Chapter Text
Finnegan ‘Finney’ Black was dead; he never got to escape that basement.
Aaron Finnegan Michael Minyard was alive, playing exy and studying medicine to become a doctor and help those like him.
Finney hugged his blanket closely as Gwen rested her head on his shoulder the fatigue clearly catching to her, distantly he sees his father run to them and started hugging them both, not that Finney cared, he only felt numb listening to his father apologies.
He only listened as a police officer got out of the house, face full of confusion that made Finney uneasy as he looked even more closely wanting to know what was going on, the words he heard next made him freeze in shock, whole body tensed up in fear as blood roared in his ears, he didn’t hear anything after that.
“There isn’t a body, only the grabber’s brother, but the murderer himself isn’t there”
What?
How?
Finney clearly remembered the phone cord around the grabber as his head snapped; he remembered the body going limp. No this couldn’t be it, the grabber was dead, and he himself made sure of it, the officer was just joking.
But.
But watching the others panic, going to check themselves to see if it is really true made Finney more scared as reality, cruel reality, dawned on him... The grabber was alive, he was alive and would surely come for him again to get back at him because apparently it was Finney’s fault for his brother death, not him himself who split his’s brother head with an axe.
Like a light being switched off, darkness overtook him and he fell into a never-ending nightmare, one where he remained stuck in that basement suffering over and over again at the hands of that man.
He wasn’t sure what happened after, only one thing was clear, Finney Black died that day, never to be seen again only by the ghost boys, who never left him alone in that hell.
The sky was starting to fade from deep indigo to a warm orange and slight pinkish color, basking the city with the sun’s bright rays as it slowly rises into the sky. The clock was ticking away, breaking the silence in the quiet dorm.
The birds could be heard chirping outsides the open window where Aaron sat looking nowhere and everywhere at the same time, a sharp smell of menthol from the lit cigarette was keeping him calm as he took long drags of it letting the smoke curl inside his lungs before exhaling, the lavender milk tea long forgotten on the small besides table.
He had a nightmare again that night waking up in cold sweat and he couldn’t fall asleep again, so he took the pack of cigarettes he kept hidden, a lighter and quietly exited the bedroom not wanting to wake up his roommates, they still have two and a half hours of sleep.
He made his way into the quiet dorm towards the kitchen, busying himself with making tea to relax his nerves. Rarely did he get nightmares anymore, but they were always bad enough for him not to fall asleep again, the paranoia wouldn’t let him anyway.
He lost a lot of sleep last week, and this week seems like it will be the same. He was tired and it was only Monday, the dark circles under his eyes became more prominent as each day passed. He knew the others were starting to notice that something was wrong, not that Aaron would tell them, after it was his burden and no one else's.
Opening the living room area window, he set down the cup of steaming tea on the small nearby table and climbed on the windowsill before lighting a cig lost in thoughts as he watched the city slowly wake up. Looking down the road, he sees a black van circling around the area before leaving.
He knew something was up since that van appeared a week and half ago but was stupid enough not to think more of it. Even if it was that person, he couldn’t know who Aaron was, after all he remembers a dark-haired teenager, not a blond one, even so Aaron knew the peace wouldn’t last, and he needed to act fast to protect his family from that monster, to protect Andrew, he wouldn’t let any of them get hurt, not again.
“I hate to see you smoking Cariño”
The olive-skinned ghost said floating beside the blond head. Aaron only let out a sigh as the other ghost boys arrived, each looking at him with different expressions. Thankfully it wasn’t pity, he hates being pitied. With a last drag of the cancer stick, he flicked his wrist effectively, getting rid of it.
He woke up to blinding light rendering him for a while, only opening his eyes again after adjusting. After a few months spent in a basement that smelled so bad that the smell of antiseptic and chemicals made him feel strangely secure.
“Good to see you awake”
The sudden voice made him tense back up and let out a flinch startling the nurse who was checking on his IV, even after seeing that it was only a nurse made Finney slightly calm down, but still not fully, right now he didn’t trust any adults, they only bring him pain.
His mother and father only hurt him, the teachers didn’t listen to him, and his mother old friends used to hurt him before Fin- No, Finney died, only Aaron remained. The nurse spoke again, clearing a bit of tension and bringing Aaron back from his mind, a place full of only dark thoughts.
“Sorry to startle you, but I need to notify the detective of your awaking”
As she said that Aaron nodded along only understanding bits of what she said and remained in tense silence getting lost in his mind again, still not believing that he made it out, but he knew it wouldn’t last long enough, the grabber was alive even after.... Aaron only squeezed his arms as the door opened, startling him once again.
“Hello, I'm detective Garcia, I need to ask you a few questions”
Aaron slowly nodded his head, still not trusting his own voice, and he was already tried again. It felt like a dream he still didn’t wake up from, but the translucent figures that were seated nearby made it a reality. Only now did he see them, back there in that place he only sometimes could see them during calls but now he can see them fully.
