Someone talked out in the living-room, I think. The small sounds annoyed me. My mouth was sticky and dry and one of my eyes half-open. I forced myself to roll over and swallowed hard as the bedroom door was opened and Rosmerta shot a long look at us.
"Excuse me for saying, but it smells like a pig-sty in here," was the first she told me. I tried to clear my throat and prop myself up on the elbow, but the muscles hurt at the small movement. She cleaned up the vomit with magic before putting her hand on her hip and waited for instructions.
"There's stuff for the girls in their room, take some clothes and toys. And if you could bring me a bucket, go down to the laundry room." I pointed to the basement door without lifting my hand from the sheet, but she nodded and got to work. Charlie had turned slowly to face me, he was pale and I understood why he had to sleep. Why I felt run over by the Hogwarts Express, I didn't get. He placed his hand on my arm, the back of my hand was laying down and the fingers closed a bit.
"And the centaur? Should I take him too?" She asked kindly in the middle of clothing something. I nodded weary, she could do whatever she wanted. Soon I heard Rosmerta finish up by placing the bucket next to me, but I didn't manage to thank her or even open my eyes.
The taste of puke still hung in my mouth, but at least I had hit the bucket. I was thirsty for water, but didn't want, or manage to get up. I heard movement to my left. I opened my eyes narrowly and saw Charlie sitting up on his knees.
"Gimme the bucket, would you," he muttered. I just shook my head weary, even though I wanted to help him. He crawled over me and stood up, swaying a bit as he relieved himself, the sound banging in my ears. I guess he was better now. He laid down again, so close he was almost on top of me. I took a breath that tore in my chest, trying to drift off again, then I wouldn't have to feel or think.
"Kevin, are you feeling better?" She was sitting on the edge of the mattress. Rosmerta. Her sweet perfume didn't help and I nodded despite the metallic taste in my mouth and the sand in my joints.
"But I think you have to keep the kids overnight," I told her a second before I grabbed the bucket again. It had been emptied, but I added some fresh vomit before pushing it away and dragged myself onto the mattress again.
"Do you want me to owl St. Mungo's?" She asked in a concerned tone. I shook my head and licked my lips slowly. She accepted the answer and said good bye. I couldn't respond. Beside me Charlie observed me with glassy eyes. He creased his forehead when I touched him. With all of our combined will he got up on his knees and made his way to the bucket, his bladder was full again. I laid still with my mouth open, a string of saliva trickling out.
"Good morning, sunshine," a voice told me. It was very familiar, but not Charlie. I think the line was meant sarcastically. I had a feeling my sleep had been disturbed many times. Opening my eyes, I saw Bill seated on the floor beside me. I blinked to get the blur out of my vision and looked at the clock.
"It's half past five," I noted, inquiring for him to explain his presence. Maybe it was closer to six o'clock, but that was still earlier than I like to be awaken in the morning. And by him, too!
"I got word you weren't doing so well and decided to stop by before work. As I have no idea how long time this will take, I'm here early." He ran his hand over my face and discovered I had sweated a lot during the night. Obviously Rosmerta had blabbered to the one she had the address to, I hate when people interfere with my life like that. I stretched my arms towards him and he helped me sit up.
"He's better," I said with a look towards Charlie, not sure if he really was. I must have shown my discomfort, because the bucket was held up for me. I did what I had to and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand while he tried to place the bucket far away from us without having to get up. I leaned towards him and he moved up in the bed, laying his arms around me. I rested my head on his chest and felt his calming scent. We sat like that for some minutes and I felt better. Against my better judgement I placed my fingers on the button of his jeans, slowly running them against the edge of the fabric, letting them slip inside.
"Kevin, no," he told me gently and removed my hand. I sat up and nodded, he was right. Several grunts was heard from Charlie before he opened his eyes and made to get up. Bill gave him a hand before he stumbled around the bed to get to the bucket and accidentally kicked it, sending the content splashing over the floor and lower parts of the wall. He cursed under his breath as he got the bucket up again with shaking hands and peed while supporting himself on the wall.
"You're here," Charlie commented to his brother when he was done and gave a half-hearted attempt at covering himself with his hands.
"Yes," Bill simply answered and vanished the mess with his wand. "Let's get you two cleaned up now." He wasn't pleased with having Charlie lean heavy on him into the bathroom and he had to plain out carry me. He put me down in the middle of the room and let go of my arms slowly, having to be a hundred percent sure I could stand on my own. He got a small towel he ran under the warm water of the tap before beginning with my face, cleaning away the sweat and other body fluids. Afterwards he took hold of my hand, going between the fingers and up my arm, tickling me unintentionally when he reached my armpit and swept quickly over my shoulder before repeating the process on my other arm. His movements were caring, but a tad too sharp.
