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'Boondock Drabbles'

'Drabble Number Three-

Sweet tooth'

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It was cold outside, but the temperature was common for late December in Boston. Rosy-cheeked children frolicked through the snow and busy Ma's and Da's rushed about to do their last minute Christmas shopping. A slow smile spread the lips of Murphy MacManus, a cigarette dangling hazardously from his lower lip.

The snow looked like powdered sugar coating the dry, dead trees, which reminded Murphy of chocolate.

Murphy had a sweet tooth that wouldn't quit, and Christmas always made him think of good food. But this year he would be getting any candy canes, or gifts. No, this year it would be just Connor and himself, huddling together for warmth after a day of celebration at the bar.

It had become something like a ritual for them. Connor always got sick, and Murphy would parade around town for a few hours until his lips were numb and he couldn't feel his fingers. A few hours were all Murphy could take, because his brother was his life. He would kill, had killed for his brother and nothing was going to change the bond they had since they were boys.

A long drag from the cigarette as he pulled it from his lips, tapping the ash off at the end. He meandered the sidewalk, turning into the convenience store on the corner, just a block or so from his and Murphy's loft. He was greeted with a smile from the older woman who was there, every time he came through.

"'Lo, Ki!" He said brightly as he leaned against the counter top, his elbows holding him up.

She beamed a smile, "Murph! How ya been?"

He waved a hand absently, "Same shite, diffr'nt day. How's that monster of yours?"

She glared and gave him a playful push to the shoulder. "'E's fine! And he isn't a monster… 'E just takes aft'r his uncle Muph."

Kiara, Ki for short, had known Murphy for a long time, and they were close friends. She served drinks at the bar sometimes, so he always saw her. They had grown close over the years, but not too close. He preferred golden hair and bright, blue eyes…

Murphy gave a chortle. "Aye, that he does." Murphy glanced at the small trinkets that lined the walls behind the counter and his eyes fell on a blade, a pocketknife. He smiled lightly. "The usual, Ki. And that." He pointed behind her. Connor would like it; Connor always had a thing for blades, just like he did. Connor also seemed to like rope, but that was still a private joke between them.

The woman smiled lightly and turned to grab the items that he asked for; a pack of smoke and a bottle of whiskey, and the knife. "Where's Conn at? I haven't seen you two separated in a while." Her eyes held a knowing twinkle.

Murphy didn't blush, points for him, and replied. "He's sick. Same thing every year." A laugh as he reached into his coat pocket. "How much do I owe ya?"

She waved a hand as she put the items in the bag. "Nothin'. 'Tis the season, Murph! Think of it as a Christmas Eve gift."

Murphy knew better than to argue with Ki. Though she was younger than he was, she was sterner than he would ever be. He caved and took the bag. "Thanks, Ki. See ya when I run outta supplies."

"Bye, Murph!"

He offered one last smile as he exited the store, inhaling on his smoke again, before he tossed it into the street. It took him only a few minutes to get to his and Connor's house, and the slight rise in temperature made him smile as he kicked off his snow trodden boots and shrugged his coat and gloves off.

Connor rolled over from his spot on the bed and stared at Murphy, telling him with his eyes what he wanted. Murphy smiled gently as he made his way to his brother, kneeling beside the bed. His cold palm pressed to his brother's forehead and Connor gave a moan of appreciation.

"Welcome back, brother." Connor said roughly before he coughed, turning his head away politely.

Murphy smiled, his thumb rubbing over Connor's temple. "Thanks. How ya feeling?"

"Better. I hate this shite. Every damn year this 'appens t' me." Connor groaned out as he shifted his position. Murphy chuckled as he pressed a kiss to his brother's hair, removing his hand for a moment, and ignoring Connor's protest.

"Ki let me keep th' money this time. Sweet lady… I got ya somethin'." Murphy had never been good at giving gifts. He knew what his brother liked, but he was still tentative. He reached into the generic brown paper bag and set the smokes and the whiskey on the table that sat between their beds. "Close yer eyes."

Connor, in response, rolled his eyes, but he was too tired to argue, so he did as he was told.

"Now gimme yer hand."

"Murph…" Connor bit off in exasperation.

"Shut th' fuck up, and hold out yer god damn hand!"

"Fuck you, brother." But Connor did as he was asked.

Murphy reached for the pocketknife and pressed it into his brothers outstretched palm, curling Connor's fingers around it. Connor stayed still, his eyes shut.

"Well, look at it!"

Connor, with a smile, opened his eyes and inspected the blade that was pressed into his hands. It was cheap, but it made Connor's eyes burn, just slightly. This is why he loved Murphy. His brother would go out of his way to make him happy, just to see him smile. The thought made Connor smile, because it didn't matter how expensive it was. It was the thought that counted, the meaning behind the hunk of stainless steel and metal. It made Connor smile wider as he flipped open the blade, amazed at how easy it opened. The release was loose enough for a flick of the wrist to open it, but it was tight enough for the blade not to waver when it was open.

Connor idly ran his thumb along the blade, his smile growing into a grin. He pressed the catch, and closed the blade, setting it on the bedside table before he pulled his brother into a hug, which Murphy promptly returned.

"D'ya like it?" Murphy asked softly.

"O'course! Damn, thanks Murph… I wasn't expectin' anythin' from ya this Christmas… Jus' th' same old routine."

