Day 2: family and broken bonds / "They broke the wrong parts of me. They broke my wings and forgot I had claws."
Melvin had always thought of family in terms of "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger", granted he had to thank his aunt for taking him in and raising him so he wouldn't go into foster care, but it was a strained relationship nonetheless. She made sure he had a roof over his head, food to eat and focused on school to the point he graduated top of his class. Still, she never asked him much about his interests, not beyond how to make sure his pet reptiles —which she never failed to remind him were his responsibility and something she tolerated in her home— didn't escape their enclosures while he was in school.
Even as he went into college, a significant scholarship in the bag thanks to his hard work and his aunt's incentive, an apartment within walking distance of campus where he could live with his beloved pets. Melvin had never felt loved or wanted, he'd only ever been tolerated.
It was the same when Mars first moved in. Melvin hadn't been able to handle all of his living expenses like he'd originally thought he would, thanks to unfortunately failing to get a full ride, he'd been desperate to find a roommate. Unsurprisingly most people were not keen to share an apartment with three reptiles and the nerdy twink with the reputation of a slut. So when Mars called to ask if it would be okay if he brought his dog, he was relieved, but he figured they would live their separate lives with polite detachment. He couldn't have been more wrong.
Never in a million years had Melvin thought possible to feel so connected to another person. He had only ever known cold acceptance, but now he was warmed with truly unconditional love.