I woke up in my bed, drenched in cold sweat. Haven? Onyx? I never meant anyone with those names. To top it all off, I was single and never got to leave the house that often. It wasn’t against my dad’s rules, but I didn’t think people would like me. It was still dark outside. Maybe 4 in the morning. I tried to lay back down and fall back asleep. I just couldn’t. After about five minutes of tossing and turning in my bed, my door opened. “Xen?” I heard someone say. 

I turned and saw Max, one of my four adopted siblings. They were shirtless, only wearing shorts. “Yeah Max?” I asked. “I sleepy,” he said. They were holding something. A teddy bear. “Come here,” I said, rubbing my eyes and standing up. They stalled for a moment before walking over to me, crying. “So-sorry,” Max said. “Shush. It’s okay, buddy,” I said, hugging him. They were regressing. Them regressing wasn’t a common thing, but I was the first to learn that Max age regresses. “Bubs…tired…” Max muttered into my shirt, hugging me back. Their hands were gripping into my shirt. “Want to stay here with me?” I asked, placing my hand on their face. “Mhm,” he said. “Okay,” I said. 

I laid back down and Max laid down on top of me. His head on my chest, legs entwined with mines. My hand in their hair as they whimpered. Their arms holding me close; his teddy bear peeking out from over their shoulder. It wasn’t like my bed was small. It was full size, big enough for me and Max. He normally was the only one I allowed this close to me. Eventually, Max had fallen asleep and I did soon after.