FSE

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Chapter 22

"The Stir"

ACT 1

Jacob Evergreen was sitting on the side of his father's med bay bed, looking at the bandages covering his bullet wound shots in concern. The small dots of blood had gathered in the middle of the bandages, but otherwise... He was looking actually healthy. He was breathing normally, and the heartbeat monitor next to him was showing a stable rhythm. It would be only a matter of time before he woke up.

Jacob was not good at dealing with situations like this. He had never seen his father or mother hurt in any way, and he barely was sick himself in any context. He had visited med bay maybe two times during his whole life. The whole idea of blood, bandages, medicine, and syringes was giving him anxiety. He had a small phobia about all of this stuff since being a kid.

The German shepherd was always so joyful and joking spirit, but right now he was having a hard time not crying or focusing on anxiety-filled thoughts, seeing his father like this. He had been through a shootout and could have ended up getting killed as a result. Which is something Jacob had a hard time grasping. All of this was just so scary. Seeing this raccoon father of his just lying there, weak. The dog just fidgeted around restlessly, wishing that his father would wake up. His gaze quickly ended up looking at the medicine husky bobblehead on the table next to the bed, the dog giving it a poke and making it fall down, sighing and flipping it back up.

A good minute went on before the dog started to get emotional staring at his dad.

Jacob was about to whisper something to his father until the door opened behind him.

"Oh, dear lord! I was worried sick for you, Jacob!"

The dog almost jumped a little bit from suddenly barging in, turning to look around his shoulder.

It was his mother, Ellie Evergreen

The female dog was walking fast to him and scooping him into a hug before he could do anything back.

She was squeezing so hard that Jacob winced in small annoyance, starting to calm her down.

"Mom... Mom, god damn, I am okay! I'm fine! Sorry if I didn't come to you first-"

"You should have! When I heard what happened to Rob, I-"

"Look, I just needed to see myself that he was-mom! Mom. It's okay." The dog assured her, pushing her away a little bit.

The dog let go, sniffing loudly and looking at her son emotionally for a moment, then turning to look at the male raccoon on the bed.

"Oh, Rob..." She let out quietly in worry, quickly making her way to sit next to Jacob.

She quickly turned to look behind them in hesitation, her eyes widening.

"Jesus, Amir is really on his own hospital bed." She said in concern.

"Yeah... It's... Crazy alright. But he just muttered something in his sleep so I think he is waking up soon. Charlie said he will be okay." Jacob said quietly.

"I... I see. That is good... Good to hear..." Ellie spoke awkwardly the moment the name came up.

Ellie then turned around, looking back at her husband.

She laid her paw out on top of Robert's, staring at the heartbeat monitor and stayed quiet for a moment.

The silence between them kept going for a while, as she tried to gather her thoughts together.

She whispered after a while.

"How could... Why did he do this?" She still spoke in disappointed disbelief.

"... He was doing this for teacher Winchester. That is what Ryan said to me." Jacob said genuinely, turning to look at her mother.

"... Ryan said." Ellie repeated with a skeptical and anxious tone.

Jacob was slightly confused by this odd tone, then explaining.

"... My dad is his dad's best friend, mom. He found out the truth."

"Truth about what?" Ellie asked worriedly.

"That... That Niles's dad was weirdo lunatic who tried to kill my friend in his sleep and then try to make teacher Winchester look crazy." Jacob said like it was obvious.

Ellie closed her eyes, rubbing her eyelids with her two fingers in frustration as she spoke quietly.

"Jacob, even if that is the truth-"

Jacob cut her off in confusion, not understanding this attitude.

"Why wouldn't it be the truth? I believe Ryan. Hell, you would have too if you had been there to listen. It was fucking crazy."

Ellie then spoke right away as a scold.

"Don't curse, Jacob. You know we have talked about you cursing too much-"

"Really, mom? Right now, you going to scold me for cursing? -" Jacob asked with a bored expression.

"Yes, Jacob. I will. But it is nothing compared to the scolding that I give to your dad when he... When he wakes up and has regained his health." She sighed and gave the look that ordered silently Jacob to behave.

There was clearly some trouble coming Rob's way.

"... Why? Why would you be angry at dad?" Jacob asked innocently.

"Because even if he is Charlie's best friend, it doesn't excuse him to go against Calvin, play hero, and put his life on the line. It was irresponsible and selfish towards us. He could be-" Ellie couldn't even continue, getting overly emotional and taking few breaths to calm down and she squeezed Rob's paw.

"..." Jacob was quiet, not saying anything as he just turned to look at his dad and understanding where she was coming from. But yet, Jacob understood why his dad had done what he had seen as the right thing to do.

Suddenly, Ellie spoke quietly.

"He could be gone. And we would be left wondering the rest of our lives of why it all happened. He didn't even come to me. To his wife. He didn't come to tell me what had happened and what he was about to do before storming off to do all of it. I deserved to know."

"... He knew that you would have told him to stay out of it." Jacob added like it was the most likely outcome.

"Yes, I would have-" She began defensively.

"And then, teacher Winchester might have been gone. That isn't any better, mom. Geez..." Jacob muttered with a sad expression.

Ellie shook her head, now bringing her own paw to adjust and fix the collar of Jacob's vault suit, the dog wanting to shoo her away but given the situation he let it be.

"Jacob, as smart as a boy as you are, you don't understand these things and how they affect people. Not in your age. Winchester... They have dug their own grave for a long while-"

"Dug their own grave? How?" Jacob asked on confusion, Ellie letting go after having fixed his collar.

"Charlie Winchester isn't as a saint as you think he is, nor a hero. You didn't... Oh dear god, I completely had forgotten. You didn't see what happened just now in the senior hall." She spoke with a serious tone.

"... Uhhhh... What happened in the senior hall?" Jacob asked with eyebrow raise.

Ellie then realized that Jacob had indeed been absent along with Dion from the scene, so they were the only ones who had not witnessed people attacking Charlie. Along with Rob and Amir who had been unconscious.

"It is better for us all to talk about it when Robert wakes up." She said quickly, taking her eyes off Jacob.

"... Mom. Come on, just tell me." Jacob now asked, clearly seeing that it was bothering his mom.

Ellie took a deep breath, turning to look at Jacob as she decided to just say how it was.

"... Charlie Winchester beat up Jill's father in front of everyone... There was a... Reaction-look you will hear it when it is t-"

"WAIT WHAT?! WHAT HAPPENED, MOM?!" Jacob asked in a mild freak out, getting off from his seat.

Before she could tell Jacob to calm down, they both heard it loud and clear.

COUGH COUGH!

It came from Robert. The male raccoon was starting to mumble something after coughing, his eyelids shivering as he was regaining consciousness.

"ROBERT! Robert, are you okay?!" Ellie spoke in a hopeful tone, Jacob quitting his defying act right away as he rushed to look over his father.

"Mmrhhmm.. Thh..." The raccoon let out, his eyes slowly opening and wincing in annoyance over the bright ceiling light over him.

He couldn't see anything else but the blinding light all over, along with quiet meeps of the voices near him.

He felt a heavy headache and weakness in his body due to having lost a fair amount of blood. Everything was woozy. He tried to raise his arm up, feeling someone touch and making him feel even more concerned about what was going on.

"Rob... ROB." She spoke with a warm tone, trying to easy Rob into wake up.

And the raccoon did slowly start to fully open his eyes, his face turning to see the direction of the voice.

And slowly, as the blur got away and the delirious gaze of seeing everything in two briefly... He could see them both.

He saw his son and his wife, both looking right at him with relieved smiles, Jacob wagging his tail happily.

Robert could feel with a single inhale through his nose all the chemicals, medicine, and hand sanitizer around the place, slowly becoming into realization.

"Honey... Honey, are you... Can you hear us?" Ellie asked in concern.

Robert smacked his dry mouth a bit, looking around the room a bit without moving his head too much. He slowly smiled as the two most important people of his life were indeed right there next to him.

"I... I can hear. And see love. Can I... My mouth feels a bit-"

"Oh! Here, honey." The female dog spoke happily, taking a cup from the top of a small nearby steel table, filled with pure filtered water.

He slowly gave the cup to the raccoon, Rob taking it with a shaky paw and slowly getting himself up as he began drinking.

"You... feeling okay, dad?" Jacob asked carefully.

After the raccoon had finished the whole cup, he coughed a little bit, looking around himself.

"... What am I doing-"

His eyes then woke up, realizing where he was and everything hitting him all at once.

He remembered everything that happened. His paw traveled to the side of his neck, wincing as his open palm felt the bandage.

He began speaking in a small panic.

"NONOON! Where is Charlie! Is he-!"

"Robert! Robert. Everything is okay! You are safe. -" Ellie began, raising up from his seat and trying to calm her husband down.

"Where is Calvin?!" The raccoon yelled in concern, remembering the firefight vividly in the room before everything went black.

The female dog started to hold her husband by his shaky paws, speaking quickly.

"Calvin is held down in some water filtration room, cuffed to a chair for all we know. He-"

"Where is Charlie?!" Robert cut her off, after hearing the relieving news of Calvin being at least contained from others.

"ROBERT! Calm down and listen to me and I'll explain!" Ellie snapped loudly, making Jacob jump a bit and Robert go quite fast, the raccoon still panting in hysteria.

"Honey... You were shot multiple times. Charlie is fine... More or less. He is in his quarters with his sons. The situation... It's under control for now. But a lot of things happened when you were sleeping." She explained calmly.

"... How long was I out?" Robert asked while panting.

"You have been sleeping for around four hours. You got saved by stimpak injection, thank the heavens." She spoke in relief.

"Four... It feels like I've slept way more than that..." Robert said, rubbing his face in disbelief.

"I can imagine. But whatever danger you still think there is going on, don't worry. It's all over." She assured.

"... Over... A-Amir?" Robert suddenly spoke.

"... He is right there. He should be waking up soon. He will make it." Ellie spoke, nodding at the other bed's way.

Robert saw the yellow furred bunny sleep calmly, mumbling something in his sleep.

