Prompt: He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
It was all Gordon's fault really. It's almost always Gordon's fault, John reflects without rancour, if they are injured and it's not a rescue. Almost. Before Gordon had come along it had always, always been Scott's fault, and he and Virgil had followed their big brother into the most ridiculous schemes without hesitation. Now it was Gordon's turn.
Four whole days with no rescues, four fit and healthy young men with energy to burn. A desperate Grandma who wanted a house still intact and two older brothers who had 'had it up to here with your pranks, Gordon!'
And what was on today's menu for humiliating his brothers for entertainment? Why not organise a series of races and obstacle courses? Keep fit and have fun at the same time. If it so happened that both Scott and Gordon would have an advantage, then that advantage would be removed by working in pairs. And a suitable reward for winning? Losers had to buy/prepare/cook all meals for all four brothers for a week.
Scott was all for anything that involved exercise of any persuasion and had readily agreed. Virgil was sceptical - this was Gordon's idea after all – but as he couldn't see the obvious loophole that Gordon must have worked in, in it he reluctantly agreed. Alan took the most persuading, exercise was not something he wanted to do for pleasure, and although he knew that Gordon would have something up his sleeve, he only relented when Gordon promised he'd do Alan's chores for a week. If the eldest two had known that they may have backed out already, but Gordon and Alan weren't known as the Terrible Two for nothing.
The track through the jungle that they had initially trained on while iR was being created was well used by now, and working together was second nature to them all. There was no surprise that Scott and Virgil won that one. Scott completely missing the hidden pitfall trap.
The obstacle course through the tunnel system, used to simulate mine collapses, was won by Gordon and Alan, and if Gordon then had to pay John by sending up a fresh supply of chocolate to turn a blind eye to his secret shortcut, that was just the price he had to pay.
The third race was a climb up the side of the volcano. Gordon was sure that he and Alan would win this one since they were both quicker on their feet then their older brothers, and he could only watch in amazement as Scott easily outpaced them all, but Virgil had to beat them too for the pair to win. Alan, all legs and arms, came second, and amidst shouting and much cheering from the two at the top Gordon and Virgil touched the top simultaneously.
So now there needed to be a tie-breaker. Something that Gordon and Alan would definitely win. He looked out over the island and his eyes settled on the beach. Lightbulb! Trying really hard not to smirk, Gordon led them all down to the cove. And proposed a race, one end of the beach to the other. Alan stared as if he'd gone mad. Race Scott? No-one else would win that, and Alan may be light on his feet, but he wasn't not sure he could beat Virgil across the sand. Gordon winked and Alan shut up.
'Oh yeah, and we'll race piggyback.' Scott and Virgil looked at each other and broke out grinning. Then Gordon clarified. 'In the interests of fairness, I think that Scott, as the proficient runner, you should carry Virgil.' Alan promptly collapsed on the ground laughing, garbled words about the heaviness of Virgil among the laughter.
John, who up until this point had only been watching from up high, decided that maybe Gordon had done enough to try to rig this in his favour, and said that if Gordon was going to enforce Scott carrying Virgil, then fair's fair, they should choose which part of the beach to run on, nearer the water or not. Gordon duly considered this and conceded the choice. Scott decided he would run away from the water's edge so Gordon could run there.
It was all that Gordon could do to prevent himself rubbing his hands together. Everyone knew that the sand would be more compact by the water's edge, Scotty-boy had given the game to him!
They got into position, Gordon with Alan on his back a little way from the water's edge, and Scott with Virgil on his back a bit further in. John counted down…and they were off.
Step, step, splash. He hadn't even managed three steps before Alan was off his back and in the water. What the hell?! Scrabbling to get up and out, they managed a little further before Gordon felt himself tipping sideways and they were down again. Meanwhile, Scott and Virgil hadn't stumbled once and were already halfway.
Gordon grumbled to Alan about staying still. But they still tipped over three more times before they made it to the finish line. Scott and Virgil had finished before Gordon and Alan were even half way.
It was a very disgruntled (and wet) Gordon that shook hands with Scott, who couldn't wipe the grin off his face. Alan was somewhat quiet after his earlier laughter. They had been soundly beaten. As the four made their way back to the villa, Gordon asked how on earth Scott had managed to keep upright with Virgil on his back. Scott's grin got wider.
'Practice, dear brother. Practice,' was all the reply he was given. Then Scott turned to Alan and said, 'you should always remember one thing, Alan.' He clasped Virgil's shoulder and the pair grinned at each other. Scott turned back to Alan.
'When it comes to Virgil, he ain't heavy, he's my brother.'