I apologise for the longer wait between posts than usual. Been super busy. I hope the wait was worth it.
Disclaimer: Every time I start to write a disclaimer, I get this strange sort of urge to say something really weird. I don't know why… Anyhow, these characters are not mine. Just thought I should point that out, you know, in case you haven't seen the twelve other posts about this.
And just as he predicted, looking like the vein on his forehead might burst, (E) Wyatt snaps.
"That's it!" he declares. "I don't care what any of you say, I am taking Chris - as he is - and that Rainbow Brian thing back to the future where I can keep this imbecile safe! Another few days with that cursed toy and he won't know the difference."
There's a split second of silence.
Leo's heart skips several beats, his next words dying on his tongue.
Then comes the uproar of no ways and not going to happens and that's stupid along with all this other crap all at once, but it's all just background noise. A low hum in his ear.
It's clear by his expression that the opposition is wasted on (E) Wyatt. His mind is set.
He makes a decision, albeit impulsively, and he stands by it.
Considering he's the most powerful being in the world (bearing in mind the additional strength he'll have with his newfound capabilities as the Source), it makes the Charmed Ones more than a little apprehensive.
Besides, Leo can't fight his son and he suspects his ex-sister-in-laws feel the same way. Sadly, (E) Wyatt doesn't seem to have the same dilemma. For some strange, incomprehensible reason, not when it comes to Chris.
No, there's only one person who can get through to him.
Himself.
"You'we not taking me anywhewe!" little Chris is shouting in outrage. "I have a mission to fufiw! I won't go wif you! You can't make me!"
(E) Wyatt chuckles in amusement, despite his rage. His smirk is anything but pleasant. "Oh Chrissie, don't be silly," he says arrogantly. Then his face darkens.
Cruel… Cold…
Certain.
Gazing at his son, Leo can't help the sudden chill along his spine.
"I can make you do anything I want."
Little Chris' eyes narrow, jaw hardening. Treading carefully, he asks slowly, frigid, "Is dat a thweat?"
Just as callously, (E) Wyatt replies, "Does it need to be?"
"I won't go wif you wiwingwy. You know dat."
"Well then, what to do you propose, squirt? Because I bet I can take you without it ever having to even come to a fight." He tilts his head, thoughtful. "Way I see it, you have two options. You could leave with me peacefully…"
"Or?" little Chris prompts guardedly.
"Or…" (E) Wyatt smiles. "You could refuse and face the repercussions."
Rolling his eyes, he remarks, "Oh, I get it. Twing to scawe me into agweeing. Awe you wonewy, Wy Wy? Is dat what dis tantwum is about?" He laughs and the sound is so spiteful that - combined with it's natural childishness - it makes Leo feel quite nauseous.
Little Chris feigns a concerned expression, pouting in a way that is surprisingly mocking. "Do you need me to howd youw hand while you swaughtew innocents, too? Wiw dat make you feew aw bettew?"
"Goading me isn't going to work, Chris," (E) Wyatt says evenly, adopting a unruffled stance as he casually leans against the doorway. "Do you think I don't know all your little tactics by now? I don't care how insufferable you can be, you sarcastic little brat. I'm used to it. And I'll have you know, by the time I'm done, you'll be so innocent that you'll do anything I tell you to, follow me anywhere, just because it's me. I mean, look how well you've responded thus far. Three-year-old Chris loves being with me and good luck escaping that fate."
"You sewfish basta-"
"Ah ah ah," he tuts. "No cussing, remember? And it's not selfish, Chris. I'm doing this for you. For your own benefit. To protect you from yourself."
"Mysewf doesn't want youw stupid pwotection! I'm an aduwt! I don't need you ow anybody wooking out fow me! I was doing fine untiw you came awong and destwoyed everything I've wowked fow."
"That's what you call it? Fine?" (E) Wyatt practically spits in disgust, temper once again rising.
Chris really knows how to push his buttons, Leo muses, speculating why Chris frequently seems to rouse such a protective reaction from (E) Wyatt no matter what.
"Chris, you went ten days straight without eating. That is not the behaviour of an adult. You don't seem to care what happens to you and from what I understand, your other self doesn't fare much better."
"Hey! He might be a wittwe… annoying at times. But at weast he gwasps da impowtance of 'dis mission and is wiwing to make sacwifices. Unwike you!"
"The most powerful being in the world does not make sacrifices," (E) Wyatt sneers.
