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 Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 2:28 pm
His newest creation was almost finished, but it was well past the time to clean up the sewing room, the small trashcan had overflowed and covered a few feet in all directions, and Jacob had spent the better part of this brisk afternoon cleaning things up. Of course, it was warm enough today that the windows were open, and that just made it all the easier to clean.
The dumpster was on the other side of the complex, and instead of waiting until he took his car somewhere, he decided to actually walk and enjoy the crisp weather as it was meant to be. Hell, maybe he’d even walk to that coffee shop that was a few blocks away. It was nice enough and he deserved a treat after all the reorganization he had completed.
And so, ten minutes later Jake had slipped on a hoodie and some boots and tucked his wallet and keys inside the pocket and left the apartment with his bag of trash slung over one shoulder like a would be Santa Claus.
Good lord. It would be Christmas soon, wouldn’t it? The city had already begun to put up decorations and it was hardly even through the first week of November yet…
Oh well.
Lazily, he walked to the dumpster and paused when he heard something moving around inside of it. Perhaps it was a squirrel or a cat or something…it didn’t really matter, and so without really worrying, Jacob threw his bag of trash into the large green container as well.
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:23 am
How exactly December ended up in the dumpster was a long story. There he was, wandering down the street when his hat blew away! Yes, yes very very stereotypical, he knew, but that was just his luck! It blew away and he chased and chased it like some horrible old cartoon until it seemed to disappear into an alley. When he turned the corner, there it was... In the mouth of a rather me ol' looking cat.
"Hey kitty.... You're not a talking kitty... right? Can I have my hat back, please...? I just want it so my poor ears don't get cold, please..." Slowly, he tried to approach the creature, how didn't move an inch. Right when he was about to reach it, the cat hissed and lashed out at the poor boy, scratching his hand then darting further into the alleyway.
"H-hey! wait!" Off it went, right into the nearest dumpster. Without even hesitating, December jumped right in, only to slip and hit his head on the inside, knocking himself silly. The cat merely hissed, stepped on his head, and bounded right out, leaving the dazed boy behind in the filthy.
It wasn't until something hit him right in the gut that he cried out in shock and scurried to his feet.
"Ow!! Ow Ow, why would you do that! I mean, no, it makes sense as to WHY, but Ow!" He was *just* short enough that he couldn't see over the edge, so he pilled up some garbage, just high enough to peek over the side.
His eyes went wide, stunned at someone so very similar to him staring right back.
"... June? JUNE! Is that you?!"
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:36 am
Jacob had turned to move off when he had noticed the face suddenly peering out from the dumpster. That was literally none of his business, though he had half a mind to go to the leasing office and put in a complaint but…
That seemed like a lot of work just because there was some hooligan in the dumpster.
He paused when he heard his old name though and his lips pursed. Quietly he turned back around. Clearly it was a hooligan who seemed to know him. Or seemed to have known him in the past. “I don’t go by that name anymore, I go by Jacob.”
The white haired male’s voice was quiet and seemed suddenly tired as though the old name had drained him slightly, though when he finally took a good look at who was inside the dumpster a frown marred his impassive features.
“…December?”
Of all the people he had expected to find…in a dumpster, this wasn’t one of them. At all. He hadn’t seen his younger brother in…years. More than he felt like counting right now and the fact that here he was…chilling in the dumpster of his apartment complex confused him.
Quietly he moved back over to the dumpster and extended his hands to help the boy out of the smelly, rusty container.
“What the hell are you doing in there?”
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:54 am
Huh... He didn't go by that name anymore? It made sense, he supposed, sometimes people didn't like their names, or figured it wasn't what suited them. That was A-OK, but that didn't change the fact that the man was almost certainly his big brother who had left Destiny City years ago!
"It's me!!" The smaller boy laughed, wiggling as best he could to get out of the dumpster, then giving the biggest smile he had when his brother offered his hands. They were taken without a second thought, and he jumped down, only to throw his arms around his brother and squeeze him as tight as he could.
"It's been so long!! Like... I think... 7 years! I think.... I think... AH but what does it matter, you're here! You're Here!!!!" Dessy could almost cry with how happy seeing his big brother made him. Nearly a year had passed since he lost May and October, and he honestly, truly thought he'd never see any of his siblings again!
"I uh... OH, my hat! A cat stole my hat and I wanted it back but it jumped inside and I slipped and hit my head." For emphasis he patted the side of his temple, feeling a large bump forming under the fluffy white locks. It was definitely sore... And he felt more than a little dizzy, but that could also be because he was just SO HAPPY.
