Bloody Noses & Crack'd Crowns

Chapter 9

I DO NOT OWN THIS STORY. All credit goes to TheWeaverofWorlds on ao3

The next day was the big football game.

Robert woke up with a killer hangover which was a painful reminder of his own mortality. He really shouldn't have kept drinking last night, but it was the first time in years that he had been able to go out and not worry what the brats were up to. There was only so much they could do themselves, as a small town like Derry didn't afford them the same temptations as Chicago, Las Vegas, or New York. And while he hadn't been there to supervise personally, dozens of Derry parents had been chaperoning last night's events and today's for that matter. He thought that maybe he would spend this afternoon in, as the thought of watching the Derry Tigers lose another game held no interest. The brats would need to go, but Robert knew how to keep them in line.

He left his room to unlock their doors. Eddie was passed out with one of Bill's books weighing heavily on his chest. Robert smirked. Eddie was stronger than he thought. Any boy with real trouble breathing wouldn't have been able to comfortably fall asleep with the added weight. Robert wondered how Eddie would respond if he ever found out all those little pills he took were nothing but sugar pills, and the inhaler he cherished held nothing but camphor water. It would devastate him, and as delicious as that ruination would be, holding Eddie prisoner in his own body was much more fun. Heat sparked below Robert's stomach.

Robert moved to Mike's room next. The other boy was making a clean heal of things which was good. Robert had made quite a tidy sum off of him and Bill from last week's fight and he would hate to put his prize winner out to pasture so soon after the move. Robert let his thoughts drift to the burned barn on the hill and wondered if he would ever reveal the truth to Mike. Robert thought that maybe he would tell Mike after they left Derry, when it was too late for him to do anything about it. Another spark of pleasure ignited in his belly, the fire would be a hot one today.

Robert unlocked the Denbroughs' door. Bill ever the deep sleeper heard nothing, but Georgie opened his eyes groggily at the sound of the intrusion. He must have sensed someone watching him and primal instinct had kicked in. Robert smiled and crooked his finger, gesturing that the boy should follow him.

Georgie did as instructed and followed Robert into the hall.

"Go make breakfast," Robert said throwing him the key to the refrigerator and cabinets. "I want something greasy."

Georgie nodded and padded down the stairs quickly. Robert watched as the gloom swallowed his form. When he had agreed to foster the brothers it was Georgie that he had been interested in. Bill was convenient as he was old enough to fight, but Robert already had a prize winner. It had always been about Georgie. He was the reason that Robert had gone through the trouble of adopting them. Georgie with his big brown eyes, framed with long delicate lashes. Georgie was irresistible. When he had tears in his eyes Robert wanted to ravage him even more. But he had to hold off, he couldn't give into his temptations quite yet. Because if Bill ever found out how Robert lusted for his little brother he would never get Bill back in the ring and that wasn't something he was ready to give up. At least not yet, not when he could earn double from the bookies and fight owners. The pay was too good. Once Bill had out grown his usefulness, then Robert could discard him and have his way with Georgie. That day was growing ever closer.

Robert was hard at the thought. He returned to his room to take care of his little issue and wondered how much longer he would have to wait for his prize.

–

The other boys woke to smell of food cooking. Bill turned over in his bed and found Georgie's empty. Robert must have gotten Georgie up to go cook for him. Hatred reared it's head, but before it could take hold Bill's stomach grumbled at the smell of bacon. Instead of being angry at Robert Bill figured that maybe he should go help Georgie.