Archive of Our Own

Dennis Whitaker was the son of an old farm hand, born in Broken Bow and raised by a father with a heavy hand. He was exhausted after working the farm all day, sweat covered his entire body. With a sigh the young man stripped bare and got into the shower, washing the dirt and grime from the day off his body.

As his hands ran water up and down his body he winced as he grazed over some bruising. Some were from working and not being careful, others were from his three older brothers shoving him around and not caring about leaving marks. A new bruise was already forming over his ribs, he could feel it. That one was made by his father.

Thomas Whitaker was an ex-military man, he started the farm after marrying his wife Loreli, he ran the farm and house as if he were back in the barracks. Unfortunately for his youngest son, that meant that he received the burnt end of the stick. It started with small smacks here and there, then it led to punches, lessons, kicks. Thomas laid into his youngest the hardest, calling the boy a pansy and a queer. Over time, Dennis learned to deal with the lessons in his own way, until Loreli passed and all went to shit.

Thomas started drinking heavily, he shunned his older boys. He avoided them as he saw himself in them, unlike Dennis, he saw Loreli too much. Her blue eyes, pale skin and soft curls of reddish blonde hair, all he saw was her. He punished Dennis for it.

Dennis stood in the shower for a while longer, allowing his brain to think back to his mother. How she smiled at him and laughed over the little things. He also thought of how she turned a blind eye to the punishments, the lessons. His thoughts of her were bittersweet, he loved his mother and missed her everyday but was also hurt by her. Dennis wished it all could be different but as the man was turning 26 soon, all he could do was feel bitter about everything. He had never truly lived a life he wanted. Stuck on the farm and being beaten and abused was never a part of his plan, it didn’t help that he had to now care for his drunk of a father.

Dennis finished with his shower, taking deep breathes and drying off. He crawled into his bed after changing, sighing as his muscles began to relax to the best of their ability. The bruises erupting soft pulses of pain throughout his body, after a while he began to drift off, thinking about his mother and wishing things were different.

___

Dennis was suddenly awoken by his father, the sun barely peaking through the blinds of his window. His father’s grip on his shoulders was strong and his fingers were bound to leave another round of bruises.

“Wake up boy!” Thomas growled, his breath wreaking of bourbon, urgency laced in his words.

Dennis sat up shoving his father’s hands off of him, “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

Thomas stood straight, a panic in his eyes. The man had lost his charm throughout the years, his once brown hair now gray and slightly patchy. A gray beard adorning his face. The man was still strong but his once strong build had now softened from the loss of his wife as well as from the drinking of the past ten years. His hands were shaking a little as he turned and started rummaging through his son’s dresser, chucking a random pair of pants and a shirt at the younger man.

“Pa! Pa, what’s going on?” Dennis panicked, pulling the shirt over his head.

“They’ll be here any minute, get dressed!” Thomas was slurring his words, he grabbed a backpack that Dennis still owned, shoving clothes into it.

“Who?” Dennis called, his words falling flat against his father’s ears.

A knock, more like bang, erupted on the front door, causing the two men to freeze. Barely a breath could be heard in the younger man’s room. Thomas cursed under his breath, rushing out the door only to return and drag his youngest son downstairs with him. Dennis hadn’t had the time to put on the pants that were thrown at him earlier, they were still lying on his bed.

The banging continued before a man’s voice erupted on the other side, “Thomas Whitaker! We’re here to collect your debt!”

Debt? The word rang through Dennis’s head, he knew his father was struggling with money lately and that the farm wasn’t doing as well as it once was but his father borrowing money from someone? He couldn’t fathom it.

“Coming!” Thomas growled, turning towards Dennis as they stopped just before the front door.

Thomas gave Dennis a once over, he was wearing one of his plaid shirts. It wasn’t fully buttoned and was exposing his collar bone, he was wearing black boxers and his pale legs were on full display. The shirt barely met the middle of his thighs.

