I Ain't Your Dog

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It was around one in the afternoon when Donovan rolled out of bed and shuffled in to take a shower. He heard scuttling steps following after him. He looked down to see his twin. There were tears in his eyes. That was strange. At least he was in some very high end jeans instead of the torture device. Donovan knelt down to Leolin and felt a close nuzzle and heard a sniffle. As a teary cheek touched his. He smelled clean.
“Hey...what happened? Did ya have a bath?” He whispered to the other who whimpered and nuzzled in closer, shaking. Donovan sighed and turned the nozzle off. This was going to kill him, he knew it. “Leo...you're fine, right?” Another whimper escaped. The twin sighed and hugged him close. Why was the pet running to him for human comfort? “Where's your teddy bear I bought you?” That did it, Leolin pulled back and sucked on his thumb. It was hard to tell if he was thinking anything or just sitting there. Donovan moved after him and walked out.
“I'll help ya find it...” As he walked out into the shared living space he noticed the teddy was put high on a shelf. Sighing, the teenager plucked it off of its high spot and gave it to the following twin. There was immediately a smile that grew so soft and gentle amidst tears. Donovan guessed Rosencroft gave him a bath.
“You gonna play for a bit?” He started to move away from the other and soon was followed.
“Ngh...” Great, it's like having a shadow...
“Hey I'm gonna get in the shower, okay?” He saw a frown appear once more as Leolin sat on the floor and watched his twin walk way. Donovan heard thumps of legs crawling across the floor as he stepped into the bathroom. There was a nose pressed on the back of his calf. Chuckling, he turned around to see a very worried Leolin.
“It ain't gonna hurt, honest. You wanna come in it with me?” There was great hesitation from the other as the teenager reached to turn the water on, watching his brother's reaction of pure horror. He saw the twin start to shake like a leaf. It was...strange to think he was scared of water.
“Do you wanna just wait here, I'll be right out, okay?” There was a small mew as he watched his twin crawl forward and lick his leg. Donovan blinked. “So you want in?”
Leolin nuzzled again. “...ngh...” It was hard to read him. He started to undress himself and watched as his twin crawled to the tub and touched the water. There was instantly chills on his skin. Donovan sighed. “I'll just come out inna second.” He climbed under the jet of warm warm water against his skin. It felt amazing. He heard scratches and finally saw his twin's head poke through under the curtain. “...nah?” Donovan laughed, it hit his face lightly.
“See? It ain't gonna hurt ya...” A frown soon spread as Leolin stepped back out of view, from the curtain and whimpered loudly. Oh fuck...what the hell was he gonna do? He heard sobbing. Was Leolin breathing okay? Donovan looked out the curtain, pulled it back to see his twin curled in a ball, crying and shaking and not breathing. “Shit...Leolin! It's okay...it's okay, seriously.” He tugged a towel off the rack and came to his aid, drying off at the same time. Kneeling down to the tiles, running fingers through his hair, Donovan realized it was a panic attack. Over...water?
“Shh...it's okay.” He whispered and wrapped now dry arms around the mute twin's frame. Leolin was crying and curled up to him. What was he supposed to do? With that frame of mind, he just rocked his panicked brother. There was a small shaken sound from his twin as he started to calm down. This went beyond fear, Donovan knew that. His hands petted down his brother's back full of bruises to just soothe him in a gentle manner. He watched as Leolin calmed, the chills and shaking subsided from his tiny form. The scarred brother pulled away to look at his twin. Donovan had no idea how to handle it.
“I gotta get clean...stay out here. The water won't hurt, but if you're afraid of it, don' push yourself, kay?” Leolin just gulped, pawing at his brother and crawling after him. It was not the best feeling deep in his heart. Donovan couldn't help but to start the water and step into the water, Leolin's most feared enemy, yet again. Scrubbing as fast as he could, with the shower gel provided, he stepped out of the tub, dripping wet. The air was as cold then as it was before when he hurried to his brother's side.
Shivering, he scooped up the towel and dried himself off. He still took heed to his healing ring of muscles between his lower cheeks. It still hurt sometimes to press it or to move. Not too horribly bad, just enough to cause agitation. He gazed at his twin near the doorway. So many bruises on his little form, so much abuse. When could they leave...?
Maybe today was the day to plan...he'll have to think on it. Donovan saw him crawl out and he heard a voice, Elliot's. After last night, the guy was obviously very perverted to see twins fuck like that. So, he dressed quickly and combed his damp hair. Looking in the mirror, he didn't have the same reaction like back at the base. It wasn't at all the same...was he more relaxed? At ease? Why would he be? His twin was being abused! And he had to sit by and watch it!
Then it came to him...a sense of purpose. He had to keep Leolin safe. Sighing, his morning wasn't completely done without him brushing his teeth. As he headed out the door, he grabbed a shirt and pulled it on. None of these clothes felt like his. It was all too nice, too fancy. It wasn't what he wanted. Not with his brother being manipulated like that.
