When Dakota got home that evening, Nick looked...nervous. He was flitting about, rushing around the kitchen like a mad-man.

"Uh, is Xavier coming over for dinner again?" he asked. He hadn't seen Xavier since he was invited for dinner the last time, but that was usual.

"Uh, no," Nick bit his lip, "But I need to ask you something really quick."

"Lenore broke up with me," Dakota grumbled.

"What?" Nick asked, dropping his nervousness in surprise.

 "That's why I was upset this morning," Dakota explained. Nick then went in operation mom-mode and cooed and hugged him. Kissing him on the cheek, telling him that he will meet someone someday. The usual.

"I'm sorry, Darling," Nick said, patting him on the shoulder, "But that's not what I was going to ask."

"Oh," Dakota said, taken aback, "Then what is it?"

Nick bit his lip and said, "Let's sit down."

Dakota then knew that it was serious-talk time when Nick looked him deeply in the eyes after sitting them both down. Was he in trouble?

"Dakota, I found a kid today, and I rescued him," Nick explained. Dakota relaxed, but his curiosity was piqued. A new sibling then. "I can't adopt him because he's already eighteen but- he's too young to be living out on the streets alone." Nick lowered his voice, and got real close to Dakota, as if there were invisible people in the room that should not hear their conversation. "He was trying to sell his body for a home," Nick whispered, "You know I can't ignore that."

Dakota knew very well that he could not ignore that.

"So," Nick said, backing away and saying a little louder, "He's sleeping in your room, if you are okay with that. I wanted him to room with someone who...understands...a little bit of what he's going through. To make him feel at home."

Dakota nodded. Sure, he wouldn't have as much privacy, but he would have a friend who gets the struggles of living on the street. He would be the person to make them feel happy again- just like Nick did for him.

"I'm fine with that," he said seriously.

"I'm so sorry for springing this on you today," Nick added, "I didn't mean to do it on the day Lenore and you broke up."

"It's okay," Dakota nodded, "Mom, is it...is it okay to not feel anything after breaking up with someone?" Nick tilted his head to the side then nodded.

"Of course," Nick replied, "It means you broke up for a good reason."

Then he smiled, patted Dakota on the knee lovingly, then stood to prepare dinner.

"You should go greet your new roommate," Nick suggested, "He's getting acquainted with your room right now."

"He's already here?" asked Dakota. Before Nick could answer, Dakota was down the hallway. He was extremely curious as to what the person was like.

He got to the door of his room, then opened it slowly.

He was greeted to a boy in nothing but girly, lacey underwear.