Chapter Text
Finding a way chapter 1
I pride myself with usually not being this stupid, but with nobody to look out for me and me being stepped on ( or what felt like it ), I did what I had to do, which was attack. That it was my brother’s mentor I attacked, with rotten tomatoes and at a at a school assembly none the less, well that might not have been the best idea.
The grip on my arm was tight as Chris half pushed/half dragged me into an empty classroom and slammed the door shut behind us.
“What the heck was that?!” He demanded, ever the hothead in my opinion. “Huh?” When I refused to answer and only stared at the wall behind him Chris grabbed my chin gently but firmly and made me meet his eyes. “Jason.”
“Just trying to scare of intruders.”
“We’re intruders now? Since when?! Are you listening to yourself here Jay?!”
“I said what I said, let me go.”
“If I can’t get through to you, then I think King would like to see who drenched him in rotten tomatoes.” I actually blanched at that. King was the last person I wanted to meet. And of course, Chris saw my change in demeanour. “You really are like Will at times.”
“Clearly not enough.” I muttered under my breath.
“Care to repeat that loud enough for me to hear?”
“Will and I are nothing alike.”
“Is this your way of trying to get back at Will for something?”
“That would be stupid.”
“What you did was stupid.”
“No. Stupid was not counting on you following King around like a lap dog.”
“Lap dog? Really Jason?!”
“I call it as I see it.”
“You know what, I’ll just let King deal with you.” I pretended to follow willingly along long enough for Chris to relax ever so slightly and let down his guard. That’s when I really took stupid to a new level. I kicked Christopher Lasalle in the balls.
-Finding a way-
“Jason, you have company!” One look at the car in the driveway told me it wasn’t the kind of company I wanted to have.
“I’m in the shower Mom, tell them to come back!” I knew Chris wouldn’t fall for it so I quickly locked myself in my bathroom and threw of my clothes.
“Jay, get out here, now!” Chris demanded as I jumped into the shower.
“I’m in the shower, didn’t Ma tell you to come back later?!”
“In the middle of the day, Jason?! Get out here before I lose my cool and kick in the door.”
“As I said, I’m showering, come back later if you want to talk.”
“Oh, I want to do more than talk, but we’ll start there.” After that Chris actually went silent. Huh. With a little luck he had decided to go back downstairs to wait me out. No such luck though.
“Jason you have until the count of ten to get your ass out here!” The new voice belonged to my brother Will and I felt my insides turn cold in a matter of seconds. Chris might have reservations about busting my ass, but Will had none whatsoever. Will, who shouldn’t even be out on leave yet.
“Will?! What are you doing home?!”
“I came to check on you. Looks like it was more needed than I thought it was.”
“Fuck off” It was a moment of rebellion I knew I would have to pay for later, but that moment something took over me.
“I’m not going to do that little brother and you are well aware that I can bring that door down in 10 seconds.”
Shit.
“Sorry. I’ll be out in two minutes tops I swear. Please Will, I have shampoo in my hair.” I begged.
“Okay, but two minutes.”
“Will?”
“Yeah?”
“Can you please wait outside; I don’t have my clothes and I’d like to change in peace please.”
I didn’t get an answer but the door shutting was enough for me. I threw myself out of the shower as soon as my hair was rinsed and unlocked the door in haste, planning to grab the first clothes I could find and escape through my window. The only problem was, my overly pissed off brother was still in the room, and so was Chris. I knew what was coming but I didn’t have the chance to slam the door in my brother’s face before he had a good grip on me and hauled me over his knee.
“Can’t I at least put on some clothes first? Please?” I asked Will whining when I felt the cold air hit my backside. “It’s embarrassing.”
“No. I used to change your diapers when you were little, besides I’ve spanked you bare before.”
“It’s not you I’m thinking about.”
“You should be happy that Chris is here checking my temper every second. He’ll make sure I don’t take it too far, which would have been a risk considering you told me to ‘fuck off’. And if it eases your mind, I have a feeling Chris is going to get to see your ass a lot more after this because I’m definitely telling Mom that she needs to give them the all clear to take you in hand.”
“No, don’t! Ow!” It definitely stung more on a wet butt.
“Oh, you are practically begging for them to step up. I haven’t heard all the glory details yet but have no doubt, I’m going to get to that in a minute. In the meantime, you can think about why you won’t tell me to ‘fuck off’ in the future.”
“I’m sorry!”
“I bet you are right now.” It felt like an eternity before Will stopped. “I’m going to have a talk with King, Chris, Mom and Dad about who handles the other half, but I still want answers from you. Will you answer me if I let you up?”
“Yes” I sobbed. Will gently helped me to my feet before wrapping his arms around me in tight hug. “I really am sorry.”
“I know kiddo. I really didn’t want to greet you this way.” Once he released me from the hug, I cast a glance towards Chris who was leaning by the dresser on the opposite side of the room, and opted for getting clothes from my closet instead.
