Hi again. Hope you're enjoying the story so far.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm probably not the greatest fan of Leo. It's why it took so long for him to make an appearance. In the previous chapter I was kind of testing it out to see how well I could get inside his head. Or more accurately, how he could get in mine. I'd love to know whether you think his character should be revisited. I'm really not sure…
Disclaimer: In an alternative universe there is the possibility that Charmed does in fact to belong me, but unfortunately, in this reality it definitely does not.
Contains some not-so-nice language that some readers may find offensive. In like, the opening line...
"What the fuck is going on?" little Chris exclaims in horror, coming to his senses at the worst possible moment, and glaring at them accusingly.
Judging by his suddenly murderous expression, (not nearly as harsh and assertive as he'd like to believe.) these recent developments are not going to go down too well.
"Chris!" Piper rebukes crossly.
"What?" he bites back.
"Did you just say what I think you just said?" she asks darkly, and everyone in the room freezes in alarm. They recognise that tone… All too well…
Well, everyone but little Chris who merely rolls his eyes, not the least bit fazed.
"I'm twenty-two, Pipew," he replies haughtily. "You'we not the boss of me. I can cuwse if I bloody well want!"
"Oh yeah?" she asks, hand on hip. "Well, since you're so grown up, go ahead and pronounce your own name. Prove to me what a big boy you are." Her tone is saturated with sarcasm and it angers little Chris all the more.
Without thinking, he flippantly answers, "Kwis," before blanching. As stubborn as ever, he tries again, "Kis." Then, growling, "K-wis." Clenching his jaw, little Chris exhales furiously through his nose. "Dammit!"
Piper smirks. "Thought so," she says smugly. "And if I ever hear you use that kind of language again, you'll be sorry."
"Wight," little Chris snorts. "What awe you gonna do? Put me in time out?"
Twenty minutes later, he finds himself very much regretting those words as he stands in the corner he was forced into, - And not without a fight, mind you - sulking with his arms folded across his chest. He can't believe it. He is their whitelighter for God's sake! Not some toddler that they can just -
Oh, look, someone dropped a gummy bear on the floor and now it's head is all squished!
Needless to say, he soon forgets all about his worries.
A meek, half-hearted apology later, little Chris is allowed downstairs where Wyatt sits in the living room, with other Chris tucked into his side, sound asleep. Paige and Phoebe are busy scrying for the Anno demon with no such luck and Piper is finishing off preparation for a batch of cookies in the kitchen - her customary stress-reliever.
Wyatt fills an increasingly unhappy little Chris in, but the conversation is stilted, and every so often, he pauses with a speculative glint in his eye, until finally, he comments, "This is just too weird. I just can't get over how young you are."
"Yeah," little Chris says with an understanding nod. Well, as understanding as he can be when he's downright pissed. How could he be so stupid letting it slip like that? "Now you know how I feel. Just wait 'til Leo wetuwns wif mini-you. And it's stwange for me too, you know. Wegwession aside, you'we actually good. I can't wap my head awound dat."
Unable to hold back, Wyatt chuckles, earning an angry glare from little Chris. "Sorry," he murmurs unrepentantly. "But is it just me or is your speech getting worse?"
"Definitely worse," Paige ever-so-helpfully agrees - overhearing that last remark as she and Phoebe enter the room - also smothering a laugh rather unsuccessfully.
"Mhm," Phoebe feels the need to add.
"Hey!" little Chris objects. "It not funny! I stiw haven't fowgiven you for 'dis! It not my fauwt I can't speak pwopewy!"
"Then stop saying things you know you can't say right!"
"That's basicawy evewyfing!" Turning away, he hunches forward and childishly pouts with this endearing little frown. "Hmph."
"Aw, don't be like that!" Wyatt says, trying not to smile. God, his brother is so cute when he's being all grumpy. "You know I'm just kidding. You still sound very… mature."
Little Chris arches a brow in amusement. "God, da over Wy Wy is a much bettew liaw dan you."
"No, it's true, I swear! I can understand everything you're saying," Then, indistinguishably, "… most of the time."
"Oh pwease! Don't patwonise me. Despite what Pipew finks, I'm not thwee! I can bawly undewstand myself! 'Dis is so fwustwating! I mean, did you know I actually took a nap today?"
