Got my Back?: A McGrath Sibling Drabble
So I accidentally deleted the ask...but Mack ( @ceruleanmusings) requested 015. Fist Bump for the McGrath Siblings for the soft touch meme
Danny sighed, watching as the car left with whatever was left of his normality. His face ached from the cut that Cam had placed on it, the look of shock in both Steph and Isaac’s faces burning in his mind. His best friend was leaving them, all of them, because he couldn’t cope with the lost of Mrs. Lahey and what it did to his father. And now, his father was leaving because of what his mother did to the younger siblings, breaking up a pair of inseparable families in one go.
Danny ran a hand down his face before shoving his hands in his pockets. He needed to be stronger now, for both of the McGrath Women. He had to be brother, son, father, and caretaker at the age of seventeen. He barely could control himself as it is, the tear in his skin slowly stitching itself back together with his newfound healing. Walking into the house, he walked past his mother’s flurry of casting Conall out of her life, and two the closed door that held a sobbing and confused eight year old. without even knocking, he slipped in and locked the door behind him.
There was a light gasp that came from the bungle of red hair and a ratty old t-shirt that was going to be hiding from their mother. Blue eyes snapped up to meet his, in a shining glittering ray of hope that made his chest clench, and his heart drop as it dissipated. Her bottom lip quivered, and the tears started all over again, but she made no sound, afraid of what would happen if their mom heard her.
“Why didn’t he take us with him, Danny?” She whispered, pulling at the bottom of the shirt and playing with the loose threads. “Why did he have to go?”
“Mom and Dad...” He started, trying to find a way to explain all of the crazy that was around his family and how there was no fixing what happened when a women like Tess did what they did. “They just don’t agree on things anymore.”
“So?!” She yelled, startling both of them. “You and I don’t agree on a lot of things, but you don’t see either of us running away.”
Another sigh passed his lips, as he rubbed the smile that threatened to stretch his face from her view. “It’s different when you’re a parent, kiddo. They need to be able to bounce back from fights, and still love each other. Dad couldn’t do that. He loves us too much, but he knew it would kill Mom to lose us.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.” She grumbled, burrowing into her blankets and turning away from him. “Nothing from the past month makes any sense. I don’t even remember half of the things they’re yelling about.”
“I know...I know.” He walked over to the bed, pulling his computer with him as he sat down next to her. “And one day, I promise I’ll help you understand, but for now you just gotta trust me.”
“And what if you leave me too, Dan?” She turned to him again, as she shifted with the mattress, a new light of fear in her eyes. “I don’t want to lose anyone else.”
“You’re never losing me, Brat.” Danny laughed, the rumble in his throat more heartbroken than mocking. “Because I got your back, and you got mine.”
“You got my back?” She sat up, shifting so they could both be on the bed, and watching as he pulled up a movie on his computer. “Even against Mom?”
“Especially against Mom.” He agreed, holding his fist out to her. “You know how to do this?”
“I’m not gonna punch you!!” She shook her head, rubbing at his cheek as a look of confusion crossed her face. “Why do you want me to punch you?”
“No, no...” He crinkled his nose as if disgusted by her idea. “I’m not...do you know the thing Dad and I do? When we do a project together or something?”
“Your fist-fives?” She titled her head, using the term she’d given fist bumps when she was five.
“Yeah! Yeah, fist-fives.” Danny held his hand out to her, showing her what to do. “So now, it’ll be our thing. Every time you need to know I’ve got your back, just hold your fist out like this, and I’ll let you know I do by touching yours like this.”
He moved his hand slowly, his bigger hand gently pushing into hers. They practiced a couple more times, finally earning laughter from the girl instead of tears. They sat and watched her favorite movie in bed, snuggled in bed and ignoring the chaos of outside. Soon, when he was certain she was asleep, he pulled himself up, and got ready to take on part two of damage control.
“Do you really have my back, Danny?” Steph asked, holding her fist out to him as she slowly shifted into the warm spot he’d made for her. “Always?”
“Always, kiddo.” Danny smiled, meeting his hand to hers again.
