The sorry bolcrane is grinning, alcohol coming off of him, “How dare you,” I hiss. He frowns “How dare I? He’s my son,”
“And my nephew, leave,” I point to his trashy blue car. Anger boiling. He snickers “Jake! Jake ’s your-” I put a hand over his mouth “Don’t you dare say his name, you disgustin’-” he walks past me and slaps my hand away “Oh shut it Prince,” he snarls. I growl and push back to the door.
His eyes go wide then he nods his head “I will have my son,” I give a harsh laugh “Over my blasted body Brown,” he flicks me off and stumbles. Leaving. I slam the door and slide down it. I put my head in my hands. My hands shaking from the adrenaline rush. I hear Owen say my name from upstairs.
“You can come down,” I say, suddenly tired. I see Owen come down the stairs with Jake in his arms, “Everything alright?” Owen says lightly.
“No...yes….maybe...no blasted clue,” This time Jake speaks up, “Was it Dad…” His voice soft as he looks at me.
“He is not your father,” I snarl, “But yes,” Jake nods as he puts his head on Owen’s shoulder.
“Sorry,” I say softly as I get up and walk upstairs. I sit in my study and sigh deeply. After a little while I hear a knock on my door.
“In,” I say over my arm. I hear the door open, “You okay?”
“Dunno,” I put my arm over my eyes. I hear footsteps come closer, “Want to talk about it?”
“The guy is a drunken bolcrane who goes to strip clubs,” I hear Owen hum, still getting closer.
“I don’t see what Autumn seen in him, the sorry litched bolcrane,” I huff and move my arm to look at Owen and sit up. I see Owen in front of me, crouching down to my height. He rubs my head, “It’s alright,” He says softly.
“Is it? He’ll be back, worse, maybe a girl on his arm,” His hand moves down to my cheek, “It is, you know why? Because Jake is happy to be here with you, and I think he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here,” I lean into his hand.
“I guess,” He thumbs my cheek, “Why are you guessing? What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“‘Cause I don’t know, I write books, that’s it,” He takes my face in his hands, “Liam, I can’t tell you how much Jake adores you. You are more than just a guy who writes books. You are a kind person, a guardian, a hero, guide, role model and many more. I can’t tell you how much Jake was talking about you when you were gone for two months, he absolutely loves you,” I smile softly, “Wow, and we’ve only met for how many days?” Owen laughs lightly, I love that laugh, “I don’t even know at this point,”
I smile and kiss his nose. Owen laughs more, a smile set on his face as he gives me a quick kiss, smiling at me.
I chuckle and put him on the couch so he’s straddling me, making him chuckle as he looks down at me.
“You’re taller,” He smiles, “I am, aren’t I?” I nod “Yep, but I dunno….I like you short,” I tease. He shakes his head, “Really?”
“I mean, who doesn’t love a pocket-sized human. It’s kinda cute,”
“I’m not that short to be a pocket-sized human,” I kiss his neck, “Hmmm, you sure?” He nods, “Yes, I’m very sure,” I bite his ear “Very sure huh?”
“Mhm, positive,” He says softly as he puts his arms around my neck.
“What did you do with Jake?”
“He’s in his room, I made sure he was alright first and that we could possibly, maybe, go out for ice cream to cheer him up. Only if it’s okay with you,”
“Perfect,” I say softly as I lick his neck. He shivers and I hold his waist.
“It’s illegal to taste like that,” I bite his neck softly. He hums as he head dips forward a little. I bite down his neck then lick up slowly. He lets out a soft mo_an, I smile and move back to see his face.
“If only you could sound like that all the time,” He puts a hand over his face as it turns a light pink, looking away. I chuckle and kiss his jaw “I would go further, however,” I look at the door then at him “Maybe someday when he’s not here, or…” I tilt my head “I would at your place, so many choicesss,” He hits my shoulder lightly, “Liam,” He looks at me embarrassed.
I chuckle “Aw, no stutter,” I tease and crawl my hands up. He shudders at the contact. I kiss his collarbone “You’re no fun,” I try to sound disappointed.
“Sorry to ruin your time then,” He sounds sad, but I can hear a bit of playfulness in his voice. I lean forward, making him go backward on the couch “You should be,” I bury my face in his neck.
“And what do you want me to do to make up for that?” I hum “Dunno, what can you do?” I pull back and raise my eyebrows. He cups my face in his hands, pulling me down and giving me a kiss. He pulls back, looking up at me. I chuckle and pull him back, kissing him deeply. He smiles as we kiss. I pull away as I hear a door open, “Uh oh,” I see Jake, “Owey, when are we getting ice-” He looks at us, eyes wide, “I’ll… ask when you’re not busy,” He closes the door.
