King Enterprise Book One: Finnick

Chapter Two - LaLaLa

Finnick saunters into the bar and there is cheering around him. His brothers filter into the room one at a time. The bar is quaint and it is a mere fifteen minute drive from their childhood home. Their father frequented the bar when they were younger. And as each brother came of age they became frequents of the bar alongside their father. A rite of passage.

Gene King, father to Elijah, Mikkel, Julian, Casey and Finnick is sitting in his usual booth. He is sitting with a large glass of stout. He looks up with a beaming smile. He raises his hand and McAlice, the barman, is carrying a tray of drinks to the booth. A milk stout for Eli, a beer for Mikkel, a water for Julian, a vodka and Sprite for Casey and a whiskey for Finnick.

Finnick drops into the booth alongside his Father and immediately Gene wraps an arm around his neck, pulling his son against him with a hearty laugh. Eli sits down to his right and lifts his drink. Gene glances at Eli then looks around the table at his sons.

"Finnick my boy, welcome home! We missed you! Three months is much too long for a vacation. I'm glad you're home my boy. You'll be home now for a while."

Finnick grits down then forces a bright smile. "Yes, I'll be home for a while." Home for a while. Gene's words for saying there's a job to be done. Finnick swirls then swallows down his whiskey and raises his glass at the barman who nods. Music fills the bar and shortly after it's booming with loud music. Casey's eyes flicker from the table to the people pooling in. Casey finishes his drink.

He looks across the table at the father. "Father, it's good to see you again. You look well."

Gene nods. "I wish I'd see you more, son."

Casey smiles but the smile doesn't reach his eyes. He taps at his pockets then slides out of the booth. Gene sighs, his face dropping. "Still smoking I see...I wish you'd quit." Finnick shoves at Julian immediately stating loudly "let me go with you, I could do with one too!"

Casey nods as he stands up. He looks over at his shoulder. "There's many things you'd wish I'd quit old man. I'll be right back, come on Nicky you're taking your time."

Finnick follows closely behind Casey as he shoves through the bar and out of the front door. Once outside Casey drops against the building and pulls a box of cigarettes out of his pocket. He pulls one out then hands the box to Finnick who shakes his head.

"Things have still been tense with Dad?"

"I'm keeping my distance, Nick, I don't want to rub shit in his face. Just sucks..." Casey inhales on his cigarette deeply.

"You can say it," Finnick urges. He offers a soft smile.

Casey grins then laughs, shaking his head. "You get to fuck your way in and out of towns and we raise toasts and glasses but because I don't have a bias to who I fuck I must stay hidden. Heaven forbid I bring shame to father."

"That's quite enough," Eli states from behind Casey and Finnick. "Just wanted to come check on you two. Dad didn't mean what you thought he meant Casey. Come back inside. He'll behave. Tonight we're celebrating Nicky being home. Come back in soon okay?"

Casey nods, waving Eli away and just as he does a burst of people force Eli out of the doorway and into the cold evening air. Eli glances over his shoulder with an unimpressed look. Three young men, around Casey and Finnick's age, stumble into the street. One of them spins around, unsteady on his feet.

"Ah the Kings! Are you the young ones? I heard about you young ones," the man slurs, stepping closer to Finnick and Casey. Eli steps between the man and his young brothers. Casey straightens and flicks his cigarette down the road. "You're drunk," Eli states to the stranger. "Why don't you just go on your way and let us be, we don't want trouble." The stranger laughs as he continues stumbling forward.

"Which of you likes to take it up the-"

Casey pushes himself off the wall and he is caught easily by Eli. He wrestles against Eli but Eli holds him tightly in place. "Casey! Let this drunk fool go, tonight's about Nicky, remember?"

The drunk man's taunting fill the air around them. Finnick stands up and steps forward, beside Eli and Casey.

"I could do with a good fight. What do you say Casey?" Casey nods quickly with a look at Eli. "Ah come on, Eli," Finnick pleads, "we'll clean up after. I promise okay we'll-"

Eli releases Casey. "Okay fine! Christ...quick and clean and if you get caught I'm not bailing either of you out you hear?" Eli turns and walks back into the bar, swinging the door shut behind him. He walks to the table where his father and other brothers are sitting. Eli slides into the booth and lifts his full stout glass, having a healthy sip.

"Where are they?" Gene asks, looking around the bar.

"Outside. Fighting. Some drunks talking shit."

Gene exhales loudly. "Eli I'd expect you to have a better hold on those two by now."

Eli shrugs. "If Casey didn't feel the need to distance himself maybe he wouldn't have that pent up aggression. I left Nicky out there to have his back. He's angry too. He just got home from a job and now there's another job? They both just need a break father-"

"- When I die... you can decide what my sons need best but I'm still here, Elijah. Would do you some good to remember that. Alright then Kels, Jules I'm leaving now. Someone call me and let me know everyone has made it home safe."

Eli stiffens and flinches slightly as his words. Gene walks from the booth outside of the bar, shutting the door behind me.

"Don't take it personally Eli," Julian insists. "It's just because Nicky is home now and Casey came out tonight. It's not your fault."