Hold on to Us
Hello! It has been a while. This is a new fiction I'm starting. I hope you'll like it.
tw:abuse
"Boys! I hope you're in there sleeping, not playing!"
Nine year old, Francis and Antonio threw the blankets over themselves, giggling. They knew that it was bedtime, but there was too much too talk about.
"Si mama! Ya lo se. Estamos dormiendo. Te prometo!" Antonio called. The two boys waited for the footsteps to disappear down the hall before they pushed the blankets off their faces. They exchanged a glance in the darkness of Antonio's room, before erupting in another fit of giggles.
"I love your mama. I can't wait for when she gets better." Francis smiled, cuddling up against his best friends in the whole entire world.
"Well, mama always says that your her soon too!"
"That's because I'm here everyday. It's better than being at home." Francis mumbled. Antonio turned over onto his side, so that he could reach over for Francis.
"Is your papa still being mean to you?" Antonio asked. That's why Francis was over so much. He had told Antonio one afternoon that after his mother left him and his father, his father had started yelling a lot, saying hurtful things he had never said back when they were a happy family. Sometimes, Francis' father wouldn't let him over for day, and when he finally did, Francis looked like all the beauty had been sucked out of the world.
"Sometimes..." Francis said quietly. He looked like he wanted to cry. Antonio hated seeing Francis cry, so he tried to to change the subject.
"My cousins are finally moving here!" Antonio exclaimed, hands on Francis' slim shoulders. "They'll be here in two days."
Francis perked up. He was always interested in meeting new people, and Antonio had talked so much about his cousins, that he felt like he already knew them.
"Do you mean Lovino and Feliciano?" Francis asked, excitement leaking into his own voice.
"Mhm! The really cute ones! They're moving with Abuelo, and are going to our school. Lovino is in our grade, and he's only a few months younger than me."
Francis shut his eyes. He remembered Antonio showing him their pictures before. They really had looked cute in the photographs.
"Well when do I get to meet them?"
Antonio grinned, his bottom tooth had fallen out a few days ago, and in it's place the new one was pushing through. Despite that, Antonio still had a beautiful, infectious smile full of bright, white teeth.
"They're having dinner with us after the rest from their trip! You can come over and eat with us. And that way you can meet them then. On Sunday!"
Not having to think about it, Francis nodded. "I'll just have to ask papa."
"Okay." Antonio glanced at the clock, 10:03. They were supposed to have been sleeping thirty-three minutes ago. He wrapped an arm over Francis, closing his eyes. His favorite part about sleeping with your friend was having another soft, warm body to keep you warm. It didn't take long to fall asleep. Just Francis, Antonio, Catrine, Francis, one and only doll, and Torta, Antonio turtled stuffed animal.
Sunday morning, Francis was up at seven. He hadn't slept well because his back hurt, and was covered in sore bruises. Saturday morning, his father had given permission for him to go to Antonio's for dinner. However, by three in the afternoon, he had picked up a bottle of vodka, and night of drinking changed that. At exactly ten fifty three, he stumbled, hungover into Francis' room, telling him he'd have to stay home. He was always cautious of someone discovering the bruises on Francis pale skin. He never meant to he'd lie to himself.
"But! I already told Antonio I could go!" Francis cried when his father told him the new update. "Him and his papa were going to pick me up early a-at eleven so we could play!" They'll already be here soon." Francis' hadn't meant to raise his voice, but his frustrations poured out before he could stop them.
His father was in his face fast, grabbing a fistful of Francis' long, blond hair. Francis cried out in pain, dropping the stuffed kitten that he had been playing with.
"Papa! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" He pleaded, begging to be released.
"Don't disrespect me in my house! You've already fucked up now! You told me dinner, you said nothing about them coming early." He spat.
"I'm sorry... It was Mister Carriedo's idea." Francis whined.
The older man released his grip, shoving Francis away.
"You certainly are sorry. Giving me a worse headache. You go over there, and you better be right back after dinner. You got that?"
Francis nodded quickly, his entire body shaking. He was trying his best to push back his tears.
"Now go wait outside for them. I don't want to see your face."
Francis didn't wait for him to say it again. He picked himself up, and ran out of the room. He knew his dad hated him for making his mother leave, but he wished it didn't hurt so much. His mother was gone, and it felt like his father had left with her.
As soon as he saw Francis, Antonio knew something had happened. He hugged Francis tightly, smiling as he felt Francis hug back.
There was laughter from above them, and they both looked up to see Antonio's father smile.
"Come on boys. Catch up at home, I have food on the stove." He gently urged them into his car, letting Francis forget home for a moment.
"I can't wait!" Antonio exclaimed, shutting the door to his room behind Francis. "I haven't seen them in such a long time. Antonio plopped down on his bed, gazing happily up to the ceiling.
"It smells really good. What is your papa making for dinner?" Francis asked, raking his fingers through his hair, hoping it wasn't too messed up now.
"I can't tell you." Antonio laughed. "But you'll see! Even mama got up to help, I think she's starting to get better finally." He said softly. He turned his head, spotting something at the edge of his bed. "Oh! You left Catrine here yesterday. Do you want to play?"
Francis crawled over onto the bed. "Of course I want to play." He said, picking up Catrine. "But I don't feel like playing dolls and action figures right now. Let's pretend we're in a magical kingdom! I'll be the queen of course, and you can be my loyal knight."
Thank you for reading.