Title: You Who Are My Home
Word Count: 564
Rating: G
Summary: He almost cries with relief when Lincoln appears, but knows that his brother would punch him if he did, so he settles for a tackling hug and burying his face in Lincoln's t-shirt.
Disclaimer: Paul Scheuring and a whole lot of other people who aren't me own Prison Break.
A/N: Seventh and final part of a series of pointless, semi-fluffy childhood drabbles/short ficlets.
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He almost cries with relief when Lincoln appears, but knows that his brother would punch him if he did, so he settles for a tackling hug and burying his face in Lincoln's t-shirt.
What're you going here? he ask a little sniffly, still trying to choke back tears. I thought – they made you go to that other place…
It's okay, Lincoln says loudly, pulling Michael away and holding him at arm's length. Michael is immediately hurt, but then he notices Lincoln glance up at his foster-mother walking by them, and sees the disapproving look she gives them followed by a forced smile before she heads out of the room.
Lincoln turns his attention back to Michael and leans in, the way he used to when they'd whisper in front of their mother and tell silly, stupid secrets.
He speaks in a low voice, completely serious. Michael knows this is a real secret now.
You wanna stay with me?
Michael nods, thinks god yes, of course.
Lincoln nods back, squeezes his shoulder, and then, you trust me?
'Course I do, Michael replies fiercely.
Lincoln swallows, looks nervous for all of thirty seconds, and then tells him go get your stuff. Not too much, just, you know, whatever you really need.
It reminds Michael of packing up his life to come here – sorry hunny, you can't take everything. Just what you really need, and how do you pick out what's most important from your whole life to hold onto?
Michael would've stuffed Lincoln into a bag if he could've.
And be quiet about it, Lincoln tells him as Michael trots up the stairs to his bedroom.
For a few seconds he can pretend it's all a game – they're princes going on an adventure, a trip around the world, and they have to hide out from the pirates who're after them, and later, when they're back to being just Michael and Lincoln again, Mom will be there with ice cream and laughter at their imaginations.
But they're both much too old for pretend, and their mother's gone now.
Michael shoves he favorite t-shirt into his backpack, spares one last look around for the room that was his for a few long days and the things he's leaving behind, and then dashes from the room trying to will himself to slow down.
C'mon, Lincoln says as soon as Michael joins him again, and he looks around quickly before ushering Michael out of the house.
Five minutes later Michael has a brief panic when he thinks about his foster-parents realizing that he's missing, and insists that they go back so he can leave a note, but Lincoln won't hear of it.
They'll realize when they find your stuff missing what's going on, and I don't want to be around here when they do.
Michael nods, says okay, and they're off running again, this time without looking back. The last time they did this Michael had no worries - he knew his brother wouldn't get far before turning back, knew they'd be back at home before dinnertime and their mother would never know.
Now he knows they're not going back, Lincoln won't let him be taken away again ever, and he has no idea where they're going – is a little afraid to ask – but it's okay, okay because Lincoln is taking his hand now and running next to him.
-end-
