1000th Post!!!!!

Edit: giggling kicking my feet thank you for the feature

AN: this took so long because I was really worried I wouldn’t be able to do it the justice it so very much deserves, plus amino hates me!!! Anyway I’d like to thank the academy

CW: brief illusions to domestic violence, nothin’ explicit though xx

Broken rolled over in bed and let his arm hang off the side, snoring loudly. “Kitten, it’s time to wake up.” His mother knocked on the door. “You have school soon.” He grumbled and tugged the covers over his head. “Not goin’… tired…” she sighed and knocked again. “You have to go to school. The bus is leaving soon, hurry up and get changed. Breakfast is waiting downstairs.” Broken curled up under the covers for another few minutes before rolling off the bed and grumbling about how his sleeping in was already ruined so he may as well go to school. He picked up clothes off the floor that smelled clean enough, shrugged into them, and grabbed his backpack on his way downstairs.

”Bye Ma love you…” he grabbed his plate as he ran through the kitchen. “Not so fast young man.” She walked over. “You still have a few minutes before the bus gets here, sit down and eat.” He huffed and let her fuss over his outfit. “‘M gonna drive, don’t need to wait… don’t need to be up early…” “then you have time to sit and eat.” She said. Broken rolled his eyes but sat down at the table. She kissed the side of his head and went to fetch him a plate of breakfast, setting it and a glass of milk in front of him. Broken devoured his meal and stood up again. “Bye love you…” “bye dear, have a nice day at school.” She said.

He ran outside and jumped into his truck, pulling out of the driveway as his brothers filed out of the house for the bus. Broken sped out of the driveway so fast his tires left marks across the pavement and the windows shook as he started blaring his music. Ida huffed and shook her head at the mess in the driveway, watching to make sure the rest of her troublemakers got to school in one piece. “Move.” Ezra pushed past her. “Will you be home for dinner?” She asked. “Yes.” He walked across the driveway, stopping in his tracks when he saw the tire marks Broken left. “I thought I told that little bastard to stop doing that.” He cursed and swore as he climbed into his car. “He better have that shit cleaned up before I get home!” He snapped. “He will, darling.” Ida said. “I’ll make sure he does.” She watched him drive away, sighed, and went inside to work on chores.

Broken drove straight past his high school and down to the outskirts of town. He parked his truck in the back of an old parking lot and climbed out, crawling into the truck bed. He laid down with his tail over his face to block out the sun shining directly into his eyes, settling down for a nice long snooze. Until his phone started going off. Broken grumbled and swore as he dug out the stupid thing to see who needed him so badly, but couldn’t help smiling at the caller. “Hey beautiful…” he purred. “Hello handsome.” The girl on the other end cooed. “Class is starting soon, where are you?”

He peeked his head out of the truck bed. “Down by the old grocery store…” she sighed softly. “Are you coming to class?” Broken settled back down. “Was gonna nap but I c’n make time if you want me to…” she giggled softly. “Get your beauty sleep darling, but lunch is on you.” He purred happily. “Yes dear… I’ll be waitin’ with grub when the bell rings…” “I’ll be by the science lab, have a good nap baby.” She said. They hung up and Broken tossed his phone to the side, getting comfortable again for his nap. He put his tail back over his face and purred loudly as the sun peeked out from behind the clouds to warm his spot.

Broken was waiting by the science lab at noon sharp when the bell rang. Students flooded out the front doors and dispersed to the nearby shops, hounding the poor underpaid workers for cheap food. “What’s a handsome man like you doing here all alone?” His girlfriend cooed as she walked up to him, books in hand. “Waitin’ for a pretty lady to come by ‘nd take me home…” he purred. “Brought takeout ‘nd that tea spot you like…” “you’re so sweet.” She pecked his cheek. “Do you want to sit with me and Lana? Or would you prefer eating in the back of your truck just the two of us?” He shrugged and took her books. “If we sit in me truck we could make out for a while…” she shook her head and held onto his arm. “We could.”

Broken yawned as he pulled back into the clean driveway, parking his truck smack in the middle of the pavement. He crawled out and walked into the house. “‘M home…” he called as he kicked off his boots. “Welcome home kitten.” His mother brought over a tray of snacks. “Save some for your brothers, the bus should be coming by any minute now.” Broken wagged his tail and ate his selection of homemade snacks. “These are good, thanks…” “you’re welcome dear.” She smiled. “Do you have homework?” “No… teachers don’t give any…” he stuffed another slice of bread into his mouth. “Then why does the principal keep calling saying that you’re missing so much work?” She asked.