"You're angry with us," I whispered, as that was all I managed. He looked at my face, then at his brother who were sitting on the toilet lid and back at me again.
"I'm furious," he admitted without letting it show too much in his voice. He thrust the towel to my chest without any force, I folded my arms over not to drop it. "I'm not doing any more of you." He went to Charlie and made him stand up without saying a word, motioning with a hand on his back to get in the shower. The younger listened and Bill took down the shower-head, rinsing over the muscular body. I rubbed the fabric in my hands under my breasts, but found it to be too much for me. Charlie was shaking, but stayed on his feet as he got a big towel and together they dried off him.
"I'm sorry you have to see us like this," I said almost inaudible, but Bill focused on me and got closer.
"Listen; yes, I am angry, but more at the situation than you, it's not something you chose." He took the towel out of my loose grip and ran it over my back, pulling me up to him. I swallowed and freed myself, taking the fabric back to rub it to my stomach, now I had done something myself.
"Kay..." Charlie stood behind me and I turned to look first at his face, then followed his gaze down to his erection. That fitted me good. We moved to the wall and he seated himself against it, shaking.
"I'll leave," Bill said and opened the door.
"No, stay." I didn't move, but enjoyed the hand resting on my knee.
"I'm not going to watch you. I'll stretch far, but that's out of the question." The hinges creaked a bit when he pushed the door further open.
"I mean, don't go home, don't leave us completely, not yet," I clarified and straddled Charlie. I don't know if Bill agreed to my back, but I heard the door close. I found Charlie's cock and began moving as steady as I mastered, hands on his upper arms. He didn't caress me, but it didn't matter. His breath went fast and he began drooling slightly. I placed my forehead on his shoulder and concentrated to get closer to the orgasm. I think I came a second before him, but none of us showed it much anyway.
"We needed that," he stated as I got up. I nodded and tried to smile before I opened the door and stepped up on the high threshold to find Bill right outside. He came close to me, observing me, almost hugging me. I placed a couple of fingertips on his forehead, running them through his loose hair. It was slightly oily, but not more than it made it soft to my touch.
"Get dressed," he commanded us friendly. I nodded again and went back to the bedroom. Now the smell was horrible to me. I found some big clothes I could relax in and pulled them on. Charlie followed and frowned as he opened the closet. I took out something for him and went back to the hall, back to Bill.
"What actually happened in there?" He asked with a sideways look at me.
"We had sex. Jump-started us a bit." I looked at the mattress in the sitting-room, Darren was breathing deep and steady.
"Jump-start, okay... You were very quiet." He ran his hands through the hair and suppressed a yawn.
"Is that a problem? We just wanted the endorphins," I said flatly as Charlie emerged and headed for the kitchen, food. We followed and I sat down on my chair, closing my eyes and heard Bill opening the refrigerator. Taking out jars. Cutting bread. Finding plates and glasses, laying the table in an experienced way.
"Kay, drink," he told me and placed a glass in my hand. I looked at it, one third filled with red blood, and put it down on the table before shooting a look at Charlie. He was obediently eating a thick slice with strawberry jam and cheese.
"Put it in the fridge, I'll take it later." If I drank now I would throw it up again, that would just be a waste.
"You need nutrition. Hi, love," he added as Fleur appeared at my side. I suppressed a groan.
"Kay, why don't you?" She said and held the glass up to my mouth. She had caught the heart of the disagreement already. Or Bill had told her what he thought would happen before he left. I didn't answer as she would probably force-feed me if I parted my lips. "Stop being childish, I'll get you to drink it anyway," she told me with a stern look. I glared back and she removed the glass, took a mouthful herself and gave me a deep, absolutely French kiss where the taste of blood dominated. She pulled off and looked me in the eyes.
"Holy Merlin's shorts," Charlie exclaimed when he found his voice. Bill's jaw had dropped and it looked like he couldn't muster the strength to get it back up. Fleur muttered something in French, the tone suggesting it was about how silly the guys were. The corner of my mouth twisted upwards as I took a sip by myself.
"Er... Thanks Fleur," Bill finally managed and pulled himself out of the trance. I don't think I've seen him really speechless before, but two of the women he have been involved with snogging seems to have done it.
