Chapter Text
There were a few things in life that were always certain; the sun would always rise, the seasons would change, and Courtland Gentry would always be at the front of the school to collect his brothers at 3 pm sharp every day. It had always been that way from the moment the twins were old enough to go. First it had been ten year old Courtland at the Kindergarten classrooms before going to his own and then retracing his steps at the end of the day. But once he’d moved on to high school and he had an earlier start time, it had turned into delivering them to their before-school program on his way and waiting for them at the front of the school in the afternoon.
Courtland sat on a planter near the front office while he waited for the final bell to ring at the elementary school, a textbook and notebook precariously balanced in his lap as he worked on homework in the few minutes he had to spare. He was always behind in his assignments, struggling to find the balance of keeping his brothers stable and his own needs. They would always end up coming first. Someone sat nearby and he glanced up to see one of the regular parents (Adams, he thought) and she gave him a smile in greeting.
“Picking up Ryland and Colt again?” Mrs. Adams asked him, as if he hadn’t been doing it every day for the last five years.
“Yes ma’am,” Courtland answered with a polite nod as he looked up from his notebook again.
“You’re such a good older brother,” she complimented with a sigh. “I’d never be able to get Steven to come pick up his sister every day.”
If only she knew that the alternative meant that they would be viewed as an inconvenience. Or that the idea of Courtland doing anything else in his afternoons meant that they would be home alone, which meant a chance to be home alone with him, and Courtland couldn’t allow that. Not if he wanted to feel like he could breathe. Just the idea of it made his blood run cold and the bruised ribs beneath his shirt throb in reminder. But she didn’t know, so Court just smiled politely.
“I try to be,” he shrugged and ignored the twinge of his ribs. The bell rang then, thankfully sparing him from the conversation, and he tossed his books back into his backpack and stood to watch for the twins.
They were easy to spot, two heads of blonde hair moving quickly through the sea of kids, one just a step behind the other. Or, more accurately, being dragged a step behind. Colt had Ryland’s hand in a death grip as he pulled him along, and Court could see the moment Colt spotted him waiting and sped up.
“Hi Court!” Colt greeted first as they reached him, both of them pressing close for him to wrap them in a hug. “Guess what!” Colt doesn’t wait for him to guess before he pulls back and opens his mouth to show Courtland the gap where a canine tooth sat this morning, his tongue pressing through the gap, “I lost my tooth at recess!”
“He knocked it out on purpose!” Ryland huffed as he pushed Colt’s shoulder, “He jumped off the monkey bars.”
Court stepped in before an argument could ensue, laughing a bit as he ruffled Colt’s hair. “That’s alright, it was pretty loose this morning anyways,” he assured them, “Do you still have the tooth? Otherwise, the tooth fairy won’t know to come visit.”
Colt rolled his eyes. “We’re too old to still believe in the tooth fairy, Court,” he complained even as he pulled a small plastic treasure box from his pocket to give to Courtland. He knew it contained Colt’s tooth; this was not the first time he’d been to the nurse's office after knocking a tooth out during school hours.
“Miss Jackie says that losing teeth is just our body getting ready for our real teeth,” Ryland added, “And if we lose those ones then they won’t grow back. Not anything magical.”
“Well then I guess you don’t want to get a treat on the way home from gymnastics either,” Court sighed dramatically as he tucked the treasure chest into his pocket. He’d make Colt put it under his pillow tonight anyways, “Since you’re both too old to celebrate losing teeth.”
They both immediately shook their heads and pleaded with him to get them treats, and he couldn’t even pretend to think about before he caved and promised that they’d stop at the gas station for a juice on the way home. With that settled, they began the walk to the nearby recreation center that held Colt’s gymnastics class. It had been cheap enough that Court could afford it with the money he made doing odd jobs around the neighborhood, and it was desperately needed to help Colt get some of his endless energy out before he’d be forced to stay small and quiet in their home every night. Ryland held Courtland’s hand and talked about their day as they walked, explaining everything from what they learned to what bugs he’d found in the grass at recess. Colt would pipe in when he had something to add but would often run ahead of them before rejoining them and complaining that they were too slow.
