[auror offices] it's the miles that make the man [#dom]

Okay. Here goes.

"Dom, could I speak with you for a moment?" Carrick asked finally. He offered up a one-sided grin, showing that the reason behind the request was moreso lighthearted than anything pressing or serious. Or at least as far as their occupation went this matter wasn't of much concern. He had been thinking on this particular dilemma for a little bit, and with the newest information from Nessa of all people regarding their parents' state of mind and overall sanity... well, this was honestly the least Carrick could do for the brother he had never really been able to be there for.

Carr turned lightly on his heel, stuffing his hands in his slacks' pockets and used his elbow to push against the handle to his office. Stepping at an angle and placing his body against the door, the wavy haired Regan gave a nod towards the plush seats in the corner of the office. A friendly suggestion for Dom in regards to making himself comfortable. No need for a desk for this matter. And what with all of Carrick's questions, who better to ask than someone who had been through such a similar experience with more than double what Carrick was potentially about to tackle in the form of Kerrigan.

Lifting a hand out of his pocket, Carrick shut his office door and used his freed hand to give a quick run through his hair. All nervous ticks alight, wait! Yeah, there was the minor feet bouncing technique. Releasing stress through one toe at a time. Carrick grabbed a seat next to Dominic on the edge of an identical plush chair and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He ran his palms over his stubbled cheeks and tired eyes a few times before dragging his hands downwards in a slow motion and likely looking very lost for words. Which was too true. So he used what words he could muster into some kind of comprehensive sentences.

"My parents are unstable." Good start, his arms relaxed as did his body back into the chair as he slowly felt the weight of his present and rising issue becoming less of a burden and confusion and more of something that made sense. "I can't let Kerrigan stay with them. Not after what happened to him this year." Carrick didn't know the full story to be completely honest; basics from Nessa about Kerr being attacked. Kerr reacting. Kerr being told not to return. "How did you-" Carrick paused, his eyes locked on Dom's and trying to ask the right question. "I can't let him go back there. I don't trust them, not with him."

Carrick's head shook back and forth slightly, a hint of a shrug of refusal betrayed his once-there loyalty towards his parents. But they couldn't be parents anymore. They were so far gone. Had been. Carrick just hadn't been close enough to watch them fade into whatever it was they had become. A pang of ache reached the depths in his chest but soon faded. It was only memories. "Their influence... it wouldn't benefit him." Carrick pulled one leg up on top of the other, his ankle the docking point. "So, I guess what I'm trying to ask is how do I even begin to offer him a place to stay with me?"

Cue the feeling of nothingness. Cue the overwhelming cluelessness. Cue his brow furrowing and utter need to know how in the Hell he would win over Kerrigan's vote of confidence and trust when Carrick had hardly been involved in younger brother's life up to this point. This wasn't an issue addressed over drinks or dinner. This was much, much more. Right?

"Yes thank you, if I have any more messages can you forward them to my home." As he signed the last bits of paperwork green eyes rose to look over at the younger Regan before him. The man looked stressed, like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. "Of course Carrick, what's on your mind?" The older man moved to follow him toward his office. All the while Dom wondered what might be on the boy's mind. So much was going on with their family that it was bound to be anything. The fact that he had come to him had made Dom feel special. He knew that the younger generation trusted his words of advice but it was always nice when they came to him. As they walked into the office Dom took a seat carefully adjusting his vest as he did so. Whatever they were about to talk about Dom now knew that it was serious. The former Slytherin would do his best to give what ever guidance he could that would actually help. His eyes softened as the issue had finally come to light. Kerrigan had been through a lot and Dom could understand why his brother now worried for his well-being.

"I know it wasn't easy for you to come to me about this, but I'm glad that you did." Dom relaxed like Carrick had seemed to as their conversation began.Running his hands over his knees as he prepared to speak once more. "Honestly, it's going to be hard. It's going to test your patience and your reserve.  But I realized with the girls, that being there for them even if I hadn't before before was all that mattered. I know that with everything he has been through this year this new situation may cause some friction. He may rebel...or he may fall right into place somewhere more structured." He had remembered how well Aeric had taken to living with him. The fights at Hogwarts had stopped, the bursts in his temper had all but vanished as well. So there was really no telling how Kerrigan might react to what his brother would be offering.

"I took a less subtle route when I took Aeric from his father. In your case you could talk to him. Ask him if he wants to be with your parents. The last thing you want to do is make him feel like he has no choice, it is his life after all." Leaning forward a bit in his seat he caught the other man's gaze. "This isn't something you can start and then become overwhelmed and want out. This is the future of a child we are talking about. If you want to do this, you have to be more than 100 percent committed." Kerrigan would need to know that he had someone in his corner. He needed to know that his brother would always be there if them living together would work. "First prepare his room because he just may surprise you and say he wants to live with you without you having to give him reasons. He's a teenage boy and you and I both know that structure is the only way to maintain any semblance of authority in his life. He doesn't need another friend I'm sure he has enough."

It would be hard at first. It always was because everyone had to adjust. Personality might clash but with time Dom knew the two boys would coexist peacefully. "Once he knows for sure you're in this for the long haul, I think things will fall into place. Tell what are you most afraid of? Let's work through those fears now so that later they don't cause a rift between you two." Even if he had handled becoming a guardian with grace he had been afraid. Afraid that he would do something to ruin their futures. Afraid that somehow his parenting would not be best for them. Despite his fears there is not a passing second that he is not proud. Each child on their own became someone not only he but their mother would be proud of. It had been in her memory he had given his all to ensure her children had a stable foundation. "Anything that may worry you or you may just wonder about we can handle it all here, so that when you do talk to him you're absolutely ready." All he had was advice, but he would make sure it was given with great thought and complete understanding.