4 | Hey, Brother

Names hold power, capable of destroying a man's reputation when associated with undesired people of society. That was why August W. Booth strongly believed that everyone should have the right to change the name they were given at birth since not everyone wanted to be associated with the family they were born into, himself included. People have no control over their blood ties, but they do have the power to choose who they want to be. That was exactly why he did what he did when he filed for a name change in the town hall months ago.

Leo Blanchard had called him into the mayor's office when the staff notified him of the registration, voicing out the question August knew he would ask when he found out. The real reason would have angered his uncle, so he opted to lie about it instead. His books were finally selling, and he wanted his pen name to be his new identity. That was true, but it wasn't the only reason. Of course, Leo didn't believe a word, but he couldn't find his will to care. He had enough of being a Blanchard and everything expected of the name.

That night, he was pacing inside his trailer, a pen between his teeth and a draft in his hands. His new story was coming together quite nicely. Three powerful knocks jolted him out of his reading, and everything seemed to go still for a moment. He glanced over at the clock above the door and saw that it was nearing 2 in the morning. Who in the right mind would venture out in the forest at that hour? He placed his pen and paper down on the table before grabbing his rifle and walking towards the door quietly. Three knocks sounded again accompanied with a shout.

"Damn it, August. Open up!"

August had to fight the urge to lock the door instead of opening it. He sighed loudly, hoping his late night visitor had heard it before opening the door.

Arthur seemed unfazed at the weapon pointing at his chest as he commented, "You'd think I'm some sort of animal the way you're acting, brother." He pushed the rifle to the side before stepping into the small home, a look of slight disgust on his face.

August watched him warily, not liking another person sharing his personal space. He liked being alone.

His brother looked quite authoritative in his suit, animating the years of being in public office most probably. Politics was where Arthur thrived. "Why weren't you at the party? Robert didn't invite you?" he asked, opening the mini fridge and helping himself to a beer.

August placed his rifle back in its place with a sigh. "I'm starting to hate dealing with real people these days." He watched his brother deftly open the bottle before drinking from it. It was like he was in his nature environment the way he was acting. The only thing out of place was his suit.

"What do you want, Arthur?" he asked tiredly, sitting down on one of the chairs.

"Your room is still waiting for you back at the mansion," his brother replied, ignoring his question and leaning against the wall by the table. "Uncle wants you home soon, saying that you are wasting your time with your books and imagination when you could be doing something more productive." August had to fight a snort at that. "You belong with us, August. We're family."

At that, he laughed. "That's a scary thought. The Blanchards, a family?"

Arthur frowned, drinking from his beer, before switching to a different tactic. "Mary Margaret's home. Don't you want to see her? You two were exceptionally close when we were kids." He paused as if a sudden thought had occurred to him. "You were like the big brother she never had."

"We played together as kids. We barely even talked," he deadpanned. "You're just jealous I found her more interesting than my little brother." He couldn't help but smirk at his brother's ticked off expression. "I said this before, and I'm saying it again. What the hell are you going here?"

Arthur took his time in gulping down another mouthful of beer before replying, "I saw Mary Margaret dancing earlier with David Nolan. They disappeared before I could catch where they went," he reported and watched his brother's reaction. August remained passive. "David Nolan?"

When he still didn't get his desired response, he slammed the bottle down on the table and snapped, "Are you that detached to our family now that you don't remember anything? Or do you just not care anymore?"

"I say, the latter," August replied easily, leaning back on his chair. "So, what? Mary Margaret's not a little girl anymore. She can dance with whoever the hell she wants, and if that means David Nolan, then so be it." Arthur was looking at him as if he were deranged. "What? Are you seriously going to interfere with the girl's love life? Don't you have better things to do?"

His brother made a frustrated noise before pinching the bridge of his nose. "No. I'm just saying that she could have anyone else in this town! Don't you remember what they used to do to us? Now, they're gaining power because of that Emma joining the police force. Do you really want Mary Margaret to end up with one of them? And Uncle loathes George Nolan with a vengeance I can and probably will never understand. If I don't do something about this, who knows what will happen?"

"And you're operating under the illusion that Mary Margaret has fallen in love after just one dance."

"You weren't there, August. They looked like they've known each other for a while."

August was studying him carefully before a slow smile appeared on his face. "You're planning to play the hero, and you want to reap the benefits that come with that."