Even at their apparent turtle speed, according to Colt, they made it on time, and he ran off to join his class in the main area while Courtland and Ryland found a spot in the family seating to wait.
“Do you have homework to work on today?” Court asked as Ryland pulled out one of his library books as he settled onto the bench next to Court and leaned against his side.
“Yeah,” Ryland nodded, “but I’ll do it at home so Colt and I can do it together.”
“Okay,” Court agreed and tucked an arm around Ryland. He should work on his own homework, but he’d rather sit and cuddle his brother. “What book did you get today?”
“It’s about different types of animals,” Ryland answered as he opened the book, “There’s THREE more books after this one I can read too!”
“Wow, you’ll be an expert in no time,” Court straightened out Ryland’s glasses for him as he started reading. They always sat crooked since he had repaired them a few weeks ago after their father broke them. The screw hadn’t gone back in right, but it was enough for him to get by while Courtland saved up to take them in. He glanced up to check on Colt, the other twin happily sitting in a circle with his classmates as they all stretched, before focusing back on Ryland and his book. They sat and read together, and Court would ask questions that he knew the book would answer just so that Ryland had a chance to explain it to him. Court only tore his eyes away from Ryland and the book to check in on Colt throughout the class, watching when it would be his turn to work on their current skill.
It was a good way to pass the time, and Colt was soon enough joining them on the bench as class finished up. Courtland dug his water bottle from his bag to pass to Colt, who took it to take a long drink from.
“Did you see me do that flip?” he asked with a wide grin once he’d caught his breath again.
“I did,” Court held up a hand to high five Colt, “It was pretty awesome.” Ryland nodded in agreement and closed his book.
“Can I get a second treat on the way home then?” Colt put on a fake pout.
“Hmm,” Court pretended to think about it before pushing the top of Colt’s head down, “Nope! Just the one.” Both the twins groaned. “Now come on, let’s go get those treats and head home. You two can work on your homework together in the kitchen while I make dinner.” He tried not to linger on the slight droop to their shoulders at the mention of going home as they gathered their bags. There was no use dwelling on something he couldn’t fix yet.
Colt stayed in step with them this time as the three of them started their walk home, and the twins discussed the pros and cons of all the juice flavors they would have to pick between for their treat as they debated what they would get. In the end, the debate didn’t matter and they both got what they always did—Colt chose blue raspberry and Ryland got strawberry. Courtland didn’t plan to get one for himself, but the twins insisted. They both made noises of disgust when he grabbed the watermelon flavored juice.
It was only a further two blocks from the corner store to reach their home, and Courtland let some of the tension drain from his shoulders when they saw the empty driveway. It meant they could have some peace before retreating to the bedrooms to stay unnoticed. He unlocked the front door and the twins automatically left their shoes in the front closet. They’d all learned to leave as few signs of themselves around the house as they could.
“Okay, to the kitchen table now,” Court shooed them along, “Start your homework. You can have your juice when dinner is done cooking.”
“But Court,” Ryland whined a bit as he started setting up in his usual chair, “The sugar is good for our brains! It helps us concentrate!”
“And I need the energy Court,” Colt followed Ryland’s lead and draped himself dramatically across the table-top in mock exhaustion.
“You poor things,” Court pouted back at them, “I think you’ll just have to fight through it for a few minutes.” He opened the fridge to see what they even had available. There was still some of the ground meat he’d gotten on sale, so he’d be able to make them a real meal tonight. “How does hamburger macaroni sound?” he asked as he dug a block of cheese from the drawer. It was a little old, but he could cut the bad pieces off.
“Do we have the spiral noodles?” Colt asked as he looked up from his sheet of math problems.
