Notes: Soooo I have realized that these chapters seem to be getting longer as I go. Eh it happens. Currently listening to the Saw theme for some strange reason. Okay my headcannon Dave is partially mute due to being picked on and not really feeling comfortable to talk unless he knows that person well enough. He does know sign lanuage due to that fact and He is also bullied at school. Because that is something I can see actually happening to him in school due to his eye color and light colored hair. Also My headcannon Bro is that he is protective of Dave like a mama lion or bear but he can also be a jerk as well since they are siblings. Also I would like to say Thank you to all of the people who have read this story thus far and I hope you enjoy what will happen in the next few chapters. I still have no idea how long this is going to be but I hope you all stick with me until the end.

Chapter Four

"Don't leave me." Dave said. Before he had woken up he was having a dream were his brother had been fighting with a huge black dog and was about to be killed. "They must have been real assholes then." He said.

A loud knock was heard through out the somewhat quiet apartment causing both Striders to freeze.

"Yeah. They were. And I won't ever leave you, Dave. I'll stick with you as long as I can kiddo.." Hearing the door, Bro looked up and furrowed his brows together, holding Dave a little tighter for a minute before slowly letting go. "Stay right here. I'll be back, okay?" He ruffled Dave's hair and went to answer the door. The younger male looks at bro afraid that it was his parents. There was another loud knock on the door making it sound like a song of doom for both males. Bro glanced back at Dave and pulled the door open without hesitation, even though he had a bad feeling about answering it. Outside the door was the cat lady from the apartment five doors down. " Have you seen mittens?" She asked. Bro looked at the crazy old woman with a raised eyebrow. To say the very least he was more at ease then he would let on. "Not since the last time I stepped on the poor bastard's tail, no."

"Your a bad man. Mittens has been missing ever since then." She said glancing up at the taller male.

"Can't say I'm sorry. Little shit shouldn't have gotten in my path. And don't think I had anything to do with it. Might have run away, yknow." He shrugged.

"Mittens would never run away he forgot his favorite sweater." she said softly. She turns to leave before stopping and looking back at the male. "Oh that is right I saw a couple down in the lobby I think they are moving in to the second floor." she said. "Lady. You completely jumped subjects. Yeah. Maybe there is a new couple movin in. Woo." He twirled a finger sarcastically. "Well I am going to search for mittens, I need him to try on his new dress." She said simply before walking away. "You crazy bitch.." He watched her leave, sighing and shaking his head before shutting the door and heading back to Dave. "Was it the crazy cat lady?" He asked.

"Yeah it was. Kind of a relief..Thought it'd be them." He sighed, standing in front of his brother.

"I wonder when that lady is going to realize that she stuffed her cat?" He mumbled.

"Who knows." He shook his head a little, sighing and pulling Dave back in for another embrace. "So apparently a couple is moving in on the second floor."

"Really who would want to live in this shit hole?" He asked cling to Bro like a kola bear. "I can't even answer that question little dude." He smirked, holding his little brother close. "How are they going to know we are the ones they are looking for? Cuz I sure as hell don't look like a baby no more." He wondered outloud. Bro pressed his lips into a thin line at the mention, holding Dave even tighter in his grasp. "I don't know.."

"So what else did my school say?" He asked. He wasn't uncofortable in Bro's grasp. He had always felt safe like no matter what no harm would come to him as long as he was held by Bro. "That you're suspended for a week and that they think I need to have a talk with you about what's up with this bullying shit." He looked down at Dave with a brow raised. "Do you mean to tell me that they don't want to see my handsome face for a week what a shame. What about it? I handle it just fine." Dave replied. "Their loss kiddo. Now I got you for a whole week. And that isn't the point Dave. You didn't tell me you were being bullied. Or why." He asked skeptically. "I didn't feel the need to tell you and I get picked on because I am the coolest person in the school." He answered simply. "I find that hard to believe kiddo. What's the real reason, huh?" He lifted a hand and pushed the younger blonde's shades up, raising a brow.

"That is the reason."

"You're absolutely sure."

"I am as sure. What other reason would there be?"

