Guess who's back in the business! I've been gone for a while but I'm reaching the end so I figured I could start posting again :) Enjoy!
It was awkward to say the least. Scott was sitting at one side of the table with a cigarette in his mouth. Another guy, about my age was sitting next to him with headphones on and a hood covering most of his face. Marie was standing awkwardly in the doorway looking extremely concerned. I was sitting next to Logan and by this I noticed two things. He was glaring daggers at Scott and he had a very protective arm around me. Like I said. It was awkward to say the least. Fortunately at least Charlie was upstairs distracting Peter and Wy from comming downstairs. Somehow, knowing that Peter was actually Scott's long lost brother who he hadn't seen in 10 years, it felt better to postpone their tearfull reunion. I heaved a sigh of relief when I finally heard the sound of a cardoor slam shut and moments later the door opened. The moment he stepped into the kitchen, clothes and hair drenched his eyes landed on Scott and the other boy.
"Logan, James, Marie, go to your rooms." he said shortly without letting his eyes leave the guests. I wanted to protest but before I could fully react, Logan grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of there and up the stairs. The moment we were out of earsight I started to protest and try to get away.
"We can't just leave dad alone with those two!" I protested. "What if something happens?"
Logans grip was relentless.
"Arthur told us to stay in our rooms." he whispered back. "He's only doing what he thinks is best for us."
"But what if what's best for us might end up getting him hurt?"
Logan didn't answer for a moment then.
"Come on."
The attic was split in two parts. Logan's (and now my) room which looked fairly nice, and the storage part where Arthur dumped things he couldn't get rid of. Much to my surprise, Logan was currently leading me to the far end of the storage part.
"What are we doing at the airshaft?" I asked in confusion but I didn't really need it once voices traveled to my ears.
"It's connected directly with the kitchen." Logan clarified. "We can hear everything."
I smiled back at him and started to pay attention to what was being said. It seemed like they were just about done with greeting each other.
"That's none of your bloody bussiness." Arthur said.
" A'd say tis gey muckle mah business if yer putting yersel' in danger."
Arthur sighed in annoyance.
"I'm not putting myself in danger, I was just running late."
"Hate to be a bother but what the fuck are you two on about?" That was a new voice so I guessed it was Patrick.
" Watch yer tone, laddie." Scott said warningly.
"He's right though." Arthur spoke. "There are more important things to deal with than why I was late tonight. "
" Ah jalouse sae." Scott said with a sigh. " Pattie, ye'r in guid hauns wi' Arthur. A' wull be better in na time."
"Wait, your leaving just like that?" A Patrick said heatedly.
"Ah dinnae huv a choice. Someone aye needs tae fin' Will 'n' th' sooner ah dae, th' better. Farewell, wee brother. Tak' care o' yersel'"
Arthur scoffed.
"Idiot, you make it sound like you're never comming back. Be careful out there, and don't you dare try and leave us, you bastard."
It was a strange kind of harsh softness in Arthur's voice to which Scott chukled softly.
" Ah will be back."
There was a moment of silence before Arthur spoke again.
"I doubt you remember me, but I am your elder brother, Arthur."
Patrick scoffed.
"I kind of figured."
"Are you hungry?"
"Scott warned me about your food." Patrick said nonchalantly.
"Of course he bloody did." Arthur grumble. "Doesn't really matter though. I'm the one cooking so you just have to get used to it."
"Whatever."
There was awkward silence.
"Where are all your stuff?" Arthur asked finally. Come to think of it I hadn't seen any bags when they arrived.
"I don't have any stuff. All the shit's back in the appartment."
"Well no worries Patrick. We'll buy you new things tomorrow after school then."
"Whatever."
"It's getting late." Arthur finally decided. "I'm sure you're tired from the journey anyways so why don't I show you your new room?"
"Whatever."
