Tweak

InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "You're going to be amazing."

Isaiah Michael Delacroix (walkabrokenline) wrote in nevermore_logs,
@ 2015-02-16 02:38:00

Entry tags:

adrian delacroix, isaiah delacroix

Who: Adrian & Isaiah Delacroix
What: It's time for a reunion
When: Monday night
Where: Airport, then Isaiah's dorm
Warnings: Could be none, could be all of them. TBD

Isaiah had bundled himself up for the trip to Logan Airport from his dorm. He really was happy that Adrian was coming to see him, it had just...been a very long time since he'd seen him. So he didn't really know what to expect from this reunion.

He scanned the arrivals board, looking for his brother's flight, then headed down to the gate to wait. He bounced on his toes, full of nervous energy.

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walkabrokenline
2015-02-16 09:44 am UTC (link)

Isaiah bore the scrutiny patiently, smiling slightly at the remarks. "Kept having to buy new jeans all the time, Dad hated trying to keep me clothed." He sighed. "Although like you can talk, there's less of you than there is of me. But yeah, I could eat, although trust me, you don't want to hit the dining hall. There's a great pizza joint not too far from here, though."

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stormandshadow
2015-02-16 09:55 am UTC (link)

Adrian grumbled at the mention of their father, but he leaned down to take hold of his suitcase again. "I don't ever think he did anything more than grudgingly after Mom died. And you sound like my fellow missionaries. They're a henpecking bunch, are Christians." He had eaten some questionable food in his life, but he was more than happy to go with pizza over cafeteria food. "Pizza sounds good."

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walkabrokenline
2015-02-16 10:05 am UTC (link)

"Yeah man, I know," Isaiah sighed, winding his scarf back around his neck as they headed out. "If he wasn't prepared to take care of kids, he shouldn't have had them. And I am just going to piss myself off if I go down this path." He tucked his chin into his collar against the wind.

"We'll have to take the train, I don't have a car, but there's a stop a few blocks away," he said, once they'd left the terminal. "And I can see why, it looks like you're working yourself to the bone."

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stormandshadow
2015-02-16 10:09 am UTC (link)

"Train is fine," Adrian said with a nod. He had contacts in the city who would pick him up and take him to the parsonage house later, but until then he was perfectly happy to traverse Boston with his brother.

"Does it?" Adrian said, genuinely curious. "I haven't fainted in months. I'm totally bragging right now," he chuckled. "Don't worry about me though, I won't be working like that in New York."

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walkabrokenline
2015-02-16 10:20 am UTC (link)

Isaiah looked over at him, one eyebrow raised in an unimpressed fashion. "So pleased for you, Ade," he said dryly. "But that is good to know. Also, one knows a fellow nose to the grindstoner when one sees one, like calls to like." He bought the pair of them tickets for the train and led the way into the station, out of the wind. The sound of an approaching train greeted them, and he surged forward with the crowd to grab a pair of seats.

"It's not beautiful, but it's warm and quicker than walking," he said, leaning his head against the window.

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	stormandshadow 2015-02-17 06:22 am UTC (link)
	"I don't mind," Adrian said, settling his case between his knees. "Heard you had some wild weather a few weeks back. You were okay though, not frozen like a popsicle?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	walkabrokenline 2015-02-17 08:35 am UTC (link)
	"Yeah, classes were cancelled for a few days," Isaiah confirmed, nodding. "I stayed in my suite for most of it, Matt and I watched movies and lazed around a lot. It was pretty great, for being snowbound." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stormandshadow 2015-02-17 08:39 am UTC (link)
	"Sounds like a good idea to me," Adrian nodded. "I need to catch up on pop culture. I've been so out of it. I managed to see The Avengers in Thailand, two years after it actually came out." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

walkabrokenline
2015-02-17 08:55 am UTC (link)

"You're not missing much," he laughed. "But Avengers was pretty good. I couldn't tell you what's really popular right now, but that's because I'm the resident hermit slash grumpy old man."

The train pulled into the station and he stood, buttoning his coat. "Come on, this is our stop," he said, leading the way up and out to the street. The pizza place was a short walk from the station, and he'd been there often enough to know the way by heart.

