Rebellion

Angels Fall

Angels Fall

​The funeral was difficult to get through in Chester's opinion. He had liked the soldier. He'd found out from Mike that it hadn't been Dave to save his life in prison the first day, it had been Bono. He owed that man a bit. It seemed like he would never stop owing these people. Larry was a wreck though, he could tell that the man had been very close to Bono. Mike had said they'd known each other for a long time.

​"I don't know if I can take much more of this death," Mike sighed as he rubbed his arm. Chester turned to look at him.

​"I know."

​They were laying in the bed. They'd be heading down to collect Draven, Isaiah and Noah so they could come back and live here. He looked at Mike and then finally turned away.

​"I'm sorry.....Mike, I can't believe.....us."

​"What?"

​"Us. How do we work? We hated each other? I mean, god just a few weeks ago we wanted nothing more than to kill each other. Why.....Why can we work?"

​"I don't know."

​"I want it to work....and apparently it is working....I just feel....I feel like we aren't supposed to be together."

​"Well how about you shove that aside and give me a kiss huh?"

​Chester couldn't stop the small smile that crossed his face. He leaned over and gently kissed Mike who rubbed his back slowly.

​"Look, things between us have changed.....for the better. It's strange for sure, but we can make it all work. I know we can."

​Chester smirked and then sat up. He stretched and grabbed his shirt. Mike sat up and wrapped his arms around his waist before pulling him back. They fell back on the bed again and Chester groaned softly. He had pain on his right side from where Bono's claws had dug into him so he could shove him out of the way.

​"You alright?"

​"Just sore," Chester said quietly. Mike nodded and let his hands run up his stomach. He snickered quietly. "Stop it."

​"Remember, I still want a nice night with you where we're not trying to destroy the other's ass."

​"Ew. Fuck that's nasty," Chester groaned, "Fuck you Mike."

​"Sorry," Mike grinned, "You're so lazy. Get up will you?"

​"You're the one who pulled me down."

​They climbed out of the bed and pulled their clothes on. Chester put his gauntlet over his right hand. Mike held his but didn't put it on.

​"What did we do with Bono's?"

​"Burned it with him," Chester said quietly, "The metal burns easily."

​"Okay. That's.....That's good."

​"Yea. Come on, I want you to come with me to get the boys."

​They headed out of the room and down the stairs. Dave was pacing the floor in the main room. Chester knew that Dave was really stressed out now that Bono had been killed. The Irish man had been the future president and yet, Dave was now in the position he apparently didn't want to be in. Hell, who was ready to lead the new nation? If anyone, it was Dave. He knew how to keep people calm and he had done a pretty good job so far.

​"Are you guys going to get the boys?"

​"Yea. Heading on our way right now," Mike said and Chester nodded. Dave nodded.

​"You mind if I send someone with you? We don't know if there's any rogue soldiers in the area. If you get ambushed, you could be in trouble."

​"Okay yea. Who are you sending?"

​Dave grimaced, "I was actually planning on sending Larry. He's been having a rough time obviously and he could use some time to focus on something else."

​"Is that a good idea? Sending a grieving man on a mission? I mean, even if it is just to pick up a couple boys."

​"I know. But the others lost people too. I'd send Ryan with you guys but he's injured."

​"Larry's fine," Mike nodded. Chester nodded as well and Dave exited the room. He returned a minute with the only remaining soldier they had. He looked terrible but he sniffed once and nodded.

​"I'm good to go."

​"Alright. Let's go," Mike said with a smile. They headed out of the Capitol building and down into the streets. Thankfully, Dave had stayed up all night and had cleared Bono's......ashes? The whole setup was gone. Larry sighed softly as they headed down one of the streets off to the right.

​"Do you remember where it is?" Chester asked and Mike nodded.

​"Couple blocks away. We wanted it to be a safe house."

​"Okay."

​The streets were quiet. People were most likely still afraid of being out and about right now.

​"Dave should send some people around to make sure everyone is alright," Larry said from behind them. Chester glanced back at the soldier.

​"We don't have many people."

