Chapter Title: Waiting for his Brothers
Series Title: Unlikely Brothers
Ages in this chapter: Tanner (31), Dashen (37), River (7)
Chapter Summary: Colton helps River pass the time as they wait for news on an injured Dashen and Tanner.
It was a sight. The grandfather and the grandson. Huddled together on the couch. Worrying and waiting. It was the most heartwarming of family scenes.
Except this pair weren't family. Not blood family. They weren't grandfather and grandson, although easily mistaken. This pair was a tall and broad aging criminal magnate alongside a small, seven year old former slave boy who'd been rescued from that life barely a year ago.
They were opposites in every imaginable way… except one; the reason for their worry and waiting.
The man, Virgil Colton. The boy, River Salvus.
Colton was lounged on his couch, leaning heavily against the back of the impossibly soft furniture. Crafted from the most expensive of fabrics the galaxy could create. Imported from planets far from his own. It was comfortable beyond comfort. The big man had invited the child to sit next to him after River had scuffed out of the nearby bedroom, eyes red and puffy from crying for his brothers. Those brothers that had found him, rescued him, adopted him. Those brothers that had given him a home and a life.
He was waiting for them now. They were the reason for the worry.
In the hospital, critical condition, but under the care of the finest of healers.
To River, those brothers were the only family he'd known. To Colton, those boys were reason for his sanity over the last two decades. They'd managed to squirm their way into his heart from those very first days, and had never relented. To the world at large, they were adopted nephews of sorts. To Virgil Colton, they were the sons - the children - he swore he would never have. Never wanting the burden of attached family - it's what his younger self believed.
Apparently that younger self had been an idiot.
—-
So, this odd pair of Colton and River sat waiting in worry. River had climbed (yes, climbed - the couch was that massive) up and next to Colton. His favorite blanket in one hand, the other hand wiping at his watery eyes. Immediately, Colton wrapped a long arm around the tiny shoulders, curling the boy into the crux of his side.
"Quin or Fen will call when they can, young one. Just because we've not heard anything, that means nothing. Dashen and Tannerlin, they were in bad shape and every bit of the attention of the healers must be on them. Not on us. It's why they asked us to leave."
"I wouldn't get in the way, Colton, I wouldn't."
Colton smiled sadly, feeling the shaking in the small form packed tightly to his side. It was true, the boy wouldn't be in the way. He had a knack for being almost invisible at times. But when the Chief Healer Quin Kalis spoke, she tended to get her way. She didn't quite tell them to get the hell out, but the graveness in her eyes told him they needed to be elsewhere. So he took the boy home to wait and to wonder when the healers would call with news.
River didn't really understand all of that. All he knew was that the only two people who had ever meant anything to him were fighting for their lives and he couldn't be with them.
"I know, River. You are very quiet and you would do whatever the healers asked. However, any distraction, even the smallest, is time taken from their focus on their patients. I guess you couldn't sleep much?"
The slightest shaking of the head is what Colton felt against him. "I kept crying and it was too quiet in there and I didn't want to be by myself. I don't want to be by myself ever again. My brothers can't die, Colton. If they die, I'll be alone again."
"Young one, you are not alone and you will never be alone, no matter what happens. Nyssa and I will look after you until your brothers are well. Dashen and Tannerlin, they are my family and that makes you my family. So, don't worry yourself on that future."
River sniffed into Colton's tunic. "What if they die?"
"Let's not think that way."
"But…"
"Hush, River. Think calm thoughts. Use the breathing that Tannerlin has taught you."
"It does help me."
"He's a good teacher."
"Yeah and the best brother. And Dashen too. Colton, can you do the breathing with me?"
There was a first. Not that Colton hadn't learned a thing or two from Tannerlin over these years. That Force magic stuff, it may be well beyond his grasp and complete understanding, but the breathing thing, it had beenhelpful.
"I will breathe with you."
So, they did. Breathe. In and out. Long, relaxed breaths. Colton figured that the exercise probably went on for an hour. Well, his own breathing did. At some point, the boy breathed himself right into a deep sleep.
Colton sat relaxed, the boy secure in his arms. The big man marveled at his life to this point. Once he'd grown his business into the somewhat criminal-type empire that it had become, he figured that was his life forever. He'd had lady friends that visited multiple evenings a week. He'd had the most trusted of crews. He'd had more wealth and money than he could ever need or spend. Everything he had ever wanted, was literally at his fingertips. In his head, there was no want for anything more.
Until the death of that local boy named Kossi.
The boy that could light up a planet with his smile. Kossi's death destroyed the soul of his older brother. A year later, for reasons unknown, Colton reached out to that older brother, the torn and tattered Dashen Lesedi. The older boy rejected the reach and Colton had tried to forget about him , assuming the streets would eventually eat him up and he would eventually die from a broken heart.