I snort and try not to laugh “Oh goodness,” Owen covers his face as he laughs, “Oh my,” I sigh softly and get up, “Gotta love that kid, I mean,” I chuckle and shake my head. Owen laughs as he sits up, “Definitely,” I walk to the door and look at him “You good?” He nods, “Yeah, let’s go buy some ice cream,” He gets up, running a hand through his hair. Goodness. I shake my head. Nope not doin’ it, shut up, open the door. I open the door and find Jake sitting outside, “Ah, so you’re free now,”
I laugh and nod, “Yeah man, I’m free, let’s get that ice cream yeah?” Jake nods as he stands up, “Yeah!”
I chuckle and put a hand on his head “And bud?” I look back as we go down the stairs. He looks up at me, “Yeah?”
“No one knows ‘bout what ya’ saw, got it?” Jake nods, “Got it,” He chirps, heading down the rest of the stairs. Owen comes down a little later. I raise an eyebrow “You alright?” He nods, “Yup, I’m ready to get ice cream,” I nod and unlock the door “After you guys then,” Jake runs out as Owen say a quick thanks as he follows Jake. I shut the door and lock it as I make it to the truck and unlock the doors.
When we get there I got a cookie dough cup, while Jake got chocolate ice cream and Owen got strawberry with a waffle cone. I give a little wiggle as I eat my ice cream. Cookie Dough man, Cookie Dough. Owen laughs at me as he continues to eat his ice cream.
“I can’t believe you like strawberries,” I cringe as I eat. He shakes his head, “It’s good, leave my flavor alone,” He keeps eating the ice cream.
“Oh whatever, it’s not your flavor you didn’t make it,” He looks at me blankly, “Leave my flavor of choice alone, it’s really good in my opinion,” I hum as I give another wiggle as I eat, “You’re missin’ out on Cookie Dough,” Cookie Dough, Cookie Dough, Cookie Dough, I think I had too much. Jake laughs at us as he continues to eat his own icecream. I feel a hand on my wrist, making me look back seeing Owen take a bite out of my ice cream. He pulls back, a smile on his face, “It is pretty good,” The blasted bolcrane took some of my ice cream. Whaaaaaaaaaaaa, so not cool.
“You did not just do that,” Owen laughs, “You were saying I was missing out on some Cookie Dough,” But you TOOK MY FUDGEN COOKIE DOUGH, who DOES that?!
“But you took my cookie dough,” I say sadly. He is so lucky I don’t like strawberries. Owen shrugs as he licks his ice cream, “I’m sorry for your loss of ice cream,” Jake laughs, looking at us. MY ICE CREAM, I don’t care if I’m going to seem like a weirdo but I’m about to freakin’ cry right now.
“My ice cream,” I say softly as I look at the rest. I feel a hand on my shoulder, “I’m sorry I ate some of your ice cream,” He says lightly. I feel a smile across my face as I do the dumbest thing. I fling my ice cream at him. He stands still, slowly raising his hand to where I hit. I snort and laugh as I stand up quickly and find a place to hide.
“Liam!” I hear my name being shouted. I laugh, uh oh, time to run. I look at him and smile “Hi!” I turn, “Bye!” I run toward the truck. I hurry to the truck and jump in the bed and lay flat going in my You can’t see me phase. Ninja. I nearly crack myself up as I eat my ice cream. After a little while I hear Jake, “Uncle?” I close my eyes.
Ninja, ninja, ninja. “Uncle?” Jake says a little louder. Ninja Uncle. I chuckle then put a hand over my mouth. I feel a glare on me, “Hey there Liam,” Just as he said that I feel something cold hit me.
Ice cream Ninja. I question myself as I burst out laughing, “H… hi,” I look at Owen as he flicks Ice cream at me again, hitting me on my forehead. Owen snorts and starts to laugh; a full, genuine laugh.
I laugh and grin as I wipe the ice-cream off me “I love your laugh,” I hear Jake laugh with Owen as he tries to calm down.
“I didn't think I would hit you on your face,”
“that was nice,” Owen sighs, “Sorry,”
“for?” I sit up and run a hand through my hair “you didn't do anything wrong,”
“You still have Ice cream on your face,” He chuckles, wiping my forehead with his thumb. I grab his hand and lick his thumb. He just looks at me, baffled, “I thought you didn’t like strawberry?” I shrug “You make it taste good,”
I lick him thumb again and cringe softly. He laughs lightly, “You obviously don’t like it,”
“You’re right, I don’t,”
“So why did you try it?” I shrug and get out of the bed. I pat Jake on the head and smile. Jake smiles back up at me, chocolate on his face. I chuckle and lick my thumb, rubbing his face. He cringes as I do that, “Ew,” He tries to move away.
“Oh stop it, either my thumb or I lick your face,” He cringes and stands still, a grim look on his face. Owen chuckles at us. I clean his face then nod “There,” Jake rubs his face with his sleeve as Owen ruffles his hair.
I raise an eyebrow and scoop him up, kissing all over his face. Jake giggles as he tries to get away, “Uncle!” I chuckle “My love, you shall take my love!” Jake giggles more as Owen leans on the truck, laughing at the scene I’m making. I chuckle as I put him down and sigh softly. If only it could be like this all the time….I look at the sky and narrow my eyes. Why?The wind blows softly, making my hair get in my eyes.
