Louder Than Thunder [16]
Title: Louder Than Thunder [16]
Author: Jess>>>> bangxbangxdie7
Pairing:Micah/Jack and Stevie/Shaun *Original characters (link below)
Rating: PG-13ish
POV: Third
Summary: Micah and Shaun are two totally different guys with very different lives. One thing they share is a boyfriend with cancer. When they meet, they help each other cope even though they sometimes feel guilty about it...
Disclaimer: Don't own. Don't copy.
Author Note: Hey guys this is my new story =] I love you, and I hope you like it <33 Please comment?
Characters. / Info.
What would it take,
for things to be quiet,
quiet like the snow.
And I know this isn't much but...
I know I could be better.
I don't think I deserve it, selflessness.
Find your way into my heart.
All stars could be brighter.
All hearts could be warmer.
Are we meant to be empty handed?
Don't think about chances we're taking.
The list goes on and on...
dance until the band stops playing.
We found ourselves.
Silence broken by your voice.
Stevie continued to lie in his bed two weeks after his surgery. He was having a bad reaction to the anesthesia for a few days, but he started to get better. He was weak for a long time, especially because he hadn't eaten much since he got out of the hospital.
He got dressed and did his daily morning routine, just like before. He was going to school- if he missed two more days he couldn't graduate and he was saving those two days for when he was nauseous from chemo.
Shaun drove Stevie to school. He wanted to walk him to every class but Stevie of course declined. He didn't want his boyfriend to feel like he needed him for literally everything. He wanted Shaun to feel like he had at least some freedom in his life.
"Who would like to go first? If no one volunteers I'll call you alphabetically."
Shaun stands up and holds out his paper. "I'll go Mrs. Heely. I um, I wrote my paper about my boyfriend Steven Pavacic. I'll only read a few lines because...well, it's kind of personal. Is that okay?"
The essay assigned was 'Who Inspires Me The Most.' Shaun didn't have to think twice about who he was writing it on. He was almost mad that the maximum page requirement was 6. He could have written a novel about Stevie.
"Of course, Shaun. Go ahead."
Shaun took in a breath and smiled. "A lot of people are inspired by their parents, older sibling, or famous people. But I think a little differently. My boyfriend Stevie is the most inspiring person in my life. A couple of months ago he was a healthy 17 year old boy; he was happy and full of life. He was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma only a short while ago. He-" Shaun looks up at his teacher. "...he at first broke down, which is totally understandable. But he became so brave, and so determined. Every day that I spend with him, I start to fall more and more in love with him. He is so inspiring because he is battling one of the hardest things a person can battle, and he's doing it with as much integrity as one can endure. I just feel as though we're being cheated. I know it sounds selfish but it's true. We had the potential to be so happy and now this happened. But we won't let it stop us." Shaun's lip quivers and he tries to smirk. "That's all I want to share."
Mrs. Heely's eyes soften and she nods to him, extending her hand for Shaun to turn in his magnificent paper.
"Uh- can I...please say something?" A boy who hated Shaun's guts raised his hand.
Shaun wanted to close his eyes and die- he didn't want to be torn apart for writing about someone he loved so much. He didn't want to be brought down this time.
"Sure, Forest, go ahead." He said with as much fake-ness as he could allow.
"I um. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. For calling you a faggot all those times. And for thinking that you and your boyfriend were disgusting. Because...I realized that I was being extremely ignorant. And it's clear that you guys really love each other. So. Yeah. That's...that's it."
Shaun's eyes started to water. An apology? From an enemy? For a few sentences?
"Wow. Thank you, Forest. I- that means a lot. Apology accepted."
He received a small grin from the boy, and then he sat down.
He was in a good mood throughout his day, and he couldn't wait to tell Stevie all about it.
Until he got a phone call from the school nurse, saying that Stevie passed out in gym class and was asking for him.
Shaun excused himself from the class he was in and sprinted to the nurse's office.
"Baby, hey, what happened?" Shaun held onto his boyfriend's hand.
Stevie sat up from his laying position. "I don't know. I had the basketball in my hand one second, and the next I'm on the ground, and the next thing I know, I'm in here. I really don't remember anything."
The older boy frowned. "Why were you playing, sweetie? You have a note from your doctor...you just had an operation two weeks ago."
Stevie shrugged. "I thought I would be okay if I just tried to shoot some baskets. I wasn't in the game or anything. I just- I don't know. I felt incapable and I wanted to prove to myself that I wasn't."
