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The house was warm and comforting compared to the outside. Brandon could hear Sean humming from the kitchen area, making lunch for both of them, while fire crackled in the fireplace. A random cartoon played quietly in the background that he was hardly paying attention to, not with the view from the window.
Brandon watched as the snow fell softly outside the window, slowly piling up outside. It snowed a lot in this strange place, something Sean was very used to but Brandon wasn't. He loved it though! Even if it was very, very cold.
Sean always let him play in the snow, doing all sorts of things he didn't do much before ending up here. Usually Sean would just stay on their porch and watch as he played around, but sometimes he could convince him to join in!
The best part was being bundled up afterwards with hot coco and watching shows with him though. Brandon always liked that part.
But right now? He got to play again!
Brandon turned from the window, running out of the living room and down the hall towards the bedrooms. He swung his door open, running in and looking through all his things for his winter clothes. Sean had made sure he knew how important it was to be dressed properly, especially since they realized they actually could get sick here.
Brandon learned that first hand the first time and ever since then Sean had been more adamant about it.
He wrapped his scarf around his neck and shoulders before grabbing his gloves and hat, putting them on. He didn't really have a winter coat, neither did Sean really, so the hoodie would hopefully be enough!
He ran back out of his room, forgetting to shut his door as he ran back into the living room. Brandon glanced into the kitchen, seeing Sean being very focused, then turned back to the front door. He walked over and opened the door quietly and stepped out onto the porch.
He probably should've at least told Sean where he was heading but….
It would be okay!
He quietly shut the door before running off into the middle of the yard, the crunching of the snow following after, before he flopped down onto the ground. Brandon giggled as he started to move his arms up and down.
Snow fell down on his head and face, no end in sight as he continued to make snow angels in the yard. He sat up, staring at them, trying to think of what else to make.
Maybe a snowman? Or maybe a whole lot of snowballs and he could bring Sean outside and-
-CRACK-
Brandon’s head snapped over towards the forest, the crack resounding from there. His heart started racing and he became nervous when nothing else happened.
He almost thought he imagined it, nothing else had ever been there but them. Sean had checked so many times and not even an animal could be spotted.
But it sounded so loud and so real.
It wouldn't hurt to check right?
Brandon glanced at the front of the house, no sign of Sean leaving the house, so he probably didn't hear it from inside. He turned fully towards the forest not sure if he should actually go in. The only times he has, was with Sean.
He slowly walked over, the only noise was the snow moving beneath his feet and the window blowing a bit. As he got closer, nothing seemed to appear on the edge of the forest, so whatever it was (if anything at all-) had to be further in.
The forest was always intimidating, tall trees and no sounds, it made Brandon nervous. He knew nothing was there but it didn't stop him from being scared.
But something was here! What if it was someone like him and Sean? What if they were hurt?
But it could also be something bad he couldn't deal with, and no Sean to help him if it was.
Brandon shook his head quickly, trying to be braver as he walked further into the tree line, the house behind him slowly leaving out of sight as he moved. He still didn't see anything as he walked, nothing at all.
Maybe it was just a branch falling?
Brandon was about to turn around when he heard a noise. Almost like a pained gasp, but so quiet.
Someone was hurt!
He hurried over towards the noise, not sure what to expect. As he got closer he spotted a boy, who seemed older than him, laying on the ground. He was dressed in proper winter clothes, his hat next to him on the ground, but he certainly looked hurt.
The other’s eye was closed and his face was scrunched in pain. On the right side of his head, an inky substance seemed to constantly go down it.
Brandon shuffled closer, sitting on the ground and reaching his hand out to the other. As his hand hovered over his shoulder, the other boy’s eye shot open. It looked everywhere in a kind of panic and his breathing picked up with it. The other boy’s gaze finally landed on Brandon, which caused him to shoot up and move away from him, his back up against a tree.
Brandon tilted his head a bit, before grinning and waving.
“Hi!”
The other didn't respond at first, just staring at Brandon and their surroundings. He slowly calmed down, but it was clear he still seemed scared or at least unsettled.
“Who- Where?” The boy started.
“I’m Brandon! Also I dunno, we haven't really figured out a name for this place quite yet.” He answered when the other trailed off.
“You don't know where you even are???” The boy looked at him alarmed. “You probably shouldn't even be out here alone! Why are you- Wait ‘we’?”
Brandon moved a bit closer as the other spoke, the other either not noticing.
“Well yeah! Me and Sean! He’s really cool dont worry, he's like a cool older brother or like a dad.”
The other didn't answer at first, just staring back at Brandon.
“Does he know youre…even out here?”
Brandon’s smile dropped a bit and he started fidgeting with his fingers nervously.
“No…”
The other sighed.
“It’ll be okay! Nothing is out here, well usually.”
The other didn't seem convinced,
“You never told me your name-” Brandon started before the sound of snow crunching under footsteps appeared.
The other boy tensed up but Brandon smiled as he heard the voice.
“Brandon.”
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Sean heard Brandon running throughout the house, he had thought nothing of it. He’s a child with lots of energy and not much to use it on. Sean wasn't going to be upset with him for that.
Plus he had more important things to worry about, like not burning the food on the stove.
Neither him or Jake had ever been the…greatest at cooking-
He glanced out the kitchen window towards the snow, surprised Brandon hadn't run to him to play outside. He usually did. For something so normal and usual to himself, it was like a little gift every time to Brandon.
He wasn't ever going to tell him no.
