With the help of Franklin and Eathan, they managed to move all the junk into the attic above the garage and set up all the beds in the matter of a few hours. Jack had called for a van-taxi so everyone could go to the store and pick out their own bed sheets and blankets. His mother agreed, although feeling guilty Jack was paying for everything while they stayed. Jack brushed her off and got everyone loaded into the taxi-van.
Jack stayed in the middle of the group as they all walked through the store, Aster walking right beside him. Franklin and Eathan took point and had them walking down every isle, even if it wasn't related to their goal. Vivian and Jack's mother were walking behind Jack and Aster, whispering to each other about how Jack and Aster looked with each other.
Eventually they reached the isle with the bedspreads. After much debate, and several playfully heated words between siblings, everyone had chosen their own, except Jack's mother because her and Vivian had decided to share a bed.
Everyone had been silent on the way back to the taxi, until Jack's mother poke up.
"Jack?" She tapped him on shoulder to get his attention.
"Yes?" he turned his head back to look at her as they walked to the yellow van.
"Did you tell the driver there to keep the meter running?" She held concern in her voice and her face as Jack simply nodded with a smile.
Upon returning home, Everyone went to their separate rooms to put on their bed sheets, everyone besides Jack and Aster that is. The pair decided to lounge on the couch and watch television together while everyone else got situated in their rooms with the things they had packed and left in the car.
Jack was laying comfortably against Aster on the couch when he glanced into the hallway.
Aster felt Jack tense underneath his arm and looked down at him from the T.V. He saw Jack staring into the hallway. He was about to look too, until he noticed what he was staring at. Aster squeezed Jack reassuringly and just focused his vision on the black mass in the hallway way threshold in his peripherals.
Aster had whispered something to Jack, but he was too lost on the monster standing in the hallway to catch what it was.
Thankfully Eathan had walked into the living to Ask Jack something. The monster had a look of shock about its disgusting face as Eathan passed through it unphased by the pain it caused. It swung its long black arm at Eathan as he stood just in front of it.
Oblivious to the beast, Eathan stood silent staring at the two lounging on the couch. He held a slight look of disgust at the two, but otherwise had a stoic expression.
Jack gave Eathan a questioning look, "Yeah, Eathan?"
Eathan shook his head as if to rid a thought, "When's dinner?"
Jack tried hard to not stare at the creature, "I'm not sure. Go ask what everyone wants."
Eathan nodded curtly and left to ask the others. Jack looked up at Aster who had attention at the living room floor.
Jack nudged Aster lightly, "You see it?"
Aster nodded and in a low voice, "Yeah."
Jack gave a bitter smile, "What do you want dinner?"
Aster pondered for a moment, "I'm not sure, whattya want?"
Jack stared at the beast as he thought, "Hmm…Well, I could cook, or we could order out."
Eathan came back down the hall and stood in the middle of the living room this time with a=his arms crossed as he spoke, "Okay, well," Eathan sighed dramatically, "Franklin wants pizza, Vivian and Mom want something homemade, and I don't care."
Jack smiled softly, "Okay, then it's up to you Aster."
Aster stared at Eathan, who was staring back hard, "Pizza would be faster."
Jack nodded, unaware of the stare-off, "Okay, Eathan, its tied, so you have to decide."
Eathan glared at Aster, "Homemade meal then."
Jack sat up from his position on Aster, "Okay then, I'll get started."
Jack walked into the kitchen, past the monster which followed him into the room. Aster had lost the supposed staring contest as he watched Jack step into the kitchen, watching his ass the until he was gone from sight.
He brought his eyes back to Eathan, who had started to glower at Aster. Aster gave him a pointed look, as if daring him to say or do something. Eathan huffed and rolled his eyes. When Aster heard Jack getting out pots and pans loudly he stood and took a step towards Eathan.
He looked down and the younger man, "What's ya issue, mate?"
Eathan hadn't felt threatened by Aster, "You."
