Brother's Run

Chapter 12: Little Ducks.

Warning: Strong Language… Enjoy!

Chapter 12: Little Ducks.

I woke up to a soft faced nurse calling my name gently. "Loni… Loni I'm going to bandage your hand again. Kinda silly, to pull the drip out yourself you know." She took my hand to clean it.

"Thanks captain obvious…" I knew she was only doing her job, but I couldn't help the cold reply. I felt empty and lost, like a hole had been dug inside me. Only emotions of anger, guilt and sadness were left behind.

She simply laughed it off and finished her job. "The doctor should be in soon to discharge you." The kind nurse left with a smile and I felt a small pang of guilt for being rude to her.

I attempted to push the guilt back as I turned my focus to Rory sleeping silently. I threw the warm blankets off my body and bore the cold floors to shuffle over to his bed side. My heart felt heavy with the new burdens that swam through my mind.

Where would we go once discharged? The last thing I wanted to do was go back to the foster home. I knew if I did, I would lose my s**t on that fat prick Jim. The vibrating rage from the thought subsided as I brushed Rory's hair from his face and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Don't worry… I'll figure something out…" I whispered.

I hadn't noticed Rory's eyes peaking open as I thought of our struggles ahead. "L-Loni…" His voice was hoarse and it cracked saying my name. My eyes snapped to his and a rush of relief washed over me for the moment. He was up and it couldn't of felt better seeing those bright blue eyes. Or at least one, I was flipping between rage and guilt the more I looked at my beaten brother's face.

"Rory." I grabbed his gown, resisting the urge to smother him in a hug or bolt to the house to finish what I'd started. The small joy of hearing my brother was washed away by the looming guilt. Tears cascaded down my cheeks as rambles of remorse fell from my mouth. "I'm so sorry Rory, I… I should've come with you. I should've been there… I-I."

His bandaged hand met my face and Rory's shaking fingers brushed the tears from my cheek. "You still saved me." That little fact didn't give me as much comfort as I would've liked. I should've been there.

I resisted the pull of my brother as he tried to console me with a hug, I didn't want to cause any more damage to him and his broken body. "I'll crush you if I hug you now man." I wiped the rest of the fallen tears from my face and tried my best to mask the pained feelings. I have to be strong, I thought, for both Rory and myself. I switched the subject. "So the Doc's going to be in sometimes soon to release me… I'm going to figure something out, Rory. We are not going back there, I swear to you."

Rory gave a small smile. "I know, you always take care of us." Hearing that from my brother's lips made a lump wedge itself in my throat, I was close to breaking down again. The guilt was too much to bare in front of Rory, I had to get up and pace a bit. It was a relief to see the doctor enter the room, but it was soon faded again when I seen the green eyed brothers trailing behind him.

I clenched my teeth trying to hold back the rush of anger, I felt like I couldn't catch a break since meeting the green eyed devil. Nico may have extended a helping hand in times of needs, but knowing that he's dipped his fingers in every corner of the town made me think it wouldn't be a free ride for long. I eyed Nico a little longer than I should've and he caught my look, returning it with one of his smooth classic smiles. My face flushed with anger.

"Alright Mr. Dash. Looks like you'll be able to go home today. So you can go take a hot shower and relax, take care of yourself a bit." He gave me a sympathetic smile and then turned his attention to Rory, "And you young man, you'll be healed in about two month. I want you to stay active, so I'd like to see you up and about if you can today. We'll get you some crutches and in a few more days we should be able to release you as well." The old doctor brought the clipboard down to his side and addressed everyone. "Does anyone have any questions or concerns?"

Everyone shook their heads silently, inside I was happy that Rory was going to do well and nothing serious had happened to him. It would just be a slow sore recovery and I vowed to myself that I would be there through it all.

"Okay, well visiting hours are until eight pm. Take care boys." With that he slipped through the two suited brother's and disappeared. The silence made me shift awkwardly and a buzzing tension filled the small hospital room.

It was Nico that first broke the silence as he walked closer to me. "Well that's all good news. So Rory are you craving anything? I'm sure Loni and I would be happy to grab it for you." He'd slung an arm around me and I was about to push him off of me, when Rory chose to try and sit up. I wanted to rush to his side as his face contorted in pain, but it was Anon that appeared at his bedside in a flash. Nico tightening his grip around my shoulder as I tried to release myself from his grasp, and he kept me rooted to his side.

In Rory's innocence, he accepted the help from the Giant and thanked him. Passing concerned glances my way, it made me feel guilt ridden. He shouldn't have to worry about anything aside from getting better. I had put an extra amount of pressure on him, as he had to conceal himself in the presence of others just to please me. I swallowed my pride and plastered the best fake smile I could. Clearing my throat before I spoke. "Umm… yeah. I'm sure the food here sucks, so what'll it be buddy?" Nico loosened his grip as I agreed with him. I wouldn't really have to go with him to get food, just walk out the door and make it look like we got along. For Rory's sake, I would put up with the creeps.

