Chapter four: Good night

Chris looked around surprised by the room Wyatt had orbed them into. It looked a little like the old one he had at the old Halliwell manor, when Wyatt and he lived together. It even seemed better than that one.
After Wyatt took the underworld and became the source he had killed all the elders. And then he had used all his powers to take over the city. Once it was his, he moved to a manor, a sort of big castle actually, he had built it especially for him and his minions. He had demons, warlocks and witches with him, some bad witches but also some good witches that were starting to surrender to his power. The number of those had been increasing lately.

"What's wrong...don't you like it?" Wyatt seemed disappointed by Chris's reaction to the room.

"Of course I like it. It´s just that, I´m surprised. I thought you were taking me to one of your jails, like the last time" Chris had almost forgotten that Wyatt's spell was making him tell the truth and answer immediately. He wouldn't have talked about Wyatt's jail voluntarily even if it wasn´t such a bad memory. Wyatt hadn't made his days there too rough. But he had been power-less and he just hated that.

"Well...if you prefer the jail I can always arrange that", Wyatt seemed a little annoyed.

"No, please...I've already said I like it, answering your question. And your stupid spell makes me tell the truth, so...you can be sure I'm not lying. I also think it's really thoughtful of you to put all the stuff in here I like."

"Yea...most of the things were at the house. I took them before I turned it into a museum"

"You mean when you took our house for your own power purposes..."

"Hey! We've fought for it. You insisted on that. And I won it in a clean fight. Right?"

"Right" Chris answered unwillingly. The stupid spell again. He felt sad remembering how he had felt that day. The day his brother had taken the Book of Shadows and their house for his own purposes. The day he had realized he had really lost Wyatt.

As Wyatt read this thought, he sat sadly on the bed.

"I built this room when I'd built the manor. And I kept it closed till now. It was always waiting for you, brother. I wanted you to come here when you left the house, not to my jail. You chose the jail yourself"

"Not exactly as I recall it…but what's the point of arguing with you?" Chris really wanted to drop the subject. Chris sat next to Wyatt looking down.

"I'm trying to make things easier for you. I don't want you to suffer more than necessary. As the spell will prevent you from escaping, I don't need to bind your powers or put you in jail. So I thought it was a great occasion for you to finally have your room back… I know you miss the manor and you don't like it as a museum now, but it had to be done."

Chris could sense that Wyatt was being honest and he couldn't help but feeling touched by the gesture. Wyatt had even left a picture of the two of them together taken before their parents died. Chris tried not to look at it. His heart couldn't stand it.

"I don't miss the manor…I miss the life we had there..."

"I'm sorry...really...I miss it too. But it's over." again Wyatt seemed unusually honest.

"Yep" Chris said sadly. He had had a really hard time accepting that. And there was no point in talking about it. It was just too sad. He looked at Wyatt changing his tone of voice. "And how are things going to be now?" Chris was almost afraid to ask.

"First, when I leave you'll change your clothes. You have a whole new wardrobe in your closet. I don't want you looking like a white-lighter "

Wyatt was expecting his brother to get mad and argue but Chris just made a fake cough and said

"Dad issues."

"I don't have dad issues" Wyatt looked mad.

"Of course..." Chris just smiled

"Say that I don't have dad issues, Chris"

"You don't have dad issues" Chris smiled again "What a good use of your powers. The ruler of the world, the most powerful warlock on earth...casting a spell to make his little brother say he is ok with his dad. And you sooo have dad issues"

Chris was expecting Wyatt to react angrily but Wyatt actually laughed. Chris smiled pleasantly surprised by this reaction.

"Well…yea…guess the situation is kind of ridiculous. But your problems with dad were bigger than mine"

Chris smiled sadly and he leaned in the bed almost forgetting the situation. "You don't need a spell to make me say I can't really argue with that" he answered thoughtfully. Wyatt was the only person in the world he could discuss Leo with. Well, Wyatt and Piper. But Piper was gone.

"And how were things between you and him when you were in the past?" Wyatt was sitting at the edge of the bed looking at his brother with concern.

"Horrible. I've already told you. He was a jerk even then. The only good thing he did was to believe me when I said you would turn evil. I can't believe he actually listened to me"

The moment he said "turn evil" the bed moved violently. Chris sat surprised, suddenly remembering the real situation. The room and Wyatt´s concern pretty much made him forgot that they weren't at the manor and Wyatt wasn't his beloved brother any more. Chris looked at Wyatt expecting an order to take the comment back or a threat about it. Wyatt didn't say anything, still his look showed clearly that if Chris didn't want the bed to fly to the roof he'd better skip the whole turning evil remarks.
Wyatt only added angrily.

"That should teach you not to mess with the past. I don't know what got into you, putting yourself in that situation. And it'll be harder for you now after living with mom and dad for a while to deal with their deaths."

"I did it for you. I would have done anything for you" Chris looked directly at Wyatt. Wyatt sat next to him.

"Except joining me " he answered bitterly.

