You Left Me! Chp.21 Always
George groaned as another round of growls rang through the house. This has been happening frequently now for the past 5 months! In George’s opinion, the second it started it should have ended.
Although George knows and remembers how pup presentation, behaviorism, and sensory learning works, It doesn’t make it any less annoying. George had to go watch and learn from the sidelines when his younger siblings went through the “pup phase” themselves.
A louder growl and a yelp was when George had had enough.
“Alina! Aiden! That’s enough!” George stood, arms crossed, in front of the two pups fighting each other on the ground.
Alina and Aiden looked down in shame and stood up. Both of them knew they were in trouble.
“Alina? What have I told you about annoying your brother?” George asked sternly.
Alina fiddled with her shirt sleeves “...To not do it...” She mumbled
“Exactly! And Aiden? What have I told you about controlling your outbursts?”
Aiden looked at Alina and then mumbled “...To think before you do...”
“Correct” George said and crouched down so he was on eye level with the pups. “Listen, you too need to stop fighting over everything, alright? I know that instincts can get annoying at some time, but, Alina? Aiden? Remember what I have taught you two about instincts?” George asked gently.
Alina took a while to think before Aiden said-
“We’re not animals...” He said quietly
George ruffled Aiden’s hair “Good job! Yes, we’re not animals. We indeed have similar qualities, instincts, and behavior, but we are not animals, that’s why we need to have control of ourselves and our behavior, alright?” George said
“Good, now make up you two,” George said and stood up, he walked to the kitchen and began to make dinner for the pups.
George looked over and saw the pups scenting each other. A few years ago the two had seen George and Iida scent each other and asked what it meant. That concluded into the trio having the “pup talk”, where George explained what scenting was and what it meant. Alina and Aiden had been so excited after that, scenting each other, and George, all the time! George had gotten at least 6 emails from other parents telling him to “control his kids” because Alina and Aiden had scented other pups at school.
George snapped out of his thoughts when the doorbell rang.
“Mooom! Someone’s at the door!” Alina yelled
Huh? That’s strange...Iida said she couldn’t come over today...
It couldn’t be George’s parents for obvious reasons...could it be the landlord again??
George chuckled and dried his hands on a rag and walked into the living room where Alina and Aiden were sitting on the couch watching Cocomelon. George snatched the remote and turned on a kids' movie Totoro.
“Hey! Mommyy” Alina whined
“Nooo! Moom!” Aiden complained
George sighed “Listen, you two are old enough to watch other shows and movies, it’s time to say goodbye to Cocomelon.” George said and smiled.
The doorbell was now pressed repeatedly, clearly, the person behind the door was clearly in a hurry.
“Coming!” George yelled, “Now, you two?” George turned to the two pups sitting on the couch- Behave” George said and walked towards the front door.
George turned the lock and opened the door slightly so his upper body was in view.
When George looked up, he froze. Eyes wide, jaw open, hands trembling.
There were two men in front of his door.
Well, two men he used to call his best friends 8 years ago.
George recognized that white headband.
George recognized that brown messenger bag.
“It’s been a while...hasn’t it?” Karl said
George closed his eyes and slammed the door closed, locking it. He slid down the door and lifted one of his hands to cover his mouth, the other hand gripping his hair tightly.
Why? Why? Why, Why, WhyWhyWhyWhy-
“George? Please, open the door...” George heard Karl’s muffled plea.
George shook his head and leaned against the door.
How? How did they find him? Why are they here? How? Why? Ho-
“George, please listen...Open the door. We just want to talk...please?” Nick pleaded
“I promise we don’t mean any harm...George, please?”
Slowly, with trembling hands, George reached for the lock.
It’s okay. You're okay. It’s gonna be okay. Calm down. It’s fine. You’re fin-
The lock clicked, George took a deep breath, and opened the door.
He looked up at Karl and Nick. The two of them looked at George concerned.
George stood, straight back, arms crossed, in front of the door.