"What are you doing here?! When did you get back?!"
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 12:59 pm
Jacob’s nose wrinkled slightly when December hugged him, and with a soft sigh he realized that no, he wouldn’t be treating himself to a treat at the coffee shop…he would however be treating his little brother to a shower and perhaps…a nice ice pack.
“It has been a while, hasn’t it…I uh…well.”
His cheeks colored slightly and Jacob shrugged. “I never actually left the city. I mean. I thought about it but I got myself a job and I’ve been living here since I left home so.” He had wanted to be rid of the clannish family for a while and when he turned eighteen...well. He had found his out.
Quietly, the male reached up and softly touched the lump that was forming on the younger male’s head, sighing softly. “Why don’t you come back to my place. I can get your clothes washed and you can get washed up—that dumpster is disgusting and you kind of smell, Des.”
Jacob tried to make his voice kinder than he felt, but he couldn’t quite understand what was so important about a hat that his little brother would have climbed into a dumpster for it…it was…a bit beyond him.
“Is it a special hat or something? What was the big deal about it? If the cat wanted it, hell I would have just let the dumb beast have it.”
His arm slid around the boy’s shoulders though and he gently began guiding them back to his apartment. “…How have you been, by the way? You’ve grown up so much.”
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 1:19 pm
So... So his brother had been here all along... While he and June weren't exactly the closest, it still felt kinda sad thinking that June hated his family so much that he'd hide from them right in the same town.
Then again, all of the siblings except for May and October left the old family house... It wasn't surprising, given what kinda people they were.
"Oh... Um... Well, I'm glad you found somewhere to be happy. You've been happy right? You look like you're doing fine!" December never was one who talked about himself alot, so unless asked, he'd keep all the family stuff to himself, focusing only on the here and now, which was the bump on his head and the stank in his clothes. When June touched his head, he just instinctively leaned against his brother's palm, finding so much comfort in the touch from family once again. Heck, he even missed May's head pats, even if most of the time it was just because she was talking down to him.
"Are you sure you want me to come over? If you've been hiding from the family so long, maybe... I understand if you wouldn't want me to know where you live. You said you don't go by June anymore... What should I call you then?" He paused, then reached up to pat his own head, thinking about the hat then shaking his head, that same goofy smile coming back.
"Nope, nope, it wasn't anything special! Just it's cold! And I only have one hat now for the winter so if it's lost, then I can't get a new one... Oh, but it's in the dumpster now, and I'm pretty sure you don't want me going back out there, so... Oh well. Maybe I can just make myself a new one." Taking the commented about him smelling as a sign, he let go of his brother, putting his hands into his pockets and stepping just a few feet away so maybe the smell wouldn't be so bad.
"I'm okay. Just... Okay. Life's okay, I'm okay, I'm just fine!"
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 5:57 pm
“I go by Jacob now.” He said again, frowning slightly. “And…I’ve been fine. I get by.” Jacob shrugged, not really wanting to admit that he was lonely sometimes and that in his worst moments, he thought fondly of the family that he had left behind but…at the same time…
He had just been so happy to get out.
“Of course I want you to know where I live. You didn’t influence my decision to leave in the slightest. You were just a stupid kid, Des.” When the boy pulled away from him, Jacob’s eyes narrowed slightly and he closed the distance between the two of them once more and firmly wrapped a strong arm around the younger male’s shoulders again. “Stop it. I’ll get you another hat. Don’t worry about that. We’ll go to my place, get cleaned up and go get some fancy hot drinks to warm up. After that, we can get you a new hat, since you lost it in my dumpster, I feel at least partly responsible. Where are you living now? Still at home?”
He began walking again and he didn’t quite like the way his brother said he was fine. It didn’t feel like quite the whole truth.
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 6:36 pm
"Right! Ah, silly me! I must have garbage in my ears! I will call you Jacob..." It was a little thing, really.... The different name just felt like another divide between them. They had been the perfect to their mom, twelve children, each named after a month, but now... They were falling apart, weren't they?
"... Stupid kid, yeah! Yeah, I was, wasn't I!" It was another thing... Another little thing that almost made him wince as he thought about how often he was called stupid by May and October.. Years and years being alone with her just... Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to have stayed and called out June's name. Maybe he should have just stayed in that dumpster...
And yet when Jacob pulled him into his arms for that hug, he could have cried then and there, and probably would have if he hadn't been so used to just holding it all back. He did bring his arms up to squeeze Jacob back, pressing his eyes against his big brother's shoulder.