”He’s old ‘nd weird…” he flicked his tail. “If he calls while your father’s home you know you’re going to be in for it.” She warned. Broken rolled his eyes and turned towards the steps. “Yeah, yeah… I’ll do me homework…” “don’t ‘yeah yeah’ me, he’s not going to be happy.” She put her hands on her hips. “Not like it’s the first time he’d be mad over stupid shit…” he grumbled. Ida sighed and shook her head. Broken stormed up to his room and slammed the door. He curled up on his bed to check his phone, looking through and replying to all his messages from Razor. He laughed quietly at the jokes she sent and rolled his eyes at the news of another bad teacher, quickly pushing his troubles to the side.

”Kitten?” Ida knocked on the door. He frowned and looked over his shoulder. “What…?” “Can I come in?” She asked. He frowned but sat up. “Yeah…” she walked inside and closed the door, smoothing out the bedsheets before she sat down. “The principal called again.” Broken rolled his eyes and moved to lay back down. “Tell him I died…” she grabbed his arm gently. “Kitty.” He glared at her. “You’re going to get expelled if you keep this up.” She said. “We had a long talk and I’ll be going with you tomorrow to talk with the principal further, he said you’re already failing the year and you’ll get expelled if you miss much more class time.” “So…?” He shrugged. “Expel me for all I care…”

”You’re not getting expelled.” Ida said. “But you just said ‘m gonna be…” he flicked his tail. She scooted forward and started fussing over his jacket. “You’re going to be if you can’t get your grades up at to at least a C before winter break, but there’s still some time if you really work at it.” Broken pulled back and laid down. “Don’t care, expel me…” “kitten, I’m not letting you get expelled.” She kissed his cheek. “Why not…? Not like ‘m gonna graduate…” he grumbled. “You will if you can pull it together.” she rubbed his back. “I don’t wanna graduate or , just let me fail if ‘m already this close… no skin off your teeth…” he said. “You’re going to graduate kitten, it’s just going to take some work.” She kissed his forehead.

He pulled away. “Don’t care if I graduate, not like ‘m gonna get to pick me job anyway…” Ida sighed softly. “Maybe you can, you-“ “no I can’t, because ’m dads prized pig ‘nd I don’t get a fuckin’ say in what I wanna do with me life…!” He snapped. “Even if I did graduate what’s it gonna matter…? He’s just gonna make me run that stupid fuckin’ company anyway…” she listened patiently and nodded along. “So you’re just going to sit there and let your father do what he wants with your life? That doesn’t sound like my big strong kitty.” Broken huffed and rolled over, shoving his face into the pillow. “‘M not… I just know how it’s gonna go because he’s always like this…”

She scooted closer and rubbed his back. “You’re very tough sweetheart, you’ll get through it somehow. I know my kitty and I know you’re smart enough to figure something out, and stubborn enough to make it work.” He sniffled quietly. “But what if I ain’t…? What if I can’t…?” Ida leaned over and kissed the back of his head. “I’ll help you. I’ll pick you up when you fall down and kiss you better.” He flicked his ears. “‘M an adult… piss off…” she smiled and smoothed his jacket out before standing up. “If you say so kitten. We’re having meatloaf for dinner, it’ll be ready soon.” He flicked his tail in acknowledgment as he grabbed his phone to continue making plans for the night.

He jammed his headphones in as his parents started their nightly argument, this time about Broken’s poor school performance. It went the same as he always did, his father was upset he was doing so badly, his mother was defending his actions, his father complained he lacked discipline, but then something new happened. There was a loud crash, a brief scream, then silence. Utter silence. Broken ripped his headphones out and flew down the steps, skidding to a halt as he took in the scene before him. Ezra drunkenly stumbled back towards the couch while Ida laid motionless on the floor.

Broken saw red, and a blur of it at that. He grabbed a knife off the kitchen counter and lunged at his father, knocking him off his uneasy balance and sending them both crashing to the floor. In a rare moment he got the upper hand and stabbed the knife deep into whatever he could reach, again, and again, and again. He cursed Ezra for every terrible thing he’d done, to Broken, to his brothers, and to his mother. He only stopped when his arms felt like jelly from the force he was exerting and the body before him was barely recognizable. He left the knife jammed deep into the floorboards and stared at what he’d done.

