[johnathan davenport]

Finally, the adults had gotten a hold of John - and he could be changed. Believe it or not, it was annoying being a kitten all the time. Sure he'd gotten plenty of hugs from hot chicks - but what was the use when he was just a little kitten? But what drove him crazy more than anything was how small and weak he was. How could he defend Michael when he was in this form? It was damn near impossible.

The power shot through his body and he let out a high pitched yelping sound as his bones began to change. It was a hell of a painful thing - morphing. But especially when he had been a kitten for so long - his bones had gotten used to the position/size they were. So this was incredibly painful.

The proffessors have been trying to get him for a while, but Michael always escaped. This time however - John had taken matters into his own hands and squirmed out of the boy's arms, running to the proffessors. Now he was curled up on the floor, his body finally starting to listen and change.

It took probably five minutes of excruciating pain to completely transform - and his yelp turned into an agonised scream. Something raw. He had almost forgotten the sound of my own voice. He was naked, curled up on the floor and clutching to his skin - just glad to be rid of the horrible white fur. Quickly, one of the proffessors tossed him a pair of shorts, and he shakily slipped into them.

"Th-thank you.." he muttered hoarsely, his voice dry and husky from not using it for so long. Getting up on his two legs, (for the first time in...well...too long) he looked over to see Michael...his brother. God. It was hard to describe his emotions at that point. To be able to hold his brother - for his brother to see him in his true form.

"Michael..." he whispered, his voice still husky and deep as he wrapped his arms tightly around his frail little brother. Touching his hair, his face - able to feel it properly now that he had his fingers back.

Ahhh apposable thumbs - something everyone took for granted. Man. John was glad to have those back.

[johnathan doe]

Johnny had chased after Kitty when the cat had squirmed out of his arms, but Kitty was quick. By the time he got there, he was confused and officially scared. Why was Kitty yelping like that? Scared for his friend, he began to cry, although the tears slowed down after the kitten began to transform into a man. He cried harder though, when Kitty began to scream. He didn't know why Kitty was a man now, but it was still Kitty and he didn't like Kitty hurting.

Kitty rushed to him and he got a tight, warm hug. Kitty looked and smelled familiar, but Johnny figured it was because this was Kitty. Of course, he knew him.

He hugged Kitty back happily, but frowned. "Silly Kitty, my name Johnny, not Mie...kool." He said, trying to pronounce it with the determination of a child just learning to read and speak properly. It was apparent that Michael had truly lost his memory and did not remember John, because he smiled up at his older brother innocently, as if he was explaining the fact that he was Johnny to a person who had just merely forgot.

He'd reverted, oh, thirteen years.

[johnathan davenport]

Blinking down at his younger brother - he heard Michael's childish pronounciation of his own name and let out a patient little sigh. Everyone had their ways of dealing, and clearly this was Michael's. If it was his choice to revert back to a little boy again - then John would help him. Slowly, he would coax Michael out of it at his own pace. And when he was ready to deal with things, Michael would grow up - and John would be there for him every single step of the way.

Gently wiping away his brother's tears, he smiled warmly at him. It hurt a little that Michael didn't seem to remember him...he called him Kitty. Ugh. That could get annoying. He hoped once he'd turned back...maybe Michael would at least remember him. But instead - it seemed for the time being, he was going to be Kitty. But Kitty was better than nothing. At least the kid seemed to want him around...

"Sure...Kitty. All right Johnny. Sorry, my mistake.." he replied, voice a little shaky from emotion. He loved being back in his own body. He felt strong, in control again. In elation, he picked his younger brother up and squeezed him tightly, crushing the younger teen to his chest and kissing his forehead.

"Kitty's glad to be back so we can talk..." John smiled, fondly brushing his brother's hair out of his eyes. Michael had always been John's favorite sibling - even before the kidnapping. They had had a certain little something. And he just...looked so fragile. John had always felt the need to protect Michael more than the others, as selfish as that sounded.

He was a firm believer in fate. And he believed that the world was training him for his role now.

[johnathan doe]

Kitty wiped away his tears and Johnny smiled that dazzling-little-kid-smile-that-is-somehow-shy-but-playful-at-the-same-time. Kitty picked him up and he hugged the tall cat back happily. The ridiculously thin teen smiled again and hugged Kitty again around his torso, because, surprisingly, his kitten was way taller than him in this form.

