Dinner passed in near silence.
Riven sat stiffly at the table, hands folded in his lap, barely touching the food on his plate. Eli sat beside him, shoulders squared, acting calm even though every nerve in his body felt alert. Across from them, Eli's father ate without looking up. His mother moved quietly, serving, clearing, pretending that the air wasn't heavy with everything unsaid.
Each clink of utensils felt too loud.
Riven tried not to disappear.
After what felt like an eternity, Eli's father stood. "I'm done," he said flatly and left the table.
The sound of the door closing echoed.
Eli's mother exhaled slowly. She looked at Riven then — not with anger, not with judgment, but with something complicated.
"Tita… I—" Riven began, panic creeping into his voice.
She raised a hand gently. "You don't have to explain yourself," she said.
Eli looked at her sharply. "Mom?"
She turned to her son. "Eli. Can we talk? Alone."
Riven immediately moved to stand. "I can go—"
"No," she said softly, surprising both of them. "Stay. I think it's time we stop pretending."
Riven froze.
Eli's mother folded her hands together, choosing her words carefully. "I know your father's reaction hurt," she said. "And I won't defend the way he spoke." Her eyes flicked briefly toward the hallway before returning. "But I need you to understand… he's afraid."
"Of what?" Eli asked quietly.
"Of losing you," she answered. "Of a world he doesn't understand."
Riven swallowed. "Then why does it feel like I'm the enemy?"
She looked at him fully now. "Because fear often looks for someone to blame."
Silence settled again — heavier, but honest.
Eli leaned forward. "Mom… I love him."
The words were simple. Clear. Unshaking.
Riven's breath caught.
Eli's mother closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again. There were tears there — not angry ones, but tired ones.
"I figured," she said softly. "A mother knows."
Riven braced himself.
"I won't lie," she continued. "This isn't easy for me either. I worry about you. About how cruel people can be."
She met Riven's gaze. "But I also see how you look at my son."
Riven's voice trembled. "I would never hurt him."
"I know," she said. "And that's why… I won't stand in your way."
Eli's head snapped up. "Mom—"
"I won't fight you on this," she clarified. "But your father needs time. And until then… things will be hard."
Eli nodded slowly. "I can handle hard."
Riven wasn't so sure he could — but he held Eli's hand anyway.
Later that night, Eli walked Riven to the door.
The house was quiet again, but different now. Less sharp. Less cold.
"I'm sorry you had to see all that," Eli said.
Riven shook his head. "I'm glad I stayed."
Eli smiled faintly. "Me too."
They stood there for a moment, neither wanting to let go.
"Tomorrow," Riven said softly, "school's going to be worse."
Eli stepped closer. "Then tomorrow, we stand together."
Riven looked up at him, heart full and aching at the same time. "Promise?"
Eli pressed his forehead to Riven's. "Promise."
As Riven walked away into the night, Eli watched until he disappeared from sight.
The house behind him was still filled with rules and silence.
But somewhere ahead…
there was hope.