King Enterprise Book One: Finnick

Chapter One - Hell n Back

Finnick slides his closed laptop into the laptop bag that is on his lap. He pulls off his bluetooth earphones and rests them around his neck. The captain wraps up the flight with a thank you and an announcement of the ground temperature just as the plane skids on the tarmac. Finnick looks out of the window. Cloudy, dreary weather. It feels good to be home. The air hostess stands up as the plane slowly comes to a stop.

"It's been a pleasure having you on board, Mr King," the brunette says with a sure smile. Finnick grins.

"Thank you for the in air service. Made a long flight rather memorable. I hope that you're always this efficient at your job." With that he stands up and collects his overhead luggage. He pulls the handle out and wheels the small carry on out of the plane and down the ramp leading up to the bus. Finnick chuckles as he thinks of her face. The smile turned sour. The slight twitch in her eye.

Finnick makes his way through the baggage carousel collections, wielding a trolley. He comes to a halt at the carousel designated for his flight. The baggage begins pulling out and swooping sluggishly around the conveyor belt. Finnick's three heft bags drop out in between other suitcases. Finnick reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cellphone, turning it on. He had only sent his flight information to one of his brothers, wanting his entry back into the country to be quick and quiet.

Not that his brother's know anything about being discreet.

Finnick waits for a few moments as his phone slowly turns on, the screen brightening. Finnick rests against the handle on the trolley and he taps his foot. His phone vibrates and the word 'Jules' pops up on the screen. Finnick unlocks the phone and reads the message 'Nicky, flight info = received. Will arrange a driver to have you picked up. Will tell him to use your full name. See you soon.' Finnick exhales a sigh of relief.

He walks from the carousels down the passageway leading to the exit from the inner terminal. Finnick slips his bluetooth earphones back on and turns them on. The airport is surprisingly busy. Finnick turns his music on, turning up the volume to drown out the noise around him. It has been a while since he's been around so many people. The bustle is overwhelming and Finnick knows he will take some time to adjust. Finnick walks out of the inner terminal, his eyes scanning the hoards of people waiting for friends and family.

Finnick exhales a burst of anger at not being able to spot the driver. He guides the trolley along the side of the main area and makes his way to the exit doors, leading out of the airport. He comes to a halt as a sudden cheering causes him to jump. His eyes follow the noise and he grins broadly. His brothers, all in a line, holding up various signs.

At the top of the line his oldest brother Eli is standing complete in a tuxedo as he usually is. He looks bored but his grey eyes are gleaming with surprise mischief. His sign reads 'Welcome home Nicky!' Beside Eli is his second oldest brother Mikkel, who is dressed neatly in a long black coat and a knitted scarf. He is beaming brightly. His sign reads 'sex addicts therapy is never easy.' Finnick laughs loudly as he slows his pace to walk to his brothers who are still cheering loudly.

Alongside Mikkel is Julius. He is clapping and booming loudly as Finnick walks towards his brothers. He is dressed casually in jeans and a thick jacket. He has an arm wrapped around his last oldest brother, Casey. Casey is smiling. It's a timid smile but it's there. Despite being but a few months older than Finnick, Finnick is the youngest of the King brothers. Casey's sign reads 'we are proud of your efforts and support your chastity belt!' Finnick laughs loudly.

He comes to halt in front of his brother's and is immediately pounced on by Julius and Mikkel. Casey worms his way into the hugging and is able to get a tug on his younger brother. The signs are dropped on the luggage and once Finnick is released he steps into Eli's hug. Eli holds onto him tightly.

"Welcome home, Nicky. Can't believe you tried to sneak in here without anyone knowing. We missed you. How's it feel to be home?"

The King brothers all fall into stride alongside each other with Finnick securely in the middle and Eli pushing the trolley.

"Oh good flight..." Finnick says cheekily with a grin as they step into the cold air outside. Casey slips off his jacket immediately and wraps it around Finnick's shoulders.

"Figured it would be difficult to adjust from the hot to cold weather," Casey explains as he adjusts his wool jersey and matching scarf and beanie. Finnick smiles at Casey, slipping an arm through his, the way they had done when they were children. "Thanks Casey." Casey shrugs, "you're welcome Nick."

"How was the flight?" Julian asks with a glance at Finnick as he unlocks the truck in front of them. Finnick heaves one of his bags and drops it into the boot. "Good...there was this one air hostess. Brunette of course. She provided the very best in-flight service, helped me sleep. You know it was a long flight and how I struggle to sleep on those long flights...I just get so stiff-"

"-christ Nicky!" Eli interjects, slamming the boot shut. "You get that out of your system before we see dad at the bar."

Finnick groans, rolling his eyes. "Can I go home first? Freshen up?"

Eli shakes his head. "No, we've got to go straight. Dad hasn't got a lot of time."

Finnick flops against Eli's side. "I just got home Elijah...I want to go home and shower and rest." Eli laughs at Finnick's antics and ruffles a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, Nicky. You can freshen up when we get there. And you don't need to stay out late. You know dad will be there for an hour plus minus. You simply don't need to get completely wasted."

Finnick slides into the back seat of the car, sitting in the middle of Casey and Julian. "Oh but I simply must," Finnick insists. "We can't go to the bar and not drink Eli. And I expect everyone to be on their worst behaviour." Finnick nudges Casey who after a few moments chuckles, unable to hide his smile.