Yeah, this is an apology for the whole chapters 4 and 5 mix up. Super sorry about that! So, I decided that I would make this a chapters 6 and 7 mash up and make an eight (though it will say that it's 7) later on. I have been working on my stories, it's just been a situation with times I can do it and me second guessing myself. Once again, VERY sorry!
Alec had been on Arus for a week, and everyone had surprisingly adapted well to him being there. He helped Keith and Allura with files and strategies that could be used. He was smart enough to understand Pidge and Vince when they went into long and sometimes arguing lectures about new combinations and weapons for the lions. He was laid back when he wanted to be to hang out with the cadets and Hunk and Lance. And he kept Daniel in line for the most part. Mainly reminding him to take his ADHD meds. After Daniel took those, he wasn't as hyperactive as the force was used to. Though he still acted completely insane and energetic, he didn't go overboard and steal the lions like he used to.
Yes, everyone cared about Alec, and Alec had come to care for the rest of the force like his own family. Everyone also had gotten used to the brotherly war and occasional spats between the two.
Daniel was the youngest and Alec was the oldest. There's bound to be rivalry and fighting between them. It's honestly a common fact that in big families, it's either the siblings that are closest of age or farther of age fight more. In the Chandler family, the main fights are between Alec and a lot of his siblings. Daniel and Alec very seldom butt heads with each other, but it doesn't last long when they do. Their spats usually fizzle out into playing after Alec pins Daniel to the ground or wall. They've had some actual arguments and have bickered before, but usually they resolve those pretty quickly with help from the pilots.
Now, they're on the beach having a late night cookout just because Hunk wanted some barbecue. Daniel and Alec are wrestling in the sand while everyone laughs at the their silly antics. Alec grabs Daniel by his nape and lifts him up, making Daniel instinctively curl into himself.
"How did you do that?" Vince asked.
"Our dad did it to us all the time. Whether it was because we were in trouble or he was done humoring us as we tried to bring him down." Alec explained, setting Daniel down.
"Or when he's about to throw us off a cliff." Daniel added.
"Nah, that's me." Alec said and pretended to throw Daniel off the cliff they were on.
"He sounds great." Allura said warmly.
"He was." Daniel said, earning him some strange looks.
"What? I do remember some stuff." Daniel scoffed.
"Okay, name one thing that he did that you were never told." Alec challenged him.
"I remember one time he took me to the store with him when I was five. I was sick, but I couldn't stay home because everyone else was either at work or school. I remember him setting me on the counter to reach for something when some lady grabbed me. She asked me what my name was. I didn't get to tell her because Dad had reacted and quickly grabbed me back. He looked worried. The lady said something I couldn't understand. What surprised me even more was that Dad replied in the same language. I remember her making gestures at me and then at some other things, but I didn't pay much attention. Dad finally told her something and she left pretty quickly. He finished whatever he had to do and we left. I remember him saying 'Let's keep this a secret. We don't want Mama to beat your old man with a shovel.' It was never mentioned again." Daniel told him.
Everyone looked at Daniel strangely before turning to Alec.
"I remember that day. You had gotten something from playing out in the rain, even though we told you not to, and had to stay home. When I came home from my job at the museum, you and Dad were passed out on the couch watching Law and Order. He seemed pretty worried the rest of the day. Wouldn't take his eyes off of any of us. Mom said 'we should all just stay in the house the rest of today and tomorrow'. We all thought that Dad was just having a small episode that he gets whenever he goes into town for something. So, we all stayed home the next day, which was Saturday, and everything was back to normal by Sunday. Dad then left two weeks later." Alec recalled.
"So, who was the lady?" Lance asked.
"I don't know. I never saw her again. In fact, I had no recollection of her when it even happened." Daniel said.
"Well, you never see the same people you usually do at a store." Vince told him.
"You do if your in a very small town with a population of seventy-one." Alec muttered, concern in his voice.