"That's too nice of you, you don't have to be that nice to me... I'm okay, really, I can make a new hat or something... But I would like to hang out with you for a while... The old home burned down a while back.. May and October.. They... Um... Well, they disappeared... So I've been on my own, but I'm okay! I have a place... A safe place." How safe the barracks actually were was debatable, but it wasn't as if he was going to tell his big brother he was living in some weird alternative detention.
"I'm just really, really happy to see you! I really am, promise! Have you heard from anyone else? April? September? I haven't heard from anyone else since Dad moved away with November and August!"
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 7:27 pm
So many months…Jacob had worked so hard to differentiate the actual months from his large assortment of siblings…and…he had worked hard to just…try not to think very hard about that part of his life but…
But now that December was here…he couldn’t turn the boy away. This was his blood. His brother.
And some of the things that the boy was saying were honestly starting to worry him. “…Dessy…if you want to call me June…I’ll answer to it. But only from you, kid.” His voice was finally as warm as he wanted it to be, and for a moment he stopped walking, drawing the boy into a proper hug once more. “…Did May and October kick you out? I know they were brats but…are you sure that you have a safe place to be? Because I have a spare couch and it has your name on it. Or it will when I grab the sharpie back up in the apartment…”
The house had burned?
For a moment, he felt a pang of guilt and seemed more than a little unsure, and more than a little sad. “…I’m sorry about the house…I…and no. You’re the first of anyone I’ve talked to since I left, December…I made sure that I covered my tracks…I…it just got to be too much, you know? I wanted to make my own way…and I think I’m doing at least pretty good with my life…and I’m happy to see you too. Happier than I thought I’d be. You might have been a stupid kid back then…but you’ve grown up...” He paused and smirked slightly. “…Didn’t get much taller though. Shortie.” The remark was said kindly though, and quietly Jacob bent down and kissed the top of the boy’s head.
“If you need help, you’ve got it. I won’t let you be on your own. Not now that you’re here.”
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 7:43 pm
"No, no, if you're Jacob now, I'll call you that! It's fine! I'm really glad you're happy." There were countless times December had wished he could have left too. May was cruel, made him sell himself for reasons he didn't quite understand, and berated him endlessly through the years he was trapped alone with her and October. A tiny, itty bitty part of him resented June for being able to escape that nasty path the others went down...
This time when he was hugged, he was a littlestiff, and pulled away first, something he hardly ever did growing up unless he was nervous or upset.
"I'm really REALLY happy I got to see you again, Jacob... It's been really lonely without anyone, and... And I get scared sometimes being so alone, y'know? But you have your own life. You've had it for years, and... And I really, really don't want to be a burden... I'm completely fine, honest! I'm not your responsibility... I really, really don't want to be so useless anymore..." While December knew it was a bit harsh on himself, it didn't change the way he felt. Yes, he had been just a kid back then, but no matter how much he loved, he just couldn't make them stay, and one by one he was left alone... It terrified him to think that Now that he found June again, he'd be driven away..
He wouldn't risk it.
"It's like... A community home. I got my own room, and I work to take care of myself. It doesn't pay well, but given the situation, and how I... How I couldn't finish school, I couldn't ask for more.
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 7:54 pm
Jacob was quiet for a long moment and shook his head. “Then…stay tonight at least? I want to make sure you get a good meal and get those clothes washed and…I don’t know. Catch up.”
He didn’t quite seem to know what to do when December pulled away from the hug and his hands hung uselessly in the air for a moment before he shoved them deep into his own pockets. “If you’re not going to be my responsibility…then be my brother from time to time, yeah? I can’t force you to stay with me…but I guess I was…missing my family more than I realized and didn’t…let myself think about it until I threw a bag full of trash onto you.”
Jacob was trying not to turn his words into a joke. But it was so much easier to make jokes rather than be serious when situations were like this. He had spent the better part of a decade trying to put all of the past and these people as far behind him as he could and now here he was talking about and wanting to offer his home to this younger brother of his. This younger brother who was essentially a complete stranger who…
…Who seemed to be having a really rough time right now.
“I know…I wasn’t around but…if you want…I can be around now. For you, at least. And since you don’t seem to know where everyone else is…I suppose…I don’t know.” One hand left his pocket and fidgeted with the end of his braid, a scowl on his face as he began walking again. “…I don’t think you seem useless, by the way. Maybe a little eccentric, but you were never useless from what I remember.”
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 8:12 pm
"Okay. I'll stay. But of my boss calls me then I gotta go. Weird hours and all that." If his General decided to call him, there was nothing he could so about that. The man was unpredictable.. Hopefully he'd be kind and wait until Dawn.