“John, Michael does not have a roommate yet, why don’t you take that extra bed?” An adult asked and Johnny perked up. “Kitty’s going to stay with me? YAY!” He took Kitty’s hand and dragged him off towards the direction of their room, surprisingly strong for such a thin boy. Of course, when they got near the room, he heard a sound he hated. The sound of the vacuum. His eyes widened and he froze in place, staring at the offending vacuum waaay down the hall. Since there was no bed to crawl under and no table to take solace under, he grabbed Kitty’s arm.

“M-m-monster!” He exclaimed, whimpering and burying his face in his cat’s arm.

It was very reminiscent of when he was little and he used to hide behind John and Justin or jump into bed with them after a scary nightmare. He’d always been attached to them and it seemed that it continued through his amnesia. It was there, just hiding. “Kitty…” He whined, stomping his feet a little. He wanted away from the loud and scary vacuum, but Kitty was the thing he instinctively knew could protect him.

Poor Johnny started to cry a little.

[johnathan davenport]

At his brother's dazzling smile, he felt his heart absolutely melt. John was a very...uptight sort of guy. He was a stickler for self-control, and he prided himself on being a bit of a tough guy. But around Johnny...he was like a mother. He was soft, tender, protective, loving, caring - whatever his younger brother needed - John would become. Hell. He'd been a kitten for chrissakes.

"Kitty will always stay...for as long as you need me.." John smiled, holding his younger brother close and sending a glare into the shadows - daring anything to even touch his brother. John didn't doubt for one second that he was capable of killing someone if they tried to hurt Michael. It was just a given fact that that would be the result. Family's the most important thing to John - and he'd gladly give his life protecting it.

When his brother exclaimed and curled into his arm, John smiled fondly and wrapped his strong arms around the smaller boy. He could easily wiggle free if he so wished, but John highly doubted he would. It reminded him of when Michael used to have nightmares...and he would always come in the middle of the night, tip-toing so as not to wake anyone else and sneak into Justin and John's room. The two older brothers would make sure Michael got back to sleep by cuddling him close.

He really was a little sook. But John didn't mind one bit. He almost...liked John being this way, so innocent and naive - so..fragile. That way, John had more perogative to protect him. It was easier to protect someone complacant like Michael. Had he been a real teenager, John was sure he would have pushed his older brother away a little.

"It's okay kiddo, come on. I won't let anything hurt you." John assured him, running his fingers lightly through his younger brother's hair and wiping away his tears. Poor thing.

[johnathan doe]

Johnny hugged his kitty tightly, feeling quite safe and secure in the cat’s warm embrace. It took him a second to understand what works had been spoken, but his face broke out into a bigger smile once he understood. Kitty would always stay! Good. He buried his face in Kitty’s chest, the familiar smell of the man who was actually his older brother comforting him further.

But, then the monster came into play and Johnny was no longer comforted. He was absolutely petrified and he wanted the monster to go away. He buried his face fearfully into Kitty’s chest this time and whined for a third time. The teen made the mistake of peeking at the monster after Kitty wiped away his tears for him again. It had gotten closer. TOO CLOSE! He let out a childish shriek and wiggled out of Kitty’s arms, scrambling off towards the dorms. He saw the girls’ room first and saw a bed, promptly running in and hiding under it. Little did he realize that someone was sitting on that bed.

Danielle Latourne was reading on her bed in her pirate pajamas when a teenage boy who appeared to be not a day over thirteen or fourteen, really, ran into the girl’s dorm, crying uncontrollably, and hid under her bed. Her brows furrowing in concern and confusion, she stepped off the bed and laid down on her stomach next to it, looking at the frightened boy with a gentle smile.

“Hi there. What’s your name, sweetheart?” She asked, having immediately gone into “mommy mode.” It obviously took the teen a second to process the question, but he sniffled and managed to get out his name. Johnny. “It’s very nice to meet you, Johnny, my name is Danielle.” She spoke in that light, happy tone you spoke to children with. “What’s the matter, Johnny?” Again, it took him a second to process the question. Once he understood, he spoke in a fearful, but very serious voice. “Monster.”