Those things didn't happen and that next year he and the boy crossed paths again (intentional on Colton's part). This time around, he had offered the kid part time work. Colton saw that Dashen was barely surviving, but he also knew how hard the boy tried. How hard he worked. His parents having instilled those traits into him before they'd passed. He was a good kid, but one with absolutely no will to live. Not since the death of that baby brother named Kossi.
—-
It was then out of the blue one day, Dashen showed up on his doorstep with a Jedi kid in tow. Not long after the slaughter of the entire Jedi Order. That kid, Tannerlin Vai. He was kind and good natured, but like Dashen, broken hearted from immense loss. Yet, he in his own misery, had given Dashen someone to care about.
Dashen's list of talents was not a long one. Looking after those he loved was the topper to that abbreviated list. And even after a short time, he'd come to give a care about this Tannerlin kid. So when they'd started running for their lives, to both escape the Empire and prevent the troopers from filling Tannerlin full of blaster holes, Dashen turned to the only person on the planet who seemed to know he existed.
Against his own best judgement and the judgement of his most trusted team members, Colton took the boys in, offering them shelter, food, work, school, protection. His brain told him that it was possibly one of stupidest decisions he'd ever made. His heart told him all things opposite.
That's when they'd become a forever part of his life. They had become his sons. Family that he would fight for and die for. Sure, the big man couldn't explain it. It had all just seemed to happen and he could do nothing to stop it.
Never had Colton wanted a family. At least his conscious self didn't. Apparently, underneath that surface, there was a need he'd not understood, not until those boys.
Now, two decades later, they weren't boys anymore. They were grown men that truth be told, no longer needed him. But they were still his boys. Always would be. And he was so damned proud of them.
Here in the present, they were there fighting for their lives as he sat on a couch comforting yet another child that had managed to sneak into his life. A child sold into slavery by his parents at age four, was rescued from that life by the two that would become his brothers.
They'd apparently completed the family tree at this point. Dashen and Tannerlin had become Colton's sons. River had become that beloved grandson.
A grandson currently terrified that the brothers who had saved and loved him would be dead by morning.
So, Colton was here, on his comfortable couch, holding the child to him, in wait and worry.
—-
How much time passed, Colton couldn't say, but sleep had come and the next thing he remembered was a soft hand on his shoulder. Then gentle lips kissing his head. Nyssa. His wife. His dearest friend since childhood. The love of his life.
"Virgil." She said to him, the only person in the galaxy who could use his first name and live to see the next sunrise.
His blue eyes blinked rapidly and throat cleared away sleep, as he glanced down at the boy still resting at his side. Eyes moved upward to Nyssa. Her beautiful blue-skinned face looked back at him. She smiled warmly.
"Quin called. It's all right. Everything is all right now. Both are stabilized and have been put into induced comas for healing purposes. It's okay, Love. Your boys, they're going to be okay."
To say Virgil Colton cried in relief was an understatement. Nyssa had never heard such a whimper come from him. She lowered her head and lay her cheek against his.
"It's all right now, Virgil. It's all right."
"Ny…" he tried and failed to say her name. Stupidly (he thought) overwhelmed by this sudden emotion.
"Virgil, hush. You need to wake the child to let him know."
Colton hesitated. River was sleeping so deeply, his breaths even and slow, curled against the big man, tucked into his blanket. He shouldn't wake him, but he needed to. Before coming to his new family, River had only known betrayal. Not sharing this news - while it didn't venture into the title of betrayal… there was trust between them. Colton intended to keep it that way.
He nodded to Nyssa, now sitting at River's opposite side, and he squeezed his arm gently against the child.
"River. Young one. Wake up."
River's breathing pattern didn't change. He was warm and protected and there was no reason to come out of those feelings. Colton tried another two times before there was any stirring. There was no indication he was awake until his voice, crusty from such a depth of sleep, came from where his head lay against Colton's chest.
"Did my brothers die?"
It took the greatest of his control and strength to not give in to the same emotions that had overtaken him moments ago. In the process, Colton stole a needy glance over to Nyssa, seeking the strength in her eyes and presence. She smiled warmly and set a gentle hand of encouragement on the nape of her husband's neck.
"No, River.," he finally managed. "It's all okay. The healers saved them. Dashen and Tannerlin, they're going to be okay."
"I can see them then, right?"
"Not yet, but later today, yes. We have to wait for the healers to say when. But the danger has passed."
"Maybe I should sleep more then, so when I see later and I can be strong for them. They might need me to help them when they start to get better."
"They might, yes." There wasn't too much a small child could do physically to help his adult brothers, but his presence alone would help. "And I think it is a good idea that you sleep a little longer. Why don't you get up to stretch a few minutes, use the bathroom, get some water. Then we'll sit together again. Okay?"
With an eager nod, River stood and folded his blanket neatly onto the cushion. It was something he always did with that one possession. Treating it with utmost respect, taking care of what was his.
Yes, this was a good kid, Colton said to himself. The galaxy knew what it was doing when it had brought him into their lives.
