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Robby sat behind the driver's seat of the Eagle Fang van, leaning his elbow under the car window quietly.
One hour ago, Johnny asked if he would sit in the backseat and keep Miguel company until they get back home.
As much history as they had with each other, but given the other boy's state: crying his eyes out, looking hurt, and extremely tired, it's hard for Robby to say no.
But he wasn’t so sure about the whole ‘keeping him company’ thing, as they all had been sitting in silence for almost forty minutes. Even Johnny doesn’t dare putting music on.
Robby would check his phone until his eyes felt burned, then switch to look outside the window, pretending to be taking in the boring view. But in between time to time, he’d shot glances at the boy on the other end. And everytime he’d find Miguel being insanely still with his forehead planted on the window. The sobs stopped sometime ago, but he still hasn't moved.
And Robby knows that he’s probably the last person in the world Miguel wants to start a conversation with, right now.
Or, maybe he passed out from exhaustion… that’s not a good position to rest though, but why’d he care anyway. So Robby remains quiet.
Finally, it was Johnny who broke the silence, “You guys hungry? I’m stopping for gas, might as well find some food before we find a place to crash.”
The question doesn’t require answers anyway, as his dad is already taking a turn into the gas station.
“Still got some cash on you, right?” Johnny asks, receiving a low “yeah.” in response,
“Okay, you take Miguel to eat and grab something for me.” He ordered before getting out of the van to talk to a filling station attendant.
And so… he leaves the boys alone with each other.
Great. Way to make things more awkward. When Robby looks at his dad, Johnny is giving him signals from outside, kind of like ‘get your asses out so I can lock the van.’
Robby sighs, turning to the curly haired boy who’s still planting himself in the same position, deciding to reach out first.
“Uh…. hey.” He says, voice drier than he planned, “come on, Miguel, let’s eat.”
A few light taps on the shoulder finally get some response from Miguel. The boy turned around and nodded with zero-to-none energy. But Robby still get him out of the van anyway.
Not leaving his former rival out of his sight, in case he planned to run away when he’s not looking, sounds stupid but he has to be prepared. Robby keeps his hands in his jean pocket while walking closely to Miguel until they get to the small 24-hour kebab stand.
He manages to order by pointing at the picture, and saying “tres” clearly. Miguel could have helped him with much, much better Spanish but the boy doesn’t seem to be in the mood for any human interaction ever.
Few minutes later, the vendor hands him the food, and Robby pays him. Looking back to Johnny, who still seems to be asking around for a motel nearby for them to rest, Robby couldn’t resist taking a bite out of the kebab. He only realized how hungry he actually is when the smell of food hits.
Miguel must be starving too. A thought flashes into his mind, so he turns to hand a piece to the quiet boy. Who then, to his disbelief, shakes his head, refusing to look up from the ground.
“Dude, you gotta eat something.” He insisted, only to get a mumbling response of “not hungry.”
“Hey, I’m not here to baby you, alright? Eat.” Robby replies, clearly annoyed in his voice. Which results in Miguel actually showing some expression for the first time since they’ve found him.
“I never asked for you to be here.” His voice is low with anger, but that doesn’t scare Robby at all. Never did.
“Yeah? But I’m here anyway. So either you take the kebab and start eating, or I’ll feed it to you like a baby since you’re acting like one.”
Miguel growls in annoyance. Good, now he knows how Robby feels. Still not taking the food out of his hand though; so the older boy took the opportunity to unwrap the package and put it right in front of Miguel’s mouth.
“Open up, Miggy.” Robby says in a high pitched voice, like a cartoon character, waving the food in the air.
Then Miguel realizes… he’s actually being treated like a toddler.
“What is wrong with you! Stop!” his cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.
“Not until you put the goddamn food in your mouth.” The other boy replies, now in his regular voice.
“Okay. Fine! fine!” Miguel snatched the kebab out of Robby’s hand and took a bite. Gosh, that felt good. He was starving after all.
“You’re so annoying.” He commented, but then actually found himself laughing at how silly the situation was.
“Well, too bad. You’re stuck with me the whole way.”
The van stops again when they’ve arrived at the motel Johnny’s been looking for in the past thirty minutes.
“See? Told ya I don’t need the google map crap. Just some good ol’ ask and tell.” He said proudly, and mostly nagging at Robby, who rolls his eyes.
“We could’ve taken fifteen minutes less if you use the app.”
A light chuckle escaped Miguel, seeing the father-son duo in action for the first time.
Robby raises an eyebrow, then he smiles. He doesn’t even understand why, but seeing Miguel in a better mood since their last stop makes him relieved… almost happy.
“Shut up, we’re here now.” Johnny snarks back before pulling up. “I’ll go ask for a room. You boys take care of the bags.” Giving order once again, before going straight to the reception. This time, leaving the keys to Robby.
One bag is enough, since they’ll be resting just for one night. “You’ll wear my clothes.” Robby stated, before Miguel can even argue, and locks the van.
As the boys make their way into the building, Miguel suddenly asks, “Why are you guys wearing FBI shirts anyway? Is it sensei’s idea to pretend to be feds to scare Hector or…?”