Thomas cursed under his breath again and opened the door, revealing two older men. One was slightly taller than the other, dark hair with a few gray strands throughout as well as a beard covering his face. Dark eyes that held a kind of softness towards Dennis, almost as if apologizing silently. The other had a head of gray curls and a look of determination and what looked like disgust, not pointed towards Dennis, but his father.

“Robby! Abbot! Nice to see you two again,” Thomas rambled, “Come on in!”

Dennis took a step back, looking as the two men walked into the house. The men were strongly built, both looked so casual. The taller of the two was wearing a black t-shirt, a blue zip up sweater and a pair of khaki pants. The other man was wearing a similar black t-shirt, his muscled arms on full display and a pair of blue jeans. They both were eyeing Thomas with a type of disgust and anger one would shrivel under, Thomas was too drunk to notice.

Dennis stood silently watching the interaction play out, the two men not saying hardly anything since the door opened. His father rambled quietly under his breath.

“Have you met my son, Dennis?” Thomas suddenly asked, grabbing the younger man and pulling him forward.

Dennis winced at the grip on his arm, stumbling slightly as he was suddenly dragged forward.

“He’s grown.” The gray haired man spoke, his voice low and monotone as he glanced at the boy.

Dennis gulped, suddenly remembering he wasn’t wearing any pants. He tried pulling his shirt further down to try for some decency.

“Oh Abbot, he has!” Thomas exclaimed, pushing Dennis a little closer to the two men.

The taller man, Robby, seemed to scoff at the sight of the younger man in front of him. Not in disgust or anything but at the man gripping onto his arm. Robby was staring intensely at the man’s grip on Dennis, burning into the younger man’s arm.

Dennis shivered, “Pa, what’s going on?”

Abbot finally looked at the boy, their eyes connecting briefly as he stepped forward. Robby moved forward as well standing next to Abbot, crossing his arms over his chest.

Thomas suddenly let go of his son and made a sudden laugh, shoving the bag he had packed into Dennis’s arms and smiling. Dennis caught the bag before it fell, looking at the crazed look in his father’s eyes.

“Oh Denny,” Thomas said, voice sickenly sweet, unlike the man he had been raised by.

Dennis shook, a faint realization falling over him. His father spoke again.

“I needed to pay off my debts,” Thomas slurred, “This was the best I could come up with.”

Dennis paled, his blood cold in his veins. He shook as he stared at the three men in front of him. Dennis could feel the tears starting to prick at his eyes, threatening to fall. Then he did the best thing he could think of, he ran.

His heart pounded as he dropped the bag he was holding and bolted towards the stairs. He heard a shout and didn’t dare look back. He made it about to the middle of the stairs before he felt a hand on his ankle causing him to fall. Dennis didn’t think as he kicked and it landed on something hard, he managed to wiggle out of the grasp and continue running. He made it just outside his bedroom door when he was suddenly tackled to the ground. He began thrashing and trying his best to fight off the man on top of him, tears and sobs pouring out of him as he begged.

“Please!” Dennis sobbed, his arms pinned to his chest, “Please, stop.”

Dennis didn’t even need to look at the man on top of him to realize it was one of the two men who had entered the house earlier. Abbot was the one who had caught and pinned him, the stronger man stood up, dragging the boy with him in a strong grip. Dennis was fully sobbing now, his chest heaving as the boy was taken back downstairs.

Dennis could barely see through the tears but he knew that it was his father that he had kicked on his attempt up the stairs. Robby just stood there, a firm grip on his father to prevent him from getting close again to the boy. Abbot loosened his grip on the young man, not fully letting him go but at least letting him stand on his own.

“Thomas,” Robby spoke, a low growl in his voice, “You do realize what you are doing? Signing your youngest son over to us? To me?”

Thomas was burning with anger, a visible shake in his fists, “Yes sir, take the bitch with you. He’ll burn anyway.”

