It was Tuesday night when King finally came over. Not that Donnie wanted to see him, but he wanted the apology over with o he wouldn't have to face King anymore. Sure he'd come over and visit Nate a couple of times before his brother once again got deployed, or even come over to drink coffee sometime with his parents, but Donnie didn't have to be there. He could always stay in his room and if King for some odd reason would invite the whole family over for dinner he could always fake headache or something, it wasn't like he wanted Donnie there anyway. He still saw Tony in school and hung out with him there and maybe he could hang out with him at the park or something where they both could go their separate ways without him having to meet Chris or King. His thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell. Sighing he made it downstairs knowing it was expected of him. Steeling himself he opened the door and backed away, silently inviting King to step in.
-Hi kid.
-Good afternoon sir, Donnie answered keeping his voice as toneless as last time. May I take your jacket? King eyed him weirdly but he decided to not pay any attention and instead hang up King's jacket for him.
-Thankyou Donnie. By now the rest of the family had gathered as well in the entryway and Donnie looked away when King hugged his parents and his brother since it hurt too much to see.
-King, I think Donnie has something to say to you, James said once they all had made their way to the back porch.
-I'm sorry for shouting at you sir, and for causing trouble by hiding my injury. It won't happen again. Damn right it wouldn't because he would never be in a room with King long enough for it to happen.
-It's okay kid, you just got me worried. How is the hand?
-Just fine sir. Thank you for asking sir.
-You okay kid?
-Just fine sir. And how are you? Before King could answer Nate grabbed his arm and dragged him to the other side of the porch.
-What are you doing?
-Apologizing like I was told to do.
-Why all the sirs? It's like we are back to way before you ever met King, you are treating him like a stranger.
-I'm being respectful.
-Respectful my ass. Stop whatever attitude you have going on, you won't get anywhere with hurting King.
-I'm not hurting him.
-Yes, you are so watch it. I mean it Donnie!
-Yes sir. Donnie's response was short and when Nate made it back to the rest ha took a few deep breaths to compose himself before following Nate. Back at the table King got the end of the table which suited Nate fine and he hurriedly grabbed the seat the furthest from King, putting Nate between himself and King. It wasn't ideal but it would do. The conversation flew smoothly without Donnie having to do more than nod his approval a few times or ask for Nate or his dad to pass the salt. He had stopped listening a long time ago and was lost in his own thoughts when Nate all of the sudden elbowed him right in the ribs.
-Ow! What did you do that for!
-King asked you a question little brother so you better start answering him. Frowning at Nate he took up his now normal tone with King.
-I'm sorry sir, I didn't pay attention, what did you ask me?
-I asked if you had made any plans with Tony yet?
-No sir, I wasn't allowed to before I apologized to you.
-Why don't you come over tomorrow then? The apology is over and done with.
-Thank you for the invitation sir but I have a big extra credit project I am working on that takes up most of my free time.
-When is it due? Couldn't King give up already? It wasn't as if he really wanted him over anyway.
-Next Monday sir. But as I said it's a really big project and I am looking for a good grade.
-Extra credit work? When did you become interested in that kind of thing, Nate asked raising his eyebrows.
-I have a good basic knowledge right now, felt that it might be time to do something with it so I asked my history teacher for an extra credit assignment.
-Sounds like you are doing god in school.
-Yes sir. I try my hardest sir.
-Wouldn't question it. A few minutes later Donnie asked to be excused telling them he wanted to work on his extra assignments so that he might get time to meet Tony sometime. The truth was that Donnie was almost ready with it, but didn't want to go over to King's so desperate times called for desperate measures.
-Bullied-the other side of the window-
A knock on his bedroom door startled Donnie an hour later. The door opened and King looked in. Seeing who it was he quickly turned back around and kept working on the assignment.
-The dessert is served if you want some.
-Thankyou sir but no thank you, I think I ate too much for dinner, Donnie said without turning around.
-I think we need to talk, son, King said and all of the sudden he stood right behind Donnie. Startled that the older man could move so fast Donnie looked up into King's eyes for a few seconds before turning his gaze back down. What's going on Donnie? King now asked, bringing his chin back up to meet his worried gaze.
-Nothing sir. Everything is fine sir. No need to worry sir. Donnie fought against the hand that cupped his chin forcing eye contact but didn't succeed.
-That there tells me everything I need to know. Donnie didn't answer just stared straight past King, making the older man move his head a bit to the left to keep the eye contact. You know what it tells me? That everything isn't fine and since I just got your brother's word that you hadn't been acting strangely before I came I know for a fact that the problem is between us.
-I don't have a problem, Donnie answered heatedly. And if you excuse me I have work to do. The grip around his chin hardened as response.
-As I said earlier I think we need to talk.
-I'm fine sir, and clearly so are you so you are just wasting your time.
-Donovan. That made Donnie wince involuntarily. King hadn't used that tone with him more than twice in his life before. He was torn between listening to the one and only warning he knew he was about to get, and holding onto the hurt.
-Why are you doing this?
-Straightening things out between us? Because it's the right thing to do. Of course. Donnie heard all he needed to hear and any chance of him opening up now was gone. He had almost fallen for it again.
-Things are perfectly clear between us sir.
-No they aren't Donnie, but if this is the game you want to play we'll play it. With that King released his chin and turned to head out of the room. Donnie was momentarily frozen. That wasn't the reaction he had counted on. A small voice inside him told him this was exactly what he had wanted, to get King out of his life. Turning over the schoolbooks he settled for the corner next to the door and sat down on the floor leaning against the wall. When had things became so complicated? He couldn't tell anyone what King had said and that was a though burden to bear. His parents wouldn't understand and neither would anybody else. He heard footsteps coming up the stairs but ignored them. It was probably just Nate getting a sweater or something. Miserable he curled up even more in his corner. Suddenly the door opened without warning. Shielded from the line of vision Donnie wondered what was happening on the other side of the door. He heard footsteps walk around his room. Somebody flipped the books over on his desk, then his closet door opened, the door to the on suite. He could hear his brother swearing quietly over by the bed and held his breath when the footsteps once again closed in on him, just to seconds later walk out of the room without closing the door. Donnie stayed where he was for a minute before the curiosity took over and he gently pushed the door so he could get by. Turning around 360 degrees to take in the mess his brother had caused he suddenly came face to face with said brother.
-I am here to help you pack your bags.