Lost in the middle of nowhere

BLACK MAGIC

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Dallon and Brendon spent most of the morning devising a plan that they probably wouldn't need to use. The spell worked, and Dallon wasn't expecting Ryan to show up. But, there was a 50% chance that Ryan hasn't found 'the one' yet and he could still show up. So, having the plan to keep Brendon in his home, heart, and mind for a little longer was a good idea. They had called Joe and explained everything to him, everything from the domestic abuse to the potential abduction that might occur later that day. Brendon wasn't on Joe's number one list, but he agreed to help because Dallon was his family, and family was everything in Louisiana.

"So, what time do we need to meet Joe at the shop?" Brendon asked from the spot across from Dallon. They were both standing at the kitchen island, glaring at a piece of paper that had their ill-advised plan written on the page.

Dallon glared at his watch and quickly glanced at Brendon with a sigh. "We don't need to be there for another hour."

"Do you think we should be there before him so it won't kinda suspicious that we're all arriving at the same time?" In all honesty, Brendon couldn't sit still. He was anxious and wanted to get this over with despite the way it might end.

"Well - I guess we could. Awsten is working again. So he might be there already." Dallon walked the short distance to the kitchen table and grabbed his keys, and walked into his bedroom to grab his shoes and wallet. "Everything will be okay, Bren." Dallon tried to reassure the boy when he walked into the kitchen and saw the distress on the shorter boy's features. He didn't like seeing Brendon that way. He missed the bright smile he saw the first day they met, miss hearing his laugh.

"I hope so," Brendon mumbled, playing with the hem of the warm borrowed sweater. "I - just - let's get going, yeah?"

Dallon could sense there was more to what Brendon was about to say. He could feel it in his heart, but he doesn't push it out of the boy and nods. "Yeah, okay. Yours or mine?"

It took Brendon a moment before he realized Dallon was talking about their cars, and he mentally snorts to himself from his stupidity. What else would he be talking about? Brendon physically rolls his eyes from the many answers his brain conjured up in seconds. "It doesn't matter to me honestly. Your neighborhood seems fairly friendly so I'm not worried that it might be vandalized if I leave it here." He was putting so much trust into Dallon after walking away from a toxic relationship, and he doesn't know why he's doing it. He hoped it isn't a mistake.

Indeed, there wasn't much vandalism in the neighborhood, but that doesn't stop Dallon from worrying about Ryan. What if Ryan found out where he lived, Where they live by recognizing Brendon's car? What would he do then? "Uh.. maybe we should just take yours for the day."

Brendon appeared perplexed by the choice. Why did Dallon want to take his car? It wasn't questioned beyond that and the shorter of the two shrugs, tossing Dallon the keys. He didn't feel like driving today.

Now it was Dallon's turn to gawk at the keys in confusion. Brendon was letting him drive. Why? Again, it wasn't questioned beyond the simple 'why', and the taller man nods and grabs his keys from his pocket so the front door could be locked on their way out.

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Awsten was waiting for them just as Dallon thought he might be, and unlocked the doors for them since the shop was still closed until 9 a.m. It was only 7 a.m when they arrived.

That was two hours ago. Brendon has been productive by helping Dallon and Awsten clean the shop, restock the shelves, and do anything else the boys might ask of him. Two hours fly by when you keep yourself busy.