"He's a good boy, Virg." Nyssa said to Colton as she leaned in for a close kiss. River had vanished into the hallway bathroom. "And you, yes, maybe you are grandfather material after all. You big softie."
She used the words often said by Dashen when referring to the large man. Under that hard shell exterior was a heart of gold that even he didn't know was there until that time years ago when a broken-souled teenager forced him to see it. Still, Colton would deny that title until his death.
He returned a second kiss to his love. "You've been hanging around Dashen far too long, Ny."
"They are part of your life; part of mine. I'm okay with being a grandparent."
"Sure, until they give you some old-lady title like Nana or Mamy."
"Just keep on talking, Pops. Dig yourself in deeper and deeper. Better get yourself straightened up before River comes back. You promised him you'd sit with him, and those old-man legs of yours are creaking and cracking."
She was right and Colton longed for time alone with his wife. Things had been challenging lately with the job and the life, then this happened with his boys. Time together was much needed. But… it could wait. Those boys of his would always come first. She knew that. She'd married into that. She was grateful to be part of such a family, having never had the same when she was a young girl.
—-
Sure enough, River returned moments later, finding the couch empty. For a second he wondered if Colton had decided to not stay with him. But then he breathed into himself, found his spot on the couch with his blanket and curled up to wait.
Nyssa returned first. Tall and broad like her husband, but dressed in her light blue skin and dark blue hair. She handed a mug to the boy.
"Tannerlin told me that you've been experimenting with different teas. This is my favorite brew. It helps calm me when I'm feeling anxious. It's a little fruity and a little sweet. We can sip together to wait for Colton."
"He's coming back?"
"He is. But his body's not as young as it used to be, so it takes him a bit longer."
"He stayed with me all night."
This was one of the habits River had. Saying the obvious. Perhaps for himself more than anything, but it was always out loud. Dashen had noticed the habit first and rather than correcting it, he just let it go. They figured he'd grow out of it at some point. Until then (or even if he didn't), it made him who he was. Nyssa paid it no mind as she responded.
"He makes a nice pillow, doesn't he?"
River smiled big. "A really nice pillow. Soft and cushiony."
Nyssa laughed. River laughed with her. Colton re-entered the room.
"I assume you're having a laugh about me? Yes, yes, I know. I'm okay with being the fodder for your jokes."
"I told Nyssa that you were a nice pillow, soft and cushiony." River said. Honesty. Another of his traits.
"Well then," Colton lowered himself onto the couch, stretched an arm out to invite the boy back to sleep position and tucking him in once River accepted. "The soft and cushiony pillow has returned."
River giggled as his fingers grasped at his blanket. The blanket that kept his brothers close.
"I like that."
"Close your eyes, young one. I'll wake you when it's time to go."
With a warm sigh, River clutched a hand over Colton's stomach, keeping extra connection until he could be with his brothers again. Now the worry and waiting wasn't so difficult. He was here with part of his family. The family that loved him.
"I love you, Colton. Thank you for being with me." River said as his eyes shuttered closed.
From a short distance away, Nyssa mouthed the word 'grandpa' as her coy eyes flicked his direction. In turn, he promised revenge on her, while at the same time, keeping his attention focused on the secured compact bundle at his side.
"I am glad you're with me too, River. As your brothers would say in their own distinct way, love you back."
Colton frowned. That saying, it's was weird coming from his lips. He hadn't often told his boys or anyone for that matter (save Nyssa) that he loved them in those exact words Though he did, love them. But repeating their words - the exchange that began during Dashen's days with Kossi and continued on - the words "love you back" just didn't fit his reputation as this fierce, alluring, criminal tycoon type.
Still, if it gave comfort to the child while waiting and worrying on the health and safety of his only true family…
Naturally, Nyssa passed him a look and promised to laugh at him later. Colton glowered at her with River now passed out in his arms.
"Doesn't appear I am going anywhere soon."
"Big softie." Her repeated words from earlier, they were starting to stick.
"If word of this gets around, Ny, I swear…"
"Oh, calm your blond head, Virgil. You are what you are depending on the circumstance and those involved in that circumstance. Be proud of what you've become. As a kid, you had these dreams and these ideas of what a successful life would be. Even though you came from a solid family, you were determined to not let a family of your own slow you down from achievement. Success. Wealth. And you found those things. But somewhere inside there was this longing for a family you'd never wanted to have. Then it happened. No, not the traditional family. You created something much more. Between your dedicated crew who would lay down their lives for you. Those boys that smashed your supposedly hardened heart into tiny mushy pieces. This child that wormed his way into your soul. Me, who has loved you since we learned the definition of the word. You may think you are one thing Virgil, and you are… that. But you are so much more. I've heard you tell Dashen the same over the years. Always encouraging him to think more of himself. Take your own advice, darling. Love this side of yourself, because the rest of us certainly do."
With head back and eyes closing, Colton gave an understanding nod.