"Hehe... I don't think I know how to not be your brother.. I'm sorry you found me instead of one of the better off ones.. Hehe, I bet you and April would have so much to tall about... But really, thanks." For a moment, the boy went quiet. Even now, seven years later it must have been strange to see the normally energetic, happy, and bouncing kid grow silent and seem so tired.
"So much happened... May, October... They got in trouble, gang stuff, drugs, money... That's why the house burned down. Their obituary was posted back in January last year... Newspapers are weird, so you probably didnt see... And I was alone. I had never been alone before, you know? Never had a legal job, was never taught how to be on my own... Did you know i didn't even understand how to use the bus? Hehe, home was a prison, so I'm happy it burned... But sometimes, when things get really bad... I kinda wish I had burned too..." That last bit trailed off, muttered under his breath and he couldn't stop himself from reaching out to grasp gently at June's sleeve.
"You're still nice... Right? I don't gotta be afraid... Right? I'll believe you, promise... So don't be mean, please.. I'm so, so tired of all this meanness.."
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 8:21 pm
Jacob paused once again and turned to sharply look at his brother. “…I’m glad it was you, December.” His voice was soft and his mind was trying to get around the fact that…that two of his siblings were dead. Burned to death in a house fire and…
And the fact that December wished that he had burned too? Had he really just heard that?
He looked at the hand on his sleeve and pulled his arm away slightly, taking the younger male’s hand in his own and holding it gently. “…Of course I’m still nice. How could I not be nice. I…I knew that there was strange things going on at home. It was one of the reasons I wanted to get out…but I didn’t…” Jacob squeezed Dessy’s hand tightly. “…Drugs and gang stuff? I thought those two were…”
Better than that? No. Smarter than that…well. Also not.
“…Not quite that stupid…”
Quietly he managed a little smile. “I don’t…I’m not that…exciting. I’m an insurance broker so…I mean, my job is busy in this shithole of a city…but…it’s not very exciting. I…I don’t know…You’re not going to be alone anymore, Des. Not if I can help it. I’ll get you a key to my place and you can come crash here whenever you need to. No questions asked. You’re my brother…and…even if we haven’t spoken…you’re still blood. And I love you.”
…Or if he didn’t. He would work hard to make those words true again someday.
“You don’t have to be afraid of me. Not ever.”
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 8:35 pm
December wasn't sure when exactly it started happening, but his vision was well blurred by now, and one by one tears began to fall. Why, he wasn't quite sure. Relief found in being able to finally tell someone how he had been feeling, misery from realizing and finally admitting just how lonely he had been, maybe even anger at June for being here now, cozy in his life while he suffered for long. Even in his anger, he was a gentle boy, only squeeze his eyes shut as Jacob spoke the words he had wanted to hear so badly from anyone for years.
"H-How can you say that...?" A sob tore through his voice as he tried to and failed at wiping his sobbing face clean. "You left! Everyone left! Everyone nice left and I was left all alone, wondering why I was left alone in such a bad place... I thought maybe I did something to make everyone hate me, so I try so so hard to make sure I'm not hated anymore, but even with May and October gone I feel like everyone still hates me! I am so so tired, June!! I just... You don't have to lie and say you love me cuz you feel bad or guilty, it's not your fault! I'll be okay, I'm always okay, I'll be fine, I am fine, you don't gotta do anything!"
Even as he said this. He only held June's hand tighter, begging without words that he wouldn't be left alone again but unable to say it out loud.
What right did he have to ask anyone anything anymore when he couldn't even really take care of himself?
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 7:22 am
A wave of guilt overtook the male and for a moment he could only stand there, holding his brother’s hand tightly, his other reaching up to rub the back of his own head. Finally though he sighed softly and drew December close, holding him tightly. “…I was eighteen. I was still a kid, just like you are now, Dessy…I didn’t leave you out of spite…I left for my own well being. Or at least that was how I justified it.”
His hand began softly stroking December’s hair and he pressed the boy’s face against his chest. “I’m older now, and I’m a lot better established. Just because you’re always fine doesn’t mean you have to be always fine on you own. Let me help you now that you’re here…okay? I’m not…I mean. Sure. I do feel guilty. But I wanted to help you and make sure you were okay before I felt the guilt so…that isn’t what’s causing this…”
Jacob squeezed the boy tightly. “I don’t hate you. I never did. I didn’t like May…I won’t lie about that. But you…December you were never an issue. You were always so happy and you still have the brightest smile I think I’ve ever seen…” He sighed, kissing the top of the male’s head again, squeezing him still more tightly. “I want to help. Please. Please let me…”
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