Okay today's prompt comes from Sarah and she wanted a scene with some of the older Warblers after Wes got shot in BBW.
So here goes.
The room was dark and completely quiet. The 14 young men and the young woman in the room were all quietly waiting. They had all returned to their old school to greet their little brother and younger Warblers to congratulate them on whatever position they got at nationals. When they got a text from Brad Sullivan's aunt that had been in New York to watch the boys perform they were all really happy. Mrs. Sullivan texted them that the Warblers had won a joint victory with the New Directions.
The older Warblers, they were all staying at Kim's big place in Westerville, had then gotten the most horrifying news they could ever imagine. Jesse St. James, Jesse St. Fucking James had appeared on the stage and had shot Wes! He had tried to kill their baby brother! They had no idea on what was going on. They had called all of the Warblers they knew lived in New York but hadn't gotten an answer from anyone yet. Some of them had texted the same thing Mrs. Sullivan had. Things like:
"Jesse shot Wes!"
"Wes has been shot!"
"Jesse fired a shot at Wes, he hasn't gotten up yet!"
"The ambulance arrived and took him away!"
"There was so much blood."
Or the worst one:
"There was no life signs."
Jerry looked around at the group around him. It was some of the Warblers that had been closest to Wes during their time at Dalton. Jerry closed his eyes and tried to even his breathing. How he wished Emma was here. She always seemed to make him feel stronger and safer… and she could comfort him. As he sat there he thought back at the first time he had seen his baby brother. Jerry and the rest of the Warblers had walked into the Warbler Hall, well when Jerry arrived the rest of the boys were waiting outside. When he asked them why they said that someone was already in there, playing the piano and singing. Jerry had motioned for everyone to stay quiet and then entered, they all did.
Jerry had been shocked to see a very small boy in a Dalton uniform sit by the piano and sing with the voice of an angel. What shocked him the most though was that this little boy looked so much like him that it was scary. Jerry didn't have any brothers and he was sure his parents would've mentioned a younger relative going to Dalton. When the music stopped Jerry applauded and Jerry as well as everyone else had been shocked to see the hurt, fright and sorrow in those broken eyes. Wesley had pulled at Jerry's heart strings at once. He had been so sad, lonely, scared… broken. But thanks to the Warblers and the magic of Dalton Wes had transformed from that frightened little chick to a proud eagle… or something. Jerry's scared little bird had flown the nest because he was grown now… he didn't need protection anymore. At least… that's what Jerry had thought and now… now he didn't know if he had seen his little eagle fly for the last time… or not.
Mark remembered the first time he held the boy. Wes had been so crushed from everything that had happened. He was such a lonely little boy. Such a neglected and broken little thing. As soon as Mark had seen him, had heard him say that he was unwanted something had stirred in him. He didn't understand it at first. But soon realized what it was. It was the wish to give this little one a family. Mark had made it his life's work to make sure Wes knew he was loved and had a family. Something he clearly had succeeded in. Wes was no longer that little fragile and broken boy he had been when he came. Every time Mark saw him he was amazed to see how Wes had grown. Well not in height or weight but the air around him had grown. And Wes gave grown into a big brother. A role he was born to have, Mark saw it in the way Wes interacted with his younger brothers.
Wes was a big brother that didn't need Mark to protect him anymore. But… today he had needed it. Wes had needed protection from Jesse. Mark hadn't been able to do it before. He was now sure that Jesse locked Wes in on purpose all those years ago. Mark rammed his fist into the wall so hard it cracked. If Kim objected he didn't say anything or didn't notice. Mark felt a hand on his back and knew it was probably Mitch. He turned around and sure enough. It was Mitch. Mark saw the hurt and worry on the smaller man's face. He put his big arms around Mitch and hugged him. Nathan was hugging a crying Otto and didn't seem to object that Mark was clinging to his tiny boyfriend. Mark felt the tears go down his cheeks, tears of sadness, worry and guilt. He should've been there…
Lucas looked at his phone. Tom had driven down from New Haven to watch the Warblers perform at Nationals. He had texted Lucas:
"Fuck Jesse showed up and shot Wes! There was so much blood!"
Lucas hadn't dared reply, he couldn't. He was afraid that if he did… Wes would die or something. Tom wasn't texting back so it was a good sign. So why should Lucas challenge fate? Tom would tell him if something bad happened. Tom would get in touch. Lucas was scared, even more scared than he'd been that time they found Wes in the closet and he bit Lucas in terror.
Lucas had never felt as bad as he did that day. He was supposed to protect Wes, he had promised to do that after the "Crash And Burn" incident. But like that time he couldn't. He sighed. Wes was a magnet for dangers, sorrow and hurt. Why the hell did the world seem to despise this kid so much?