"I think I need some help with the pills," Charlie tried with a hopeful look at his sister-in-law.
"Nice shot," I told him dryly as Bill smacked him on the back of the head. He just shrugged at our responses and finished his food.
"Zhen I'll go 'ome again," she said and disapparated. I gave up figuring out what the married couple had agreed on when it came to me and Charlie. But I hoped there wouldn't be any more surprises.
"Could you get the... Mmm..." Charlie pressed his lips together as he cupped the hands between his legs, his face strained. Bill didn't waste the time and ran to get the bucket. The seconds he was gone stretched on to an eternity. At last he came back and put it down before he helped Charlie move out on the edge of the chair, turning a bit to the side.
"Come on, you're doing fine," Bill comforted as he helped the younger stand up, but it broke a bit for him. The hands were carefully removed and opened the blue jeans, face screwed up until he could empty his over-filled bladder.
"Didn't you go just before I hauled you out of bed?" Bill said, a bit puzzled and sat down on Charlie's chair, taking a sip of the milk glass without thinking about it.
"Yeah, but I have been drinking a lot and as a result, pissing a lot lately." He went to the side of the chair, gripping the back and Bill took his arms, pulling his brother carefully down on his lap. I just observed Charlie sitting there with arms going around his torso and Bill's face resting a bit on his back. I blinked and the scene shifted, Bill was suddenly sitting on the other side of the table, the plates were removed and I sat with a sheet of paper in my hands. Notes about the car we had to buy today. We had decided on what we wanted, it was just to get to town and pay up.
"So that's why Angelina complained about the juice yesterday," I said to have something to focus my attention on.
"Huh?" Charlie said and they both looked at me.
"You've been drinking more than usual and therefore the juice was gone..." I realised the conversation had moved a lot in whatever time it had taken Bill to relocate to the other chair. I looked at the clock on the wall, it was a quarter past seven, which didn't add up at all.
"Kevin, are you having blackouts again?" Bill asked gently. I nodded and felt the tears well up, I didn't want to be sick. They both got up to embrace me, I turned mostly to the oldest as the sobs shook me. I tried pulling myself together, but it was too damn hard. Charlie's hands were around my shoulders, but I hid my face in Bill's blue shirt. The tiny part of my brain that was still rational concluded I had blocked the others out for several short periods during the entire morning. Would explain Fleur's behaviour.
"Listen..." Bill released me and kneeled down, I swallowed, but kept crying. "You are going to be all right today. I have to go soon, but you are doing much better now. Right?" He looked over at his brother, who nodded, I could see it out of the corner of my eye. The tears stopped flowing and I gave an attempt at wiping them away.
"Ye-" I retched, preventing me from talking and Charlie got the bucket, giving it to Bill who held it up for me. My stomach turned, the half-digested blood hitting the plastic with a splash and Charlie rubbed a hand slowly to my shoulder. When I was done I leaned back against him and he touched my hair before laying his palm against my collarbone. My face wasn't warm, it was never warm, but arid and distressed nonetheless. "Told you I should have saved it," I breathed.
"Then I was wrong about that," Bill admitted softly. Charlie took up a cigarette and lighted it, the smoke swirling around us. "That's a nasty habit." The remark was light-hearted and delivered with a smile.
"She got me started," Charlie responded with love in his voice, running fingers through my hair again. I closed my eyes, too tired to hold them open now. My body was made of lead, I couldn't move it and had no desire to try. The fingers caressing my scalp moved down on my cheek. "Elskling?" His thumb stroke under my eye.
"I think she fainted," Bill said. No, I was still conscious. For all it was worth. But I couldn't open my eyes or move a fingertip just to let them know. They agreed to lay me down and I felt Charlie's big hands under my arms, he lifted gently. It wasn't uncomfortable, still it hurt in a dull manner as they together placed me on the floor, Bill rolled me over to lay on my left side. Charlie's finger was in my mouth, opening it in case I should throw up again. It wasn't really necessary, it's not like I would choke on it. Not long after I heard a scraping sound, possibly the bucket against the floor.
"It's cramping around my bladder," Charlie said. It took time for me to process the words. Then I guess he was standing there with his trousers open again.
"Take a deep breath," his brother advised him. As always. Just breath and it'll fix itself. I realised he must be sitting right behind me and the heat on my thigh was his hand. Charlie finally got to do his business and sat down in front of me afterwards. If I had breathed I may have smelled him. Using strength I really didn't have I opened my eyes to two narrow glitches. Hands touched me and voices asked things I didn't catch. I let them fuss over me.
