Family Fun

"Hey Jane you okay?" you asked because she did look exhausted.

"Oh yes John I'm fine just a little tired from college. You know the whole internship thing is kind of tiring, though I enjoy it." she said with a smile. You were glad for Jane because she works so hard to get where is today. She's almost finished college and after she graduates college on she plans in opening another shop for herself.

"But enough about me, John how about you are you okay? I heard about the incident from Dad and Dirk."she looked at you with concern.

"I'm fine Jane just a little tired. I know who knows about it but who is Dirk?" you asked because you were curious and you were hoping that this is not going around the school.

"Oh you didn't know I thought you would he is Dave's brother." Then it clicked oh, when you guys were hanging out you never really did ask Mr. Strider's name, nor did Dave ever mention it, so you kinda assumed that his brother's name was Bro.

"Though be careful little brother, since you are an omega you know that there are situations that will be hard for you to defend against. Especially as a male omega, since they are pretty rare in this town it is pretty easy to get targeted." Jane said with her concern, because ever since you had present it was true that you were an easy target for attack, your family was pretty concerned. Though you didn't want your family to worry so you had your cousins teach you how to defend yourself.

"Don't worry Jane if, Jake, Jade, and grandpa Harley taught me anything is that when in doubt either hit the crotch, keep a hammer safe, or yell fire." Those were the things that your cousins had taught you, because even though you can fight hand to hand you weren't built for it. Since you weren't as big or building much muscle as other guys your age because of you status. However you can hold your own fast enough to get away from most situations, though you were lucky enough to have Jade or Jake be there when things got too much to handle.

"Good boy, anyways I have it from here John. But can you go sweep in the front of the shop its getting kind of dusty."

"Yeah sure Jane." It was nice talking to Jane for a bit because ever since she went to the college you two seemed to be getting less and time to spend together, it was a nice talk.

After the talk you went to go get a broom in the back, and making your way to the front of door of the shop, and when you opened the door. SPLASH. You can hear giggles coming from two familiar faces and bark from above a tree next to the door, and a giggle coming from behind you. Man you should have seen this coming.

"Haha we got you John, you should see your face." Jade said as her giggles forming into deep laughter as she jumped out of the tree along with Jake and Bec.

"Hahaha she's right chum, it's was priceless." Jake was gasping between laughter.

"Sorry John, I couldn't help myself you know a good prank when you need it." Jane came from behind to give you hug and a kiss.

"Dog pile!" Jade yelled glomping you and Jane, with Jake joining piling you, then Bec came along and squished everyone. Everyone was laughing and kind of struggling to get off each other. You couldn't help but smile at this because it was what you needed.

"Hehe thanks guys, I really needed that. I was afraid that today was going to be dull, and was going to bring my mood down, but thanks." you smiled your biggest smile in months. This was great because when ever your family is together there are always pranks, warmth, and laughter. Since recently your family has not been able to spend much time together because Jane goes to college, Jake does a fair bit of exploring finding artifacts, and even though Jade does goes to the same school as you she has different classes, also a different home room class so you don't see her as often. Also the whole Dave situation at school to, even though she is aware of it you told her not to worry about it since Jade has her own things to deal since she is doing a mentorship with a nuclear scientist. Though she does check on you from time to time about it.

"We heard that you weren't feeling all that well, so we decided to cheer you up" Jake said. Though cautiously looked at you like something was off.

"Hey, chum why are you wearing a turtle neck? I know it's cold but it's quite unusual to see you wearing one." Jade also noticed but you had a feeling she already knew the answer.

"Well it is pretty cold outside Jake and all, before you know it, it's going to snow. Then we can all have snowball fights and sledding races, I call Bec to be on my team." Jade tried to change the subject.