The raccoon exhaled in relief, gathering his thoughts aloud.

"... Shit... Okay... I... Wait..."

"... What?" Ellie asked softly.

"M-Mel... Where is M-Mel and..." He spoke quietly, already knowing the answer.

It was all over Ellie's face, as the female dog tried not to get her eyes watery.

Jacob looked down on the floor as well, feeling crushed in behalf of his dad that had lost two of his best friends. Both Mel and Eli had always treated Jacob good too.

"... Sweetie... I'm so, so sorry... Mel... Mel and Eli... They are... Gone."

"... " Robert turned to look at his bedside slowly, and it was clear to both that he needed a moment. But it was hard for them to tell if Robert was contemplating on rather dark options, his claws ripping the sheets a bit as the heartbeat monitor was already told he was about to get riled up.

Carefully, the female dog who saw her husband being on a brink of crying, tried to calm him down awkwardly as she just didn't want him to storm out of the med bay and do something he would regret.

"I am sorry, love... They died to their wounds. Whether it was Calvin's actions-"

Robert snapped at that, Jacob wincing and feeling a bit scared of seeing his father this angry, as it was a rare thing to see. But he had more than good reason this time.

"DAMN RIGHT IT WAS CALVIN's actions! He is going to pay for this when I get my hands on him! He betrayed us all! He ordered Sax and Richard to kill my friends! They used Tony as a fucking meat shield just to attempt to kill me!"

Both Ellie and Jacob were a bit scared of hearing Robert speak of this without a tone of doubt, clearly ready to storm out If they wouldn't hold him down or talking him out of it.

"... Honey, p-please... try to breathe... Rob... Is this really the truth? That Calvin did all this?" Ellie asked quietly.

"Yes! The evidence speaks for itself! My best friends are dead because of that psycho fuck!" Robert yelled angrily, Jacob being now legit a bit scared. His father didn't curse often, as Ellie shunned on that behavior.

"Robert!" Ellie tried to calm the male raccoon down desperately, holding him by the arm as the raccoon gathered himself up, his weak legs wobbling and Jacob taking his father by another hand.

"Dad, you lost a lot of blood, don't try to walk!" Jacob begged in concern.

"Listen to your son, Rob! You are not ready to leave-"

"No, honey! I need to... I need to speak to Charlie right away, I need to go!-"

"Robert!" Ellie now snapped, her tone commanding Robert to sit down.

"What, Ellie?!" The raccoon yelled in frustration.

"... No one is seeing Winchesters right now... It... It's is not allowed." She explained awkwardly, stumbling in her words as she already knew this would be unfortunate to tell.

"... WHAT?" Robert asked, Jacob, looking at his mother in confusion as well.

She sighed, letting go of Rob's arm as she was sure that the raccoon would sit down and listen. She took a deep breath and spoke.

"... Things... Jesus, things have happened. In the senior hall. Neither of you was there to see it but I was before I got the information that you were here... or more like when I didn't see you present. And maybe it was for the best. You would have stepped in and things might have gone bad for you too."

"Ellie... Tell me what happened." Robert demanded.

"... Charlie came to the hall and gathered everyone around to tell what happened. He wanted to do it in person... things got heated. Some didn't believe him, and some did. But it didn't matter. It... Things just got out of control. Accusations were thrown. People wanted to hear things from Calvin himself. And Charlie wasn't having that. He insisted we would wait for you and Amir to wake up to confirm his side of the events, and... Jill's father got agitated. He said bad things towards Charlie. And Charlie attacked him. They started fighting, and before long, everyone was attacking Charlie. Until Elliot stepped in. He shot the ceiling with his gun, separating the crowd. People demanded to put on a vote." She finished, leaving both of Jacob and Rob's jaws hanging.

"Wait wowowo-!" Jacob began, his father cutting him off.

"What the actual f-WHAT VOTE?!" He asked angrily.

Ellie rubbed her arms a bit in anxiety, knowing how the message would be received.

"That Charlie Winchester will be trialed as well as Calvin tomorrow for their crimes."

Jacob shook his head like it was the stupidest thing ever, Robert speaking after staring Ellie for three seconds, dumbfounded.

"... EXCUSE ME... WHAT?"

"Charlie is going to trial. The people... The people want him out of the vault." Ellie spoke, making it not such a bad option for some reason by her tone.

"WHY?!" Robert and Jacob both asked the same time, baffled.

"You know why, Rob! People have their opinions about him! He beat up Jill's dad! He shot people! He is scaring everyone!" Jill explained, frustrated at the two for not picking up on everything they had already seen or heard. To her, it was all obvious.

"I-!!! That is just absolutely rid-What did Charlie respond?!" Robert asked impatiently like there was no way Charlie agreed.

"... He complied." Ellie spoke with an honest tone after a moment.

"... I do not believe that, Ellie." Robert said right away.

Ellie sighed, speaking annoyedly as she just wished her husband to let it happen.

"He did, Rob. Well, rather agitatedly. He grabbed his own gun from Elliot's hand, telling... Telling everyone how he felt about them in return rather harshly... And then he went back to his quarters. He said he would allow the trial to happen."

Robert and Jacob both looked at Ellie still dumbfounded, clearly wondering if this could have happened. And as the female dog spoke no more, Robert had no choice but to believe it as he sighed and spoke quietly.

"... Jesus fucking christ-"

Ellie then hissed at Robert for cursing so much in the presence of their son.

"ROBERT. Our son is right there. I know you are upset and you have the right to, but stop cursing."

Jacob shook his head at his mother in frustration for thinking about cursing at a situation like this.

"... This... Charlie does not deserve this; Calvin did all this!" Robert argued.

"Maybe he did, maybe he didn't! Charlie vouched that you would testify in his behalf-"

"Of course, I will bloody testify!-" Robert began with a warning tone, intending to revenge on Calvin anyway he could.

"I know you would. And I am going to talk you out of it." Ellie said strictly.

Jacob now looked at Ellie like he had not heard right, Robert giving a questioning look at her as he wondered why on earth she would say that.

"... Ellie. Why in the earth would you-"?

Ellie then gave out a piece of her mind as this has been her mindset on Charlie for a while now.

"Because we have been through enough! Haven't you listened!? The people want CHARLIE GONE. And... I am sorry, but I do too! It is better for you, and our family's image... That you don't step into the podium when called."

"You cannot be serious, Ellie!" Robert said loudly, sounding betrayed even.

"I AM," Ellie said strictly with her hands crossed.

Jacob was now legit angry, wanting to speak something at his mother until Robert began going off.

"HE IS MY FRIEND! -"

"AND I AM YOUR WIFE!"

"Ellie!" Robert begged, not wanting to be put in this position.

"I do not want Charlie to have a chance of staying here when he is a danger to everyone around him!" Ellie assured like the two were blind for not seeing it.

"What do you mean?! He is my teacher and I sure as shit don't want him kicked out from here!" Jacob argued, hating this situation right now.

"JACOB! You are too young-" Ellie began, Jacob groaning and speaking in frustration.

"Oh, the hell with that, mom! This is not right!"

"Ellie, I love you, and you know that! But don't make me betray Charlie like t-"

"B-betray Charlie?!... W-what... WHAT is going on?! Why am I on a bed, Robert?!"

The suddenly scared yell from next to them made them all jump a bit as they turned to look at the bunny, startled.

Amir had woken up, panting in sweat and looking at them all with panicking eyes as he spoke.

"la 'astatie 'an 'atadhakar kula shay' ... 'ayn ... kalfin watusharili? hal hasalt ealaa talaqat?"

"Amir!" Robert yelled out, Jacob rushing to help Amir for not falling down on the floor face flat.

"By Allah, what happened!?" The bunny asked loudly, Robert and Ellie knew that this day was going to be a mess.

ACT 2

Sam Starling was on the doorway of Tio's room, arguing with his mother, Tammy, rather loudly.

The black-furred wolf was sitting in the corner of his room on a cushioned seat, trying to pretend that he was reading a book, as the awkward exchange of words was going on between the two hyenas. Tio himself had crossed the thought of arguing about Charlie's fate with his own father at this point. It was clear that people were very much clear of what they wanted to happen to the brown-furred husky, there was no going around it. Even if pretty much every single teenager of this vault was in the same situation as Sam was right now. Trying to sway their parents out of kicking Charlie from the vault. And it only had an aggressive counter-reaction, as this rebellious behavior against their own parents was just proving the point they had tried to make. That Charlie indeed had way too much of an effect on young people. It only added fuel to the fire for the parents to hear about how idiotic and unfair they were for casting a vote to get Charlie out.

Sam's was red-faced, trying to get his mind through to his mother as she was scolding her son back.

"At least you will go to your room if you really want to talk about this with a civilized manner!" Tammy argued.

"No thanks! I rather stay in the company of someone who isn't insane and angry at mister Winchester!" Sam argued right back.

"I-it's okay, Sam... I-" Tio began from the corner awkwardly, taking his eyes off his book.

The hyena rolled his eyes and spoke in frustration to his friend.

"Tio, come on! Let me stay here! If I have to hear any more of this bullshit of teacher Winchester being a bad person, I will go nuts!"

"SAM STARLING. YOU COME WITH ME RIGHT NOW!" Tammy said sternly, having enough of this defying behavior that she was not used to getting from her son.

"No. I am not, mom. You know I always do everything you tell me to do but right now, I'd rather hang out with Tio. Just go." Sam said, trying to stand his ground.

"What are you going to be discussing here with your friend that is more important than staying close to your mother right now, under all this chaos-"

"Chaos that you all created! Just go! I will come there in a few hours but for now... I just need-" Sam tried to argue, just wanting a moment of peace so he could rant to Tio about the stupidity of the elders.

"What you need to do, is to come with me, young man!" She snapped.

"... UGH! FINE, MOM! I will come with you! You happy now?!" Sam gave up annoyedly.

"Very much so. My apologies for this, Tio... Once I've had a good long talk with my son, he can come back here if he so wishes." The female hyena said to the wolf on the corner in a humble apology.

