My Brother's keeper [For Silvery_Lady]

[Lorie]

Looking at him one would not suspect life had been so ruthlessly unkind to the carefree youngman sitting crosslegged on the concrete floor of the holding cell. Tristan, know as Evan to everyone that wasnot blood, was currently engaged in playing cards with a drunk for the pure fun of it but he got to the precinct because the state had finally removed him from his father’s care.

At he beginning of the attractive boys life, after a premature birth that ended up taking his mother, the father that had been enthusiastic to have a family dove into alcohol to numb the pain of losing his wife. Being eleven years younger than his brother Evan was almost raised by his big brother until said brother left home to live his own life away from dad’s drinking. At that moment rules no long applied to the then nine year old. When Evan turned twelve he became his father’s drinking partner. Thought the child was brilliant school was not a concern to either him or his dad which resulted in Evan missing entirely to many days.

This was Evan’s third truancy warning, thus the teenager sitting in the precinct holding cell. Truancy officer Sarah Myer had held off sending Evan into foster care opting instead to call his older brother in and offer him a chance to take custody of this troubled kid with the megawatt smile and shining smoky blue eyes.

[Silvery_Lady]

Tristan had spent a few hours already in that cell, when his older brother finally could walk in to take him home; he had been in service the whole morning, right after a night shift too.
He was really tired and a bit grumpy, he was in need of a good sleep, but when he received the call from Mrs Myer, he obviously said "yes" to her, of course that he was going to take care of his brother, now that their useless father was out of his way!
He would have to sign a lot of papers and he would have to bear a few interviews with some employee of the Social Service, but he was glad to have this chance.

So, when Caleb reached the cell, he was smiling widely, despite everything.
-Hey, buddy....- he called for him, making the key turning into the keyhole and opening the door -...come on, let's go. They told you that you're going to stay with me now, am i right?- he was so happy to could finally help him out, that he seemed even willing to ignore the reason why the teen had been arrested -I have a room waiting for you at my place since i left dad's home.- he announced then.

Caleb waited for the kid to reach him, before stretching out a arm, wanting to ruffle his hair in a loving gesture.
-But no more troubles, understood? I'm not him, i will not let you mess up your life anymore.- he warned -Come with me, let's go eat something and we can talk, it's been a while since the last time.-

[Lorie]

Used to being around drunkards Evan was fine hanging out in the holding cell. Someone had a deck of card and he deep in a game slapjack when the door opened and Caleb’s distinct voice called out to the seventeen year old. Dropping his hand of card Evan grinned at his drunken playmate, “This means you win.” the sunny youth declared crossing to his big brother. A shrug was Evan answer to Caleb’s assertion that the teen was going to live with him. “Sound like a plan.” he returned allowing his hair to be ruffled before running his own fingers through the chestnut locks to fix how it fell.

Hooking his hands into the back pockets of his jeans Evan gave another shrug when Caleb inferred there were going to be rules again... that could be fine... “whatever you say big bro.” the youngman smiled. His life since Caleb left home had been so hectic Tristan had no option but to ‘go with the flow’. It was just easier to allow the things that went on around him to move his existence. Evan don’t think his life was all that messed up but he was only seventeen. And he’d spent a majority of those seventeen years learning their dad’s bad habits.

“Yeah,” Evan nodded a little distracted as he signed out his belongs, an old army jacket he’d been picked up in that morning. Once his jacket was back on over he thin button down Evan had been wearing in the cell the teenager pulled out his pack of cigarettes and lighter.

[Silvery_Lady]

The kid was looking a bit too unimpressed by the whole situation for Caleb's taste, but he decided to let it go, for the moment.
After all Tristan was so young and his life had been such a mess during the last years, that he was determinated to make him discover that things could be much better, with a bit of normality.

Once the younger one had signed to get back his jacket and they were walking out of the building, the man noticed what the teen was doing and less than a moment after he was firmly taking the cigarettes away from his hand.
He frowned, throwing the packet right into a trash bin.
-Forget it, kid.- he told him, sternly -You are not smoking anymore, from now on. And you're not going to drink alchool neither, not even a single drop.- Caleb added -Those times are over, are you listening to me? I will make you live like someone of your age should live, now. And by the way, i gave a look at the reports from your school and at your notes...we will have to talk about that too, Tristan.- he concluded, leading him toward his car.

He was still wearing his uniform, but when he opened the vehicle, he took off his cap and he threw it on the back seats.
-Come on, get in. Are you hungry?-

[Lorie]

A choked off noise left Tristan when his cigarettes were taken away and thrown in the trash. That was a new pack too! Another scoff made the, tall, little brother stop in his tracks with the preemptive denial of alcohol. “It’s not like I drink all the fucking time.” Tristan argued crossing long skinny arms over his chest. Suddenly rules suck.

“People call me Evan now.” have for the last eight years, even dad referred to his youngest by his middlename more than his propername in the last few years. “School’s boring.” the teenager protested after a minute taking strides with his long legs to bring him to Caleb’s car. “Not really.” Tristan sulked shifting from sunny to moody with the disposal of his addiction.