I had seated myself against the arm of the couch with a book. Charlie was busy with the girls on the floor, the midday sun bathed them in a white glow. I was feeling better. A sip of the tea warmed me further. Lisa ran, heading to their room to get another toy.
"She's peculiar, isn't she?" I commented about the child still sitting on the floor beside him.
"You all are, the Casey girls," he answered, a shadow going over his face for a second when he recalled none of them have my name. He hadn't caught what I had really meant, that Mina didn't have normal social capability. Kaya made her way to the front of my mind. I inhaled deeply and returned to the Norwegian book, concentrating to hear the northern accent in my mind. I re-read a single line three times before giving up and put the novel down, going to check where Lisa had disappeared off to instead.
"What are you eating?" I said sternly. She sat in the hall beside Charlie's jacket, it had fallen down. I kneeled beside her, seeing the purple and yellow wrappings before my eyes widened. "Spit it out," I commanded and held my hand up to her chin. She did as she was told, understanding she had done something bad. I counted the three wrappers quickly before heaving her up on my hip, almost running into Darren as I made my way to the fireplace.
"What've happened?" Charlie asked, having seen my livid face.
"Happened? Only that Lisa got hold of the U-No-Poo I thought I told you to put in the medical cabinet! And now I have to go to your crazy brother and hear if he have some kind of remedy! She stuffed in at least three! Three, at least!" I shouldn't let my anger out on him. The alternative was to let it out on George, who was sure to fight back. I flooed to the small apartment, saw they weren't there and hurried down the stairs.
"Hello, what will it be today?" George greeted from behind the counter. He had a good day, he was smiling and trying to charm me. That would soon end.
"She stole some of your glorious U-No-Poo," I said with a nod towards the child.
"Oh, that wasn't nice of you," he told Lisa, looking sincerely at her. She agreed with an insecure nod to the man. "It's not meant for so small kids, not dangerous though, but give me a moment here..." He stared thoughtfully around the shop.
"She had three!" I had raised my voice a little. His eyes snapped back at us, his face slightly scared.
"Shit," he said quietly. A moment later his face broke into a grin and he got a small bottle from underneath the counter. "Here." He uncorked and fed it too her, his eyes sparkling reassuringly. Sometimes I wonder if there's a light-bulb inside his head to make that sparkle.
"Thanks," I said and gave him a one-armed hug. He seemed a bit bothered when I didn't pull off, but returned it swiftly.
Somehow the day had turned out okay. We were now driving home in our 'new' four-wheel-drive. That is, I was driving, having just modified my license to say I was born in 1980, no one would believe me on 1974, as it had read earlier. Not that that was the right year, either. We had bought the car used, no way we could to afford something new, but it was good to feel the vehicle against the gravel and I skidded on purpose, making Charlie grab on to the seat.
"Merlin, are you trying to give me a heart-attack?" He said when I had steadied the car again.
"Can't you take some fun?" I adjusted the sunglasses, narrowed my eyes a bit against the afternoon sun and turned up the radio. Meredith Brook's Bitch was just coming on to the first chorus.
"That song really fits you." He turned the volume up another notch and I couldn't help but sing along. When the song ended he turned the radio off and we didn't talk for a couple of minutes.
"The woman that picked up Katarina seemed nice," I said as I got restless from the silence. He nodded while staring out the window.
"Pull over." He was ready to open the door.
"We're like two minutes from the house," I told him.
"Just pull over." He seemed stressed and I obeyed. He jumped out the second the car stood still, opening his jeans with fumbling hands and urinated on the side of the road. I opened my own door and lighted a smoke. "Sorry," he said when he sat down again.
"When you gotta go, you gotta go," I replied. We sat like that, submerged in our own thoughts for a while.
"What are you thinking about?" He finally asked. I looked at him, he hadn't bothered to zip his jacket fully up and the red shirt underneath had seen better days. Then I shook my head, I couldn't tell him, I don't think he would be pleased to know I had noticed the bulk on Bill's trousers very well when he dried off my back this morning. But the fact comforted me a bit, I hadn't injured him as much as I had feared.
"You?" I returned the question to him with. He scanned my face slowly before speaking.
"That, sometimes it feels like my head is filled with a fog. Almost Dementor-like. That's what makes me do those stupid things. But it's better when I'm with you." He stretched over to the steering wheel and put his hand on top of mine. I smiled at him, closed the door and started the engine again.