That had been on Lucas' mind many times before. Since he first saw that small broken child enter the crazy world of Dalton. Looking and feeling as if he didn't belong. He had felt that he was responsible for him, responsible of looking after him. Not only academically as he had told people that asked. Lucas was already a big brother and those senses and feelings just screamed at him to look after Wes.
Tom had always been very much… self sufficient without needed Lucas to be there for him in high school. Wes hadn't had anyone. Which was why Lucas would rather be damned than leave the little kid on his own. Even though Wes had told them he didn't want them, well not by words. His actions and the energies around him had screamed: STAY AWAY FROM ME! But Lucas and the others stuck to him anyway and now… now that Wes was a big brother himself those energies screamed: COME TO ME I CAN HELP YOU! Lucas looked at his phone again and thought:
"Don't you dare send me a message."
Charles felt like crap and he was crying openly. Austin and Joseph was hugging him while Charles hugged Justine. Charles, alongside with Otto, was crying the most of all. He felt like he once again had let Wes down. He felt that this somehow was all his fault. Why shouldn't he? He had been one of the boys that caused the most damage during the Crash And Burn circus. His words had hurt Wes and it had taken him the rest of the year to become good friends with him again. He was never there when Wes needed him the most. He wasn't there this time either. Why couldn't he ever do anything right?
First time he saw Wes he felt so sorry for him. A tiny little kid in a school with curious and outgoing high scholars? It was almost a cruel joke at first. A very cruel joke. But Wes found someone to rely on, someone that could protect and help him. The Warblers. Charles had torn down that trust once and it took quite some time to rebuild it. Had he lost that trust again now when he wasn't able to protect Wes from Jesse?
Jesse… the constant bully in Wes' life. Jesse had been a bully since he came but the Warblers had been too stupid to see it. And now… they had all been too naïve to think Wes would be safe with Jesse gone… But Jesse wasn't gone. He came back and did the unthinkable… tried to kill another person. And this time Charles hadn't been able to stop the evil guy trying to hurt an innocent.
He felt like such a failure. How could he keep letting Wes down all the time? If Wes died Charles would never forgive himself. He felt Joseph and Austin hug him tighter, as if they could read his mind. He rested his head on Joseph's shoulder. Joseph's brother had been in the same situation as Charles when it came to Wes and he was okay now… so… maybe all hope wasn't lost. I mean… Wes always came back… he always pulled through and until Charles was told otherwise… so did he this time too.
Justine was sitting on the floor and hugging Charles with Joseph and Austin. The poor guy was a wreck. Oh who was she kidding they all were. Their baby/darling/little buddy/kiddo/shrimp/smurf/brother was injured. Fuck he'd been shot! And Justine knew who did it! Oh when she got her hands on Jesse St. Fucking James he would wish he was never born! Oh she would tear his body in half and feed it to the wolves! Or pigs like in that movie Snatch. She would rip his head off, put it on a stick and use it as a mop! Then take a golf club and hit it into a lake. She'd take all his stupid clothes and burn them along with his stupid trophies. Maybe she could burn him while he wears the clothes and then tear him in half… but there would be no hair for her to mop the floor with… hm decisions decisions.
She kept thinking about painful and even more morbid ways to punish Jesse for what she did to her darling. She was going to kill him for this… if he ever got out of prison. Then she would be waiting for him… hm maybe she could sharpen her heels and then kick him so his head was cut off. That's what he deserved for hurting her little darling! Justine suddenly remembered the first time she saw Wes.
He had looked like a lost little kitten to her. She had been fond of him at once. The first time she saw him he had been sitting by the piano in the Warbler Hall singing and playing. Like a little angel. Justin had been fond at once and Justine as well. The fondness only intensified when she walked with Jerry to get him. Wes was the cutest thing she'd ever seen. Well after Mitch because Mitch was the cutest thing ever when he was a freshman. Justine thought back of the times Wes got sick or hurt or sad and her heart clenched a bit. He had always had his big brothers and sister there to help but now they were all far away. They had to get to him soon. He needed them and she'd be damned if she wasn't there.
Austin once again found the overwhelming need to look strong in front of the younger boys and to be the comforter of the group. He always got that feeling ever since he was chairman. Even after all this time. He held Charles as the older boy cried his heart out. Austin wanted to cry to but he wanted to look strong. He looked around the room. Jerry was pale faced, Mark and Mitch were hugging, Otto was crying his eyes outs while clinging to Nathan who clung to him. The Everetts were hugging Oliver Webber tightly. Alvaro and Kim were hugging also. Everyone was hugging. But Austin figured that the person they all wanted to hug the most was the one they were all crying about. Austin wanted to hug him too. Ever since he saw Wes he just wanted to hug him and take away all his worries and troubles. Especially after the closet incident.