I look down and see Owen laughing with Jake as he fixes his hair. I smile softly as I look back up.
The plane crashed. The call, the horror. They didn’t see it. Why? The crash of the car. The tired of pavement. The yells of my sister. Protecting her son from the crash. So unseen.
I squeeze my eyes shut, “You okay?” I feel my hands shake as I inhale deeply.
The smell of fire, of burnt rubber. The flames licking the side of the plane, the blood of my sister.
“Liam,”
The crying of the little boy in the back seat. The man walking out unharmed, drunk. The bodies of claimed parents and of mine. The panic of my sister's voice. Why, why, why? The boys cry for his mother.
“Liam!” I open my eyes and snap my head to Owen, “Liam, are you alright?”
“What happened?”
“You weren’t responding, I’ve been saying your name for a little bit,” I frown, “Sorry...I was….” reliving their deaths.
“Thinking, sorry,” I give a forced smile. Owen stares at me before looking at Jake, “Can you give me and Liam a minute, just sit in the truck for a little bit,” Jake looks at both of us then nods. After Jake gets in the truck Owen looks at me, “Liam, what’s wrong?”
“Nothin’” lies, lies, lies. So many lies.He puts a hand on my arm, “Liam, it’s not nothing,”
“Really, I was just thinkin’,” screaming, yelling. Flames. Boom.
“Liam, look at me,” He puts his hands on my cheeks softly, concern washed over his face. Alcohol, blood, fire. Danger. I look at him, “Yeah?” my voice strained. The call. They're dead. They wanted to come home.
“Your eyes are darting all over the place,” He mutters, “Liam, you’re not being honest. This isn’t nothing, is it,” I cringe. Screaming. Sirens. So much blood. The boy yelling. The man finding a woman on the street. Boom.
“I am,” it came as a whisper. Stop it, stop it, stop it. Owen pulls me down a little, “Look at me and say that, tell me that you’re alright by looking at me directly,” I cant, can’t you see what’s happening? I try to look at him but fail “I’m alright,” My fault, my fault, my fault. He pulls me into a hug, “You didn’t look at me,” He whispers. Flames, screaming. So much screaming. Shut up, shut up, shut up.
“I was,”
“No you weren’t, you’re not seeing me. You’re hurt,” Bodies. My mother, my sister. My father. The man walking away. The boy clutching my hand.
“I’m not hurt,” He rubs the back of my head, “Please be honest with me,” He says quietly. I inhale sharply and blink hard.
“I have PTSD, that’s all,” He nods, still holding me.
“I should take you home,” Owen pulls back, looking up at me. I bite my lip “I mean, so you can work or whatever. Go to the library or somethin’,”
“I don’t really have much to do,” He says softly.
“Maybe should talk to whats-his-face, I can tell he likes you,” He looks at me confused, “Where is this coming from?” he should see me like this.
“What do you mean?” I sniff and look around, it’s gone. “Where is what comin’ from?”
“Why did you bring up Percy?” His voice full of confusion. I chew my lip “I just….I just don’t want you to see me like this is all, sorry,”
“Hey, it’s alright,” He says softly. I shrug, knowing later tonight I’ll have nightmares.
“We should get back to my place then, make some tea,” Owen nods, “That sounds great,” I nod and turn; getting in the truck. When we get back I go up the change into more comfortable. I put on sweatpants and long black cardigan. I stretch and put my hands in the pockets going downstairs. I see Owen sitting on the couch, in the clothes I gave him previously.
I smile faintly as I make it to the kitchen, making a cup of Earl Grey tea. After I finish I go back into the living room, “What you guys doin’?” Owen shrugs as he lays on the arm of the couch, “I have no idea,” Jake giggles as he looks at Owen. I raise an eyebrow and go behind Owen and pick him up.
“Why have you done this?” He laughs lightly.
“Geez, you’re light. You don’t eat much do you? I can throw you up and down if I wanted to,” He thinks about it, “I guess so, I spend a lot of my time at the library I forget to eat sometimes,”
“Hmmm, small and light,” I tease. He gives a short glare before he relaxes back into my arms, “I’m not short,” He states. I look at Jake, “What do you think?” Jake giggles, “He’s shorter than you,” I snort, “Thanks, and see, you are short,” I smile at Owen. He sighs and shakes his head, “Whatever you say,”
I chuckle and sit on the couch with Owen in my lap. He laughs a little and Jake sits on the couch with us. I bury my face in his neck and hum softly, “Owen, Owen, Owen,” I roll his name on my tongue. He laughs, “What are you doing?”
“Sayin’ your name, I like your name, it’s very….Owen-y,”
“Owen is a very Owen-y name, you are right,” I chuckle and look at him as I put my head on his shoulder “What do you guys want for dinner?”
Comments (0)
See all