“Declan was there. He was curled just next to Ronan, an arm draped over his side. They thought he was sleeping, but when Niall’s foot set off a floorboard’s squeal, his eyes came straight open. He looked at his parents so directly that they squirmed, consciences guilty. But of course Declan didn’t know- that was simply his ordinary expression, even as a little kid.
“He was lonely,” Declan explained.
“How do you know?” Niall asked.
Declan carefully moved away from the child to join his parents. “He was crying”
Niall put his hand in Declan’s curls, trying to sound light, unfettered. “I didn’t hear anything.”
Declan’s voice was somewhat haughty. “He was very quiet about it.”