Chapter Text
A trail of dust and smoke followed a pack of four custom and obnoxiously loud motorcycles, the roar of their engines thundering through the dark night. Along with the cold wind rushing past his ears, Laddie barely heard the whoops and howls of his parents, who were scattered all around him on the dusty road, each on their own bikes. The young boy buried his face in the back of Dwayne's leather jacket, shielding himself from the freezing wind, all the while keeping his arms wrapped tightly around the brunette's waist as the bike bounced and rocked with the road. Despite his racing heart, and how reckless the ride was, Laddie was laughing to his heart's content.
"We're here!" Paul announced suddenly, his bike skidding to a stop beside a pair of train tracks at the edge of a bridge. "And man, what a perfect night!"
Dwayne pulled up next to the blond, kicking down his bike's stand and cutting the engine. Gently, he pried Laddie's hands off his waist and held onto the boy's arm as he slid off the back of the bike and landed safely on the ground.
"Thanks for the ride, Dada!" Laddie beamed up at the dark-haired man.
"No problem, Lad." Dwayne smiled back, brighter than he ever had before, as he looked down at the boy with pride and joy.
Laddie perked up at the sound of the last two motorcycles arriving; David and Marko pulling up and parking their bikes beside the other two. As Marko set his bike aside and stepped off, Laddie ran over with a cry of joy, throwing his arms tightly around the blond man.
"You made it, Ma!" The boy shouted, his blue-ish brown eyes bright with joy.
"Of course!" Marko laughed, returning the boy's embrace, pulling Laddie close and patting him on the back. With Laddie's eyes on him, the blond man tilted his head to the side, towards the bridge covered by a blanket of fog. "Now come on, let's get going."
Marko walked ahead, his boots stepping over the wooden planks of the trains as he strutted onto the bridge, the other men soon following him in tow. Laddie chased after them, staying close to his father's side. The Lost Boys, meanwhile, settled into place; David pushing his way to the front of the pack, Paul and Dwayne side-by-side behind him, and Marko falling towards the back. As Laddie followed them onto the bridge, he looked around, seeing nothing but white fog against the black, night sky. He turned back to his parents.
"What's going on?"
David craned his neck, his light blue eyes staring at Laddie for a moment before he turned back ahead, lifting his chin high and walking further down the bridge.
"Laddie wants to know what's going on," the platinum-blond man called to the others, strutting along with his hands in his coat pockets, "what's going on, guys?"
Laddie glanced around as Paul and Dwayne exchanged a string of half-hearted and playful answers, the two bouncing and prancing around. They didn't say what was going on. The young boy let out a quiet, confused chuckle.
"David," Marko groaned with a sigh, holding Laddie close to his side. He stopped at the centre of the bridge, giving the taller blond a soft glare. "Please don't torment my son."
"Technically, he's our son." David smirked, spinning around on his heels. He stepped onto the railing, casting a gaze down at the pair. "For all we know, I could be Laddie's father."
Marko clicked his tongue; "Touche."
"Are you claiming him, Davey?" Paul perked up, rolling his eyes. "He hardly looks like you!"
"Oh, and he looks like you, does he?" David asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Sure he does!" Paul reached over and ruffled Laddie's hair, laughing softly with the boy's snicker. "He has my eyes."
"…No? He doesn't?" Dwayne chuckled, shaking his head. He sighed with exasperation. "Paul, he most certainly does not have your eyes."
"Does too!"
"Does not!"
"Guys," Marko shot the two a look, and the playful debate fell silent, "seriously, enough of that. We're here on business."
Laddie giggled. Though it was always fun to listen to the three men argue about whether they're his other father, Marko's stern stance tonight told Laddie that it would have to continue another time. Blue-ish brown eyes looked up expectantly at the blond man, who gave him a soft smile and gaze before he turned back to David, who was still on the railing. Marko nodded at him.
David nodded back. His eyes flicked to Laddie, and he flashed a small smirk at the brown-haired boy before he lifted his gloved hand and waved.
"Goodnight, Laddie."
David stepped off the rail.
Laddie gasped and tore himself from Marko's side, rushing to the railing and leaning far over, staring down into the foggy abyss. But instead of a fading figure and screams of terror, the young boy spotted the platinum-blond man hanging from the frame of the bridge, grinning and chuckling at Laddie from beneath his feet.
"Gotcha!" David laughed.
The boy glared.
"That's not funny, Dad!" Laddie shouted angrily, his voice echoing off the metal frame and into the darkness. "You scared me!"
Other voices around him mirrored David's laughter. Looking up, Laddie saw Paul and Dwayne approach the railing, stepping over and hanging off the edge of the bridge.
"We're vampires, Laddie! It's a rite of passage!" The blond cheered before he leaned back and off headfirst. "Cannonball!" He shouted, his voice fading as he disappeared, joining David beneath the bridge.
"What he said," Dwayne smirked, looking back at Laddie. Snapping his fingers and shooting the boy some finger-guns, the dark-haired man leapt off too. "See you below!"
Now it was just Marko and Laddie left on the bridge. The boy breathed in deeply, stepping away from the edge and backing up into his father. He looked up, eyes wide with fear.
"Are you sure, Ma?" Laddie asked, clenching and flexing his hands nervously. He gulped.