​"I know. It would just be a good thing to do. If he wants people to like him, he's going to need to protect them."

​"He wasn't planning on being president," Mike said, "Remember?"

​"I do," Larry said. That was the end of that conversation. They continued down the street and Chester shifted uncomfortably. He had some kind of uneasy feeling. He hoped they didn't run into anything. An ambush would not be good.

​"You alright?" Mike asked quietly. Chester nodded.

​"Yea. Just feel weird is all."

​"It'll be fine."

​"I hope so."

​Chester wondered if Noah would accept him or not. He was willing to let the boy into his family. He would take care of Scott's boy. He felt tears well in his eyes. He'd do anything for Scott. That was almost a month ago. He mentally hit himself. He needed to get over that man. He had Mike now. He had lots of people who cared....or who at least....seemed to care about him. He didn't have to rely on old memories. He took a shaky breath and Mike gently put his arm around him.

​"He'd be proud of you."

​"I know," Chester whispered. They continued their walk, looking around in case of any rogue soldiers.

​"He was ten you know?" Larry finally said, "Ten years old when he was dressed up and forced to fight for his country. Imagine your boy going into war."

​Chester couldn't believe that their country had done that. It must've gone during the draft that happened when he was seven. Soldiers came to every house with two or more boys in the family and took one of them. Most of the time it was an older sibling. Had Bono been the older one?

​"His brother tried to volunteer but his parents sent him instead," Larry sighed, "The world is a cruel, cruel place."

​Chester nodded his agreement and they turned onto the right street. And that was when the gunfire started. He didn't stop. He sprinted forward with Mike and Larry right behind him. Their guns were drawn. There had only been two shots. Two shots. Both his boys could be dead. He felt tears in his eyes again and hurriedly brushed them out of his eyes so he could see.

​"Did you give Isaiah a gun?" Mike called. Chester nodded.

​"I gave him one in case things got bad. To protect Draven."

​"They're gonna be okay Chester," Mike managed and Chester swallowed. He wouldn't be okay until he saw them both okay. He followed Mike up onto the sidewalk and then the other man was glancing up at every house as they ran. They made it to the right house and they hurried up the front stairs.

​"Larry, check the bottom floor. Chaz and I are going up," Mike said. Larry nodded as they opened the door and went inside.

​"Saiah!? Dravey?!" Chester screamed as they climbed the steps. There was no answer, "Noah!?"

​None. No answer. He swallowed.

​"What room were they in?" Chester managed. Tears were brimming in his eyes again.

​"I think the one at the end of the hall."

​Chester nodded and then couldn't help his feet carry him quickly to the door. He swallowed and opened it. His eyes darted around the room and then someone was grabbing him and shoving him out.

​"No! No, don't....dad, don't. Please don't. Don't."

​"Saiah? Saiah, what's wrong? Saiah....."

​"Don't. Dad, don't. Don't," Isaiah managed as he continued pushing on him, "Please, don't."

​"Isaiah.....Isaiah, stop. What's the matter? What's going on? You're okay. You're safe. What's going on?"

​He hugged his son tightly and then there was a quiet voice next to him.

​"Chester......"

​He looked up to see Mike looking at him with tears in his eyes. Isaiah let loose another round of sobs. He slowly let go of his son and took a slow step into the room. He felt sick. There was so much blood. He felt tears run from his face as he fell to his knees. This wasn't real. It was a bad dream and he'd wake up and be in Mike's comforting embrace. He'd say it would all be fine. That it was just a nightmare. But it couldn't be....because he didn't even have nightmares this bad.

​"Dravey," he whispered as he cradled his son to his chest, "Oh my god. Oh my god."

​He felt his vision go blurry. Everything vanished from sight. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't see. He tightened his grip on the boy in his arms. He'd been eight years old. He had a whole life ahead of him. He picked the boy off the floor and placed him on the bed before blinking more tears out of his eyes.

​"FUCK!" he screamed as he punched one of the windows. The glass shattered. His emotions were running out of control. He was angry, he was heartbroken, he was devastated. He kicked his boot through the wall, far enough that his foot made it outside. He couldn't control his actions and a second later he was on four legs instead of two. He didn't even remember hitting the button. He was destroyed.

