The first step didn't feel dramatic. It felt careful.
Evelyn didn't call Juni into the room. She waited until he wandered in on his own. He hovered near the doorway, fingers tucked into his sleeves. Elian sat at the table, homework open but forgotten.
Evelyn looked up. "Can we talk for a few minutes?" she asked. "Only if you want to."
Juni nodded. "…Okay."
They sat—not too close, not far. Evelyn folded her hands loosely.
"I want to talk about what you want to happen next," she said. "Not what you think you should want."
Juni took a breath.
"I don't want anyone showing up at my house," he said immediately. "And I don't want my uncle to know I told."
Evelyn nodded. "That's important."
She didn't argue. Didn't warn.
She wrote it down.
"And," Juni added after a moment, "I want to stay in school. I don't want things changing all at once."
Evelyn smiled gently.
"That's reasonable," she said. "Stability matters."
Elian felt something ease in his chest. Juni glanced at him—relief flickering briefly across his face.
Evelyn spoke slowly, deliberately.
"There are a few things we can do without involving anyone else yet," she explained. "Documenting injuries when they happen. Making sure you have safe places to go. Knowing who to contact if you feel unsafe."
Juni listened carefully. "…I like knowing there's a plan," he said. "Even if we don't use it."
Evelyn nodded. "Plans exist so you don't have to panic."
Juni hesitated. "…Could I," he asked quietly, "come here more often?"
Elian looked up, surprised. Evelyn didn't hesitate. "Yes," she said. "As often as you need."
Juni's shoulders loosened. "…Okay."
It sounded like relief.
Later, Elian walked Juni home. The sky was pale, stretched thin with late afternoon light. "…That wasn't as scary as I thought," Juni admitted.
Elian smiled faintly. "You did all the talking."
Juni laughed softly. "…I guess I did."
At the bus stop the next morning, Juni arrived early. He sat beside Elian without hesitation. "…I told someone what I wanted," he said quietly. "And they listened."
Elian met his eyes. "That matters."
Juni nodded. "…I think that was my first step."
Elian smiled. "And you didn't take it alone."
As the bus carried them forward, Juni leaned back against the seat, eyes half-closed. Healing hadn't arrived in a rush. It had arrived as permission.
And for now—That was more than enough.