"Maybe you should get a driving license, too," I said when we could see the house and hear Fluffy's barks.
"Maybe," he answered.
I wasn't completely gone, but the next hour was a bit hazy. I know I changed Darren's band-aids and Lisa showed me a drawing she had made. Rosmerta had watched them at our home while we were in town and I thanked her again. She brushed it off with a laugh and said she liked children, too bad she don't have any of her own. I might have imagined the keen look she gave Charlie and bit back my retort. Then it was dinner, entrecôte, just because I felt like spoiling us. Bill dropped by again in the middle of the meal, but didn't want any food when I offered, saying he had just ate.
"You look tired," I said when he sat down, his shouldered slouched.
"Yeah, well... Wife and job takes it's toll," he agreed. Both me and Charlie looked down, he shouldn't have to have to look after us on top of everything. "I came here of my own free will." He had seen our reactions and his eyes had gone darker when I dared look up at them.
"Yes, and we should thank you," I said quietly. I don't like having any kind of debt, being dependant of someone without returning the favour. The talk moved on to casual things like Quidditch, friends and family.
It was late and Bill should be heading home, he said it himself, but stayed in the sofa, the drink in his hand sipped slowly.
"Kay, I've owled my application to the reservation," Charlie said and looked at me. I nodded and kissed his cheek, I had treated him like he wasn't a grown man, capable of making his own decisions.
"Wonder how Lisa and Mina will behave on Monday," I mused. The girls were usually okay with being away from me, but kindergarten would be a new experience for them, with many other children. But they needed it. I needed it.
"Probably make ten new friends before lunch," Bill shot in from the other side of Charlie, who got up to go to the bathroom for the millionth time today. I yawned and looked over at Bill, he drank the rest of the whisky thoughtfully.
"So you were awed by me and your wife this morning?" I smiled at him and he returned it.
"Slightly taken aback, yes. But she did get you to drink, so..." He put the glass down on the table and leaned back properly. After a minute in pleasant silence Charlie came back and sat down heavy between us. He inhaled deeply, bracing himself before speaking.
"I just thought, if it would be okay with you, maybe you could spend the night here." He addressed his brother's knees. I understood him, he needed a warm, living body next to him.
"Yeah, sure." Bill looked properly at him, but he didn't return it. "I'll just Floo-call Fleur so she knows where I am." He got up and went to the fireplace, kneeling beside the sleeping centaur.
Charlie leaned down to drink from the bathroom tap, washing down the last pills of the day. I touched his back swiftly, he was quivering all over. Bill leaned casually against the door-frame and for a millisecond he turned into Sirius. Charlie straightened up and kissed my forehead before making his way past his brother and we followed him into the bedroom. I wrenched off my clothes and realised I had forgot to put on knickers in the morning. I sighed, but didn't to do it now, my eyelids were heavy, as the rest of my body.
"Sorry to bother you with nonsense like this," Charlie told his brother while laying down and pulled the sheet up to his chin.
"Nah, it doesn't matter," Bill responded while buttoning down his shirt. I didn't really believe him, if I was him I'd rather share the night with my quarter-Veela wife. He took of his jeans slowly, I tried not to stare too much at his striped blue shorts before he got in too, placing an arm around Charlie's waist. It hurt me to see him in such bad shape, shaking like an earthquake was taking place in his diaphragm. I wriggled closer and took loosely hold of his hand. I saw him lick his lips as my eyes closed. I had almost fallen asleep when he started to shift.
"Have to go to the loo," he said strained and I looked at him. He was laying on his back now, gritting his teeth a bit.
"The bucket is by the door," Bill told him drowsy.
"No, it's not... I have to get to the loo." Charlie got up in a sitting position, sweat breaking across his face. Bill saw he needed help and got up, pulling him on his feet and steered him out to the bathroom. I heard some grunts, then Bill asking if Charlie could sit on his own. When he didn't get back right after that, I took it as the answer had been no. I let myself drift off while waiting for them.
"I think I'll manage now," Charlie said after what I estimated to be five minutes. Bill stepped out in the hall, still concerned.
"Do you remember, not long after the war ended, you asked me why I and Dad and Charlie were so strong while you were a mess?" He took a step closer to me and I nodded. "Well, truth is, we aren't."
"I know he have had a rough time now, but it's a matter of days. I used months just to be able to plan longer than the next hour." I furrowed my brows to keep my eyes open.
