I've made a decision- this story isn't going to be romantic at all- and you'll see why at the end of the chapter. Enjoy.

"Ah, look who finally decided to come back. Feel better, son? Good. Then you can start doing every single piece of make-up work- tell your friends that you're busy until everything is done."

My dad's first words don't surprise me at all. He's always been like this- doesn't care about me, only about grades.

"Mr. Moon, Austin isn't in a good mental state. He's not okay- he's nearing a breakdown- and we've been taking care of him. He needs to recover- and if you and your wife could ease off the pressure, it would make his recovery go a lot faster." Riker looks stern and serious- but he keeps his tone calm. Ratliff has his arm wrapped around my shoulders, and I lean into the embrace, sighing heavily.

"Stop making excuses for him. He needs to do his work."

"No, he needs to focus on his mental health. Do you want to lose your son?"

"He's too much of a disappointment- anyway."

My heart stops. Did he just…they'd be better off if I was dead…? Did that just…? A wave of emotion crashes over me, and I bite my lip until I taste copper, to keep the burning tears back.

"Take him out," Riker tells his brother. "He doesn't need to hear this."

Ratliff nods, and leads me out of the house, and into the car. He doesn't say anything- just opens his arms. I fall into the embrace, tears falling from my eyes and staining his shirt. My chest is heaving, my head hurts, and the lump in my throat grows, as I try not to have a breakdown.

"Austin, it's okay. You can break- I'm here for you. Don't hold it in- that's not good for you."

"It hurts," I whimper. "They want me dead. They don't care."

"Shhhh, don't talk. Let it all out, you're okay, I have you. You're safe."

"Fucking dickheads."

Riker slams the door of the car, as he gets in, setting a duffel bag on the empty passenger's seat. "He's staying with us for a while. I'm gonna ask Rocky if he can file for custody. Austin needs help, and he won't fucking get it, while he's with his parents. Even if it is therapy, Austin needs help."

"He's a mess, Rik. Take us home. We'll talk there. I just want to put him down, so he can get some rest. He cried himself into a half-sleep…it's bad…"

"On it." Riker pulls out of the driveway, and back onto the main road. "Is he asleep?"

"Kinda. He's lying against me in a half-sleep. Breaks my fucking heart- he broke down…"

"Poor thing…don't see why he got stuck with such pig-headed parents…"

Austin's phone beeps, and the sound wakes him. He starts to stir, and I shake my head, shushing him and lulling him back into sleep. He needs to sleep- whoever texted him can wait. I sigh, easing his phone out of his pocket, and opening the new message.

From: Ally

God, Austin, I'm so sorry. I can't believe I hurt you so badly. Can we talk? I need to know some things…Jimmy called and said you never set up that meeting with him…I don't know if it's just you being the lazy Austin I know, or…just text me back…

I let out a deep sigh. "Rik, he just got a message from Ally. She apologized, and wants to meet up sometime to talk to him, but basically called him lazy and neglectful…"

Riker groans. "Text back, tell her who you are, and say he'll meet with her, but one of us needs to be there during the entire thing. Unless she agrees, tell her no. I am not going to leave him with her, alone. She's hurt him far too much, to deserve that. And something tells me he won't like this idea very much…"

"Let's just try it. Who knows what'll happen? If it gets bad, we'll take him out."

To: Ally

It's Ratliff- Austin's asleep. He'll meet with you- if me, or one of my siblings accompanies him throughout the meeting. He's still very fragile- in terms of his mental state, and to be honest, I don't trust you.

"Alright. We're home," Riker mutters. "Here, I've got him. Grab his stuff."

He reaches into the car, and lifts Austin into his arms, bridal style- making sure the blonde's still asleep. Austin stirs, but falls right back to sleep, his head lolling against Riker's shoulder. My brother carries him up the front porch, and into the house- while I follow with the bag of Austin's things.

I just don't know what Austin is gonna do anymore…

"So, they seriously don't care if he dies?!"

I nod silently, and Rocky lifts his clenched fist, about to punch the wall, but I catch his arm. Anger flares in Rocky's eyes, but I shake my head.

"Don't. That won't solve anything," I mutter. Rocky sighs, uncurling his fist, and rests his head in his hands.

"I just…we can't leave Austin destitute, guys. I think we've all formed too close of a bond with him, to throw him out on the streets. If he stays with his parents, he will kill himself- the pressure is ripping him to shreds. He needs help, and he can't get it in that environment- his parents are too fucking proud to admit that their son is not fucking perfect, because no one is."

"You could adopt him," Riker suggests. "File for custody, like you have over us. I don't think he'd have a problem with it, and his parents would definitely sign over custody."

"That sounds perfect. He needs love right now, and we can give that to him. He can be part of our family- it feels like he is, already. He needs us, and who the fuck would we be to turn him away?" Rydel murmurs.

"That actually is a brilliant idea. I just have to prove myself a reliable, dependable guardian- which shouldn't be too hard, and you guys can vouch for me," Rocky says, nodding slowly.

"So, it's settled, then?" I ask. I really want this to work. Austin deserves this, and having a third brother would be kinda cool- four boys and one girl. That'd be sweet. But Rydel would be grossly outnumbered.

Rocky gives another nod. "I'm gonna get to work on adopting Austin."

Thoughts? I don't think Ally/Austin would work at this point, and since Rydel and Austin will essentially be siblings- that wouldn't work either. This will still have fluff- only it'll be brother/sister fluff. So, there you go. I think you'll be happy to know that the next chapter is already written, and I'm in the process of writing chapter 11. If you can get me 30 reviews, I'll post the next chapter in a few hours. Motivation- next chapter- Riker has a confession, and Austin and Ally have their meeting...only to end horridly for Austin. Tempting enough? I'll leave you all to decide :)

-Neha