Shaun's thumb rubbed at Stevie's wrist. "You are capable, Stevie. But not while you're so weak. You just need to take it easy. Come on, I'm sure Nurse Bennett will let me drive you home so you can get some rest."
The younger boy shook his head. "No I can't leave. I need to stay the whole day or it will count as an absence. I only have 1 or 2 left and this isn't leaving to go home worthy. I'm just going to sit in here for the next period and go back after. I'll be okay, promise."
Shaun nodded. "Okay but I'm going to escort you to your class when it's time. I don't care what you say, I'm not having you pass out all by yourself trying to get to class on time. Got that?"
Stevie reluctantly nodded and pouted out his lips for a kiss. Shaun obliged to his boyfriend.
"Love you. Rest, now. I'll see you soon. Bye."
Shaun had put up a front. He wanted to cry the second he heard about Stevie. He hated worrying about him all the time. He needed to be convinced that he would be well and safe. He knew that it wasn't a guarantee and that upset him.
'Micah, can we please meet up at my house again later? I know I'm asking so many favors of you but I just really, really need to talk.'
He bit his lip as he waited for a reply.
'Of course Shaun. What's wrong? Is Stevie okay?'
'No. I don't think so. I'm afraid he's getting worse. I'll explain more later. I'm in school. I don't want them to take my phone away. So is 9 o' clock good, like last time?'
'Yes, perfect. Keep your chin up, stay strong, and I'll be there at 9.'
Shaun wished that he could be as strong as Micah. Micah seemed like he had no worries. No one would ever know that he was dealing with a sick boyfriend.
Shaun wondered if Micah was open about Jack's condition. Shaun didn't know much about Micah, but he was always good about reading people. Micah didn't seem like the type of guy to kiss and tell. Or beg for sympathy. Shaun wondered if he was the only one besides Jack's family that knew about his cancer.
And for a moment he felt special, in a weird way. But he thought he was thinking too much into it. Micah was young, successful and hot; he probably had many friends that he turned to for support. Shaun shouldn't of felt the way he did about it.
He couldn't exactly stop himself, though. He liked to be needed. Even though Stevie needed him, Micah needing him felt different. Someone older and more experienced talked to him about serious issues. It made Shaun feel useful; which is something he hadn't felt much of considering there wasn't much he could do to be of use to his poor sick boyfriend.
Micah wasn't mad at Jack; he could never be mad at him. He loved him too much. But he was annoyed with him, just a little bit. It was understandable though, Micah didn't blame Jack for not wanting to tell Ian about his sickness yet.
Micah wished that Jack didn't have to. He wished that Jack could be healthy and happy. He wanted his boyfriend to have a normal action filled relationship with his brother- like all brothers do. He should have been able to play football and baseball, he should have been able to go on vacations and see and do things that involved physical activity.
The older man felt so much sadness in his heart for Jack.
"Jack, do you want me to make some dessert for later? I can make some cookies or a cake if you want. I know my baking skills aren't the best but I could try."
Jack weakly smiled. "No it's alright, Micah. I know you haven't been too happy with me lately. I'm not gonna ask you to make anything. But besides the fact. I'm telling Ian when he gets here. I should have a while ago, you're right. He's going to be mad at me for not telling him sooner."
Micah wrapped his boyfriend in his arms. "Jack, he'd never. He loves you very much. And he's so happy and excited that you guys found each other again. He probably won't take the news well, but we'll deal with it. I mean, if you want me to leave so you can be alone and tell him I'd understand I just-"
Jack shook his head. "No of course not. I need you here. Why would you think I'd want you to leave? I...I never want you to leave me Micah."
The older man instantly felt horrible. He made Jack think that there was a possibility that he would just walk out on him. He couldn't ever do that to Jack. Not because of any reason.
"I won't, angel. Don't think that I would. I'm going to be right by your side, okay? Promise."
Jack cuddled into Micah's shoulder and made a noise of content. He felt so safe in Micah's arms. That is, until the doorbell rang.
"He's early," Jack said with a hint of fear in his voice.
He didn't know how he was going to start, or what he was going to say, or how he was going to say it. He wanted more time to practice and rehearse or something. More so, he wanted to not say anything at all. If only it would be that easy.
He answered the door with a grin though, for Ian's sake.