“Oh, Johnny, no one told you? The bedrooms are monster-proofed.” She said, smiling. “They use magic to keep those nasty monsters away.” Johnny processed the statement and looked absolutely shocked. They could do such a thing? It made sense to him, because the monster had never come into his room, but…wow… “Why don’t you come on out, sweetie? You look like you’re in need of a hug.”

Johnny was out not long after she finished speaking the word hug. He liked hugs. The small teen waited for Danielle to sit up before wrapping his skinny arms around her and hugging her tight. He was still shaken and still a little scared, but this woman, like Kitty and Aaron, made him feel safe. Danielle was smitten and wrapped her arms around him, holding him securely against her and rocking him a bit, stroking his hair to calm him down.

It was how she’d always calmed little Deacon down after he’d had a nightmare. She didn’t know what caused the teenager to apparently revert back to the mental age of apparently two or three, but she did know that he would need to be taken care of. If he didn’t already have someone to do that, she would gladly take over. They were all together in this…place and they had to stick together.

Johnny liked her. She was nice and pretty and she was really good at hugging. She wore these..things on her hands, but they were the same things Kitty wore on his, so it obviously couldn’t be bad.

((Haha, it's a little long, but hey, you have lotsa stuff to work with! YAY!!))

[johnathan davenport]

Vacuums. It was such an odd thing to be frightened of. But John could kind of understand how they could be scary to a child. And growing up, Michael had not been exposed to many vacuums - Justin and John hadn't really been clean freaks.

Suddenly, Michael scrambled out of his arms and dashed headlong down the corridor.

"MICHAEL." John slipped back to using his brother's real name and dashed after him. Damn that kid could run. Michael was going to be the death of him, he knew it. Chasing after him, he could feel his heart hammering painfully in his chest. If anything at all ever happened to Michael, he would never ever be able to forgive himself.

Luckily, John found him. He could hear his timid, frightened voice and he quickly ran into the room it was coming from. Oh. It was a girl's room. Freezing in the doorway, he watched in fascination as the pretty girl coaxed Michael out from under the bed.

Usually, it would take the combined efforts of Justin and John and quite some time to manage to get Michael out from under a bed once he was there. Fiddling nervously with his gloves, he got a better look at her once she hugged his brother. Hah. Magic to monster-proof the rooms. Good one.

Blinking, he took in the girl's appearance quickly. She had very pretty eyes he noticed...and then his eyes traveled to her hands. She wore gloves too! Heading over to the two, John gently ran his gloved fingers through his younger brother's hair.

"Thank you...he got away from me for a second there." John smiled a little at the girl, clearly quite nervous. Rubbing his moustache, he hesitated a little before clearing his throat. Holding out his gloved hand to Danielle, he distracted his eyes elsewhere.

"I'm John by the way." he said, voice his usual husky, gruff tone. Something about Danielle caught him off guard. Maybe it was the pirate pyjamas.

[danielle jessica latourne]

Johnny had quieted down, his head laid comfortably on Dani’s chest. Her hands in his hair had lulled the teen almost to sleep, but he smiled when Kitty came into the room. “Kitty.” He murmured sleepily. Danielle, after the man came in – also wearing gloves – gently put Johnny on her bed, tucking him in with the practiced ease of a mother. “Alright, kiddo, why don’t you nap?” Johnny nodded, clutching Danielle’s teddy bear to his chest cutely. Her heart melted.

She looked up at John and smiled at him. “It’s okay, I had a one year old, I understand how sometimes kids can get away from you.” Danielle tucked a loose part of the blanket under Johnny’s chin. She shook John’s hand with a smile. “Danielle, it’s a pleasure.” She tugged a little at her gloves. “So, I’m guessing he’s your little brother, since you look way too young to have a son around his age.”

Johnny stirred in his sleep and began to whine a little and Danielle was on it in a split second. She sat down next to him on the bed and gently woke him up. “Wake up, sweetie.” Sleepily, he opened his eyes, obviously scared. “Monster.” He murmured. “It’s okay, Johnny, it was only a bad dream.” With a hug and a kiss, she let him go back to sleep. “Sorry.” She laughed softly. “It’s a mom reflex.” The brunette tied her semi-short hair up in a messy ponytail and looked at his gloves.