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	stormandshadow 2015-02-17 09:09 am UTC (link)
	Adrian grabbed his bad and followed his brother to the pizza place. "Do they call you grumpy old man?" he asked with a chuckle. "Weirdly, I was called that too." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

walkabrokenline
2015-02-17 09:19 am UTC (link)

"Must run in the family," he chuckled. "But yeah, sometimes. Because I want quiet during quiet hours, weirdly enough. And I've been know to bang on the walls if people are loud."

He held the door for his brother once they arrived, looking for a free table. He spotted one by the window and claimed it, shrugging off his coat and running a hand through his hair.

"It's weird, not being chained to my desk on a Monday night," he mused. "Wouldn't trade it for anything though."

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	stormandshadow 2015-02-17 10:20 am UTC (link)
	Adrian took a seat and perused the menu. He was starving and pretty much anything would be wonderful. "I feel like ordering a bunch of appetizers too. Just...being in a place where I can do that is kind of novel." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	walkabrokenline 2015-02-17 10:43 am UTC (link)
	"Try the pepperoni rolls," Isaiah suggested. "They're pretty great. Also, I feel like it bears repeating: it's really good to have you back, Ade. Do me a favor and let me see you now and again, OK? Since you're not headed out again." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stormandshadow 2015-02-17 10:48 am UTC (link)
	"I don't have anything to run from any more, so I don't see the point in hiding. Of course I'll see you. New York isn't far away. I need to make up for just abandoning you. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

walkabrokenline
2015-02-17 11:36 am UTC (link)

"True, but it's far enough," Isaiah sighed. "Although that brings me to my next point. I'm majoring in architecture, I want to design really awesome buildings and do it really efficiently and shit. And I was actually thinking of going to New York for postgraduate work, Columbia has a really good program; so does NYU. So maybe I won't have to take an eight hour ride just to see you guys."

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	stormandshadow 2015-02-17 11:38 am UTC (link)
	Adrian's jaw dropped a little and his heart lifted. "Are- Isaiah, that would be- We would all be in the same place! I would love that so much. I miss having family." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	walkabrokenline 2015-02-18 08:25 am UTC (link)
	"Yeah, I've been sending in applications all kinds of places, but those two are some of the best," Isaiah said. "So that's another reason to look into them. I miss seeing all of you, we've been scattered to the four corners for too long." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stormandshadow 2015-02-18 08:39 am UTC (link)
	"We really have," Adrian agreed. "I haven't seen Jayden since he was eleven. I have no idea what Jesse's been doing with his life since Dad kicked him out. We should go down this weekend, maybe?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	walkabrokenline 2015-02-18 09:21 am UTC (link)
	"He was 14 when I left," Isaiah sighed. "Sort of wished I could have taken him with me. And I haven't heard from Jesse in 10 years, before Dad died. So yes, we should definitely go down, invade their space, and go out for dinner and catch up. I'm pretty sure it's required." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stormandshadow 2015-02-18 09:26 am UTC (link)
	"Was he-" Adrian chewed on his lip and he leaned forward, "was Jayden okay when you left? I kind of- I- Was he okay?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	walkabrokenline 2015-02-18 09:40 am UTC (link)
	"Not really," he answered, taking a sip of his water. "I mean, none of us were ever really OK, but apparently the kids at his school really loved to pick on him. And Dad didn't really do anything about it, big surprise." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stormandshadow 2015-02-18 09:43 am UTC (link)
	"Aw, Jesus," Adrian groaned. "That had happened a little before I left, but not- I hoped it would stop. Poor Jay." Adrian tapped his fingers absently before he glanced at Isaiah. "And, uhm...w- were you okay?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

walkabrokenline
2015-02-18 09:48 am UTC (link)

"I think it got worse, if anything."

When Adrian asked if he was OK, a lump formed in his throat. He'd never told anyone about those years he spent in his own personal hell, but dredging all of that up in a pizza joint didn't seem like the best course of action.

"Not even a little," he said at last. "But that is not a story for here. That is a story for somewhere else, when I am very drunk."

