I kept my face blank "not really" I kept waking straight past and out of the door. I know it was a jerk move but that was me, and besides I should be with my sister on her fucking birthday and yet i was hanging out with a load of middle aged wankers who couldn't give a flying shit about me, I mean, who would? I kept walking slipping out the back door and swung myself over the kiddy locked gate only pausing to wince slightly as my bruised body protested. It didn't matter. I was getting away. From the fake sympathy, and the fussing, and the patronizing looks, well, for the night anyway. Ossie let me in without a second glance he was used to me stumbling to his doorstep looking like death, he was my best mate, my brother. He had let me stay at his more nights than i could count, when lee was at a sleepover and i couldn't bear to be alone with my dad, or when i had been beaten with an inch of my life. He was always there. It was no different tonight, his parents were on their usual night shifts so he ushered me in quickly away from the prying eyes of the neighbours. Scanning my face with worry in his eyes he pulled my to the bathroom and immediately started gathering creams and various first aid supplies, we did all of this in silence, he understood i needed it. He finished quickly but we stayed sat together on the cheap vinyl flooring leaning against the bath.

"I wish I could fix this all" he met my eyes blinking through his glasses frames.

"So do I" I replied

He carried on "...and i wish...you could stay here for ever"

"I wish we could live together, with charlie"

"I wish we had a ferrari" he countered

I snorted but played along "A loaded bank account"

"A pet giraffe"

"A hotel on mars"

"A swimming pool"

"A strip tease from charles melton"

"Someone to love me"

"A magical solution for tan lines"

"Self watering pot plants"

"I think you would still find a way to kill them off man"

He smiled lazily sliding down to rest his head on me, It hurt my ribs slightly but it was worth it. Crosby was my brother after all, and I didn't know yet...but...maybe more?