"Really?" Even through the swollen flesh you could see Rory's face brighten and the tension in the room lifted a bit. "Umm…" His eyes searched the blankets as he searched his mind of what he really craved. Licking his tender lips at the thought of food, his eyes caught mine. "You remember the place Heather took us before we came here, the one that had the funny pictures on the walls and the duck menus?"

I thought back to the moment he spoke of. "Oh yeah, the Five Little Ducks Burger House?" The burgers were loaded there and they made the best tasting poutine we'd - or I'd ever had. My face fell as I thought of the distance, it would take me a while to run there and back. I fidgeted with my hands trying to think of a way I could get down there and back. A cab ride would be far too expensive and I really didn't want to ride with Nico, but maybe it wouldn't be so bad with Anon around… maybe.

Nico reaffirmed his grip around my shoulder. "Alright Rory, we're on it!" Rory's face lit up with a big smile, he looked like a child getting his wish granted. It made my heart swell in joy, he gave me so much happiness with his child like whims.

That's when I remembered, my clothes. "Wait, what happened to my clothes?" I searched the room, my eyes falling on a little cupboard beside my bed. This time I fought Nico's grip, giving him an elbow to his side as he tried to keep me anchored to him. I could feel his presence following me as I walked to the compartment that hopefully held my clothes.

I opened it, nothing. It was completely empty. "What the hell?" I looked over to Rory who was now hidden behind the half closed curtain that separated the two beds.

"Did you find them?" Rory called over.

"No!" I replied, turning back I was met with the amused green eyes of Nico. He really had no sense of personal space and I was now wedged between him and the cupboard. With the curtain hiding anything he may try.

He dropped his voice so only I would be able to hear him and placed a hand on the wooden door behind me. He'd closed the gap even more and I could feel his hot breath gracing my ear as he spoke. It sent a unwanted chill rippling through my body, goosebumps exploding and it was obvious he noticed. "I'm not really sorry about it, but I threw them out. I got to watch as they stripped you at my request, your little hobby of running around made you pretty fit." As he pulled away from me he came out with a toothy grin. "Anyways." His voice was back to normal, "I brought some clothes for you and Rory." He walked over and picked up one of two bags left at the door and held it out for me.

I couldn't believe what I'd just heard, he… he watched me? I felt violated at the statement, Nico may not of physically touched me. Though I wasn't sure if he'd even admit such a thing, I myself still knew very little about him. His eyes though, they had ravished my body, defiled it in my exposed condition and he showed no remorse for it. It added to the already piling hatred I had for Nico, it helped me snap out of my shocked state and snatched the clothes from his hand. With the bag hugged to my chest I darted into the private bathroom close by.

I released a breath I hadn't noticed I was holding and was contemplating if I should even leave the safety of the small room, but I'd fallen into the now obvious trap Nico had set for me. On top of that, I had a wish to fulfill for my brother. After seeing his face so bright, I couldn't honestly deny him now.

Opening the bag, I found an assortment of clothes. He had purchased three tops, two jeans, a bag of new socks and a choice between boxers or boxer briefs. "At least no tighty-whities." I sighed, choosing the plain blue t-shirt and the tight black jeans. Everything fit like a glove and it reinforced the fact he'd eye f****d the crap outta me with those luminous green eyes.

I'd never worn name brand clothes before, the cloth felt softer and lighter than the normal attire I'd grown used to. I never minded that though because they'd always end up getting dirty or torn while running wild in the town. I studied myself in the small bathroom mirror, my dark green eyes scanned my face and wild dark hair. I wasn't looking my best, my face was sunken with worry and lack of proper meals. I attempted to smooth my hair out, but it was a lost cause.

"What am I going to do?" I sighed, turning eyeing the wooden door in hopes it would give me the answer, but all it held on the other side was the arrogant blonde. I was defeated for the moment. I took a deep breath and did my best to put up the best mask I could muster as I opened the door.

"Mmm, everything fits you perfect Loni." I couldn't help but give him a sneered look of disgust, that he returned with a light laugh.

"Hey, let's see Loni." Rory called to me. I came into view with arms wide to show off for him. "Wow, you look really good." He smiled with a double thumbs up, it had me cracking a real smile.

I walked over to him, purposely getting between the mammoth Anon and Rory. "Thanks bud, I'll be back in a bit." I pushed the bit of hair from his face and planted a soft kiss on his cheek, before turning to bear the dreaded ride with Nico.

"Tsk, so touching. Will you ever be so darling with me?" Nico teased and I shot him a death stare while Rory giggled behind me.

"Don't hold your breath." I honestly didn't know how much longer I'd be able to hold back the urge to tell Nico just to f**k right off. As soon as I was close enough to him he slung his arm around me again and locked me to his side, leading us out of the room.

"I'm excited Loni. Our first little date."

My god I can't stand him.