A smile tore across the warden's face when the two brothers were chosen for adoption, and not only him smiled—everyone practically cheered, relief echoing through the halls as the staff exchanged looks that said finally. The other children watched too, some confused, some amused, but the caretakers did not bother hiding their joy as they rushed through the paperwork like their lives depended on it.
Antonio and Raphael had made sure of that reputation... Menaces they were, of the heighest order
Just an hour earlier, the courtyard had been in chaos. A boy twice their size had been pinned to the ground, crying and struggling as Raphael sat on his chest, fists clenched and ready to land another blow, while Antonio stood nearby issuing directions like it was some kind of game.
"Hold him still," Antonio had said, his tone sharp even at that age. "He talks too much."
"He started it," Raphael snapped back, though his grin said he didn't care who started anything.