“What do you want?” He asked while looking at the two idiots.
“...It’s just like we said we just want to talk to you” Karl said.
“...yeah, what he said.” Nick quipped
George was going to let them in, reluctantly, but soon realized that Nick and Karl don’t know about the pups.
“Sorry, now is not a good time...We can try to arrange a meet up dat-”
“shit-” George muttered and turned to jog back to the living room.
There on the ground was Aiden sitting down, holding his arm, crying.
“Mommy! Mommy! Aiden has a boo-boo!” Alina yelled and pointed at Aiden’s arm.
“Oh...Sweetheart, come’re” George squatted and picked up Aiden. “It’s okay, shh, shh, you’re alright.” George cooed and rubbed Aiden's back.
“M-mommy? Is Aiden gonna die?” Alina asked, teary-eyed.
George chuckled “No, Dove, Aiden is fine.” George said while he sat Aiden down sitting on the couch while he crouched down in front of the small pup.
George saw the black-haired Alpha and brown-haired beta stare at the scene with wide eyes, inviting themselves into his living room.
“Where does it hurt, bubba?” George asked gently while wiping away Aiden’s tears away with his thumb
“M-my a-arm..”Aiden sobbed out and rubbed his elbow.
“Oh, dear...Let me see” George spoke softly and started to lift Aiden’s shirt sleeve.”Oh, baby. It’s gonna bruise, but nothing more.”Geroge said, Aiden whimpered “Do you want me to kiss it better?” Aiden nodded and George placed a gentle kiss on Aiden’s elbow. Aiden made grabby hands towards George and George lifted Aiden into his arms. Resting Aiden on his hip.
“...George?” Karl asked quietly.
George turned to Karl and Nick. Alina seemed to notice the two strangers in their home. She ran to George and took his right arm and hugged it, hiding behind George. Aiden hid his face in George’s neck and George tightened his hold on Aiden.
“Mommy? Who are they?” Alina asked.
George looked up at Karl and Nick, smiled, and said.
“Karl? Nick? I’d like to introduce you guys. These are my kids, Alina-” George turned to Alina who hid more behind George. “-and Aiden, say hi!” George turned to Aiden and nudged the child.
“...hi” Aiden said quietly.
Karl’s and Nick's faces were shocked. Eyes wide, mouths open. George chuckled and let Aiden down. George turned his back on Nick and Karl and crouched down so he was on eye level with the 8-year-olds.
“How about, you two go back to watching the movie while I make dinner and talk with those two” George looked over his shoulder to send a wink to Karl.
Aiden and Alina nodded and ran back to the couch and unpaused the movie.
“Follow me” George said to Karl and Nick and started to walk towards the small kitchen. Karl and Nick followed him with confused faces.
“Do you guys want anything to drink? Water? Coffee?” George asked over his shoulder while continuing to make dinner.
“...No, no thanks” Nick said and sat down at the kitchen table
“...Can I get a glass of water, please?” Karl asked, sitting next to Nick.
“Of course!” George responded and gave Karl his glass of water.
“so...you guys probably have some questions.” George started, but winced at the question.
“Yeah...um...how-how, George? Are those two really your kids!? I-I mean, they don’t look too old and-and with who!” Nick yelled and looked at George wide-eyed
George sighed and turned around, leaning his back against the counter.
“Aiden and Alina are twins. Alina being the oldest by 3minutes." George explained. "They were both born on May 9th, 8 years ago. Do the math Nick."
Nick's face turned to confusion, then thinking, and then slowly it paled and turned into a face of shock.
"...No way..." He whispered "Are-are you serious? They... they're his?" Nick asked
George just nodded his head "I found out about it after 4 weeks..."
Nick deflated, and Karl looked confused.
"Um...C-can someone explain?"
Nick and George looked at each other and then at Karl.
"Karl? Do you remember when-" Nick started but was cut off by George
"They're Clay's." George blurted out. "The father of the pups is Clay."