"Still, we aren't any stronger or better than you," he told me. I didn't respond and Charlie came out from the bathroom, swaying slightly, but got into the bed by himself. Bill sighed and followed.
I rolled over to my side again, it hadn't been any use to lay on my back either. I had awoken from a dream where George had used a time-turner to get Fred back and my mind kept churning around that possibility. Plus, I was hungry. I got up quietly not to wake the brothers, Charlie was now snoring happily into Bill's long hair. I had to smile, outwards they are absolutely manly men, but every now and then they let themselves be vulnerable in each other's company.
Stumbling through the house I felt the cool air caress my naked body. I flickered on the light in the kitchen and went to the fridge, looking over all the shelves before settling on the small beef. I took it out, it was smaller than my palm, just enough for a night-time snack. After cutting it up in cubes I threw it in the frying pan, found a fork and turned it around, letting it sizzle no longer than to keep it bloody in the middle. I pierced one with unnecessary force and brought it slowly to my mouth. Unsurprisingly, it tasted of animal. I devoured the rest hastily, my body calming as my stomach filled up.
I opened the cupboard where we keep coffee, tea and cigarettes. It wasn't just any cigarettes I was looking for now, I needed something strong. I rummaged for a moment before pulling out the heavy pack, decorated with a Chinese-style red dragon with gold details. I took out one, it was long and had the same colours as the outside of the pack. Getting caught with these among muggles would be awkward, it's half-and-half of tobacco and marijuana. Thereby not healthy at all. But I didn't care now, it's legal in the magic community, even though it costs three galleons for a pack of twenty.
I finished the second one after about five minutes and slid down with my back to the stove. I should get back to bed, my head was working on its own again. But suddenly Bill walked in and kneeled in front of me.
"You're high, aren't you?" He creased his forehead and placed a hand on my shoulder, but I just grinned. He couldn't possibly have any idea of how good he looked, scars or not, he remained sexy! I pushed forward, planting my lips on his, deepening the kiss and felt he returning it. He stopped for a second, then returned to the sinful bliss, burying his hand in my hair as he leaned closer, making me lay down on the floor. I wrapped my legs around his waist, not too hard, he had to get his underwear out of the way. He did so quickly, hesitated for a moment again before leaning over me, kissing me, I placed my arms around his head. He thrust into me and we both knew it was wrong, but also so good!
I bit down on my lower lip to hold the sounds in, he was over me, inside me, everywhere. Gentle and fierce at the same time. I found I had missed this, even though it made me a terrible person. He kept thrusting, steady, faster, deeper and found my g-spot faster that Charlie has ever done. I came, my body a cloud of delight and he widened his eyes before ejaculating. When he pulled out and stood up, clothing himself with sharp movements, I used a minute to just relax on the floor.
"This stays between us," he stated darkly while sitting down on a chair. I nodded, got to my feet and took out a glass I filled with water. Then the guilt hit me like a runaway hippogriff, this was the second time I had cheated on Charlie with his brother! It made my stomach turn to a hard knot. The first had been one and a half year ago, after Bill's bachelor party, the day before his bloody wedding. And now, with Charlie sleeping in the same house, about forty feet away!
"Why did we even do it?" I asked in a small voice. He just glared at me for a moment. I sighed, drank the glass in one and did the thing I dreaded, I made my way to the bed again. I had to get there sometime and just wanted to get it over with. Charlie hadn't noticed we were gone, but shifted closer to me in his sleep. I swallowed hard and settled with my back to his chest, hoping it all had been just a bad dream.
"BILL!" Charlie roared and jumped up, heading out of the bedroom. He had seen it in my eyes the moment he woke up. I had forgot to shut of the bloody alarm clock, if I hadn't I could maybe have talked to him, got him to calm down. Now he was furious, running out in the living room. I launched after him and caught up just as he thrashed his fist to Bill's face, who had been sleeping on the couch.
"Bloody hell!" He shouted and and sat up fast, barely getting time to wipe his bleeding nose before Charlie took hold around his neck. Bill was only taken aback for a second before kicking his brother away from him. This didn't stop Charlie, every fibre in his body was set on hurting Bill, he ran forward again, but Bill somehow got behind him and placed his arm around the other's neck, holding hard.
"You betrayed me! Both of you! What is left in the world when a man can't trust his brother and girlfriend any more?" He shouted with surprising strength considering the pressure on his throat. I couldn't respond, didn't have words to defend what we had done. It was undefendable.
