B O Y
Tw: child abuse
P1 | P2
Wayne finds Eddie at age 12, angry, shaved head and faint brushing on his arm the shape of fingers and Wayne feels rage like he never had before not even in his youth.
If he knew where his shit fuck of a brother had gone he'd be the first to bury him.
But he doesn't know. So instead he sucks all of that anger in, he'll tell Benny about it later, maybe shoot some cans in the forest, right now he puts on his best face and tries to get Eddie in his car.
They're outside Al's house, run-down looking since Elizabeth died.
"Hey Ed," he crouches down to get eye level, but not too close that he spooks the boy. "Hey, what do you think about coming with me today? I've got a warm trailer, a spare bed and I'll even give you my old guitar, the one you've been eyeing,"
Eddie stares at the ground. Small fist tight by his side. Those brows, just like Lizzy's were pressed to the middle of his face, pinched.
"For today only?" He asks, voice just that bit hoarse, almost croaky.
Wayne's not sure his heart could hurt more.
"No son, for however long you want to stay," Wayne says, with all the weight of his heart.
Eddie looks up then, big Bambi eyes wide and hopeful, brows rising just a tad.
"For….ever?"
"If that's what you'd like," Wayne says easily. He reaches out, one hand open, palm up.
Nothing in his life has felt better than when instead of taking his hand Eddie's thin body slams into his own in the tightest hug.
Wayne wants to break his brothers kneecaps.
He scoops the light boy up, tucking him to his side. There's a small bag by the door.
Just a kids backpack. He snaps it up and turns back to his truck. Al Munson better hope that his little brother can't find him because if he does, he's deadmeat.
Maybe he'll take Eddie with him to Benny's later. Ben was always good with kids.
"Thank you, Uncle Wayne,"
Wayne has to keep Eddie close, hold him tight because he's never letting his nephew go, not again. Not to his daddy, not to the world.
He'd go right into hell for this boy.
"Anytime Eddie,"
