Clash of the Brother-in-laws [Rumple]

[Eastern Orange]

By the looks people have been giving me, I must smell wonderful. And by wonderful, I mean a shit-filled gutter that has been a nesting place for rats for the past five years, and has at least ten to twelve dead cats in it. I can only imagine what I look like; probably how a shit-filled gutter with dead cats and a nest of rats in it would look. All I can do is assume, as I have not seen myself in a mirror for a few weeks.

Hell, I haven’t even been home for a few weeks. Not since that dinner with my family and Aria. I couldn’t stand being in that cold, hostile environment any longer. And I definitely couldn’t stay and listen to Aria break up with me. When I had grabbed her hand back there, her engagement ring clattered to the floor. I had looked down in shock, momentarily forgetting way it wasn’t on her finger. That’s when her words came crashing back: “And I really don’t think I can let myself be a part of this.” I dropped her hand, and had bent down to pick the ring up. I held it up to the light, and in the background I could see my family staring at me staring at it.

And that’s when it hit me.

Why was I going to force her to be with me, if she didn’t want to be? I mean, she had taken off her ring. What other sign did I need to prove that she didn’t want to marry me? I was just going to make myself look like an ass if I had to persuade her to love me.

So I left. I stood up and left. I haven’t seen my ex-fiancée or my ex-family for two weeks. I had been living off the money I had in my pocket, but that ran out a few days ago. It turns out that I’m not used to having to conserve money. I knew enough not to waste it on a hotel room; I spent a lot of time sleeping under trees and in alleys. But I was not used to being hungry. I spent too much on food. I ate like I was used to; three very large meals a day. Plus, it was getting colder so I had to buy warmer clothes. And then I had to bribe that woman who recognized me, not to turn me into my father... It didn’t take long for me to run out of money.

I put a hand on my rumbling stomach, and screwed my eyes shut to ward off the wave of dizziness I knew was coming. I counted backwards in my head, realizing that it had been at least two days since I had last eaten. I needed to beg, borrow, or steal if I planned to continue living. Thus far I had resisted dumpster diving, but I wouldn’t be above that humiliation soon. I had already stolen a half-eaten sandwich off a table, so the next logical step is taking it from the trash. It’s not like I could get any dirtier. I haven’t had a proper shower since I left, and I stop rising off in the creak when it started getting below freezing at night. Having frozen hair only reminds me of meeting a certain someone.

The dizziness never comes, and I open my eyes cautiously, as if my body is faking me out and is just waiting for me to let my guard down. But I don’t get jumped by any fits of dizziness, so I decide that I’m safe for at least the time being. I try to run a hand through my hair but it’s too knotted and way to greasy to get far. I make a sound of disgust and resolve to at least wash my hair out in a sink at some bar. Anything would help the matted mess on my head. I should shave it off if I ever get a chance. Actually, that’s not a bad idea… Aria had loved it long.

I look around at the alley that I had been sleeping in for three nights. I shared it with a stray dog and a family of rats. My bed was made up of rags and rocks, and my blanket was cardboard, but I must say, I was more comfortable here than in that mansion. I did in my pocket and pull out Aria’s engagement ring. I hold it out to the light, watching the fat diamond sparkle in the light. It seemed like such an extravagance now. Why’d I have to buy such an ostentatious ring, when a simple one would have worked just the same in its place?

I’ve thought about selling it. But I just can’t bring myself to do it. I still love her, even though I know it’s dumb. But it’s the only thing I have left.

I wave of dizziness takes me again, and I sway on my feet. I accidently let go of the ring, and it bounces out of the alleyway and lands on the sidewalk. I throw myself after it, landing right in front of someone who I recognize immediately. I blink up at him, a sick feeling bubbling in my stomach. "Hey Liam."

[semper]

Liam Aspen Fowler

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Stella loved bread. Not just any kind of bread, though; it had to be bread with cheese baked on the top. Cheesy bread, I guess you could call it. She wouldn't eat just regular bread no matter how hard I tried convincing her to. And even when I get the cheese bread, she only eats the fluffy white inside, which is what I don't get. You get cheese bread because there's cheese on the outside, but apparently the insides taste different, and that's what she loves. I know you're not supposed to give one-year-olds very much hard food, but it's not that hard, especially when it comes out of the oven. And even then, all I give her is little tiny bits at a time.

The baker knew me pretty well by now, also knowing exactly what I had come for: a loaf of cheese bread. A smile spread across the old man's mouth. "Cheese bread again, eh, I suppose?" He asked, and I couldn't help but laugh. "Yep," I answer, holding Stella up in my arms. She looked out at the scruffy man with an interested stare, two little fingers in her mouth and gnawing on them. I reached into my pocket with my free hand and took out some coins, setting them on the counter as the old baker gave me the bread. "Enjoy it, girlie!" He exclaimed, bringing a smile to Stella's face. That same smile that's melted my heart and is the reason she's got me wrapped around her finger like a puppet. I don't mind, though. I love her more than anything, but just don't tell Aria or my parents that.