"Well, apparently they do because if you do this, if you think for one second that taking Chris and marring his success is going to fix this, you are solely responsible for some of the greatest sacrifices of all," (G) Wyatt says quietly then. Not passionately. Not pleading. Just… saying. "Mom, Aunt Paige, Aunt Phoebe… they all lost their lives in your future because of circumstances that your turning ultimately led to. They all died for Good. For their cause." With his next words, his voice contains an air of that something that suggests deep reflection. "Sacrifice… isn't that what it all comes down to?
"Yes, I'll admit I'm really pissed off at Chris right now, because not only did he fail to mention all of the stupid things he did while in the past during any of our rehashing sessions, but he obviously doesn't regret it either, and yes, you're right. He makes stupid, self-sacrificing choices in my future, too. But you know what? As much as I may hate it, I am really proud of what he's accomplished and that he was willing to give up everything for… me."
(G) Wyatt takes a deep breath, moving forward to stand directly across from his other self.
"All of those sleepless nights, all of those missed meals, all of those terrible injuries, stresses, sacrifices allowed me to exist. Not only that, they saved the entire world. Which is rather amazing, wouldn't you agree? Now, I'm not condoning his carelessness - Chris could've gone about it much differently - but you can't argue with the results. Because, right now, not only are you basically accepting the crucial deaths of your family members for Chris, you are literally extinguishing your own chances of happiness. Because having lived the life you're prepared to relinquish, I have to tell you, it was pretty damn great."
"But what if something happens to him?" (E) Wyatt asks, sounding more helpless than anyone has ever heard before. "I can't… I can't let him…" he trails off, unable to even contemplate it.
"Nothing will," (G) Wyatt swears to him, eyes warm, his expression lenient with that compassion they'd all heard so much about. "The other Chris that you were bad-mouthing earlier, he remembers what happened before. Things turn out okay."
"But Chris is so damn stubborn about this!" (E) Wyatt growls in frustration. "I'm only overcompensating for his own lack of care. This sort of action wouldn't be necessary if not for his."
"Maybe. But I gotta say, you'd be extremely overprotective regardless of what he does or does not do. Take it from someone who knows." (G) Wyatt laughs. "Chris is always complaining about how much my bossiness annoys him, but, to be fair, I am always telling him what to do. Though, he's a little more understanding about how much I worry so we don't come into conflict nearly as much about it as you two seem to. And if it helps, we can save the future and take care of him as he is here. Now that Mom knows, she is so not gonna let him keep going the way he has been. Trust me." He grins conspiringly. "Plus, there's two of us. Twice the nuisance, right?"
The two share a knowing smile.
"I'm gonna take advantage of this little heart-to-heart just to say," (E) Wyatt begins with the tiniest hint of a impish smirk, "I really, really despise that hairstyle. It's hideous. That alone makes me a little more hesitant about this whole other-future-without-my-empire thing."
"And you think yours is much better?" (G) Wyatt sniggers. "Unshaven, borderline beard, with unkempt, overgrown hair? Not such a good look, I'm telling you. For that alone, I want to change this whole other-future-with-an-empire thing."
"Hilarious," (E) Wyatt responds dryly, rolling his eyes.
"Well I am you, aren't I?"
"Then you shouldn't insult yourself."
"Look who's talking. You insulted me - I repeat, also you - not one minute ago."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
"So we're in agreement, then?" (G) Wyatt asks curiously, looking himself straight in the eye. "Chris stays here?"
Sighing, (E) Wyatt says, "Fine." Then, turning to little Chris, "But you are not allowed out of my sight, you hear me? That includes no hunting demons or arguing about hunting demons or even talking about the possibility of you ever hunting demons. Any work to be done is up to whoever I say." Eyes hard, he adds, Get it?"
"Oh, suwe, youw Majesty," little Chris replies as insincerely and as sarcastically as his young self can possibly be.
"I mean it."
"I've no doubt you do. Doesn't mean I have to wisten."
"Chris-"
Halting his speech, Piper bursts into the room, breathing quickly.
Three words topple from her mouth.
Three words that make everyone in the room's chest constrict.
"Chris is missing."
She stops, gasping for breath.
"One minute we were talking, the next he just orbed out. I don't know what happened… I asked if Leo ever-…"
The look on both Wyatt's face makes her voice grow painfully faint, realising her mistake.
Then, weakly, remorsefully, "I have no idea where he went."
"I do."
If you're interested, check out my new poll and vote for your favourite character: little Chris, (G) Wyatt, adult Chris or (E) Wyatt.
I thought it might be fun.
Thank-you for reading and just so you know, I am so pleased with all the reviews so far. Don't underestimate how happy I am to hear you're enjoying this story.