"... It's okay, miss Starling..." Tio said quietly.

"... Ugh... Just... Fine, go. Go." Sam sighed, a bit disappointed for the lack of back up from Tio, but had not really expected any.

The two hyenas took their leave from the room, the metallic door closing right behind them, and Tio feeling the silence around him.

He exhaled in relaxation, putting the book down and leaning his head back a bit.

As the wolf sat there, he kept feeling the stir of emotions, as he felt like he wanted to do something. But most of all... he felt guilty.

He felt partly like this was all his fault. And the reason was clear.

If he had never volunteered in his ambition to be the overseer, none of this might have-

"YO!"

The wolf felt a small hiccup of a scare as he was focused in his somber thoughts, the book laying pages open on his lap, falling down onto the floor.

The door was getting repeatedly banged from the other side, the intent making it's hurry clear.

But it wasn't really the effort to get an invitation to the room that made Tio freeze, it was the person behind it.

It was clearly Jacob. The dog sounded anxious, but more so riled up a bit by something. He kept banging the door a bit, breaking the tension by calling out again.

"YO?! Tio, is you in there? Sam? Either? Jill?"

Tio was nervous more than a bit, feeling uncomfortable silence settle in as he wanted to answer but knew he shouldn't.

The dog groaned, sounding truly annoyed after getting no answer of any kind.

"Aaaarreeyoou fucking kidding meeee, Please don't tell me that I gotta run around his place again looking for yall for who knows how long-"

"I-I'm here," Tio mumbled back in hesitation, wondering what was going on with the dog. But frankly more than thinking those options, he was feeling like this was not the person he wanted to let in for more than a few reasons.

Bad timing. The needed breather of mind was being once again disturbed after just getting rid of Sam. He needed silence.

Two, he knew things would get weird, especially now that he was alone in the room, and had been thinking of this possible encounter with the dog ALONE, and how it would go. This tornado of a dog behind the door had been causing nothing but frustration and suppressed, aside shoved thoughts that he was glad no one could hear or know. He knew that they needed this talk. But not like this, in the middle of this situation and these emotions, when they were strongest. But Jacob was not leaving, especially now that he knew Tio was in the room.

It had already been even soberer for Tio to think about how it would crush Jacob if his father's health would not be the same, and maybe he was coming in with the bad news. And Tio didn't know how to react on being the crying shoulder. But this might have to be that moment, in the worst case.

"Tio!? Oh, sh-thanks god, man... Dude, can you open the door? Anyone else in?-"

The dog stopped talking mid-way as the door opened up in front of him, the black-furred wolf standing by the button, having grabbed the book from the floor on his other paw.

"Here." Jacob finished, staring at Tio and already knowing at this point that this was going to be weird.

The slow scan around the room behind Tio told that he was alone in here, being quiet and stale as ever.

"... I uhmm.. I heard that Sam and Jill were here-"

"Sam left just about minute ago with his mother, Jill is most likely helping her father with his nosebleed, and Niles is alone in his room and being guarded, which is most likely the best for him right now. It's just me here. So..." The wolf spoke anxiously and quick, not having intended so but just looking at Jacob right now felt a bit hurtful, considering all of the tension between them.

The dog sighed, looking around the hallways, wishing he could still see the hyena straddle on the end of the hallway, but Sam was nowhere to be seen.

"... Aaaaw, man, he left-?"

"You don't seem concerned that I just said Jill is with-"

"Dude, I know what happened. All of it." Jacob said, turning his attention back to Tio.

"... You do?" Tio asked in confusion.

"Ye."

"... O-oh. H-how you, umm... J-Jacob. Is... Is your father's... I know it's not my place to ask..."

Jacob then took a small breath and spoke with a small surprised smile.

"My father just woke up, man. I was there with my mom. And my mom was in the hall when... When all that crazy shit happened with Mr. Winchester-so, yeah."

"... H-he okay? He...-" Jacob spoke with hopeful tone and wide eyes.

"He is more than fine, man. Thanks... For asking... Uh-" Jacob drifted away, genuinely looking thankful that Tio had been hoping the best for him and his father after the accident, keeping them both in his thoughts.

"Y-yeah, I'm... I'm relieved for you that he is alive. I am." Tio mumbled, almost breaking a smile but keeping it down, not wanting to overdo it over the anxiety.

They were just looking at eachother for a brief moment before Jacob spoke quickly.

"... Look, I ain't really wanting to just waddle around the hall, can I come in?"

"... C-Come-In. I guess, but for... For like..." Tio mumbled shortly, having feared this might happen but not been mentally prepared for it.

"... What?" Jacob asked innocently.

"... N-nothing. Come in... I guess." Tio gave up, just swallowing it all down, and knowing this conversation had to be had. Right now.

Even if the timing was bad and he didn't know if he was ready for any of it in the middle of this. But he knew this could have been his only chance.

The dog walked past the wolf into the room, speaking quickly.

"Cool. Close the door. I got something to ask from you." The dog said, sounding a bit dedicated even.

The tone caught wolf a bit off guard, as Jacob sounded like he was slightly on some official errand.

The only way to know was to have the talk.

Tio closed the door behind them, ready for whatever Jacob was here for.

-

Half a minute later

-

The wolf was sitting on his usual, comfortable reading chair, rubbing the armrest's stressed with his claws as the dog was circling around the middle of the room, trying to clearly make some orchestrated move of how he was come about his business.

As it had continued for a while, the dog gave an awkward chuckle and then made his smile disappear as he knew this situation and his intent was far from funny. He then took a deep inhale and stopped walking around, finally addressing the wolf.

"... Okay, Imma just say this how it is. I fear that your dad might testify against Mr. Winchester soon about... Well, you know what." Jacob blurted out, rolling his wrist as he referred to the whole chaos.

"..." Jacob was trying to hold his dumbfoundedness. He had not expected the conversation to start like this.

And at that moment it hit him. Jacob was not here to talk about the awkward situation that had been going on between them both. No. He was here on totally other business after all.

And for some reason, it filled Tio with a lot of frustration, as he had mentally prepared himself to clear the air or fix things. But the dog did really not try to acknowledge the "incident" that happened between them after all. Tio knew when he had said "don't tell anyone" and "forget it" but he had not expected Jacob truly to do so.

And it made Tio feel less important as a person to anyone by now. Like he was just being ignored by Jacob now. And that frustration was turning into anger, even if he felt like that was not the right mood to start his outburst with. He had to hold it in and just listen to what Jacob had to say, as hard as was.

"You do know that he will do it. Will he? Has he said it to you? Because for all that I am hearing, he clearly has something against Winchester, even if they were friends-Are-like I don't want to assume, just look-"

"... Jacob." Tio said sternly, feeling the frustration build up.

"So, do you know? Will he?" Jacob asked impatiently, snapping his fingers.

"... I guess the thought has crossed him, and he most likely will stand on the podium to talk, but I don't know if it's on Calvin's behalf, or-"

"Well, you need to find out, man! Just talk to your pops and..." Jacob drifted off, trying to squeeze out what he saw as an obvious answer, Tio just looking at Jacob's body language more aggressively and feeling the emotions stir up as he answered with a low, annoyed tone.

"... And what, J?"

Jacob shook his head, now looking like the disappointed one as he started to rant how this was clearly going to be an important thing to do.

"... Talk him out of it! Duh?! Dude, my father just woke up, and he is still resting in his room, and quite freaking angry. I have never seen my dad like that. Do you know how freaky it was to hear him yell and curse, let alone my mom?! Or like... Dude, you should have seen Amir. He woke up too, and he got explained the whole shit. And he stormed out, demanding to see Charlie. But Tamir is guarding the area, along with someone else, for now. So, he most likely won't be able to see him. But it's only a matter of time before he talks to your pops about all this, and I just... You know, hope they don't start yelling contest between eachother all hostile like... I mean, your dad is on the side of Calvin and Amir... I-I'm just saying that if your dad would see sense, but have you seen him since the mess in the hall? We gotta-I-I mean you... gotta-"

"Jacob." The wolf said bluntly, closing his eyes briefly and rubbing his nose bridge annoyedly.

"Yeah come on, sorry for talking so much. Back and forth. Dialogue. So forth. Sorry, I'm on adrenaline all over. Yes, I know it ain't different over how I usually am, but, if you would have something to say... It... Yeah, just lay your thoughts out on me." Jacob panted, encouraging the wolf to talk, giving an awkward smile of hopeful attitude, wishing Tio would just say yes and to try his best to sway his father.

"... My dad is with Elliot under the decks, talking to Calvin most likely right now. I don't know about what, but that is where he told me he would be going." Tio said quietly.

Jacob looked a bit freaked out by the answer, starting to yell.

"... DUDE, REALLY?! For what reason-"

"To hear his side most likely. That is all." Tio said knowingly.

"... Jesus. Well, main thing is that he ain't there trying to break that fucking lunatic free or something, that would be bad." Jacob stated, heavily relieved that Tio was so sure that it was only some civil talk between adults and no attempts to free the prisoner.

As Jacob was panting a bit, feeling clearly stressed out about all of this, Tio slowly started to feel his sad gaze travel all around the dog, the wolf speaking quietly.

"... Jacob... I..."

"... What?" The dog asked quickly, almost like having waited anxiously for Tio to say something.

"... Is this what you really came here to talk about?" The wolf asked, sounding genuinely disappointed, not able to hide it anymore.

"Huh?" Jacob asked with one ear lowering down, looking confused by the attitude and the way Tio was looking at him right now.

"My dad. And your worry over him screwing things up for Mr. Winchester. That is what you are here to see me for?" The wolf pressed.

"Yeah! I mean... I thought I was pretty clear on all that-"

"You were very clear. But... Is that really the only thing you are here for?" Tio kept pressing, sounding more and more frustrated and slowly agitated as he kept getting the same answer.

"... I... I guess. So, you will do it, right?" Jacob asked quickly with a hopeful smile, feeling like he could sweat from nervousness as the way the wolf was staring at him made him rather uncomfortable.

