[Ajax gingerly picks up the picture of himself with the three younger kids, his expression changing to something more soft and tender as he gazes at it. He lets his eyes dart between the three smiling faces, wondering if they were home or if they'd gone out with one of his older siblings for the day. A long sigh is breathed out of his nose, his voice taking on a more airy, lighter tone when he speaks of his siblings, almost nostalgic.]

I do. They mean the world to me; I'm sure you understand.

[He knows how she feels about her own twin brother, how inseparable they are. He understands, and finds that part about them both endearing, even if Aether wants to tear him a new one every other week for being with his sister.]

They don't know anything about what I do, at least not the darker side of it. A child's world should be kept innocent for as long as possible, before they have to learn about the harsh realities of life.

[He sets the picture back down, adjusting it just so, easily viewable from where they both stand.]

I hope they'll continue to look up to me, for now.

[And maybe, one day, he'd be able to start his own family- but that's a dream that feels so far away, even moreso now as they continue their fight just to survive. He won't say that out loud, or admit to it- it can just stay as a quiet milestone he'd like to reach later in life.]