Changes

Chapter Eight: Getting Closer Again

Chapter Eight: Getting closer again 

  "Today is August Twentieth. It is a Wednesday. We should be expecting some warmer weather here in Lawrence as today's high could reach up to eighty, which is really saying something compared to the weather we've been having these last..." Dennis wakes up to the television blaring the news at him from the living room couch before someone shuts it off. Dennis then turns onto his side ready to fall right back into the wonderful dream he was having. "Dennis get up before you wake dad." Dennis vaguely hears Finn saying as for a moment he forgets that he's an adult now and he hasn't seen his father in months. Dennis forces himself up quickly. "You okay D?" Finn asks. Dennis closes his eyes and puts a hand over his face. "Mm-hmm. Fine Finnie." Dennis mumbles, not lucid enough to care if there are others in the room, or that he's not dressed, and surrounded by about ten empty beer bottles from this morning when he got off work at three. "I-we should go. We'll wait outside for you Finn." Kurt says in a careful tone before he, Scarlet, and Cassidy leave the house. Dennis reluctantly removes his hand from his face before opening his eyes and looking around. "W-who was that?" Dennis asks slowly, sounding immensely tired. Finn sits down next to Dennis and pulls a blanket around him before placing a hand tenderly against his back. "Uh, it doesn't matter. Why don't we get you to bed? You'll be more comfortable there." Finn says wanting to take care of his older brother who's always done the same for him. "Mm. I'm fine. You should get to school. I meant it when I said that I'd kill you if you're late to class." Dennis says as he lays down again sounding half asleep. Finn sighs quietly with his lips pursed as he stares at his older brother, feeling simultaneously sympathetic and proud. "I love you Finnie." Dennis mumbles quietly, mostly asleep now. Finn leans down and kisses Dennis' forehead. "I love you too D." Finn whispers before sitting up and then going outside where everyone is standing around Scarlet's car parked out on the curb talking about what they just saw. "Did you see that body?" "Scarlet." "What do you mean?" Kurt questions curiously. "Oh come on. Don't act like you didn't look. Dennis is a hot hunky man who was just now practically naked. Even I looked." "He looks so tired." Cassidy says with a baffled look like he's just seen a murder or as if he could burst into tears at any moment. He can't believe he just saw Dennis in such a condition, looking barely conscious, utterly jaded, and in nothing except a pair of boxer shorts. Cassie can't even think about how attractive Dennis' body is, like the way his nipples are a few shades darker than his lips. The way his hip bones protrude just enough to be captivating, but not so much that they're enthralling. Even the way his broad chest and shoulders look so tense that you just want to massage them. All Cassie can think about is how exhausted he looked and the several scars that sporadically cover his body. If he had gotten a better look, he might've been able to tell what sort of injury could cause such scars, but Cassidy knows that any injury(s) Dennis has endured were of his father's doing, which just makes him feel sick. Cassie knew that Ben Manchester was beating his son, but he didn't know how severely until just a few minutes ago when he saw Dennis' bare flesh exposed before him. 8 years too late for him to do anything about it. Finn then places a hand onto Cass' shoulder earning his attention. "It's okay. Dennis is just tired, guys. If you don't mind, please don't mention what you saw to him. He probably won't remember anyways." Finn says with a saddened look, feeling guilty for letting everyone inside the way he did when he should've known better. "Don't worry. We won't say anything. Right Cassie?" Scarlet reassures Finnie. They all look at Cassie. He's staring at the house in deep thought, visibly worried about Dennis in a way he hasn't been in years. Cassidy feels that Dennis shouldn't be left alone in his condition. He can't believe that his little brother would let him work himself into such a state, even if it's for his future. Dennis has lost so much and it's plain to see. He needs someone to protect him because he obviously can't look after himself when he's too busy taking care of everyone else instead. Cassie wants to be the one to protect Dennis. He wants to keep him safe and help him see that he deserves better than what he's settling for. "Cassidy? Are you coming?" Kurt says, pulling Cassie from his momentary daze. He turns to see that everyone is in the car looking at him. "I uh, yeah. No." Cassie says before pausing as he glances back at the house where Dennis is now. He can't leave him like this. He has to protect him and make sure Dennis is okay. Cassie thinks to himself in this moment that he has to make up an excuse to be left behind, so he can stay with Dennis. Even after all these years and though Dennis is a full grown man –a giant one at that-, Cassidy still feels so strongly the urge to protect him. Whether it means stalking him, breaking and entering, or -on one or more occasions- physically threatening a little girl. "Um, actually. I think I'll just walk back to the apartment. I'm uh, not feeling so well all of a sudden." Cassidy says sheepishly before coughing in an obvious manner. They all give him knowing looks. "Okay. Well I guess I'll just see you later at home then Cassidy." Scarlet says before glancing back at Finn who's looking at Cassie with a slight smile, glad that someone is here to worry about Dennis with him. He knows that Cass and Dennis' relationship is a bit peculiar, but he's more than happy to let them do their thing, and even help them if and when he can. Finn gives Cassidy a knowing look as Scarlet turns the car on. He rolls down his window earning his attention. "Oh. uh Cass, listen man." "Yes Finn?" Cassie says nervously, terrified that Finn will be onto him, and thinks that his behavior is inappropriate. "I accidentally left the door unlocked. Do you think you could lock it for me?" Finn asks with his brow arched. Cassie smiles with rosy cheeks as they share a look as they both know what's going on. "Of course." Cassie says with a smile. Finn smiles back at him with a relieved look. "Thanks man. I'll see ya later." Finn says before they drive away. Cass watches them with a thoughtful look as he wonders about the way Finn saw right through his excuse and seemed more than delighted for Cassidy to stay with Dennis.