BOND OF BROTHERS - PART 1
Title: BOND OF BROTHERS - PART 1
Author: candy_cha0s
Pairing: Cody / Randy
Summary: We'll always be brothers.
Disclaimer: I do not own them. Vince has that honor. This is all fiction.
Author Notes: I had this idea hit me while I was watching Charlie St Cloud and have always wanted to write an army/military based fic. This isnt exactly what I had in mind,there is no sex for starters, but its kinda gotten to me. I hope you enjoy it. I know that, not being American, I may have made a few glaring errors with military detail, I mean no offence. PLEASE PLEASE COMMENT. Im literally panicking on how this will turn out.
Warnings: character death, emotions
CHAPTER ONE
My adoptive parents were trying really hard to put on a brave face as we got into the car the next morning. It was clear though that Elaine had been crying for hours. Bob was more stone faced, but the way he carried himself, betrayed his underlying turmoil. As for me, I was torn in two. I was on one hand, impatient to have randy back home and on the other, nervous as to how badly he had been… what’s the right word? … damaged? No, that’s not it, but I am sure you get my point.
When my parents had come to my bedroom last night they had told me what had happened. Randy and his unit had been out on patrol when a band of insurgents had attacked them. Three car bombs had been exploded and a gunfire had been traded between the two camps for hours. Only four men in randy’s unit had survived, all of them badly injured. Randy was found by a medic cradling the dead body of another soldier. It had been a Private named Evan Bourne, one of his closest friends in the unit. Randy himself had been hit in the leg and chest by flying shrapnel and had been shot in the shoulder trying to reach Evan. The Major had told my father that Randy had been near catatonic since he was found. That was four days ago.
It was a sweltering hot day outside, and I was grateful that the Mercedes had a powerful air-conditioner. It was an hour drive from our home to the Army Base and I could tell that it was going to be an uncomfortably quiet one. So I came prepared. Taking my place in the backseat I plugged in my iPhone and let the music flow. It couldn’t entirely drown out the nerves, but it helped.
We pulled out of the drive way and made our way out of town. The countryside flew by, but not fast enough for me. My mind kept wandering back to Randy, and how if it had not been for him, the Orton’s may not have adopted me.
I had been at the children’s’ shelter from the age of six, when my parents were killed in a car accident. The remaining family had been estranged from us and had wanted nothing to do with me. So I had been packed up and shipped off to the shelter. It wasn’t all bad I suppose, I got a warm bed, decent meals and made a few friends. But there were also the bullies. The kids that had been there all their lives and didn’t like outsiders. Especially not the ones that used to have a loving family.
I remember It had been a bad day so far, Michael Mizanin and his gang had been picking on me again. I had been given a Wolverine action figure by the last family that had looked at adopting me, it was the only toy that was really and truly mine.
Mike and his buddies Alex, and Teddy had been pushing and shoving me around since breakfast trying to get me to relinquish the doll.
“Give it up pansy boy.”
“Don’t make me take it from you the hard way wimp.”
They had continued this until eventually, close to tears, I had shoved Teddy as hard as I could. He stumbled backward and tripped over his feet landing on his backside in the dirt. I was frozen on the spot, I knew I was gonna die for that one.
“You gonna pay for that Runnels.” Ted snapped as he pushed himself off the ground.
Befroe I knew it I was surrounded by the three boys. They were shoving and teasing mercilessly. I cowered backward, dropping the Wolverine figure to try in vain to protect my face.
“Hey!” I hear someone shout. Great, I thought as tears began to fall, now all the other kids are gonna watch me get the shit beaten outta me… again.
But then the hitting stopped. The hurtful teasing was silenced. I risked a peek through my hands which quickly fell away in awe of the sigh before me.
There was a boy, an older boy, with one hand firmly holding the scruff of Michael’s hair, the other with a firm grip on Alex’s throat. But most amazing of all was the boy on the ground, trapped by my rescuers foot which was planted firmly on Teddy’s chest.