​"Chester!"

​He turned and glared at the man standing in front of him. A man with a son. Of course, that man got to keep his boy. He snarled and lunged forward. The man's eyes widened and he immediately turned his back. Chester scratched his claws across the man's back and he heard him cry out.

​"Run. Go downstairs. Larry's down there. Tell him to take you out of the house!"

​Chester backed up into the room as he watched the boy run away. He was about to chase after him when he was tackled by another force. The man was gone. A wolf had tackled him. He slashed his claws at the wolf again but the wolf dodged aside and rushed forward, brushing his fur softly against him. He growled and kicked out, sending the wolf into a wall. The smaller animal whimpered and looked up at him. He raised the fur on his back and snarled again. He couldn't comprehend anything. His rage and devastation was destroying him. And then the wolf was in front of him and gently touching their noses. It was like a trigger. His form shimmered and he crashed to the ground. Tears ran down his face as he tried to come up with more anger but he couldn't. He was just heartbroken. And then Mike was there, wrapping him into his arms and hugging him. Whispering how sorry he was over and over again.

​"What did they do?" he asked softly.

​"Nothing. Nothing."

​He slowly got to his feet, Mike still holding onto him tightly. He gently lifted his son off the bed and cradling him to his chest. He kissed his forehead and slowly shut his eyes.

​"God just wanted another angel Dravey," he whispered, "I love you."

​They slowly left the room and went down the stairs. Mike supported him the entire time. He wouldn't make it ten steps without Mike. Isaiah and Larry were outside. Larry was holding his son and trying to comfort him but how did you comfort a boy who had just lost his brother? Chester gently set Draven on the ground and then grabbed Isaiah and brought him into a hug.

​"I'm so sorry, son," he whispered, "I'm so sorry I wasn't there."

​Isaiah hugged him tighter, "Please.....no more fighting. I can't lose you dad. Not....Not now."

​"I promise, I'll never leave you. Remember? Never."

​"Chester," Mike whispered, "Larry and I are going to go back. Should I take Draven?"

​Chester couldn't speak so he just nodded. Mike picked up his son and headed down the street. He took Isaiah by the shoulders and kissed his forehead.

​"I know this will be hard, but you and I, we're going to get through this together okay? Okay? Promise me you won't shut me out."

​"I won't," Isaiah whimpered, "I'm so sorry dad. I....I didn't know what to do."

​"What happened?"

​"We told Noah about...about how you wanted him to be part of our family...and...and he got really angry and started saying that you were the reason his d-dad was dead. I...I didn't know that he h-had a g-gun. He pulled it and threatened us and I told h-him.....I told h-him that w-we could start over but he didn't want to and he hated us for being able to have a father and then....then he shot....I thought I'd protected h-him, dad. I thought he h-had been behind me. I shot Noah as s-soon as h-he d-did that."

​Chester looked at his son. He was too young to have to have killed someone. He sighed and hugged him tightly.

​"You did what you could. I'm sorry you had to do it alone. We should've come last night."

​"Weren't you supposed to?"

​Chester bit his lip and nodded, "Bono died last night. We had a funeral for him and it went late. I figured it would be fine to pick you guys up in the morning."

​Isaiah hugged him, "Maybe it's better you didn't. Maybe....Maybe he would've shot you too. Maybe I'd be alone."

​"Come on, let's go," Chester said quietly. He and Isaiah started their way back to the Capitol building. They were quiet, both lost in their own worlds of pain and suffering.

​"You attacked Mike," Isaiah said quietly, "Y-You....you n-never attack M-Mike."

​Chester felt more tears run down his face, "It was an accident. The whole incident."

​When they got to the square, everyone was there. He brought Isaiah close to him and then people were surrounding him and hugging him and apologizing. Dave was there, gently taking his shoulder and saying something about a funeral planned for tonight. He just nodded his head and swallowed back all of his emotions. He couldn't do it. Isaiah was crying again and then Mike was there, wrapping them both into a hug and Chester buried his face into the other man's shoulder. His own shoulders shook and the crowd grew quiet. Mike's hand moved gently over his back and Chester tightened his grip on both Isaiah's arm and Mike's shirt.

