I Ain't Your Dog

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It had been a night of rest filled sleep. Donovan woke up to a warm body curled up against him. It made him look down to see his brother still out like a light. A smile played on the teenager's lips as he watched. Leolin was so gentle, sweet, and very tolerant of people, including children. The twin didn't dare move with the other still asleep near him. He did watch for several minutes.
Maybe Leolin grew cold in the night, sleeping at the bottom of the bed and crawled under the covers, where he was welcomed. It didn't matter, the warmth between the two boys was enough to make Donovan hazy once again and lay back. His eyes grew heavier and heavier when there was a knock at the door. It made both of them jerk awake.
Leolin climbed down and crawled to the wooden barrier to the person that came knocking and sat there, obediently waiting. Donovan yawned, getting to his feet slowly as the knocking continued. “Yeah, I'm comin', I'm comin.” He opened it and looked at who it was, expecting Rosencroft.
“Hey, Kid. You look surprised, told ya I'd be here.” It was Boomer. Sighing, the teenager had a sour look grow on his face.
“Uh huh. Ain't surprised at all.”
“I did ya a favor kid, I didn't tell 'im.”
“Noticed.” He watched his twin, Leolin tilt his head in question. Frowning, he looked at the older man. “You met him before? This is my twin.”
“In passing. Hey, Leolin.” Boomer looked down at the crawling brother and raised an eyebrow. Leolin didn't respond as he nuzzled the man's leg and shuffled away. Donovan just sighed and crossed his arms.
“So, Rosey's gone with the kid, huh?”
“Yes, and he left me here, as agreed.”
“Mm.” Donovan moved out of the doorway, passed Boomer to follow his twin. It was normal to get breakfast. There were a few pieces of the fully loaded pie he bought. He knew the man would be watching over them, but he didn't expect Boomer to stare at Leolin. “Hey, yanno the drill, Leo. You stand, ya get a slice.”
Leolin looked hesitant as he sat on the floor. “...mn.”
“Look it's just a douchebag, don't pay attention to him.” His brother didn't budge. “Okay, sit there, ya ain't getting food.” He saw fear shadow his twin's face as he popped the slices of pizza in the microwave provided. He saw Boomer out of the corner of his eye sit and watch the television. Though he knew, he just knew the man was staring at them.
The machine beeped. The pizza was reheated to a new form of glory. Leftovers. Donovan watched as Leolin sniffed the air and whimpered.
“Hey, I said if ya want a slice, ya gotta stand.” Finally, with enough bribery, the twin stood up. His fingers meticulously running over the cabinets to the counter top. Donovan grinned and handed over the slice as his brother held up his hands for it. “It ain't so hard, right?”
Leolin didn't reply with a burble or a squeak as he ate almost to fast. The hit man couldn't help but get the vibe of fear off of his only sibling as the other returned to his knees and crawled behind Donovan after just one slice. It was Boomer. That was the only reason why he'd do that and act this way. This was going to be a test of time.
“So, Boom...how long ya hear for?”
“Until the boss gets back.”
“It ain't answerin' my question.”
“If I knew, Donovan, I would tell ya.” Hell. So, he had to put up with this guy until then? With a rolling of his green eyes, the teenager snatched up another slice. His twin staying clung to his leg, sucking on his thumb.
“What's his problem?”
“What's who's problem, Boom?”
“Your brothers. He's always crawlin'.”
“...he can't see.” Boomer came walking in and leaned in the doorway.
“That so?”
“Yeah.” Donovan felt his brother shrink more behind him and burble. He didn't even look at the older man. It was hard enough to keep composure in that situation.
“Can't speak either, huh?”
“Nope.” He looked over at his old 'mentor.' He saw the man wince and steal glances at Leolin, who situated himself right under Donovan's legs. The small teen was sucking on his thumb.
“...damn.”
“Yeah, way tah make someone feel bad, Boom.”
“Shut up, Kid. It's just a question.”
“Shut up, yourself. Rosey did it.” The room grew quiet and Leolin was slow to move, but Donovan watched him crawl away. It obviously affected him, the other teen knew that better than anyone. He looked up at Boomer as Leolin crawled towards Rosencroft's room and out of sight.
The man was speechless.
“Don't know what tah say, do you?”
“...and he let him.”
“Yeah, he did.”
“Your brother let him.”
“Uh huh. Why're ya repeatin' that?” Boomer shrank back as Donovan scowled, crossing his arms. His breakfast was forgotten. He didn't care if the guy was in shock. He didn't care for the guy, period, end of story. Don walked passed the bald man with a huff.