"Hope it's okay I'm here before 6- I just had to get out of the house. Dad is going crazy on me to pick up my grades- they aren't even that bad. Since when is a C bad? I thought a C was average...right?"
Micah chuckled even though it wasn't really appropriate.
"It's fine Ian. Don't listen to dad, he's just being...dad. If a C is the best you can do, then he should just accept that. And if you are capable of doing better, I really hope you take advantage of that. You shouldn't settle for average."
Ian nodded. "I know. I'm only 15, I have time to get my shit together. I'm smarter than everyone thinks I am. But I don't really want to get into it, I'm sorry I brought it up. How are you guys? You look a little pale Jack, like more so than usual. Everything cool?"
Jack wanted to cry.
"Um, actually. I think you should sit. We all should sit."
Ian frowned. "Why? What's going on?" He didn't like the way his brother was looking at him. "You're scaring me...what?"
It was very hard for Jack to keep his composure. "Ian please just have a seat, I'll explain everything."
His brother did as he was told, hands placed nervously on his knees.
Micah held onto his boyfriend's hand for support.
"There is no easy way to say this. But there's also no way of sugar-coating it either, and for that I'm sorry. It breaks my heart to have to tell you this but...Ian I'm sick. I don't shave my head, I'm bald- I lost all my hair. It's not coming back. I'm probably not going to get better-"
"Jack-" Micah whispered, shaking his head.
"It's true, Micah. Ian I have cancer."
Ian gripped his legs and stared hard at his brother. His heart was racing and he felt like such an idiot. How could he have not known? The signs were all there he just didn't see it.
"B-But t-their gonna help you though. The d-doctors. You're gonna beat it, right? Y-You have to," Ian can't control the lump in his throat. "M-Micah tell me that he's gonna get better. He's going to get better?"
Micah squeezed Jack's hand tight. "Of course he is, Ian. Jack is receiving the best treatments from New York's best doctors. He-"
Jack looked at his lover, then to his little brother. "That's not true Micah. Don't give him false hope-"
"It's not false hope, sweetie. Your doctors are hopeful for you. Don't frighten Ian any more, please," he looked at the 15 year old. "...Jack is a fighter. Your brother is so strong and he's been doing so well lately. I have a good feeling that he's going to beat his cancer. Especially since you came into the picture. You've given him much so much to fight for."
Jack smiled. "Micah's right. I'm sorry if I came off too harsh. I didn't mean it. I just wanted to be honest. Brutally honest. I-"
Before he could finish his sentence he had his brother on his lap- hugging him for dear life. He didn't know he was crying until he spoke.
"You can't die! I didn't find you after all this time so you could die on me. You're my big brother I need you!"
Jack held onto his brother and rubbed his back. His heart hurt. He didn't think he could take it. This was the last thing he wanted.
"Ian...Ian shh. Calm down, it's okay. I'm here right now aren't I? I can walk and talk and hear, see, feel. I'm so grateful to be alive and have such amazing people in my life. And I've got my two favorite boys right here."
Ian pulled away and wiped his eyes. "W-Wait. Wait I've got it!" He was smiling now. "Jack, I- I know this sounds malicious but now...now you can come home again! Once mom and dad find out about...you...they'll feel like such idiots and you'll be welcomed back into the house! You can see Lily and-" He paused. "...why aren't you as happy about this as I am?"
Jack pushed Ian's head back against his neck- he was going to need it.
"Oh Ian...mom and dad- they do know."
Ian sprung back up. "What?"He put a hand on Jack's chest. "You're telling me that my parents- our parents...KNOW you're dying and they...they still won't take you back? What...what kind of people are they? They aren't people. They're...they're horrible, Jack! I don't want them anymore! Don't make me go back to those people please...Jack why? How could they reject you when you're so sick? Mom and dad love you...or at least they're supposed to. Wh-"
Jack tried to console his little brother by letting him sob into the crook of his neck. Micah rubbed the boys back along with Jack. They didn't know what to do. Either of them. There was nothing they could do. There was nothing they could say.
Ian was going to be hurt about this for a long time.
He had thought the man and woman who raised him were decent people all his life up until that very moment. He found out that those people weren't really people at all- they were monsters. And he lived with them. He called them mom and dad and he let them speak to him and call him their son. He didn't want any part of it anymore.
"I-I-I don't w-wanna go b-back...p-ple- please don't make me go!"
"Ian it's okay, please, relax. It's going to be alright. I'm here, and Micah's here. We're not going anywhere anytime soon and neither are you."