Robby couldn’t stop himself as he punched the old man, Dennis called out to him. It was pathetic, how could he still care for a man who couldn’t give two shits about him. Dennis was shaking still, being held against Abbot’s strong chest, the man barely moving. Robby shook out his hand as he watched Thomas fall to the ground. When Thomas was finally able to stand again he had a busted lip and he spat out a tooth, a smear of blood leaving his lips as he spat obscenities. 

“I think we’re done here.” Robby concluded, a firm note of finality in his voice.

Abbot leaned down, his grip not leaving the younger man as he grabbed the bag he dropped earlier. Robby opened the front door and allowed Dennis to be dragged out by Abbot. His voice was sore as he begged for his father, for him to change his mind.

“Pa! Pa please!” Dennis begged, turning in Abbot’s grip, “I’ll be good please! Don’t let them take me! Pa!”

Abbot eventually picked up the boy as he was still fighting in his grip. One arm was reaching back towards the house, the other one stuck in Abbot’s hold. Dennis was screaming, begging for his father who may have just signed his death warrant.

They made their way to a black SUV, it made Dennis realize the situation he was now thrust into. Robby opened the back door and Abbot practically threw the younger man into the car along with his bag and then slammed the door shut. Dennis was still crying as he rushed to the door trying to open it, only for it to be locked from the outside. Dennis slammed his hands against the window, yelling for any kind of saving, even praying to the God he no longer believed in to let him go.

Dennis sobs were cut short as the front doors opened and Abbot and Robby entered the vehicle. Abbot was in the driver's seat, Robby in the passenger. Dennis seemed to freeze as he focused on the compact space he was locked in. The seats were cloth, the interior black. Pants were surging out of Dennis as he thought back to his mother, would she have done this? Would she have agreed to sell her son off to some loan sharks to pay off debt? Dennis shook his head, pulling his knees to his chest as he continued to sob. After driving for a while his sobs and cries slowed, and exhaustion took over, despite his better judgment he closed his eyes and slept.

___

When Dennis awoke he noticed that the sun had started to set, he also noticed the blue zip up covering him. Dennis sat up slowly. He could see that they were still on the road but they were also a long ways away from their destination. The two men in the front were silent. Dennis winced and let out a gasp as a pain zinged through his ribs.

“You okay back there?” Robby asked, his tone softer than before.

Dennis only nodded, rubbing small circles into his palm as he attempted to calm himself down.

“Where are we going?” Dennis asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Pittsburgh.” Abbot answered, his voice clipped.

Dennis nodded again. Staring out the window now he thought back to the farm, to his brothers, to his father. A shiver ran through him at the thought of his father. The man who was supposed to protect him, care for him, tell him everything was going to be okay, had sold him. New silent tears fell.

___

At some point Dennis had fallen asleep again. When he awoke he noticed gentle hands were waking him up, when he opened his eyes he saw Robby standing in the door. A hand on his shoulder and the other on the bench seat, Dennis sat up slowly wincing at the pain in his body. Robby helped him up and out of the SUV, careful to not grab the younger man too tightly.

Dennis could barely see as the world outside was dark, he went to take a step only to wince at the rocks under his feet. Robby grabbed his hoodie and wrapped it around the younger man, a chill running through the air. Abbot appeared with the bag Thomas had packed, opening it to see that luckily there was a pair of sneakers packed. Robby helped him put them on and guided Dennis towards a house. Dennis could feel his heart pounding in his chest as his anxiety began to build. Abbot had trailed behind the two, watching Dennis’s every move to make sure he wouldn’t run again. 

When they made it to the door Robby turned towards Abbot, giving him a nod and turning back towards the SUV, getting in and driving off.

“Where is he going?” Dennis asked, a shiver running through him and goosebumps raising on his arms and legs.

“Home.” Robby sighed as he opened the door to the house they were standing in front of, moving to the side allowing Dennis to walk in first.

Once they are inside Dennis can’t help but notice how warm it is, the smell of apples and sandalwood filling the space. Dennis stood there taking in the house around him, there was a kitchen off to the right of the door, a bar island separating it from the living room. A set of stairs directly in front of him but about 12 feet. Robby pushed him forward softly, moving around him as he began moving towards the stairs.