"... So, if Sam and Jill would have been here, this would have still been your public concern to address me with, despite them being present? This was all you had in your mind to talk about?" The wolf asked, knowing he didn't want the same answer this time or he would snap.

The dog gave an awkward chuckle, stepping back a bit for some reason until Tio had enough. He dropped the book onto the chair behind him as he lifted himself up, walking rather close to Jacob.

The German shepherd tensed up fully, his eyes widening as Tio still maintained a meter of distance as he started to look aggressive.

"... Dude... Why are you? -"

"What is this?" Tio asked, moving his paw between them both back and forth quickly, not able to hold the emotions in anymore.

"... I... I don't underst-"

"Jacob. Stop playing like nothing is going on." The wolf begged, sounding actually wounded.

"Going on with... What-"

"You and me." The wolf laid out bluntly, feeling almost like a lump would have stuck the sentence if he waited for a second longer.

Jacob now looked really uncomfortable as well as panicked, as he realized that his suspected fear had come true. Tio was literally talking about their friendship and the... SLIP that had happened a few days ago. And it had been buzzing in his own head as much as it had Tio's, but unlike the wolf, the dog did not want to talk about it at all. Especially not now. But the wolf was not here to curve around it anymore.

"... Tio, bro-" Jacob said almost desperately, asking him not to do this.

"I AM NOT YOUR FUCKING BRO," Tio said in total frustration as Jacob tried to act way too cool as always.

"... Woah, why are you so angry, look I know if talking with your dad is a sensitive thing to ask-" Jacob began, sounding apologetic as he tried to steer the convo away from where it was going.

"THAT is sensitive to you?! And not... Not this? Jacob... Can we... Can we finally just talk without these fucking barriers of yours and... I AM READY TO DROP DOWN MINE and it scares the shit out of me, but I can't help this anymore! Por qué tienes que ser así?!"

"Wowowowow, Tio, I don't know what you are even saying here-" Jacob began in a panic until Tio spoke with an emotional tone and just laid his cards down on the table.

"I kissed you."

"..." Jacob's mouth shut really quickly as he looked terrified of hearing it out loud, and especially from Tio, who had begged him to forget it ever happen.

Jacob began to talk back defensively, feeling cornered as he had never seen Tio talk about stuff like this.

"... D-Dude, you SAID THAT I WAS MEANT TO FORGET THAT EVER-"

"I know what I said but you and I both know it doesn't just wipe it away!" Tio let out like it was clear as day.

"Tio! Look around what is happening around this vault! Shit is going batshit crazy and you wanna talk about some mistake!-" Jacob started, sounding baffled.

"MISTAKE?" Tio repeated like Jacob had said the words possible answer.

"... Dude, I get why you did it! It's the only reason I let it slide, you know?!" Jacob claimed with the sure tone, trying to make it obvious.

"... What reason do you think it was?" Tio asked, feeling slightly scared as he felt like maybe Jacob knew after all and was about to say it. He was waiting anxiously for the answer, as the dog took some breath and explained the whole thing with a truly awkward grin.

"... You just had a moment. You are always lonely and no one pays attention to you, and now that someone was finally nice to you, you just... You know. You were feeling in some way and you did a mistake. That is all. I get that, I won't tell anyone, I HAVEN'T... Told anyone. I promise, dude. You are fine! Let's just forget it as you said-"

"You fucking coward." Tio let out with wide eyes, sounding truly hurt now.

"... T-Tio, how am I a-" Jacob started to mumble in actual panic after hearing the wolf this angry at him.

"DION IS NICE TO ME. SAM IS NICE TO ME. NILES IS NICE TO ME. Yet I have never, EVER done something remotely even close to that to them! Do you think I would let myself be that vulnerable over getting some compliments?! What the actual hell is wrong with your brain sometimes?!"

"My brain?!" Jacob asked now aggressively, as he felt powerless in this situation and under Tio's intense yelling.

This time the wolf actually poked right at Jacob's forehead, making the dog backstep a bit as the wolf kept yelling at him.

"Yes, your fucking annoying brain, Jacob! Why can't you for once stop pretending that for a moment, you didn't share something special at that moment with me?!"

"S-special?! I was not even ready when you did that, you basically assaulted me with it-"

Tio's expression crumbled a bit as he felt immediately bad at yelling at Jacob. But more so as he started to feel that maybe it was all in his head and the feeling had truly been only one way felt after all.

The wolf actually started to get a bit teary-eyed, the emotion making his chest feel heavy as he just wanted to punch the dog right in the face and kiss him again right after as hard as he could.

"

"... T-Tio... Man... I..." Jacob began, feeling even more freaked out as the sight of Tio getting this emotional was something that most likely no one had ever witnessed but him. And it scared him. The wolf was horrible at showing his emotions so this was something he would not easily forget.

"...You... You really don' get it... You just... You just can't..."

"..." Jacob just stood there, his whole body restless as he wondered what to say or do.

"... I want to hate you. I just... Sometimes it feels like YOU want me to. And sometimes I feel like you actually hate me." The wolf spoke, looking at the dog with one tear rolling down his cheek.

The dog started to talk right away, feeling horrible, but not letting himself comfort the wolf with psychical touch even if the thought crossed his mind.

"Dude, I don't... Look, I have never hated-... Just, calm down, okay-"

"And then... And then you start out of nowhere being all nice to me for the first time in my life and make me feel-... Haciéndome sentir emocional y tranquila... YOU JUST... Then you start yelling at me in front of our friends how you think I never appreciated anyone! You act all weird and then... Then you start wanting to hang out with just the two of us?! Starting to once again be nice to me- You-... YOU LET THAT KISS HAPPEN, YOU COULD HAVE hit me! If you truly hated me, you would have never let me come to your room in the first place and talk nice to me, and that is when I knew! That I was not only one with these feelings! You let me kiss you, and you let it happen! -"

"DUDE, I WAS IN PANIC! You are overthinking, I don't always know why I do things, YOU KNOW ME MAN, I am a bit weird sometimes! But it doesn't mean that I was trying to destroy your mental health by toying with your head or something, and we can just forget it all and continue normally, like nothing ever-"

"BUT IT HAPPENED, AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE GUTS TO ADMIT IT, THEN FINE, ILL SAY IT, BECAUSE YOU JUST KEEP PLAYING STUPID!" Tio yelled in total frustration, giving up.

"... ADMIT WHAT?!" Jacob yelled in panic.

"That you have feelings for me!" The wolf let out, the room going quiet.

"..." The dog felt it hit.

His eyes widened as much as they could, feeling like he already knew this coming. He had seen it. But hearing it from the wolf and looking at him at the same time... It was a strong feeling. He wanted to do or say anything, but it was harder than he thought. There Tio was, panting and having released out what he felt...

But Jacob couldn't just get the word out, trying to now fight the emotions in him as he wanted to deny them as hard as he could.

"... I like you. As fucking stupid and nonsensical as it is because I should just hate you and even beat your teeth in for messing up my brain like this. For bullying me for all these years. I swear I have wanted to. More times than I can count. You drive me crazy. But I am tired of keeping it in and denying it like it is, despite all you do and how you treat me. Jacob... I... "Tio sighed, wiping out his tears and standing back a bit, taking a moment for a breather.

He kept sniffing loudly, getting himself together as best as he could and felt already most vulnerable he had ever been, wiping his cheeks with the back of his paw.

"..." Jacob still stood there and said nothing, as the teary, tired eyes looked straight at his after Tio was done fixing his face fur, whispering it so quiet and emotional that Jacob barely heard it.

"I think I am in love with you."

"..."

"Say something," Tio begged nervously, feeling like he was going to faint.

There were ten seconds of silence.

"... Wow. I... That was... Something." Jacob said back quietly in shock and quite the disbelief, but yet Tio could just by looking at his body language and expression that he wasn't truly... Horrified as he made it out to be. The sheppy gave a small and awkward laugh, absent of smile still, with a slightly red face, rubbing the back of his neck and avoiding eye contact for a good while now. He moved restless, his tail wagging as he tried to say anything at all.

"... Please... Just... Look me in the eyes, just for this one time... And tell me... Am I alone this time too?" Tio asked, but somehow wanting to believe that the answer was going to be for once in his life into his favor.

The dog was hesitating, looking away from the wolf and rubbing his shoulder, feeling his heart race as he tried to keep his breathing steady. He tried to think through possible jokes or something funny to say into the situation but this was one of the moments where it just didn't work. Tio had just literally admitted on loving him. And it made him feel more than a few ways. It was hard to digest.

"... I don't... I-I don't know what to... I don't know what to say, man... I... I didn't expect-"

"Not at all? It wasn't really red light for you when I tried to... You really think I did it because I was so pathetic that I was just ready to kiss anyone who would talk nice to me privately?" Tio asked genuinely like that couldn't be true.

"... No. I... I don't know if I really... thought that." The dog let out, feeling really cornered and just all-over anxiety. He couldn't look Tio in the eye.

"... Are you... Jacob... I need to know. Por favor... Please tell me you feel something too." The wolf begged, his heart aching as he wanted an honest answer.

"... Dude, I... It doesn't... It doesn't matter-" The dog began babbling in panic, wishing he would be somewhere else.

The wolf actually now took steps closer, getting the dog's attention. Jacob looked even spooked to an extent as the wolf was so close now, forcing him to look at him as the emotional and vulnerable eyes kept looking into his.

"It matters everything to me, and it should matter to you too! Just say that you wanted to kiss me back!" Tio begged.

The dog slowly looked down onto his feet, feeling the butterflies in his stomach but then feeling the fear... The doubt and the scare for what would come after.

And just like that... He couldn't get it out.

"... Tio... I am sorry... I really am, dude... Fuck, this is awkward as hell, but... I don't... It wasn't as meaningful to me as it was to you. It was a slip and it was weird enough as it was... I don't intend to hurt you but I am saying this honestly, man... I like girls."

"..." Tio now looked baffled, taking a few steps back from the dog.

"... I-"

"THE HELL YOU DO, JACOB," Tio said bluntly like it was the biggest lie he had ever heard.

