Collins.

4.

~Ages: William: Ten

Malo: Five~

William skipped down the stairs to the school, looking around for Malo before frowning, the five year old boy wasn't at their agreed meeting spot of an old oak tree and he looked around before hearing his brothers voice, 

"Leave me alone!" 

Looking over, William's fists clenched at the group of what he assumed where twelve-year-old kids surrounding Malo, who he assumed was their leader shoving the boy into the dirt before spitting at him. William felt his blood boil and he stormed over, shouting as loud as he could, 

"Hey!" 

The four boys looked over at him, the leader who William recognized as a boy named Nathan scoffed at him, 

"Whats it to you Collins" 

"That's my brother" William spat, glaring at Nathan who chuckled, looking back at his companions who where holding Malo down, Nathan looking back at William, 

"What're you gonna do about it?" The older boy growled before he grinned maliciously, "oh wait, nothing, you're gonna do nothing because you're weak!" 

William felt Nathans fist connect with his jaw and he heard Malo cry out, Nathan kicking at Williams knee which gave out and Will fell to the ground, Nathan getting on top of him and starting to rain punches. 

Williams face felt numb, he felt numb all over before he took a glance over at Malo who was sobbing into the dirt, his glasses cracked and dirty and William felt a fire rise in him and he swung, fist connecting to Nathans face and Nathan stumbled back, awestruck that William had fought back and he stood, wiping blood from his nose and lip, spitting on the ground and glowering at Nathan. 

"Come at me" He growled and Nathans lip curled, swinging for William who ducked and bit Nathans arm as hard as he could, hearing the boy cry out and Will used it as a opportunity to punch Nathan in the face, sending the older boy to the ground and the ten year old stumbled back, staring at the twelve year old who lay in the dirt, nose leaking blood and William turned back to the other three, his rage growing, not quite quenched and he barked out his order, 

"Well?! What're you waiting for?! Let Malo go or I'll beat the snot out of you too!". 

William watched as the other three scrambled away, more concerned about their friend and William walked over to Malo, kneeling beside the shaking boy, 

"You okay?" William whispered and Malo sniffled and shook his head, William frowning and lifting Malo into his arms with a grunt, walking off home, carrying his baby brother. 

~~~~

"I wanna get strong" 

David looked over at William and raised an eyebrow, the ten year olds face hard set and angry, Malo was asleep in one of the motels beds. David put out his cigarette and looked back at his son, 

"And why do you want to do that?" 

"So I can beat the fucking snot out of anyone who touches my brother" William snarled and Davids eyebrows shot up, almost looking amused, 

"You wanna get strong do you?" 

"Yes sir" 

"You wanna learn how to fight?" 

"Yes sir" 

David scoffed and reached for his pack of cigarettes, lighting another one up, taking a drag and blowing the smoke in his sons face, "Alright kid, here's some advice, I can help you get strong but fighting? Not my fault you're a shit fighter, keep swinging and one day you'll be an ace". 

William nodded and went over to the bed, sitting up on it and looking down at his brother, very gently stroking the blonde hair from his face as he slept. 

~~~One year later~~~

William slammed the kid against a locker, sneering down at him due to being quite a bit taller, almost 5'8 which the doctor said was rather tall for a ten year old but he would most likely stop growing soon. 

The kid trembled, looking into hard brown eyes before casting his eyes down, William speaking as gruffly as an eleven year old could, 

"What did you say about my brother and me?"

"...N-Nothing" 

"Oh no you said something, spit it out" William growled and clenched his fists, Malo appearing at his side almost instantly, 

"Will leave it alone" Malo mumbled to his brother and Williams glare softened, looking down at Malo before back at the kid, pointing a finger at him, 

"You're fucking lucky" William growled and walked off with Malo, shoving his hands into his pockets, the boy looking up at his brother, 

"Thank you will" 

William felt his lips tug into a small smile, "Anything for you Malo, absolutely anything". 

~~~~~

Malo could feel the tension at the dinner table. 

And by dinner table, Malo meant the desk that David pulled into the middle of the motel room, paper plates holding mushy and overcooked food that David had thrown together last minute. 

Malo looked over at William and mumbled soft as he could, "Dad? Could you pass me the salt?" 

The room went silent.

Davids lip twitched before he threw his fork down, snapping over to face Malo and shouting out, "You stupid stupid idiot!" David screamed, "You're so fucking stupid you don't even know your own dad?!"  

"N-No I just-" Malo began but was cut off by David reaching for him however William stood up and before Malo could have told him not too, William had punched David across the face. 

"LEAVE HIM ALONE" William screamed at their father and Davids rage turned to his eldest, grabbing the boy by the back of his shirt and yanking him up, William looking at Malo with urgency and panic, 

"Go into the bathroom, lock the door, don't come out until I say, GO NOW" William yelled and then was thrown into a wall by David, Malo running into the bathroom quickly and slamming the door. Listening as William and David yelled, the sound of fists hitting, things crashing. Malo covered his ears and sobbed. 

~~~Next day~~~

Malo got into the car, tossing his bag on the floorboard he leaned back in the seat and started to bite his nail, looking over at William who had a fresh bruise on his cheek. The taller boy burning holes into the back of their fathers head as they drove off to a new state. Malo slowly reaching over and taking his brothers hand, Williams lips ghosting into a smile and holding onto Malo's hand back, gently squeezing it in a silent "I love you".