The sound of running faded back into the living room, as Brandon seemingly returned from whatever it was that he was doing. It grew quiet after that other than the noise of the stove and the cartoon distantly. Sean didn’t think much of it, perhaps the kid tuckered himself out or was just playing quietly.
Sean had gotten used to both in their time here. Somedays Brandon would act like everything he did was a bit too loud, and if it was he'd be in trouble. While other days, he'd be bouncing off the walls and dragging Sean everywhere.
He glanced towards the living room, not spotting the boy.
Maybe he was over by the window?
He turned off the stove, placing food on two plates and setting them on the counter. He walked towards the living room, calling out to Brandon as he did.
“Kid? Lunch is done.”
Silence was his only response. Sean’s brow furrowed.
“Brandon?”
He walked into the living, hoping maybe he had just fallen asleep watching something or just hadn't heard him.
But the living room was empty. Crayons left laid on the table next to paper, the cartoon still played. The seat at the window was empty. No Brandon in sight.
“Kid?” Sean called out.
This wasn’t really funny.
Maybe he was in his room? Though he could have sworn he heard the footsteps come back to the living room.
He walked down the hallway towards Brandon’s room, hoping he was there. All he was met with was a wide open door and an empty room. He stepped in, not something he usually would've done unless Brandon was actually there, hoping the kid was maybe hiding.
Nothing.
What he did notice though, was all of Brandon’s winter clothes were missing.
Sean let out a sigh as he turned out of the room and towards the front door.
This kid was going to be the death of him. Again.
He stepped out onto the porch and headed off into the snow, stepping around any of Brandon’s creations that were slowly being snowed over, and looked for any trace of a direction.
He saw the footsteps, very much Brandon’s, leading into the forest. He felt his gut twist at the thought. While they were sure nothing was with them, he didn't particularly like the idea of the kid wandering off alone into the forest.
He’d never know if one day this place decided they had enough of peace.
Sean followed after the footsteps, keeping an eye on his surroundings as he did.
Something felt different.
He heard the voices before he saw them. Brandon’s chipper voice ringing out, while a more cautious one responded.
Someone else was here.
When he arrived, Brandon was sitting near a boy a bit older than him, smiling brightly at him while the other tensed up as Sean approached.
“Brandon.” He spoke.
Brandon’s smile fell a bit into a nervous one as he turned to look at Sean.
Sean crossed his arms as he looked at him.
“What have I said about running off alone?”
The boy looked away sheepishly.
“To tell you…”
Sean sighed, raising a hand to set at his temple. Jeez this kid was going to give him a heart attack one of these days. He lowered his hand, turning his head towards the other.
He looked…rough, for a lack of a better word.
“Who’s this?”
“I dunno!” Brandon responded cheerfully.
Sean and the boy looked at Brandon a bit confused.
Sean let out a sigh again as he shook his head.
“We can worry about that at the house.”
“Im not going with you.” The boy finally spoke up.
Sean looked at him.
“Kid, it's cold out here and you need cleaned up, you're coming to the house.”
“It's nice and warm!” Brandon added.
The kid looked conflicted.
“I’m..” he seemed to pause for a moment. “Im fine.”
Well, Sean didn't believe that for a second.
"Whether you like it or not, kid, you're stuck here.” Sean approached him as he spoke. “Sooo, you're coming with.”
He scooped the kid up by the hood, which of course the other started moving all over the place to be let go. Brandon trailed after them worried.
The whole way back the kid let out demands to be put down, clawing at Sean’s hand and crying. Brandon tried calming him down but it hadn't really worked, not that Sean expected it too.
At least in Nilspace, he never had to deal with kids who were so adamant at refusing help.
Just…thousands of very nosey people-
Brandon ran in front of him towards the front door, swinging it open as Sean approached. The kid had pretty much tuckered himself out by the time they reached the house, realizing Sean wasn't going to let go. He moved over to the living room, setting the kid down on the couch.
“So, are you gonna tell us your name?”
The other did not speak.
Sean sighed before walking off to the bathroom for a wash cloth. He needed to clean whatever that was off the kid’s face. He ran it under some warm water, moving to put some in a bowl just to carry it with as he wrung out the towel. Sean brought both with him back to the living room, where Brandon was trying and failing to talk with the other kid.
“Alright kid, let's get that off your face.”
The other said nothing as Sean wiped off the ink like substance, doing his best to clean it off. No matter what he tried, it kept coming back, dripping down the kids face endlessly. Sean narrowed his eye at it.
“Okay…new plan.” Sean said as he stood up.
He brought the stuff back to the bathroom, setting the towel on the counter to wash later while he poured out the bowl. He looked through the cabinets finding bandages. He picked them up and brought them back out.
“Hopefully this works…” He muttered as he slowly wrapped the bandages around the kid’s head.
“Jacob..”
“Hm?”
“My name..” The kid spoke quietly.
He wasn't looking at Sean, more at his hands, but hey progress.
“Okay Jacob, are you hungry?”
He only got a shrug in response. He’d take it as a yes.
He turned to Brandon.
“Kiddo. Go grab the plates from the kitchen will you?”
Brandon nodded as he ran off, leaving the two alone. Sean grabbed a blanket from the other end, setting it over Jacob. The other moved slightly, leaning towards Sean.
Sean let out a sigh, placing his hand on the kid’s head.
Another one to care for.
Jeez dont send anymore, he doesnt think his heart could handle it.