"Ny. Thank you. I get it." River squirmed slightly in his arms, clutching a bit tighter to Colton's side. The big man blinked hard to shuffle back a touch of threatening emotion.
"Yeah, I get it." He repeated, contentedly. "I do."
—-
Visiting the hospital, the time they were given was short. The healers still holding the brothers in suspended comas as their bodies began the slow healing process.
River bolted to them one by one and wrapped careful arms around their necks. He told them how much he loved them and how he'd been crying for them. But he also said that Colton and Nyssa were giving him the best care, that they loved him and were watching over him.
Before leaving, he returned to Dashen first. He kissed his oldest brother's forehead, then set their temples together. "I love you, Dashen."
Next he was over to Tanner doing the same, though there was a moment of longer lingering. Colton figured it was the boy trying to reach out his brother through their newly developing Force bond. There was no visible sign of any connection there so River then repeated the same goodbye as he did with Dashen.
Healer Quin stepped into the room and motioned a hand at Colton. Time to go.
Colton moved to the River's side and set a large hand on his shoulder.
"River. They need to heal. Let's get home, have a meal, maybe you can get some studies done for when Tannerlin is better."
River hadn't been put into a formal school yet. The consensus was to keep up the home lessons (since Tanner was a teacher) until he was at a level able to be maintained once in a classroom. They boy had come into their lives unable to read, but ready to learn. It wouldn't take him long to catch up to his age-mates in most areas. The family all had agreed that it was best to let the boy fully acclimate to the entirety of his new life before tossing him into the guar-dog den. To an outsider, eleven months might seem like time enough to make that adjustment; to those closest to him, they knew better. River had made giant strides however though with reading and strength of subject matter. Certainly, he wasn't going to be a mechanic or a mathematician. Those were beyond his grasp and Tanner guessed they probably would remain so. Average at most.
So far, his strengths seem to hover in the writing and arts type categories. The kid loved to read, he inhaled information much in the way Tanner did. But he also had this imaginative mind that was creative in ways that neither Dashen or Tanner would ever approach. Strangely enough, he also had a knack for the medical field. No, he'd not be galaxy-star healer, he did have an interest and curiosity for all things medicine-related. Probably from living many of his daytime hours with Healer Fen. Questions were asked, she would answer them, and he absorbed it all.
Would he be a full-on healer one day? No. But assisting may not be out of the realm of thinking.
"I have some studies he gave me before he got hurt," River finally responded to Colton, snuggling close to the man while eyes remained on his bed-ridden brothers.
"That's good. He'll be proud that you kept up your studies. We'll come back tomorrow."
Before they turned to leave, Fen walked into the room. "River."
His blue eyes lit up like a rocket at the site of one of his favorite people. He hurried to the healer for a warm hug.
"I have something for you," she said, releasing him and handing him a memory chip. "This my report on the injuries your brother's suffered. It's not to upset you, but I want you to understand what's happened and since you have an interest in learning more about healing, it's an opportunity to see how a medical report is put together. One never knows," she grinned, "I may need your help one day with writing my reports."
Combing his love for writing with his curiosity about medical things, Fen was a smart lady and knew her charge.
"So you look at this in the next couple of days and ask me any questions. But what's the rule on questions?"
River chewed on his lip for a brief second before responding. "Ask my questions to myself first. Don't see somethin' confusing and wait for someone else to explain it. Read it, research it, understand it as best I can. And then if I still can't answer the question, I come to you."
"You will make a fine student one day, young man, in whatever field you choose. We will take good care of your brothers, don't worry. Go on with Colton now. Tomorrow will be a better day."
"Thank you, Fen. I love you." He forged in for another fast hug.
"I love you too, River. Now, off you go. I've got other patients to see."
With a bit of new found energy, River walked tall from the room. The medical chip set safely in his waist belt, buttoned down tight, just like Dashen taught him. The things that mean the most, keep them close.
—-
River's evening was filled with studies. Colton had him work on his own lessons prior to the medical report from Fen. Best to not be distracted by emotion.
"Colton, I'm all caught up." River said as he climbed onto the kitchen bar stool. Literally, he had to climb up the thing. "I can read the chip that Fen gave me, right?"
"Dinner first. Nyssa is cooking one of her weird bantha bacon dishes. You'll like it. Everyone likes it."
"But then why is it weird?"
"Always with the pesky questions." Colton smiled. "It's weird because there are some other ingredients she uses but won't tell me about, and she sings to it as it cooks."
There came one of River's famous giggles. It was a wonderfully happy sound. "She sings to her food. She as a nice singin' voice."
"You're a suck up, just like your brothers."
Another giggle. Never a giggler himself, Colton found he actually enjoyed the sound. He recalled Tannerlin when he was a boy, had that same need for laughter when the moment called.
"Here, Nyssa made you a cup of of tea."
"Is she here yet?"
"On her way. She had to wrap up a few things with work."
