Dinner passed peacefully, and only with a small amount of tears. Afterwards, Hugh took Jonas outside to the back porch to take another breather. They leaned against the railing and looked out towards the backyard, which was massive and had a beautiful garden lit up with solar lights.

"Thanks for coming today. For everything." Hugh said heavily.

"You're family is amazing. I'm hoping I'm invited next time." Jonas said and pulled Hugh closer so he can wrap his arm around is waist. Hugh automatically placed his arm on Jonas' shoulder.

"You're not going to say anything about... me?" He seemed to have had this question on the tip of his tongue for a while and his nerves were taut.

"What about you? Ah!" Jonas sounded like he forgot something and spin Hugh so they were face to face and his hands were on his cheeks. "You looked lovely tonight."

Hugh laughed. "You asshole." He placed his forehead on Jonas'. "About how I look nothing like them."

"You look like a family, and that was an amazing thing to see." Jonas said quietly. Jonas knew what he meant. Hugh didn't have the red or blonde hair. He was adopted, but Jonas didn't notice until much later in the evening because he was so distracted by the strong family dynamic. He truly believed that they were a breathtaking family. He felt love in this house.

"That's not what I meant." He grumbled. He pulled away and leaned back on the railing, looking out in the garden again. "It's obvious I was adopted."

Jonas mirrored his position. "Is that a bad thing?"

Hugh let out a deep breath. "I'm a stray. Kicked out to the curb."

"Is that what people used to say?" Jonas asked, giving Hugh a sad look. It was a rough thing for a child to hear.

When Hugh nodded, Jonas sighed and leaned closer to him. He quickly lifted a hand and smacked the back of Hugh's head. Hugh jerked up and pushed Jonas away with anger. "What the shit, Jo!"

"Stop listening to assholes, you dumbass. You're a Mad Dog, sure, but you're not a stray. More importantly, you have a place to call home. Fuck those people, and if they have a problem with it, then we will fuck them up."

Hugh laughed, still rubbing the back of his head. "We are better with our fists than words. I know they are good people. I just hate people seeing me as a charity case. It's stupid, I know, but people just can't let me just enjoy being a family with them."

"Then those people are garbage and better being out of your life." Jonas said with a hint of anger.

Hugh laid he head on Jonas' shoulder. "You're right. You seriously want to come again?"

"Absolutely. I may have to spend an extra hour on the punching bag to burn off the calories from your mom's cooking. I didn't realize these sort of family dinners could be this enjoyable." Jonas said patting his stomach.

"Seriously? Fun? Shit. What is you family like?" Hugh asked with a laugh.

"Loaded question. You really want to know?"

Hugh nodded waited for Jonas to talk, he never wanted to push Jonas, but he was curious about his family. Jonas hesitated for a moment, wondering which parts he should bring up. Some things in his past were just too dark.

"As a Spencer son, I was a pawn. I was a means to create and maintain connections. Make friends who will grow into your business partners. Marry a girl with a powerful last name so you can tie families together. Have children. Rinse and repeat for the new generation. I was pimped out in the name of business. During dinners with my friend's family, we would discuss my father's business. I would give them his quarterly results, projected plans, and goals I had to help his business grow. To show off my qualities to sound worthy to be in their son's or daughter's life, I would tell them things like-"

He coughed and changed his voice to a one that sounded greasy and snobby. "'I know going into Business and obtaining my MBA is the safe route, but I have been corresponding with several professors at Harvard Law, who make a compelling argument about joining their program. I suppose it's expected that lawyers can persuasive, especially about studying law. I have seriously considered doing both, that way I always have a back up plan and have the added benefit of being able to draft my own contracts'."

He changed his voice back to normal. "Cue the fake laughs and wait for them to compliment me on my pathetic attempt of showing them how important I was."

Hugh shuddered. "Shit, did you really talked like that?"

"What do you mean? That was my go to answer! It impressed so many parents!" Jonas said with a laugh, sounding offended.

They laughed and Hugh bumped his shoulder, but went back to leaning against him.

Jonas' hand brushed down Hugh's arm, stopped right before he was able to hold his hand and pulled away reluctantly. "But I didn't need to do that with your parents. I could answer with something as lame as 'I don't know' or 'the UFC' and not get kicked out of your house."

