Just the two of them. No one else. River said that much at least and it was harmless. It didn't seem like they were going to be left alone until they said something but talking of one another seemed more harmless. So long as they didn't mention father Lamont. Randall was listening. The boys were picked up at different times is what he heard, because of the age difference though he wasn't sure why that mattered.<br/><br/>“You were five then too?” Randall asked, his voice softening somewhat. It was filled with a sort of sadness as he remembered what it had been like to lose his five year old boy. His only son at the time. No one confirmed or denied anything. Zeke was too nervous with the integration that he couldn't bring himself to eat, so neither ate for the time being. His eyes snapped up when Randall spoke next.<br/><br/>“Cassandra, we need to at least contact his family.”<br/><br/>“No. Not yet.” Cassandra held her husband's gaze for a moment, then dropped it, shaking her head vehemently.<br/><br/>“Somewhere, there's a family just like us and their pain has never ended. They don't<i>know</i>.”<br/><br/>Ezekiel made an uneasy noise, licking his lips anxiously. His eyes went to River. His palms were getting sweaty but he didn't pull away from his brother to wipe them off.<br/><br/>“I don't want to be alone again,” was all he said, low, not making eye contact with either of them. His voice was steady but it had taken an effort to make it so. He didn't understand how he could make himself any clearer.<br/><br/>“Don't you think he wants to see his family again? Don't you think he misses them?” Randall asked, brows knitting together.<br/><br/>“I know he remembers them about as much as I do. Maybe a little more. He's been away less time. It doesn't matter though. We were there for each other.<i>Fourteen years</i>. Almost three times as much as either of us has known you, or<i>them</i>. I won't pick you, and he won't pick<i>them</i>. I would go back. If River was still there. I was out once, but I can't be without him. Without him is alone.” No matter who surrounded him. River was the only one who mattered. He filled that void. He trusted him. He<i>loved</i>him.<br/><br/>“He would have gone back for me.” He said this softly, without having to look at River to affirm this. He knew and it helped calm him down somewhat. People could try to separate them but they would both fight to be near one another again. If he could face father Lamont and ask to go back he could do anything.<br/><br/>“Okay,” Randall said with a sigh, trying to comprehend all of that. It disturbed him how dependent they were on one another. They were both adults now but he had a hard time seeing either as men. It was all too sudden. Zeke hadn't aged in his mind. He wasn't offended by his words, though he could see the hurt on his wife's face. This was a stranger sitting across from him too.<br/><br/>“Okay,” he repeated, understanding now why Cassandra had brought them home together. Why she didn't want to bring the other boy's family into this. “We won't do anything yet. You can both stay. I am going to need you two to talk to someone though. Together is fine, but we need to find who took you both. He needs to be punished.” Rage was barely contained beneath the surface of his expression but it wasn't directed at the boys. “Now please, eat.”<br/><br/>Cassandra gave a pained smile, reaching for her husband's hand, understanding the effort it took for him to calm himself down. She moved to change the subject.<br/><br/>“You two need to tell me what sort of things you like to eat. I can go to the store tomorrow. Things you like to do, as well. I can pick it up while I'm out. Zach likes video games. There are a lot of those downstairs, in the den. You two don't have to stay in the bedroom, you know.”<br/><br/>Ezekiel started eating, more comfortable with this line of conversation even if he didn't answer her.