As if on queue, the lofty blue-skinned woman strolled in, set a quick kiss on River's head and started on her meal creation.
"Can you teach me to cook, Nyssa?" There was a question out of nowhere. The only culinary talent ever to set foot in Colton's estate were Tannerlin and Nyssa. Dashen couldn't cook his way out of the sewer and Colton had always been too busy or preoccupied to worry about making his own meals. Could this be the beginning of the newest chef in the family?
"I'd love nothing more, Kajee."
Kajee. River blushed at the term of affection. In Nyssa's native language it was a word often used for a young child, a loved one. Nyssa had begun using a number of months ago. Once she saw how he warmed to it, the term stuck.
"For tonight, you just watch. We'll set aside time for actual lessons soon enough."
"I like that."
He watched. She cooked. The meal was incredibly delicious. River even had seconds, and he wasn't known for his sizable appetite. After, he took his data pad and the medi-chip, looking awfully small at the expansive desk that was the living area's workspace. But, to help his focus, lesson time was always to be at a desk if possible. Tannerlin had impressed that upon him, telling him to ignore Dashen's method of studying while lounging on your back in bed.
Colton took a com from Quin. Leaving work after the longest of days, she assured once more than his boys would make a full recovery. That they were still in induced comas and would be until tomorrow midday. Bring the boy by in the evening. They'd be awake by then.
River struggled reading the medical report on his brothers. So many of the words were beyond his pronunciation and understanding. Though his reading skills had improved immensely in recent months, much of the terminology was challenging. More than anything, these words of horrible injuries, they were about the two people he cared most about in the galaxy. It was difficult to know that all these things had happened to them, that they could have died, that they were in such pain.
Some tears trailed his face, he wiped them away and kept reading until the end. Then he read it again. A third time followed. He had questions after that. Questions he'd asked himself, researched about, but still could not answer. From their cuddled place on the couch, Colton and Nyssa waited him out. Not so much to teach him patience, the boy had plenty of that, it was more to let him absorb the facts, his feelings, and everything between.
When he did eventually make his way over to them, it wasn't to ask for help or to ask questions. It was simply to rest.
"Colton, m'tired now. I don't understand so much of the report. A lot of the words are really hard. Can I sit with you and Nyssa?" The ask was shy and polite. He'd seen them spending close time together while he studied so he didn't want to intrude. Exhaustion though pressed hard on him. The hospital visit, the studies, the meal, the medical report… the wait and worry. He was seven. His mind and soul weren't equipped for so much in a short time. He needed a break.
Neither Colton or Nyssa questioned him, they only moved apart and invited him between them. This time, River curled up against Nyssa.
"You can sit with us always, Kajee. How do you feel?" The question wasn't in regards to his review of the medical report and River knew that. It was for something different. Stress after all, was known to aggravate the boy's Claret's affliction.
Small shoulders shrugged against Nyssa's side. "A little bad. Headache and tingles in my arms." Normal early symptoms and it explained why he was huddled up to Nyssa rather than Colton. A little boy needing that motherly draw when he felt unwell. His birth mother had sold him into slavery, so the fact that he still trusted mother-type figures like Nyssa and Fen, it was a big deal. "Just rest, young one. You let me know if it gets worse."
The symptoms didn't progress much, River woke late the next morning. No longer in Nyssa's hold, he was tucked with his blanket into several pillows. Colton had work that took him out of the estate. Nyssa's work was also busy, though it was conducted by com. River watched her work from his snug area of the couch, careful to not interrupt. He felt sort of okay with a headache still of annoyance. Eventually he did get up and shuffle into the largest of the bathrooms. A bath sounded nice and felt even better. Colton had the market cornered on comfort when it came to pretty much anything, bathing tubs included. River figured he could get lost in the tub, it was so gigantic. In fact he was in there so long, Nyssa slid the door partway open to check.
"M'okay, Nyssa." River said from one end of the expansive tub. "The hot water feels so nice. I can stay in longer, right?"
"Certainly. I'm about to step into a meeting with some of Colton's team in his office."
"Okay, I won't make any noise."
Nyssa smiled and set his clean clothes on the nearby counter. "For after your bath."
"Oh, I forgot those didn't I?" In his need to feel better, he'd left his clean clothes elsewhere. "Thank you."
—-
Clean all over, River felt better because he was better by the time early evening rolled around. He'd kept himself busy with studies and holo-vids, but with every second that passed, he missed his brothers more and more. Seven-year-old legs bouncing on their heels was a pleasant sight as he and Colton made their way through the hospital halls to the room that held both Dashen and Tanner.
They looked worse for the wear. Actually, Colton thought to himself, they looked like hell. But he'd keep that suggestion inside his head. The boy didn't need to hear that type of blunt honesty when all he wanted to do was hug his brothers as hard as he possibly could.
Quin had given them the all clear for physical contact, within reason.
"Go see them, kid," Colton said. "Just be careful. They've got a lot of healing to do. Don't want to… ouch!"
