A/N: This chapter surprised me. I hadn't expected it to go where it's gone. Anyways. It's very early and I'm very tired but I wanted to get this up. So here you have it, a terribly edited, somewhat rushed, chapter hot off the press. We're lucky to have it too, there for awhile I thought my netbook had died on me. R+R, I beg you!

Enough with the dramatics, here's the DISCLAIMER: I own everything with the exception of Auggie and Annie and a few other friends.

O, Brother

By the time he heard the monstrous engine of his father's F-350 turn around the corner, he wasn't scared anymore but far from it. August Anderson was angry. No, he was livid. For the past year and a half he'd worked so hard to be independent, to keep himself from having to hang on desperately to his friends' coattails, to have some semblance of his life back and here he was trapped because he didn't have a fucking piece of fiberglass to lead him around.

Sure, he was annoyed that Annie abandoned him but really, she just made him realize what was already there. The realization came and punched him hard in the face and he couldn't even fight back. He depended wholly on his cane; the world shrank down to a cylinder when he didn't have it, all he knew was the curb he was sitting on and what he could reach with his hands. It was the worst kind of cage imaginable. Himself. More than ever before he wished Corrine was there with her infamous pack of smokes, he needed the drug to creep beneath his skin and ease this anger.

The truck came to a stop and the door slammed just seconds later, his father's heavy work boots crunching on the pavement. Auggie was beginning to regret the decision to call his father but he'd panicked and there was no one better to go to for that.

"Son," his father called, and he could hear the man trying to choke down the emotion in his voice. "You alright?"

"Oh yea, dad," Auggie answered tightly, not moving from his perch on the painfully cold cement, "I'm peachy."

There was no answer to his snarky remark, only a couple more footsteps and a heavy hand on his shoulder as his father sat beside him.

"August, let's talk about this-"

"Talk about what," he retorted, not turning to his father but knitting his fingers in his disheveled hair, "Hmm? Should we talk about how fucking helpless I am without a stick to tap around or maybe we should talk about how I could walk in front of a car like a toddler and die without seeing it coming? Yea, dad, let's talk."

Something had possessed him, he had never talked to his father that way before, never acted this way before but then, maybe that was the problem. He had never faced these things before. And now he knew why, it hurt. The way his chest tightened at the fact that he would be facing this forever and it would never get any better, it was painful.

"Now you listen to me, boy," his father said firmly, turning him around so that they faced each other. Auggie didn't get why, he couldn't see him no matter which way he was facing, "It hasn't even been two years yet and look at everything you've done. You've learned Braille, you're about to finish high school, you're more independent than anyone expected you to be this soon. You've been so brave, August, and I'm so proud of you. We all have our weaknesses but you'll figure this out and I'm going to do everything I can to help you do that."

Auggie's jaw was tight and he could feel the tears gathering up in his worthless eyes. It was strange how he could feel them but they didn't change his vision, same with blinking, he could feel his eyelids sliding across his eyes but they made no difference whatsoever. He blinked the tears away, shrugged his father's hand from his shoulder and stood shakily. He was done talking, done feeling like shit. He would rather go back to ignoring it altogether, in fact, that was his plan exactly.

"I don't want to talk about this anymore," he said quietly, his throat too tight to manage much else, "I want to go home."

With timid steps, he found his way back up the curb and a few paces closer to where he heard the truck engine shut off but he stopped there, waiting for his father to help him the rest of the way.

"Come on, Auggie," his father said, not moving from where he sat, "We- You need to talk this out, you were getting somewhere, don't give that up now. It's just you and me. No one else is listening, just let it out."

"Please," he managed, reaching out for his dad to take his arm, "Please, just take me home."

For several agonizingly long moments he stood that way, waiting for an invisible man to drag him away from this miserable corner. Finally his father's footsteps approached him and his arm brushed against Auggie's outstretched hand. Once he was buckled in the oversized hauling truck, Auggie leaned his head back against the seat and closed his eyes, allowing the familiarity of his father's vehicle to wash over him and ease some of his tension; sawdust, cigars, and pine tree air freshener so his mother wouldn't find out about the cigars.

