Fractured Fragments and Unspoken Tensions

Estella was working with the boys on the final stages of a Lego project they had been working on together. Having already assembled a section, the children were struggling with the height of where it was supposed to be attached. Roxanne was usually close by to lend a hand after the preliminary assembly was completed on the ground. As she was busy with the dishes at that moment, the children stood around, figuring out how to circumvent that obstacle. After a glance around, Archie decided to bring a chair from the dining table. “Here, let me.” Taking pity on the children, Lucian softened his expression to the best of his ability and offered Archie a hand. Archie hesitated for several seconds before handing the assembled part in his hands to the man.  Following Archie’s instructions, Lucian took it and snapped it in place. “Thank you,” Archie said gruffly. Lucian nodded noncommittally. With one hand in his pocket, he mostly watched the three children amuse themselves with the toy bricks a