Black Sheep - Rick Grimes x Male

A New Beginning

1989

The loud giggle that carried through the Rhee's quiet house seemed to be just about the only lively thing occupying the large building. "Silly, baby." Moon smiled wildly as he watched the baby's body bounce with each little giggle he let out.

The two brothers were home alone, lying on Moon's bedroom floor playing with one of the only toys in the house. It was a small piece of rubber shaped like a key. The toy was far from Glenn's favorite, the baby had always preferred a stuffed animal when given the option.

But the only one he had was taken away the day before because of the 'screaming fit' he threw after watching his brother get yelled at for leaving the front door open while he went to get the mail.

Moon tried to get them to understand the baby didn't like yelling, it scared him. He begged his parents not to take all their toys away, and the boy was so proud of himself when it actually worked. The house phone ringing was what distracted his mother long enough for him to talk his father into showing some mercy.

"Moo. Moo." Little hands gripping his arm filled Moon's heart with so much joy the young boy thought it might explode in his chest. "Moo." Glenn continued to chant, his legs wobbling as he pushed himself to stand, using his big brother's arm to keep himself steady. "Wow, Glenny! You're doing so good! You're so strong."

Moon cheered the baby on, his free hand wobbling around excitedly. "Moo!" The seven month old had no trouble matching the nine year olds energy, his gummy smile was so wide a bit of drool slipped down his chin and onto his pure white onesie.

He giggled loudly, rocking back on his feet before falling forward into Moon's chest. The young boy's arms lifted to hold his brother close, his throat ticking as a loud hum vibrated his lips. "Mmh." Glenn tried to mimic the sound, his drool covered lips smacking at his attempt.

"Baby, you're getting your jammies all yucky. You know mommy doesn't like that." Moon shook his head with a small giggle as he glanced down at the now stained onesie. He sighed, his eyes lifting to meet the big brown orbs he loved so much. "She hasn't been mean to you, has she Glenny?"

No matter how hard Moon worked to keep the peace between him, his brother, and his parents, he couldn't always be there. Moon had school five days a week, seven hours a day, every week. That was thirty five hours a week where he was away from his brother.

The situation he and his brother lived in was stressful, Glenn wasn't even a year old and he was suffering from anxiety. Any time he saw Moon putting on a backpack, the baby would sob his heart out for his brother to stay. If Moon so much as went into a different room without him, Glenn's tiny body was filled with so much tension you could see the strain on his face.

If their parents were near and he wasn't in Moon's arms, Glenn would whine and cry until he was. The clear connection Glenn had with Moon created an unsettling atmosphere within the house. Moon felt the hate his parents had for him any time Glenn reached for him.

Their father in particular hated when Glenn showed disinterest in anything not including Moon. If dinner time came and Moon wasn't allowed to join because he had forgotten to finish a chore, Glenn couldn't sit still long enough to eat even just a few bites of his food.

His focus would always be on his big brother, or it was spent looking around for him. Moon always felt an ache in his stomach when it came to their parents. He was constantly walking on eggshells trying to please them. Doing anything he could to fix their broken home for his brother.

Sadly, the love one child had for another wasn't enough to teach two adults how to care. All Moon's attempts at being a real family were in vain. He was either made fun of, belittled, or berated for suggesting they do something together. It was emotionally exhausting.