"You're right, I can't do that. You should understand. You left one day and you returned changed, and I don't know what the hell happened to you. If you would've just told me, maybe I wouldn't have had to go the past."

"I won't tell you. And it wasn't one thing or one demon, it was just knowledge. My powers are mine and no one will tell me how to use them, especially if I can just kill them, like what happened with the stupid elders. I don't understand how you don't feel the same. After all, you hid your powers more than I did."

Chris shrugged. That was an issue he didn't want to touch. Hiding his powers from his own parents hadn't been easy. The only person that knew how powerful he really was, was Wyatt. And now Wyatt could use that knowledge against him. Besides, someone in the past was plotting against Wyatt. He knew that. So maybe Wyatt was lying about that. That was the only issue in which he didn't trust Wyatt at all.

"I'm not lying, brother. And it doesn't matter what information you have from the past, you are just reading it wrong. Never mind, cause you won't go back to the past and that's an order."

"Whatever." Chris sounded like a rebel teen that couldn't go to a concert.

Wyatt smiled at this answer. "Luckily you didn't cause much damage. It doesn't matter if dad knows or our aunts do. There's nothing they can do about it...they'll never figure it out. Especially dad, I loved the man, but to some things he was just blind. Well he didn't even recognize his own son when he had him in his house. Right?"

"Right." Chris had answered without thinking. Then he thought more of Wyatt´s remark. Wyatt was acknowledging that something had started back then. And Leo...what should have Leo seen? He tried to read Wyatt's thoughts but his brother was blocking him out firmly.

"Enough, Chris. Stop trying to read my thoughts, you can't. And I'm sick of you not trusting me. It's better for you not to know what happened. You'd thank me if you knew."

"I'd rather know...whatever happened"

"But it's not your choice, little brother. And I guess it was really enough talk for one day. You seem tired"

"Of course I'm tired...I haven't slept in days. Bad dreams, you know?"

Wyatt smiled at this remark and played with Chris's hair tenderly.

"Don't worry, you won't have them tonight."

"Now that you can tell me what to dream...can I make my own pick?"

"Sure but keep the requests legal"

Chris laughed at the answer and Wyatt smiled at him. Chris had a great ability to surprise him with his ideas. He had missed them a lot. And now...they were together again, as they should have always been.

"I'll leave you so you can sleep. Just make yourself comfortable here. Don't leave the room for anything. Don't leave the building either, don't orb out of it, and stay here until I call you."

"What if the room gets on fire, your order would kill me"

"Come on little brother, we both know you could handle a stupid thing like that very easily. "

"And if I have to go to the bathroom?"

Wyatt was impatient. "Well…the bathroom counts as your room, you have it there " Wyatt pointed it out feeling a little amused at Chris new idea. The kid was looking desperately for a way out. Wyatt knew it wasn't possible. He had made sure of that.

"And your demons? What if they attack me? What do they know about me?"

"First of all, you can handle my demons too. We both know that. My demons knew you were coming to join me today. They have a strict order to stay away from you; I'll deal with you personally".

"I feel so honored."

Wyatt shook his head, disapproving of Chris' sarcasm.

"That's the best for all of us. And the best for you is to stop fighting me."

Chris was going to drop the subject when he suddenly thought of something.
"And Patrick, what about Patrick? Does he know?"

"Patrick doesn't disobey or defy me, unlike others. So he knows and he's not thrilled about it but I know he won't bother you. And don't tell me you're afraid of him. You could kill him with a simple gesture of your finger. The fact that he doesn't know it wouldn't change a thing. Cause I know it and so do you"

Chris looked at his brother's face, surprised for almost the first time. Patrick was one of the demons that had first allied himself with Wyatt. In fact, Chris would need a potion to vanquish him. Chris had made it but it was at the Halliwell manor when Wyatt had turned it into a museum. Chris was sure Wyatt had kept the potion to vanquish Patrick if the minion got too power-greedy. Still, Chris had left Patrick almost dead once, using only his magic. Patrick had been plotting to be the source when Wyatt had gone to the underworld. Sensing Wyatt's power he had realized he couldn't beat him and had been smart enough to join him instead. He was willing to be his second in command and he hated Chris with all his heart because he knew Wyatt had reserved that honor to him. The fact that Chris resented the idea and that he never showed his powers much had given Patrick the wrong impression (wrong from Wyatt´s point of view, at least) that Chris didn't deserve that honor. Well Patrick didn't have a clue about many things but he was powerful and a useful minion. He represented Wyatt and ruled the underworld when Wyatt wasn't there. And he was good enough. A useful fill-in until Chris embraced his destiny of ruling by his side.

Chris's surprised voice took his brother out of his thoughts.

"So you are not ordering me not to vanquish your demons?"

"No. Do whatever you want with them. None of my demons or minions is important, not even Patrick. But you are."

Chris was confused at this. His first idea was that Wyatt was allowing him to go around the manor vanquishing demons. And that was what he would do if he had a chance. But Wyatt sure knew that. Wyatt smiled as he read this thought. Chris knew him really well but he couldn't guess what he had thought for this.