“I wont bite you.” Chris commented with a raised eyebrow.
“I’m not so sure about that.” I replied humourlessly. I would have opted for standing once dressed, but Will pointed for me to sit on the bed.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Do you want to go back over my knee for lying?”
“No.”
“Then start answering truthfully.” No way. I wasn’t telling my brother the embarrassing truth, there was no way in hell. So, I sighed and put on an act worthy an Oscar instead.
“I got involved with a couple of older guys, they wanted me to earn a place in their friend group. I didn’t think a couple of tomatoes would be too bad.”
“Who?”
“I’m not giving you names Will. Not when I just earned their respect.”
“Well, they don’t exactly sound like friends you need to be hanging around.” I wasn’t going to comment on that. As far as my brother knew I had lots of friends.
“Okay, I won’t, but I’m still not giving you those names.”
“And I’m still telling Mom that Chris and King should be able to bust your butt if necessary.”
“That’s not necessary! Besides it’s not like I ever see them.” I had pointedly ignored Chris throughout the conversation, but I felt his eyes on me the whole time.
“We were invited to dinner by your mother, so it looks like you will have to see us, kid.” Chris spoke up for the first time.
“I’m not a kid anymore.”
“Point taken.” The fact that Christopher Lasalle gave up so easily didn’t escape my attention, but frankly I had too many other things going on to worry about it right now.
“Let’s call of the rest of this discussion until tonight.” Will proposed, Chris nodded.
“Keep an eye on the kid, Will. He kicked me in the balls to get away from me last time.”
“You did what?!” I winced at the tone. “Have you at least apologized?!”
“I’m sorry.” I didn’t look Chris in the eyes, but I had at least made it sound like I was contrite.
“Okay.”
-Finding a way-
Will had followed Chris’s words to the extent that he had locked my bedroom windows before letting me have some time to myself to think.
“Five minutes Jay. I’m expecting you to be dressed nicely and by the door by then.”
“Sure.”
“Jason.” Wills tone was a clear warning.
“Yes sir.”
“Better.” I groaned and fell back onto the bed. It took me two of my five minutes to force myself to get up from the bed but I knew that I couldn’t show up looking like I was without consequences. Not when I had been told to look nice.
Sighing I got up and threw on a clean pair of jeans and a black button up that I knew my brother would approve of. I drew my hands through my hair while jogging down the stairs and coming to a halt in front of my brother who gave me an approving nod. I was expecting him to say something more but the doorbell rang before he could. I leaned against the wall, arms crossed loosely, as I watched my brother and mother exchange hugs with both King and Chris from the corner of my eye, all the while trying to make it look like I didn’t care.
“Hi Jay.” King greeted kindly and squeezed my shoulder. “It’s good to see you again Buddy.”
“Hi.” King tried to lift my chin but I turned my head away pointedly. I heard him sigh, but he did back of so I considered it a win.
“Jason.”
“Chris.” Neither of us made any attempt of physical contact.
“Why don’t we sit down.” My mother led the way into the dinning room and I got placed in between King and Will much to my frustration. I ignored the conversation around me and focused on chewing the food with my head down.
“How have you been Jay?” King. I knew I couldn’t ignore a direct question no matter how much I felt like it.
“Not bad.” I settled for answering, meeting his eyes with what my brother called my stone face, the one impossible to read. Not even my eyes held an ounce of the anger I felt.
“Good. How’s school going?”
“Okay, I guess.” I shrugged, not volunteering any information.
“A lot of friends I take it?”
“Enough.” My brother was getting worked up over my short answers, I could practically feel him steaming beside me and the hand tapping me once on my thigh was a clear warning to behave.
“When are you heading back, Will?” Chris asked suddenly.
“Two months.”
“Two months?” I asked unsure if I had heard correctly.
“Yes. So plenty of time for me to keep an eye on you.” Shit.
“That’s not necessary Will.” I objected.
“Like it or not, it will still happen.” I didn’t dare glare at him so I settled for fuming silently.
“Speaking of keeping an eye on Jay, how much have you heard about recent events Laura?"
“Will filled me in this afternoon.”
“Would you mind us stepping in?”
“You know I don’t mind King, and neither does Pat, but you shouldn’t have to.”
“We would be happy to. We know it can’t be easy working at the hospital and trying to raise Jay alone at the same time.”
“I don’t need a babysitter.” I objected heatedly. “There is no need.”
“I think there is.” King said with finality.
“But I don’t. And it’s my life so I should get a say in it, right?!”
“Not in this case. Do you trust us Laura?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Do you trust us to treat Jay like Will?”
“Go for it. Maybe you can get through to his head.”
“It’s my life! Doesn’t anybody care about what I think should happen?! Has anybody in this room considered my feelings on the matter?!” I snapped and got up from my chair so that it fell to the floor with a thud.
“Jason.” My Mom tried but I was too worked up to listen.