“There is no other kind,” Court replied immediately. It was the only pasta he would buy since it was Colt’s favorite pasta shape.
The food was soon cooking, and Court balanced his attention between keeping things from burning and helping the twins (mostly Colt) work through their homework. He was smart when he tried, but Court knew that he found the work boring, and his attention would wane quickly. They were a well-oiled machine, and the twins packed up their completed work as Court took the finished food off the stove.
“Okay, put your backpacks away and go wash your hands,” he told them, “And then come eat before it gets cold.”
They ran off to store their bags in their bedroom, and he could hear them play fighting and giggling as they ran down the hallway. It squeezed at his heart. Courtland wished they could feel so carefree all the time.
By the time they’d returned, he’d pulled himself together and had their plates set, juices opened and waiting for them. They both dug in with the usual voracious appetite that came with being a 10 year old boy—Courtland was always worried one of them would choke someday with how quickly they inhaled their food. But dinner passed uneventfully, and he sent them off to play for a few minutes while he cleaned up the kitchen. Best to leave no signs that they were there. He followed the sounds of giggling down the hallway to their bedroom, all the way at the end, and just watched them with their toys for a moment before speaking.
“Okay, who’s showering first today?” he asked gently, prepared for the reaction he would get. They both hunched their shoulders in and avoided his gaze. “I know you don’t want to, but you both need it,” he moved to crouch down next to them. “You know I’ll sit outside the door the whole time.”
They had all had encounters with their father’s wrath and a full bathtub. Even when he was out of the house, they all refused to take a bath. The tub hadn’t been filled for any good reasons in many years.
“I’ll go first,” Colt decided with a deep breath as he set his action figure down, “And then I can help you guard the door for Ry.”
“Good man,” Court praised him with a ruffle to his hair, “Get your pajamas and let’s go then.”
Colt stood to grab his pajamas from their drawer and followed Courtland down the hall to the bathroom. Court got the shower running for him and tested the water before moving to the door. “I’ll be right outside,” he promised, just like he always did, “Don’t forget to wash with soap,” he added sternly, pinching his nose to pretend like Colt smelled bad. The giggle he got was all he wanted, and he closed the bathroom door and sat down on the hallway floor to lean back against it to wait as he listened to the sound of Colt pulling the shower curtain aside to step in. Ryland came to wait with him, his pajamas in his hands as he prepared for his own turn.
“Colt said he’d watch the door with you, so I will too,” Ryland declared as he sat against Courtland’s side.
“I think he’ll appreciate it,” Court told Ryland as he hugged him close. They sat in silence after that until the water turned off, scooting forward enough that they wouldn’t fall back when Colt eventually opened the door.
“Done!” Colt announced a few minutes later, clad in his pajamas and hair still dripping down his neck. “Ry’s turn.” He sat down as Ryland stood, already taking his post. Courtland repeated the process for Ryland and made sure both towels were hanging neatly, and the floor was dried before they all made their way back down to the twin's room. Not a moment too soon either when the sound of their father’s truck rumbling into the driveway reached them, and Courtland ushered them into their room and shut the door behind them all.
“You finished all your homework before dinner?” He asked them as a distraction as they put their dirty clothes into their hampers and nodded in answer. “Okay, we can just hang out then and do what you want before bed.”
Ryland checked in his backpack with a frown before glancing nervously at the door and then up at Courtland. “Court... I left my book in the kitchen.”
“I’ll fetch it in a few minutes, Ry,” Court promised as he held back a sigh. Maybe if he waited, their father would be so engrossed in the tv that he wouldn’t notice Court sneaking past to get the book. “Why don’t you two keep playing like you before your bath?”
Ryland agreed for now, and the two of them settled back onto their floor to continue whatever game they’d conjured up. Court sat to pull out his homework, he’d left his backpack in their room earlier for this exact moment, and listened to the sounds of the house to gauge what kind of night it would be. There hadn’t been any yelling when their father came in the door, which was good. It meant they’d be more likely to be left alone. He finished the assignment he’d started outside their school earlier before closing his notebook and standing.