Dennis stayed put, clutching the backpack to him closer, watching as Robby turned back and looked at him.

“Come on,” Robby beckoned softly, holding an arm out, “I’ll show you to your room.”

Dennis nodded slowly, following Robby up the stairs and to a hallway that led to three separate rooms. The first door they passed was on the right.

“That’s my room,” Robby said, “If you need anything just knock, I promise I won’t bite.”

Dennis nodded, ducking his head a little, “Okay.”

Robby watched the younger man, “The room behind you is your’s and the room at the end of the hall is the bathroom.”

Dennis turned around and stared at the door in front of him, he carefully opened it and looked inside. It was a simple room, there was a queen sized bed, dresser, a couple nightstands and a closet. Dennis stood silently in the room, only turning when Robby spoke again while leaning against the door frame.

“We’ll go into town tomorrow and get you more clothes,” Robby started gently, “If you need a shower, you’re welcome to it. I’ll be starting dinner here in a little bit. Are you hungry?”

Just as Dennis went to say no his stomach betrayed him and growled loudly, the poor thing raised a hand to his stomach and stared at the ground. Robby chuckled and stood straight, starting his descent down the stairs

“Wait!” Dennis called, causing Robby to turn around and look at the younger man.

“Your jacket.” Dennis spoke softly, starting to take the jacket off to hand to the older man.

Robby raised his hand, stopping the younger’s movements, “Keep it, it looks better on you anyway.”

“Oh, okay.”

Robby watched as the young man put the hoodie back on and went back into the room. Dennis gently grabbed the door and started to close it.

“I’ll be back to grab you once dinner is ready.” Robby smiled gently before going down the stairs.

Dennis only nodded, closing the door fully. Once the final click of the lock sounded in his ears he sighed, placing his head against the door and taking a deep breath. He turned and slid down the door, pulling his legs into his chest once more. Dennis sighed as he pulled his bag towards him, looking at the contents of what was inside. There were a couple shirts and jeans, but no socks or underwear, toothbrush or toothpaste, there was a pair of sweatpants that sounded a lot better than wearing jeans. He stood, took off his shoes and put on the sweatpants.

After a while Dennis thought for a moment and then made his way out the door and down the stairs. The smell of the food Robby was making smelled delicious. Dennis walked towards the island bar and sat down at it, watching the older man as he seemed in his element.

“It smells good.” Dennis spoke.

Robby turned around, noticing the younger man and placing a plate of food in front of him.

Dennis stared at the plate in front of him, not recognizing the food in front of him.

“What is it?” Dennis asked, poking the food slightly with his fork.

“Cholent,” Robby answered, “Usually it’s made during the Sabbath, but I figured why not make it when it fits a craving.”

“Jewish?”

“Yeah,” Robby smiled.

“What is the meat?” Dennis asked, still poking the food around with his fork.

Robby sighed, crossing his arms over his chest, “Usually made with lamb but all I had was a roast, now eat. I can still hear your stomach.”

At that, Dennis’s stomach growled again. He stabbed at the meat and potatoes before taking a fork full and eating it. The flavor exploded in his mouth and a small moan left him as he enjoyed the food. Robby chuckled as he took a plate of food himself and stood across from the younger man, watching as he saw Dennis wolf down the food and go for another plate.

“Dennis?” Robby asked, watching Dennis look up with a mouthful of food.

“Hm?” Dennis asked, eating another potato.

“You seem pretty thin for a farmboy? Did your father treat you well, besides today of course?” Robby asked, concerned dripping in his tone.

Dennis stopped in his tracks, swallowing the potato and staring off into space.

“Dennis?”

Dennis looked up, a sad look in his eye, “He wasn’t bad, not at first. When my mom died he got angry easily. Something we expected with four kids and a farm to look after. If it weren’t for her dying, I don’t think he would be the way he currently is. I don’t blame her for dying.”

