"I know. I'm just worried about the money. One of us has to, and I don't think you're idiots. I think you and Doug never really had to worry about money. You ask for tens of thousand of dollars, while I'm sitting here worrying about a few hundred dollars, and it's not that I think that you can't figure it out, but I've lived this life. I've been in foster homes when we skipped meals at the end of the month, because there was no money. It... it gives you a different prospective." He wasn't looking for pity, he wasn't trying to give TJ a new understanding, but to explain that things were different that was all.
He ran his hand over TJ's chest, smiling. "I don't think that you're some kind of rare animal. I think the environment you are in creates people who are willing to do anything to get what they want. You've been fighting that environment, even if in your own way. If you can fight your parents to do what makes you happy, then you can fight the mentality. I think the job puts you in situation where sooner or later, you have to sell your soul. Look at your brother. He's a nice guy. I like him and he sounds like a great guy, smart, hard working, but he ran State. Don't you think he's made the first deals? For him, your mother, you? And maybe it's nothing bad now, a favor here and a favor there, but what happens if your mother is president, if he starts to run for Congress. Sooner or later, he won't be any better than the rest. Now, you both get a chance to be better. I just happened to talk to you, because you're the one who was living in the next room, the one who needed to be watched, and I decided that he needed a friend, but I think Doug isn't any different."
Travis chuckled, before kissing TJ's cheek. "I'll remember not to ruin your pretty face."
He made a mental note about the birthday. They'd do something that day. He'd just have to figure out something that they'd enjoy and wouldn't cost a fortune. "You know, maybe the problem isn't you or Doug, but them. They have lived in that environment. No matter how well meaning they were, how much they wanted to fight the good fight, they must have made so many compromises along the way that they don't even remember how the rest of the world thinks." Travis held him tighter. "Then don't think about it just yet. Enjoy life here, enjoy your freedom, your brother. Live for yourself and when we go back, then you deal, knowing that you can stand up for yourself." He smiled sadly. "I'm sorry, but I don't think you'll get that chance nor should you want to. As long as you can't defend yourself, you will always be dependent on others. You'll be the one who needs help, who needs to be protected. It's why I'm putting so much emphasis on training. I don't want you to need me or anyone else for survival. I'll be there, but you shouldn't have to need me."
He snorted. "Hallucination and avoidance, nice approach." It was honest though, and he appreciated that. "There's nothing wrong with thinking about him. He was important to you."