Chapter 8

Chapter 8

"Morning," Thomas greeted Harry cheerfully as he walked into the kitchen. Harry blinked at him owlishly a few times and accepted the cold can of Coke Thomas pushed into his hands without protest.

"I thought you were going to leave," Harry managed in the middle of a jaw-breaking yawn.

Thomas shrugged, urging his brother into a chair at the table. "I had something to take care of, but I came back and spent the night on the couch." He placed a plate full of toast and scrambled eggs on the table in front of Harry, the only thing he could make without burning too badly. After you picked off the charred bits, it was actually pretty edible. In fact, with the addition of a small ocean of ketchup, the ash taste almost completely disappeared.

"Oh," Harry said, shoveling a forkful of eggs into his mouth. He looked at Thomas thoughtfully as he chewed. "You didn't have to."

"I know I didn't," Thomas said without elaborating.

They ate in companionable silence and Thomas was clearing the table when the phone rang. Harry answered it, a dark expression settling onto his face as he listened to the caller. Thomas concentrated on scraping the grease off the plates.

"You listen to me," Harry said coldly. His voice dropped to a register Thomas couldn't hear, then went completely quiet. Then, "If you ever try anything like that again, to anybody, I swear I'm going to personally kick your ass."

He slammed the receiver down.

"Who was that?" Thomas asked innocently.

"Oh, that asshole I went out with last night," Harry said, slamming a cup into the sink. "He called to apologize. I told him off though. I think he got the picture." He sent a victorious look Thomas's way. "I told you I didn't need your protection."

Thomas hid a smile as he dried the plates.

"Nope, you seem to have taken care of it all by yourself, Harry."

I want to thank everyone who took the time to read (and review!) this story and for waiting so patiently every week for me to post when I kind of suck with deadlines. It's really great to get feedback from people--and get added onto their favorite stories lists--and I really cannot thank you enough.