“Seriously?! You are supposed to have my best interest at heart.”
“She has.” King settled his hand firmly on my arm. “And deep down you know that.”
“I don’t need you.”
“You’ve got me anyway.”
“And your damn lap dog!”
“Jason!” Will reprimanded me. He had perfected the art of scolding me with one single word.
“What’s wrong with how it’s been the past two years?”
“That me and Chris haven’t been active in your life.” King supplied calmly. “And that will change as of now.”
“Thanks, but no thanks.” I shrugged of Kings hand.
“It wasn’t a question kid. You arguing with me further will not change anything for the better.”
“Screw you.” I was out of the room before either King or Will could react. I would have been out the front door in an instant but I knew I would be caught instantly. Instead, I ran straight into the main floor bathroom and slammed the door shut straight in Will’s face.
“You know a lock isn’t going to stop me.” Will threatened. “So, stop making a scene and come back to the table.” I didn’t respond, being busy with trying to open the small window to the backyard without a sound. “Dammit answer me Jason!”
“I hear you Will.” I heard low voices from the other side of the door as I got the window open. It would be a squeeze, but I was confident I could do it. Using the toilet as a step stool I managed to squeeze through the window and landed pretty much unharmed in Mom’s flower garden. “Sorry Mom.” I muttered beyond thankful that I couldn’t be spotted from the dining room.
-Finding a way-
I woke up shivering from the cold. Because of the alarm system I knew that I couldn’t go back inside the house undetected but I started contemplating if a night outside would do any good. It was nearly 10 o’clock and I knew that I had to make a decision soon unless I wanted to appear as a burglar. One shudder later and I realized that I could take off again tonight if needed with a bag of essentials but that I would freeze to death out here if I didn't go inside sooner rather than later. There was a sudden creak against one of the boards I used to climb up here and I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sudden sight of King.
“Hello there.” I scooted backwards protectively without a word. To be found so newly awake was messing with my emotions. “Are you scared of me Jay?” King asked as he settled down onto the floor of the tree house.
“What?”
“Are you scared of me?” He repeated and sat down at the wall across from me.
“No. Of course not.” I may be angry at him but I had no reason to be afraid of him. He searched my face for a moment longer and I didn’t bother trying to hide how ridiculous the question had seemed to me.
“Good. Because I would never hurt you.”
“You want to spank me.”
“You grew up with spankings so you know it isn’t the same thing.” I did know that, but there was no need for King to know that. “And I hardly want to spank you, but I do think you deserve a spanking for the grief you’ve put your mother through the past couple of hours.”
I looked down a little shamefaced at that.
“I didn’t mean to.”
“What did you mean by taking off?” I shrugged.
“You were pretty angry at the dinner table, wouldn’t you agree?” I nodded hesitantly not knowing where he was going with it. “But not at your mother necessarily, If I heard you correctly your real anger starts and finishes with me and Chris. Your brother might hold part of your anger for involving us, but if you think about it you involved us first.”
“Was there a hidden question somewhere?” I asked sassily.
“Who are you really angry at?”
“Didn’t you answer that question already?”
“Chris and I are going to be more active in your life again.”
“Again?” I snorted. “When have you ever been active in my life?”
“When your brother still lived at home.” I couldn’t hide my reaction to the blunt statement and I saw that King had suspected it having to do something with it.
“Screw you.”
“One more bit of foul language out of you and I’ll turn you over my knee right here. You may not like me all that much Jay, but you’ll still treat me with respect. Understood?” King’s tone held a clear warning and had gone from soft and understanding to stern in a matter of seconds.
“Yes.” He held my gaze until I relented. “sir.”
“Much better.”
“What do you want from me?”
“The truth.”
“It’s not like I’ve lied.”
“Not to me, but to your family, and Chris.”
“Have you spoken to Dad?” I asked, deeming it safest to change the topic.
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“He wants to talk to you.” I nodded at that, having expected it.
“Look Jay, this is how it will go. Nothing much will happen tonight but you can start by climbing down from here and go inside to face your mother and brother.”
“You are only going to spank me if I get down.”
“If I wanted to spank you, I could have done it up here.”
“Will won’t hesitate.”
“I told him I’d handle you.”
“He won’t listen.”
“He will if he doesn’t want a taste.”
“I’d rather face Will than you.”
“Why?”
“Because he actually cares.” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them and I got up to my feet, clamping my mouth shut and turning my back towards King, pretending like the damage wasn't already done.
“Kid if I didn’t care I wouldn’t have spent the last few hours searching for you.” He must have sensed that his reassuring words didn’t get rid of all the reservations I felt, so he simply said: “Come on.”
I hesitantly followed him down the ladder and as soon as my feet had hit solid ground, he had clamped a firm hand onto my neck, making sure I stayed on course towards the hourse. I tried getting out of the grip he had, but one firm ‘Jason’ had me stop trying. For now.
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