Gears | A Rainbow Quest Street Racing AU

Family Ties

Tuesday, April 12th - 8:34 pm - three years prior to Rainbow's death.

"El? El!!" I storm away with my hands in my pockets, keeping my eyes on the ground. I was going to Rain's, whether 'he' wanted it or not. A gentle rain was falling and I grit my teeth as I pull my hood up.

"Oh for the love of the stars, Will you stop El?" He gets in front of me and stops me, having his hands gripping my arms. I try to pull away from him, yet look up at him and see a look of concern in his eyes.

"Let me go asshole!" I growl and try to pull away, but my father pulls me in close, keeping my arms pinned. I try to free myself but he doesn't budge.

"El. Please stop."

His voice. Was he-?

I push him back enough to take a look at his face again, and notice he was trying to hold back tears. Why on earth-

"El, I'm sorry. I know I'm a horrible dad. I know I'm not around as much as I should be. But I'm trying my hardest to keep you and your brother in a home; To keep you both in a better spot than I had growing up. Please- Please. Just at least take your brother with you if you are headed to Dan's place," He mumbles gently, and I can't help but let my anger go.

Much as I wanted to yell at my dad, he was right. He was just trying his best to help our family, even if he brought in a new girlfriend every week. He was trying to get us a proper mom to fill that empty role. But... Nobody could replace our mom. No slutty bitch would be able to match her kindness.

Thinking on stuff, my situation was a lot like Rain's. He had his share of family problems as well, for he had to take care of his younger brother, their father was out drinking every two nights, and their step-mom was a bitch and a snake in her appearance. Maybe... I had it a bit better than Rain though. At least my dad was trying his hardest for us.

"El..."

"I will Gal. Just be safe at your race tonight." I mumble as I swipe my jacket sleeve across my nose, then hug him, resting my head on his chest to hear his breathing and heartbeat. We may have had a strained relationship between us ever since mom died, but... He still was one of the only people around who I gave a damn about now.

After Dad went inside to get Time, I had waited until they came out before I started to walk to Rain's. I stare down at the ground with my younger brother at my side as I walked.

"E-El...? Could- Can I hold your hand?" Time's soft voice breaks through my thoughts and I glance over at him. He's looking off to the side, his hand on his neck as the rain fell on his rusty hair. I silently hold out my hand as my answer. He slides his into mine then leans into me, obviously feeling insecure. 

I couldn't blame him after tonight. We all had lost our cool and snapped. With a sigh, I slide my hand out of his and place my arm around his shoulders, holding him close as we walked. "You could just ask for a hug you know," I murmur quietly to him through the falling rain. I'd protect him with my life. Time was the one person who I couldn't stand to loose, even if I felt annoyed by him at times.

I'd be damned if I let somebody touch my brother... So maybe that's the reason I reacted so badly to dad's new girlfriend touching Time. I didn't want anybody to hurt him.

Out of nowhere, Time stops, buries his face into my side, and hugs me tightly. Taken off guard, I pause, then sigh and hug him back.

"El...? W-Will we loose dad like mom?" Time sniffs and I realize he was starting to cry. Gently, I hold him close. Something in me hated to see my brother cry. Something about the look that always got in his eyes- a terror- always made me want to just curl up in a protective ball around him. 

"... No Ti. We won't loose Gal like we did mom." I mumble gently in his ear as I shift back, then look in the eyes. "Gal's trying his best for us... so we have to try our best for him." Time sniffles, wiping his eyes with his hand as he looks down at my chest. He'd enjoy spending some time with Sabs to cool off and I wanted to just hang with Rain.

"C'mon man, you can chill with Sabre once we get to Rain's." I rub Time's shoulder, then start to walk down the street with my arm protectively around his shoulders.

As we get closer to Rain's place, I hear a shout come and one answer it back.

"RAIN GET YOUR ASS BACK IN HERE!"

"OVER MY DEAD BODY!"

I walk a bit faster, instinctively wanting to cover Time's ears the best I could. I didn't like Rain's dad shouting around my little brother as it made him jumpy and flinch easily. As I get into view, I see Rain getting Sabre into his car, his dad standing in the doorway of their house. Without a second thought, I walk over to Rain. He turns his head to look at me, his mass of brown hair plastered to the sides of his face as I give him an even look.

"Wanna drive around a bit?" I motion towards the car, then he nods and waves for me to get into the car. I walk around to the passenger side, as Time hops in the back with Sabre, who perks up at the sight of both of us. "Ti! El! Are- Are you coming with us?" His voice is quiet, but I nod. Better than just being at either of our houses at the moment.

"Yeah man. We all need some time away from our families."