Chapter 10:

Rainy Days

"Why are we out in the raaaaain?" Alternative whined, whipping water out of his eyes yet again. "We could be inside where it's nice and warm… and DRY!"

"Awh, Alt," Nell giggled as she swung upside down from the branch of the tree Alternative and Beyond were huddle under to stay dry, "but the rain is so much fun! It makes all the colors brighter and it brings new life to the outside. Plus, it's really really fun to play in."

"But….aren't we gonna get in trouble with Roger? I mean he really does have that strict no going outside while it's raining policy?" Alternative gave the distant shape of the orphanage a wary glance before turning to Backup for an answer. As much as an asshole as Backup could be, Alternative was finding that he was generally not one to lie… and he really wasn't all that bad. He was just, well, weird. Odd. Different. Unique? He could not think of the proper word to describe Backup. Nell was easier, an open book. She was just an extremely cheerful little girl who was nowhere near as naïve as she seemed.

"Only if we get caught," Beyond could not help but grin in response to Alternative's constant worrying.

"D-does that happen often?"

"Not usually… but you never know," Beyond shrugged his shoulders knowing it would get to the younger boy.

"B…. you know we haven't been caught in ages," Nell's grin lightening her steadily reddening face before she flipped herself upright and disappeared into the upper bowels of the tree. "Not since we liberated the janitor's keys."

"Oh my god…" Alternative blanched. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe he really had chosen the wrong people to befriend. Maybe they really didn't have any redeeming qualities… Or maybe he really did worry way to0 much.

"Nell, I have taught you well," Beyond called up to the tree only to hear a girlish giggle in response. "Chill out, A. It'll be fine. Roger hates the rain so he never comes out here. We've never actually been caught… You are just such an easy mark."

"I am not an easy… Hey, you called me A," Alternative stopped mid-whine, eyes kind of unfocused.

"What? Oh yeah," Beyond shrugged. "Alternative's too long a name. I ain't gonna say it every time I need your attention. 'sides, it's not like I want you calling me Backup. It's not my name, it's a title. Same as you. You call me B, I call you A. Deal?"

"Um… yeah, sure, of course…." Alternative was just staring at Beyond now. It was his first, well, nickname of sorts.

"Good. Now shut it and enjoy the rain," Beyond growled before turning his attention to the grounds. It was quiet, aside from the sound of Nell rustling in the tree and the soft patter of rain. They could not hear the sounds of the other children. There was no screaming, not yelling, no obnoxious giggling, no coughing, sneezing, runny noses. No other children. It was actually pretty calm. Probably one of the reasons Nell loved it so much and why Beyond never really protested. Calm was hard to come by. They sat in quiet for ages. Alternative's mind was running but he knew that if he voiced his thoughts, Backup was likely to hit him or snark at him. Neither of which he found very pleasant so he sat there, staring at the old mansion serving as their home.

"B," Nell all but shouted, inches from Beyond's face having dropped soundlessly from the free right beside him.

"Holy fuck! What have I told you about doing that," Beyond voiced his surprise without really acting upon it. Alternative, on the other hand, jumped enough for the both of them.

"Yeah, but it's funny," Nell giggled. "Anyways, they just turned down the drive. Race ya?" And before Beyond had a chance to respond, Nell was off, heading towards the front of the orphanage.

"Cheeky bugger," Beyond grinned before jumping to his feet to chase her. "Come on, A. If ya drag me behind, there'll be hell to pay."

Red eyes gleaming in glee, Beyond took off leaving a slightly confused Alternative sitting beneath the tree. Attempting to roll with Backup and Nell's special brand of insanity, Alternative stood to follow them around the building. Not having many other children to play with during his short lifetime, Alternative was nowhere near as fast as the other two and soon lost them in the downpour. Coming around the corner, he could not find Nell or Backup anywhere in sight. The only thing he could see was the car pulling up to the end of the drive. Not knowing what else to do, he headed for the awning by the door, choosing to stay dry over attempting to find Nell and Backup.

