| Stern Family Gathering | Flashback | College AU | Pre-Current Events

The orphanage was always a solemn place to be. As a child he simply knew the cold abandonment of his father. There was no rhyme or reasoning behind why. Their mother was gone. She died and suddenly taking care of several boys was just too much. Is it any excuse? None of it will be an excuse but at the time Connor saw nothing but that horrible dawning realization his siblings were unwanted. They were not good enough. 

In his eyes they were better than he could ever be. Even then he had to protect them. As the oldest, a twin to his brother Caleb born fifteen minutes after he, the role as eldest became a permanent fixture. 

Even then as they were looked over for possible homes, he felt the pang of potentially losing his siblings. Separation was his worst nightmare and even now as a young adult he keeps those fears close. Only one person he ever told the story to outside of his family. Genevieve knows more of him than anyone, even more than his ‘mother’ but Connor has a reason. Despite the fact Amanda favored him out of his brothers, the criminology major felt the sting of it especially with Richard.

His little brother was ignored. He almost didn’t come with them. Connor knew Amanda wanted him and his twin brother Caleb the most. Yet she had her eye mostly on him. The others were extra baggage. Amanda must have had a plan in mind when she took them all in. Showing off her reputation as a do-gooder who adopts orphans in need; Connor practically refused to go with her because she was about to leave Richard behind. He was just a boy then but he stood up. He never would have forgiven himself if he let Rich go. 

One thing he gained was a sister. Jesse was someone he grew close to when they first arrived at the Stern manor. They would play together all the time. Chasing each other, hide and seek; Jesse wasn’t like other girls at all. She would keep right up with him and his brothers. Their relationship seemed to grow apart the older they became but he still loved her just as much. These days she seemed to have more of a connection with Corvus. 

He mulled it over sitting in his car. Pulling up the street and leaving it parked across from the house, Connor took a breath. Having his own place would be a whole lot better and he’s already been looking. Just picturing having Gen all to himself there.

Connor cracked a smile. All dimples and perfect white teeth showing off how he feels. Leaning over to his date for this family dinner, his lips captured hers deeply. Huffing into her plump lips is a sound fueling his need to be with her. Each time he runs it over in his head wondering how he could be so damn lucky. “I hope you’re ready for the dinner from hell.” Joking a bit, he glanced over into his mirror to fix his tie. Just like his mother to be formal. He made sure to wear this light blue jacket, stylish and appropriate. “How do I look? Passable as your date... gorgeous?”  

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