It was going to be a long night.
Author: Jess>>>> bangxbangxdie7
Pairing:Micah/Jack and Stevie/Shaun *Original characters (link below)
Rating: PG-13ish
POV: Third
Summary: Micah and Shaun are two totally different guys with very different lives. One thing they share is a boyfriend with cancer. When they meet, they help each other cope even though they sometimes feel guilty about it...
Disclaimer: Don't own. Don't copy.
Author Note: Hey guys this is my new story =] I love you, and I hope you like it <33 Please comment?
Characters. / Info.
What would it take,
for things to be quiet,
quiet like the snow.
And I know this isn't much but...
I know I could be better.
I don't think I deserve it, selflessness.
Find your way into my heart.
All stars could be brighter.
All hearts could be warmer.
Are we meant to be empty handed?
Don't think about chances we're taking.
The list goes on and on...
dance until the band stops playing.
We found ourselves.
Silence broken by your voice.
Stevie continued to lie in his bed two weeks after his surgery. He was having a bad reaction to the anesthesia for a few days, but he started to get better. He was weak for a long time, especially because he hadn't eaten much since he got out of the hospital.
He got dressed and did his daily morning routine, just like before. He was going to school- if he missed two more days he couldn't graduate and he was saving those two days for when he was nauseous from chemo.
Shaun drove Stevie to school. He wanted to walk him to every class but Stevie of course declined. He didn't want his boyfriend to feel like he needed him for literally everything. He wanted Shaun to feel like he had at least some freedom in his life.
"Who would like to go first? If no one volunteers I'll call you alphabetically."
Shaun stands up and holds out his paper. "I'll go Mrs. Heely. I um, I wrote my paper about my boyfriend Steven Pavacic. I'll only read a few lines because...well, it's kind of personal. Is that okay?"
The essay assigned was 'Who Inspires Me The Most.' Shaun didn't have to think twice about who he was writing it on. He was almost mad that the maximum page requirement was 6. He could have written a novel about Stevie.
"Of course, Shaun. Go ahead."
Shaun took in a breath and smiled. "A lot of people are inspired by their parents, older sibling, or famous people. But I think a little differently. My boyfriend Stevie is the most inspiring person in my life. A couple of months ago he was a healthy 17 year old boy; he was happy and full of life. He was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma only a short while ago. He-" Shaun looks up at his teacher. "...he at first broke down, which is totally understandable. But he became so brave, and so determined. Every day that I spend with him, I start to fall more and more in love with him. He is so inspiring because he is battling one of the hardest things a person can battle, and he's doing it with as much integrity as one can endure. I just feel as though we're being cheated. I know it sounds selfish but it's true. We had the potential to be so happy and now this happened. But we won't let it stop us." Shaun's lip quivers and he tries to smirk. "That's all I want to share."
Mrs. Heely's eyes soften and she nods to him, extending her hand for Shaun to turn in his magnificent paper.
"Uh- can I...please say something?" A boy who hated Shaun's guts raised his hand.
Shaun wanted to close his eyes and die- he didn't want to be torn apart for writing about someone he loved so much. He didn't want to be brought down this time.
"Sure, Forest, go ahead." He said with as much fake-ness as he could allow.
"I um. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. For calling you a faggot all those times. And for thinking that you and your boyfriend were disgusting. Because...I realized that I was being extremely ignorant. And it's clear that you guys really love each other. So. Yeah. That's...that's it."
Shaun's eyes started to water. An apology? From an enemy? For a few sentences?
"Wow. Thank you, Forest. I- that means a lot. Apology accepted."
He received a small grin from the boy, and then he sat down.
He was in a good mood throughout his day, and he couldn't wait to tell Stevie all about it.
Until he got a phone call from the school nurse, saying that Stevie passed out in gym class and was asking for him.
Shaun excused himself from the class he was in and sprinted to the nurse's office.
"Baby, hey, what happened?" Shaun held onto his boyfriend's hand.
Stevie sat up from his laying position. "I don't know. I had the basketball in my hand one second, and the next I'm on the ground, and the next thing I know, I'm in here. I really don't remember anything."
The older boy frowned. "Why were you playing, sweetie? You have a note from your doctor...you just had an operation two weeks ago."
Stevie shrugged. "I thought I would be okay if I just tried to shoot some baskets. I wasn't in the game or anything. I just- I don't know. I felt incapable and I wanted to prove to myself that I wasn't."