Jonas let out a weary sigh, like he had been holding it in for days. "The truth is, I hate my father and mother. I hate that they are my biological parents, and if I could, I would drain every drop of blood in my body to change that."

Hugh pulled Jonas in front of him so he was between Hugh and the railing. Hugh hugged him from behind, his chin resting on his shoulder and his arms around his hips. "I'm sorry, Jo. I shouldn't have pressed the issue."

"I'm not telling you to make you feel bad or to pity me. My mother and father are dicks. But, I still have Eli who I will protect for the rest of my life. I have Chuck who stepped into the role of my dad and raised me. I have Martha who found room in her heart to love me like a son after she lost her real son. Genetics don't make a fucking family. The heart does."

"Wow. How many self help books did you read, Jo?" Hugh said with a chuckle.

"Chuck only had self help books in his house for a while. It was either reading that or fight Chuck and Everett non-stop." They laughed together, Hugh tightening his grip around Jonas.

Hugh sighed. "I do have a great family. You know, you're part of that family too."

"Thanks Hugh."

Cough cough

Both boys thought the same thing. Seriously, again?

"Hugh, can you help you mom with dishes?" Alex asked. Hugh groaned, but he quickly took off to help.

"Sorry for interrupting... again." Alex said which rubbing his arm uncomfortable.

Jonas shook his head, trying to mask his embarrassment. "Not at all. I can help with the dishes as well."

"Actually, you mentioned you had something you wanted to talk to me about. Did you still want to?"

Jonas took a deep breath. "Yes... I want custody of my little brother."

Alex straightened his back. His eyes showed concern, but kept his face and demeanor professional. "Custody? Well, there are some steps for that and you will want to start preparing. Base off of what you said before, I am assuming, your parents will not accept it and you need to prove that they are unfit parents."

"Correct."

"Well, I can help you by obtaining the documentation to start the process. You will need to start proving that you are capable of providing for him. Food, clothing, housing, education, medical care, and a stable home life. I do want to be transparent and let you know that being a King will make it difficult to prove a stable home life." Alex wanted to be honest with him.

Jonas sighed and sunk against the railing. "Fuck."

"Jonas, can you tell me how bad it is? It has to be bad if you are looking to get your little brother out." Alex said with the concern taking over.

"It's bad." Jonas whispered.

"I know I'm getting personal, but does he hurt you?"

Jonas faltered, but eventually nodded.

Alex sucked in a breath and suddenly grabbed the tall boy and hugged him. "A father protects his children, not hits them. He has failed you. Is your brother safe right now?"

Jonas nodded. "He's out of town. Our mother wont hurt him, just ignore him."

"I can't promise anything, but I can see what I can do or at least get you options." Alex said warmly as he let go of the blushing boy.

"That's more than I can ask for. Thank you."

"You have done so much for our family, this is the least I can do." He noticed that Jonas' eyes were glancing at the figures in the kitchen, Hugh specifically.

Alex smiled. "Is it true you two aren't dating?"

"Sir?" Jonas jolted up and turned red. He sputtered out a response. "No. We're not."

"You like him, don't you?"

Jonas sighed, knowing it would be pointless to deny it himself and to Alex. At this point, it was so painfully obvious. He saw Hugh joking with his mother, and holding dishes over his head so she couldn't reach them.

He noticed how his eyes would squint when he smiled and his grin creased his cheeks. When he was laughing, his face would flush a little making it look like he was glowing.

Hugh was the only thing he could see now. Jonas ran his hand through his hair. "I do. More than anything."

Alex grinned. "Good. I'm glad. Be patient with that one. He will figure it out soon. I can tell he sees you as special, especially by the way he looks at you."

They both watched the women jumping and trying to get the items from his hands, and he was laughing and making funny faces.

"Perhaps we should step in before my wife runs him down." Alex said with a laugh.

Jonas nodded, but could not get rid of the smile on his face. Jonas snuck up on Lucy and grabbed the drying towel in her hand, and held it up in the air like Hugh. She let out a frustrated yelp and tried jumping to take it from Jonas' hands.

Hugh laughed. "We're on dishes duty!"

The spent their time cleaning up the dishes and and taking jabs at each other. A smile never left their faces.