"Where's your cane," his father asked as he buckled himself in, "You said you were at a friend's house-"

"Just leave it dad," Auggie shrugged.

"You'll need it for tomorrow," his father insisted and started up the diesel engine, "I'll just drive by and pick it up."

"Dad," Auggie almost shouted, he hated when people didn't listen to him, parent or not, "I said leave it! I have another one at home that mom got. It's fine."

The silence hung stale in the air and that was punishment enough, he shouldn't have spoken to his dad like that but his emotions were still raw. He took a deep breath then turned to his father, trying to look as apologetic as possible.

"So," he says in his best conversation voice, "What's going on tomorrow?"

"It's a surprise," his father answered cryptically, "You'll see in the morning."

"Awesome," Auggie said, unable to keep the bitterness from his tone.

Like he would see anything in the morning.

XXX

Before she even stepped foot in her house she knew she'd messed up, that she'd been unfair but she couldn't help it, she had to say it out loud before she imploded! The look on his face though, it haunted her still. Silently, she slipped into the house, hoping to avoid her mother and a bout of seriously unwelcome questions.

"Annie, Auggie?"

No such luck.

"I'm glad you're back I found this in the-" her mother stopped abruptly in the foyer when she saw that Annie was alone, her brown eyes wide, "Annie, where's Auggie?"

"We parted ways," she sighed, "We sort of had an argument about something that happened at school."

For the first time she noticed that her mother was holding something, and when she realized what it was, her heart dropped into her stomach.

"Annie, what did you do?"

Without a second thought, she snatched the object from her mother's hand and flew out the door, not even shutting it behind her. Dammit, Annie, she thought to herself, what the hell did you do? Tears pooled in her eyes as she ran towards where she left him, she had been so stupid and he probably wouldn't ever trust her again. How could she leave him there, cane or no? The thought of him never talking to her again burned hot in her chest and, cane in hand, she ran faster.

She rounded the corner and could see across the street where she had left him, it was in clear view but he was nowhere to be found. As fast as her feet would allow, she flew across the street and took a 360 but still she couldn't see him. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest as fear clouded her mind, what had happened to him? Where did he go? No way he got too far.

Still scanning the immediate area, she whipped her cellphone from her pocket and dialed. She could have called Auggie but she doubted he would answer so she called Jamie.

"Hello," Jamie answered after two rings.

"Hey, Jamie," she said, trying not to sound out of breath, "Um, I was just wondering if Auggie was with you?"

"No, actually, but my dad left a while ago to pick him up," he said slowly, like he didn't quite understand why she would be calling him, "Is everything okay?"

A sigh of relief left her lungs in a whoosh and she smiled, Auggie was with his dad, everything was okay.

"Yea," she replied, her mind racing as she tried to figure out a valid excuse for calling Jamie instead of Auggie himself, "Uh, I just tried to call Auggie, he left something at my house but his phone was off so… But thanks, I'll get it to him tomorrow. Bye Jamie."

"No problem," he said casually before hanging up the phone.

Annie was exhausted, more emotionally than physically.

"I'm going to hell," she whispered, trying not to cry.

It was impossible to believe that she'd left a blind person on the corner of an unfamiliar road without a cane or anyone to help him home. Yes, she was going to hell. But she would rather be there than have Auggie angry with her and over a kiss? A kiss that she didn't let him explain? Tomorrow, tomorrow she would try to fix everything.

XXX

Corrine was running through the trees, he could hear her singing as she went. Rays of sunlight peeked through the canopy and slithered around the tree trunks. A smile yanked on his mouth. The sun, he could see the sun, it had been almost two years since he had last seen its golden fingers. He reached out his hand and let the light dance across his skin.

"Auggie," Corrine called, standing just yards in front of him.