“I see you’re all gloved, too. Fun stuff, eh?” She asked sarcastically, tugging at her gloves again. They were itchy today.

[johnathan davenport]

Watching Michael slot so comfortably into Dani's arms, he felt a pang of something he hadn't felt in a long time. A want for something akin to a mother. His whole life, John had to be the mother, father, protector, older brother, support, the rock. And sometimes, he wished for someone else to help him share the burden. Justin used to help a hell of a lot - but since he was gone - it was all put on his shoulders. Dani seemed so...motherly and John felt himself drawn to her.

It’s okay, I had a one year old, I understand how sometimes kids can get away from you.

Blinking in surprise, John was given a good insight into her life. She referred to the child in past tense. Losing someone like that...it must have been devastating. A part of him wanted to just wrap her in his massive arms and hug her. But he kept his distance. If anything happened to Michael - he knew he wouldn't be able to cope. He wanted to think he was strong - but deep down, he knew he wasn't.

"Pleasure to meet you too..Yeah. He's my little brother all right. We went through some tough stuff...that's why he's so.." John paused, his jaw tense as he ran a gloved hand gently down his brother's cheek. "This is how he copes." John explained, his eyes a little darker than usual at the mention of their past.

Michael stirred, and before John could even move - Danielle had settled him back to sleep. She made it seem so effortless. As she had so well put it - an instinct. Watching her curiously as she tied her hair back, he cleared his throat and nodded.

"Wearing them is better than turning someone into a pile of black dust by accident." he replied, shrugging and sitting on the edge of the bed. Not really thinking about Danielle watching him, he left a gentle kiss on Michael's forehead. He'd always done it to him when he was little, to help him get to sleep. He was such an affectionate little boy.

It was odd, with John's gruff exterior to see him with his brother like this, so gentle and kind. He acted tough - but inside he was just a bit marshmallow.

[johnathan doe]

Ah, there it was, that look of surprise. She wouldn’t go into it much, because it hurt too much to, but he got the point that she had lost a child. She allowed herself to smile sadly for about a split second, and then she was onto something else.

Geez. If this “tough stuff” made the poor kid revert back to such a mental age, it must have been horrible. She looked at the teenager sadly and then realized something. This was Michael Davenport. She’d volunteered in raising money for his charity. He was a good kid and had disappeared with the rest of his siblings… She looked up at John, “Oh my god, I’m sorry. I volunteered at a fundraiser for your brother’s charity before…you all were kidnapped.” Obviously, it was a touchy subject and she’d been taken before it came to light that some of them had survived. But, she knew they’d been gone for the good part of a year.

It made her so sad that she wanted to cry. Obviously, John was hurting, and Michael was so traumatized that he apparently forgot everything except the motor skills he needed to survive. She’d heard of it happening before at the college classes she’d gone to before Deacon. His poor mind couldn’t handle it, so it was wiped clean until he could. Instantly, she wanted to hug John, but she recognized his type as the guy who cries and hides it going, “I JUST HAVE SOME DIRT IN MY EYE!”

It wouldn’t be received well, she was sure.

“I’m glad you two are okay.” She murmured, not wanting to insinuate about any other of their siblings because, well, she didn’t know who survived and who didn’t and maybe John didn’t even know. It must be sheer torture…

The look on her face was of pure compassion, not an ounce of pity there. She hated being pitied when Deacon was ripped from her, so she never did it to anyone else.

John so cutely kissed Michael’s forehead and it made Dani smile. So, there was a softie in there after all. Cute.

“Ah, that’s fun. For me, it is definitely better than killing someone just by shaking their hand. I can bring them back to life, they claim, but I don’t really have much control over that. I’m told I can heal, too, which is definitely a plus.” She really wanted to improve her skills and gain control of it because it was such a good power to have and she could really help people with them…

Danielle suddenly felt slightly awkward standing there in front of this man who towered over her – and she wasn’t a short woman. She was easily above average height for a woman at five foot nine. She could see now that he was too thin, but was in much better shape than poor Johnny, who looked like you could snap him in half if you hugged him too hard. She hated people being taller than her like that because it made her feel a little short.