They didn’t change much, looking the same as when they died, the blood on them and the fact that they were still here, and that Aaron could see them whole should have him tense but it only brought comfort even if it was probably only his imagination playing tricks.
“First, you should know that as the grabber is still alive, and we suspect he might come for you, we will need to place you into witness protection-”
“No”
Was the only thing Aaron said, he knew what witness protection is, and he didn’t want to go there especially when it wasn’t known if they will even catch the grabber... but also Aaron didn’t want to go back to his father, he knew it only bring him pain, but he also couldn’t leave Gwen alone...
“My mother is still alive, Mrs. Black was my stepmother, I could always go back to her, she lives a few states away”
Detective Garcia only nodded with wide eyes, he didn’t know about this at all. Even so, he only scribbled down some words on the note pad before starting to speak again.
“It doesn't matter, we could practically place you in witness protection but still send you to your mother and only check in from time to time”
Relief flooded inside his body he could finally go back to how he used to look, after all being the only kid in Denver with bright milky blond hair was bound to get attention and Terrance didn’t want people to know of his affair so he started dying his son’s hair brown, at first Aaron protested but after a few beatings he didn’t argue anymore.
His stepmother tried to help him in any way she could but couldn’t do much as at that time she was also taking care of little Gwen, even so Aaron still loved her, she gave him hugs, forehead kisses night cuddles, she was nothing like Tilda who used to hurt him all the time and apologize after the drugs wore off, not like it mattered.
Of course, little Aaron used to love her, always making excuses for her each time, forgiving her each time, but after he went to his father and met Hope Black, he realized what true motherly love was. After her death Aaron closed right back up, not wanting to believe that the one person beside his sister left him.
Garcia continued to interrogate the boy, who answered his question with difficulty sometimes clamming back up when they would get very invasive so he didn’t answer those, couldn’t answer them as his throat tightened each time.
After a few frustrating minutes, the detective got up planning to leave and talk with his supervisors about his findings and the final decision made. Aaron didn’t pay much attention after only nodding when he was told that tomorrow, they will discharge him.
At night he was left staring at the celling, paranoia seeping through every cell of his body, still not believing that he finally escaped, slowly he moved his eyes to the ghost children who were playing cards game on the ground, where thy got the item from Aaron didn’t know nor want to find out.
He saw Griffin, who had his back to Aaron struggling to understand the game, and so Aaron took pity on him, after all he felt sorry for Griffin the most, being kept for two years in that place was no joke, Aaron was there only for a few months and he was close to killing himself.
“Place the red, two”
His voice was raspy as he spoke startling the ghosts who turned to look at him with shocked expressions before quickly started to gather around his bed, Griffin even getting on it, something like relief flashing through their eyes.
Robin was the closest to him, besides Griffin, immediately raising a hand to Aaron’s forehead surprised to see it not passing through like before.
“Cariño? You can see us?”
The boy asked hopefully giving a slight glare to Vance who snorted at the nickname Robin spoke, it was clear what was happening, well only Griffin and Aaron didn’t understand what that word meant, the latter only knew that was what Robin used to call him all the time before, and when Aaron asked what it meant he never got the answer.
And Aaron nodded with a small smile which the others quickly returned something close to relief flashed in their eyes before Bruce, Griffin and Robin had thrown themselves at the still alive boy, the other two didn’t join content on only watching.
“I know, but I can’t help it”
Aaron responded back looking into those beautiful brown eyes of his lover best friend. He was a coward, he knew it, the ghost boys knew it, everyone knew it. Vance, who had an unreadable expression, suddenly scoffed, crossing his arms and leaned back into Bruce’s semi-transparent body.
“You need to ask for help, nerd, I’m sure your brother and his boytoy with connections to the mafia would gladly help you”
The younger blond rolled his eyes and snorted, the situation was funny for him, after all Andrew wouldn’t help him, they had a fight at their last joint therapy and they still didn’t talk since then, and so to spare the others by the awkward air he went to practice and back with Matt, sometimes even walking if it was after school.
Since then, he didn’t talk with any of the monsters, except Nicky seeing as he was sharing a dorm with him, that and the fact that he didn’t do anything to Aaron, even so they rarely did talk as Nicky usually went to the others dorm.
Well, if the getting screamed during practice by two exy addicts was considered talking, and Aaron commenting back at them from time to time, then sure.
Sometimes they would get on his nerves well enough that Aaron would just throw his gear away and storm off court going to a hidden place where nobody looks and stay there till he calmed down, sometimes his boys would join and play Uno or whatever they have in mind that day.
“You know that were not really family like, and I don’t expect them to care that much, I mean, you have seen them”
Aaron bitterly said, after all it was true, Andrew didn’t focus much on his brother after he got Aaron of the drugs, especially after Josten came with his lies dragging everyone in danger. Aaron was jealous, sue him, after all Josten barged in their lives and became the main attraction, everyone loved him, even Andrew who didn't once let Aaron or really anyone in.
