Well, Lucien being the way he was certainly made sense now. Emerson listened to the whole tale, only growing more annoyed with both Lucien's parents and the sort of people they let into their son's life. Had they even spent time screening this so called tutor? He supposed he shouldn't be so quick to judge, but it was difficult to hear about a family neglecting their own son.
"That wasn't love, Lucien," he said, his voice softer than it usually was. Emerson reached into the drawer of his father's desk, producing a neatly folded handkerchief that was one of many squares, neatly folded and unused with a scrawling script of 'DW' stitched in the corner. "Whoever that sick fuck was used you. You can't let that continue to define you, though. We're family, no matter how far removed or down the line, and I look out for my family. Love is hard, whether it's the love of a family member or a significant other or your best friend. Love is sticking with the people you love, even through the hard times. Love is telling the people you care about shit they don't want to hear because you know they need to hear it. Love is fucking being there for each other. Some days it's easy, and other days it's the hardest thing in the world." Emerson tipped his glass back, taking a long drink before setting it back down. "You might never have any kind of decent family, but you have it now. You just have to work with me. We're going to piss each other the fuck off sometimes, but at the end of the day, I'm here for you. I only want one thing from you, and that's for you to try and get through these issues you're ignoring. You'll fall of the wagon from time to time, but if you keep trying to get back on it, I'll be there to help you up."