Rubbing the ends of his hair with a towel, Wyatt flicked his hair back over his shoulder before reaching forward for his brush. Grimacing when he heard giggling coming from the next room, Chris hurriedly hushing whoever was in there. Pulling the brush through his slightly tangled locks he stared at the reflection in the mirror over the dresser. Closing his eyes he pulled the brush through once more, turning towards his bed as he tossed the brush onto the covers. Sitting on the edge he quickly pulled his socks on then hurriedly slid his feet into his shoes before lacing them. Tousling his hair he walked towards his door, one hand on the handle he listened as Chris' door creaked open, bare feet padding down the wooden floors slightly echoing, not as much as the muffled giggles. Rolling his eyes he orbed himself to the kitchen. Taking his time to walk around the bench towards the coffee mugs. Perusing the shelf, his eyes scanned the inscriptions on each. The obviousness of each one's owners screaming from each mini-billboard. Reaching to the very back he pulled out the simple black mug with his name emblazoned in thick white lettering. Pouring the black liquid in the cup he raised the steaming cup to his lips, sipping uncaringly as he leant back on the bench. Staring aimlessly out the window into the backyard. Holding the cup to his lips as Chris walked into the room with his head down, smirking cheekily as he ran his thumb over his bottom lip.
"Wy?" he asked as he looked up, shocked that his brother wasn't in his room.
"It looks like it's going to rain."
Chris nodded not so much in agreement, but because he wasn't sure what to say. Reaching towards the coffee mugs he pulled out his mug and smiled at the little cartoon devil. Placing the mug on the bench he looked up at Wyatt, opening his mouth to say something but stopping before the words could leave his lips. Shaking his head he poured the coffee in the cup and again looked up at Wyatt.
"Penny for your thoughts." he said lifting the scalding mug to his lips, blowing slightly before tilting the cup. Pain spreading across his face as he realised he burnt his tongue. "Ow hot." he whined slightly.
Wyatt looked over at Chris, his eyes locked for a moment on his younger brothers graceful movements. His thought devoid of anything except what Chris had just said.
"What did you say?" he asked, placing his mug on the edge of the bench. Chris' eye's widened for a moment as he took another sip, Wyatt's eyes rolling at the now illuminated words on the cup. Frowning Chris turned the cup towards himself, blushing slightly as he placed it next to Wyatt's.
"Um, I assume you meant either the 'Ow it's hot.' or the 'Penny for your thoughts.'?" he repeated a slightly sarcastic tone in his voice.
Leaning back on the bench Wyatt again stared out the window, crossing his arms across his chest as he watched the wind manipulate the trees in the back yard. His eyes narrowing slightly as a gust blew one of the branches dangerously close to the window pane.
"Wyatt!" Chris said snapping his fingers in front of Wyatt's eyes. "What's going on up there? Or do I have to go all magical and use those new fangled powers I've inherited?"
"Go ahead I doubt you'll get anything." he replied, leaning closer to Chris. "Or have you forgotten that I can block your powers."
Picking his mug up he left Chris in the kitchen and walked to the conservatory, smiling as he could feel Chris' frustrations emanating from the room. Sitting in one of the white wicker chairs he stretched his legs out in front of him, resting the cup on his knee as he sunk lower into the chair.
"Wyatt," Chris said following him in the room. "Why are you moping about? Let's get out of here, go do something crazy."
Wyatt scoffed, leaning over to one side and placing the cup on the ground before jumping up and slapping his thighs. Staring over at Chris, amused by the slightly confused look in his eyes.
"Yeah, why not. Let's go down to Ghirardelli Square and show all those mortal what's really out there to be worried about."
"How about we go down to Lori's and you tell me what happened in the world of Wyatt?"
"How about no?"
"Wyatt!"
"Chris!"
Shaking his head, Chris looked at the floor in front of him and inhaled sharply before looking back up at his brother.
"Why are you punishing yourself?"
Wyatt raised an eyebrow and took several short strides towards him, his eyes flashing with amusement as Chris unintentionally backed down slightly. Standing shoulder to shoulder with him he lowered his head near to Chris' ear.
