The Last Time
Jon misdialed his locker combination twice. He couldn't help but overhear what was happening on the other side of the hallway; his hearing had always been too good. Mom said he got that from Dad.
"Freak," the guy said, shoving Jordan against the locker.
Today, he wished he couldn't hear at all.
Don't get involved. It'll only make things worse.
Another day, another bully. It was always the same. At first, it had been because of Jordan's height. He'd grown enough that that wasn't an issue anymore; now, it was his advanced classes, or his hair, or his clothes, or—if anyone found out—the anxiety pills Jordan had to carry on him at all times.
"Pay up, Kent."
Jon almost left the hallway, because if he wasn't going to help, he didn't want to hear this. But he couldn't tear himself away. Couldn't leave Jordan alone.
One more year of middle school. These are the hardest years. Mom promised.
"I don't have anything."
"Yeah, right."
Jon tried to focus on grabbing the right books for his next class out of his locker. This was nothing new. People were always trying to take Jordan's lunch money. They never seemed to believe that he didn't carry cash on his person, since Dad always packed them lunch. Jon wondered if it might be smart for him to start carrying a little money: it might cost him a couple of bucks each day, but it would save him a lot of pain.
"Maybe I should teach you a lesson, Kent."
That meant they were going to hit him. That didn't always happen. Jon's fist clenched.
They'll just hurt him worse tomorrow if I defend him today. I can comfort him later.
"Last chance."
Jon's eyes flicked around the hallway. No teachers to be seen anywhere. A few kids, but no one who would intervene. Jon was the only one, and he was keeping himself just out of sight.
"Well?"
Jon's stomach turned.
He has to learn how to fight his own battles. I'm not always going to be here.
There was no fight, no struggle. Just two thuds and one whimper, then the guy stalked out of the hallway, laughing and high-fiving his buddies.
Guilt burned deep into Jon's chest.
There's nothing I could've done. It's not my fault.
As soon as Jon was sure the guys were gone, he jogged over to Jordan. Jordan was doubled over, eyes closed in a deep wince, arms grasping his stomach.
"You okay?"
"Yeah." Jordan nodded, but he didn't open his eyes.
"You gotta stand up for yourself, man."
"Yeah, I know." But there was no confidence in his voice, and Jon understood that, because what was Jordan supposed to do? He was weak. He'd always been weak, probably always would be.
When Jordan could stand up straight again, they walked out to the bike racks at the side of the school. No one really hung out there except them. Jon sat beside Jordan on the metal rail. Jordan was quiet.
He'll be okay. He said he was.
"One more year of middle school, man. Then it's all uphill."
Jordan nodded. "Okay, Jon." His voice cracked.
And then he began to cry under his breath—soft, broken sobs.
...No.
Something snapped inside him.
Jordan was hurt, and it was Jon's fault. It wasn't the first time Jordan had gotten slugged—it wasn't even the first time he'd cried, though it had been awhile. But something about today felt different. Jon could have stepped in. It would have been so easy—he was right there—but he didn't do anything to help. Who the hell did he think he was, just standing there and letting some guy sock his brother?
He slid a little closer and put a hand on Jordan's back. "Hey, man, I'm here."
Jordan buried his face in his hands and cried harder.
Jon set his jaw.
Never again.
Who cared if he made things worse? Screw it all. He would always be there. If someone came to hurt Jordan tomorrow, he'd throw himself between them if he had to. If twice as many people came the next day, Jon would stop them, too. If the blows fell on him instead, he could deal with that. But he would never, ever stand by if there was something he could do about it.
Because that was the last time he let his brother get hurt on his watch.
A/N: It's my first time posting for this fandom, I'd love to hear your thoughts! I love the dynamic between these two and am hoping to post lots more one-shots :)
