Smitten (ddlb)

Chapter 4

A/N

Pipsqueak up above! Just for anyone was wondering what he looked like!

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I racked my hands through my hair and shook my head. I couldn't believe Harper was here! I sat next to him on the couch and Dane was sat on the recliner.

"Oh, I have these!" Harper smiled as he pulled out an envelope from his back pocket and pulled out some pictures from it. I took them from him, it was us, I was maybe three, which would make Harper about twelve. There was a couple more, my favorite one was Harper holding me when I was a newborn.

"Wow, I can't believe we even have pictures... Mom and dad were always way too busy shooting up or fighting about shooting up, I'm surprised they found the time." I smiled at Harper sadly. "Why did they kick you out?"

Harper leaned back and relaxed into the couch, staring into nothing. "I threatened them, I was so tired of not having food to feed you. I was the one who took care of you when they brought you home... I told them I was gonna leave and find a way to legally adopt you as soon as I could. So they kicked me out." He shrugged and gave me a sad smile.

"What did you do? How did you survive?" Dane asked, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.

"I worked, found any job I could. I would stay in shelters, friend's houses, even the streets at times. It was hard, but I figured it out. I eventually got a place, I own my own construction company now."

"I'm so sorry, I'm sorry that you had to struggle so much." I grabbed my brother's hand and furrowed my brow, I couldn't help but feel guilty.

"Don't blame yourself, they never wanted to be parents. They only kept us around for the benefits." He squeezed my hand gently. "When did you leave?"

"Well they kicked me out for being gay, and that's when I moved in with Eric. I was barely sixteen, and I thought he loved me. When I finally got out of that, I bounced around until I got an apartment with some former friends. Dane took me in after they kicked me out, we knew each other because he liked arresting me." I laughed softly and smiled at Dane.

"You're with a cop??" Harper bust out laughing, I couldn't help but join in. It was pretty ironic.

"Yeah, well, I think he kept getting in trouble on purpose so I had to save him" Dane smiled, shaking his head at us.

We all just stayed that way for a while, talking and catching up. I learned that both of our parents had passed. Apparently they both overdosed at the same time. Harper told me all about how he Inherited his company from his old boss a couple years back and how it was blooming wonderfully.

I told him all about my music career, and the new album I had just released. I showed him the lyrics to my song, "Zombie eyes" which I had wrote about our parents.

After a couple hours Dane mentioned that it was getting late.

"Can you please come visit again soon? Or maybe we can go to you next time?" I stood up and stretched a bit, my body stiff from sitting so long.

Harper smiled as he stood up, "I would love that."

Dane and I walked him out, and I gave him another hug before he left. We watched him get into the car and drive off before heading back inside.

"I feel so drained, my brain is all mush." I sighed and rubbed my face.

Dane shut the door behind us and locked up, he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and rested his head on my shoulder. "I know baby, it was definitely a long day. How about you go take a shower and I'll order us some dinner?"

I hummed in agreement and leaned into him, enjoying the closeness. After a minute, I pulled away and made my way to the bathroom.

I stripped and turned on the shower, letting it heat up before I got in. The warm water padded down against my skin, melting my worries down.

Suddenly I felt Dane get into the shower behind me and start to wash my hair. I kept my eyes closed, enjoying the soothing sensation.

"I ordered some pizza and wings, Is that okay love?" Dane gently rinsed the shampoo from my hair, making sure to avoid my eyes.

"Mm, sounds good, thank you."

Dane then took the loofah and began washing my body for me.

"One more month," I whispered softly.

He hummed softly and kissed my shoulder, "One more month until the wedding, hm? You're not getting cold feet?"

I laughed softly and turned to face him, finally opening my eyes.

"Mine are nice and warm, I'm excited to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you so much Dane."

He smiled and kissed my nose, "I love you more Evan."