At that exact moment, other Chris whimpers in his sleep, murmuring incoherently, and Wyatt hushes him softly, smoothing his hair until he quietens.
"Yeah," Wyatt says dryly. "I know."
Little Chris rolls his eyes. "Dat's not what I meant. But don't get me stawted on dat guy! And I-" He cuts off, eyes widening to the size of bowling balls. "Oh my God!" he suddenly yells in panic, looking behind him before promptly examining the couch. "Whewe's Wainbow Bwain?!"
From the kitchen, Piper's loud groan can be heard.
Phoebe and Paige also cringe, guilt written all over their features.
"Oh no! Wainbow Bwain!" he calls, leaping to his feet. "Can you heaw me?" He hurries off, presumably to search for his long-lost, cuddly toy.
Most surprising to the sisters, however, is Wyatt's long, drawn-out moan, echoing his mother's.
In shock, they look towards him questioningly, and Piper actually enters the living room to ask, "Wait, why are you groaning? What would you know about this?"
"Uh…" He gulps. "Nothing…" he says innocently.
"Chris is right," Paige says with a shake of the head. "You're a terrible liar."
Wyatt sighs.
Defeated, he explains, "See, the thing is, when we were younger, Chris had this toy. It was called Rainbow Brian. He was obsessed with it. He took it everywhere. He couldn't sleep without it, wouldn't eat his dinner unless Rainbow Brian had some too, every game we played had to include that little nuisance. It was torture. I hated that thing. One time, Chris even took it into the bath with him, and then he cried for hours because he had to wait for it to dry afterwards and couldn't take it to bed. He said - get this - that ducks couldn't get wet so he thought it would be okay! He was devastated." Wyatt laughs.
"Um, I hope you don't mind me asking, Wyatt, but what exactly are you to Chris?" Phoebe wonders, curiosity getting the better of her. "How do you know all of that?"
"Phoebe!" Piper scolds. "I think it's pretty obvious when you think about it, wouldn't you agree?"
"It is?" Wyatt butts in, in surprise.
"Well, yeah. Little Chris mentioned something about being your best friend when you were younger. I mean, it makes sense. Why else would he have travelled back in time to save you? And before, Chris said he knew us in the future. He just wouldn't admit how." She pauses, pursing her lips. "I am right, aren't I? You are friends?"
Wyatt smiles. "Yeah." He gazes down at his brother, looking at peace for the first time since regaining his memories months before, and genuinely wondering how they haven't seen it. He looks so much like Piper. Everyone's always thought so. Piper, herself, was always so proud of that very fact. Chris is a Halliwell through and through, there's no doubt about it. "The best of friends really…"
Little Chris returns then, tears falling from his lashes. Sniffling, he says in despair, "I can't find Wainbow Bwain."
"Awk, come here, pet," Piper says instinctively, warmth blossoming in her chest as she hoists him up and little Chris latches on to her, pressing his cheek to the hollow of her neck and popping his thumb into his mouth. "Shh… Don't worry. We'll find him, sweetie," she reassures him, wildly gesturing to Paige in code, telling her to retrieve the cuddly toy from their hiding spot at the top of the cupboard.
Paige nods, stifling a snicker.
She is so, so thankful she didn't listen to her sisters. They had wanted to throw it out. God, what a disaster that would have been.
Resting her chin on the top of his head, Piper takes a seat, leaning back and stroking his hair, because suddenly, the only thing that matters is making sure she never has to see Chris cry like that ever again. She just wants to ease his pain so badly, it doesn't make any sense.
It's the mother in her, she reasons. But she can't deny that feeling like something's missing.
Like there's some sort of hole, a void in her, and somehow, holding Chris like this satisfies it. Makes it disappear like it never existed.
She doesn't know what it is. Piper's certainly never felt anything such as this with the elder version of Chris. But then, he's never shown much warmth towards her, either. Not like this…
Just then, Piper glances over at Wyatt to find him staring at her.
He looks away quickly. But she saw it.
That soft smile, those tender eyes, happiness practically radiating off him at the sight.
There is something going on here, she thinks to herself. Something they're not telling her…
Thanks for reading. Please review.