HER Young Mate (Completed)

Part Ninety-One: Just Like Your Brother

"I want to see her."

"Durst we've been through this-"

"I know. I know. I just- it's torture, Luna. I get news of her, and I can't see it for myself, she cuts her hair and I can't even imagine it, she wins an award for her school work and I can't see it, or tell her I'm proud-"

"Durst it was part of the agreement." I remind him.

He sighs, and runs his hand over his face, and takes another drink of his beer. Danny took his sisters out today, so I was hanging out at the scout house. While the others were cooking Durst asked if he could speak to me outside, and I knew before he spoke that it would be about Lavender.

"No one stops you from looking across the field-"

"It's hundreds of yards away, and I'd feel weird. I feel weird as it is..." He shook his head. "Forget it... You're right, we've been through this, I knew asking would be pointless anyway..." He sighed and shook his head, and took a drink of his beer.

"I'm sorry..." I sigh and lean against the porch rail beside him.

"It's fine. How are you, anyway, we haven't spoke in a while... I see everyone else, because we live together. I don't see you and Danny often." When he spoke he didn't have a tone of sadness or anger, but suddenly I felt horrible. Raising Lavender was now mine and Danny's responsibility, but I know first hand how badly he's hurting. He just wants to protect her and make sure she has all she needs, and I understand that. Their situation is something I can't change, though. Being Durst's friend was on me completely, on the other hand. Including him is on me and Danny completely.

I smile weakly as I look over at him.

"Honestly?"

He nods and chuckles.

"Yeah. Lay it on." He nods, and I'm suddenly so grateful of his friendship, and I remember all of the times we have spent together. His smile and laughter used to hold our group together as kids- when Frea and Owen would argue, or Sam didn't want to tag along on our pranks, or Alice was spazzing out to get us home before my dad turned back and realized we had snuck out- his smile was what convinced someone to go along with it anyway. We all found comforted by him, and recently having my life and my children's lives under his protection is something I have taken for granted.

"It's a little rough." I say with a sigh. He nods.

"Are the babies alright and everything-"

"Oh, yeah." I nodded, and leaned back again so I could touch my stomach. "It's just been hard adjusting to being leaders. Very hard. We make tough decisions, and sometimes they backfire. We make mistakes that effect everyone... We've had our fair share of bad luck. It's hard keeping everything together-"

"Hey, hey..." He moved closer and engulfed me a bear hug. "You're doing alright, kid." He comforted me, I wasn't quiet crying, but I could feel the tears at the brims of my eyes and he had stopped them by hugging me. I chuckle and shake my head as he releases me.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be, I never fought the idea of Danny being Alpha, I never wanted the job. I can't blame either of you for having a hard time. We all expected your dad to be Alpha for another twenty years. I just... I feel kind of left out sometimes, maybe that's why I have such a hard time with this Lavender thing." He says as he stretches a bit and sighs, takes another swig of his beer. "Things will work themselves out I guess."

"I hope so..." I say with a hopeful smile.

"Ancestors say the best part of life is when you get through the harshest winter, that the flowers bloom stronger in the spring. We all see how strong you and the Alpha are, imagine how strong those three will be. How strong we'll all be. I mean, sometimes all that shit our parents repeat to us until we can't stand it is important- you know?" He laughs a bit and shakes his head. "I'm gonna go inside, foods probably done, let's get some grub."