Temporary Bliss [boyxboy]

33: Wheel of Death

(still Caleb)

The atmosphere was already weird when I came home from work. As soon as I set foot in the house I felt that something wasn't right. After dropping my coat by the door, I continued into the living room in which all the lights were off, only the TV illuminating the room slightly.

I saw Danny first. He looked upset and Matt was nowhere to be seen. I decided not to ask, though. Things between Danny and I were awkward enough as they were. And in any case, I was more concerned about an equally as unhappy-looking Finn sitting beside him, nestled into Danny's side.

I set my briefcase on the dining table with more force than intended. Seeing the two boys so close really wasn't improving my mood whatsoever.

I'd meant for the noise to startle them, but neither of them seemed bothered in the slightest. Danny didn't even flinch, continuing to lifelessly stare at the TV. Finn merely lifted his head a few inches and gave me a small smile, before dropping it back on Danny's shoulder.

I scoffed quietly at the less-than warm welcome I had received and continued into the kitchen. I didn't see any food, and got the urge to tell Finn off for not making any dinner. But not only did I not have the energy for the argument that would inevitably ensue, I also immediately realized how much of a douchebag thing that was to do.

Work that day had been extraordinarily shitty. An unannounced visit from my father had really screwed up the whole day, and just thinking about the things he'd said had my blood boiling again. I threw the fridge open angrily and grabbed a water bottle, downing it in an attempt to calm myself own.

Finn came traipsing into the kitchen and gave me a wary look.

"Everything alright?" I asked, a little breathless after almost downing the whole water bottle.

I didn't wait for an answer, making my way out of the kitchen and upstairs into my bedroom. Finn followed the whole way, not answering until we were both in my room and the door was closed.

And even then he just muttered "I'm fine". I accepted the answer with a small nod, though Finn definitely did not look fine. I ignored it though, moving on to throw open my closet before unbuttoning my work shirt. I threw it in there carelessly, shutting the door with an attitude I didn't even quite understand myself.

I had every intention of just silently going to bed and ignoring the world, because that day had just been really shit, and I was pissed at everything. Besides, watching Finn drape himself all over Danny whilst the younger boy sulked for whatever childish reason wasn't helping.

"Is... something wrong?" the blonde boy asked, and it startled me a little, almost having forgotten that he was even there. I shook my head wordlessly and pulled up a ridiculously comfortable pair of sweatpants.

"Really?"

"I'm fine, Finn," I huffed, already struggling to control my temper. But I was trying, because whenever I didn't, Finn was usually at the receiving end of it and that just wasn't fair at all.

"I'm going to bed," I added after a few seconds of silence, hoping that Finn would take the hint and leave my room.

But he just looked at me like I was absolutely mental, glancing to my alarm clock and then back to me: "It's only five thirty, Caleb."

I rolled my eyes as I peeled back the duvet with a little too much force almost making it fly off the bed completely, "I know. I just want to sleep, okay? Or is there a rule against that?"

I cringed a little when I replayed my own tone in my head and sighed when I saw that flash of hurt in Finn's eyes.

"Look," I started, stepping a little closer to the blonde boy, "I've just had a shitty day, okay? I'm pissed and I know that if you don't leave we're gonna start arguing again because I'll just be snapping at you all night. I don't want that. So please... just let me take a nap or something and sleep it off."