"... Excuse me?" Jacob asked with the panicked tone, quickly looking up now and seeing the wolf was back to being angry.

"Are you really trying to offend me at this moment by saying that you don't like guys? Right at this moment when I ask something... When I just confessed how I felt for you, you think that-"

"Tio... I am straight. I do not like boys. Not... Not the way you do. To be honest... I am scared of you. And... For you. Like... Bro, If your dad finds out that you are gay-"

Tio started to shook his head, feeling the anger taking over the soft moment they had just shared, feeling like he was about to lose his mind.

"I do not give a fuck if he finds out, it ain't none of his business anyway." The wolf said bluntly.

Jacob was looking rather shocked after such a reply without hesitation, mumbling a bit and talking carefully.

"... Dude... it is kinda his business, he is your dad, you get that, right? You know the vault rules, dude. Continue family and provide for the vault. You can't... You know, do that, if you... A-and... Besides... I don't want to state the obvious but... You are Mexican... Everyone knows that your kind ain't keen on that beh-"

"MY KIND? Are you actually trying to be racist towards me at this- JACOB!!!" Tio snapped angrily, walking right in front of Jacob's face and making him stand on his toes once again as the furious eyes stared into his and the wolf practically snarled.

"I.DO NOT. GIVE. A FUCK, about what others would think of me liking boys or how they would laugh at me, I've been already bullied my whole life! I am who I am and yeah, I do have self-hate for it, but at least I have guts to admit it, unlike you-!"

"Tio, I know that you are angry, but I am not-" Jacob began, now actually feeling himself getting angry too over the accusements and being cornered once again.

And it was the wrong way to go with Tio right now.

"Do you even own a fucking spine, Jacob?! I just told you that I have feelings for you, and you start throwing lies at me and doing your clown act and excuses RIGHT NOW?! Do you have any idea how that makes me feel?! There is NO ONE IN THIS ROOM FOR YOU TO IMPRESS! No audience of any kind! It's just me! Only me! Stop being so scared for your life, and just tell me that you feel the same for-"

"I DON'T FEEL THE SAME FOR YOU!!!" Jacob yelled loudly with anger, cutting off the wolf's rant and looking away briefly from the wolf.

And the reason for that was because he couldn't bear to even imagine how much that had visibly hurt the wolf. He did not want to see the expression.

Because it was the definition of disbelief and hurt right now, as the wolf was not yelling anymore.

"..."

"... I don't... Feel the same." Jacob repeated quietly again, sounding like he wanted to convince himself as much as he wanted Tio.

"... Are you... Are you being honest with me?" Tio asked carefully, feeling like someone had literally just punched him hard in the face.

Jacob then knew that he was going to be a hostage for Tio's interrogation for as long as he wasn't convincing, so he steeled himself, taking a deep breath and facing the wolf now.

And for a moment he hesitated, seeing that Tio looked crushed right now.

And yet... He went with it anyway, with all he got.

"... I am... Dude, I... I am sorry. I really am. And to be honest, I have never been so weirded out and shocked in my whole damn life. It's not that I don't appreciate... that I am not somewhat impressed on myself for making someone feel that much for ME... But... It... It just isn't what you think. I am not gay... And I hella sure ain't going to be your... You know, like... Boyfriend or some shit, Tio... I'm... I'm sorry. I really am."

"..." Tio's tensed up shoulders fell down, his expression looking totally sad as he actually didn't know if he believed Jacob or not. But even hearing this, hurt beyond control.

And as Jacob saw the face that Tio was making, looking at him like this, having received such blunt words in return for his heart pouring...

Jacob knew that things between them could never be the same.

"... I know... I know that must hurt hearing... Like... Shit, I am really sorry... But it's just... Like first of all, my parents would disown me if I'd say I'm dating you. And I have a reputation around here, I don't want to lose it. Especially among the girls. You gotta understand that, man. I literally am having a date soon, and... I really want to have a girlfriend again. And I can't let this... You know, I CAN'T even think about stuff like this, bro. Like... I ain't going to tell that... You know. About this. To anyone. I can promise that to you, at least... But you are a dude. And I just..."

"... Like girls." Tio repeated, not able to look at Jacob anymore, as his tone made it clear that he felt insulted just for hearing that as if it was a horrible lie that Jacob still stuck to. The wolf was staring at the floor, his fist balled as he tried not to keep on crying in front of Jacob, but it was hard.

"... Yeah. Yeah, it just is what it... Is." Jacob finished awkwardly, feeling uneasy as he didn't know truly what was going on in the wolf's head. Hell, his own head was spinning with a thousand questions and feelings at once, so all of this was a bit too much.

"Fuck you." Tio suddenly squeezed out before Jacob managed to say another word.

"... What?" Jacob asked, feeling like there was no way he heard right.

The wolf now turned his head up to look at Jacob right in the eye, his glossy eyes full of anger as he snarled at the dog angrily.

"You fucking lying coward. Even at this moment... You just can't be honest with me. AND THAT IS ALL I ASKED. I know that you feel something for me! This whole bully thing against me is just you just hiding how you feel!!-"

Jacob had heard enough. As much as he was able to take from Tio at this moment, there was a line. Whenever the accusement had hit too close to home, as it stung, the dog felt too cornered and especially not in this situation, under everything that was happening.

So, Jacob fired right back at the wolf.

"HOW WOULD YOU KNOW, You fucking hate people! If me and the bros would not be hanging with you, you would have been that shunned weirdo kid in the corner never talking to anyone! So since when did you know how people act or what even affection is?! You never maintained relationships more than... God damn, two days, dude?! You are still a damn virgin, everyone knows it! So why you act like you know me or anyone else for that matter!? How do you know what even love is?! The only thing you love is being smarter than anyone!!"

"YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!!!" Tio snapped back, this time truly angry, as they were both about to start yelling match.

"AM I WRONG THOUGH?! TELL ME WHERE I WAS WRONG!!"

"WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS TO ME?!"

"BECAUSE I AM NOT FUCKING GAY LIKE YOU, AND THE FACT THAT YOU AINT ONLY ONE ACCUSING ME OF BEING ONE THIS WEEK IS REALLY GETTING ON MY FUCKING NERVES, BRO!!"

"WHAT??!!"

"YEAH, NILES TOLD ME THAT- YOU KNOW WHAT?! Forget it!"

"What are you even talking about?! You are just making shit up now! And when did you forget the fact that I saved Ryan from beating the fuck out of you for you being so rude to him?!"

"YEAH, WHATEVER, you think just because you saved me from broken ribs, I should start to make out with you or something in reward?!"

"I NEVER SAID THAT YOU FUCKING DUMBASS, WHY ARE YOU SO SCARED OF ADMITTING WHO YOU REALLY ARE?!-"

"WHICH IS A GUY WHOSE HAD MOST GIRLFRIENDS IN THIS WHOLE VAULT YOU NERD!!!"

"SO, WHAT JILL REVEALED ABOUT YOU ON THAT HALLWAY WAS JUST LIES HUH?!-"

Tio's eyes went really open on embarrassed shock, almost tripping on his words as he began yelling with whole new energy.

"SINCE WHEN WAS IT ANYONE'S BUSINESS IN THE FIRST PLACE; AND YES, IT WAS A FUCKING LIE YOU WEIRDO, DID THAT ADD TO YOUR TWISTED GAY FANTASIES OR SOMETHING-"

"FUCK YOU, JACOB!"

"NO, FUCK YOU, TIO!"

"FUCK ME?!?! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THAT I ALMOST TOOK A BEATING FROM RYAN FOR YOU?!"

"Wh-YEAH, I DO! BUT I NEVER ASKED YOU TO STEP IN-"

"HE WOULD HAVE BEATEN YOUR TEETH IN AND I CARED ABOUT YOU TOO MUCH TO LET THAT HAPPEN! AND YOU JUST FORGOT ABOUT IT LIKE IT WAS NOTHING!"

"OH, HOW ROMANTIC?! YOU WANNA RIDE TO SUNSET TOGETHER?!"

"I FUCKING HATE YOU!! JUST ADMIT THAT YOU HAVE FEELINGS FOR ME! DON'T FUCKING HURT ME LIKE THIS!!"

Jacob felt like his head was about to explode, his heart racing out of control as he felt the panic attack coming, Tio continuing to yell at him.

"SIEMPRE TRATANDO DE ACTUAR COMO UN NIO POSTER?! YOU ARE SELFISH, NARCISSISTIC AND CLOSETED CLOWN WHO CAN'T ADMIT-"

"HOW HARD IT IS FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT I WILL NEVER FUCKING LOVE SOMEONE AS PATHETIC AS YOU, TIO!?"

"... "And this time, Tio actually stopped yelling. He went really quiet. His eyes became shocked as he felt like his body had frozen, Jacob legitly looking shocked and self-hating that he had just said that outloud. But yet, his adrenaline was clouding it.

The dog was panting, regretting already what he was about to say next, but he needed to get it out of his chest.

"MY DAD... Almost fucking died, dude! My mom is a freaking mess! My best friend is locked in his bathroom and doesn't want to talk to anyone! Niles was almost stabbed by his dad! And now we don't even have actual overseer taking care of this place! And soon, if your father and anyone else ain't getting rid of their damn hate, Winchester and our two friends are being kicked out and never seen again! And that scares the shit outta me! I am not letting it happen! AND YOU WANT TO YELL TO ME ABOUT THIS?!?! RIGHT FUCKING NOW?!? What is actually wrong with you?! You act if I was the selfish one or something when you can only think about some weird romance you picture between us because I was only being friendly to you outta kindness! I am not such an asshole as you think I am! And if I was, maybe you deserved it, man! Just..." Jacob took a deep breath, feeling like he was unleashing it all on Tio right now. And partly, it felt deserved at that moment.

"..." Tio just stood there, looking broken and speechless still, as he was hit with self-guilt instead of Jacob now from all the way, indeed realizing how selfish it was to confess his love to Jacob at this chaotic moment. His emotions had gone to its explosion point, and it might have messed everything up.