"What would you know about anything?" he said in a low harsh whisper. "Let alone self punishment. Your either out doing who knows what, with God knows who. Or your shucking your responsibilities whenever you can, yet you always come in playing Mr. high and mighty. I'm sick of your pretence, how about when you have some real life experience you come and butt in, tell me what I should and should not be doing."
With that he brushed past Chris, intentionally knocking shoulders with him. Chris on the other hand stood exactly where he was, not about to make any sudden movements.
"Puh-leaze. You were the one off cavorting with demons unknown. Do you realise that sometimes you were gone so long I was the one covering your ass so no one got worried. So I'd watch who your talking to." Chris had every intention of leaving it there, but he knew he had Wyatt's attention now. "And while we're on the subject Wyatt Matthew Halliwell, why don't you tell me right now what exactly you were doing down in the underworld for such long expanses of time. Because I sure would like to know if my brother is trying out for the position of ruler of all evil."
At this Wyatt turned on the stairs and stared over at Chris. His bright blue eyes showing signs of shock at Chris' audaciousness. Smirking like a crazy man he bounded back down the stairs towards his brother, stopping just before him. Crossing his arms across his chest he looked him up and down, cockily raising one eyebrow.
"Well, well. You really want to know what I was doing?" he asked, rubbing his thumb over his lip as Chris nodded. "Fine then." Taking his arm he orbed them just outside Lori's Diner on Mason, cautiously checking for people before dragging Chris inside the retro 50's diner. Sliding into the bright red vinyl booth, taking the menu from the waitress and hiding himself behind it.
"So what can I get for ya sugar?" The middle aged, plump woman asked with a brief smile as she poised the pad and pencil in hand ready to take their order. Obviously their waitress Wyatt looked her up and down, noting the tragic nostalgic appearance of the woman. Clearly they were into re-enacting that era with full fervour.
"Um," Wyatt said mulling it over as he scanned the menu again. Looking up as Chris ordered fries and a coke. "Um could I get just a black coffee and um, chilli cheese fries?"
Shrugging he handed the waitress the menu, raising an eyebrow as she used some obscure 50's slang and toddled off to the counter. Placing his hands in his lap he slowly looked back towards Chris. Titling his head to one side he watched Chris play with the salt shaker, accidentally dropping it and hurriedly sweeping it up and throwing it over his left shoulder.
"You know that's bullshit right?" Wyatt pointed out in annoyance. Chris looking up at him with surprise. "What? It is, just an old freaking wives tale. There's no bad luck, there's no "devil" to ward off. Of all people why the hell are you so gullible."
Quietly Chris replaced the shaker to where he had gotten it from. Folding his hand on top of the table before looking back up at Wyatt.
"It's outbursts like that that makes me think you're either a little grumpy," pausing he glanced over at the waitress as she placed their order's in front of them, quickly relaying who's was who's before rushing off again. Taking a fry Chris took a bite and chewed thoughtfully, ignoring the impatient stare Wyatt was giving him. Rolling his eyes Wyatt took a swallow of the burning hot liquid, screwing his nose up at the bitter after taste that wasn't supposed to be there.
"Are you going to finish that thought or just sit there and look pretty?" Wyatt asked, returning the cup to the saucer with a clatter. Chris shrugged taking a sip from his glass and picking up another chip.
"It's not even worth the argument it'd cause. So are you going to play share bear or just sulk and snap at me?"
This time it was Wyatt who shrugged. "What do you want me to say Chris?"
"How about, 'Once upon a time there was a very special child, he grew up to be a man, and one day that man decided… ' now you fill in the blanks."
Wyatt sneered slightly, picking one of the longer fries out of the basket, holding out towards Chris before waving it at him.
"I think that's the first time you've ever called me special." he pointed out. "Given you were being a smart ass just then but I'll forgive that."
Chris looked past Wyatt, and bit his lip. He wasn't going to let his brother bait him into an idle conversation that betrayed the reason they were here in the first place. Slowly Wyatt leant forward and tried to catch Chris' eye, realising he wasn't going to, he smirked and sat back up reaching into the basket for another fry.