“What do you mean?” Robby asked, placing his plate down on the counter.

“My- my mom died when I was 16.” Dennis started, “She um- she had cancer. It was in the end stages, she decided to take care of it herself. In too much pain.”

Dennis was tearing up but nothing fell, silence landed thickly between the two men.

“Dennis I am so sorry,” Robby leaned forward slightly.

Dennis shook his head, “It’s fine, she’s better now. My father, on the other hand, started drinking and it just seemed to get worse and worse. I never expected him to borrow money from people. Never expected to be sold for those debts.

He started off with simple smacks here and there. He was always sorry, always apologized. Then he stopped asking my brothers to stop hitting me. Then it seemed no matter what I did, no matter who I talked to, it always ended with a hit or two. The last one was a kick to the ribs. It still hurts to breathe every now and then.”

Robby stood straight, rushing around the island and looking intensely at the younger man he had now caged with his eyes. Dennis stared at the older man, unsure what was exactly happening.

“Room, now.” Robby growled, “I’m going to check you out and we might have to go visit Abbot.”

Dennis shook his head, gently pushing the older man away from him.

“It’s okay, I’m okay.” Dennis started, standing.

Robby gently pulled his hand up towards Dennis’s ribs, grazing his fingers over the sore spots on his ribs. Dennis gasped and stumbled slightly against Robby, shooting his arms up and grabbing Robby’s arms tightly, gritting his teeth.

“Better yet, let us go ahead and see Abbot now.” Robby huffed. 

Robby gently pulled the boy over to his couch, laying him down to be comfortable. He whipped out his phone, speaking gently into it as he kept glancing at Dennis. Dennis was breathing deeply, trying to breathe through the pain, he was sweating slightly.

___

They waited about thirty minutes or so before there was a knock on the door. Robby quickly runs up and opens the door revealing Abbot with a duffle bag.

“Thanks for coming brother.” Robby says a sigh leaving his lips.

“What’s going on?” Abbot asked, a concerned look on his face as he took in Dennis’s appearance.

Abbot dropped the duffle bag next to Dennis and helped him undress from the waist up, a dark purple bruise on the right side of his abdomen. Abbot pulled out some blue gloves and started to check everything on Dennis. He pulled out a small contraption from the duffle bag and connected it to his phone.

“Wha- What is that?” Dennis asked, eyeing the contraption.

“This is a butterfly ultrasound.” Abbot answered, focusing on adding a clear gel to the wand and placing it gently onto Dennis’s ribs. 

“This connects to my phone and it will help us look into you to see if there is any internal damage.” 

Robby grabbed Dennis’s hand as he gasped in pain, Robby placed his other hand on the boy’s forehead, rubbing his thumb up and down.

“It hurts.” Dennis gritted out as Abbot pulled the wand away.

“Sorry about the pain,” Abbot started, “Luckily no internal damage, a cracked rib but that’ll heal on its own. Blood ox is good and same with BP, he needs fluids and rest. I can give him something for the pain.”

Robby nodded, “Dennis, Abbot is gonna give you something for the pain and then you’re gonna stay here and rest.”

Dennis nodded, still gritting his teeth, then Abbot handed him a pill, “Dennis this is Tramadol, this will help with the pain. And please, call me Jack.”

Robby went and grabbed a cup of water so Dennis could take the pill. Abbot nodded and backed away to allow Dennis room to sit up and take the pill. After he took it Robby placed a couple pillows behind him to help elevate the younger man. Dennis sighed as he relaxed into the couch.

Abbot nodded to the two and gathered his supplies again, “Keep me updated, let me know how he does. Should be good in six weeks at the earliest.”

Robby nodded listening to the aftercare instructions. Dennis tried to listen in on the conversation but they were hushed and hard to hear. 

“...we need to call Dana.” Abbot muttered.

Robby nodded his head, rubbing the back of his neck, turning to look back at the younger man on the couch.

“Call her, I want to cover all our bases.” Robby nodded, Abbot nodded before leaving.