Some people she knew gave her crap for that, but growing up, she always was the tallest and up until eighth grade, she was at an even height with all the boys. But, then she stopped growing and they just continued. Those who were short had an opportunity to get used to it. She hadn’t.

[johnathan davenport]

Well, wasn’t it a small world. John felt his heart race at the revelation. He hated people knowing about his past. Usually it incited pity – an emotion that John absolutely loathed. His fingers almost robotically moved through his brother’s hair, keeping him soothed in his sleep. He wanted Michael to know that Kitty was here, always here to protect him no matter what.

Eying Danielle carefully, his eyes bore deep into hers – probing for the pity he hated. But there wasn’t even an ounce of it. It was pure and simple empathy. That eased him greatly. She wasn’t pitying him, or looking at him as if he would break down at any given moment. Good. He was starting to like this girl.

Clearing his throat, he nodded to what she’d said about the charity.

”Thank you. Losing siblings is a hard thing, but nothing compared to losing a child I’m sure.” he commented quietly, the gunshot echoing painfully in his mind. Even now, when a car backfired or something – he’d just about have a heart attack and he’d be trembling for hours. Closing his eyes for a moment, he desperately tried to just...keep strong. Thinking about Justin was just about the hardest thing for John. The guilt was like a monster inside of him, constantly ripping him to shreds. He’d grown so tired of it – but he knew it wasn’t ever going to go away. So, like a lot of things in his life, he just had to suck it up and deal with it.

John watched her eyes taking in his thin frame, and he ran a hand through his hair self-consciously. Jeez. This girl was putting him on edge a little. Usually he was a ball of confidence around them. A real suave charmer. But something about Dani was different – and it was freaking him out a little. She seemed to know a little too much about him, and it irritated him. He liked his life kept a secret. And he definitely liked Michael for himself. Letting Michael around too many people was risky, they might hurt him. Especially now, when he’s in such a delicate situation.

Clearing his throat awkwardly, he gathered his brother into his strong arms and easily cradled him to his chest. He held Michael as if he was made of glass, but it was always so ridiculously protective. John was always on edge, always on the lookout for something that could harm Michael.

"We...should be going." his voice was gruff and he avoided the girl's stare. Something about her really got under his skin and he didn't like it. Girls were for one night only. He'd never...gotten close to a girl before. But he found himself starting to really like Dani - as much as he wanted to deny it.

Secretly, a part of him...the weaker part of John almost wanted to die for Michael. That way he could maybe be free of all this guilt that was tearing him up. Maybe, finally, he could be free.

[like a polaroid picture]

Dani smiled sadly and nodded. “Well, in both situations, the thing to do really is just keep going. There’s not really any other choice than to keep on living because, really, if you give up, then it just feels like you’re not doing justice to that person who died. Keep their memory alive, you know?” She laughed a little. “Easier said than done, I know, but it’s what got me through losing Deacon like that.” She fell silent for a moment. “My ex husband killed my son and then himself when I left for a few days because of school.” Danielle wasn’t exactly sure why she was telling him that, but it felt a little better to have someone know. “I found them when I came home.”

She closed her eyes sometimes and could still see her little baby, cold as ice. The police had come after she called 911 and found her on the floor, cradling him in her arms. She’d gone just a little crazy for a moment and desperately tried to recescitate him.

Now, about John. She wasn’t stupid, she could see he was the charmer type, the one who of course, always got what he wanted. But, it was obvious his experience had changed him. It made her feel like she just wanted to hug him and talk with him until that tired sadness drained from his eyes. She knew how that felt, it wasn’t fun.

Johnny stirred and nuzzled into the older man’s chest. “Kiiitty, I can walk.” He wiggled out of Kitty’s grasp and smiled sleepily at Danielle. “Miss Danielle?” She nodded, smiling softly at the teen. “Are you my mommy?” HE didn’t have one, maybe the pretty lady was his or would be his.

Danielle’s heart melted and it showed. “No, I’m not sweetie, but I can be if you want me to.” Johnny took some time to process this, a dazzling smile spread across his features when he realized what she said. “Okay!” He wrapped his arms around her joyously and hugged her tightly. Unable to not hug the adorable teen back, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed the top of his head. “Alright, Johnny, you need to go with Kitty, okay?” He looked sad when she said that he had to leave. “I’m right across the hall if you need me, sweetie. But, I have a feeling Kitty will make sure the monster doesn’t get you.” She tweaked his nose playfully, causing him to giggle cutely. “Okay Mommy!” He was obviously ecstatic to have a mommy and it was a feeling shared by both the Johnny and Michael sides.