Nell and Beyond, though, could see Alternative perfectly from where they were hidden in the bushes lining the walkway from the drive to the door. While they hadn't told Alternative, today was the day Lawliet was returning. The tree that Nell had chosen to climb actually had the perfect view of the only road leading to the orphanage. Perfect vantage point.

I go for L and you go for the umbrella, Beyond signed to Nell.

Got it, a smirk lit up Nell's innocent face. Count of three?

Lawliet, slowly making his way down the path under the umbrella Whammy was holding, gave his surroundings a suspicious glance. There standing underneath the awning, was Alternative, B and Nell's new friend. He looked distressed, not the type to be standing out in the rain he could avoid it. Nell, on the other hand, loves the rain and B generally follows. But, B and Nell were nowhere to be found and there was no giggling to be heard. No rustling other than the rain on the bushes. That meant nothing, though. Nell was an expert at hiding quietly and B was getting better. No, they were here somewhere, hiding in wait.

Beyond, laying in the mud, could see the suspicion growing on his brothers face. It was now or never if this was gonna be any fun. Smiling evilly, he gave Nell a quick nod before darting forward. Giggling internally, Nell pounced, pushing as hard as she could to propel herself high enough the catch Whammy off guard. As Beyond tackled Lawliet into the bushes and Alternative squeaked in fright, Nell collided with Whammy's chest causing him to drop the umbrella in order to catch her.

"Nell, what are you doing?" Whammy was quite startled to have found a six year old flying toward him. Despite having founded an orphanage, it was not a common occurrence.

"Getting rid of the umbrella," Nell smiled sweetly.

"And why would you be doing that?"

"Because Roger has forbidden us from playing in the rain," Nell was wriggling about, attempting to turn herself around. "Sooooo…"

"So, if I am wet as well, Roger can't yell at you because I'm playing in the rain. Is that it?" Whammy was trying so hard not to drop the wiggling 6 year old on the boys wrestling in front of him.

"Yes, now if you'll excuse me." Once she was fully turned around, Nell launched herself off of Whammy's arms and onto the boys below her.

"You're still mad at me…" Lawliet deadpanned as he avoided taking Beyond's elbow to the face.

"I might be," Beyond growled as he attempted to pin Lawliet's legs so as not to be kicked.

"It's my decision."

"Maybe I don't agree with it."

"Or," Nell managed to land spread-eagle atop both boys, effectively trapping the

flailing limbs beneath her, "maybe he just misses you."

"Shut up, Nell," Beyond growled as he struggled to push her off.

"Hello, Nell," Lawliet's tone was not one of shock or surprise. "I also suspect that he misses me.

"Yeah, well," Nell scrunched her nose as she moved to sit beside the twins, "you suspect. I know. He threw quite the fit. It weren't fun"

"Are you three ready to go inside yet?" Whammy was standing right above the trio, frowning down at them. "Or are we going to roll around in the mud all afternoon?"

"Well, I do suppose we could go inside now," Nell's look of disappointment was enough to make even the toughest of men crumble. Whammy, by now, was quite used to it and only shook his head.

"We're all soaked to the bone. If you agree to go in now, I shall bring hot cocoa with your evening snack." Bribery, something that never seemed to fail with children.

"Alright," Nell beamed. "C'mon guys, let's go inside. I have something that I wanna tell you anyways." No sooner said than done, Nell was bouncing up and tugging the twins along behind her. "C'mon, Alt," She smiled as she reached Alternative huddled by the door. "We're going inside now. You can get all warm and dry and quite complaining."

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AN: I cannot even begin to tell you why this took me so long. I mean, it's a nothing chapter… and it took me forever to right… I had no idea where I was going or what I was doing… like I know what's gonna happen in the next chapter… but this one, it was such a pain. Well, enough of my griping. I hope you all enjoyed. I try to be much more timely with the next chapter. No promises. Sincerely, the Chaimonster