___

“Who’s Dana?” Dennis asked, the pain medicine kicking in and helping him relax.

Robby looked up from the book he was reading, glasses atop his nose, “She is a good friend of mine, a nurse. She can help us with your care if needed. I want you to talk to her, explain how exactly you got these last few bruises. She’ll report to Abbot.”

Dennis nodded, his muscles relaxing and allowing his eyes to drift off, allowing him to sleep.

___

Dennis awoke to a gentle, cold hand on his forehead. Another on his neck then it moved to his chest.

“Hey honey,” an older blonde woman cooed, “How are you feeling? Any pain?”

Dennis smiled softly, “You must be Dana.”

“I am.” Dana smiled, “And I asked you a question, any pain?”

Dennis chuckled softly before shaking his head, Dana sent a text to Abbot. She then ran a wet wash cloth over his forehead. Dana hummed slightly as he wiped the younger man down. Dennis winced slightly as she worked around his ribs.

“Sorry sweetheart,” Dana whispered.

Once Dana was done with the wash cloth she leaned back looking at the boy in front of her. She had a sad look on her face while she watched Dennis.

“So how exactly did this happen,” Dana asked, “Abbot speculated it was a kick.”

Dennis sighed, “Yeah, my father had already pushed me down. He decided that wasn’t enough, he kicked me to really push the lesson home.”

“Lesson?” Dana asked, her eyebrow quirking.

“That was always his excuse,” Dennis started, “He claimed it was to teach me how to be a man, not a pansy.”

Dana sighed, placing her hand on his knee, “Honey I can tell already you’re stronger than most.”

Dennis nodded, relaxing back into the pillows. Dana got up moving into the kitchen to take care of some things and update Robby on his status. The older man was sitting at the island bar, working on a laptop. They seemed to work together nicely, Dennis oddly felt safe, comforted. Robby turned to look at the boy, Dana leaning against the counter also looking at the boy. Dennis could see she was saying something to Robby before getting up and walking back over to him.

“Hey honey, I’m gonna head home,” Dana said, her voice comforting, “Robby said he can keep me and Abbot updated. I left my number for you in case you need someone to talk to.”

Dennis nodded, “Yeah, thank you Dana. I appreciate it.”

Dana nodded, smiling at the young man, “Alright Robby, I’m heading out, keep me updated yeah?”

Robby smiled from the kitchen counter, “Will do, thank you Dana.”

___

A few weeks had passed and Dennis was healing nicely, his cracked rib had fully healed and the bruising had gone down. Robby and him fell into a natural rhythm. They were still strangers but they had gotten comfortable in their own ways.

Dennis had woken up one morning, changed and headed downstairs, he learned a lot about the older man, as well as Abbot and Dana. They were loan sharks like he had predicted, but they were people who only wanted to use their money to help others. They did expect the money to be paid back eventually but if it never got paid back it was when they went back for who they needed. His father being one of them.

Dennis never went out with them, never questioned when they came back covered in blood or had any injury. Abbot and Robby were doctors and had been able to handle most things that they needed to, with Dana being a nurse that also helped. Dennis learned about certain things on how to help himself and others when needed.

One day, they were all at Robby’s for a debrief. Suddenly a loud bang sounded from the door, Dennis flinched at the sound. Robby and Abbot stood up quickly, standing in front of Dana and Dennis. Robby stepped forward, peaking through the door’s peep hole.

“Fucking hell.” Robby growled before making a waving motion for Dana and Dennis to leave the room.

“Robinavitch!” A man yelled.

“Pa?” Dennis asked, his voice just above a whisper.

Dana started pulling Dennis with her, trying to avoid the interaction altogether. Dennis walked slowly with Dana as Robby opened the door revealing no other than Thomas Whitaker standing in the doorway. The man had a bottle in his hand and was spitting on himself.

“I need my son back, Robinavitch.” Thomas slurred, pointing a finger in the other man’s chest.

