Nicholas had to clamp his jaw shut just so it didn't drop open. Even so, he stared at Jesse, utterly dumbfounded. So he had just been hiding his three brothers in this tiny apartment for years?!
The idea of it was beyond horrifying. Not that Nicholas blamed Jesse at all, since the alternative sounded worse. He couldn't imagine what Jesse had gone through trying to support four people and hiding them all the time.
"I- I don't know what to say," Nicholas finally managed to grit out. "Jesus, Jesse-" He took a step backward towards the door, but he couldn't just leave them. "Are- Have any of you seen a doctor-?"
"It's too dangerous," Adrian interjected, before Nicholas could get too far. "Look, we're fine here. You can go."
"No. No, I can't go," Nicholas shook his head. He saw panic begin to dawn on Jayden's face so he was quick to add, "I'm not going to turn you in! I wouldn't do that. Jesse told me about your dad and if he reported you as runaways you'd be returned- No. But I can't just-" Nicholas was wringing his hands together in worry now, "are you hungry?" Basic needs first.
Jayden shrugged and stared at the floor. He was pretty much always hungry. Even when they could afford enough for three meals a day, which wasn't often, it wasn't exactly the healthiest food. It had been a long time since he had seen a vegetable that wasn't canned.