His eyes dragged over her, he'd forgotten just how beautiful she was; hair like supple gold, eyes like bottle glass and a smile that could knock you dead. He smiled at her and took a few steps forward, his feet crunching on jewel colored leaves that had fallen from the autumn touched trees. Then he heard her. Somewhere behind him Annie Walker laughed.

He spun quickly, nearly losing his balance. He had to see her but she wasn't there, all he could see was her shadow flitting away. Turning back to Corrine, he found her only an inch from his face, her green eyes huge at such extreme proximity.

"Go after her," Corrine smiled, turning him around and giving a little push, "She's waiting for you to see her."

He set of running, his feet carrying him at a precarious pace, trees whipping past his face at an abnormal speed. The further into the woods he went, the darker it got, his eyes straining to see through the suddenly night stained forest.

"August," Annie's voice said, "I'm here."

When he turned, he could see her outline in a small alcove cut into a tremendous oak tree. Her frame so so much smaller than his own. He made his way toward her but with each foot he put in front of the other the darkness closed in on him. Just one more step and he would see her. He took that step and the light disappeared. With trembling hands he reached out for her, the tips of his fingers meeting with her warm skin.

"Annie," he asked, frightened, "Annie, I can't see you."

"It's alright, August," she whispered, her lips brushing against his, "I know you can't."

Strong, thin arms wrapped around his waist and held him close and he sobbed into her velvety hair. Her nimble fingers combed through his hair, soothing his broken heart. She pushed him back, caressed his chin, guiding his face to hers before pressing a passionate kiss to his mouth-

A knock on the door interrupted them-

Wait, a door?

After another knock, Auggie rolled over in his bed, his limbs heavy and uncoordinated. His eyes snapped open and his heart sunk in his chest. Still nothing. It was all just a dream. There were times that he wished he didn't dream in pictures anymore because it always made him think he would be able to see when he woke up. A deep ache flared up in his chest.

"Hey Auggie," a strangely familiar voice called from outside his door, "Can I come in?"

The voice was just this side of familiar, were he not so tired and in desperate need of Annie's skin beneath his own, he knew he would have recognized it immediately. He moaned at the loss of his dream but forced himself awake a little bit more.

"Yea," he grumbled, closing his eyes against the disappointment.

"Jesus," the door swung open noiselessly but the voice wasn't muffled anymore, "It's like a bat cave in here."

"Matt," Auggie smiled, rolling over to face the door, his voice still thick with sleep, "What are you doing here?"

"Good to see you too," he laughed and Auggie heard the light switch flip, "I'm here on Thanksgiving break."

"When did you get in?"

"Really late last night, dad said you'd already gone to bed and not to wake you." The side of Auggie's bed sank as Matt sat beside him, "Mom wants us all to go out today, so she gave me permission to drag your ass out of bed."

Matt sprawled backwards over his younger brother's stomach and Auggie let out a strangled laugh.

"Matt, you're going to kill me," he exclaimed dramatically, "I'm dying- need oxygen!"

"You're such a dork," Matt laughed, rolling off his brother so that the younger Anderson could sit up.

"Hey, grab me something to wear will you, I'll get dressed and head downstairs."

"Sure," Matt replied happily.

Matt obliged and Auggie could hear him rummaging around in his closet. It was good to have him home; he was as close to Matt as he was to Jamie. Brothers of the best kind. What felt like denim hit Auggie in the face without any warning, he dragged them tiredly off his head before being promptly smacked in the face a few more times by what, upon further inspection, Auggie learned to be a sweater, t-shirt and boxers.

"A little warning next time, Matt," Auggie sighed, shaking his head.

"Would it have helped," Matt asked incredulously.

"Not a bit," Auggie grinned, joking about it was less tiring than being annoyed.

"Hurry up and get dressed, there's someone I want you to meet," Matt said in a rush, Auggie knew what that meant, Matt was nervous about whoever this was.

"Whoa, wait a minute," he said before his brother could escape out his door, "Who am I meeting exactly?"