“I’ll be right back with your book,” he promised, “You two just keep playing.” They nodded but quieted even further as he opened the door to step out. He shut the door softly behind him and waited for the sounds of their playing to start back up again before making his way down the hallway. The tv was on in the living room, the flashes of the screen reflecting down the hallway and the sounds of politics reached his ears. A quick glance to the left showed their father in his chair with a beer in hand already, and Courtland slipped into the kitchen and hoped he stayed unnoticed.
He’d never been very lucky.
“Courtland!” the deep voice called from the living room, and Court’s shoulders tensed. He grabbed the book from the table before stepping back out into his fathers view. “What are you sneaking around for?”
“I was just grabbing Ryland’s book,” Court answered, showing it to him and trying to avoid shuffling his feet in his desire to escape back down the hallway. His father’s eyes narrowed before he stood.
Mike Gentry was a tall man, and well-built from his years as a SWAT officer. He made an intimidating sight under any circumstance, and he knew how to hold himself to amplify that.
“Is that how I’ve taught you to address me?” he asks Court with a firm stare, already reaching for his belt. Court felt like his stomach had fallen out of him. He’d been so fixated on just getting back to the twins quickly he let himself get stupid. Of course his father would notice he left off the sir he required.
“No sir,” Court quickly answered with a shake of his head, though he knew it was too late to get out of what was coming, “I’m sorry, sir.”
“Looks like you need another lesson to make it through that thick head of yours,” Mike said, “Get over here. Face the wall.”
Courtland set the book down against the hall doorway and obeyed, his hands clenched at his sides as he braced himself and listened to the sound of the leather belt creaking as his father folded it into a strap. At least it was his belt tonight and not his boots. Courtland’s ribs still ached from the last time. He closed his eyes as his father gripped his shoulder and leaned in to speak into his ear.
“Real men know when to show you respect, so you’d best start remembering that.”
Courtland stayed quiet. He knew when his father wanted a response and when it would just make things harder. The first slap of the belt made him flinch, the sting biting at him through his thin shirt. Another blow followed, and then another, and he kept his eyes closed and jaw clenched as he pressed his forehead to the wall and forced himself to stay quiet. Nothing more than a whimper escaped him—he didn’t want his cries to reach the bedroom down the wall.
He was shaking and sweating from the effort and pain by the time his father stepped back, and he used the wall to stay upright as he moved towards the hallway.
“Don’t come back out here for the rest of the night, I don’t want to see you again,” his father grumbled as he sat back down in his chair, belt abandoned on the coffee table.
“Yes, sir,” Courtland responded as he left. He stooped to grab Ryland’s book and shuffled down the hall until he reached their door. It was quiet on the other side. They would know that something was happening, He pressed his forehead to the door and took three slow breaths to steady himself before going inside. Colt and Ryland were sitting close together on Ryland’s bed with their backs to the wall and their arms wrapped tight around each other. As soon as the door closed behind Court they scrambled off the bed to run to him, and he grit his teeth as he held them in his arms, their own wrapping around him and pressing to his sensitive back.
“I’m sorry Court,” Ryland sniffled and hid his face in Court’s shirt, “It’s my fault.”
“Hey,” Court gently pushed them back to sit on the bed, “No it’s not. I made him mad all on my own.” He set Ryland’s book on the mattress next to him. “I’m okay, Ry, I promise. Why don’t you read more of your book to us?”
Ryland would only agree if Courtland agreed to lay down, so he settled onto Ryland’s bed on his stomach and used Colt’s favorite dinosaur plush as a pillow. The twins sat on either side of him as Ryland started reading, and Court let his eyes drift shut as he listened to Ryland. He could almost forget the pain in his back.