Murphy grinned like a mad man as his brother pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his lips as he pulled away. Murphy's hand came up to rub the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, I hadda li'l extra money… Doesn't matter, though, since Ki didn't let me pay."

Connor snorted softly as he rested against the pillows, closing his eyes. A plan was forming in his mind, already. "Go t' sleep Murph. Ya look bushed."

Murphy nodded thoughtfully, "I think I will. G'night, brother."

"'Night."

Connor watched and waited, counting his brother's breaths to pass the time as he waited for Murphy to fall asleep. He got up to two hundred and forty-six before Murphy's breathing evening and the tension slid from his body. Murphy was a light sleeper; they both were, so Connor would have to be extra careful.

He climbed from his bed, biting back a cough; he was sure it would wake Murphy. Slowly, and methodically, he dressed himself, pulling his black shirt over his head, pulling his pants over his legs. He cast a small smile at Murphy before he grabbed his brother's coat, reaching into the pocket to extract the money that was there. He knew Ki wouldn't let him pay, just like she did with Murphy, but it was better safe than sorry. A moment later, after he had pulled on his boots, he grabbed his coat and rosary before he walked out the door.

Connor took his rosary everywhere he went; Murphy didn't. He wasn't going to patronize his brother about it, because it was his own choice. Hanging the comforting weight around his neck, he sneezes, closing the door quickly behind him. He doesn't hear any movement from inside their loft, ad he lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

Connor set out towards the same corner store that Murphy had gone to only moments before. When he arrived, he was greeted with a smile.

"Conn!"

Connor gave a small smile, "Hey, Ki. How's the li'l angel?"

Ki snorts and waves a hand. "You and Murph are so alike, it scares me. Then ya come in and say somethin' like tha'! Angel in yer eyes, monster in Murph's…" She rolled her eyes. "Makes me feel better that I know ya two aren't one person in two bodies."

Connor laughed at this, though he didn't quite agree. He and Murphy were one person in two bodies. They complimented each other in every way. They finished each other's sentences, and knew what the other was thinking. Without Murphy, Connor wouldn't have the will to live. He couldn't imagine life without his brother. Waking up to an empty room, not having someone to take care of and worry over. He would miss Murphy's light snores and he would even miss Murphy's senseless picking of fights when he drank too much. He would miss Murphy, as a whole. He would miss the other side of his soul.

"Ya okay, Conn?" Ki looked worried, her motherly side peeking out.

"Aye, m'fine. Why ya ask?"

"Ya look a little pale… And I was prattlin' on about young Shain and ya weren't even battin' an eyelash."

He offers her a full smile. "I was thinkin', sorry."

"Nah, don' apologize t' me. Whatcha need?"

Connor blinked as he glanced around the store. His eyes fell on golden wrapping and he chuckled, picking up two of the chocolate and caramel bars his brother loved so much when they were younger. "Jus' these."

He moved to take the money out his coat pocket, and she gave him a stern glare. He conceited, holding up his hands in surrender before he leaned over the counter and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, making her blush.

"What the hell was tha' for!" She cried as Connor walked to the door.

"I'm givin' ya my cold so you can stay home on Christmas!"

"Connor, you brat!"

Connor simply laughed as he stepped into the cold night air, regretting not grabbing his gloves. The door fell closed behind him and he wandered down the sidewalk, soon coming to his and Murphy's loft. He opened the door as quietly as he could, and stepped in, his back to his brother's bed.

"What're ya doin'?"

Connor jumped and spun, eyes wide, hiding the shinning golden candy behind his back. "Nothin'!" He said, too quickly. Murphy lifted a brow.

"Yer sick."

"I know."

"It's fucking cold out there, Conn! Ya wanna catch yer death?"

Connor looked abashed. "No… I got ya somethin'."

Murphy's eyes softened, and the next insult crumbled into incomprehensible pieces. "Conn…" He started, but Connor shut him up with a sharp glare.

"Shut th' fuck up. Close yer eyes, brother."

Murphy didn't need to be told twice. His eyes fluttered shut, and Connor too the time to undress, while he studied his brother's still form. Murphy's covered leg was bent upwards, the inside of his elbow resting on his knee, while his other leg curled underneath him. He was shirtless, and the blankets pooled in his lap. The soft, cold glow from the streetlights outside outlined his body to perfection in the dark room, and Connor bit back the small sigh he often expelled when he watched his brother like this.

As quietly as he could, Connor unwrapped one of the chocolate bars and broke a small piece off of one corner, winding the sticky caramel around the candy before he approached his brother, kneeling down.

"Open yer mouth."

"What th' fuck?"

"Just do it, Murph!"

"No!"

"Dammit, Murphy!"

"Fine, fine… Better no' put anythin' gross in…"

Connor rolled his eyes as he lifted his hand and popped the piece of chocolate into Murphy's mouth, letting his fingers trail over Murphy's bottom lip in feather light touches.

Murphy's eyes opened quickly and he dove at his brother, sharing with him a chocolate flavored kiss.

Murphy's sweet tooth was sated, and the chocolate lay untouched, save for that one piece.

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So…cute! Jesus, this was supposed to be a drabble fic! Turned out to be 2,000 words. I liked how this one turned out. It basically wrote it's self… Hee, hope you enjoyed this on!