Logan rolled in his sleep. The barn was pretty comfy with it having so much hay. He stretched out, feeling about for his breathing pillow.
"Victor?" The younger cracked an eye open, revealing an empty space next to him, "Victor?"
The elder had climbed onto the roof of the barn to enjoy the rainy moonlit night. So soothing and tranquil, it assisted in calming and clearing his head.
"What the world are you doing up there!?" Logan shouted.
"Thinking."
"Get down from there!"
"Just go back to bed. I'll come in soon." he dismissed.
Eventually, after his shouts were ignored, Logan walked back into the barn to leave his brother to it. If he wanted to get pneumonia that was on him.
Victor watched the tree line as words echoed in his ears.
"Filthy animal. Beast!"
"He's no son of mine. He's wicked. But I know how to get the wickedness out of you."
A frightened gasped came from Victor when his leg was grabbed. Eyes wide and in his ready position he looked to see his brother and sighed, "Jeez Jimmy."
"Get inside, you're soaked to the bone."
He rolled his eyes a scowled, "Why are you always worrying about me?"
"Because you're my brother! Why won't you let me care for you?!" he yanked him towards the edge of the roof, closer to the window.
"I'm okay!"
"Get in here or I'll hide ya!" Logan threatened, pulling him again.
Vic pulled his leg away, "Alright, d mmit, just give me a minute!"
"You're so difficult!" he yanked him again before receding into the barn's window.
Creed shook his head. Darn brat would not let him breath. Why was he always worried about him anyway? No one ever worried.
X
When Victor finally got it he looked to his brother, "Your hair is dripping."
"As is your whole body," Logan reached out to help his brother out of his soaked clothes, "What are you doing sitting in the rain anyway? During the witching hour?"
"I had a lot on my mind and wanted to think. You know, the thing you do where you use your head," he shook some.
"Yep, because in the rain is the best place to do it," Jimmy watched as he hung his clothes on the wooden rails, "Thinking about your pa?"
That question had him pause.
"Or someone else?"
"I'm fine."
"He's dead Vic. You know that."
"I know, I was there when you killed him," the elder nodded, "Only wish it had been me who did it."
"So why are you still even thinking about him? Not like he's gonna come back to reclaim you."
Victor just shrugged and sat in the hay, "Good question."
"Does the good question have an acceptable answer?"
"Not off the top of my head."
Jimmy merely shook his head and tossed a blanket on his brother, "Maybe if you stopped harboring your problems you might be able to sleep at night."
"Who needs sleep?" he wrapped himself in the blanket.
"You do."
X
"Going into town boys. Want anything?" Farmer Isaac looked to the young men tending the yard.
"Real food might be nice," Victor commented.
"Hm?"
"He said candy," Logan smiled.
"Alright. Some breakfast in the kitchen."
With him gone Logan breathed a sigh of relief, "What is wrong with you? Are you that desperate for us to live under a bridge again?"
"Manure is probably more edible than what he cooks," Vic stuck his tongue out, "You were in the field for two hours after those biscuits."
"Ugh," the younger groaned, "Ok, you're right, but at least it's got plenty of hay and hidden spots to let clothes dry."
"I'm gonna step to the kitchen," he waved, sashaying off.
Fifteen minutes passed by before Victor returned, "Old goat trying to kill us with those 'biscuits' as he called them." He handed his brother a bowl, "Porridge?"
"Does it have butter?"
"And milk," he smiled, "I do know how you like it."
Jim quickly took the bowl and began chowing down. His eyes rolled to the back of his head in delight, "Oh, food. Never thought I'd actually miss porridge." It was something they had for breakfast and dinner everyday for almost two years at one time.
"Tell me about it."
Logan noticed his brother empty-handed, "Where is your bowl?"
"Not hungry."
"What do you mean you're not hungry? You hardly ate yesterday."
"I had some already."
"Really? When?" Logan asked, his skepticism obvious.
"When I was making it," the older dismissed as he went to check the chickens.
He narrowed his eyes, "How much did you have? A bowl full, a cup full or a spoonful when you were tasting it?"
"What does it matter? I'm not hungry!" he huffed.
"You don't eat, I won't eat!"
Victor stopped in his tracks, "What?"
"You heard me," he put the bowl on the bench, "You don't eat, I won't eat."
The elder gave him a grey eye glare, "I will eat later. I'm not hungry right now."
"I'll eat later too."
"Jimmy…"
"Victor."
The elder huffed before going to gather the stuff. Logan looked to the porridge and sighed, dumping it in the grass. He hated wasting food but he was planning on going head to head with his brother's stubbornness.
X
"Here you boys go," the farmer smiled and gave them both their treats, "And here's fifty cents for you both,"
Victor eyed the change, "Thank you."
Logan thanked the man and walked to the barn.
The younger man sighed and put the change into his satchel before sitting down and relaxing.
"Aren't you going to eat your candy?" A familiar voice asked.
"When I said I wouldn't eat until you eat that included snacks," Logan gave him a cold shoulder.
Victor nodded and put the money away, "Alright."