“That the reason you're wantin' to know if I'm bein' guard, huh? So you can get outta it.”
The teenager shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not.”
“I think it'sa yes.”
“Fuck off, Boomer. I ain't sayin' one way or another.” Boomer stopped speaking as he looked in at the dark bedroom. Donovan sat his gaze there too. There was Leolin, sitting in barely any light with his teddy bear, hugging it close. Everyone was quiet as the larger twin snatched up some cigarettes and lighter and headed to the balcony, out of the strange situation.
He looked out at the morning in his boxers and t-shirt. He pulled out a stick and lit it. The day was all ready riddled with noise. It was overcast, heavy, dark clouds were moving in still. It was going to rain that day.
Donovan heard footsteps as Boomer soon joined him and started at the world as well. The man sighed. “I had no idea it was like that...”
“Yeah well, you never do.”
“I guess I deserve that.”
“Ya deserve shot in the damn head, Boom.” It fell quiet again as the teenager clenched his eyes closed. He moved few feet away from the older man. The level of hatred was rising in his system as he watched Boomer stare at the city and then the sky.
“Maybe I do, Kid.” That caught him off guard.
“...huh?”
“Yeah, just what I said, maybe I do. I said I was sorry, I can't make it any more right fer ya.”
“Shut up. I don't care about your damn apology.” Donovan was getting so pissed off at the guy.
“So what would make ya care about it?”
“Don't worry about it, you fucked up. I can't forgive ya.”
“...even if I help get him outta here?” That caught him off guard. The teenager's mouth fell open and the cigarette was dropped on the balcony floor.
“Wh-What'd ya say?”
“Ya heard me, Kid. Get your ass packed. I'm helpin' ya just a little bit.” Donovan couldn't believe what he was hearing.
“You're gonna shoot me.”
“...what?”
“You're gonna wait until my back is turned and shoot me. I know it.”
“Shut your trap, Donovan, I'm serious.”
“I don't believe you.” Boomer sighed and looked at Donovan, his brown eyes were hard, sharp, and edgy. The teen stood up a little taller, expecting to fight or get hit.
“You can take my gun.”
“...WHAT!”
“You heard me.”
“Boom, you're crazy! There is no way in he-.”
“Rosey took yours with 'im. You needa gun.” Donovan breath quickened as he nodded and headed inside, stuffing his bag full of things. Leolin crawled after him and sat in the doorway of his room.
“...nah?”
“Hey, Leolin, go get your teddy bear. We're leavin' soon.” He saw his twin scramble away to grab his most prized possession and return to his twin with it. Donovan put it in the old, worn out backpack and zipped it up. He gingerly tugged on his small locket with the picture in it. “Ya gotta stand and walk. Okay? We gotta probably run, can ya do that for me? Nod or shake...”
Leolin nodded and held up his hands for his brother. Donovan gripped it and pulled him to his feet. “I'll guide ya, promise.” He whispered and hugged his only sibling close. This had to be the best thing that could've happened. Moving out into the living room, he saw Boomer.
“Ya might wanna wait fer a bit. It's gonna rain.”
“Yeah...that would be a good thing.” He watched as water started to fall from the sky on his city home. Donovan smiled with excitement and a little relief as he gripped Leolin's hand. He was ready, he knew his brother was ready as a smile played on his lips.
“Damn...Don. You guys could've switched places and I probably wouldn't know it.”
“Huh...really.”
“Yeah. Ain't so alone anymore?”
“Naw. I ain't alone at all.”
“Good.” Boomer just chuckled and sat watching T.V. Donovan moved to the kitchen, pulling Leolin along, making his walk.
“Ya gotta eat, Leo.” There was a nod from the mute twin as the rest of the pizza was shared between the two of them as the rain fell. Both of them were excited.
This was the beginning of the end. This was the act of pure defiance. It would prove once and for all that the two twins weren't their dogs and they couldn't be ordered around anymore. The only thing that slowed them down now was the weather, it was almost worth waiting for.

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Author's Note:

Cool! I have a few things to let everyone know. First off, there is the little bit about Leolin and the abuse given. I don't delve into his back story too much right now because it will be later when it comes out in the open.

Secondly, I like Boomer, he's my favorite, next to Donovan and Leolin. Just keep reading and I'll keep writing. This is going to be somewhat of a surprise. I can't give anything away. Just keep reviewing! I love reading them!

~Aeronaut