​"It's okay. Sshh, it's okay," Mike breathed as he rubbed his back, "Inside now. Come on."

​The three of them walked inside and to their room. Isaiah gave him a hug before climbing into bed. Chester wiped his tears away and sat down by Isaiah's bed and held his hand until he fell asleep. The funeral would be this evening and probably late into the night. His son would need his sleep now. He looked over at Mike when his son had drifted off and then leaped into his arms, sobs escaping him with a new force. Mike hugged him tightly and cradled his head to his shoulder.

​"I'm so sorry," he whispered. They stayed like that for hours. Chester stayed hidden from the cruel world in Mike's shoulder and didn't move. He didn't want to see anything more of what this life had to offer him. He wanted it all over. It had taken not only the man he had loved, but his son as well. He gripped Mike's shirt and Mike just continued to rub his back.

​"We'll make it through," Mike said quietly, "Please stay with me Chester, we'll make it through."

​Too soon it was time for the funeral. He took Isaiah's hand as they headed down to the lobby. It was dead silent in the main room of the building and there was an actual casket. His eight-year old son lay in there, cleaned up. He looked like he would any other day. He saw the others were already in there. Mike sat down in one of the front rows and lowered his head. Chester led Isaiah up to the front of the room and they both knelt down in front. He slowly reached out and took Draven's hand. Isaiah looked up at him, tears glistening in his eyes and Chester closed his eyes. He couldn't bear to look at this anymore.

​"I love you Dravey," Isaiah whispered from next to him. Chester slowly stood up and leaned over to kiss his son's forehead for the last time.

​"I love you son," he breathed. He took the lid and slowly shut it, taking his son from him for the final time.

​"We'll bury him," Dave said quietly, "I promise."

​Chester nodded and then lifted his son into his arms. He sat down next to Mike and closed his eyes. He couldn't do this. He wouldn't make it through. People were moving around, some were walking up to the front to pay their respects but Chester couldn't care less. He just wanted to be away from here.

​"Mike?"

​"What?"

​"I....I need to forget....I need to forget this ever happened."
​
​"What are you saying?"

​"Make me a soldier again. Do anything. Make me forget this happened. Twist my mind. I can't live like this."

​"You can and you will," Mike said gripping his shoulder, "Making you into a soldier or twisting your mind won't only take away Draven, it'll take away Isaiah too. It'll take away me. And I'm not losing you again. I'm not having you fall apart now."

​Chester breathed out shakily and swallowed, "I don't care. I just want to forget everything."

​"No you don't. You're in pain now, I know. I know you're hurting like hell, but it'll get better. I understand that you don't want to experience this, but if you forget everything, you'll forget all the good things too."

​"In this world? All I've been is a murderer. There's nothing good about this world. My old world is a jumbled up mess. I won't lose anything."

​"You'll lose me," Mike said softly, "And you'll lose Isaiah. You need to be strong now. You still have a son and you need to be there for him every step of the way. He needs his father now. Do you understand me?"

​Chester looked at Mike but nodded slightly. Mike nodded and put his arm around him.

​"I don't want to hurt you Chester, but you can't give up."

​Chester nodded again and then buried his face into Mike's shoulder again. They stayed there until the early hours of the morning before they finally went back to their room. Chester set Isaiah on the first bed and then crawled into bed next to Mike. Mike wrapped his arm around his waist and pulled him against him tightly. Chester grabbed his hand gently and twined their fingers together. He didn't care if Isaiah saw them together now. He was too devastated. Mike kissed his head softly.

​"You need to sleep, sweetheart," he said quietly, "Just sleep. Remember, nothing in your dreams is real. And I'll be right here when you wake up."

​"To tell me it's okay," Chester breathed before his eyes slid shut and he drifted off. It wasn't a peaceful sleep at all, but it was something.