Shaun's thumb rubbed at Stevie's wrist. "You are capable, Stevie. But not while you're so weak. You just need to take it easy. Come on, I'm sure Nurse Bennett will let me drive you home so you can get some rest."
The younger boy shook his head. "No I can't leave. I need to stay the whole day or it will count as an absence. I only have 1 or 2 left and this isn't leaving to go home worthy. I'm just going to sit in here for the next period and go back after. I'll be okay, promise."
Shaun nodded. "Okay but I'm going to escort you to your class when it's time. I don't care what you say, I'm not having you pass out all by yourself trying to get to class on time. Got that?"
Stevie reluctantly nodded and pouted out his lips for a kiss. Shaun obliged to his boyfriend.
"Love you. Rest, now. I'll see you soon. Bye."
Shaun had put up a front. He wanted to cry the second he heard about Stevie. He hated worrying about him all the time. He needed to be convinced that he would be well and safe. He knew that it wasn't a guarantee and that upset him.
'Micah, can we please meet up at my house again later? I know I'm asking so many favors of you but I just really, really need to talk.'
He bit his lip as he waited for a reply.
'Of course Shaun. What's wrong? Is Stevie okay?'
'No. I don't think so. I'm afraid he's getting worse. I'll explain more later. I'm in school. I don't want them to take my phone away. So is 9 o' clock good, like last time?'
'Yes, perfect. Keep your chin up, stay strong, and I'll be there at 9.'
Shaun wished that he could be as strong as Micah. Micah seemed like he had no worries. No one would ever know that he was dealing with a sick boyfriend.
Shaun wondered if Micah was open about Jack's condition. Shaun didn't know much about Micah, but he was always good about reading people. Micah didn't seem like the type of guy to kiss and tell. Or beg for sympathy. Shaun wondered if he was the only one besides Jack's family that knew about his cancer.
And for a moment he felt special, in a weird way. But he thought he was thinking too much into it. Micah was young, successful and hot; he probably had many friends that he turned to for support. Shaun shouldn't of felt the way he did about it.
He couldn't exactly stop himself, though. He liked to be needed. Even though Stevie needed him, Micah needing him felt different. Someone older and more experienced talked to him about serious issues. It made Shaun feel useful; which is something he hadn't felt much of considering there wasn't much he could do to be of use to his poor sick boyfriend.
Micah wasn't mad at Jack; he could never be mad at him. He loved him too much. But he was annoyed with him, just a little bit. It was understandable though, Micah didn't blame Jack for not wanting to tell Ian about his sickness yet.
Micah wished that Jack didn't have to. He wished that Jack could be healthy and happy. He wanted his boyfriend to have a normal action filled relationship with his brother- like all brothers do. He should have been able to play football and baseball, he should have been able to go on vacations and see and do things that involved physical activity.
The older man felt so much sadness in his heart for Jack.
"Jack, do you want me to make some dessert for later? I can make some cookies or a cake if you want. I know my baking skills aren't the best but I could try."
Jack weakly smiled. "No it's alright, Micah. I know you haven't been too happy with me lately. I'm not gonna ask you to make anything. But besides the fact. I'm telling Ian when he gets here. I should have a while ago, you're right. He's going to be mad at me for not telling him sooner."
Micah wrapped his boyfriend in his arms. "Jack, he'd never. He loves you very much. And he's so happy and excited that you guys found each other again. He probably won't take the news well, but we'll deal with it. I mean, if you want me to leave so you can be alone and tell him I'd understand I just-"
Jack shook his head. "No of course not. I need you here. Why would you think I'd want you to leave? I...I never want you to leave me Micah."
The older man instantly felt horrible. He made Jack think that there was a possibility that he would just walk out on him. He couldn't ever do that to Jack. Not because of any reason.
"I won't, angel. Don't think that I would. I'm going to be right by your side, okay? Promise."
Jack cuddled into Micah's shoulder and made a noise of content. He felt so safe in Micah's arms. That is, until the doorbell rang.
"He's early," Jack said with a hint of fear in his voice.
He didn't know how he was going to start, or what he was going to say, or how he was going to say it. He wanted more time to practice and rehearse or something. More so, he wanted to not say anything at all. If only it would be that easy.
He answered the door with a grin though, for Ian's sake.
"Hope it's okay I'm here before 6- I just had to get out of the house. Dad is going crazy on me to pick up my grades- they aren't even that bad. Since when is a C bad? I thought a C was average...right?"