Carrying the bag, I left the bakery and headed down the street, being sure to stay clear of the main road. I freaking hate streets. I don't even know why. Anyway, it was cold outside, so I held Stella close as she buried her face into my jacket to keep herself more warm. I was also about to pass an alley when a man suddenly leaped out in front of me, diving onto the ground for something. My fist instinct was to protect Stella, so I turned sideways so that she was facing away from the man, my hazel eyes narrowed onto him.

"Hey Liam."

That's when it hit me. "My goodness -- Julian?" I exclaimed, my facial expression turning more concerned and bewildered now. "What the hell are you doing here? And when's the last time you had a bath, you look like something the cat spit up." I really didn't mean to sound as harsh as I did, but I was so shocked I just couldn't hide it in my voice.

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[Eastern Orange]

I pick myself up off the pavement, what little dignity I had left dissolved into dust. I brush myself off, even though there are worst things staining my clothes than the bit of dirt I just picked up. I hold up the engagement ring to the light, seeing if it was scratched or anything. Nope, perfectly fine. Stupid diamond, fucking mocking me with its perfection. I look at Liam, and quickly shove the ring out of sight. I narrow my eyes at him, trying to recall what he said to me.

Right, he had made fun of my appearance. “Oh really? I hadn’t noticed. I wonder why? Could it be because I’ve been living on the streets for two weeks?” I can’t believe I ran into Liam of all people. He never approved of me, and I really don’t want to put up with that right now. But hey, at least he was wrong. I didn’t leave Aria, like he said I would, she left me. “What are you here for?” I snarl, already defensive. “Want to rub it in? Want to come and tell me some more about how I wasn’t good enough for your sister, and I deserved what I got?”

[semper]

Liam Aspen Fowler

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I still can't hide the astonishment that's on my face. What the hell happened that would cause Julian to be out here on the streets? Must've been something tragic; I doubt his father would really stick to kicking him out. Or I could be very wrong, and his dad just literally gave him the boot and so now he's here, crawling around in the gutter like some street rat.

"Well then why the hell have you been living in the streets for two weeks?" I snort, though the thought of him sitting in a cardboard box amuses me. Maybe I can just leave him out here and walk by his little cardboard house every day just for my amusement. I raise the bag of bread, hoping it taunts him. Mr. Homeless Street Rat probably hasn't eaten in a while, and here I am, standing with a bag of bread. Oh, I could so have the upper hand here. I wonder how long it's been since he's last eaten - a day? Two days? A week? Maybe even two weeks? Well, maybe not two weeks. I don't think you can go two weeks without eating. But still, I could very well be holding something he really wants, and that, too, amuses me.

"Bread, duh." I answer curtly. "And no, I wasn't gonna rub it in, but now that you've brought it up, I really think I should." I want to snarl and rant and rave at him about how shitty I think he is, but I see Stella lift her head from my shoulder and, upon seeing Julian, gives him a big, gleeful grin. If I hadn't seen her face I would've lashed out at him with tooth and claw, but her smile brings out the humanity in me. Julian's been kicked out of his home and living on the street - on the street - for two weeks while I've been sitting in a cozy little home with my little girl. I've not had to worry about when my next meal was coming or if it was going to rain or what have you. He's wearing pretty much rotten rags and I'm in my trademark flannel and blue jeans. Fuck.

With a scowl, I shove the bag of bread at him so he'd take it and then grab onto the front of his shirt briefly to drag him around so that he'd follow me. "Spare me the details, Julian. And as much as I want to believe you deserve this, I don't think it's right, so if you don't want to live in a soggy cardboard box, come with me." Without even looking back I start to head home, feeling Stella lifting her head off my shoulder to look back at Julian.

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[Eastern Orange]

I flinch when he asks me why I’ve been living out on the street. Like he doesn’t know. Aria has probably told him all about that humiliating dinner, and how she essentially broke up with me, and how I stormed out of the house because of it. I’ve had too much pride to return home after the scene I caused, and it’s only gets worse the more time I spend away. In any case, I’d much rather starve here in the streets then go back to that suffocating place where my brothers are sure to torment me about my romp with Aria. If only I had had the foresight to stop by my room and get my cache of money and some clothes, this would be a lot easier. Though, it might have taken the dramatics out of my departure if I had stopped to pack some things.

Liam holds up bread and my stomach immediately responds with an audible rumple. My checks redden, but I continue to stare down Liam, trying my best to ignore the food. The girl in Liam’s arms moves, and my eyes move to her. Admittedly, I had not really noticed her. The appearance of Liam had demanded all my attention. But I saw the girl now, and the way she smiled at me… All the fight left my body and I was left with an unbearable sadness. The girl, whose name I had forgotten, looked like her aunt in the most painful way. It made me yearn for a future that I could have had, but seemed lost to me now.

Hesitantly, I answered the girl’s smile with one of my own. Closed lipped, mind you, for I had not seen a toothbrush as well as a shower.

Abruptly, the bag of bread is shoved at me and I tear my eyes away from the child and look at Liam suspiciously. “Your daughter brings out the humanity in you.” I say mildly. I stick my hand in the bag, too hungry to care that I’m accepting food from my ex-fiancé’s brother. Before I can shove the food in my face, however, Liam drags me forward and offers a place to stay. Now. Accepting food is one thing, but to actually stay at his place is another. But one look at my filthy alley is enough for me to follow him, scrafing down food all the while.