Curse

Date/Timing: 15 July 2012
Setting: Hermann & Edan's flat; Battersea, London, England, United Kingdom
.
Edan creeps into the big room, looking quite a bit like Dottie did when they caught her breaking into the chow bag.
Hermann pauses /Child of Eden, sets the controller aside, raises an eyebrow.
Edan scuffs a rainbow-socked foot, says—makes a breathy sound and stares at the floor.
"Out with it."
He cringes.
Hermann's heart stutters, but he holds his face neutral.
Edan perches on the armchair, takes a deep breath. "I just got off the phone with my dad."
After a five-count of silence, Hermann asks, "How are things?"
"Not good?" Runs his hand through his hair, lets it rest on his nape. "He, uh, asked me to take Kris in. Again."
Hermann frowns. "You've told him our decision about that?"
"Y-yea, and I repeated it today, but ... something really needs to change. Kris's coming apart, heading a bad way."
"Surely there are other Reids? Or family friends? Or even someone in his mother's family?"
"He shouldn't be passed around like a hot rock." Edan drags himself straighter, folds his hands between his knees, gives Hermann his most earnest look. "I want him to come here. To stay."
Hermann flattens his palms against his trousers. "We've talked about this, Edan. We can't afford him—"
"Dad promises to pay his way and he'll work, too."
Hermann ruffles, continues, "I'd have to resume binding—"
"I feel terrible asking 'coz of that, but—"
"—because we have a secret which /must be kept and living in close quarters with another person puts /everyone at risk."
"We've set aside a room for Bunny already and—" A deep breath before rushing on. "—I don't want to be like this, but it's not fair we're going to help /your little brother but leave /mine flailing out there on his own."
"This isn't about our brothers: it's about keeping /all of us safe. Bastien's already proved he can keep the secret."
"You didn't know I could when you told me."
Hermann rolls his eyes. "You're /you, Edan. Anyone who talks to you for five bloody minutes can tell you'll keep a life-and-death secret."
"You've never talked to Kris."
"I don't need to—"
"What—"
"—when he couldn't even maintain his /own secret."
Edan's eyes turn fiery. "Which he shouldn't have had to keep in the first place!"
"That doesn't change the fact his lapse lead to his exposure!"
"He was a bloody /child!"
"It wasn't even a year ago! He's /still a child!"
"He's the same age as Bunny!"
"He's clearly not as mature as Bastien!"
Dottie slinks in, whimpers.
"You don't think he's learned a lesson after losing his family and friends?!"
"Clearly not, if he's as far off the rails as your father implies!"
"He just—"
Hermann shoves to his feet, fists tight at his sides, snarls, "This is my /life, Edan. I'm not trusting it to a stranger, even one who shares half your genes."
Edan sags, hangs his head. "This's Kris's life, too." Deep breath. "I only brought it up again 'coz Dad begged me to help 'fore he does something stupid."
Dottie leans against his leg, licks his hand.
"Fenella-type stupid or—"
Edan pushes up his sleeve, drags a finger up his forearm.
Hermann deflates, slumps back to the sofa cushions. "Isn't there anyone else?"
"I'm the last resort." Croaks, "Sorry."
He can't meet Edan's eyes. "We'll—" Swallows. "We'll be in Glasgow within the month; maybe a face-to-face talk with him will be enough?"
"It's a start, at least. Maybe it'll help." Edan turns to Dottie. "You need walkies?"
She perks up, panting happily.
"Let's go then." He pushes to his feet. "Thanks for hearing me out, Hermann. I'm sorry I started yelling."
"You're forgiven. I understand you feel deeply about this."
"Yea, thanks." Edan turns away, plods into the hall and to the door.
Jingling as Dottie bounces.
Door opens.
More jingling.
Door closes, locks.
Hermann rests his head on the back of the sofa, focuses on breathing deeply and evenly around the ache in his chest, and curses his mother for what must be the billionth time.
Category:Celestial Mechanics
2012 07 15
Category:Ficlet
Category:London (setting)
Category:Hermann
Category:Hermann's POV
Category:Hermann (ficlet)
Category:Hermann has wings
Category:Edan
Category:Edan (ficlet)
Category:Torquil (mention)
Category:Kris (mention)
Category:Bastien (mention)
Category:Peridot
Category:Peridot (ficlet)
Category:Fenella (mention)
Category:Birgit (mention)
Category:Ficlets with images