“It was good meeting you both.” She said softly, smiling at John. “Hang in there, John…I’ve been told I’m a good listener if you ever want to talk. You don’t have to, of course.” Danielle smiled. “I just know it helps sometimes to get some stuff off your chest.”

Johnny took Kitty’s hand. “Kitty, I is hungry. Can we go eat?”

[johnathan davenport]

Listening to Dani’s story filled John with an uncomfortable feeling he couldn’t quite describe. It made him want to hug the girl tight and make sure nobody ever harmed her or her family like that ever again. She was so young...and yet her happy ending had already been cruelly torn from her. Now she was stuck here – ridiculously alone. When she closed her eyes, he knew what she was thinking. She was envisioning the moment she had gotten home and found her precious child dead. Clearing his throat, he awkwardly looked to the opposite corner of the room.

”I’m sorry to hear that..” he replied – totally unsure of what he should say in a situation like this. Sorry your ex-husband was a psycho? Sorry your choice in men is shit? Nah. It was better to just say he was sorry for what happened – because he was. Nobody deserved that. And Dani seemed like such a nice girl.

Michael wiggled out of his grasp, and John reluctantly let him go. This kid was becoming too independent for his liking at the moment.

Are you my mommy?”

Something about such an innocent statement had John seeing red for a moment. Mummy...mother. Christ. Who needed mothers? They were nothing but whores. Especially his mother. Their mother. It was her damn fault that Justin and his other siblings were dead. It was all her fault. His face flushed with rage, and he let out a low growling sound that came from deep within his chest at Dani’s reply.

”NO. You are not his God damn mother. Don’t full his head full of shit.” he snapped, forcefully tugging Michael away from her and getting right in the poor girl’s face. It was clear his temper was way out of control. He had enough trouble controlling normal emotions – but anger he had next to no grip on it. He tended to fly off the handle quite a bit. ”Now you listen here. Michael’s got me. That’s all he needs. He doesn’t need a fucking mother, some nosy bitch like you coming in here and playing his mother. We’ve got each other and that’s all we need. We’re not some fucking charity case.” he glared down at Dani – and kinda wished she was a little shorter so he could be more intimidating. ”Michael doesn’t need a mother. Not you, or anyone else. So you should just keep to your own life, and don’t try and get involved in ours.”

This girl was trouble. He could feel it. Grabbing Michael’s hand, he forcefully began to tug him towards the door before he really lost his temper and did something stupid.

[johnathan doe]

Danielle didn’t even blink as he yelled in her face. She wasn’t an idiot, and he was having a jealous tantrum. As she’d done with her one year-old, Danielle ignored his little spout of anger and waited patiently and boredly until he was finished. “Oh? You’re done now? Good. Out of my face, please.” She pushed at his chest and Johnny recovered from his shock. “KITTY!” He yanked his grip out of John’s grasp and bopped his brother square in the nose. “BAD KITTY, YOU NO BE MEAN TO MOMMA!” He began to cry. “KITTY SAY SORRY NOW!” He then turned and wrapped his arms around Dani’s waist, burying his face in her chest and crying.

Dani was at a loss for words. She stroked the teen’s hair and gently pulled back, smiling gently at the crying boy. Wiping away his tears, she kissed his temple. “Johnny, sweetie, can you go into your room and play on your bed for me? “ Like a little child, he nodded, sniffling and wiping at his eyes. “Kitty and I are going to talk, okay? It’ll be alright.” She walked the teen to the door and watched him cross the hall into the boys’ dorms.