Karl looked shocked, Nick just sat face twisted in emotion George couldn't decipher.
"No, he doesn't know about them." George didn't even let Karl finish his question, already knowing what the brunet wanted to ask.
"WHAT?! He doesn't know?! George! He deserves to know!" Nick yelled.
"I know! Alright! I fucking know Nick and it's killing me!" George yelled back.
"Do you know how much I've tried!? I spent days, weeks, and months trying to get a hold of him! But nothing worked! I didn't want to go to Clay's parents because I was afraid of what they would do when they found out that I was too reckless and a bitch in heat to remember to take my pill! And when I told my family? They threw me on the streets and called me a whore! I couldn't get a hold of any of my friends, not even you Nick! So what was I supposed to do!"
George cried out. Angry tears fell down his cheeks. "I-I had no one to help me...so please, tell me, Nick, what was I supposed to do?" George wiped the tears from his eyes and looked at Nick.
"...I...I'm sorry...George." Nick said ashamed. Karl placed his hand on Nick's shoulder.
"I'm sorry too, George. We didn't know how hard you've had it since we lost contact...but...I want to help you. I-I know I don't have the right to ask, but I would like to be a part of your life again. In whatever shape or form it comes in. I may have stopped being your best friend, but you never stopped being mine." Karl spoke gently.
George looked down at his feet and just nodded. "It-It's gonna take a while for me to trust you two, but I want you to be a part of this too" George gestured around himself.
"We'd like that a lot, George. Thank you." Karl said, Nick just nodded with a small smile
George smiled and turned back to keep making the dinner, Karl joined beside him. "Can I help?"
"Sure, can you stir that and cut those into small pieces?" George said
"sure!" Karl got to work.
The trio talked about what they have been up to since college.
Nick had become a streamer on twitch, and he competed in skateboarding competitions here and there for fun sometimes.
Karl had graduated with his art degree in flying colors and was a full-time artist. Doing digital art for commissions and normal paintings for couples and weddings here and there. He had his own studio in the city as well as a shop for his art.
After receiving help from Karl the dinner was ready soon.
"Nick? Can you go get the pups to eat dinner?" George asked over his shoulder.
Nick's face lit up." On it! Boss!" he saluted and jogged into the living room.
Karl had set the table and sat on one of the seats.
Two giggling and squealing children ran into the kitchen and towards the table.
George looked in awe as Nick chased them playfully.
Alina and Aiden sat opposite of Karl and Nick. George sat himself at the end of the table next to Alina and Karl.
"Alright! Dig in!" George announced and everyone started to eat. Alina and Aiden talking about cool things and asking questions about Karl and Nick.
After dinner, the two pups were allowed to watch 1 movie before bedtime. Karl suggested Adventure time and Alina and Aiden were very excited.
That's how George found himself sitting on the small couch with Alina on his lap, Karl sitting next to him and Nick sitting on the floor with Aiden on his lap for 9 episodes of adventure time.
"Alright! Bedtime you two!" George announced, receiving whines and grumbles of protest.
George had none of it. He lifted Alina in his arms and reached his own hand towards Aidens.
"No!" He yelled. " I don't wanna! No sleep!"
Karl and Nick looked lost. George however has been doing this by himself for years.
"Aiden, If you come with me so we can go to bed, I'll read you two bedtime stories" George smirked
Aiden grumbled and took George's hand. George smiled and looked at Nick and Karl. "Wait here, I'll put these Lil rascals to bed and then we can talk more, okay?"
The two nodded and George left to go prepare the pups to sleep.
Changing into jammies was easy, Brushing teeth turned out to be difficult for Alina today so George helped her. After the two were done George led them to their room and asked what story they would like to hear.
George had just finished the first book when he noticed the two pups were curled up against each other and soundly asleep. George chuckled and kissed their forehead. "I love you two" He whispered to no one and left the room quietly.
