bound by client confidentiality rules. Anything you say to me, I'm not going to divulge without your permission."

“This- all of this, being out of the commune, there’s different rules than we had before. The way I got through everyday there, it doesn’t work here.” 

Zev hesitates, then takes his bandaged hand out of his pocket to lay in Steve’s.

He closes his hand very gently, not squeezing, or causing pain, just a steady presence. "How can we make this easier for you? You don't need to answer now, you can think about it, and let us know. This isn't about us making decisions for you, this is about us giving you the support you need to adjust to this."

“I don’t know. I thought things were getting easier, but I suppose a few days is not long enough to let it settle. Let us settle.” 

Zev sighs. He looks down. “I’ll think about it. I couldn’t tell you even right now what I feel like, let alone in the future.”

Steve nods. "Just get used to being safe first. Here-" he awkwardly pulls a small notebook and pen out of his pocket and jots a number down on it, before ripping the page out and sliding it across the table, all one handed. "My number. You could ask Aaren, but I figure this is easier. Any time, day, night, if you want to talk, you call me. Hell, if you just want me to wax lyrical about Led Zeppelin, or Ira, or Ant. You can call me. Both of you."

Zev takes it, and gingerly folds it one handed, before stowing it away in his pocket, next to his knife. “Thanks. We’ll make sure we will.” He nudges Nova gently. 

"I- yes. Thank you, sir."

"You're both very welcome."

Pause. "Shall we go see whether Ira's started accusing Aaren of cheating again?"

“I think a change in mood would be good,” Zev agrees. 

"Let's go then," Steve rises to his feet, and pauses, before walking past them carefully, and heading for the living room.