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	stormandshadow 2015-02-18 09:52 am UTC (link)
	Dread started to crawl up Adrian's spine as Isaiah admitted he hadn't been okay. "Maybe you should spend the night at the parsonage I'm staying in. I have half of it to myself. We can get beer and you can- I mean, if you want, you can tell me." Oh god, Adrian hoped it wasn't what he was dreading. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	walkabrokenline 2015-02-18 10:07 am UTC (link)
	Isaiah rested his forehead in his hands, starring down at the scuffed tabletop. "Yeah, alright," he said heavily. "I mean, it's not pretty and I sort of hate thinking about it, but I've never told anyone. So. Maybe it's time." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stormandshadow 2015-02-18 10:26 am UTC (link)
	Yeah, that sounded like what Adrian was dreading and if that was the case, he was going to be very angry later. "There's some stuff I should- Let's just eat, okay?" He pulled out his phone then, "I'm texting the guy who is supposed to pick me up to let him know we're here. He can take us both back. We can get beer on the way." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

walkabrokenline
2015-02-18 10:46 am UTC (link)

Their food arrived then, so Isaiah just nodded. "Oh, whatever happens, just...remind me not to punch any walls, OK?" he asked. "Found out that me plus beer plus thinking about that shit, it usually leads to just getting pissed off." He grabbed a slice of pizza and bit into it, finding that he really needed something in his belly right then, even though his stomach was churning at the thought of reliving that horror again.

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	stormandshadow 2015-02-18 10:51 am UTC (link)
	"We can remind each other," Adrian said, since he was fairly sure he would need a reminder. Adrian didn't exactly feel like eating that much anymore either, but he knew he was hungry. He shovelled the food in and when he was full, he packed th rest away. "He's waiting outside," Adrian said holding up his phone. "We can go whenever you're ready." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	walkabrokenline 2015-02-18 11:04 am UTC (link)
	Isaiah pulled out some money for their meal and stood, buttoning his coat. "I'm good," he said, pulling his beanie down over his ears. "There's actually a liquor store about...three blocks from here, I think." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

stormandshadow
2015-02-18 11:10 am UTC (link)

"Sounds perfect," Adrian nodded, collecting his coat and his luggage. "We can get anything you need from your room too if you want to get pajamas or anything."

They ran their errands, their chauffeur more than thrilled to be driving them around. Adrian was used to the cheerfulness of the people in the churches he visited, even if he could never quite match it.

They were both shown to his duplex where he would be staying as long as he wanted to, and left alone.

"When you're a missionary, it's kind of amazing what people will do for you. I have a place to stay in almost any city I go to," he said with a small smile. He was trying to postpone the inevitable.

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walkabrokenline
2015-02-18 11:18 am UTC (link)

Isaiah gave them directions to his dorm, and ran inside briefly to grab pajamas, his toothbrush, and a change of clothes for tomorrow. "Weirdest slumber part ever," he muttered as he packed up his bag.

"At least you'll never have to pay too much to stay in a crappy Motel 6," he joked weakly, feeling like he was looking over the edge of a very high cliff, just waiting to fall.

"Come on," he said, bringing their various bags inside. "The sooner we have a beer, the sooner we can get to the things we obviously don't want to tell each other but should."

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	stormandshadow 2015-02-18 11:24 am UTC (link)
	"Yeah," Adrian said, following Isaiah into the living room. He let go of his suitcase and half-collapsed onto the sofa with a beer in his hand. "Isaiah," Adrian said softly, "I- Fuck," he whispered, running his fingers through his hair. "I'm terrified I know what you're about to tell me." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

walkabrokenline
2015-02-18 11:30 am UTC (link)

Isaiah cracked open his own beer, taking a couple large swallows. What Adrian said made him feel cold all over. There shouldn't be any way for him to know. No one knew except him and their neighbor, and he sure as hell hadn't told anyone. And Adrian had been gone by the time it had started.

Unless-

No.

His mind recoiled, and he took another drink. "You remember the guy about 4 houses down, right?" he said flatly. "Gave off that total 'creepy old man' vibe. Turns out, he was. In the worst possible way." He stared at the floor, at his beer, at his hands, anywhere but at his brother.

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	stormandshadow 2015-02-18 11:34 am UTC (link)
	Adrian's hands started shaking and he stared at his little brother for nearly a minute before standing up and pacing sharply around the room. "Fuck!" he hissed, gripping his beer tightly. "Fuck!" He scrubbed his free hand over his face before turning back to Isaiah. "John fucking Wilson. I told him if he touched any of you I was going to cut his hands off." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

walkabrokenline
2015-02-18 12:23 pm UTC (link)

"Yeah, him," Isaiah answered woodenly. "The one that was also a deacon at our church. After you-" He swallowed hard. "After you left on your mission, he cornered me while I was walking home from school one afternoon. Said he'd tell Dad the whole thing was my idea if I didn't go along with it." He curled his fingers tightly around his beer can, heedless of the protesting crunch of metal.