Sighing, he stepped out of his room and walked into the main, shared living space to see Elliot, debonair as always with his red ponytail and slicked back hair. Those eyes looked the smaller hitman over.
“I trust you slept well.”
“Yes, sir. I did.”
It was the end of the conversation as Donovan grabbed his wallet and the cash that was given to him He walked past Leolin, hugging that teddybear like a small child.
“You gave that to him, correct?”
“Yes sir, I did.” Donovan turned around with a questioning look riddling his face. What the hell was this?
“Ah...see, I don't usually give him toys. My daughter would take them...they are playmates, you know.”
“Yes, sir.” He started to sound like a damn broken record. Then it hit him...wait a minute, daughter? Was his boss a family man?
“I need to return home, but...I can't take you or him with me. Would you be willing to stay here? I'd have guards posted at the door, just in case.”
“Just in case of what....sir....”
“Just in case you decide to do anything stupid, Donovan.” Fuck. What the hell was he going to do now? This was not good at all.
“Yes sir, I understand and accept. Can...I ask a question?”
“Shoot.”
“Why can't you take him with you?” There was a pause and the red headed demon started to smile.
“Because my wife never wants to see him again.” He saw Leolin out of the corner of his eye hug the bear tighter and gnaw on the ear. His whole body seemed to curl up with the plush toy in an attempt to keep from hearing. Donovan saw one single tear fall from his peripheral vision. What happened there...
With a nod, the teenager started to turn, “I'm headed out for the day.”
“Be back before tomorrow morning, I'll need to make another social engagement.” Oh God, he hated to leave his brother alone with this asshole. He slammed the door closed and immediately cursed...he left his cigarettes.
It didn't matter, not now, he had to find his way around the building to think. The whole top floor seemed to belong to Elliot Rosencroft. There was only one hallway and it led to the elevator and the stairs. The balcony was huge...but how would he get Leolin out? This was a tough situation. Maybe he could get the stupid dicks drunk that would stand guard?
That could work...he knew 'em well enough, invite them in...have beer until they pass out and leave without a trace. But...what if it was Boomer? Fuck. Not good. He'd see right through it. All he would have to do is look at the twins and tell...
“Damn...” Donovan was scratching at his arm absently, that undying urge was back. His head was reeling. He needed that fix...so bad! All that money would be useful for something...a needle, some drugs. He'll be in heaven before the night was up. Donovan didn't check every cranny and nook as hard as he could as soon as he realized he was in deep, unholy want for his addiction.
Hell, no one could think straight. Fuck the world, he knew where to get some good stuff. Hell, he was the one that help deal the good stuff.
Once down on the street, after getting through the hotel, he flagged down a taxi.
“'ey! Just git me to the docks.” The man looked at him strangely. “Well what'dya waitin' for, an invite, get movin'!”
“Shaddup, Kid! Ya betta have money.”
“Yeah? How about that damn dice in the mirror get shoved down ya throat, forget about it and drive!” The taxi driver was annoyed and Italian. Who cared, these guys were stupid anyways. Donovan sat back and watched the streets go by, little by little in the traffic of the afternoon.
New York City, a place of noise, people, and of course, corruption. It's all the teenager knew. He looked down at the burned markings cross his hand. It wasn't new. It signified where he belonged...supposedly. This was a joke, to him at least. Whoever said that Aquarius was a brotherhood, needed to take a step back and really look. It was amazing how much shit went down between the members.
Gun fights were common, at first Donovan was scared of shooting bullets...now, however, he was the best marksmen in this small ring of Aquarius. Fucked up really. He doesn't even know how to read...
The teen zoned out for much of the journey in the back of the taxi, thinking. There was so much he couldn't know, so much he probably would never know from this way of life. It wasn't like him to dwell on it. That always led into who he killed...for no reason whatsoever other than he was told to. Those faces...that dream....
Fuck, he needed those drugs. There was no way around that. He needed them “...right now.”
“Huh?” He watched as dark eyes looked up through his rear view mirror at the teen.
“Nothin'. Watch the road will ya, you almost hit someone!” Those eyes were quickly averted back to the driving. The dark man driving grumbled and kept going. The world moved at a slow pace as they moved toward the harbor. The taxi man never asked any questions, he didn't say a word to some rude little punk that probably will jip him. Donovan knew that was what he was thinking.
When they stopped, he climbed out. “How much was it?” The cab driver stopped and stared and then looked at the mileage counter.
“'Bout thirteen fifty.”
“Here.” He pushed the money into the man's hands with a generous tip. “Keep the change.” The man in the driver's seat was shocked and soon drove off. Donovan wandered through the docks, looking at every possible place before moving to where his old home was. It was so old looking and dilapidated that no one would go near it. The old was rusted out frame was crap, at least the inside wasn't quite so bad...sure it had a few leaks...it wasn't any mansion, that's for sure.
The teenager saw a few men working near it, all of whom was apart of the gang. They nodded a silent greeting to him and moved on. No one would talk to him outside the base. No one. It was against the rules.