Micah chuckled even though it wasn't really appropriate.
"It's fine Ian. Don't listen to dad, he's just being...dad. If a C is the best you can do, then he should just accept that. And if you are capable of doing better, I really hope you take advantage of that. You shouldn't settle for average."
Ian nodded. "I know. I'm only 15, I have time to get my shit together. I'm smarter than everyone thinks I am. But I don't really want to get into it, I'm sorry I brought it up. How are you guys? You look a little pale Jack, like more so than usual. Everything cool?"
Jack wanted to cry.
"Um, actually. I think you should sit. We all should sit."
Ian frowned. "Why? What's going on?" He didn't like the way his brother was looking at him. "You're scaring me...what?"
It was very hard for Jack to keep his composure. "Ian please just have a seat, I'll explain everything."
His brother did as he was told, hands placed nervously on his knees.
Micah held onto his boyfriend's hand for support.
"There is no easy way to say this. But there's also no way of sugar-coating it either, and for that I'm sorry. It breaks my heart to have to tell you this but...Ian I'm sick. I don't shave my head, I'm bald- I lost all my hair. It's not coming back. I'm probably not going to get better-"
"Jack-" Micah whispered, shaking his head.
"It's true, Micah. Ian I have cancer."
Ian gripped his legs and stared hard at his brother. His heart was racing and he felt like such an idiot. How could he have not known? The signs were all there he just didn't see it.
"B-But t-their gonna help you though. The d-doctors. You're gonna beat it, right? Y-You have to," Ian can't control the lump in his throat. "M-Micah tell me that he's gonna get better. He's going to get better?"
Micah squeezed Jack's hand tight. "Of course he is, Ian. Jack is receiving the best treatments from New York's best doctors. He-"
Jack looked at his lover, then to his little brother. "That's not true Micah. Don't give him false hope-"
"It's not false hope, sweetie. Your doctors are hopeful for you. Don't frighten Ian any more, please," he looked at the 15 year old. "...Jack is a fighter. Your brother is so strong and he's been doing so well lately. I have a good feeling that he's going to beat his cancer. Especially since you came into the picture. You've given him much so much to fight for."
Jack smiled. "Micah's right. I'm sorry if I came off too harsh. I didn't mean it. I just wanted to be honest. Brutally honest. I-"
Before he could finish his sentence he had his brother on his lap- hugging him for dear life. He didn't know he was crying until he spoke.
"You can't die! I didn't find you after all this time so you could die on me. You're my big brother I need you!"
Jack held onto his brother and rubbed his back. His heart hurt. He didn't think he could take it. This was the last thing he wanted.
"Ian...Ian shh. Calm down, it's okay. I'm here right now aren't I? I can walk and talk and hear, see, feel. I'm so grateful to be alive and have such amazing people in my life. And I've got my two favorite boys right here."
Ian pulled away and wiped his eyes. "W-Wait. Wait I've got it!" He was smiling now. "Jack, I- I know this sounds malicious but now...now you can come home again! Once mom and dad find out about...you...they'll feel like such idiots and you'll be welcomed back into the house! You can see Lily and-" He paused. "...why aren't you as happy about this as I am?"
Jack pushed Ian's head back against his neck- he was going to need it.
"Oh Ian...mom and dad- they do know."
Ian sprung back up. "What?"He put a hand on Jack's chest. "You're telling me that my parents- our parents...KNOW you're dying and they...they still won't take you back? What...what kind of people are they? They aren't people. They're...they're horrible, Jack! I don't want them anymore! Don't make me go back to those people please...Jack why? How could they reject you when you're so sick? Mom and dad love you...or at least they're supposed to. Wh-"
Jack tried to console his little brother by letting him sob into the crook of his neck. Micah rubbed the boys back along with Jack. They didn't know what to do. Either of them. There was nothing they could do. There was nothing they could say.
Ian was going to be hurt about this for a long time.
He had thought the man and woman who raised him were decent people all his life up until that very moment. He found out that those people weren't really people at all- they were monsters. And he lived with them. He called them mom and dad and he let them speak to him and call him their son. He didn't want any part of it anymore.
"I-I-I don't w-wanna go b-back...p-ple- please don't make me go!"
"Ian it's okay, please, relax. It's going to be alright. I'm here, and Micah's here. We're not going anywhere anytime soon and neither are you."
It was going to be a long night.