Arthur looked at him blankly. "What?"

"The way I see it, this is what you're trying to do. If Mary Margaret and David are fooling around, then shit's going to hit the fan when Leo finds out. Leo is the current mayor, a position you've been vying for your entire life and the reason why you're still kissing up to him after all this time. You prevent this Mary Margaret and David relationship, you become the hero of the family not being stained by the blood of the enemy, and Leo will praise you for the rest of his life."

Arthur was staring at him the entire time. "Oh, and to top it all off, Mary Margaret would probably be off the list of potential candidates for mayor once her father finds out she's involved with David, making you the only one left running for the position." August paused, grinning triumphantly. "I say your plan is looking great."

Looking defeated, Arthur sank down onto the chair opposite his and asked, "Am I that predictable?"

August shrugged, stealing his beer and drinking the rest of it. "Or maybe I'm just your brother."

He let out a sound that resembled both a scoff and a laugh. "That's why I need you to come back."

"Come back for what?"

He leaned forward. "You've always been the brains in the family. I mean, we haven't seen each other in a while, and you were able to predict my plan in less than thirty minutes."

"It's a gift."

"Imagine what we can do together. I could be the next mayor, and you could be the…"

"What? Vice mayor?" August laughed sarcastically, shaking his head. "Wonderful."

"All I'm saying is the family isn't the same without you. Things changed when you left."

August sighed, shaking his head. "No. I'm not going back there. I'm tired of all the politics and the drama. And now, you're telling me that Mary Margaret might be involved with Nolan? That's messy." His brother sighed. "Just take my advice and don't get involved. Whatever political agenda you have, don't stick your hand into things that aren't your business."

Arthur was quiet before tapping the table twice. "I should get going. Thanks for the beer."

The Nolan Estate was a beautiful home situated at the highest point of town, overlooking the harbor and giving the family a spectacular view of the sunrise each day. Inside, David was making his way down the wide marble staircase, looking handsome in a dark blue sweater over his white collared shirt and jeans. The foyer was already bustling with activity that early morning as the staff prepared for the day, greeting him as he walked past. Some of the older members have been there since he was a little boy and loved him as they would their own son.

Breakfast meant ordering food from the kitchen staff and eating on the kitchen island, given that the dining room was only used when everyone in the family was present for the meal. In the mornings, everyone had their own schedules to follow. That was why David was surprised to see someone eating on the island that morning since he usually had it to himself at that hour. Then he couldn't help the roll of his eyes at the sight of his best friend eating like there was no tomorrow.

"Please don't tell me you're sleeping with my sister now, Jones. I don't think my fragile heart could take it." David grumbled before occupying the stool across from his, grateful that there was a pot of coffee available. His best friend's fork froze midway towards his mouth, causing some of the syrup to drip down onto the plate. Then David realized Killian had stolen his breakfast.

Killian just gave him a wolfish grin in response. "All right. I won't tell you."

David gave him a hard stare as he poured himself some coffee. "If I were you, I would've gone home before anyone else in this house woke up. Aren't you afraid of my father castrating you when he finds out you spent the night?"

"Aw shucks. I didn't know my testicles meant that much to you, mate."

He slowly placed his coffee down before it had even touched his lips. "I think I just lost my appetite."

"Good thing I ate your breakfast then." His best friend guffawed. "Relax. I slept in the guest room. Your father personally invited me to stay over after I've dropped off Emma so late last night, something you would know if you were here."

David avoided his eyes as he told the cook what he would be having instead of the pancakes Killian was halfway through with.

Ignoring his pointed remark, David replied with, "Well, I'm sorry. I may have tolerated you dating my sister, but I haven't exactly come to terms with the possibility of you and her…" Killian raised an eyebrow at that, chewing, as if daring him to continue. His expression turned into one that had tasted something bitter. "Fornicating with her."

His friend nearly choked in his pancake at his words. After he got rid of the food stuck in his throat, he began to laugh loudly, "Fornicate? That's what you're going with?"

He rolled his eyes and thanked the cook when a hot bowl of oatmeal was placed in front of him. Killian was still laughing, wiping tears from his eyes. "Fornicate. You just made my day, mate."

"You're welcome," David responded wryly.