Bill tightened his hold as Charlie tried to grab behind him, inflict some pain, but his face was turning blue. Bill couldn't let him go, he had to hold on. After an eternity Charlie's hands fell still, his eyes half-closed and his body became limp. Bill laid him down on the sofa and I rushed to the man I love, but had been unfaithful to in the most horrible way. I felt his chest, no heartbeat. His wrist, no pulse. My chest went tight.
"My God, Bill, you killed him," I whispered. It wasn't any way back, Charles Eugene Weasley was gone from this world.
"I didn't have any choice," Bill answered hard. I looked up at his face, fury boiling up in me. Of course he had a choice! He could have take a few hits, then wrestled Charlie to the ground, or stunned him, it wouldn't have been so fucking hard!
I turned to him, slamming my fists to his chest, but he just stood there like a statue, staring out into nothingness. This made me even angrier and I hit harder, he had just murdered his brother, and it wasn't possible to get a fucking reaction!
"What's with you? Sodding piece of useless shit," I tried saying, but my lips wouldn't move properly and my voice was just a rasping in my throat. Someone called my name loud, but they were far away. I felt hands on my upper arms shaking me, but couldn't see them. In fact, I couldn't see anything, it was pitched black! I kept pounding on the chest as I tried to get my eyes open.
"Kevin, wake up!" The voice shouted and I finally saw again. It was Charlie! Alive. He was leaning over me, I was laying on my back on the mattress with my lower body down on the floor. I opened my mouth, my lips quivering and I felt the tears running down my temples. "Shh, it was just a nightmare," he told me and lifted my torso close to his, rocking slightly from side to side. I wanted to push him away, tell him it hadn't just been a nightmare, but that upped the chance of it becoming real.
"What was it?" Bill asked and sat down beside us. I send him a look, trying to deliver the message soundlessly. He blinked at me and I hoped he had got it. Charlie stroke the hair away from my face in a loving caress and I knew I had to tell them something.
"You – you died," I stuttered and met Charlie's eyes, hoping he wasn't reading as much in them as in the dream. He hugged me closer and kept shh-ing in my ear.
"I won't die," he lied softly. I relaxed my neck and his hand went up on the back of my head, keeping it from lolling back. The worst part hadn't been that he had died, but that he had died believing I had betrayed him. Which of course I had, but I didn't mean to!
"I love you," I whispered and kissed his chest. I had to know that he knew that. The knot was smaller now, but still present in my stomach.
"I love you too." His breath was steady. It wouldn't be if he knew what I and Bill had done in the dark of the night. I opened my mouth to say something, but forgot what it was. Stars were dancing in my vision and I tried to free myself. He put me down on the mattress again and Bill adjusted my legs, placing the blanket over them.
"Think I'm passing out." The words were slurred together and most likely inaudible. I felt a hand on my cheek before I was out.
"Thanks," Charlie said from where he was sitting beside me in the bed. I opened my eyes, the light stabbing at them, headache guaranteed. Bill had just given him a cup of tea, that's what he thanked for, I managed to make out. I flung myself around not to hit him, throwing up on Bill's socks instead. He just sighed and vanished it as Charlie dragged me gently back on the mattress, patting my hair. I pulled the sheet over my head, shielding out the ceiling lamp.
"You were very angry with us for a long time once," I said unsteady, muffled down in the pillow.
"Yes, but that's years ago. Why do you bring that up now?" Charlie said unsure.
"Because," I sat up and tossed the sheet off me. "Because..." How would I phrase it? I looked up at Bill for help, he was standing with his arms crossed loosely. "You'd better put a full body-binder on him," I said and felt small and cowardly.
"No, it won't be need for it," Bill answered, his jaw set. He forbade me from saying anything. I gave a wailing sigh, I didn't want to lie! Charlie had picked up that it was something we weren't letting him know and looked slightly hostile, slowly putting his cup down on the floor.
"What's going on here? Tell me," he demanded.
"I said it stayed between us, I'm not breaking that promise," Bill told me, tone provoking a tad. I felt physically torn between them, on one side I wanted to be honest with Charlie, on the other I had silently agreed to Bill.
"Just don't get too mad," I began and Bill exited in long strides. We looked after him as he put his boots on without tying them. He turned just before entering the Floo.
"If you want to, tell him. But I'm not coming back. Not for a very long time."