Jacob closed his eyes, speaking with a more calmed down tone but still aggressively, as he was rubbing the back of his neck.

"I ain't got time... Or energy in my fucking brain... To deal with stuff like this from you. Or anyone. We have MUCH BIGGER PROBLEMS AROUND HERE RIGHT NOW and you of all mammals should realize it, as smart as you are! I do not care IF YOU THINK that you love me, Tio. Because you most likely don't. And besides, dude... YOU HAVE ANYONE ELSE TO PICK! Why would you want me?! I have been nothing but a nightmare to you, you said it yourself, god damnit! So why me?!?!" Jacob asked like it legit didn't make sense to him, truly.

He almost made it sound like he didn't deserve it from Tio considering how their ties had always been.

Tio couldn't answer. All his aggression died as he looked down on the floor, feeling ashamed and broken at this moment. He had expected Jacob to confess his feelings, assuming there was any. Now that chance felt actually slimmer. But he had just... Expected affection to be answered. Anything at all. And instead, he had the biggest wake up of his life to reality, and it hurt.

"I just... I things to go back where they were. Before all of this crazy shit. With guns and Calvin and all of this... This bullshit. I want us to go back to normal, man. And this... What you feel for me... I can try to live with it, man. It's not like I got a choice. You are my buddy and you matter to me, man. But just... Not the way you want it."

"... I... I didn't... it's..." Tio muttered quietly with a voice that was about to crack from the need to cry, rubbing his arm and looking down on the floor.

Jacob looked at Tio, feeling he wanted to do something. Anything, to comfort the wolf.

He just couldn't budge from where he stood, feeling his heart still race and feeling just something clench deep down, like some part of him was telling to go to Tio and embrace him. More than little. And that feeling started to scare him, as his mind just felt like it was on debates of what to do.

He slowly started to take steps back, Tio hesitantly looking up and seeing that Jacob was taking his leave silently and awkwardly from the intense situation.

"... J-J." Tio managed to get out quietly, sniffing loudly and the dog staying by the door now and looking at him, even the staring hurting when seeing Tio like this.

"I-I'm... I'm sorry... I'm... No puedo amar a alguien más ..." Tio drifted off, starting to now finally break down and cry as he felt horrible.

Jacob felt the heart clench get stronger as he felt the urge to say how he might have really felt at this moment, but yet, something kept stopping him like an invisible wall.

The German shepherd spoke back awkwardly, trying to sound calm.

"It's... It's okay dude... I... I don't hate you or anything. It just... I want you to know that-"

"WE CAN'T GO BACK TO WAY IT WAS BECAUSE I HAVE FELT LIKE THIS FOR YOU LONGER THAN YOU KNOW AND I HATE MYSELF FOR IT BUT I CAN'T JUST STOP HAVING THESE FEELINGS FOR YOU NO MATTER HOW MUCH I WANT THEM GONE!" Tio cried out, the tears going down as he felt like he shouldn't have even said that, but it just got out.

"... Tio... I-" Jacob began, the words really hitting him hard now as he was the one almost crying now too.

"Go... Please just go... I will... I will talk to my dad... That is what you came here for... Just... Go away and... Leave me alone." Tio begged now, turning around and his whole body shaking as he could not look at Jacob for one more second.

The dog still lingered on the doorway, staring at the wolf and the emotions throwing him against the walls.

He slowly took a deep breath, pushing the button on the wall and the door opening up all the way.

The dog still stood there, fidgeting nervously and feeling he should close the door and apologize at least. But yet, he didn't. He tried to say something. But the words didn't come out. Tio was crying loudly with his back still turned against him.

Jacob looked away in heavy guilt, whispering "sorry" so quiet that Tio couldn't hear it, as he stepped out, closing the door behind him.

Tio started to let out repeated gasps like he couldn't get air properly, as Jacob had left the room.

The wolf had never cried like this before or even felt emotions this strong before in his life. He had always managed to keep them hidden deep, even when alone. Feeling all this and going through the just exchanged words were like needless that kept poking him and causing more pain over and over.

He had just confessed to Jacob that he loved him in the worst situation possible. He had truly fucked up.

The wolf kept sobbing, looking at the book that was still laying on the chair, snapping.

The sorrow turned back into uncontrolled anger, as he took the book and threw it against the nightstand lamp of his as hard as he could, smashing it to pieces.

Tio fell onto his bed right after burying his face against the blanket and sobbing against it, his claws ripping the fabric apart from the aggression, managing to only whimper out words full of hate as the tears kept flowing.

"Desearía estar muerto..."

ACT 3

"Absolutely outrageous! He bloody hit me! God!"

That was Jonas, the black-furred male cat cursing in his living room and pressing a bag of ice with a towel against the side of his mouth.

His other eye was swelling and getting shut, the punches by Charlie really having done a number on him, looking like straight out of a barfight.

"YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO BE SO MEAN TO HIM, DAD!" Jill yelled in frustration, having closed the door of their family quarters just now behind her.

They had argued together the whole way till their room after the cat had fetched the ice from the dining freezer containers. He was still furious, especially when Jill was doing everything but picking his side.

"We all felt the same about him, I was the one with the courage to speak my mind out loud!"

"Talking bad about his wife was courage?!" Jill asked, baffled.

"He needed to hear it! Maybe I had to suffer the most hits, fine! Got it! But the fact that he is allowed to go through a trial is preposterous!"

"There shouldn't be a trial in the first place, DAD! Why do you hate him?!-" Jill began angrily when Jonas cut her off by yelling the answer out loud like it was a fact.

"WE HATE HIM, JILL! Not just me! Stop making it sound like I am the only opposing party here! When Calvin was ruling, everything was peaceful and under control, and even then, Charlie was a problem we just had to deal with! -"

"A problem?! How?!" She asked like it made zero sense.

"He is trying to be a role model for our children as if we are just some... Some non-existent idiots! -"

"You know he doesn't think that, are you even listening to yourself, dad?! No one ever stepped up to take willingly the role of a teacher and help us know things about the world!" Jill yelled like this conversation had to be one of the most bizarre ones with her father.

"Gaaah, I am missing a god damn tooth!" The cat cursed as he winced from the pain, needing a few seconds to press the ice against the side of his mouth harder and spitting a bit blood on the floor in disgust.

Jill went closer to her father in worry, as she despite her anger still felt bad for seeing her dad like this. She had never seen her dad in a fight in any context whatsoever, and it was horrible that Charlie was the one to give that fight to him.

"And I am missing an answer, dad! Why do you all hate him for being our teacher?"

"Teacher?! Ha!" The cat let out with a mocking tone.

"What?" Jill asked.

The cat circled around, grunting from his bleeding mouth as he started to wave his finger at Jill, about to address what he meant.

"Do you know what I think, Jill?! I think the man might be a pedophile! I mean, who the hell just is obsessed with teaching kids every single day and getting them so attracted and brainwashed towards him that he doesn't even have to speak for himself to start a riot, you younglings fighting on his behalf?!"

Jill's eyes widened from hearing his father say something so toxic just clearly out of anger and losing the fight so publicly, the cat shaking her head and yelling.

"A PED-THAT doesn't make any sense to say, and do you know how fucked up excuses you are making for your hate?! He has NEVER touched any of us in that way, we would have known already! Why are you saying such toxic things about Winchester?!"

The cat rolled his eyes, groaning loudly and ranting back while spinning his wrist.

"Winchester this, Winchester that! It's been so since the first week he got here!! What makes the man so interesting and making you all act like zombies?!"

The cat crossed her arms, following her dad around the room and just trying to get him calm down.

"If you would have ever observed his class even once, you would know why we are there! We are most likely smarter than any of you old people at this point!-"

"Do not talk to me like that! Jesus fucking Christ, ABSOLUTELY BRAINWASHED!" The cat let out, stopping to finally walk and taking the ice towel briefly away from his mouth.

"You know what, dad?! Fine! Be like that if you will!" She said, throwing her hands in the air and turning away from Jonas, knowing that in this agitated state of his, this argument would go on for too long.

"Where do you think you are going, young lady?!" Jonas asked loudly.

"I want to ask permission to see Dion! -" She said bluntly, turning around.

"THE HELL YOU WILL! You are not stepping anywhere near those Winchesters!" The cat said angrily, marching to the door and right in front of Jill.

"But Dion needs me! You did not see how depressed he is! I am his girlfriend!" She spoke with an emotional tone full of frustration.

"You went on a single date with the kid, and now you two are in a relationship!? Where was the asking of my blessing-"

"I do not need your bloody blessing, dad! He means a lot to me and just so you know, we had a great time together! -"

The cat shook his head and waved off his paw like it didn't matter to him.

"I do not care! That whole family is dangerous and you will not go! That's it!"

"And I'm just supposed to be here instead and listen to your hate speech all over the room against a person who doesn't' deserve it! HE SAVED NILES'S LIFE! -"

"We do not know that for sure, and even if he did it, who cares?! The problems he has caused are larger of magnitude than just brainwashing kids! He is an egoistic, rebellious, VIOLENT person, WHO TRIED TO PUT OUT LIVES IN THE HANDS OF TIO, WHO IS JUST A TWENTY-YEAR-OLD BOY!!!" Jonas yelled like it was insanity.

"Whatever! I am going!" Jill yelled despite the argument, knowing that it might have been a stretch and especially for her slight distaste for the wolf, but just wanted to go to Dion.

"No, you are absolutely not going! I am your father, and I love you, and I know what is best for your life! You are not moving away from this room, Jill!"

"... Great, now I am a hostage."

"I am doing this to protect you. Those Winchesters are trouble."

"UUURGGH!" Jill groaned, about to totally lose her patience, until something happened.

WHooosh

The door behind her back opened up, revealing someone neither would have expected.

It was Tio's father.

Santino Tampico was standing there, looking straight at Jonas with his hands behind his back.

The black-furred wolf was gazing at Jill with a puzzled expression, the cat walking forward and turning around, wondering what this could have been about.

"Bad timing?" Santino asked politely.