"Hey no fair Jade, Bec gets to choose for himself but seriously I see what you are doing." Jake said to Jade then directing his attention to you, "I know you seem fine now but something happened that your not telling us?", it was clear that Jake was not told the whole story, and if he found out he would go out of his way to kill or seriously hurt anyone who harms anyone in the family. This is because even though Jake is beta, he has a lot of influence from your grandpa Harley who was an alpha, which was rare in your family. So Jake does have a lot of experience in fighting, and has maimed a good couple of betas, and alphas when your family was threaten by any hostiles. Though Jake has been keeping a very close eye on you because you were an omega, and needed more attention, there were a couple close calls without Jake around.

"Its fine Jake if anything happens I'd tell you." You assured, though this is because if you tell that Dave did something to you, his brother would definitely get involve to and there is a chance that it wouldn't end well for Jake. This is because one time you got hurt, from hangout with Dave because you thought play fighting with the Striders was a good idea. Jake was furious, and got into a fight with Bro, losing terribly on his back defeated but not too seriously hurt.

"Are you sure because the apple scent on you says other wise." Jake pointed out he seemed even more suspicious. Your eyes widen to the size of dinner platse, you hadn't noticed there was a smell on you. You were shocked because, there were many thoughts that raced through your mind from how many people noticed the smell, to oh dear gog everyone at school is going to know. This is going to make finding you easier for Dave now and there probably a chance he's probably going to give you a verbal lashing each time he finds you, though you pray that the smell wears off by the time Dave gets back in school.

"Hey Jake why don't you have Dad tell you about it would be better coming from him. John seems that his is not ready to touch the subject." Jane pulled Jake into the shop, leaving you, Jade, and Bec alone at the front of the store.

"So do you want to talk about it? Because Karkat told me what happened, he thought I should know what happened." Jade said looking at you.

"I don't think I want to right now Jade, thanks though. It's just that it happened so suddenly." You avoid her gaze.

"I know when you are ready tell me okay. Also if you need anything from at school you know it's no bother right. John you are my baby cousin, and I don't want you to feel hurt or sad. " Jade smiled giving you a hug.

" Haha Jade you are only a couple months older than me. Thank Jade it means a lot." You smiled hugging her back. You were glad Jade was there for you.

"HE DID WHAT!", and there was the yell of the your older cousin that kind of ruined the moment which was followed by the stomping towards your direction. Then two really strong hands gripped you, pulling you out of Jade's hug, spinning you around facing a very worried, and angry Jake.

"ARE YOU OKAY, MY POOR BABY COUSIN! WHERE IS THAT STRIDER KID I'M GOING TO KILL HIM, JOHN ARE GOING TO BE OKAY I WILL MAKE SURE THAT NO CREEP LIKE THAT WILL DEFILE YOU!" Jake yells and brings you to a huge bear hug, and was kind of suffocating you. Thankfully your Dad, and Jane were there to pry Jake off of you.

"Jake calm down. The situation was handled Dave was suspended, and is serving community service." Dad tried to reassure Jake.

"But that's letting him off to easy he tried to-"

"I agree it is but David did not harm John serious enough to warrant a full punishment, and is still a minor in the sense of the word so his punishment isn't going to be too serious."

"But-"

"Also if you did manage to find David and beat him in a fight, then after you will have to answer to Dirk, and may I remind you how well that went the last time you had an encounter with him." Jake was at a loss for word because he knew what was coming his way if he did managed to fight Bro again. Also Jake seemed to have a small tint of red at the mention of Bro though subtle.

"Also it was lucky that Karkat came when he did to, if he wasn't there John would have been for sure hurt." Jade added, and she was turning a bit red mentioning Karkat again, and you felt your hear twist because you a little guilty consider what you did with him yesterday. Though Jade saw you expression, and gave you a sad smile, as though saying, "It's fine, you guys were caught up in the moment."

"Okay fine you guys win, but John if that Strider kid ever does come and hurt you again, tell me and I'll knock his teeth in regardless of his older brother." Jake sighed in defeat and resolve.

"Thanks Jake I will." You told him, though you doubt Dave would be stupid enough to try to pull the same thing twice.

Aww isn't the family cute!

The next chapter John may have another encounter but maybe a more pleasant one?

Thanks for reading, and please review!