"Which, for your information, is not just a possibility at this point. When two people are in love, fornication tends to happen. You do know about that, right? Falling in love?" his tone was teasing.

However, David's mind did not seem to register the light tone, making him frown at his oatmeal.

"Yeah," he answered a bit absentmindedly. "I suppose so."

His thoughts began to wander towards the woman he had left in front of the Blanchards' gate earlier that morning. He began wondering if she had her breakfast yet or if she got caught coming in late last night. The thought of her being so near was more torturous than when he knew she was living in Boston. He had the freedom to see her at any given time, but he couldn't because of the stupid blood feud.

"Nolan!"

He jolted in surprise. "What?"

Killian was looking at him with a strange expression. "I called you three times."

"Sorry, I…"

His best friend sighed, pushing his plate away as he folded his arms over the counter. "All right, mate. Talk. Where did you disappear to last night?" he asked seriously. "It's not like you to leave in the middle of a party without informing me."

David smirked. "Did I hurt your feelings?"

"Don't ignore the question."

He sighed. "I was out with a friend."

"What kind of friend?" Killian immediately prompted. "A platonic one? Or a friendship with potential fornication in the future?"

"Can we please move on from that word?"

"We can't. As part of the human race, fornication happens to be vital for our survival."

"Jones, spare me -."

"Answer the question, David."

"Oh. Now you're calling me David?"

"You're still not answering the question."

"I told you. I was out with a friend, and I didn't want you there."

"So, you were out with a woman."

"Possibly."

"You were out with a woman," Killian then concluded with a triumphant smile. David had lost count how many times he had rolled his eyes within that hour alone. "When we got to the party, you were wallowing in self-pity about lost love or whatever it is you've been emotional about these days, and you left when you went to get some brandy. You come back. Kathryn talks to you. You leave again. Then I saw you on the dance floor with the mysterious woman everyone was talking about."

David stayed silent at that, eating his oatmeal and hating the fact that Killian was getting warm. "Now, no one knew who she was. That means she's new in town. The only news I've heard about people coming into town was that the daughter of the mayor was coming back."

He had enunciated every word of his last sentence slowly, and David could feel his eyes boring holes into his head.

There was a long pause.

"Look, it's not what you think."

"Are you mental, mate? Blanchard?" Killian demanded.

"Keep your voice down!" David hissed, glancing around to make sure none of the staff were eavesdropping on their conversation.

"What? Are you sleeping with her?"

"No! I…" he hesitated. When his best friend gestured for him to continue explaining, he sighed in defeat. "I'm in love with her."

"Well, that's just wonderful."

"Killian," David warned.

He sighed, staring at him with troubled eyes. "How long has this been going on?"

"A few months," David answered, toying with his spoon.

Killian studied him before asking, "Did you know? When you met her?"

"Of course, I didn't," he snapped. "We met in Boston, but it didn't take long to connect the dots." He pushed the bowl away from him moodily before adding. "You know, it doesn't even matter to me. I don't care if she's from that family. I'm in love with her. Surely, you know how that feels."

Killian let out a sympathetic sigh. "Yes, I do know. But the difference is both your fathers would rather die than agree to your nuptials. What are you going to do about that? I can see this has been going on for a while, and it's not like you to lead a girl on for so long without any intentions."

"I'm not leading her on," David growled, narrowing his eyes at him. "I love her, and she loves me."

"Are you sure about that?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means I want you to be careful. This is Leo Blanchard's daughter we're talking about. You have more chances of being with a girl from a touring circus than her. And her whole family's already against you before they've even met you."

David sighed, leaning back on his seat. "I know. Look, Jones, you know I'm not one to ask for favors but am going to make an exception this time. You have to help me find a way to be with her. I know it sounds impossible right now, but… there must be a way. She's to me as Emma is to you."

He could see the surprise in his best friend's expression at the vulnerability in his voice. Before Killian could answer him, his sister's voice came from the outside of the kitchen.

"Did Killian leave?" Emma asked.

One of the staff members replied with, "No, he's in the kitchen, ma'am."

"Okay," Killian told him hastily. "I'll try to find a way, but please tell me you'll be careful. Don't do anything stupid without me."

David gave his friend a grateful smile and a nod before Emma walked into the room.

Author's Note: Thank you so much to those who've read and reviewed! You guys make me blush. I hope you enjoyed this one!