"... No." Jonas said quietly, taking off the towel from his cheek and the wolf staring at the wounds Charlie had caused.

"... Alright. Jonas... Would you like to go on a quick walk with me?"

"Walk?" Jonas asked in confusion, lifting an eyebrow.

"... It would only take a moment of your time. We should talk." Santino said with a kind of mysterious tone.

"... I... What is it about, if I may ask?" Jonas asked carefully.

"I'll explain quickly. You can bring the ice bag with you, he really did a number on your face... Come on, you will need to hear something." Santino said, waving off his paw and hinted for the cat to just follow.

Jill looked at them both warily, wondering what this could be about. But she had a pretty good hunch. She was not stupid.

"... Jill, you stay here, am I understood?" Jonas asked as Santino was waiting patiently.

"... Are you really going to leave me in here and expect me to just sit around? If you can excuse yourself out to your own business, why am I not allowed in mine?"

"Because you are my daughter and you will do as I say. Stay away from Dion and the rest of the Winchesters. Am I understood?" Jonas pressured, pointing the finger at Jill commandingly.

She began to argue again with a desperate tone.

"... Dad-"

"Am I understood, Jill?" Jonas asked even more bluntly, now that there were others present and he had to show his authority heavier.

"... Yes." Jill said after a moment quietly, looking defying and angry.

Jonas kept looking at her for a good while, wondering if it was a lie. But he just had to trust her.

"... Good. You better stay here."

"... Winchesters?" Santino asked with a lift of eyebrow but knew already what most likely had been the argument when it came to Jill. Word traveled fast around the vault.

"He wanted to go and visit Dion. Nothing else. This better be important, whatever it is, Santino. I need another ice bag." The cut grunted, leaving through the door and closing it behind him, giving one last gaze at his daughter, who was still standing there with her arms crossed and angry.

"... We can go and get another one when we are done talking." Santino said quietly.

"... Alright." The cat sighed, keeping on walking and still giving one nervous gaze over his shoulder at the room door, as the two were walking side by side down the hallway.

After the reach of their voice had left their family quarters, Jonas talked.

"So... What is so important that-"

"We are going to see Calvin, Jonas... And we are going to have a long talk and a lot of questions to represent for him... And I thought it would be appropriate for you to join us."

"... U-us?"

"... We are not the only ones going there."

ACT 4

(Simon & Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence (Original Version from 1964)

Dion and Ryan were sitting on Ryan's bed, both being quiet and facing eachother as Dion's pip-boy was playing the music quietly on the nightstand.

The husky had asked for it to calm him down, as the whole situation in the living room had settled down, both making sure Charlie was no longer standing there. It was obvious that he had gone into his own room and needing more than a small moment to deal with what he had just heard from the mouth of his kids.

Dion and Ryan had both mutually decided that they wanted to be in the same room together, dealing with their thoughts together as brothers should.

Dion was still shaken, his nervous fingers playing with the blanket and his tired eyes gazing down upon the fabric, the music and his brother's presence making him feel a bit more at ease.

Ryan had said nothing. Dion was not sure was the fox brother of his scared or regretting his harsh opening of heart for their father, but he clearly was dealing with just as much stress and afterthoughts as he was.

They both just were quiet, taking their own time before either would say anything if they felt like something needed to be released. It was coming, but they had no hurry for it. All they needed was a moment of peace, just like their dad.

Dion was taking a deep breath, rubbing the back of his neck and feeling mentally exhausted. Ryan didn't look any better either. It was clear that he was just done with everything as much as his brother was.

"... I didn't mean to go off on him like that." Ryan whispered suddenly, looking annoyed.

Dion woke up, moving his head slightly as he looked at his brother now with numb expression. Ryan continued before Dion could even have an answer to the sudden statement.

"I mean... I did. It was just building up for a while... I just wanted to strangle him ever since that... The shit that he said to Calvin while he was on that chair. He should have just trusted us. He should have... Just tell us at least this one fucking truth about himself, because he knew that it would have an effect on us. And out of all the people in this vault... He tells CALVIN... About who he was and things he did."

"..."

"I didn't mean to just... Put my words as blunt as I did. They just came. I just got angry and let it take over. It's always been my problem. I get angry easily." Ryan spoke self-aware.

Dion took a moment to look at his brother observingly and then sighed, speaking quietly in question.

"... Ryan... Are you asking me if I am silently judging you for what happened just now?"

Ryan slowly moved his head from side to side, answering.

"... I don't know. Maybe you are. You are allowed to do that. But... That is not what I am asking. I just... I just want to ask you... Did you... Did you really never suspect our dad being anything else but some guy who traded things for others, out there? Before he came here."

"... I believed him... Or maybe just... Maybe I just wanted to... I wanted to believe that it would be mostly true." Dion said.

"... Mostly?" Ryan questioned.

Dion took a deep breath and spoke tiredly, sounding self-judging but honest.

"... I... I know I am... I just always... Felt like he wasn't telling everything. I might now be always as sharp when it comes to reading people. I know my flaws, Ryan. Just like you know yours. I just... Always feel like there is so much good in all of us and some have the trouble of letting it out and hide it."

"..."

"I know dad always hid something. Because... He slipped recently." Dion said.

"... Slipped? How?" Ryan asked, now actually starting to feel like this conversation was going somewhere beyond calming eachother down.

"... He made me promise not to tell anyone. But I have already told Jill. And she promised to keep the secret. You are my brother... So, it is only fair that you know, too." Dion admitted quietly, feeling unsure first but didn't really see any point of hiding such a thing in the middle of all this chaos.

"... Know what?" Ryan pressed with interest.

"... He thought me how to shoot. With a gun. A few days ago, right before all these terrible things happened with Niles and his father."

"... Shoot. He thought you how to shoot. With a bb gun?" Ryan asked like it made little sense.

Dion shook his head and looked his brother in the eye with slight concern as he had no idea how Ryan would react.

"... Real one. Vault guard gun. He... Said he got permission to do it from Calvin himself. Now that I look at it... It was most likely just another lie. But he still got me the gun and thought me."

Ryan's eyes opened up indeed form their tired state, the fox knowing from Dion's tone that he wasn't lying about this.

"... Wh-why on earth would he teach-"

"He said I needed a hobby. And it made sense in its own way, but... I know he just wanted me to be able to defend myself if something bad would happen... Just like he prepared you by teaching you how to fight. I didn't want to disappoint him because I wanted him to be proud of me." Dion sighed.

"... How is this a slip, Dion? I don't get your point, even as weird as this all sounds."

"... Brother... I don't think you would need knowledge on how to shoot with a firearm when you just trade things to others. He was so good at teaching it. And... He made me learn so quickly." Dion said like it was still hard to believe that he actually now personally knew how to handle a handgun.

"... How good was he at it exactly?" Ryan questioned.

"He only shot a few times himself after teaching me, just show how he could do. He never missed a target. And before that... I... I asked questions about the gun and how it works... And he knew so much. Telling about other guns and... He just knew what he was talking about. Why would he know so much about guns and shooting? And then... Him talking to Calvin... A-all the horrible things... That he claimed he did... And then killing... Killing Xavier- it just..." Dion drifted off, feeling horrible again.

And then slightly angry.

It was rare to see in Dion, and Ryan could peep it as he kept looking at his brother. He spoke then quietly after clearing his throat.

"... You are angry. I can see it from you, brother, no matter how you try to keep it in. But it was better for me to bring it out on dad rather than you. He didn't need it coming from you. He needed it from me."

Dion didn't know how to answer that. He just kept a quiet moment between them, until he asked with a truly concerned and clueless voice.

"... What do we do?"

Ryan sniffed a bit, gazing at the door and clearly wondered how was Charlie handling the situation in his own room.

"... What do you mean?" The fox asked, still looking at the door.

"... What if they kick us out? What do we do? I... I am scared to go out there." Dion spoke with a shaky tone.

"... So am I. But as long as Amir and Rob are alive, they have a chance of saving dad out of this mess. People will hate him forever around here but they can't just kick him out if he wins the trial." Ryan spoke like he wasn't actually that concerned with the outcome.

"... I just wish all of this was a nightmare that I would wake up from...." Dion whispered, the fox's answer for some reason not assuring him enough of their safety.

Ryan now turned to look at Dion and spoke with an honest and strong tone.

"... I don't. For the first time, it feels like I am awake. About everything. I hate him right now and I am disappointed at him for being a first-class liar but this all... It needed to happen. Even if you deny it due to your kindness, I always saw something like this coming before long. I just... Never imagined that Niles would be the one cause to start it all. If only he had trusted me about his father... I love him. And yet, he kept secret that big, just like our dad. Just lies everywhere only so the truths wouldn't trouble the others when they should never think that way. I could have handled it. What father did? I could have lived with it. Hell, I would have wanted to know so much more. But... I didn't want to learn it all like this. He deserved to feel like shit for all this."

"... You think he deserves to feel bad over not telling us... Or for the things he admitted he did?" Dion asked in concern, as it did matter.

"... I am not sure I can judge him for those yet. Not when I don't know everything-"

"HE SAID HE KILLED SOMEONE WHEN HE WAS FOURTEEN. AND HE SOUNDED PROUD OF IT. How scary does that sound to you?" Dion asked like Ryan had to be kidding.

"... He could have had his reasons for it. How can we know what truly happened? Maybe he was under attack and defended himself."

"... Do you really believe that?" Dion asked, wanting Ryan to be honest.

"... I don't know what to believe. But I know that no matter how much you want to think so, our dad is not a psychopath. He would have shown multiple signs already if he was. He would have hurt us already if he was, you know that. But... Whatever reason he has for killing people before coming here... We both deserve to know why." Ryan admitted.

"... I am not sure I want to know. It could just be another lie." Dion whispered in concern.

"... Do you think that after hearing all that I said, he would still attempt to lie to us about anything? I don't think so." Ryan said confidently.

"... I don't think I am in a hurry to go asking questions for him in a while about anything."

