𓈊 HotGuy and Canary

Chapter 8

Prepare to cry.

' ¤ ▪︎ ° • ☆ • ° ▪︎ ¤ '

"It started when I was... probably seven," Grian said. "Papa started taking me and Joel to this church after Mum died. It was... strange, to say the least." Joel chuckled at that. "It was a small cult, and they worshipped this god, Xelqua, who supposedly gave the people what was good for them and whatever. They were a god of love, or something like that." He sighed and slumped into the sofa cushions. "These really amazing things started to happen to everyone, and they all said it was because of Xelqua. To an impressionable seven-year-old, it sounded a hundred percent believable, so I tried praying to them. But nothing happened. Then... Joel got his powers... And I grew scrawny little wings that weren't big enough to lift me off the ground."

Jimmy blinked. "Really? Now they're huge!"

Tears began to form in Grian's eyes when Jimmy said that. "Only because of Xelqua," he said. "They appeared in my dreams once and promised that if I let them take over my body, then I would be stronger than everyone else, and- and they promised... that everybody would love me-" He sniffled. "But everybody's scared of me, a-and- and you hate me-"

"I already said I don't," Jimmy said sternly. "You're my brother. I love you."

Grian looked at him and sobbed. "I love you, too," he cried, then tossed himself at Jimmy, hugging him tightly.

"Wait, wait, wait." Joel paused and shook his head. "So, this entire time - for the past twenty years - you've been controlled by Xelqua?" Grian hesitantly nodded, and Joel's eyes began to water now, too. "Please tell me you remember all-" He stopped himself when Grian looked away. "You... You don't..."

Grian shook his head. "I'm sorry-"

"Not even that baseball game Uncle Phil took us to?" Joel asked, tears streaming down his cheeks. "When- When Tommy spilled his drink on my lap and it looked like I wet myself?" Grian didn't respond. "Wh-what about when Pops took us to the zoo and we saw the giraffes and got scared?"

Grian shook his head and turned his face away when Joel let out a quiet cry.

"Nothing?" the brunette asked weakly.

"...I'm sorry, Joel," Grian apologised.

Joel shook his head, taking a deep breath. "It's not your fault," he said as calmly as possible. "You- I mean, you were seven, and I know Pops wasn't the nicest to you..."

Grian started to cry again at that. "He hit me," he wailed and Joel moved over to hug him. "Why did he hate me? Why does nobody love me?"

"I love you, Grian," Joel whispered. "I love you so much, and I'm so sorry you had to go through this. And Scar loves you, remember? He wants marry you."

"B-but he's a hero-"

"That's Xelqua talking," Jimmy said. "You know Scar loves you. And he never knew that you were possessed by some evil god."

Grian didn't say anything else after that. He just cried, and he cried until he was fast asleep in Joel's arms.

Jimmy shivered. "I'll go look for some blankets," he said, getting up from the sofa. "You guys can sleep here, I'll just sleep on the floor."

Joel nodded, then looked down at Grian as Jimmy left to wander around the house. "Why didn't you say anything to me?" he whispered, resting his cheek against the top of Grian's head. He knew Grian wouldn't answer in his sleep, but he hadn't gotten the chance to ask earlier. "I would've tried to help you."

' ¤ ▪︎ ° • ☆ • ° ▪︎ ¤ '

Jimmy ended up only finding two blankets that were in good condition, but Joel was willing to share one with Grian. Jimmy and Joel slept until the sun came up whilst Grian slept for longer, which was about six-something. Nobody knew exactly what time it was since neither of them had their phones. Grian and Joel had theirs taken from them upon being captured by the Top Ten, and Jimmy tossed his into the river to avoid being tracked by anyone. More specifically Scar. He knew he would be on the heroe's side since he had no idea what was going on with Grian.