And then he spoke, “Beating up on a kid half your size, three of you. You bastards are a brave bunch of fair-boys aint ya.” It was a soft, barely controlled whisper, the pure anger clear in his eyes, “Bet your parents are real proud of you too.. oh yea, they didn’t want you.” He let rip at them, tightening his grip for emphasis, enjoying them squirming in fear, “Well neither do I, now get the hell outta here.”
The three boys sprinted for their lives the very second he released his hold on them.
Without thinking I ran up to him and threw may arms around his waist. He had rescued me from a rather severe beating. I couldn’t help but cry with relief. (Hey, I was only six year old, gimme a break!)
I felt his hands on my shoulder, a gentle touch, but I knew that I was instantly safe. He crouched on one knee before me. I could feel my nose bleeding and knew there must have been a few other scrapes and cuts. He reached toward my face and I flinched away on instinct.
“Hey don’t be scared , sport. I’m not gonna hurt you.” He said softly, and to my surprise, he brushed away at the tears that were still on my cheeks. “You’re safe now. I bet those guys just about wet their pants when I let them go.” He smiled at the thought.
“The…they wan..wanna take my Wol..Wolverine.”I stammered.
Casting his gaze to the ground behind me he reached out and picked up the action figure. “Well, they not gonna get it anymore.” He said handing it back to me.
“Thanks” I said.
“My name’s Randal, but only old people call me that, and teachers. You can call me Randy.” He smiled, “Who are you?”
I stood straight to introduce myself, just the way the Social worker lady had taught me to, “I’m Cody Garrett Runnels and I’m six years old.”
He let out a laugh and ruffled my hair, “Well then, Cody Garrett Runnels, lets get you cleaned up before they see you.”
“Before who sees me?” I asked confused.
“Mom and Dad, of course.” He replied matter-of-factly, “You’re gonna be my new brother.”
And that was as good as a signed adoption certificate. It really had been that simple. The social worker had said that the documents would be signed and I could be taken to my new home the next day.
Randy had insisted on spending the night to make sure I wasn’t bullied, and I readily agree to let him. He slept on a mattress on the floor next to my bed, refusing to let me take it instead.
We spoke late into the night about how cool it was going to be, being brothers. And I cannot remember a time I ever felt more at peace. Randy was my hero, and I told him just that. It earned me a smile and murmured, “Thanks, Codes.”
I was pulled from my silent revelry into the past by the sudden stop of moving scenery. We had arrived at the gate of the base. My father presented a card to the guards and we were waved through. It was a short drive across the tarmac to the door off the hospital. A single story, modern building that was positively military in its appearance.
We stepped out of the car and into the burning heat. My father made his way around the car and took my mother’s hand. Silent tears were falling from her eyes. I hid my emotions, which is easy to do when you have been in a shelter. Together we headed inside.
A nurse came to use immediately, as if she had been waiting, which of course she had. “Mr and Mrs Orton, Im Maryse Ouellet, the Head Nurse. The doctor’s are waiting to see you in the conference lounge.”
“What about my boy?” Elaine asked.
“In a few moments, ma’am. Private Orton is resting well and his doctor’s need only a moment of your time.”
She led us to the conference lounge, where I was asked to remain outside, the discussion was deemed inappropriate for a boy my age. Rather upset I rebelled, as I often tend to do. If they didn’t want me to be part of the discussion then Id just as well go to the source.
I wandered the corridors, inspecting the name plates next to the doors of each room, until I came across the one I was looking for.
ROOM 15A
ORTON, RANDAL
My heart was hammering away in my chest, I had longed so much to see Randy again. He had been in Iraq for almost 8 months.
I sent a silent prayer heavenward, “Please let him be the same. Please.”
I reached out and clasped the handle, turning it and letting the door swing open, I took a tentative step into the room.
I felt my heart sink and had to fight to keep the tears from my eyes. Lying before me, eyes open but seeing nothing, wrapped in a cast and bandages, looking pale and drawn was my brother, or at least a ghost of the man I knew him to be.
Randy, I whispered.