Donovan walked inside and immediately spotted his old boss. “Hey Boom! Ya got a minute?” Boomer turned and smirked at the teenager.
“So how'd ya tear yourself away from the job, Kid?”
“I gotta day off.”
“Ooooh and you come here?”
“Yeah, I gotta know, who'd guard Rosey's place where I am...”
“I would, why?”
“Just wanted tah know. I might get ahold of some beer fer ya.”
“Kid...what're ya here for really.” His voice was stern, Donovan knew he wasn't fooling anyone. With a small huff he scowled.
“Look, I'm goin insane, ya gotta give me somethin'.”
“I can't.”
“Why not, ole' Rosey don't hafta know!” Those green eyes of his stared at the older bald man named Boomer. The man sighed.
“Just this once, Kid. You gotta quit after this.”
“...I can't say I will. It's your fault, yanno.”
“Yeah I know. Look, Don, here it is.” He pulled some out of his coat pocket and handed to the teenager.
“Hang on, I'll get ya a fresh needle...don't want any diseases or nothing.” Donovan just nodded. That urge was growing stronger by the second. His palms were sweaty. He had to wait a few more minutes...just that. The teen watched the men go back and forth, cutting up, smoking, dealing cards. It was home...couldn't say he missed it, though. Not after that one incident with a fucking Scorpio. He saw Boomer moving to him in a fast pace.
“Here.” He pushed the needle off on Donovan like it was evil. The teen frowned.
“What the shit, Boom...”
“Get out, don't want ya around, Kid. You ask again, I'll tell ya fuck no.” Donovan glared at the older man and stuffed it all in his pocket.
“Fuck you, yanno that? I never liked you.”
“I know, Donovan, get the hell outta here.”
“So how am I gonna? I don't got a cab or anything.” That rewarded him with a frustrated sigh from his once mentor. This douche bag was all he needed today.
“Fine. I'll drive ya.” He saw the older man cussing under his breath and headed towards the small warehouse where the cars were kept. Donovan followed the guy and climbed into the same black Benz as him.
“Ya hate me, Kid?” Where the hell did this come from? Donovan frowned.
“Well...yeah! You screwed up my life, you bastard.”
“And here I am, driving you away and giving you drugs. Kinda cruel.”
“Forget about it. You got nothin to do with me anymore.”
“Yeah? I heard somethin' from your new boss...my boss.”
“Eh...don't care.”
“Ya should.” They were on the road, Donovan was starting up his needle. Fuck he wanted right then!
“Why should I?”
“Because I know he's your twin.” The needle was almost dropped as the brunette looked up with wide eyes.
“So he told ya....”
“Ooh yeah, why wouldn't he?” This made the teenager grow sick. The need to get high was forgotten for the moment.
“I wonder why you asked who'd be guardin' the place. What're ya plannin' Kid?” Fuck, Boomer knew him too well. Donovan sat back looked out the window on the passenger's side. This was so damn bad.
“Noth-.”
“Don't give me that crap. I know you were plannin' something. What was it Donovan?” Boomer's tone of voice changed from a simple conversation to angry in a millisecond. There was no way out of this but to stay quiet. If he was lucking, he'd only get hit.
“Playin' silent huh? I know what it was...you wanted to steal 'im, right?” Donovan looked down at the needle and then out the window at the world moving fast as he only half listened to the man's words.
“Listen, Don, you do something stupid like that, I'll shoot you.”
“Go ahead.”
“...what?”
“Go ahead. I don't care anymore. Just do it now, if that's the fuckin' case. I don't wanna see 'im like that.”
“Who like what...”
“...” Donovan fell quiet as he concentrated on the drive. The rest of the trip was silent. “Just stop the damn car, I'll fuckin' walk.” They were at a stoplight and flung the door open and got out.
“Damn it, kid! Get back in the car! Now! Donovan!” The teenager was running towards some back street on Avenue A. There had to be somewhere to sit down. He didn't want to deal with shit like this right then. He just wanted to get high, forget it. Leolin had to wait. It all did. If he wanted to get his head blown off, sure, his twin couldn't. He had to protect him.
That feeling of being trapped set in once more as he ran down an alleyway, hiding between trashcans to shoot up. Just to forget. Just to feel that exhilaration of euphoria. The needle pierced his skin and slowly, the drugs were pumped into his system. Slowly, his world faded for something that could be described as calm. Only this calm was violent. The high brick walls of the exterior of each building started to close around him as a high like no others ripped through him. He pulled at his own hair and curled up. The world was out to get him. There was no hope as he sobbed. There was no one to save him, he was alone. Like always.

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Author's Note:

Hey guys! I want to say thanks for the reviews. I am updating a lot lately and it is brought to my attention that I should bring out Rosencroft more. I am doing so slowly, this is all through the eyes of Donovan Lewis. He's not the most observant person, besides his twin.

I have a review stating that the readers might be a little disturbed by it. This is my first endeavor into ever doing something like this. I hope it is enjoyable or even provokes an emotional response. I will not kill any character whatsoever. I worked too darn hard to make these two twins. I won't destroy that. But, if you (as a reader) are scared to read this work, please skip it. I do have warnings up for that sort of thing. Thank you for the response, and I hope you keep reading. Please, review and tell me how I am doing.

~Aeronaut