This was originally nearing almost 3,200 words, but I had to cut it- because I still have one more scene to write for the next chapter. I think this should tide you all over- it's adorable. Note- Austin is writing an R5 song- but I did that for a reason. It's foreshadowing to upcoming chapters. If you'd like to guess what I'm hinting at- I wouldn't be opposed to it. I won't tell you whether you're right or not, though. Trigger warning- depression, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm.

"Yes! You're ours! Forever!"

Ratliff screams, pumping his fist in the air, and hugging Austin tightly. He plants a sloppy kiss on Austin's forehead, grinning all the while. Austin is then passed to Rydel, who lays her palm on his forehead- clucking her tongue in disappointment, before hugging him gently, and kissing his cheek.

I can't believe I managed to win that. I was so damn nervous- I didn't know half of what I was saying, but I'm glad that we won. Forget glad- I'm ecstatic. Austin will finally be loved, sheltered, and we can get to work on bringing him out of his depression. The only thing left before he can start recovery- is the thing with Ally, Trish, and Dez. And I have plans of what to do about that- they aren't getting off easy. He's my little brother now- legally- and they've hurt him so fucking badly- I'd love to curse them out- but that definitely won't happen.

"I don't feel good…" Austin murmurs, when he's finally gotten to me. "Rocky, thank you…but I really feel awful…"

"Yeah, we need to get you into bed," I sigh, collecting him into my arms. "Let's go home, guys."

"Uhh…" Austin moans. He presses a hand to his head, and my eyes widen. I tighten my arms around him just in time- because his body goes slack against me, his eyes rolling back into his head, as unconscious washes over him like a tidal wave.

"Oh my fucking god…"

Rydel's voice breaks the silence, and I snap out of the trance I've gone into, sweeping Austin's limp body into my arms. I check his pulse discreetly, listening for his breathing. His pulse is strong- but his breathing is raspy and labored. I assume he fainted from exhaustion, dehydration, and over-exertion. This meeting was too much for his already worn-out body.

"He passed out," Ratliff mutters.

"Should we take him to the hospital?" Riker asks worriedly, walking over to press a hand to his forehead. "He's burning up."

"I don't think it's necessary- he should wake up in a few hours. I think it's due to exhaustion- he just needs sleep. He needs to relax- he was panicking badly for this, and it took its toll on his body. His immune system is weak- along with the fact that hyperventilating didn't help his situation. Let's take him home, put him into bed, and get some stuff ready. He should be okay in a couple of hours- if he doesn't wake up by then- we can take him. I just don't want to freak him out- he'll wake up in a hospital bed and completely lose it- and I don't want to put him through that. Plus- we'll have to explain his cuts."

"You're right," Ratliff nods. "Can I drive back?!" He grabs the keys from my pocket and dangles them in the air, looking hopefully at us.

"Ratliff, I may be extremely suicidal right now, but I don't want to kill Austin the hour after we get custody of him. So no, I'm driving," Riker mutters, snatching the keys from his grasp.

"Rydel, your brother is being mean to me!"

Rydel smirks. "Last time I checked, he was your brother as well. Don't drag me into this- just because I share a birthday with the asshole. You started it, you finish it."

"If you three are done being morons," I mutter, shifting Austin's body so I can carry him more securely. "We need to get Austin home."

I wake in someone's arms.

My first instinct is to scream, but when I open my eyes, I realize who I'm next to. Riker's warm body is next to mine, his fingers stroking absentmindedly through my hair. He's not looking at me- probably lost in thought. The cough that shakes me moments later gets his attention, and he immediately hugs me tighter- suffocating me.

"Thank fucking god," he mutters.

"Rik…wha' happen'…?" I slur, my voice hoarse. I'm still tired, disoriented, and confused. I feel a little better- but everything is just…ugh…

"You passed out outside of the courthouse," He replied. "Fucking scared us all."

"I'm sorry," I mumble. That must've been terrifying for them- I know I would've been horrified to see one of them pass out.

"Don't apologize. You were definitely over-exerting yourself. It's been four hours. It's around dinner time."

"The others?"

"Ratliff was…off…so Rydel took him out for dinner- to try and see what's wrong. Lately, he's been close to her, so she thought she could get a reaction from him. Rocky's making you soup. Wanna go into the kitchen?"

I glance around- and we're in the room Riker and Rydel share, sleeping on Riker's bed. "Yeah."

"Alright, go slow. Your body's still weak," Riker says gently, helping me up. Once I'm on my feet, a wave of dizziness washes over me, but I straighten, leaning on Riker. "You good?"

