Braxton R. Derrick has a problem with authority. (accessdenied) wrote in wished,
He couldn't make himself retreat for a few moments, struck by how normal his cousin sounded, his gaze lingering on the features that now disguised the boy that he remembered. Braxton would give almost anything to put him right again.
There weren't many people that he would say that about. He could care less about most, but he cared, inexplicably, for Niki. They had grown up together...been friends and almost brothers all their lives. It hurt him to not have the same boy around anymore. Sometimes, it was like Niki was gone...like he was dead and replaced by some imitation. But it wasn't like that, and Brax knew it. It was the only reason he tolerated this version.
He shook himself silently, motionlessly, out of his thoughts, "You're welcome, Niki," he said almost softly, "I'll be in my study if you need me," and then he excused himself from the room, wandering down the long corridor and hoping...hoping that maybe there would be some way to honestly bring Niki back.