Even so, I heard the scraping of chairs and soon their voices were too far to be heard. Not until then did I take notice of how small this area was and how close Logan was standing. I could feel the warmth radiating from his body and his breath tickling my skin. So close. The next thing I noticed was that intense gaze of his which was locked solely on me. Why was he looking at me like that? Feeling a blush on my cheeks I coughed awkwardly.
"W-we should probably move back to your room just in case Arthur comes up to check on us. " I stuttered out.
Logan was still for a moment longer before snapping out of it and laughing shakily.
"Haha, yeah probably for the best."
With another nervous laugh he grabbed my wrist and guided me through the endless piles of boxes.
"I am old enough to move myself. You don't need to guide me." I muttered.
Logan laughed nervously and let go.
"S-sorry."
Well wasn't this lovely? First Arthur was acting wierd and now Logan as well.
Despite having empitied my room completely and moved the mattress to the attic (just until Arthur could get the time to buy a new bed) I'd never actually slept there before. Not even as a kid.
"Um… you can take the bed." Logan said snapping me back to the real world. On the inside I'd been busy panicking about changing in front of Logan and talking about him in my sleep, that I hadn't even thought about actually going to bed.
"W-w-what? Why would I do that?" I stuttered in embarrasment.
Logan determinatedly avoided eye-contact.
"Well, yah know… I just thought… Hey can't a bro be nice once in a while?"
Okay it was settled. Logan had lost it. It was strange really, he looked so wierd. As if…
"God damn it! Just take the stupid bed and go to sleep good-night!"
I stared in stunned silence as Logan lay down on the mattress and covered his entire face with the cover.
"Well… good night I guess."
Logan POV:
00.13
I hadn't slept one bit. It was scary, really. One moment I'd been paying attention to the conversation downstairs the next I couldn't think about anything other than Jamie's lips and how kissable they looked.
WHAT THE HELL WAS WRONG WITH ME?!
Feeling sure that James was asleep I got up and snuck downstairs. I knew Jamie probably concidered me crazy for fuzzing about the bed but I have you know that I had a very good reason for giving Jamie the bed. The reason? Truh be told I knew that if I had Jamie at the matress I'd just stay up all night looking at him. Then again I was still up all night. I heaved a tired sigh as I snuck down the stairs, mindfull of the steps that I knew would cause a lot of noise. I wasn't sure why I decided to suddenly go downstairs but it was better than having nothing else to focus on other than Jamies steady breathing. My initial thought was going to the kitchen but then my attention was caught by a light comming from Arthur's room. When I creeped closer I could hear him talking to someone on his phone but I wasn't sure who. I wasn't one to eavesdrop but my curiousity got the best of me the moment I heard him giggle. Seriously giggle! Not a manly chuckle or something like that. It was one of those really girly giggles that I'd come to associate with Carrie. I snuck closer until I was just outside his door and was able to hear him properly.
"…we agreed on never talking about that." he said, still with laughter in his voice.
"Don't be ridicolous, that was bloody embarrasing." Still he sounded amused.
"The confession itself wasn't that big of a deal." Arthur said, more softly now. "But did you have to do it in front of my father?"
Something the other said must have downed the mood because Arthur sighed heavily.
"Don't worry about it love. It's in the past. He's gone now."
I frowned a little. 'Love'? Who was he talking to?
Arthur heaved another tired sigh.
"Patrick just needs a place to stay until Shamus is feeling better. You don't need to worry."
"I'm not in danger. I promise."
The other person was speaking.
"And if I were then I'm sure a certain someone would be there to save the day."
Again Arthur laughed.
"Alright you silly thing, it's getting late and we both need to be up early tomorrow."
I marvelled at the softness in his voice. He never used it towards other than us kids.
"Now don't act like a child, love. It's not becomming of an adult."
There it was again. 'Love'.
"Alright if I talk in a silly voice and sing you a lullabye will you please allow me to go to bed?"
There was a moment and then Arthur sighed.
"I can't believe you're making me do this. Not even Peter asks me to do it any longer. "
"Well Wy is still a little girl! You're supposed to be an adult."