BOND OF BROTHERS - PART 1
Author: candy_cha0s
Pairing: Cody / Randy
Summary: We'll always be brothers.
Disclaimer: I do not own them. Vince has that honor. This is all fiction.
Author Notes: I had this idea hit me while I was watching Charlie St Cloud and have always wanted to write an army/military based fic. This isnt exactly what I had in mind,there is no sex for starters, but its kinda gotten to me. I hope you enjoy it. I know that, not being American, I may have made a few glaring errors with military detail, I mean no offence. PLEASE PLEASE COMMENT. Im literally panicking on how this will turn out.
Warnings: character death, emotions
CHAPTER ONE
My adoptive parents were trying really hard to put on a brave face as we got into the car the next morning. It was clear though that Elaine had been crying for hours. Bob was more stone faced, but the way he carried himself, betrayed his underlying turmoil. As for me, I was torn in two. I was on one hand, impatient to have randy back home and on the other, nervous as to how badly he had been… what’s the right word? … damaged? No, that’s not it, but I am sure you get my point.
When my parents had come to my bedroom last night they had told me what had happened. Randy and his unit had been out on patrol when a band of insurgents had attacked them. Three car bombs had been exploded and a gunfire had been traded between the two camps for hours. Only four men in randy’s unit had survived, all of them badly injured. Randy was found by a medic cradling the dead body of another soldier. It had been a Private named Evan Bourne, one of his closest friends in the unit. Randy himself had been hit in the leg and chest by flying shrapnel and had been shot in the shoulder trying to reach Evan. The Major had told my father that Randy had been near catatonic since he was found. That was four days ago.
It was a sweltering hot day outside, and I was grateful that the Mercedes had a powerful air-conditioner. It was an hour drive from our home to the Army Base and I could tell that it was going to be an uncomfortably quiet one. So I came prepared. Taking my place in the backseat I plugged in my iPhone and let the music flow. It couldn’t entirely drown out the nerves, but it helped.
We pulled out of the drive way and made our way out of town. The countryside flew by, but not fast enough for me. My mind kept wandering back to Randy, and how if it had not been for him, the Orton’s may not have adopted me.
I had been at the children’s’ shelter from the age of six, when my parents were killed in a car accident. The remaining family had been estranged from us and had wanted nothing to do with me. So I had been packed up and shipped off to the shelter. It wasn’t all bad I suppose, I got a warm bed, decent meals and made a few friends. But there were also the bullies. The kids that had been there all their lives and didn’t like outsiders. Especially not the ones that used to have a loving family.
I remember It had been a bad day so far, Michael Mizanin and his gang had been picking on me again. I had been given a Wolverine action figure by the last family that had looked at adopting me, it was the only toy that was really and truly mine.
Mike and his buddies Alex, and Teddy had been pushing and shoving me around since breakfast trying to get me to relinquish the doll.
“Give it up pansy boy.”
“Don’t make me take it from you the hard way wimp.”
They had continued this until eventually, close to tears, I had shoved Teddy as hard as I could. He stumbled backward and tripped over his feet landing on his backside in the dirt. I was frozen on the spot, I knew I was gonna die for that one.
“You gonna pay for that Runnels.” Ted snapped as he pushed himself off the ground.
Befroe I knew it I was surrounded by the three boys. They were shoving and teasing mercilessly. I cowered backward, dropping the Wolverine figure to try in vain to protect my face.
“Hey!” I hear someone shout. Great, I thought as tears began to fall, now all the other kids are gonna watch me get the shit beaten outta me… again.
But then the hitting stopped. The hurtful teasing was silenced. I risked a peek through my hands which quickly fell away in awe of the sigh before me.
There was a boy, an older boy, with one hand firmly holding the scruff of Michael’s hair, the other with a firm grip on Alex’s throat. But most amazing of all was the boy on the ground, trapped by my rescuers foot which was planted firmly on Teddy’s chest.