Robby stiffened, “Did you forget you signed him over to me? To pay off your debts?”

Dennis stopped dead in his tracks, watching Robby speak with his father, he was using his loan shark voice. Robby was standing stone, watching as Thomas grew aggravated.

“Cut the shit Robinavitch.” Thomas spat, catching sight of his son, “Son of a bitch is right there, need him back on the farm.”

“Thomas, if you don’t leave this property now I will have Abbot handle you,” Robby threatened, "wouldn't want Dennis to bear witness to that would we?”

Thomas took a swig of the bottle in his hand, shoving past Robby and grabbing hold of Dennis. Starting to drag him towards the door.

Everything happened quickly then, Robby had Thomas by the neck, ripping him off of the young man. Dennis was pulled away by Dana and Abbot managed to restrict Thomas. They zip tied his hands behind his back and shoved him to the couch.

“Stop!” Dennis yelled, everyone froze.

“Denny, baby boy.” His dad slurred, “Need you on the farm boy, need you home.”

Dennis stood frozen, watching as his father spat up on himself and wreaked of his bourbon.

“Don’t call me that,” Dennis growled. It was the first time he talked back to his father.

Robby stared at the young man as Abbot kept his hold on the drunken man in front of them. Dana held Dennis’s hand as he walked forward, stopping right before he met Robby in front of his father.

“You sold me,” Dennis started, tears forming, “You lied about your debts, you beat me black and blue and never had the audacity to care about me.”

Dennis was shaking now, his words breaking as they left his lips.

“You’re nothing but a drunk now, you can’t go two seconds sober. I know why mom died, she couldn’t bear to be your wife any longer. Who knows what you were doing to her behind closed doors. Maybe you were beating on her too, to me she didn’t die of cancer, you killed her.”

Thomas growled, “You stupid bitch, I ain’t done no such thing!”

“Shut up!” Dennis yelled, tears pouring down his face, “You know that’s the truth! I owe you nothing! In fact, I’d rather stay here than to ever go back to the farm with you!”

Thomas stilled, everyone waited with baited breath.

“I should have killed you when I had a chance.” Thomas spat, spit trailing down his chin.

Dennis stopped, leaned down to meet his father’s eyes, “I should have killed myself with mom so I didn’t have to deal with you as a father.”

Dana gasped, Robby had a look of pain, Abbot gripped tighter onto Thomas.

“Abbot, outside, take him to the shed.” Robby growled.

“With pleasure.” Abbot spoke lowly, dragging the drunken man outside and to wherever the shed was.

Dana grabbed onto Dennis to hold him up, Robby doing the same. They guided him to the couch and let him cry. Ten years of pain, suffering and even mourning poured out of the young man, Dana rubbed soft circles into his back and placed a tearful kiss onto his forehead. Robby held the boy’s hand, helping him wipe tears off of his face. The tears turned into hiccups and Dennis leaned against Robby’s shoulder.

“You did good kid,” Robby whispered, “You’re braver than most.”

Dennis hiccupped, “Wha- hic what hap-pens at the shed?”

Robby sighed, tears brimming his eyes, “Whatever you want. Just say the word.”

Dennis sat back up on his own, Dana still rubbing small circles with her thumb on his arm.

“Kill him.” Dennis spoke, voice monotone.

Robby and Dana looked at each other, a mutual look in their eyes, Dana spoke first, “Are you sure honey?”

Dennis shook his head, new tears falling, “No, I want to, I really do. I want him to feel the pain that I have felt the past ten years. To see how much he broke his own child. I want to make his life a living Hell, but I can’t, I can’t do it.”

Robby knew the kid's words were true, but something underlined them, it wasn’t surprising the boy wanted to harm the person who harmed him. Robby took a deep breath before standing up, fishing his phone out from his pocket. He called Abbot and turned to watch the younger man on the couch lean into Dana, pouring his soul out to her through tears.

“Go for Abbot,” Abbot answered a grunt in the background, no doubt from Abbot punching the boy’s father.