He sighed again then spoke into the phone in a very silly way.
"Alright my little ball of cuteness. Let's get you all tucked in. Are you in bed?"
There was a moment of silence before Arthur started sputtering indignantly, something I very rarely heard.
"I-I… Y-y-you…D-Don't say such vile things! A-a-and stop laghing you tosser! D-did you want m-me to tuck you in or not? Then shut up and don't be so immature."
After another moment of silence before Arthur continued with the well known song of my early years.
"Alright my little ball of cuteness, let's get you all tucked in."
Arthur said softly while leading me up the stairs to my room. I made a few half-assed protests but I was truly too tired to argue. When he noticed me falling behind he took me in his arms (with some difficulty) instead. This was the place I loved the most. Safe and sound. I smiled contently as Arthur lowered me onto the bed and tucked me in neatly before sitting himself down on the edge of the bed. He stroke my hair softly with a look of adoration in his eyes.
"Will you be able to sleep?" he asked.
He'd asked me this question for as long as I could remember and for just as long I could remember only one answer.
"Only if you sing me a lullabye."
And Arthur smiled fondly at me before starting to sing.
" Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why, can't I?"
I loved hearing Arthur sing even if he only had one song. His voice was so kind and warm and reassuring. He always sang that song and I always slept through most of the night. Sometimes I would wake up from a dream in the middle of the night. The dream would vanish the moment I woke up but a feeling of dread always lingered. I'd usually end up crying into my koala until Arthur woke up and found me. And then he would hold me to his chest and sing the song all over again. I was about ready to go to sleep now but but there was something I wanted to do first.
"Arthur." I mumbled, once he was done singing and had kissed my forehead. Arthur was still sitting on my, otherwise I'm not sure he'd had heard me.
"What's the matter, lad?" he spoke back in a quiet tone.
Biting my bottom lip I reached out my arms around Arthur's neck and gave him the greatest hug I could muster.
" I love you daddy." I whispered, feeling rather embarrased about it.
Arthur was still for a moment before he released a sigh and embraced me back.
"I love you too, darling."
I snapped out of my memories and noted that Arthur was still talking but it seemed to be comming to an end.
"Good night. We'll try and see each other soon." he promised then hung up.
Once again all was still in the house other than some shuffling from Arthur's room. Deciding I'd been standing there for long enough I moved to sneak back to my room. All my troubling feelings from before were completely vanished due to the strange conversation Arthur had had. I had no need to worry really. I know this house like the back of my hand so there was no struggle in getting away before Arthur noticed me.
CREAK
I had barely managed to take two steps in the dark before I froze cursing how loud the creak sounded. How could I forget such a noise floor-board?
"Logan is that you?" Came Arthur's hushed voice. My first instinct was to run for it but Arthur was already out in the hallway.
"What on earth are you doing up at this hour?"
I slowly turned to face him ready to lie but it all died on my tongue. Arthur looked more tired than I could ever remember seing him. Dark circles beneath his eyes, brows knitted together in worry and all hints of a smile gone. If I lied he'd know it and worry further.
"Can I sleep in your bed tonight?" I asked instead. I hadn't done so for years hearing dad sing again made me nostalgic and I found myself missing the love Arthur's voice. Arthur looked surprised at first but then he smiled at and went over to ruffle my hair.
"As you wish alright little ball of cuteness, come on."
I beamed at him, already feeling better than I had done since Jamie's sleepover, and gave him a huge hug, another thing a rarely did, before following him back into his room. The bed was just as I remembered it. Soft and comforting. I could hear Arthur chuckle as I snuggled into the covers and the pillow with a silly smile on my face.
"I have no idea what has gotten into you lad." Arthur said in hidden amusement.
"I just missed you." I murmured, embarrased of how much of a child I acted like.
Again Arthur chukled and I felt the bed dip before the light went of.
"Well my door is always open when you need me." he said kindly.