[Silvery_Lady]

Caleb gave him one stern glance when his beloved, little brother cursed in front of him like if he was some of his stupid friends; apparently a few years far from him had turned Tristan into a real brat, thanks to their father.
When he was a child, Caleb had taught him that that kind of language was wrong, with a long series of scoldings and smackings, but apparently all those lessons were now completely forgotten.
The youngster was going to need a reminder quite soon.

As a response to his words, the teen received one sharp slap over his scruff, a gesture that was really common during his early childhood, when dealing with his older brother.
-You will not swear at me, kid.- he warned the teen, letting him get into the car -Or else i'll give you a little lesson in manners, like i used to do some time ago.-

Caleb started the car, locking the doors, before huffing in irritation listening the news about his brother's name.
-I don't care how our old man or your friends call you. Mom gave you one first name and i will use it, like it or not. And school may be boring, but you going to go to class every day, starting from next monday. And your grades are going to improve, or i will have to play the bad guy...and i really don't want to, baby brother, trust me.-

[Lorie]

Rolling grey-blue eyes when Caleb brought up how he had taught Evan that swearing was wrong ages ago the teenager just glowered at his big brother. This was getting far less fun than Tristan thought it should. "You know Tristan is a French name that has its root in the word for sorrow right?" He informed. It wasn't that he didn't like his given name it was just...there was some principal the delinquint was sure.

A bitter laugh left the now angsty youth as Caleb lay down the law regarding school. "You mean you're not being 'the bad guy' right now." Another scoffed laugh made its way out of Evan's throat at the idea of Caleb getting stricter. Though if memory served big brother could be quite the hard ass.

The school thing wasn't at all fair though. Evan aced every test put before him it was just homework that threw him. And that was only because it was stupidly repetitive. Boring. "Fine, back to school on Monday," Evan agreed sarcastically. One plus about going to school is that Evan has pleanty of friends that are over eighteen who would gladly by him a new pack of cigarettes. And by friends Evan totally meant people who hang around him because god-only-knows. Well dad did let him through some awesome parties.

[Silvery_Lady]

-Yes, smartass, i know.- his brother responded at his statement -But still, mom loved that name and i will use it, end of the talk.- he said, turning on the car and leaving toward his place.

When Tristan laughed at him, Caleb gave him a quick glance and he grinned in return.
-You will know that i'm playing the bad guy when i'll be kicking your ass, bro.- he warned him -Just like i used to do. I'm sure that you remember the afternoons spent laying on your bed rubbing your red butt.- Caleb added -So, don't push me. You're not old for a smacking, if you cross the line.-

The older brother drove for a little while, nodding at Tristan's sentence about school.
-Yes, mister.- he confirmed -I will take you there in the morning and i will come to get you in the afternoon. I could even pass by from time to time just to check on you, since your teachers told me that you have the bad habit of skipping classes a bit too often for my taste, uhm?- the man made the car turn into a little private street, where there were a lot of nice detached houses -Almost there, kid.-

[Lorie]

Deciding he didn’t want to talk to Caleb anymore right that moment Tristan turned to stare out the passenger side window as they made their way to his big brother’s house. It seemed like a nice respectable neighborhood with pretty detached homes. Nothing like where Evan had come from. The trailer park on the wrong side of the tracks. Occupied by drug dealers, eccentrics, and drunks like their dad. Vaguely Evan remembered there being a lovely house when he was very small but that was taken by the bank when dad proved unable to hold a steady job. Even so, Evan was going to miss the craziness of his former dwelling. He’d have to find a new hairstylist that was for sure since it seemed unlikely Caleb would allow his little brother to go back into the den of thieves to visit the drag queen who had cut his hair from age nine to now. Pushing brown lock from his vision Evan did chance a look over to Caleb as something was bothering him.

“What’s going to happen to dad?”

[Silvery_Lady]

When the teen turned to the window, apparently deciding that he didn't wanted to talk anymore, his brother pretended to ignore it.
He had expected that sort of reaction, so it wasn't a big surprise, after all...

Anyway, after a few minutes, Tristan asked him a question and Caleb sighed.
-Well...he won't be allowed to see you for a long time, i'm afraid.- he told him, sincerly -At least for a year, maybe more. Anyway, even after that, i'll be the one to decide if you can spend time with him or not. You're legally under my custody now, and this make me your only parent, basically.- the older man finally parked in front of a nice house with white walls and a perfect lawn -I'm sorry about all this, Tristan, i really am.-

The adult turned a bit to look at the child, with a little sad smile on his face.
-I'll try to do my best, okay? I know that i left and that you are probably mad at me because of that, but it was the right thing to do. And now i'll help you to move on and have a decent life. I'm just asking you to give me a chance, buddy. Try to adapt and to do what i say, you may discover that staying with me could be nice...-

Said that, Caleb got out of the car.
-Come on, kid. I show you your room.- he called for his brother, opening the front door and walking in.