Chapter 283: Midnight Confessions

XENOIS   The moment held, fragile and precious.  Three boys----two who'd survived horrors and one who was trying to understand----connected by something deeper than blood or circumstance. Brotherhood, maybe. Or just the simple recognition that they were all in this together, whatever came next.   "Alright," Lumina said eventually, breaking the spell with gentle practicality. "It's after two in the morning. Everyone finish your cereal, brush your teeth, and get to bed. We can continue this conversation tomorrow when we're all less exhausted and emotional."   There were murmurs of agreement, and the boys dutifully finished their midnight snacks, I caught Riley looking back at me with an expression I couldn't quite read.   "Dad?" he said quietly. "Thank you. For not being mad. About the volcano thing. Or the secrets."   "I'm not mad," I assured him. "I'm grateful you trusted us enough to tell us. Even if we did kind of eavesdrop to hear it first."   That earned a small smile, there and go