Aster scoffed, "And why is that?"
Eathan rolled his eyes, "I don't like you."
Aster waited for more, when nothing came, "Why not?"
Their words were heated, but too quiet for Jack to hear in the kitchen.
Eathan stood straighter, "Jack doesn't deserve you."
Aster got a look of confusion, "Whattya mean?"
Eathan scoffed this time, "He doesn't deserve any of this. He can't justify any reason he deserves to be happy."
Aster felt taken aback, but held his composure, "He earned what he has. Includin' mahself."
Eathan sneered, "Being a whore doesn't earn you anything."
Jack heard a sharp yelp as he stuck the lasagna in the oven. The startle he felt caused him to slam the oven door shut. He ran into the living and saw Eathan on floor cradling his face and Aster standing over him. Jack looked accusingly at Aster who held his hands up before he spoke.
"He called you a whore." He said matter-of-factly.
Jack's siblings and mother were quick to the scene. Vivian had a look that told everyone who saw it that Eathan had it coming. His mother and Franklin looked shocked.
"What happened here?!" Jack's mother asked angrily.
Aster gestured to Eathan, "He called Jack a whore."
His mother put a hand over her mouth at the accusation of her son. Vivian smirked, glad that Aster had decked him. Franklin's expression hadn't changed.
Aster looked to Jack's mother, "I'm sorry, Miss Warclaw."
She shook her head at his apology, "It's fine." She looked down at Eathan, "I think Eathan needs to go on a walk and think by himself for a little bit."
Jack nodded his head, "Aster, go in my room and wait." Aster nodded and excused himself from the room.
Eathan stood and pointed down the hall where Aster had went, "Why do I have to leave!? He needs to go! He punched me!"
Jack's mother put her hand up to silence her son, "I don't want to hear it. When you get back from your walk and have calmed down we will talk about happened."
Eathan went to protest, but his mother silenced him with a finger pointed at the door. Eathan hung his head with anger. And stomped childishly out of the house and slammed the door behind him. Jack's mother sighed and looked apologetically to Jack. Jack gave a sad smile in return and laughed bitterly at Vivian's expression.
"We'll leave Aster alone for a while. And when Eathan gets back we'll talk about what went down." Jack said to everyone who agreed.
Jack walked back into the kitchen, and sat down at the table. Jack's mother sat down next to him. Vivian and Franklin taking the other seats. Jack looked to the clock above the sink.
"Dinner will be done in an hour." Jack stated placidly.
Vivian piped up, "Think Eathan'll be back by then?"
Jack shrugged, "I don't know."
His mother put a hand on Jack, "You alright?"
Jack gave a harsh, short laugh, "Oh yeah, my brother only thinks I'm a whore. Everything is just dandy."
Vivian pointed a finger at Jack, "Now listen here," her tone was serious and caught Jack's full attention, "You know that you aren't. So don't let Eathan bother you. He's had a stick up his ass the whole time we've been here, so don't take it personally. He's just being pissy because you aren't down in the gutter without us."
"Really?" Jack asked sadly.
"I don't know. That's my guess though." She paused, "I am glad though that your boyfriend defended you like he did. Eathan had it coming ever since he got in his sour mood."
Jack laughed lightly, "Well, can't say I disagree."
Their mother swatted Jack's arm, "Now Jack."
Jack smiled at her, "What?"
She shook her head with a smile back, "Nothing."
Soon they were all laughing together for no reason. Jack had missed that. Sitting around the table laughing with his family for no particular explanation.
Eathan had walked in through the door twenty minutes before dinner would be done. His temper had calmed down noticeably. Jack went to his room to get Aster who had fallen asleep on his bed. Aster bolted upright when Jack shook him awake. Jack lead him down the hall to where everyone had decidedly gathered. Jack sat Aster down on the chair adjacent to the couch. Jack sat on the floor by Aster's feet. Eathan sat on the side of the couch farthest from Aster.
