Brothers Defend

Henry had come to visit for a week. He was now living in Boston. He landed a job as a business manager for a non-profit organization.

He was at Granny's diner with Joshua and Emily having lunch. She was still a little down about her break up. Henry decided it would do her some good to take her out.

Emily glanced at her brothers. She was thankful for them. It beat listening to her parents asking every five seconds if she was okay.

They finished their lunch and walked onto the docks. They talked about Henry's job and his life in Boston when Emily saw Rick. She stopped in her tracks and Henry and Joshua nearly ran into her.

They followed her line of sight. Joshua pulled onto Emily's arm. "Let's go."

"I can walk past him," Emily said.

Henry turned her around. "We can take you home."

She looked between them. "Guys, I'm fine. Rick is my past."

"Fine," Henry said. The three walked past Rick ignoring him. After dropping Emily off, they went back to the docks.

They saw Rick standing by himself. Joshua approached Rick and hit him in the jaw. Rick sat up stunned. "What is your problem?! Rick yelled.

"That's for my sister," Joshua yelled. "That will teach you to break my sister's heart."

Rick stood up running his jaw making sure it wasn't broken. "I'm sorry for hurting Emily but it had to end."

Henry rolled his eyes. "We don't want you to have any interaction with her unless she approaches you."

"What are you going to do about it?" he asked.

"I would think twice about continuing this conversation this way," Henry said threateningly.

"You all are crazy," Rick said. "I'm glad I don't have to deal with you people anymore."

"Considering your parents are a cricket and a fairy, I wouldn't judge," Joshua said.

"At least my mom didn't go off the deep end and cast a curse," Rick shot back. This time it was Henry who hit him in the face. He grabbed Rick by the collar.

"Next time, we won't be so generous," Henry said. They walked off leaving Rick bloodied.

They got home and Emily asked where they had gone. "Bonding between brothers," Henry said.

"Whatever," Emily said not really believing them.

Later that day, Killian ran into Archie as he headed to Granny's to pick up dinner. "Killian," Archie called out.

"Yes Archie," he said politely.

"We need to discuss our sons. It seems your sons got into a fight with my son."

"The little cricket deserved it perhaps," Killian thought. "I'm sure there has to be a mistake," Killian said.

"My son has a black eye and a bruised jaw. I would appreciate it if you talk to Henry and Joshua. I've already talked to my son."

Killian wanted to rip into Archie about his son's treatment of his daughter. However, he needed to get home. "I'll talk to them tonight. I have to get dinner."

Killian got home and saw everyone had been waiting for him. "What took you so long dear?" asked Regina.

"Talking to a friend," he said. He laid out the food and they ate. After dinner, he took Henry and Joshua aside. They went to the backyard. "I had an interesting talk with Archie before I arrived home. What's this I hear about you fighting?"

"Dad, we can explain," Joshua said.

Killian held up his hand. "You two were protecting your sister, correct?"

"Yes."

"That's all that matters. Listen, I know I'm supposed to lecture you about how fighting is bad. Violence doesn't solve everything. However, I will allow this one. Just don't let your mother get wind of it. We'll never hear the end of it from either of them."

"Agreed," Henry said.

"Lads, I don't need to hear about any more fights." They both nodded. "Oh and boys, this is our little secret."

They went back inside the house.