"... yeah, we shouldn't. To be honest, there ain't a lot of things we can fucking do anymore at this point. This is just a stressful fucking mess. But still... Even if I want to..." Ryan sighed, taking a break and feeling restless over what he was about to say.

"..." Dion just stayed quiet, waiting for Ryan to say whatever he was about to say.

"... I do not hate him. I want to hate him. I want to. So much... But... I still can't. He is my dad and I love him." Ryan sighed, feeling shameful to admit it.

"...."

"... Dion-"

"Me neither," Dion admitted quietly with a heavy and emotional tone as he felt the same.

Ryan felt small relief as he had felt wounded slightly on Dion's behalf, as he for a moment had really thought Dion could never look Charlie as his father again because of this, which had been a big part of fuelling his anger while he was yelling to the old husky.

"... He is our dad. He is lying piece of shit and I will never forgive him... But if the trial goes bad... And he decides to show them violence as an answer... I will stand by him." Ryan said with a serious tone.

"... Ryan... please don't talk about such things right now." Dion begged, feeling scared.

"... The worst might happen and you need to prepare for it." Ryan admitted.

"... I can't. I won't. I have already witnessed enough murder and violence and I wish I could take everything back... Everything that I have been through the past two days... I just want things to go back the way they were." Dion said, shaking his head and rubbing his face, feeling so tired and emotional.

"... I believe you. But just in case that-"

"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT, OKAY? I am not going to fight anyone." Dion warned, being too tired to argue with his brother and especially about something this scary.

"... I never said you would have to fight anyone." Ryan sighed, knowing Dion would not want to hear this but he needed to.

"... Then what are you saying?" Dion asked in frustration.

"...He thought you how to shoot." Ryan said like it was obvious.

Dion's eyes widened as he was about to gasp from realizing what Ryan was suggesting.

"... Ryan- you better not be saying what I think-"

"Look... I don't want to argue with you. I don't. You are the last person I need to argue with. We are brothers, and I love you. But if they try to hurt dad... Are you seriously going to stand by and let it happen? If the people demand to execute him instead of kicking-"

"YOU SAID IT WOULD NOT MOST LIKELY COME TO THAT-" Dion began in a desperate tone.

"MOST LIKELY... But you... Dion, come on. For the things you have seen happen in the past two days, everything is unpredictable. We just... you have to prepare. And I will defend my dad no matter how much I am filled with a grudge against him. You have to do so too. And I know you hate it and it disgusts you, but... If it goes so bad that they decided to demand him to be... If they decide something final... You will hate yourself for the rest of your life if you didn't step in when it was time to do so. He would do so for us. He would die for us. And you know that. You have seen that." Ryan spoke with a calming and honest tone.

"..." Dion went quiet, his expression falling as the words hurt with their truth.

"He did all this for Niles. No matter how fucking crazy it sounds... and how stupidly he led everything to this moment... he did it all for my boyfriend. IT COUNTS SOMETHING. It matters to me. And it should matter to YOU." Ryan pressed with an emotional tone.

"... I just... I..."

"Look, we don't need to keep talking about it. I will lay it off, for now. But just know... You have to be prepared for anything."

"... I... I know." Dion sighed but still sounded terrified, now that Ryan had planted this possibility in his head about things going the worst route.

"Hey... We are gonna get through this. You know dad won't let anything happen to us." Ryan pointed out.

"... You really think so?" Dion asked carefully.

"... Well, he sure as shit ain't gonna let us get hurt, you know that. He already killed two people right in front of us. I know... I know it traumatized you... And I know you hate to relive it. But you saw what he was capable of. He is not going to let anyone hurt us. And we have to try to do the same on his behalf." Ryan spoke quietly, knowing this was something Dion didn't want to hear at this moment.

"..." The husky was quiet, looking away from his brother and the images of his father killing Richard and Sax in front of him flashing like paintings of horror.

"... Even though... He really didn't care for how all this affected our mental health. Maybe in some twisted way, he assumed it was time for us to just grow up. I was prepared... I know I was. But not this extremely and without warning. But there are no taking things back now. It happened. And we just... We have to go on and live with it."

"... But can he?"

"... Huh?"

"... You think... You think he will ever forgive us for... How we took all this? You think he is angry... A-at us?"

Ryan coughed, getting up from the bed and waving off his paw.

"... Even if he is, I don't give a fuck. He has no right to be. He should be grateful that we didn't react even worse. Shit, I might just sign into therapy sessions you have with Amir after this madness."

In any other situation, Dion might have laughed at his brothers' joke, but he had no room for humor in him, as all he could do was think what their father was going through right now.

"... You hit him... That... It is a hard reaction."

Ryan sighed, rubbing behind his ear and speaking with a heavy tone.

"... I lost control. And I feel ashamed but... At least it thought him a lesson. And he is not angry at us. He does not hate us. Right now, he is probably thinking a thousand ways how to fix it. You heard him. That is what he was dedicated to do for us. I was just too angry to listen to him at that moment."

"... H-how do you know he is not angry?"

"... Because he had no intent to hit back. He is not Randal."

There was a brief moment of quietness between them once more, both just taking about half a minute to collect their thoughts, as this had to be one of the heaviest and serious heart to heart conversations they ever had. Ryan was getting restless, fidgeting around the room, and Dion still sitting on his bed. Ryan then suddenly talked.

"... Dion."

"... Y-yeah?"

"I'm... I'm gonna go to Niles. I need to be with him right now. And I know he needs me too. He should not be alone at this moment." Ryan said with a thoughtful and emotional tone.

"... B-but what if dad comes out of his room and wants to talk?" Dion asked with slight panic.

"... To be honest, brother... I am not ready to talk to him, by a mile. I don't want to be here when he comes out. I want to spend a night with my boyfriend. I am not gonna just stand around here like this." The fox said as he had already decided.

"... T-Tamir is on the hallway with a gun, he is never going to let you pass." Dion argued.

"Tamir is never going to harm me, you know that he could not harm anyone. Let alone with a gun. he knows if he would even fire a warning shot at my way, dad would... Do something bad right away. He respects and fears my father, and he will understand if I say that I want to go to my boyfriend. If he really argues to me that I am not allowed to go, then I will come back. But I just... I don't want to be here." Ryan said with an awkward tone, just not clearly being ready to talk to Charlie.

"... And you think I do? W-what if he comes to talk to me? I need you here." Dion begged.

Ryan shook his head and gave a slight assuring smile.

"... No, brother, you don't. I have had my piece of words with father. He already knows where I stand and what I think. It is much better for him to talk with someone who won't punch him in anger. And besides, you can always lock your door. You know he won't ever try to force his way in. Dad ain't like that. He would never want to make you more scared than you already are."

"... b-but-"

"Dion. I'm going. You want me to check on Jill while I'm out there?" Ryan asked politely.

"... I-it's eight in the evening. You think that her father would let you see her?" Dion asked with doubt.

"... No, I don't think he would, after getting a black eye from dad. But I can still try. I am pretty sure all our friends are restless. I might visit them too if I have time, but..."

"I don't think people take kindly on you wandering around hallways...."

"... Yeah... Well... I can move fast and quiet." Ryan reminded.

"..." Dion's gaze was still begging, not wanting to be alone at this moment but he knew his brother was a free spirit and did as he always wanted. He was not going to stay around.

"... I will see you tomorrow morning bro, okay? I will spend a night at Niles."

"... O-okay..." Dion said quietly with a slightly sad tone.

"Hey... Don't be like that, bro..."

Suddenly, Ryan went close to Dion, giving a quick brotherly peck of a kiss on the husky's forehead, making Dion look up in question as the fox smiled and spoke with an emotional tone.

"We will get through this shit. You know we can. We are Winchesters, as dad loves to remind all the time. Even if it just family name among others... You know that we ain't a small deal. We will survive this and prove these idiots wrong. And dad... MAYBE we will forgive him... Some day. Or maybe not... I most likely won't. But still... We need to stay together through this." Ryan finished with encouraging smile.

"... Y-yeah..." Dion said, feeling better after hearing that and trying to smile too, but couldn't.

"... I love you, bro. Don't forget that. You might be a pain in the ass all the time but you still important to me. Always. Come on, where is the smile?" Ryan said with a smirk, trying to get one out of Dion. He always tended to this, whenever Dion was sad. Usually from getting bullied by Farin and Maurice. All Ryan had to do was to say he would kick their ass and ask Dion to just smile. And most of the time it worked, even if Dion told Ryan not to answer bullying with violence.

With a small effort, Dion did manage to get the small genuine smile out of Ryan's comforting, speaking quietly.

"Same to you..."

"... Now, enough with the deep talk, even if it was kinda needed. Damn. Should do this more often. Maybe you can next time tell about the crazy nightmares you said you had been seeing. Always ended up bugging me, honestly. What kinda nightmares stick to head for weeks? You always one mystery to me time to time, bro." Ryan admitted.

"..."

"... Have good sleep... Well, I mean... As good as you can get." Ryan said awkwardly, knowing most likely neither of them would have any kind of sleep tonight.

The fox gave a wink at his brother, giving a reassuring tap on the husky's shoulder before taking his leave to the door. He opened it with a press of a button, the metal revealing it's way to the living room. The fox nervously checked the area and his expression told Dion already that Charlie wasn't there.

"Hey... Ryan." Dion said suddenly before Ryan could go. The fox turned around to look at Dion, the husky scooting to sit on the edge of his bed as he spoke to his brother with an emotional tone.

"... Be careful."

"... I'll try, brother. But can't promise anything... Night." Ryan said with a smile, nodding.

"... Night." Dion said quietly, Ryan pressing the button and closing the door between them.

And just like that, the fox was walking away from their family quarters, Dion staring the door and his smile quickly dying as he closed his eyes, staring to rub his face a bit and breathing nervously, wondering if his dad was going to come and talk to him at some point. He didn't feel ready for it. Right now, he actually wished he was with Jill. The cat's company would calm him down, and shoulder to lean against would be just what he needed.

But instead, all he had once again was loneliness, the music from his pip-boy being the only distraction in the room.

END