I nod slightly. "Bit dizzy."

"It'll go away soon. C'mon." He leads me into the kitchen, where Rocky is standing at the stove. Upon hearing footsteps, our oldest brother whirls around. His eyes widen, and he crosses the floor in two strides- only to encasing my body in warmth, as I'm pressed to his chest.

"Thank god, Austin…" Rocky murmurs, burying his face in my hair. "You scared me…"

My stomach rolls. Nausea washes over me, and I use the small amount of strength I have- to push back from Rocky, and clap a hand over my mouth. He looks surprised for a second, before nodding in understanding, and shoving a trashcan under me. The moment I remove my hand, vomit spills from my lips- pain shooting up my throat and bringing tears to my eyes.

I can't breathe- my nose and mouth are clogged with the smell and atrocious taste of bile. It seems like this is going to last forever- pure torture. The tears fall- I have no way to stop them, and I can feel a pair of arms holding me up- while the other is rubbing my back and running their fingers through my hair.

When the fit finally ceases, I slump back against Riker's chest, and Rocky moves the trashcan away. He disappears for a second- but comes back moments later, using a damp washcloth to wipe my mouth. The coolness feels nice, and I can tell he notices- he continues wiping my face with it, and I sigh in content.

"Sorry…" I murmur, when he's pulled back. "Didn't wanna puke on you."

"No, don't worry about it. Let's get you on the couch. Soup's almost done- since you just emptied your stomach, you should be able to keep it down."

He and Riker seem to be having a conversation with their eyes, and I sigh, leaning further into the older blonde's arms. He nods, and lifts me up- carrying me over to the couch. "Stay here," Riker says. "Rocky's gonna bring you soup. I've gotta go to work for a while, but I'll be back soon, okay?"

I smile faintly, and he leans down to kiss my forehead. "Feel better. I'll see you in a few hours."

"Hey, bro? You wanna tell me what's bothering you?"

Rydel looks at me, squeezing my hand gently. We're sitting in a park- a deserted park. She wanted to talk to me, so I just decided to go along with it. I know they're worried about me- but I don't see why. I don't deserve to be worried over.

"I'm fine," I whisper, leaning my head on her shoulder.

She sighs. "Ratliff, you and I both know that you're lying. You've relapsed, and you purposefully neglected to take your meds. They keep the voices out, Ell…" She pulled out my first name- my nickname. My full name's Ellington Ratliff Lynch, but all my siblings call me Ratliff- with some exceptions.

"I wanted to hear the voices," I mutter tightly.

"Why, Ratliff? Why would you want to hear voices that tell you to fucking kill yourself?!"

"Because maybe I do want to kill myself."

"Hmm…Austin, the part of this song you've written looks pretty good…"

Austin shakes his head. "It's bullcrap, Rocky. I wrote it in the midst of depression and thoughts of suicide- it's not the happy, upbeat shit that I usually put out."

"And who says that's a bad thing?" I glance at the teenager, lying against the couch cushions. His legs are on my lap, along with a clipboard and his songbook.

"Ally refused to help me," He mutters emptily. "Said I don't do any work- but I'm shit at writing songs, and she's always been my partner and songwriter… Wasn't my fault…I couldn't think of anything…I was so suicidal…"

"Hey," I say gently. "Don't think about her. You don't need her. You've got me and Riker to help you write songs. And this is good."

Teardrops in your hazel eyes

I can't believe I made you cry

It feels so long, since we went wrong

But you're still on my mind

Never meant to break your heart

Sometimes things just fall apart

So here's one night, to make it right

Before we say goodbye

"It was supposed to be about Ally… I hurt her…believed I deserved the pain and shit she gave me, because I made her cry, when I told her that Dallas was a horrible person to date. She cried, made me feel hella guilty."

"Aus," I whisper. "This is beautiful. It doesn't even have to be about Ally. You can write it about happiness- hypothetical happiness. You and happiness had a falling out, obviously. Songs don't need to be about tangible things. Emotion makes a better song. The first two verses of this are heavenly. We just need a chorus, bridge, etc."

"You really think so?"

"I know so." I move the clipboard to the empty cushion next to us, and pull Austin onto my lap. Leaning down, I kiss his heated forehead gently. "I love you so much, Austin. I'm so glad to be your older brother. You complete our family."

So, thoughts? Did you like the fluff- because i'm planning on a lot more of it? I'll post the next chapter early tomorrow- hopefully, if you guys can possibly get me to 70 reviews? That would be lovely :) Thank you all!

-Neha