Jack started the conversation, "So, what happened between you two?"
Eathan spoke first, "Well, we had an argument and then he punched me to the floor."
Aster raised his hand towards Eathan, "Now waita minute, you said Jack didn't deserve things and that he whored himself around to get what he has!" Aster almost shouted.
Eathan pointed at Aster, "I did not say that!"
Aster crossed his arms, "What did you say then?"
Eathan was quiet for a moment before speaking, "I didn't say he whored himself around. I did say though that I don't think he deserves the things he has."
Aster pointed back at Eathan and in a raised voice, "Then you called him a whore!"
Jack was watching how his siblings and mother were reacting to the situation. They were staring at Eathan, waiting for his response. When none came they looked to Jack. Jack looked to his mother with a distressed expression.
His mother understood what needed to be done and so she looked to Eathan before she spoke, "Eathan, apologize to Jack right now."
Jack nudged Aster's leg, "Apologize to Eathan."
They both grumbled under their breath before they said their apologies. Jack stood and patted Aster's knee before walking in the kitchen to check on the lasagna. Vivian followed Jack into the kitchen.
Jack opened the oven and inspected the homemade meal. After he decided it only needed a few more minutes he turned to face his mother and embraced her. He held back his tears and hugged her tightly. She returned the tight embrace to her hurt son.
Jack spoke choked out his words, "I worked hard for what I have."
She rubbed his back soothingly, "I know, Jack. I know."
Dinner went on silently, the air was thick with strain. When everyone had finished Jack put the plates in the sink and the leftover lasagna in the fridge.
Eathan went to his room with a discontented goodnight to everyone. Jack told everyone to make themselves at home once again, to which Franklin and Vivian sat in the living room and watched TV. Jack, Aster and Jack's mother sat around the kitchen table talking avidly about nothing.
"Miss Warclaw, I don't think I need to find a normal 9-5."
"Aster, please call me Mary. And I think a 9-5 would be good for you."
"Mary, don't feel offended when I say: that sounds like a right bad idea."
Aster went on to say that his painting career is doing well enough to be comfortable. Jack mentioned that he doesn't even have a regular 9-5 job. Although he did have to work tomorrow. Soon the sun had completely gone, and Jack stood from the table and walked to fridge.
He reached above it, and while fumbling for a drink, "You guys want anything to drink?"
"Whattya got, mate?"
Jack hummer before answering, "I have, Jack, Captain, Skyy, some tequila and, this…" Jack pulled out a bottle, "nice bottle of Scotch."
Jack mother asked curiously, "You aren't an alcohol are you Jack?"
Jack laughed, "Oh no, but a drink every now and again doesn't hurt."
Aster smirked, "True. I'll have some Captain and Sprite if ya got any."
Jack nodded and proceeded to pull out the bottle of rum, "Mom, you?"
She thought for a moment, "Tequila would be fine. A small glass though."
Jack nodded again and pulled out the other bottle. He set the two down and pulled out the bottle of scotch for himself. After he poured the drinks he sat back down and they continued talking about random things, laughing often. It was going on ten 'o'clock at night and they had all felt a little more than buzzed. Jack had told Aster to spend the night because he wasn't sure he could walk well enough to get into his apartment. Aster agreed reluctantly, but happily too. His mother had bid them a sweet goodnight and stumbled slightly on the way to her room.
Jack stood, with more balance than his mother and reached down for Aster's hand. Aster took the offered hand and stood, if only to sit back down again. Jack laughed at him. Aster laughed at himself, and attempted to stand once again. Succeeding he leaned heavily on Jack to maintain his balance. Jack helped walk to the living room. He saw that Vivian and Franklin had fallen asleep watching the TV. He smiled and continued the walk into his room with Aster.
HI! I feel as if it's been ages since I updated, But I know it Hasn't Been That long. I Hope you Enjoy this Chapter. Review Please! Reviews are fuel! And to those that have reviewed...THANK YOU!
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