River landed with a thud against Dashen. Well, he more slammed himself into the bed than into his oldest brother, it still looked painful.
"Dashen! I was so worried and tried not to worry so much, but I was worried anyway, and then I remembered what you told me about worrying so much that it made you sick and so I stopped worry…"
Dashen, semi-propped up on the hospital bed, reached his hands up to set on either side of River's face. "Easy there, Pup. You sound like me. No worrying, just hugs okay?"
Didn't need to tell him twice. Not more than six months ago, River was still on the fence about regular physical contact. It had taken him time to understand that the beatings inflicted on him as a child-slave were not the norm for a boy his age. Once he discovered the intense warmth of a brother-hug, it was all over. Dashen invited him in, and he wrapped his arms tight around his biggest brother.
"I missed you so much." River wiped his eyes on Dashen's hospital tunic.
"I would have missed you that much too if Quin hadn't forced fed sleep into us. Since I woke up though, it's all I thought about. You. And Tanner, but he was okay too. You need go see him. He's still a little groggy so be careful."
"He got hit in the head, right? Fen let me read the report and I read it three times to understand better, but I had trouble with a lot of the words."
"He did hit his head. Be careful around his neck."
With delicate steps, River made his way across the room to see his youngest-older brother. Tanner's eyes worked to adjust to the light in the room. Colton, from a distance, caught it and lowered the brightness a few notches - always looking out for his boys.
"River." Tanner grinned tiredly, also partially propped in the bed. "I felt you coming. Did you reach out for me?" Within the Force, he meant. Their bond was early and subtle, but there.
River nodded yes. "I didn't know if I should do that or not, it didn't hurt, right?"
"No, it didn't. It felt very soft and comfortable."
"Dashen said you hurt so I need to be careful, but I want to hug you."
"Bring it in!"
In much a repeat of the scene with Dashen, River clamped onto his other big brother (just a little less ferociously) never wanting to let go. He did, eventually. Reluctantly.
"Hey Riv, did Colton and Nyssa take good care of you?" Tanner asked once he'd been released from the oddly powerful hold of the petite seven year old.
"Yup. It was great. Well, you and Dashen weren't there, but Colton is soft and cushiony like a giant pillow."
From behind, Dashen choked under his breath. "Now that's funny, hey, Colt?"
"Because you are an adult and in a hospital bed," Colton growled from the doorway, "does not mean you are safe from idiocy, Dashen."
"True, but River said you were soft and cushiony. It's the total opposite of what you've sought as your reputation for years. I think it's hilarious."
"I'd smack you on your head if Quin wouldn't drag me out by my nose hairs right after. Consider yourself lucky. Once an idiot…"
"Always. Yeah, yeah, always an idiot. We love you too, Colt."
Head of a criminal empire for decades, all he could manage here was huff and groan a response. Dashen enjoyed every second of it.
—-
River's visit extended into a second hour. Several times, Quin came in and was about to call it a night, then she'd see the child curled up with one of his brothers each time. It was a scene that even an advanced-aged, hard-edged healer didn't have the heart to break up. Yet.
He was tucked into Tanner's side when she came in for the third time, clearing her throat and offering a pursed look to the former Jedi. Tanner nodded in understanding, setting a hand on his little brother's dark hair.
"Hey, Riv. Time to go."
The boy lifted his head, blue eyes weary. The aches were back. Head. Body. Legs. The Claret's sometimes gave him fits at the worst time. Tanner sensed the change.
"Go home and rest, feel better and come see us tomorrow."
River pushed himself off the bed. "Sometimes, I wish I didn't have this bad sickness."
"We wish you didn't either, little brother. But we're all dealt our challenges. It'll make you stronger. Right now, it's annoying and you hate feeling so badly, but at least you're not in a horribly uncomfortable hospital bed."
"Yeah, I get to sleep on Colton's 'spensive couch." A huge broad smile crossed River's face.
"Hey, wait a damn minute!" That was Dashen. Having been banned from the galaxy's most comfortable couch over forty-seven times in his life, he had a bone to pick with this. "You used to threaten to cut my ears off and feed them to the local swamp rats if I so much as breathed wrong on your precious couch. You've changed old have changed."
"Nyssa said Colton was a big softie." River said slyly. Starting to find ways to filter himself into some of the family jokes.
Colton glared at the trio. "Errrrr. Great, a third generation of idiots. Dashen, keep your lips shut. River, this time I'll take a holo of you on the couch and we'll send it to your brother just to annoy him. I do find my fun in all things annoying when it comes to your eldest sibling. Come, young one."
Movements were a little sluggish, the headache having worsened that quickly, it couldn't stop the boy from saying a proper goodbye to his brothers.
"Goodnight, Tanner. Get better, okay? I love you."
"Love you back, Riv."
Then over to Dashen. "Goodnight, Dash. You get better too. I love you."