Austin had never trusted Jesse, or liked him, in the first place. And now his hate intensified to… um… what was stronger than hate? Whatever that was that's how Austin feels about Jesse for shooting his little brother. Austin would make sure Jesse got punished mark my words, he'll see it done. Not to worry though, there's about a dozen lawyers that would love to help out.
Joseph felt Charles lean his head on his shoulder and knew why. Charles was feeling guilty. Just like Ethan did whenever something happened to Wes. Joseph had been so angry with Ethan back then. But when Wes forgave both him and Charles Joseph could hug his brother again. Joseph kept one eye on Charles and the other on his phone, wishing for Ethan to call him and tell him he was okay. Ethan was a doctor… maybe he could tell them what Wes's chances were… if he'd only call. Please call was what rung through Joseph's head. Please call.
Eric and Brett were hugging Oliver and comforting him and each other. They thought back to that day on the roof, during parent night their first year at Dalton. They thought back to the days they worked on the "Marauders' Map". They thought back to their performances. They thought back to their days at Dalton… their days with Wes. And then they prayed. Prayed that they would have many more days with him.
Otto's heart was breaking and there was no one that could comfort him. Nathan was doing his best but it wasn't close to good enough. The only thing that would mend his broken heart was hearing Wes' voice say that he was okay. Why, why was Otto always too late to save Wes from Jesse? Why?
Nathan couldn't make head or tails over his feelings. That's how upset he was. The only thing he knew was that he needed his baby to be okay. Wes had to be okay. Nothing else was needed. Wes only had to be okay.
Similar thoughts and other memories ran through the heads of the other men in the room and all over the United States. All over the place young men were praying for Wes' wellbeing. Praying for him to alright. They couldn't lose him. They just couldn't. Jerry wanted to sing something, anything. But Jerry was that kind of singer who liked to connect songs to his life. So it took a while but soon he found himself a song that was doing that.
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee,
Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff,
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff. oh
The Warblers were Puff, Dalton was Honah Lee and Wes was Jackie Paper. As Jerry sang everyone else lifted their heads to look at him.
Jerry: Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee.
Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puffs gigantic tail,
Noble kings and princes would bow whenever they came,
Pirate ships would lower their flag when Puff roared out his name. oh!
Pirates… that was the bullies Wes had to face and the evils. The evils and bullies the Warblers had protected him from, the evils they saved him from… the horrors they had banished. Just by words or touches alone.
As Jerry sang that Charles remembered how he had saved Wes and gotten his friendship back at the same time.
Mark thought of how he only had to shout HEY for bullies to leave Wes alone.
Alvaro thought of how he saved Wes and carried him home to Dalton… and became his friend.
Justine thought of the times she was most unladylike and beat up someone that dared hurt her darling.
Otthan and the Everetts thought back to the anger they felt when someone tried to hurt their baby.
Lucas thought back to what Wes' father had done, what Carmichael had saved him from.
Mitch thought about how he and Nathan's action had saved Wes from crazy Becca.
Kim thought of how his friendship had helped save Wes from the darkness after Jesse locked him in.
Oliver thought of how he protected Wes from falling even though he was a leg short.
Austin and Joseph thought of the times the Warblers had saved their baby from the evils of this world.
Warblers: Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee.
Jerry: A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant's rings make way for other toys.
One grey night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
And Puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar.
When Jerry sang that verse tears streamed down his cheeks, as they did for everyone else. No one tried to hide it. There was nothing to be ashamed of. They were all feeling the same thing.
Jerry: His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain,
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane.
Without his life-long friend, Puff could not be brave,
So puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave. oh!
Those green scales weren't scales at all.. they were tears. The tears that fell from so many boys' eyes right now, well young men. If Wes truly was dead… the Warblers would crawl into their "caves" and never come out. They couldn't be brave without their baby. Wes was their joy and helped them be brave, they had to be brave for their baby brother. But without him… there was no braveness. It wasn't needed. And without Wes, they could not be brave… they weren't needed.
Warblers: Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee,
Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee.
Jerry's phone rang and he answered. The fivr words that he heard chased away all horrors and worries. Puff wouldn't have to lose Jackie Paper yet. What words was it you ask? Well isn't that quite obvious? The words was:
"He's alive, he'll be okay."
Here you go, feel free to send me request by review or pm ;) And I'll see what I can do about it :D
wesandwarblers - If Wes found out he'd kill them for sure ;) Nine lawyers are: Mrs. Johnson (Otto's mom), Mr. Magnuson (Mitch's dad), Mrs. Wilkins (Carl and John's mother), Mr. Gideon (Justine's dad), Richard Diamond, Fredric Fitzgerald, Howard Jameson, Otto Johnson and Brad Raymond.