"However, you'll have to tell me at the end of the day how many demons you've vanquished, and why. If I don't like your reasons or there were too many I'll make you kill a good witch for each demon"

Chris felt angry knowing Wyatt would do that but he just answered bitterly. "I've always said one of your virtues was persuasion"

Wyatt smiled. "You are clever, little brother. However, your relationship with Patrick is your own problem...I won't punish you for vanquishing him. "

"Punish me…who the hell do you think you are? Oh don't answer. I wish I knew which mind game you're playing. And you should vanquish Patrick anyway, he wants to kill you"

"Well everyone wants that" Wyatt smiled. "But he knows he can't. And he also wants to kill you, but he can't...even if he doesn't know it. So…no mind games here...just one question, will you kill him just because I allow you to? I mean you don't like him...so is that reason enough to kill him? If he was a person you didn't like you would be calling me evil just for suggesting this. "

"Oh...you want to prove your good-evil point here? Well…two things...remember I have to answer all of your questions…which is getting a little annoying, BTW. So first answer, no I won't kill him just because you allow me to. Second...guess it's not reason enough to kill even a demon. Just remember that sweet demon of yours tried to kill me once."

"Fine. It's your decision; kill him just for that if you wish. But he already paid for that and you know it. I won't let anyone hurt you without consequences."
Chris smiled. It was a mind game after all.

"Well brother...you are right then…vanquishing him just because I don't like him, it's not how a "good" witch should act. So, have your funny little minion for awhile longer. But he'll give me an excuse soon enough, I'm sure of it."

"No he won't. He is obedient and he wouldn't dare defy my orders. Not again"

"Wanna bet? If I win, you'll lift the spell"

Wyatt laughed. "In your dreams. I won't ever lift the spell. But if you win, I'll let one of your beloved good witches go"

"Well, you're on. I can't offer you anything in case you win because I'm already doing all you say but the satisfaction of knowing you were right for once would be enough for you. Still, some brotherly advice, you should vanquish him. I can't believe you tolerate his incompetence."

Wyatt smiled at Chris's obvious trick. "Careful, little brother. Daddy would have considered your poisoning evil and we both know you don't want to be evil. " Chris just smiled at the taunting.

Wyatt added calmly "And he's only incompetent when it comes to dealing with you, he's paid for it and I think he's already learned not to underestimate you"

Patrick was responsible for Chris's escape from Wyatt's jail. Chris had made sure Wyatt knew, hoping his brother would kill him but Wyatt had just tortured Patrick for a while. And so, Patrick was still with Wyatt, hating Chris more than ever. But if he were smart enough he wouldn't defy Wyatt by attacking Chris openly. Chris was more afraid of his tricks, than open assaults. He could kill him or leave him almost dead without hesitation in a battle that wasn't the problem, the plans he could make were. He was a dumb ass but a smart one. And he hated Chris.

"Seems you like your stupid kiss-ass demon that helped you take over the underworld...he admires you so much...I bet you keep him just to feel appreciated."

"What, are you jealous? He's only my second in command until you take your place."

"Yes I'm jealous even if I don't really want that place."

Wyatt had forgotten he had ordered Chris to answer always and with the truth. Chris looked annoyed at his own answer. Wyatt was amused.

"See? It's a useful spell. I'm flattered you are jealous of him. But you shouldn't be, the place by my side was always yours"

"Yes, I see. Your spell is annoying. Lift that stupid order!"

Wyatt laughed, amused. "I'm having too much fun to lift it, sorry, brother. And I'm learning too many interesting things. Well...it's late...so don't leave, don't escape, don't call anyone but me telepathically, try to sleep, wait for my call and enjoy your room. All your stuff is here; let me know if something you want is missing or you need anything."

"I need you to lift the spell"

"Well...not that. Good night brother, see you tomorrow and remember to wear black"

"Sounds like a funny party, wonder what you use for funerals."

Wyatt´s laugh seemed to last in the room as he orbed away. As the source, he could flame too but he didn't want to do that in front of Chris because he knew his little brother got upset when he saw him using his demonic powers.

Chris changed his clothes quickly as he looked around sadly. Wyatt had been very kind to him in the making of the room. All his favorite things were there. No one in the world knew what he liked more than Wyatt.
Thoughtfully Chris lied on the bed. He wished he could just give up and join his brother. He would have done that long ago if he hadn't seen him killing innocents and good witches. That reminded him he couldn't just sleep. He had to find a way to stop Wyatt from making him double cross his friends. He was the only hope for the people against Wyatt and if they thought he had joined Wyatt they would be lost. But the spell was working, he couldn't leave. ´Think Chris, think. There has to be a way and you have to find it before tomorrow´. He would also have to make sure Wyatt wouldn't find out, at least until it was done. Tiredness was wining but he fought. There had to be way. Suddenly an idea took his mind. He knew Wyatt might sense his thoughts so he had to be quick.

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