I bit my lip, contemplating my next four words carefully.
"Will you hold me?"
I knew Arthur was still awake because his even breathing paused for a moment and the light was turned on.
"Are you certain that you are alright?" he asked in concern and I didn't judge him. I'd been doing a lot of unusual things this evening but I nodded.
"Please? I just think it will help me to get to sleep again. Cause you always hugged me as a kid and stuff."
Arthur still looked doubtful but even so he switched of the light and lay back against the pillows.
"Alrigth, come here then lad."
I felt myself smile as I scooted closer to Arthur and soon found myself held tightly in his warm protective embrace with my head to his chest so I could hear his heartbeat.
"Will you sing me to sleep as well?" I asked once I was comfortable.
Arthur chukled and kissed my head.
"Alright."
He cleared his throat a little then started to sing.
"Somewhere, over the rainbow…"
As the last words were sung I felt my self drifting further into sleep.
"I love you, dad." I murmured sleepily and just before I fell asleep I heard Arthur whisper back.
"I love you too, my son."
Patrick's POV
"I wan't to go back to bed, Shamus."
"Hush Pattie, you can sleep soon."
"Where are we going?"
"A magic castle."
"With fairies?"
"Fairies and dragons and unicorns. But we can only find it if you are quiet."
"Will you keep it down, you're waking Peter."
"I was trying get him quiet, you idiot."
"So now I'm the idiot, I'm not the one…"
"Knock it off, both of you. You're scaring Patrick."
"Sorry William, I guess it's the nerves."
"How far is Scott?"
"Shouldn't be too far."
"Richt here, I am."
"Scottie."
"Hush, me wee lad, we must be quiet."
"Sowy."
"Don't worry lad."
"Enough of the small talk, let's go before…"
"BOYS!"
"RUN!"
"How could he find us so soon?"
"Damn it, Mr. Drofing must have seen us leaving the house."
"Who cares just run!"
"Come Shamus you have keep running."
"I can't keep this up without scaring Patty. Don't worry I'll take another rout and meet you there! That way it'll be harder to track us!"
"Are you mad? We have to stay together!"
"Don't worry Artie, we'll see each other in no time."
"Ye better leave now then Shamus."
"See you soon.
"This is our new home."
"Where is Scottie, Willy, Artie and Peter?"
"They're coming later. Don't worry."
"Where is daddy?"
"D-daddy is at home, resting."
"No more daddy?"
"N-no more daddy."
"Does that mean I don't have to be like him?"
"You can be whoever you want."
"Pattie, I know you don't like Ben but was that reason enough to hit the poor kid?"
"He pissed me of."
"How?"
"He nagging about his perfect life and family."
"Oh yeah his birthday is also comming up huh?"
"He kept bragging about how his dad is going to give him a guitar and a new computer and stuff..
"Well Pattie, I'm not your father and I can't really buy you a new guitar but if you don't tell any adults we can do something really really fun and illegal."
"Like what?"
"I'll show you how the bar works. How to make drinks, kick out trouble makers all the fun stuff that you shouldn't be teaching a 14-year old!"
"Really?"
"Just don't break anything."
"Thanks Shamus, you're the best!"
"I know."
"P-pl-please stop! I-I'm sorry."
"Not sorry enough you ungrateful brat."
"Shamus?"
"And here you tell me that none of your brother's are here."
"P-p-please don't hurt him. H-he's done nothing wrong."
"W-who are you! What have you done to my brother!"
"Don't you even recognize your own father."
"M-m-my father? NO you can't be! He's dead!"
"Do I look dead to you?"
"J-J-Just stay away from him dad. He's just a child."
"A child endeed. But you know what I do with disobedient children."
"Dad, please, no… PATRICK!"
"HOW DARE YOU!"
"RUN PATRICK!"
"Shamus? What about you?
"I'll be right behind you! Just run!"
"B-but…"
"Just run!"
"Yes my son, just run! Run and lead me to your brothers."