"Love you back, Pup. Be good for Colton and say hi to the couch for me."
A light giggle and River wandered over to Colton's outstretched hand. Colton had watched the entire goodbye scene silently marveling at the ease with which these three got along and accepted each other. Each of them so very different, but so very alike. It still confused him how all of this was part of his life. Never expected. Never intended. Never imagined.
His life prior to his boys hadn't had much in the way of wait and worry. More than two decades later, looking back, there had been plenty of that to go around once they'd become part of him. And now with the little one added to the fray. This was the section of his life that was so drastically different than he could ever have imagined.
With a thoughtful look, he said, "It's good to see you boys awake. When we first heard, we feared the worst. Best of hands here with Quin and Fen though. So, keep getting better, because if you do decide to die, I promise that I will kill you both."
"Colt, you do know that makes absolutely no sense."
"Dashen, accept it as the threat that it is and obey. Good?"
"Eh, all right."
"Night, Colt." Tanner said from his bed before tucking onto his side for the night.
Dashen chimed in, "Yeah, nighty, night, old man."
"Dash, leave him be. Remember he's River's pillow for the night. Soft and cushiony."
"Oh right. The big softie that he is."
"Okay, enough," Colton put a foot down as River took his hand. "I swear, you two." Then he softened. "My boys. My idiots. Tomorrow. Nyssa and I will take good care of the kid."
Colton took River home. They spent another sound night of sleeping on the couch. Nyssa returned the following day. Dashen and Tannerlin the day after. Orders from healers were for the pair to take it slow and easy for the upcoming week, the next two days of which were to be spent at Colton's estate. No stairs. Nothing crazy. After that, they could head back to their own house and the week after, work back into regular routine. Their near miss at death due to the sudden explosion of a nearby freighter still echoing in their minds. Not to mention the persistent ringing in their ears - which was not as pronounced at this point but still a pesky reminder of the almost. That would get better. Everything would get better. Just needed time.
River did his best to look after his brothers once they came home. He got them tea and make sure they had easy access to their data pads. The capabilities of a short seven year old were measured of course, yet he tried hard and worked hard. Two things that those brothers had already instilled in him - that, and love of family.
That love had been on display the entirety of this latest adventure. Between River and his sort-of-grandparents, Colton and Nyssa. Between Colton and his boys, Dashen and Tannerlin. Between River and his brothers.
—-
"Is it bad to think that I am happy that my parents sold me when I was four?"
That was the question the boy asked a few days after the trio returned home.
Happy? To have been sold by his birth parents to slavers? It was the stretch of all stretches and Tanner stopped Dashen from a non-thinking, blunt response before he said something he might regret.
"Dash, stop. Think about it from River's point of view. From a young child's point of view. I mean, really think about it."
To his credit, Dashen did. Even closed his eyes and breathed deep for a minute. Allowing his mind to wrap around the entirety of River's question, the events surrounding it and the events in these last couple weeks.
"I got it. I get it. His view is a thousand times varied from ours." Dashen came to sit next to his youngest of brothers. Many years separated them in age and experience… but perhaps…perhaps River could be the wisest of them all.
"Is happy the right word, Pup? The right emotion? You and I may always see that differently, and that's okay. Tanner too. You see happy because everything that happened to you, led to this. It led you to us. You can see past the past in some ways. That's more challenging for Tanner and me, but that doesn't make it wrong. It's probably a healthier way to live to be honest."
"So, it's okay, right?" Blue eyes almost pleaded.
Dashen reached down and kissed the boy's head. "Yeah, it's okay."
"I like that."
"Yeah, I knew you would. Thanks for looking after us."
Tanner sat down on his other side, "And for keeping up your studies and taking care of yourself too. Colton said your Claret's kicked up some when we were in the hospital. You did all right though."
"Sometimes," River started, chewing on his lip as he leaned against Dashen, "Sometimes when it's not too bad the breathin' exercises you taught me help. But I was really scared. I didn't know what happened if you died. Colton told me not to be scared about that, he said that he and Nyssa would look after me."
Tanner confirmed with, "They would. We've had that discussion. This family leaves no one behind, no matter what. Every one of us that surrounds Colton has a complicated past and… at one point, an uncertain future. Even Sydenious."
Young blue eyes expanded to twice their size, River couldn't believe Tanner had just said that. Syndenious Greyer was gigantic and grumpy and like huge tall dark scary tree… that was how River once described him. It's just who the man was.
"Really? He doesn't talk to me much, mostly just grunts."
Dashen laughed. "Welcome to the club, Pup. Sy is one of the galaxy's most impressive grunters. I will say though that under that exterior, he's a good man. I never thought so when I was your age, well, and he never really liked me much - there was that. We figured each other out. His past is one of those you'd never believe if you heard it. One day we'll tell you the story, but just know that everyone in this crew - we get each other. Tanner's right. We're all alike in that way. I think it helps us get along better. And it all means, don't ever fear for the future if something were to happen to us. You will be well protected."