"I'm sure," Marko answered, kneeling down and putting a firm hand on his son's shoulder. He smiled softly. "You asked if we could go flying more often; I'm just seeing my promise through."
Laddie's mouth fell open.
"We're going to fly?" The edges of his lip curved up into a small smile, which only widened as Marko nodded firmly. Laddie's heart raced; joy and fear rushed through him all at once. He let out a quiet, nervous laugh. "Really?!"
"Yeah, we're really flying! We're gonna teach you how to fly tonight, Laddie." Marko affirmed, laughing with the boy. He patted Laddie's shoulder. "Let's head down together, alright?"
When the blond man offered his hand, Laddie took it and clutched it tight, letting his father take him to the edge of the bridge. Taking a deep breath, Laddie squeezed through the metal poles, now standing on the tips of his toes. Marko held his hand, stepping over the railing and gently tugging Laddie along, falling below the bridge in one swooping move. Laddie yelped, but he did not fall, and instead, he dangled by the arm that Marko had held tight and firm. Looking up, he smiled at the sight of his father hanging from the bridge by thin, metal poles, surrounded by the other Lost Boys.
"Alright, we've made it." Marko pulled the young boy up until Laddie could reach and hold onto the pole himself. Once his son was hanging on his own, Marko beamed and praised. "There we go, you've got it!"
"Yeah, you've done it, Laddie!" Paul cheered, rocking and swinging happily from his pole. "Good job, buddy!"
"Thanks, Papa!" Laddie laughed, still tense but slowly relaxing as he was watched by all his parents. He smiled brightly. "This is fun!"
Everyone shared a good laugh, cheering and whooping with joy as the five of them continued to dangle from the bridge, their joyous voices echoing through the silent night.
"I hope you aren't planning to hang here all night," David mused with a smirk, "we're here to fly, aren't we?"
Unanimously, everyone nodded and shouted in agreement, howling with laughter as they waited for the next move. Laddie's smile fell slightly, his nerves started to return and cramp up his limbs, making him hold onto the bridge tighter until his hands and arms ached. Biting his tongue, Laddie couldn't help but whimper with fear.
"Hey, Laddie, it's okay." Marko's voice spoke above the others, bringing the boy's gaze back to him. Laddie stared into his father's blue eyes, his heart still thumping wildly in his chest, but it no longer felt heavy and only grew lighter the longer he watched him. Marko smiled, gentle but firm. "Remember what I promised you? I won't let anything happen to you."
Laddie chuckled. Slowly, his eyes fell to the fog below, and with a gulp, he let his grip on the pole loosen.
"Just like Peter Pan?" The young boy asked meekly. His hands ached and grew sweaty, beginning to slip.
Marko nodded with a chuckle; "That's right. Just let go."
Laddie took a deep breath. And then, he let go.
Falling through the thick, white fog, Laddie yelled. Cold air flew by him, his voice drowned out by the rushing wind, the further and faster he fell. His arms flailed wildly around him, reaching out for something — anything — to grab, to slow his fall. But there was nothing but open air, and Laddie kept falling, and falling, and falling.
The wind howled, and Laddie landed in a pair of strong arms, cradling him and stopping his fall. Panting, the young boy opened his eyes and found himself looking up at blond curls and blue eyes. A smile crept his way across his lips.
"Not quite," Marko sighed softly, holding Laddie close to his chest, "but see? I kept my promise."
Laughter echoed all around them, and Laddie spotted the others hovering down to meet them in the sky. And soon enough, the boy found himself laughing with his family, the fear of his fall forgotten as he was held safely in his father's arms. Looking back up, Laddie stared into those blue eyes and Marko's face against the light of the waning moon high above them. Laddie blinked, and for a moment, a warm and fuzzy feeling surged through his heart; a sight so familiar he almost cried. And then, he laughed.
"I love you, Ma!" Laddie cried with joy, wrapping his arms tightly around Marko's shoulders.
Marko froze in the boy's embrace, but as Laddie's joyous laughter filled the air, the blond man soon joined in. Returning the hug, his eyes teared up, yet Marko beamed and rejoiced; "I love you too, Laddie! I've always loved you!"
Laddie gently pulled away, his bright smile still plastered on his face as he threw his hands up with a cheer.
"Let's go again!" He shouted, much to the amusement of his parents around him.
"Again?!" Marko asked, a bewildered laugh escaping him. A grin was wide on his face. "You sure?"
"Yeah!" Laddie nodded firmly. "Again!"
Marko howled, hugging his son close and he began to lift through the air. Flying back up to the bridge, he passed by the others, whistling for David, Paul, and Dwayne to follow.
"Come on, you guys!" The blond man shouted, smiling brightly at his packmates. "Let's go again!"
A myriad of whoops and cheers filled the silent night as all four Lost Boys flew back up to the bridge, returning to the railings where they hung and dangled. Even though his heart was racing, thumping heavily once more, Laddie couldn't wait to let himself drop and fall through the air again. Surely, he'll fly this time.
But, if he didn't, he knew he wouldn't be alone. All around him, he'll hear Paul's cackling laugh and hoots, Dwayne's hearty chuckle, and David's snickering and playful calls. And, of course, Marko would be there to catch him again.
Laddie couldn't ask for anything else.