"You'll find out, just get dressed," was Matt's cryptic answer. "Don't drag your feet either."

Auggie hated surprises, especially when it came to meeting new people, in the end it always ended up being awkward and full of needless apologies. Then he remembered something.

"Matt, hang on a second," he called before he heard his door click shut.

"Yea?"

"Turn off my light, will you? I'll forget and I don't want the bulb to burn out."

It was weirdly quiet for a few moments and he could practically feel Matt's hesitation from across the room, it's unnatural to leave someone in the dark, whether they know the difference or not. Finally the switch was flipped and his door clicked shut. He hated making his family uncomfortable.

Once dressed, hair combed and teeth brushed, Auggie made his way into the living room where his family's voices echoed jolly and free. It had been a long time since he'd heard that sound and it made him smile.

"Morning, son," his mother said from the couch, he raised his hand in greeting, wondering if this stranger was sitting with them, he hadn't heard a new voice. "Come sit with me and Jamie."

Auggie wove the familiar path between the furniture and around the ottoman that used to give him hell, and Jamie led him to the free spot between him and their mother. He relaxed back with his arms across the back of the couch. It had been a while since they all had the opportunity to sit down in the living room as a family. Usually someone was running off somewhere they had to be on time.

"Matt says that he and his friend have something they would like to tell us," his father said from across the sitting area.

An alarm went off in the back of Auggie's head, somehow he had the feeling that this easy conversation and comfortable setting was about to go to hell. Two pairs of footsteps came from the kitchen and someone set down a tray that clanked against the coffee table, he guessed it was Matt.

"Auggie, that was fast," Matt said, once again sounding out of breath. "This is who I wanted you to meet. Auggie this is Jasper, Jazz this is my other youngest brother, Auggie."

Auggie stood up and held out his hand, it was easier for everyone that way.

"Nice to meet you Jasper," Auggie smiled politely.

The young man's hand slid into his and shook it firmly; Auggie noted that he smelled like incense and coconuts.

"You too," Jasper answered, his voice coming from just above Auggie's head, it was soft and unsure, sort of like Jamie's.

He sat back down and everyone sat in a comfortable though expecting silence. Auggie leaned towards the coffee table and managed to find a bagel on the platter, he would go for a drink later. From the smell of it the bagel was blueberry and he smiled, that had always been his favorite.

"Well," Auggie's father started, breaking the silence as Auggie took his third bite of the bagel, "Mattie, I think I speak for everyone when I say we're anxious to know what you and your friend would like to tell us."

For some reason, Auggie's heart thudded loudly in his chest, like he subconsciously knew what was coming, that uncanny feeling you get just before an earthquake or a terrible storm.

"Well, Dad, everyone," Matt began, still sounding like he just ran a 5k, "That's actually it, Jazz and I- we're- Well, Jasper is my boyfriend."

It was like the air turned to static, one wrong move and the friction would set the place on fire. Auggie rolled his eyes and mentally smacked Matt in the face. Since middle school, Auggie had known that Matt was gay, the rest of the family, however, just got a wakeup call. The silence was deafening but Auggie just shook his head and waited for the volcano that was Mica Anderson, to blow.

"I can't believe this," his father said in a dark, low voice, followed by the sound of a chair scraping back and heavy footsteps retreating towards the stairs.

"Mica," his mother yelled. She squeezed Auggie's leg and stood up, "I'm happy for you two," she said softly, "I really am- and Jasper, I would love to get to know you better and I apologize for my husband's behavior- It's just- Matt, a bit of warning would have been appropriate."

"Mom," Matt began desperately, "I-"

"Not just now, son," she spoke quickly and her voice had traveled to the end of the staircase but Auggie didn't turn towards her voice or Matt's, he kept his head down and ate the rest of his bagel, "I have to go talk to your father."

The silence hung heavy again.

"Well," Auggie drawled once he'd swallowed the last of his breakfast, "Welcome to the family, Jasper."

"It's not funny, Auggie," Matt whispered.