George walked into the living room and sat down in the love seat opposite of the couch.
The trio were silent for a while, and George sighed.
"I was so scared." He started. "I knew nothing about taking care of a pup nor raising one. When me and Clay talked about having kids in the future back in college, he said he didn't see himself as a father...ever...that scared me. When I found out I was pregnant I couldn't get a hold of anybody and if I did I was thrown aside like garbage..." George spoke quietly
"I couldn't keep up with my classes because I was so stressed and depressed about him leaving so I had to drop out. And the dormitory only allowed students who studied there so I was thrown out onto the streets...I managed to get a spot in the homeless people's shelter. While I was pregnant I completed my studies online, and got 2 different part-time jobs so I could afford rent. I stayed at the shelter for a year until I was able to move into my shaggy first one-bedroom apartment." George shifted in his seat
" I gave birth to two pups alone in my bedroom...my neighbor, Iida, helped me get to the hospital after....she and Niki are the only people that had helped me...After that, I raised the pups mostly alone. Iida helped when she could and didn't have studies of her own. I owe her big time." George smiled at the memory.
"You did all that...alone?” Karl asked. George nodded
“You’ve done a great job, George. They are lovely.” Nick said
George couldn’t fight the tears brimming in his eyes. That meant so much to him! “Thank you, Nick.”
Seo George told them. He told them about the fight he and Clay had, and the words said between each other. George told them how his mother threw him out, how he couldn’t reach anyone, how hard raising 2 pups alone was, everything.
“and now...that he’s here I-I don’t...know-how or when I should tell him...”
“George...I...what do I even say.” Karl said, he thought for a minute until he spoke again “George? I can’t tell you how sorry I am...but I want you to know that I’m here for you. If you ever need help with the pups you can call me. I’d be happy to be able to spend time and watch the pups for you! I mean it! If you ever need any kind of help, I'm here...And, when you do tell Clay about the pups...I’ll be here with you. No matter the outcome.” Karl said and smiled at George
George smiled and nodded “Thanks, Karl. That means a lot...”
“...I just...It’s so surreal. I last saw you when you were 21, and now you’re 29, have two kids you’ve raised all alone since college, work 2 part-time jobs, have a house, and you still have time for your kids...” Nick held his head in his arms. “And while you were suffocating in life I was having the time of my life and I did nothing to help you...” Nick looked up at George, tears in his eyes. His scent changed from his normal campfire and cinnamon to a smoky scent, making George’s nose crinkle.
“What the fuck is wrong with me? I remember when you told me back in college that you considered me your brother...and I swore to you I would be there for you, always... What kind of friend am I?” Nick stood up and asked, his voice cracking at the end.
George stood up as well and walked over to Nick. “... You're here now, right?” George asked. Nick nodded firmly “...Always”
George hugged Nick tightly, Nick sitting still but slowly melting into George’s arms.
“...You’re a good friend, Nick” George whispered
Nick just smiled and buried his face in the crook of George’s neck, inhaling the sweet smell.
After the hug, Nick made a huge speech about how he would beat Clay’s ass himself if he hurt him or the pups. He also declared himself to be the pup's official uncle. Nick and Karl had a small fight about who would be. George just laughed at their antics.
Soon Karl and Nick had to leave, George leading them to the door. Nick and Karl turned to watch George, George standing in the doorway.
“I’ll see you guys next week, yeah?” George said while smiling
“yeah! Definitely!” Karl nodded excitedly. Nick just hummed. He looked a somber
After a small awkward silence-
“Welp, see you guys later” George said and began to close the door. Karl and Nick turned to leave.
Before George closed the door he swung it open again “Hey! Wait!”
Nick and Karl looked at George alarmed
George just smirked “Good night, Karl-” George looked at Nick “- and Sapnap”
Nick widened his eyes and laughed out loud. “Good night Goggy” He said smiling
George just smiled and went back inside his home.
The door closed with a soft click.
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