”Momma!” He ran across the room and fell to his knees in front of his mother. He shook her shoulder desperately, watching the floor around her stain red. “Momma!” He begged. “Momma! Momma please! Mom!” Broken frantically searched for anything he could to help. He covered her in a blanket from the couch and nearly ripped out the bathroom cabinet grabbing the first aid kit hidden inside. “Momma, please…” he brushed through her hair in search of the wound. “You’re- you’re gonna be fine, momma you’re gonna be alright, just- just let me fix you- and- and then you’ll- you’ll wake- wake up, and- and then- and-“

Broken sobbed into her arms and clutched at her flowery dress. She didn’t tell him it was going to be ok, or pick him up, or kiss him better. Ida just laid there and got colder, and colder, unmoving, silent. He eventually managed to pull himself to his feet and stared at the red floor. He trudged up to his room and stuffed what he could into a duffel bag. He packed clothes, and cigarettes, and his stuffed cat. He went into his brother’s rooms and stole their things, more clothes, trinkets, and toys. He packed up books from Branch’s shelf, toys from Bolt’s floor, and all the action figures Elion kept on his dresser that he refused to remove from their plastic cages. Always insisting they were collectables” and “worth more in the box”.

Broken took all the cash he could find and stole everything from his mother’s jewelry box. Every bejewelled earring, every golden ring, every silver necklace. He walked back downstairs, stole the wedding and engagement rings off his parent’s hands, and kicked his shoes on. He slipped outside like any other time he snuck out of the house, standing on the front porch while he lit his cigarette. Broken dropped the match on the steps and hopped down the stairs. He stood on the sidewalk for a short while, watching as the wooden porch slowly caught fire.

He turned after a few minutes and just… started walking. He had nowhere to go, he didn’t feel like making good on his plans anymore, and it wasn’t like he could just show up on Razor’s doorstep covered in blood. Again. Broken walked, and walked, and walked. He didn’t stop as the sun started to rise and beat down on his back, or when his stomach started growling. But he did stop when his phone rang. “What…?” He stepped off to the side. “Broken!” Bolt cried. “Broke- Broken- bro-“ he broke down in tears. Something shuffled around and took the phone from him.

”The house-“ “I know..” he interrupted Branch. “Mom-“ “I know.” He repeated. “Broken-“ “I know.” He snapped. “Stop fucking interrupting me!” Branch hissed. He looked to his younger brothers and stepped away. “The house burnt down and mom and dad aren’t answering their phones, they’re not even ringing they just go to voicemail. I don’t know where they are and Bolt is cold, Elion is hungry- and- and I don’t- I dont know what to do.” He choked up. “Can you come home? Please?” Broken sighed and turned on his heel. “I’ll be a while…” “come home.” He begged. “I am….” He nodded.

It was nearly dark again by the time Broken made it back into the city and all the way across town to his house. Or what was left of it. Neighbours stood in the street chattering to each other about what a horrible accident it had been, how lucky they were the fire department managed to get it under control, and how so so sorry they felt for the poor poor boys living there. Broken pushed past the crowd to find his brothers huddled together in the front lawn. Bolt ran into his arms and sobbed. “Mommy! Mo- mommy- she-“ he clutched at his jacket. “I know..” he picked Bolt up. “Let’s go to Razor’s house for a while… her folks’ll get you lot sorted out…”

He lead his brothers through the crowd of worried strangers, ignoring their cooing and fussing over their well-being’s. They walked in silence down the street, across the bridge and through the park to Razor’s house. Broken knocked on the door and shifted a sleeping Bolt in his arms. The door flew open and Razor’s mother dragged them all inside. “Oh you poor things, we saw what happened on the news. Are you alright?” She grabbed Broken’s chin and looked his face over. “We’re fine, Ma… folks wanted a date night, we were all kicked out for the night…” he said. She looked into his eyes for a moment before licking her thumb and wiping away the grime on his face. “You boys go put your things in the guest rooms, you can stay here as long as you need.”

