Connor and Murphy MacManus have spent every sescond of their lifes together, so it came as no surprise when they developed feelings for each other as more than twin brothers. Their Ma was beyond happy for them, but their Da was furious when they told their parents.
"No sons of mine feel like that about each other. Yer going agianst the Lord," Da yelled at them.
"Noah they cannot help their feelings. If the Lord did not agree, than they wouldn't have these feelings for each other," Ma had said, knowing that if Da didn't calm down something bad was going to happen.
"Don't defend them," Da yelled at Ma. Da never yelled at Ma. "This is all yer fault." Da grabbed the front of Murphy's shirt as he said the last part. Connor instantly tried to break their father's hold, but Da wasn't letting go.
"It's not his fault, Da. It's mine," Connor said struggling to remove Da's hands from Murphy. Da kept one hand on Murphy's shirt and slapped Connor across the face, hard. The force of the slap made Connor hit the ground. Seeing his brother and lover hit the ground with tears in his eyes and a red mark on his cheek made Murphy furious. He started struggling to break his Da's hold when his Da suddenly let go and dropped to the ground unconsious.
"What just happened?" Murphy rasped out as he regained his breath.
"Ma? Why?" Connor asked pulling Murphy agianst him.
"He'll was up in a while. Ye better pack up yer stuff and leave," Ma said, handing Connor a wad of money.
"Where did ye get all this?" Connor asked, stuffing the money into his pocket.
"I've been saving up for this night. I had feeling ye two would develop feelings for each other, and I knew how yer Da would act badly, though I hoped he would come around. He still might, but it will take time. He'll be waking up soon," Ma said, pushing them towards their room. Connor instantly started packing, but Murphy froze and starred at his bed. Connor reliezed quickly that Murphy wasn't moving and walked over to him.
"I know yer upset, but ye need to pack, babe," Connor said, kissing Murphy's forehead.
"Where will we go, Con?" Murphy asked as silent tears slide down his cheeks.
"I don't know, Murph, but Da will never lay his hands on ye agian," Connor said, hugging Murphy real quick before handing Murphy his backpack and duffel bag to pack. "Make sure ye pack plenty of clothes." Connor and Murphy has never had very much stuff, so they ended up getting all their clothes and personal belongings packed into two backpacks and two duffel bags. After packing, they walked into the hallway to the front door and found Ma standing by the door.
"He may come after ye, but I will stall him as long as I can. Be safe, my sons, and take care of each other," Ma said, hugging Connor and then Murphy. Connor grabbed Murphy's hand as they walked down the drive way and towards town. Town was five miles away, so after walking a mile and a half, they found a fallen tree on the side of the road and sat down. Connor was worried by this point about Murphy because he had not said a word the whole was, though Connor knew he had to be sore and tired. Murphy had sat down a little bit away from Connor, so Connor wrapped his arm around Murphy and pulled him closer.
"What's wrong, babe?" Connor asked once he saw the tears streaming down Murphy's face.
"Da was right. This is all my fault. We are homeless now because of me," Murphy sobbed. Connor quickly pulled Murphy agianst him and held him close as he cried.
"It's not yer fault, Murph. We choose happiness, and that is all that matters," Connor said, pulling Murphy in for a kiss. After sitting for a while in each others' arms, they heard a car coming closer.
"Don't move and act like yer ankle is hurt," Connor said quickly. Connor then walked into the road and waved down the car, which happened to be one of their friends, who was ok with them liking each other.
"What's up, Connor?" Jake asked after he pulled over.
"Da wasn't happy about our news and kicked us out. We need a lift into town," Connor said sadly.
"Hop on in," Jake said with pity in his voice. Connor walked back over to Murphy and grabbed two of their bags.
"Jake's going to give us a ride into town, so ye don't have to act hurt. How is yer ankle?" Connor said, helping Murphy up and noticing his wince. Murphy had gotten bucked off a horse when they were younger, and he has had problems with it since on occasions.
"I think it's trying to swell," Murphy said as Connor helped him to Jake's car. Jake saw that Murphy's ankle was bothering him and got out of the car to help. After Jake and Connor got Murphy sitting in the backseat, Connor loaded the bags and started searching his bag for Murphy's ankle brace.
"I did not grab it, Con," Murphy said.
"I know ye didn't. I did," Connor said, pulling out the brace and helping Murphy put it on.
"What would I do without ye?" Murphy asked as Connor got into the car and Jake headed to town.
"Ye would be in a lot of pain in a while," Connor said, lacing his fingers with Murphy. Jake drove them to the bus stop in town.
"Are ye sure ye don't want to stay with me for a while? Give yer Da time to think?" Jake asked as he helped Connor unload their four bags after getting Murphy out.
"I'm sure. I don't want to give him the chance to hurt Murph agian. When I seen him choke Murph, I knew it was time to find our own way in the world," Connor said sadly, watching Murphy take off his ankle brace and message his sore ankle.
"Ye know my number, so ye better keep in touch and don't be strangers. Where do ye plan on going?" Jake said.
"Through Scottland to England," Connor said. "After that I don't know."
"Just promise me ye will take care of each other and stay out of trouble," Jake said as he got into his car.
"Ye should know by now that we cannot stay out of trouble, but we will watch out for each other," Connor said, reaching through the passenger window and shaking hands with Jake. Jake smiled, waved, and drove off.