He knew Andrew only helped him out of some kind of obligation the other felt after seeing his carbon copy suffer at their mother hands, and thought that since he couldn’t save himself, he repents by ‘saving’ Aaron but quickly became bored and shifted his attention elsewhere.
He was tired of fighting with the other, Aaron only wanted his brother and only his brother. He tried multiple times, again and again, only to end up at rock bottom. He knew any future connection would end after university finishes, they will each go on different paths and never see each other again.
And honestly that hurts more than anything, it settles heavily on his chest, now days it’s a slight ache but even so Aaron accepted the reality, no one ever loved him, maybe Nicky, but Aaron knows that sometimes the older cousin wished he had a more normal life, and Aaron doesn't blame him for it.
The only one who truly loved him was Robin, who didn’t want anything from Aaron, he helped him a lot and all he wanted in return was to be friends, maybe more, but it all came to an end when he was kidnapped and latter murdered.
Aaron remembers the denial, the anger at the word for taking his friend, then pure sadness, countless nights spent crying alone in his bed. He was glad Robin was still here with him, even as a ghost. At least he had someone, him and the other ghost boys who Aaron loved fiercely.
Aaron wasn’t anyone’s first choice, literally even Tilda didn’t want him. But after that thought he remembered his boys who chose him and stayed with him through hell, and even now they didn’t leave. It warmed his chest just thinking about it. He knew they would eventually leave, but until then Aaron chose to stay happy and content.
A small smile touched his lips, bringing the cup of tea to take a sip, ignoring the others knowing glances and the arguments taking place about his other alive ‘family’. Griffin materialized into his lap, also ignoring the older boys.
“Look!”
The younger said, stuffing a drawing into Aaron’s face, and now that Aaron thinks about it, he still doesn't know who the others managed to find such items, but was happy for them. In that picture were them, Aaron and the ghosts, together. It warmed his chest whenever Griffin acted his age.
“Beautiful, you’re really good at it”
The boy shyly nodded, leaning into the older boy. It seems that the others finished arguing and came over again, smiling at the scene. Griffin being the youngest was always taken care of by others, bowing to the child’s whims.
“Aaron?”
The smallest fox froze before snapping his gaze to his cousin who appeared out of nowhere, and with a quick look to the clock showing that it was little past 6 am, he stared at Nicky who should still be asleep, the older man usually woke up after 6:30. No, Aaron is probably just overreacting, he lightly shakes his head calming down.
“Nicky, why are you awake?”
“I could ask you the same thing”
The dark-haired adult retorted looking at Aaron like he has grown two heads, which fair, with the bags under his eyes, the skin which became more paler than usual and the paranoia dripping from his whole body would make anyone look. Aaron hopes his cousin didn’t hear Aaron talking to himself, Nicky would probably think he’s gone crazy.
“I’m fine”
Aaron snapped rolling his eyes, from the corner of them he could see his boys laughing their asses of, he would get them later. He let out a grumble at their actions before looking back at his cousin who looked even more worried than before if possible.
“If you’re fine then I’m straight”
Nicky narrowed his eyes suspiciously at his younger cousin. There was clearly something wrong that was bothering him for the past week, and Aaron didn’t tell anyone what’s going on. Aaron just rolled his eyes again and turned his head away indicating that he wouldn’t talk anymore.
Nicky just let out a tired sigh before going into the kitchen, missing the flinch Aaron gave at the sound and went to make himself some coffee. Aaron kept looking out of the window, gripping his pants tightly. He knew he wasn’t the best person, he knew, but it still hurts.
Monday and Tuesday go as expected, sleepless and full of nightmares during nighttime, and during daytime he was on autopilot, going to classes, taking notes, going to practice, getting yelled at, doing homework. He was doing as usual, but if you looked closely, you would see his empty but faraway gaze.
Aaron knew his boys were worried but couldn’t do anything as they were ghosts, except comfort him after seeing a missing poster about two kids. Even so he still didn’t believe it, didn’t want to and ignored the looks that the ghost boys threw at him, not only there's, but some of his teammates too, especially Nicky’s who was looking with pity, he hated it.
Wednesday morning arrived the same, Aaron sat awake, he didn’t even try to fall asleep, next to the window smoking more than usual. As per schedule, he had morning practice before going to classes, skipping evening practice and going to his and Andrew’s joint therapy, then to the team briefing meeting.
Everything had gone as expected, but this time at the therapy session he kept quiet ignoring Betsy and Andrew, who kept throwing glares at him. He was tired and nothing helped at all, so he wasn’t surprised that after the session ended Andrew stormed off and let Aaron walk back to the court, jokes on him Aaron already called Katelyn before asking if she could drive him to practice.