And then he spoke, “Beating up on a kid half your size, three of you. You bastards are a brave bunch of fair-boys aint ya.” It was a soft, barely controlled whisper, the pure anger clear in his eyes, “Bet your parents are real proud of you too.. oh yea, they didn’t want you.” He let rip at them, tightening his grip for emphasis, enjoying them squirming in fear, “Well neither do I, now get the hell outta here.”
The three boys sprinted for their lives the very second he released his hold on them.
Without thinking I ran up to him and threw may arms around his waist. He had rescued me from a rather severe beating. I couldn’t help but cry with relief. (Hey, I was only six year old, gimme a break!)
I felt his hands on my shoulder, a gentle touch, but I knew that I was instantly safe. He crouched on one knee before me. I could feel my nose bleeding and knew there must have been a few other scrapes and cuts. He reached toward my face and I flinched away on instinct.
“Hey don’t be scared , sport. I’m not gonna hurt you.” He said softly, and to my surprise, he brushed away at the tears that were still on my cheeks. “You’re safe now. I bet those guys just about wet their pants when I let them go.” He smiled at the thought.
“The…they wan..wanna take my Wol..Wolverine.”I stammered.
Casting his gaze to the ground behind me he reached out and picked up the action figure. “Well, they not gonna get it anymore.” He said handing it back to me.
“Thanks” I said.
“My name’s Randal, but only old people call me that, and teachers. You can call me Randy.” He smiled, “Who are you?”
I stood straight to introduce myself, just the way the Social worker lady had taught me to, “I’m Cody Garrett Runnels and I’m six years old.”
He let out a laugh and ruffled my hair, “Well then, Cody Garrett Runnels, lets get you cleaned up before they see you.”
“Before who sees me?” I asked confused.
“Mom and Dad, of course.” He replied matter-of-factly, “You’re gonna be my new brother.”
And that was as good as a signed adoption certificate. It really had been that simple. The social worker had said that the documents would be signed and I could be taken to my new home the next day.
Randy had insisted on spending the night to make sure I wasn’t bullied, and I readily agree to let him. He slept on a mattress on the floor next to my bed, refusing to let me take it instead.
We spoke late into the night about how cool it was going to be, being brothers. And I cannot remember a time I ever felt more at peace. Randy was my hero, and I told him just that. It earned me a smile and murmured, “Thanks, Codes.”
I was pulled from my silent revelry into the past by the sudden stop of moving scenery. We had arrived at the gate of the base. My father presented a card to the guards and we were waved through. It was a short drive across the tarmac to the door off the hospital. A single story, modern building that was positively military in its appearance.
We stepped out of the car and into the burning heat. My father made his way around the car and took my mother’s hand. Silent tears were falling from her eyes. I hid my emotions, which is easy to do when you have been in a shelter. Together we headed inside.
A nurse came to use immediately, as if she had been waiting, which of course she had. “Mr and Mrs Orton, Im Maryse Ouellet, the Head Nurse. The doctor’s are waiting to see you in the conference lounge.”
“What about my boy?” Elaine asked.
“In a few moments, ma’am. Private Orton is resting well and his doctor’s need only a moment of your time.”
She led us to the conference lounge, where I was asked to remain outside, the discussion was deemed inappropriate for a boy my age. Rather upset I rebelled, as I often tend to do. If they didn’t want me to be part of the discussion then Id just as well go to the source.
I wandered the corridors, inspecting the name plates next to the doors of each room, until I came across the one I was looking for.
ROOM 15A
ORTON, RANDAL
My heart was hammering away in my chest, I had longed so much to see Randy again. He had been in Iraq for almost 8 months.
I sent a silent prayer heavenward, “Please let him be the same. Please.”
I reached out and clasped the handle, turning it and letting the door swing open, I took a tentative step into the room.
I felt my heart sink and had to fight to keep the tears from my eyes. Lying before me, eyes open but seeing nothing, wrapped in a cast and bandages, looking pale and drawn was my brother, or at least a ghost of the man I knew him to be.
Randy, I whispered.
BOND OF BROTHERS - PART 1