"I don't know when it first really caught my interest, but you remember that slew of demonic attacks late last year, how they went to try and kill us all? " He stared at Chris, who narrowed his eyes and pointed to himself with a half eaten fry.
"That was actually an actual question?" he asked, slightly caught off guard. "Of course I remember it, you and dad were like on call almost 24/7."
Wyatt nodded, casting a quick glance out the window. "I don't know there was something about all the demon attacks and the fact that they held little regard for what was happening in our lives and that they didn't have any consequences to worry about that interested me. It was easy to broker a silent deal and have it made to look as if they'd just given up or whatever. Spending time down there just observing and making my way into their circles."
Chris frowned disapprovingly, keeping his mouth closed he signalled for Wyatt to continue. Wyatt rolled his eyes at the theatrics and began to tap lightly on the tabletop.
"It wasn't hard, most of the time they were scared that I was going to kill them due to the whole being the progeny of a Charmed One and an Elder. I was just curious about why they didn't get to care. I found a little bar type place where there were all kinds of demon's I don't know, it kind of became addictive to me. The thrill of sneaking away for hours at a time, being in such danger with no one else to back me up. After a while there were demon's who couldn't just leave it be, they'd end up challenging me to a dual or something. Of course I always won, I guess I was a little cocky some of the time, but it was fun to fight them. To kill them."
He stopped as Chris scrunched his nose up. Placing both hands on the table top he leant closer to him, motioning for him to follow suit.
"Don't you dare judge me." he whispered harshly. "I don't have to explain myself to you or anyone, yet I am. So don't you judge me."
Throwing himself back into his chair he stared at Chris for a moment. Picking up a fry then turning his nose up, he dropped it back into the basket and wiped his fingers together, contemptuously he glanced at Chris and shook his head.
"I've had enough of this. Do what you want. Think what you want. I'm going." Not giving Chris a chance to react he slid out of the booth and slammed the front door of the diner open, walking around the back of the building and orbing himself to his room. Taking several deep breaths he let out a low guttural roar before picking up the edge of the mattress and flipping it towards the door. Breathing heavily he sat on the edge of the base and held his head in his hands.
"Fuck off Chris." he yelled at the door.
"Nope." was the stubborn reply. "Give me one good reason why I should go."
Standing Wyatt stalked over to the door, almost ripping it off it's hinges as he violently swung it open and stared down at is younger brother.
"Because if you don't, I'll do more than just fling you through that wall over there." he said in a low calm voice, clenching his fists as he tried to control the emotions running through him.
Chris raised one eyebrow curiously, but didn't move. His now expressionless expression enraging Wyatt more now.
"God damn it, what is wrong with you?" Wyatt screamed down at him, "Just leave me the hell alone. I don't need you watching me all the freaking time, I'm not a helpless child."
Chris continued to watch his brother as he rocked dangerously back and forth. His eyes brimming with hate and despair.
"Stop staring at me. You and your beady little eyes, following me all the time. Watching me no matter where I go. What's the matter? Worried your big brothers going to turn you in to the big bad demon's or something? I've had enough of it Chris. I've had enough of you, just leave me the hell alone."
Instead Chris took a step into the room, Wyatt's eyes widening as he took another. Raising his hand he threw it forward, watching Chris slam into the wall across the other side of the hallway. Slowly slumping to the ground, the wall depressed from the force of the impact.
"Chris?" Wyatt whispered, all the pent up rage suddenly subsiding as Chris' motionless body caressed the floor. "Chris?"
Rushing forward he knelt beside his brothers lifeless body, quickly feeling for a pulse. Slow and sluggish.
"DAD!" he yelled, his voice breaking slightly. "Dad, quick."
Looking up he started to panic slightly. How was he going to explain this? 'Oh yeah, it was me who threw Chris into the wall . Why? Because I wasn't really angry at him, but at myself. Even so I took it out on him because he's been hounding me all day, and for the past few weeks.' He shook his head and look down at Chris again.
"Dad! Now!" he yelled, using more force this time. Brushing the long fringe off of Chris' forehead he tried willing his eyes open. "C'mon Chris." he urged quietly.
A/N: Feel free to add constructive criticism, please.