"Maybe she was passing thru?" Lance offered.
"No, our town was on a mountain ridge. It was a village for people who were ordered by law to stay away from civilization. People like witnesses who saw huge murders being committed and the convict was at large. People like Dad, who had done something huge like take down evil secret organizations and leaders." said Alec.
"I didn't know that." Daniel said, looking at Alec.
"There's a reason why we never do some things, Daniel. Things that I will tell you about. But not yet." Alec assured him.
"Something tells me there's a big secret in your family. One that you have to wait to reveal it." Pidge said suspiciously.
"Alec, how come you're the only one who actually has proof of the 'Chandler Growth Jump'? What about the others? They have big builds, but not like you." Daniel asked, looking up at his brother.
"I wish I could tell you Danny, but I'm not sure when I can, if I can." Alec said, gently ruffling Daniel's hair.
"It's getting late, I think we should all go to bed." Keith said.
Everyone agreed, not moving until Hunk put out the fire. They all walked back to the castle, all of them pondering what the secret is.
This is what was supposed to be chapter 7.
A loud scream woke everyone from their sleep. They all ran towards the sounds of screams and stopped right outside of Alec's room.
"Move aside." Daniel barked.
They did so and Daniel ran into the room where Alec was writhing in his sleep. Daniel placed his hands on Alec's chest and whispered soothing words in Italian.
Alec's screams quieted and he started fighting himself to wake up. Daniel turned to the pilots and cadets waiting in the hall.
"You guys can go back to bed or something." Daniel said, letting his small accent be heard.
"What about Alec?" Larmina asked.
"I can take care of my big brother. This isn't a new occurrence." Daniel assured her.
"What even happened?" Lance asked.
"Alec has PTSD. Usually he can suppress the nightmares. I guess tonight just brought them out with a vengeance. This is one of the worst ones I've seen." Daniel explained.
"Leave him alone, guys. Daniel's got this." Keith said.
He ruffled his hair before leaving: with the others. Daniel walked back into the room, closing the door behind him. He went over to Alec's side and saw Alec watching him.
"Ali…?" Daniel whispered, using the old name he had for Alec.
"Danny?" Alec murmured, slowly coming out of his episode.
"Yeah, it's me." Daniel said, kneeling by his bed.
"Are you okay? What's going on?" Alec asked.
"Nothing. You just had an episode." Daniel replied softly.
Alec put his hand on Daniel's head and finger combed his hair like he always did. It was his way of assuring himself of reality. Daniel climbed into the bed and curled up against his side, laying his head on his chest. Daniel closed his eyes and listened as Alec softly sang his lullaby.
"Sei, Sei
Venendo all'albero
Dove appesi un uomo che dicono assassinati tre
Strane cose accadevano qui
No estraneo sarebbe
Se ci siamo incontrati a mezzanotte nella struttura appeso
Sei, Sei
Venendo all'albero
Quando il morto chiamò per il suo amore a fuggire
Strane cose accadevano qui
No estraneo sarebbe
Se ci siamo incontrati a mezzanotte nella struttura appeso
Sei, Sei
Venendo all'albero
Dove ti ho detto di correre, quindi saremmo entrambi essere liberi
Strane cose accadevano qui
No estraneo sarebbe
Se ci siamo incontrati a mezzanotte nella struttura impiccagione.
Sei, Sei
Venendo all'albero
Indossare una collana di corda, fianco a fianco con me.
Strane cose è accaduto qui,
No estraneo sarebbe,
Se ci siamo incontrati a mezzanotte nella struttura impiccagione."
Alec checked on his baby brother and saw him asleep. He ran a hand thru Daniel's messy hair and went back to sleep, comforted by the small weight on his side.
The lullaby is The Hanging Tree song from Mockingjay. Yeah, I saw that movie and fell in love with the song. I know it's kinda morbid, but I thought it'd suit the Chandler family well. Review!