The Smallest Knight

Brotherly Fun

"You called him dad? Interesting Neal, what's the reason you called him that? Oh nice move." Rex and Neal talked during their checkers game; a helpful way Neal talking and relaxing. "No certain reason sir." Neal shrugged moving the games piece two spaces, Rex's impressed the kids amazing checkers skills. "Hmmm, no reason? Neal, we can talk about why; the term wasn't said without context." Rex raised a eyebrow, his glasses slid to the tip of his nose. "Okay, prior to calling Finn dad, my big brother learned about my past Christmas experience. Mom and dad always struggled with money: dads job didn't pay super good, and mom spent cash on stuff she wanted. Sadly, we never had enough to afford Christmas; dad got depressed, they fought, he would get drunk and disappear usually during Christmas. Meanwhile, little me is left alone missing dad not knowing his where about and a pissed off mom. I never had Christmas presents, lights, or tree. Dad made up for ruining the holiday by taking me out to the movies or other fun activities." Rex listens intensely, Neal hasn't talked bad about Chris ever sense they met. "Shocking, Chris Mill sounded perfect. Perhaps the holidays recall bad memories regarding your father. And sense your angry at Chris, you called Finn 'dad' because he's a great father figure who's trying making life happy even during the festive seasons, something Chris failed doing around this time of year. What's your thoughts?" Rex said moving a piece one step forward. "Probably sir, I hated when dad got drunk. He never hit me or verbally got mean, he got sad and shut down." Neal shutters remembering finding Chris passed out on the living room floor holding a empty beer can. "Shame, no child should go through those situations. Tell me, how's the journey writing going? Any nightmares lately?" Neal opened his backpack bringing out a blue journal, he flips through several full written pages. "Not since a month ago after our this session! When a nightmare occurs, me and Finn talk about what I saw. I'm also letting him know about my feelings, that helps my anxiety became less nerve wracking." Neals progress continues getting better, he's getting control of his worries and quitting keep anything out of Finn's attention. "That's awesome Neal, big improvement! Any PTSD episodes recently?" Rex noticed Neal struggles talking about PTSD, the teen believes the PTSD makes him a complete freak. "Yes, after my last horrific nightmare, which was about my stepdad trying to take Finn away, Finn woke me up and I freaked out. Finn looks a lot like David, my ex-stepdad, when I saw Finn I screamed and started crying. He looked exactly like David for that moment, and that's who I believed it was. I got scared, Finn tried grabbing me, but I bit him. The next day, I remained in bed ashamed of myself." Neal's voice lowers, he can still see Finn's terrified face. "That wasn't your fault though." Rex reminded him. "I know sir, but the guilts heavy" Neal sighed gazing at the game board. "Understandable, we hate hurting those we love. Yet, sometime things happen and we must push forward. Good move." Rex complimented. "Thanks, practicing at home's helping. Beat Finn eleven times." Neal smirked enjoying winning against his big goofy brother. "And I officially beat you 5 times!" Neal finished the game victories. "Good game session and game Neal! See you in two weeks! Meanwhile, keep journaling and telling Finn any feelings your having! Bye Neal." Rex walked him to the office door, they exchanged hand shakes and Neal bolted towards Finn. "Hi big guy! Let's go home!" Neal shouted smiling, Finn scooped him dropping him down his shirt pocket; Neal bounces around until getting a solid stance. "Quit moving!" Neal begged losing his stance a second time, he falls onto his butt. "There's always the back pant pocket; wound not recommend the spot since I ate Mexican food at lunch." Finn chuckled patted his chest pocket. "I'm aware big bro, someone made the car ride a gross nightmare. Pretty sure the gas hasn't left the vehicle." Neal said covering his noise preparing for a horrendous