He stopped when he was cut by Robby laughing hysterically.
“Oh, no. It’s so much more stupid than that.” he says before turning around for Miguel to see his back.
And so the taller boy burst out laughter, seeing the text written behind his back.
“Yeah, dad kinda made me wear it.” Robby said, still chuckling.
Then he realized this is the second time he calls dad ‘dad’ in front of Miguel, but not to hurt him, not intentionally though.
He cringes thinking of the first time it ever happened, 'you think my dad cares about you? He's just trying to make himself feel better for screwing up with me.'
He was angry, petty, and jealous. So he tried to hurt Miguel. It does work, really. Maybe hurtful enough to set him on this dangerous journey on his own. Robby didn't intended to do that.
So he quickly glances at the boy next to him.
Miguel’s laughter fades. His hands moves around a bit then being shoved into his jacket's pockets, “Sounds like him.”
His expression seems fine.
Before Robby could reply or ask anything, the man himself walks back to the boys, holding a key.
“They said the only room left is twin beds. But the other place is too far and it’s too late so… uh…” Johnny drags that out for too long to feel natural, so both of the listeners were raising their eyebrows.
“Robby.” He finally lets out, just to pauses again, which starting to annoyed the son, "What, dad?"
“How would you feel about us sharing a bed?” He finally finishes the question. Getting a low, surprised "oh." from Robby
Of course this is awkward for both of them, they’ve only been on good terms for barely a week after goddamn seventeen years.
But before he could actually response in words, Miguel just straight up yelled out “No!”
That alone took attention from the Lawrance’s to him immediately. Johnny was completely shocked, while Robby frowned, what does he mean by no?
“O- Oh. I mean…” Miguel seems to notice how his word could lead into... a lot of things. “You have been driving for so long, sensei. Because of me. I think you deserve a good rest.”
“Miguel, what are you talking about?” now, Johnny is also frowing.
“What I meant to say is,” he pauses for a few seconds, nervously looking between Robby and his sensei, then he continues, “you should have the bed to yourself. I can share with Robby.”
Johnny was stunned. He does want the boys to get along but he wouldn’t expect them to be able to share a bed on the first day.
Gee, no wonder why this boy is so precious to dad.
“I mean…” Miguel broke the very visible silence, his voice lower than before, lacking confidence, “if you’re okay with it.” he said, turning his head to look at the other boy.
And, damn, did Robby just been hit by the infamous Miguel Diaz’s puppy eyes first hand?
“Yeah.” He replies, nodding in confirmation, and Johnny widened his eyes in disbelief. “Wait- rally?”
“Dad, it’s not a big deal.” Robby quickly settled. As weird as this sounds, it’s more embarrassing if his dad would keep making that face.
He took a minute to let everything sink in, almost starts punching himself in the face to see if he's dreaming. After the three of them stood still for a little while, Johnny smiles.
"Alright. Thanks, big boys."
"God, don't call us that." Robby immediately response, shaking his head, while Miguel just laughs.
Turns out the bed was smaller than they expected.
Robby was practically hugging himself uncomfortably just to avoid evading the invisible line that he drew in his mind to keep him and Miguel apart in a, well, let’s say, appropriate distance for former sworn enemies.
The room was silent except for Johnny’s soft snores, even though none of the boys were asleep.
Well, Robby was ready to drift into his tiredness, if Miguel wouldn’t keep shifting from side to side.
“Miguel, go to sleep.” he murmurs, eyes still closed. Feeling like he's babysitting the othe boy, once again.
The moving stops for a few minutes, before the mattress moves again. But before he could call the boy next to him out again, Robby heard a light sob.
Miguel seems fine for hours, but the silence and darkness must echoes his thoughts and pain the most. Robby understands that. Everyone has been there. Well, for him, more than he wants to admit.
Okay, so what does he do? Pretends to be asleep and ignores him? Sit up and listen to everything?
But before he could come to a solution in his own head, Miguel actually gave him one right away.
“Is it- Is it… okay if you hold me?” His voice was shaky and broken, but also skeptical.
Robby froze.
No one held me when I fond out my dad’s an asshole. A thought came to his mind, and only staying in his mind. There's no obligation for him to hurt Miguel anymore.
He'd wish someone would hold him during those times too. He guessed the world just shaped him to tolerate the pain all by himself, over and over again.
But not for Miguel. He wasn’t made like that.
“Uh…” a sniff escaped, “n- never mind. Forget I say anything. That was stupid.” followed by a forced laughter.
Miguel turns to the other side, face burned with embarrassment. He can’t believe he actually asked that, from fucking Robby! Robby Keene!
Which leads him to gasping when a pair of warm arms wrapped around sides, resting on his torso.
Miguel’s sobs become shaky, his mouth parted and babbles inaudible words he’s trying to form, which suddenly stops when Robby just mumbles, “now, sleep.” right into his ear. His voice was relaxed and tired. Like it was nothing.
Appreciating the warmth and comfort, Miguel just smiles. And both of them fall asleep ten minutes later.