Legend Series AU

Chapter 13-Day

I slump down on the grass in defeat. I can't seem to get the tears to stop. No matter what I do, they just continue to roll down my cheeks. I can't stop the shame either. It coils inside of me like a big balloon that's about to pop.

That's when I hear her stomping across the grass towards me. "What the ever living hell Day! What was that? How could you pull something like that when he obviously needed you?! I am actually disgusted right now." She reaches where I am seated, stopping in front of me with her hand on her hip.

I don't know what to say, so I don't say anything. Apparently, this was the wrong decision. "Say something damnit! I want an explanation!" She's not looking at me, instead she is looking in the windows of the house.

I realize that she is looking into the guest room window. She's checking on Eden. This snaps me out of it. "How is he?" I ask quietly.

"No. You don't get to ask that after the stunt you just pulled. Hell, I shouldn't let you see him until you do some real explaining."

At this, I stand up abruptly. Suddenly, I'm angry too. "June, you can do a lot of things but one that I will never let you do, is keep me away from my brother!" She finally looks at my face and I'm guessing all of my emotions are on full display. Her features relax and suddenly she looks sad.

"Oh Day, I'm sorry, that was out of line."

"Yeah, it was." I say. And now I'm crying again, and she is pulling me close to her for a hug. I slump against her shoulder, trying to calm myself down. My breath hitches in my throat and I can't see because of my tears. June rubs my back slowly and the transition from yelling to comforting surprises me.

"Ok this is what we're going to do." She says. "You're going to calm down, then you are going to go inside and talk to Eden, and then when everything is ok there you are going to come out to the living room and tell me what happened. Ok?" I nod against her shoulder.

Sitting up, I wipe my eyes and take deep breathes. It takes a few minutes but I can eventually breath evenly and my eyes are finally dry. I let go of June and leave her on the front lawn, making my way inside.

When I get to the guest bedroom I knock lightly on the door. I can see Eden curled up in his bed, still crying slightly. The sight brings a fresh wave of anger at myself and shame at my actions, but I push it back, kneeling beside the bed. I reach out and put my hand on his sweaty forehead. His eyes are swollen and puffy, half open.

"Eden, it's me, Daniel." I say quietly. He doesn't say anything in response, just sits up and reaches out for me. I sit on the bed and pull him close as he wraps his arms around me and buries his face in my neck.

We sit like this for a few minutes before I feel his muscles relax and his breathing return to normal. "Eden?" I say quietly. Then I realize he fell asleep right on my shoulder. I smile and lay him down on the bed, tucking the covers around him and standing up.

In the doorway I turn around and look back it him one more time. There are still worry lines etched on his face and it makes me sad. I hate seeing Eden, my headstrong little brother so distressed. I can't bear it.

June is sitting on the couch out in the living room, her features are schooled and she has an emotionless face. "Explanation. Now please."

"I can't really give you an explanation because I don't know myself. I just froze. I couldn't bear to see him like that so my brain just stopped. What I can tell you, is that it won't happen ever again. I can promise you that." She sighs and pats the seat next to her.

I sit down next to her and rest my head on her shoulder. "Can you keep that promise?"

"Yes. I can." I respond.

"Good. Now I think we need to get some sleep. It's like 1 am."

My only response is "I'm comfortable here."

She laughs. "I don't think I'm as comfortable as you but fine, we can stay like this for a while."

I settle in against her, closing my eyes and drifting off to sleep for the second time that night.

Time skip

When I wake up, my neck hurts like nobodies business. My muscles are tightened up into a knot and I have a raging headache. But it was all worth it.

I look up at June, her beautiful face shining in the morning sunlight. Her features are soft and she is smiling slightly. It must be pretty late in the day because the sun is high, coming in from almost overhead.

She stirs underneath me and I see her open her eyes. I roll off of her and plop onto the floor, still exhausted. "Hi." I say in my morning voice. She smiles at me and sits up, rubbing her eyes like a small child.

"Oh my lord I'm starving." She says.

We get up and I go in to check on Eden who stirs when I walk in, seemingly already awake. "What's up kid?" I ask him smiling. He sits up and grins at me.

"Not much. I woke up an hour ago but you were still sleeping."

"Wow, you must be hungry." I say, taking his hand and leading him out of the room. Neither of us mentions last night, but he seems completely fine now.

"Actually I'm not." He says, smile growing bigger. "I got myself breakfast."

"Hey, good job! How are your eyes?" He blinks hard a few times, as if testing them out.

"They don't hurt anymore."

"That's good, we have the first check up at the hospital in two days." He sighs in response, smile getting small again. I give him a friendly nudge, "and, we get to meet the caregiver today." At this, he audibly groans, slumping against me dramatically.

I laugh and go to sit down at the breakfast bar where June is already eating a bowl of cereal, letting go of Eden's hand. "Do I have to come meet her?" asks Eden.

"I mean, I guess you could stay here with Metias if you wanted." June suggests.

"Mmm yes please. Also hi June." He turns in her general direction. "Thanks for last night."

She smiles at him and opens her arms. "Come here kid." He stumbles over to her and she hops off her stool to hug him. I am struck with a wave of different emotions. I'm so happy that June is in our lives, I also feel shame at my actions last night.

Soon it is time to leave and I say goodbye to Eden, who still refuses to come with us. It's difficult for me to let him out of my site but June pulls me away before I can get too protective and clingy. I thank her silently.

The drive out to meet the caregiver is half an hour long. She lives all the way out in the foothills, amongst the dense trees and large boulders. When we get there she invites us in and gets us drinks.

The time flies and soon we are leaving. She seems nice enough, promising to be at our apartment by noon tomorrow. We thank her and head on our way.

I'm still new at driving so the winding roads with no sidebar make me nervous. The situation gets much worse though when my car decides to break down.