"I dunno kiddo. But I'll take your word for it." He sighed and ruffled Dave's hair. "So what are we going to do for a whole week?" The younger male asked after awhile. "Try to avoid somehow running into our folks. Go grab some tacky ass sweaters. Who knows what else." The older Strider replied giving a shrug. "Maybe we can mix up so sick beats and watch all of the disney movies we own. I am feeling Lion King and Sleeping Betauy." Dave added. "Totally doable, little man." Bro nodded. "Awesome" Dave replied squriming a bit to get comfortable. Bro smirked at the squirming and quickly readjusted their position, tossing Dave over his shoulder. "Light as a sack of potatoes."

Dave said nothing as he was tossed over the other's shoulder. "Can we order Pizza?" He asked.

"As long as you call this time." He nodded a little and headed to grab the phone for Dave.

Dave took the phone and dailed the number for the pizza place. The phone rang for a bit until someone picked up the other line. " Thank you for calling Pizza hut would you like to try our meat lover's pizza?" a voice said on the other line. "No, can I get a large chesse pizza with no sauce and extra chesse. Can I also get another Large Pizza with extra chesse no sauce and extra bacon. Also on both can I have basil and garlic crust." Dave said. He waited until the other repeated his order and then answered that they would be paying with cash. After he had given the address and confirmed the payment type once more he hung up the phone. "The total is $20.34." He told Bro.

Bro gave a little nod and set his wallet on the little table nearby the door, spinning around really briefly with Dave before he headed back down the hall to the living room and dumped him down onto the futon. "Phew."

"They will be here in thirty mins." He said moving towards the end of the futon pulling a pillow towards him. "Bro, is it wrong to be different?"

Bro sank down onto the futon next to his brother and looked over at him, raising a brow. "What do you mean by different, lil man?"

"I mean like eye color and shit." He replied simply.

"Aw hell little dude. It's more than okay to be different Dave. And fuck anyone that tells you otherwise." He sighed a little, reaching to mess with his hair.

"Well it isn't okay with the dick heads that try to take out their unsecurities out on me. Also it is not like I hit them. I tend to use words and it breaks them down." Dave said.

"You're talking about the punks that've been bullying you." He realized, and turned towards Dave, giving him his full undivided attention. "That's not cool little bro. They need to step off, cause you're a great kid. My kid. And there's nothin wrong with you for bein different."

"They tried calling me a mute freak until they heard me mumbling my raps. Then they got irated that I wouldn't talk to them. Then one day the ganged up on me and knocked my shades off luckly they didn't break them but they saw my eyes. Then they started calling me demon and other shit. I mostly ignored them until the did something that caused me harm."

Bro's jaw set and he scooted a bit closer to his younger brother, facing him directly. "What do you mean caused you harm. What did they do to you, Dave? Did they hurt you? Touch you? What?"

"They tried to beat the shit out of me but they were only able to land a few hits." He answered.

"Did you tell an adult? No scratch that. I know you must not have. Why didn't you tell me, kid?"

"Because I didn't want you to flip out or something."

"Didn't want me to- Dave you should have told me. I'm supposed to protect you kid." He replied some what loudly. Bro to say the least was looking at his younger brother in surprise. Then the feeling of failing started to set in since he wasn't there to protect the one person who ment the world to him.

"Plus I can handle them myself."

"Doesn't matter Dave. You need to tell me about these things."

"It's not like you can stop them. They are going to do it not matter what." He said simply. "It is nothing that I can't handle, I mean I have heard all of this stuff before it is just they never physically attacked me." Dave added on glance at Bro.

"I could try. Dave you are my life, Lil bro. I can't stand shit just happening to you."

The younger one said nothing and just focused on the blank tv screen. "I am sorry."

After Bro said nothing Dave got up and let out a sigh. " I am gonna go for a walk." He said walking towards the door.

"Dave.." He frowned a little bit. "Be careful kiddo. And if you see an old couple that looks even remotely like either of us, don't talk to them.."

"I'll be fine but I will avoid talking to strangers that look somewhat like us." He replied walking out of the apartment. He walked down the hallway and let out a sigh. He stuffed his hands in his pockets. Bro watched him leave and sighed, leaning back against the futon. "Shit.."

Notes: Thanks for reading this chapter. I have a dog who wants to help me type and likes to hit my wireless button on my laptop.