smell entering the car. Finn found his car and got inside releasing a relived sigh knowing they can finally breathe again. "Is it safe." Neal asked before moving his hand. "Yes it's safe." Finn replied. "Not lying again?" Neal suspiciously asked, he's not falling in Finn's trap a fourth time. "Promise." The eldest brother swore. Neal moves his hand away thrilled Finn told the truth. Finn's stomach grumbles, the giant grew a worried look and slammed his foot on the car pedal barely letting Neal buckle his seatbelt. "No-no-no-no!" Finn panicked, he started getting drenched in sweat. "Remember what I said? We should quit getting Mexican food from that weird place next to the Chinese restaurant? The Mexican food always makes you blow gas  a hundred times!" Neal scolded, Finn wasn't paying attention as he let out a painful groan. "SHUT UP-SHUT UP-SHUT UP!" Finn hisses gripping the steering wheel. "Nope, the lesson won't even get learned if-EWWWW ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN! FOR THE LOVE GOD PLEASE ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN!" Neal hacks. "Sorry..."Finn's face turns bright red. "YOUR.ARE. DISGUSTING!" Neal holds back the vomit. "Shouldn't have yelled at me! Upsets my stomach!" Finn yells. "Wasn't yelling! God your freaking gross!" Neal frowns. "Sorry little bro, try to stay alive. Homes around the corner." Finn said. Despite Neal's discomfort, Finn's relief of comfort makes the car ride less miserable.
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"Fresh air! Thank God..." Neal gasped upon entering their apartment, Finn laughed dropping Neal at the couch. "Shut up bro, it wasn't that bad." Finn scoffed kicking off his shoes. "Whatever!" Neal leaned again the couch wall, he stretches his legs, but moves when Finn's body comes crashing down. Neal rolls out of the way nearly getting squashed. "Um, Finn..." Neal nervously chuckled, "What's stuff you like?"Finn's thrown off by the odd question. " 'Things I like?' Weird question, what things are we talking about?" Finn asked. Neal mentally sighed frustrated, Christmas isn't far away and he needs idea what to get Finn as a gift. "Anything." Neal said praying Finn gives any helpful ideas. "Gosh, a super hard question dude! I guess movies,
sports stuff...can't think of stuff really? Why the sudden question?" Finn wonders. "No reason!" His little brother faked smiled. "Uh huh..." Finn rubbed the bottom of his chin. "No particular reason?" Finn smirked, Neal shook his head no. "Hmmm, okay Neal. I forget mention we're doing heavy shopping tomorrow. We need Christmas decorations, lights, better baking equipment, Christmas themed cookie cutters, a tree!"Finn said happily. "Sounds dreadful, have fun without me!" Neal huffed. "Nope, we're spending the entire day together! Two best buddies eating lunch out, day at the mall, fun car ride, and who knows what else! Me and my mom always Christmas shopped, dad and I shopped after death. It's always a tradition shopping during the the first week of December. But if you hate Christmas I'll go by myself, not like were brother or even buddies." Finn lowers his voice putting on the best pathetic act anyone ever saw, the older brothers performance truly touched Neal. Finn hardly mentions his own mother, a perfect way to guilt trip Neal. "I'm gonna make lunch...was planing to make pizza, but I'm to sad. A grilled cheese will work." Finn exhaled a deep sigh slowly marching away. "Wait! I'll go Christmas shopping..." Neal couldn't handle Finn's pathetic attitude. "Really?! AWW THANKS BUD!" Finn cheered scooping Neal off the couch, "No problem-AAAAAAH!" Neal screamed, Finn's giant lips tried kissing Neal's forehead, unfortunately they pressed against his entire face leaving behind spit. "My mouth was opened! Yuck!" Neal gagged, Finn laughed amused. "I hate you." The little brother glared. "I love you." Finn said. "Yeah... guess I love you too." Neal smiled. "I appreciate you wanting to shop with me tomorrow. Your a awesome little dude."Finn thanked. "Of course Finn, and your a goofy, freakishly tall, awesome brother."
Sorry for the short Chapter!