It works for them... why not?

YOUR SONS ARE ALIVE

YOUR SONS ARE ALIVE

Lonnie Byers screams furiously into the phone -WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO JUDGE ME?- as he paces his kitchen like a caged animal.

Chris, on the other end of the line, sitting in his office, rubs his temple and asks, quite wearily -Are you sick or not?... It's a simple question-

But no—Gordie lashes out -What the hell is it to you? And how the hell did they bury themselves?- Then he smacks his forehead and mutters, "Idiot" realizing he's confirmed it.

But the lawyer replies -I don't know, but they must be very worried about you if...- But Lonnie huffs in annoyance and clarifies -Please... they don't give a damn about me, and I don't give a damn about them either...- Though his anger remains in his voice, it never reaches his eyes.

The blond man says angrily -Don't talk like that, damn it, they're your...- but Lonnie retorts, -Stop with the fucking speeches, we're not in the same situation- venom dripping from his voice.

But Chris shouts furiously -NO, OF COURSE WE'RE NOT... YOUR SONS ARE ALIVE...- Finally, his mask of coldness cracks, and desperate sobs escape his throat.

Lonnie, visibly disturbed, asks uncertainly -Chris?- almost in a whisper.

When the shouting finally stops, the other man asks -Do you know what I'd give to hear my Jake one last time?... even if it's just on the phone, even if it's just complaints and grievances about being a shitty father... WHO COULDN'T EVEN TAKE HIM TO SCHOOL WHEN HE PROMISED?- and the crying resumes.

Gordie didn't know what to do or say; he was completely paralyzed. He desperately wanted to help his friend, but he was so far away... and even if he were right in front of him, he wouldn't know what to say.

When the crying stopped once more, he tried again -Chris, I...- but Chris cut him off, adding in a low voice -Get your shit together, Gordie. I have too much to do here. I have to put my idiot brother-in-law in jail without my niece noticing... goodbye- and hung up.

Lonnie hung up the phone and heard the front door open. He saw Cynthia coming out with her suitcases in hand.

He called after her -Wait...- she turned to look at him, revealing her clearly pregnant belly.

-.-.-.-

Chris, in his office, takes a deep breath to regain his composure and picks up a framed photograph from his desk. It shows him, his ex-wife Lily, and their two-year-old son Jake, laughing together.

He can barely control his tears when he feels slender arms wrap around him.

Unbeknownst to him, the young redhead he's hosting had heard him crying. He forces himself to calm down and pats her arm gently, a coded "it's okay."

She nods and leaves the office, returning to her room, which is still decorated for a young man.

Chris pulls a crumpled piece of newspaper from his desk. The headline reads "Serial killer disguised as a priest, beaten unconscious by the father of his latest victim".

Just so you know, I didn't want to do this. I had ALREADY finished the "Stand By Me" arc.

This is all GlaringEyes' fault. Are you happy now?... I hate you, and I love you... and I hate myself for loving you.

And don't ask me for more answers because I don't have them, at least not yet... If you want, write a fanfic about my fanfic, about the fanfic, about Stranger Things.

And I won't explain the references. If you get it, you get it. If not, ask Chatgpt.

What do you think Lonnie/Gordie said to Cynthia? A desperate "Wait, don't go" or a defeated "Nothing... goodbye"?

Give me Votes and add Libraries.

Criticism and comments are welcome.