Edited as of 3 June, 2009
Aniyu: (in shock) I got a review…
Bran: Shocking, isn't it?
Simon: (frustrated) Why do I have to get picked on!
Anayi: (bluntly) Because my hikari thinks you're a bastard, that's why.
Aniyu: Here's the disclaimer; I no own Dark Is Rising, you no sue.
Love's Salvation:
Disturbing Greeting
It was now three years after the defeat of the Dark, and it was almost Will's birthday. Will was sitting on the window seat of his attic bedroom so he could watch the sky, musing over how his life had changed so quickly.
Things had indeed been very different without his mum and Mary. It was assumed that they had left for a distant relative's house for good. The family, though, actually became closer because of the incident.
Stephen resigned from the Navy and took a job as a University professor a few towns away. Max was always near since he had taken charge of a farm not too far away. Paul was the new music instructor for the high school in the next town. Robin was the dance instructor at the local school and stayed with Max. James was off at college. Barbara was a professional artist that often visited home on the holidays & birthdays. Gwen helped Max out at his farm as well as home studied to become a doctor.
Mr. Stanton was heart-broken about his wife and youngest daughter, but he continued to take care of the farm and his family. Will had kept in touch with his friends, visiting Wales in the summer and Cornwall for a week in spring. He was rather happy with the way things were, though he knew they would end.
All of that aside, Will had found a few things strange lately. His father and the two eldest brothers had extended the kitchen over the past few months. Max often had Will over to help with the farm and play with the horses and dogs, while he and Gwen were doing who-knows-what. Paul, when it was discovered that Will had talent with string instruments and certain horns, would constantly have Will come and play with some of his classes. Will was also often asked to sing in random, impromptu church choir gatherings.
It had taken quite awhile to figure out that they had something planned for his birthday. He was currently wondering what it could be when he heard noises downstairs. Will left his room and went to the stairs to listen.
"Sshh! Will'll hear us if you don't keep quiet!" "Well, Barbara, I would be quiet if Barney hadn't stepped on my foot." "Sorry James." "Sshh!"
Will didn't know whether to laugh or cry out in shock. "Don't 'Sshh' me Simon!" "I wouldn't have to if you would be quiet." "Drew, shut up." "Bran, please don't start." "Sorry Gwen." Will nearly laughed hysterically. "If Will hasn't heard us by now, then we're lucky." "Father! You'll give us away!" "Max, hush." "Make me Steve."
The brunette tiptoed downstairs silently and peeked into the living room. All his siblings, the Drew kids, his father, and Bran were trying to come inside quietly, and weren't very successful. Will quickly made it look as though he had been asleep and cleared his throat loudly, "Goodness James, Barbara. You two are loud enough to wake the dead." Everyone froze in shock; luckily the Drew kids and Bran were mostly unnoticeable behind Stephen, Max, and Mr. Stanton.
Gwen was at Will's side immediately, "Oh Will, were you asleep? Are you feeling alright?" She was questioning Will endlessly until Will laughed.
"I heard everything you all were whispering for the past minute or two. So the Drew kids and Bran can come out of hiding now."
There were a couple of disappointed groans from his siblings before Bran bounded out from behind Stephen. Will jumped him and they wrestled for a little bit in greeting. Simon growled quietly and glared at Bran.
Stephen noticed Simon's reaction to Will and Bran's greeting, and saying that he disapproved of Simon's behavior would be an understatement. Stephen gave Simon a slight shove and when Simon looked up Stephen gave him a warning glare. Simon looked away, a snarl on his face.
Will and Bran broke apart laughing and Will greeted everyone else with a smile. That is… until he came to Simon. Simon asked, "Could I speak to you a moment in privet?" Will was confused, but he nodded. As they went toward the hall and staircase, Will threw a worried, almost frightened glance at Stephen and Bran.
Stephen and Bran shared a look, and Bran followed them while Stephen provided a distraction. If it weren't for the fact that Will had spotted Bran following, Will would have stopped Simon from going upstairs. Simon took Will to the attic bedroom and at the doorway, Will tripped and shoved Simon forward so Bran could run in and hide without Simon spotting him.
When Simon got up, he helped up Will, locking the door in the process. Bran definitely didn't like the looks of this situation. Will asked in obvious nervousness, "Is something wrong Simon?" Simon approached Will slowly and Will quickly backed away. But soon Will backed into a wall and Simon had him cornered.
Simon growled, "Why do you have to be so close to that damn Morgan!" Will's eyes narrowed, "I'm sorry if you don't like the fact that I'm more comfortable around Bran. But with the way you're behaving it's no wonder why I'm not comfortable around you."
At this, Simon slapped Will across the face, causing him to fall to the floor. Bran was about to move to attack Simon, but Will sent him a short gaze that pleaded with him to wait.
Simon pulled Will up and asked, "Why do you go to him when all he'll do is cause you pain?" Will replied, "I don't know what you mean by that, but for the last time Simon: I-DON'T-LIKE-YOU-THAT-WAY! I don't tend to like people who only want me for my body." Simon growled and slammed Will against the wall.
Will's hands were pinned behind his back, so he couldn't shove Simon away. Simon had one hand pinning Will's waist to the wall and the other held a fist full of Will's sweater. Then Simon tried to force a brutal kiss on Will, making Will thrash to get away.
Bran dashed from his hiding spot in rage and threw Simon off of Will. Will leaned onto Bran's chest, gently rubbing his throat where Simon had kissed him. Bran declared furiously, "Touch or threaten Will again and you'll regret it dearly Simon Drew." Simon snarled, "You have no right to him Morgan! You'll pay dearly for this Bran Davis!"
TBC…
Barney: (whining) It's only the second chapter & I'm already getting yelled at!
Anayi: (annoyed) Cry me a river why don' ya?
Jane: Oh behave Barney.
Aniyu: (cheerfully) Review response!
AnBuIsLoVe's- Yay cookies! Thank you for the compliment, I love feedback. Don't worry, I'll continue the story. Promise!
Bran: BTW, Morgan is considered an insult when aimed at a Welshman.
Aniyu: On to the next chapter!