If Looks Could Kill (Sideshow Bob Fanfiction)

Chapter Sixty-Five

Chapter 65

Cecil climbed the stairs and looked for Bob.

The bathroom door was wide open, revealing a well-kept, shiny-tiled sink; he wasn't in there. Continuing along the landing, Cecil came to a closed door. It was Bob and Caitlyn's bedroom.

"Bob? Are you in there?" Cecil called, rapping on the door.

"Yes, I'm in here," Bob called back, his voice sounding taunt.

"Can I come in?" 

"I'd rather you didn't. But sure, whatever," Bob sighed.

Cecil hesitantly opened the door.

Bob was sat on the bed, massaging his forehead; his expression was pained.

"Hey!...Brother!" Cecil greeted him, shakily positive.

"Hello, Cecil," Bob mumbled.

"Are you...okay?"

"Yes, Cecil, I'm fine, thank you," Bob sighed.

"You don't look fine...No offense," Cecil replied.

"My head hurts, that's all. But I've just taken an aspirin for it," Bob said, though a weak lie.

"I know that I don't really know you well. At least, not for a brother anyway. But even I know that you're lying," Cecil said awkwardly.

"If my head didn't hurt, why would I be rubbing my head, and why would the aspirin packet be out on the dresser-top?" Bob replied grumpily.

"I mean that there's more than just your head bugging you," Cecil sighed, irritated with Bob's deliberate misunderstanding.

Bob huddled into a ball, exhaling loudly.

"What would you care," Bob snapped.

"I happen to care a lot! Look, I'm sorry about what I said in the kitchen...It was stupid; I should have remembered," Cecil sighed.

"Yeah...I don't know how you could forget something like that, though," Bob grumbled.

"This is going to sound terrible, but I never saw him much at all. I actually forgot that I had a nephew for a while, until I heard about his death. And it saddened me, truly, but not very much, if I am honest," Cecil explained, biting his lip.

A fierce growl-irritated snarl was emitted from Bob's lips, curled seemingly in disgust.

"I said that it would sound terrible," Cecil replied anxiously.

"Please, leave me alone," Bob said, his voice shaky. 

He made a strange, strangled-whimper, holding his hands over his head, as if trying to hide.

Cecil knew that strange sound. He'd heard it numerous times when Bob and himself had grown up, sharing a room until they Bob was twelve and a half. Cecil had heard that sound when Bob had been kicked, by Cecil, where it truly did hurt, as Bob had rolled around on the carpet it agony. He had heard that sound when Bob had been dumped by a girlfriend who he'd been with for two whole years. Cecil had heard that sound when Bob had just received a pretty harsh telling off from his parents, after Bob had been suspended, in year 10, for accidentally breaking a window with a cricket ball.

Cecil knew that sound well, and he knew what it meant. Cecil became a little worried for Bob, as he hadn't heard Bob make that strange whimper since they were kids. It meant that Bob was on the brink of tears. That was never good. Especially not on Christmas. And especially not now, when he had just said that he would bring Bob down for Caitlyn. No - it most certainly wasn't good.

Bob whimpered again, his face hidden in his knees.

"P-please, just go, Cecil," Bob said, his voice muffled.

Cecil hesitated for a moment. And then, filled with sudden determination, he replied,

"No. I promised that I would bring you down, for Caitlyn's sake. I need you to come downstairs."

"Good luck," Bob sighed.

"Please come down," Cecil pleaded.

"I want to, r-really I do. But I c-can't, okay?" Bob retorted, his voice wobbling precariously.

Cecil outstretched a supportive hand and set it on Bob's shoulder. Bob tensed, and then huddled into a tighter ball.

"Bob, you are acting like a child!" Cecil snapped, withdrawing his hand with annoyance.

Cecil saw Bob begin to tremble, and immediately felt guilty.

"Bob?..."

"I...I'm going to leave you alone," Cecil said quietly. 

He got up and walked out, went downstairs, and into the kitchen, where everyone else was.

"Is he okay?" Caitlyn mouthed to Cecil as he walked in.

Cecil wasn't sure whether to shake his head, or nod. He settled for a nod, deciding that Bob would be okay. Caitlyn gave Cecil and thumbs up, and then went back to poring drinks for everyone.

'I'm sure he'll be down soon,' Caitlyn thought to herself, 'He's fine, like Cecil said.'