She shut the door and turned to John, glaring slightly. “Now, since you got to say your piece, I think it’s only fair to say mine.” She crossed her arms, a very mom-is-scolding-you pose. “I don’t know what your problem is, Johnathan, but I am going to let it slide because of what you two have been through. I’m very sorry you had to go through that, but that gives you absolutely no excuse to treat me in such a manner. You’re a grown man and you just threw a jealous tantrum almost exactly like Deacon used to. I’m not being nosy and I’m not trying to give any charity. All I know is that this boy is hurting and if I can give him some peace of mind in this stupid place by letting him call me mommy, well then, fuck you, I’m doing it.” She tossed her wavy hair over her shoulder. “And, obviously your mother didn’t teach you properly because you do need a mother, he does need one, everyone does. Learn some fucking manners, Johnathan. He’s in a fragile state of mind and you not only scared him, but you upset him. Do you think he needs anymore stress?” She shivered slightly and grabbed a zip-up hoodie from her bed and put it on. “I don’t know what your mother did to you, but don’t take it out on me. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

She leveled him with a glare. "You're just a little boy in a grown man's clothes. Grow up, Johnathan, your brother needs you to be an adult now more than ever."

“I will not be treated like that, Johnathan, you messed with the wrong girl. So, don’t think I’ll just lie down and take it, I’ll fight you back.” Then, she went and called for Johnny. Johnny came in and hugged Dani, glaring at John. “Kitty say sowwy to mommy yet?” John’s outburst had scared the teen and angered him too. “Kitty mean, scary.” Dani’s heart broke. “Kitty isn’t scary, sweetheart. You know how you get really mad sometimes? That’s just what happened to Kitty.” She explained simply and Johnny took a moment to process it, but seemed to understand. “Kitty still say sowwy.” He insisted, at least not scared of him anymore. Now he was just upset with him.

[johnathan davenport]

Dani didn’t even look frightened when he was getting in her face. In fact, she looked ridiculously calm. That just infuriated him even more. It was like, when you try to insult someone, and they take it really well. It’s just so annoying. About to continue – he was stopped when little Michael hit his nose. It didn’t exactly...hurt. It just...surprised him. He stared down at his younger brother as he started yelling at him.

Then came the tears – those big blobs of sadness that made John’s heart just about break. It was one of the worst things in existence, Michael’s tears. Instantly, his anger dissipated and he became the protective older brother again. But then...Michael asked John to apologise. WHY? WHY should he apologise to HER? The very thought made him frown. But he couldn’t say no to his brother. His anger reared its ugly head again and he let out a heavy, angry sigh as he rolled his eyes.

As he prepared to apologise, Dani sent his brother off and he glared at the girl once Michael was gone. Opening his mouth – he was once again cut off as she began to talk. And his jaw just dropped. He had never been spoken to by a woman like this before. He definitely was not used to being put in his place. Throughout her speech, he didn’t say a word – too shocked to barely even remember to breath.

This girl had balls – that was for sure. She didn’t even look the slightest bit frightened of him. Mentions of his mother made his jaw tense, but deep down he knew she was right. It was just so hard for him to admit that he needed someone. When she told him he was just a kid in grown up’s clothing, his face fell a little. That hurt...a lot. Michael needed him to be an adult. Michael needed him to be strong all the time, to always watch himself and take care of him. And tonight, he’d lost his temper.

Michael came back onto the scene, and he looked so frightened and angry.

“Kitty mean, scary.”

John felt an actual pain in his chest, and he clutched tightly right above his heart. He got these pains sometimes when something really bad happened concerning Michael. It was definitely not normal, but he didn’t want to be a wuss. He would just suck it up. Taking a few seconds to get his breathing back to normal, he heard Dani defend him and he frowned. His head tilted a little to the side in confusion as his eyes ran over the contours of her face – scanning for some kind of reason why she was defending him after he had treated her so badly.

Running his fingers through Michael’s hair, he awkwardly kissed Dani lightly on the cheek. ”Sorry.” he mumbled. It was a family thing. Growing up that was how they had all said sorry. When they were little, they’d observed their parents say sorry to each other many times and they’d always sealed it with a kiss on the cheek to let them know there were no hard feelings. Dani might think it a bit odd – but it was just a habit.

There was a little awkward silence where he was still standing quite close to Dani and he cleared his throat. He'd forgotten where he was for a moment there. Dani had that effect on him - and he hated it. No girl had had sway over him ever. She was already getting under his skin. Taking Michael's hand, he brushed the teen's hair away from his face tenderly.

"How about we go get you some dinner hm?" John smiled, entwining fingers with his younger brother's and squeezing lightly before leading the boy out of the room quickly.