I swallowed hard and summoned my courage before continuing. "Last night I woke up and went to the kitchen, he found me sitting there, high enough and I... I kissed him. But it wasn't because I don't love and care about you!" I held back a part of the truth here, but that was for the best. "And I regret it so much, I was so stupid and I beg you to forgive me! It'll never happen again, it should definitely not have happened there and it was mostly because I was intoxicated, I didn't think!" The apology was genuine down to the last syllable and I braved myself to meet his eyes, but they weren't angry.
"I'm not mad. Not happy about it either, but I understand you had a weak moment." He gave me a reassuring smile and my guilt doubled, I hadn't been fully truthful with him. "I think I'll get dressed and take Rolf for a long walk, he's seemed really stiff lately. You just sleep if you want to." Holy mother of Merlin, he was worked up after all, he just hid it in front of me. I let out a relieved breath I didn't know I had held and nodded, I could tell him the horrible rest another time.
My strength held to get me in the shower and get the girls dressed, but now I had more or less collapsed on a kitchen chair with a cup of tea in my hand.
"I'm sorry you have to make breakfast, you're still sick," I told Darren as he made a brave attempt at cutting the bread straight.
"I'm happy I can help, you have done so much for me," he answered and moved on to slicing cheese. Mina stared at him without any real interest and Lisa didn't want to sit on her chair, instead standing between his legs, he had a hard time not stepping on her toes. I should tell her not to be in his way, I just didn't bother.
He laid the cheese on the bread, Lisa scrambled up on her chair again as three plates was placed on the table. He ate standing up, of course, while I tore the slice in fitting pieces before feeding them to Mina. Lisa behaved good to be Lisa, only knocking over her glass once, I cleaned it up without saying anything. I was beginning to wake properly and noticed I was hungry, but without appetite.
"I... I saw you last night," he confessed and looked at me swiftly, afraid I would get angry. "You and Bill."
"All of it? That have to stay a secret, at least for now." I didn't know what else to say. He did a throw with his head that could be seen as a nod. The rest of the meal was spend in silence, even Lisa had understood something had happened.
When the young centaur had cleared the table and the girls had gone to their room to play I heard someone entering the hall. Charlie came stumbling in, his eyes unfocused and I went to help him sit down on the couch. He was shaking horribly, I knelt down to untie his boots.
"What have happened?" I asked and looked up as I lifted his foot to get the boot off. He opened his mouth to answer, but couldn't control his lips enough to make words. I got off the other boot and got his medications plus a glass of water.
I placed the pills on his tongue before tilting the glass carefully to make him drink. He had a hard time swallowing and tried several times, some of the water seeping down on the leather of the jacket. Afterwards I took that too off him and made him lay down, he took a quivering hold around my hand and I settled next to him, pillowing his head on my arm. I had to place one of my legs between his not to fall out, but it was nice. He kept trying to say something, but every time he gave up. I rubbed his upper arm each time it happened, hoping he would succeed the next. At last I decided I could start the talk.
"I'm sorry for what I did with Bill. But I'm almost glad you got angry for it. I'm angry at myself, too. Furious." It wasn't much, but he blinked and opened his mouth a bit more. "I love you and would never hurt you on purpose, remember that." He tried to nod and I touched his cheek softly, he should shave.
After about twenty minutes the pills still hadn't made much difference, but he had got back some control of his face. I stayed with him, caressing him every now and then, sucking up heat from his body. When I felt the warm wetness on my knee, I murmured it was okay and ran my fingers through his hair. He licked his lips slowly before looking me straight in the eyes.
"Did he kiss you back?" He finally managed to voice out.
"Yes," I answered simply, I couldn't lie him right in the face, it would have been an even bigger betray.
"Good, that makes you seem less slutty," he whispered hoarsely. I wasn't offended, if Bill hadn't returned it I would just be a desperate whore, clinging on what I couldn't have. I looked away, to the soaked fabric between his legs and dried it magically.
"Again, I'm sorry." I shifted to lay even closer, brushing our cheeks together. He gave a soft moan before I placed my forehead to his.
"You don't have to tell me." He paused and took a breath. "The last two weeks have been hell for me. But I feel better now, I'm going to function again. I've seen it's been stressful for you... I'm going to do better now."
"So you'll just decide not to be sick any more and that's that?" I frowned at him, but our faces were so close he didn't see it.
"Well, not exactly. But I'll put all my effort into being normal," he said and smiled. 'Normal'... I understood what he meant, independent as he use to be.
"Okay, if you insist." I kissed him lightly and moved my face a little back.