"It didn't stop til I left for college, and I still didn't feel like I was running far enough," he said, his mouth suddenly very dry.

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	stormandshadow 2015-02-19 02:53 am UTC (link)
	Adrian felt like his chest was being compressed and his belly boiled with rage. All at once, he hurled the beer against the wall and hissed a swear word in Afrikaans. "That fucking- Oh, Jesus, Isaiah. I'm so sorry. I had to get out of there. He did to to me and I- I warned him if he touched any of you I would find him. Fuck. Is he still there? Did he- Jayden?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

walkabrokenline
2015-02-20 05:06 am UTC (link)

Isaiah flinched as the can hit the wall, but didn't move otherwise.

"I don't know," he answered, once he'd finished his beer. "I haven't been back since I left, and I did my best to never think about it again. I don't...I don't know about Jayden. If he did, he never told me. God, Ade...I'm so sorry he did that to you. If there's any justice in the world, he's dead now."

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	stormandshadow 2015-02-20 08:37 am UTC (link)
	That absolute son of a bitch. "I warned him. I warned him-" Not that there was much he could do, but there was a lot he wanted to do. "Dammit, Isaiah. I- I'm so sorry. That fucker did it to me for three years. It's why I left." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	walkabrokenline 2015-02-20 08:48 am UTC (link)
	"Ade, this isn't your fault," Isaiah told him. "He's sick and twisted, he preyed on us because he thought he could. I don't blame you for leaving, that's why I left too. I wanted to get as far away from there as I possibly could." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stormandshadow 2015-02-20 08:52 am UTC (link)
	Adrian deflated and he went to sit near Isaiah. "Yeah," he said softly. "God, I'm so sorry. I should've- I should have told someone, but I was just so afraid- I kept picturing our father kicking me out of the house at gunpoint too, and I just couldn't- I was too scared." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

walkabrokenline
2015-02-20 09:43 am UTC (link)

"I'm pretty sure he would have, too," Isaiah muttered. "Blamed the whole thing on you, somehow. I don't blame you for being scared. I lived three years feeling constantly on edge, and I don't think I breathed a sigh of relief til I was on that plane to Boston."

He found one of Adrian's hands and squeezed it gently. "But you got out, Ade. You got away, we both did. We survived, and that has to count for something, right?"

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	stormandshadow 2015-02-20 09:50 am UTC (link)
	"Yes," Adrian nodded and he squeezed Isaiah's hand back. "Yes, we did. I remember thinking being in Africa wasn't far enough away. I threw myself into work to try to forget." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	walkabrokenline 2015-02-21 04:58 am UTC (link)
	"I feel you there," he agreed. "I threw myself into my studies, because it took up all my time, all my concentration. There wasn't enough energy left to remember. And I liked it that way. He...he screwed with my head so bad, Ade. A girl came on to me at a bar my freshman year and I almost had a panic attack." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

stormandshadow
2015-02-21 05:16 am UTC (link)

Adrian groaned and nodded. "I know. I can't- I haven't had a relationship. I can't, the idea of one terrifies me. I'm probably lucky in that missionaries don't get hit on that much, but it does happen occasionally and I just clam up. I hate it."

Adrian shifted a little before saying, "I hate that this happened to you too, but...I've never talked to anyone about this before. It's...like a weight is being lifted."

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	walkabrokenline 2015-02-21 10:19 am UTC (link)
	"Why do you think I hide in my dorm?" Isaiah asked. "It's safer. I don't need people asking why I'm turning pale and leaving abruptly." "I know the feeling," he agreed. "I mean, it fucking sucks dragging this up again, but it feels a bit better, not to have it all locked up anymore." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	stormandshadow 2015-02-21 10:22 am UTC (link)
	Adrian hated that Isaiah understood everything he had been through. He wanted to wrap his arms around his little brother and protect him, but it was too late now. "We should...watch something silly. Order more food later. Drink a lot of beer. I'm so sorry I didn't protect you better, Isaiah." (Reply to this) (Parent)

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