Lucien was relieved to hear Faolan speak up. There had been a part of him that had struggled because he was unsure how much Faolan really wanted him to share.. and also this whole situation was just difficult to approach in general for him. They had always understood each other, never would he have thought they would have to explain this to someone else, even less a child. He was quiet as Faolan explained, relaxing as Faolan's hand touched his own, wasting no time in linking his fingers through his. He turned to look at Faolan, the love he felt for the man beside him reflected in his eyes.

Part of Aurel.. could relate what Faolan was talking about. He had suffered at the hands of being different for a lot of his life.. and that had brought him to the Circus.. where he thought being different could keep him safe.. only to end up with him being pointed and laughed at.. He lowered his gaze, sad that Faolan and Lucien felt the need to hide so they could avoid enduring the same suffering... It wasn't something he wished on anyone.

[color=#a7d3d4]"I think... get it. Other hatch--"[/color] He interrupted himself. [color=#a7d3d4]"Children.. and adults didn't like me very much... because I looked different.. and they were really mean to me because of it.. I thought the circus could change that but.. I was wrong.."[/color] He said quietly, before finally lifting his gaze. He could see the way Lucien looked at Faolan.. he could tell they cared about each other. It was a look he had seen before.. but only now did he truly understand what it meant. No one.. had really looked at him in such a way before, not even like a parent looked at a child.. because it wasn't something he had come close to experiencing.. at least until now. 

[color=#a7d3d4]"Is that.. why you two are so nice to me? Because you know how it feels to be.. special?"[/color] He asked. 

Lucien turned back to Aurel as he spoke, his expression softening at his words. It seemed that.. there was some sort of past about Aurel that they weren't aware of. He spoke of his experience with other children as a separate entity from the circus.. but he didn't feel like it was the right time to ask him about it. Instead, he gave the boy a warm smile. 

[color=burlywood]"We knew from the moment we saw you that you were special.. but that's not the only reason we treat you this way. Every child deserves a chance to be happy and grow up with the freedom to make his own choices. You deserved that chance just as much as anyone. We wanted to give that to you, Aurel."[/color] Lucien explained. 

Aurel smiled back at Lucien's words, but it faded slightly at his next thoughts. It was.. sad that Lucien and Faolan had to hide.. He wanted them to have freedom and be happy too.. was that not possible? 

[color=#a7d3d4]"Is there any way that I can protect you too? You both have done lots for me.."[/color] He asked. Lucien and Faolan seemed really strong.. he didn't know if there was anything he could actually do for them, but if there was, he wanted to try. The two of them.. and his snakes.. they were really all he had. He wanted to do his part too.