“Do it.”

“You got it boss.” Abbot answered, ending the call with a click.

Robby turned back toward Dana and Dennis, the young man looked up at him with red eyes.

“Did- Did you do it?” Dennis asked, a whimper escaping.

Robby sighed,nodding his head. Dennis broke once more but it wasn’t that of sadness or grief, but of relief. He would never have to endure the pain that the man had put him through again, he was gone. Dennis thought back to his mother, how he shouldn’t have been mad at her for leaving them how she did. He would have done the same. If it weren’t for everything that has now happened he wouldn’t have found his voice.

He wished he found it sooner.

___

Dennis had been taken back up into his room later that evening. Robby helped him get situated.

“You did good today kid,” Robby smiled, gently pushing Dennis’s hair back, “You deserve some peace.”

Dennis nodded, Robby got up to leave but Dennis grabbed his sleeve before he could go. Robby stopped and turned back to the younger man, lowering himself back on the bed.

“Stay, even if it’s just until I go to sleep,” Dennis whispered, “Just stay.”

Robby had a pain of sympathy for him, then nodded his head. Dennis scooched over in the bed allowing enough room for Robby to sit down next to him. Dennis sighed, silent tears still streaming down his face, Robby reached over and wiped it away.

“Are you sure you’re okay Dennis?” Robby asked, “It’s okay if you’re not.”

Dennis sobbed then, it wasn’t loud but quiet, a silent plea for help. He shook terribly and clawed at the blankets surrounding him, Robby lifted the younger man up and practically into his lap. Whispering soft words of praise and how well Dennis did standing up for himself. Dennis eventually wrapped his arms around Robby, leaning into his neck and breathing deeply. Robby couldn’t help himself but to wrap his own arms around the younger man, pulling him in as close as he could.

“Don’t leave,” Dennis whispered, “Please.”

Robby just hushed the boy, not thinking as he placed a soft kiss to the top of the younger man’s head. The reddish blonde curls were slightly damp with sweat and Robby’s shoulder was soaked with tears.

“Dennis,” Robby whispered, gently pulling the younger man away from him to look into his eyes.

Dennis sniffled as he stared up at the older man, his eyes sadder than he had ever seen. The blue that has become comfortable and welcomed into his home now burdened with the death of his father and drowning in tears.

“Have you ever noticed the shade of blue that your eyes are?” Robby whispered, his breath brushing against the younger man’s face.

Dennis shook his head, wiping away any leftover tears.

“It’s a certain shade of blue,” Robby started, brushing some of the younger man’s hair out of the way, “It reminds me of being out on the ocean. How no matter where you looked it was just blue, blue skies, blue water, even some of the fish I caught. It is a calm that you wish to experience over and over, even if it kills you to see it sometimes. No matter how much you search it is always with you, the memories you made stay with you, and you never forget it. That is the shade of blue your eyes are.”

Dennis had stopped crying but was staring at the older man holding him, calming him, “What about your eyes?”

Robby cocked his head to the side slightly, “What about them?”

Dennis took a deep breath, “Sure, they’re brown. But they are warmth and comfort, reminding you of the sunlight when it hits them just right. How no matter where you look there is comfort, sure they can be dark at times but there is comfort in the darkness sometimes. No matter how much you wish to run away from them you can’t help but drown in the comfort.

You have helped me way more than you could ever think of, you helped me grow, you helped me find my voice. Sure we got off on the wrong foot with you kidna- with my father selling me off to pay for his debts. But you never pushed me into anything, never asked for anything. You helped me get clothes that actually fit, fed me, helped nurse me back to health with my rib. You have been nothing but kind. I appreciate everything. If you will allow it, I’d like to stay here; with you.”

Robby was tearing up now, “Of course, anything for you.”

Dennis didn’t know how long they would stay like this, in their own form of comfort, but he wanted to make the most of it. He reached up with his hand, gently pulling Robby’s face towards his own before meeting him in a gentle kiss.