"Yeah, but…" River settled back in to his comfortable spot next to Dashen. "Don't die, okay? I mean, not right now. Or soon."
Tanner reached over to ruffle the dark hair. "We'll do our best not to, Riv."
"Okay. Can we stay up and watch a holo-film tonight? M'not tired yet."
Liar, Dashen thought. The kid's eyes had been half-staff since an hour ago. He let him have it though. Who was he to deny the boy access to his two favorite brothers that almost died?
With a flick of the hand, Tanner floated the holo-monitor control to his hand.
"Show off." Dashen couldn't resist the crack. Teasing his little brother about his Jedi skills never seemed to get old, even when the crack was followed by a pillow slamming into his skull. "Damn Jedi."
"M'gonna be able to do that one day, right?" That was River asking Tanner. Dashen just rolled his eyes.
"Maybe. It'll take lots of practice."
"I'm good at practice. Right now I can only throw stuff at Dashen with my hands."
"Okay, really? Teaming up on me? Little brothers are so annoying," Dashen pushed his black hair our of his face before crossing his arms around River and pinning his hands to his chest. "Try and get away from that, you pesky little pup." A false evil laugh followed.
After a few seconds of thought, River giggled and snuggled into the mock hold. Now he had a hold of Dashen.
"Damn it! Tanner taught you that."
"He did. Now you have to hug me all night."
"Well, that's not too horrible a punishment. That means Tanner is picking the holo-film though. And you know what happens when he gets first pick…"
"Oh no!"
"Oh yes."
"But he likes boring and complicated."
"And that makes us think way too much, right? So, what do you think we outta do, Pup?"
"Hmmm." River's face was hmmm'd in thought. Lips pursued together, eyebrows pressed down. "Maybe we need to…" A glance up at Dashen and their minds clicked as one.
In unison, they said, "Tackle him!"
And so they did. Launching themselves as one toward the middle brother, landing on top of him, falling onto the floor and wrestling until anyone but Tanner had control of the remote. Dashen laughed hysterically thinking that if Healer Quin saw them now, she'd lecture them for the next month.
But as much as physical recovery was good for the body, emotional recovery was good for the soul. There was nothing else in the galaxy that Dashen enjoyed more than being with these two that were his brothers. He and Tanner had had many a wrestling match over various things in their lives. Simply because they were well-established adults now didn't mean that had to change, especially with the kid around. After all, he did need to know the ways of the family so he could pass them along to his own kids one day. Because more than anything, Dashen and Tanner knew that River was destined to have a family of his own. A wife. Kids. A home. The boy was drawn to that, they could see it every time they ventured past a family in the streets or when Kishel (Sydenious's daugher) spoke of her little ones. So, giving the kid good memories, that was the way to go. And that meant wrestling for control of the choosing of the holo-film. It had almost become a right of passage in this family. River had yet to decide which team he was on, his tastes ran every which way. He did know that certain times called for certain films. And right now was not the time for one of Tanner's think-until-your-brain-hurts types.
"I give, I give!" Tanner finally said, raising his arms in surrender as he lay on his back, long brown hair mussed and disheveled, and the pile that was Dashen and River falling off of him. They were all out of breath and it felt so amazing. "Quin's gonna kill us for that, Dash. At least I can tell her it's your fault. Well, no need to actually tell her, she'll know."
"Eh, we'll live. River has claimed control." Dashen set the remote in the boy's hand. "Have at it, Pup. You've earned the pick."
A proud smile on his face, River stood and pointed the small metal clicker at the monitor, selecting something he knew that both of his brothers would love. Exploding Banthas. Tanner had first seen it (against his will) when he was eleven. That adventure had become such a memorable time in their lives, that the boys made it an annual event to watch it once a year and fill themselves with junk food in the process.
Both Dashen and Tanner smiled as the opening scene popped up on the monitor, they got up and sat on the couch.
"Now this is a holo! Nice pick, Pup. Pause it though. I'll get the junk food. Tanner, get the extra pillows. River, find your middle spot on the couch. It's exploding bantha time!"
"This film is so disgusting." Tanner had to chime in.
"Yeah, you love it, Mouse. You won't admit it. You never have, but I know you and your sneaky ways. The more junk food you eat, the more you enjoy something because you forget about how much you hate it."
"Dash, you're an idiot."
"Tell me something I don't know."
Junk food in hand. Extra pillows at the ready. River sitting exactly in the perfect center of the couch. Dashen to his left. Tanner to his right. It was the most prefect of evenings. One that a formerly broken soul, a former Jedi-orphan, and a seven year old former slave kid could share in common.
There was no more wait and worry. At least not for tonight.
With the knowledge of the love and protection that surrounded them outside the house, paired with the love and family inside the house, this evening of relaxed downtime, eating bad things, and watching ridiculous holos… it was perhaps the most contented these three unlikely brothers had ever been.
END