"Oh come on," Auggie couldn't stop himself from grinning, "I don't think it's funny but Matt, what did you think would happen? You know how dad is, he's a great guy but straight-laced."

"I know but I couldn't think of a better way of saying it," Matt was dying inside; Auggie could hear it in his voice, "What do you think he's going to do?"

"He loves you, he'll warm up," Auggie shrugged, "Till then it's probably best to give him some space. Seriously though, next time you want to drop a bomb in the room, you could at least warn me."

"Right," Matt groaned.

"So," Jamie dragged out the word, almost like he was stuck on the syllable, "Is that why you always dressed me up in mom's clothes when we were kids?"

Everyone was quiet, but it wasn't long before the room burst into laughter.

"Matt, you bastard," Auggie grinned, "Poor Jamie is scarred for life!"

"Listen," Jasper said after the laughter died down a bit, "I'm sorry about all this trouble."

"Hey," Matt said affectionately, "It was my moronic idea, you didn't do anything wrong."

A knock on the door interrupted the moment and Auggie hung his head, he was pretty positive it was for him. Jamie moved to get up but Auggie stopped him with a hand to his shoulder.

"I got it," he sighed and pushed up from the couch.

Though he didn't know what to expect, he knew one thing for sure. This was something he could fix.

XXX

It had taken everything out of Annie just to ring the doorbell and now that she had she felt exhausted. All the way to his house she had been going over what she wanted to say to him but as she stood there at his front door, her brain had dumped all of it. On the other side she could hear the lock jiggling and finally the door opened, revealing a smart looking Auggie in dark jeans and the most comfortable looking grey sweater she had ever seen. Nervously, she wrung his cane between her hands.

"Annie," he said slowly, uncertain.

It seemed that she was a bit stopped up but she knew that once she opened her mouth it would all pour out in a torrent of babble.

"Okay, are we going to talk or have a staring contest because I can guarantee that you would win," his lips quirked up in a small smile. That was all it took for her.

"Auggie, I'm really sorry," she spouted, he opened his mouth but she rushed in before he could start, "Not just for abandoning you which I shouldn't have done whether you had this or not," she pushed his cane against his hand as she spoke, "You trusted me and I let you down and if you never forgive me for that I understand, but I shouldn't have yelled at you either! It's just that all those feelings came back when I saw you with her and I'm not the most rational person in the world, my sister can attest to that.

"I just couldn't stand the thought of letting this go any further," she took a deep breath after realizing that she was getting lightheaded, "I mean think about it! I was mad at you and now you're mad at me and it's like an endless cycle and it's so not productive and I hate it. So I was thinking that we could talk everything over, you know? I mean, unless you want me to go which I would understand, though, I really, really don't want you to…"

When she finally caught her breath, she realized that she'd been looking at the ground the entire time she spoke to him, unable to make herself look him in the face because her guilt was reaching epic proportions.

"Annie," he began warmly, when she looked up he just inches away, his eyes shaded by long lashes. "I'm not mad at you. In fact, sometime after my temper-tantrum last night, I forgave you."

He reached out, his hand running up the length of her arm, leaving a trail of raw nerves on her flesh. He leaned in close, the tips of his fingers tilting her face towards his. No, surely she was dreaming this right? Things couldn't possibly be going this well, not after what she'd done to him. As if in slow motion, his lips met with hers in a desperate though steady pace. She sank into it, grabbing him for support as she felt her legs melting helplessly. Their mouths parted with a small smacking sound and she felt hazy and warm all over.

"All my life I've had fights about Corrine, but I'm not going to let that happen with you," his voice was soft, sultry, "Let's call it a truce, yea?"

She nodded her head, unable to make her mouth work.

"But, since you're here, maybe you could do me a favor?"

The question caught her off guard.

"Sure," she breathed, I mean, after that kiss how could she resist?

"Perfect," he grinned, taking her hand and pulling her inside. "Let's make this day good, huh?"

If only she had known what she was getting into.