Broken closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. “Thank you…” she kissed his forehead. “Of course. You go take a bath, I’ll take care of Bolt.” He handed his brother off and lugged his bag upstairs. He dropped it in the guest room he always used, dug out clothes, and went to hide in the bathtub for a long while. Broken didn’t know what to do, where to go, how to move on. He soaked for hours with his face barely poking out of the water in hopes everything would just go away. If he didn’t look at what happened maybe it would un-happen, his mother would be there in the morning to pick him up and take him back home. To wash the dirt off his face and scold him for being so reckless. To pick him up and kiss him better.

Broken walked downstairs in the pyjamas he had in his bag and sat at the dinner table. “You’re just in time.” Razor’s father kissed the top of his head. “Dinner is ready, we’re having pasta.” He set plates in front of Bolt and Elion, then ran off to get one for Broken. He stared at the plate set in front of him for a long while. When he finally took a bite it was bland, and mushy, and gross. He cleaned his plate but didn’t get seconds. Nobody talked during their meal. He dumped his dishes in the sink and went up to his borrowed room, shutting the door behind him. Razor’s mother followed and knocked on the door softly. “Can I come in?” He opened the door again. “What…?”

She slipped inside and hugged him tightly. He jerked back from the abrupt movement but quickly hugged back. Razor’s mother rocked him back and forth, kissing the top of his head. He sniffled into her shoulder. “Do you need anything?” She asked softly. “C’n you put me to bed…?” He whispered. “Do you want a story?” She rubbed his back. He nodded. She kissed the side of his head and left to find something to read. Broken crawled into bed with his stuffed cat and waited.

Razor’s mother returned with a book and settled in the bed next to him. He scooted closer, resting his head on her shoulder. She kissed between his ears, pulled the blankets up to his shoulders, and started reading. The book was one of Razor’s old storybooks, about spaceships and aliens and science. Broken laid there staring at the pages as they were flipped, the words blurred and melted together before him. He snuggled up to her side and closed his eyes, hiding his face in her shoulder. Razor’s mother pulled him closer and continued reading for a few pages, before quietly slipping off the bed and tucking him in. “Sleep tight kitten.” She kissed his forehead.

Broken pricked his ears as she closed the door and headed downstairs. He crawled out of bed, slipped into the Other, and packed back up. He made the bed, snuck back downstairs to get his shoes, and scribbled a note on a scrap of paper. He got changed back into regular clothes, kicked his boots on and opened the window to hop out. “Kitty?” Razor whispered from outside the door. “Are you awake?” He sighed and went to crack it open. “No…” “can I come in?” She asked. Broken let her inside, closing the door behind her. She hugged him tightly. “Are you ok?” He sighed and hugged back. “Yeah…”

She squeezed him. “‘M tired, ask me in the mornin’…” he buried his face in her hair. “Do you want to come sleep with me?” She asked. “No….” He shook his head. “Just… wanna be alone for a while…” Razor pulled back and smoothed out his jacket. “You can come over anytime.” He flicked his ears. “I will… g’night…” she stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. “Goodnight.” “‘M tellin’ Luna…” he teased quietly. “Tell her all you want, she knows I don’t want your cooties.” She slipped out the door and closed it behind herself. Broken rubbed his face and stood with his eyes closed, rethinking his decision. Razor’s parents had plenty of food, and money, and love to give. He could stay for as long as he wanted, they certainly wouldn’t complain about not having to throw out leftovers anymore. Razor’s parents would be more than happy to take him and his brothers in and be their new parents.

Broken launched himself out the window and rolled to his feet on the ground. He snuck through the backyard to the next street over and started walking. He went the same way he had before, as far out of town as he could get. Broken walked as far as his legs would take him, through rainy weather and early snow, up hills and down rocky streets, across bridges and through parks until he couldn’t drag himself any further. He hotel hopped for a few days, got himself set up with a fake license, and managed to lie his way to being a homeowner.

It was nothing fancy, a simple two story house, a decently sized kitchen and living room, an unfinished basement with room for a small gym, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. Just enough space for a cat to curl up and hide himself away. Broken bought himself furniture with his stolen money, a TV and sofa to start, and the rest would come as they were needed. And that was it. He slowly built up a nice little life for himself, a terribly decorated house, a neighborhood that was more than happy to provide him with meals and friends, and no parents to listen to. No one to tell him it was too late to play games, nobody to stop him eating in bed, no parents to scold him for sleeping all day. No dad yelling, no brothers causing trouble, no mom to pick him up and kiss him better. Nobody.