Mr. Brennahan glanced over to him when he started talking, taking in his words. "It's a natural desire," He stated once Lucas had finished. "To feel loved, or cared about. Especially by the one who ignores or criticizes you. You just want to prove you're worth their time. I'm assuming that's how you felt, correct?" He asked Lucas, setting his plate aside so he could turn to look at him. "Because it's not that easy to give up on. Especially if it's by someone you love or care about."
"Y-Yeah…" Lucas sighed, staring down at his plate. "It's been seven years since my mom died. Almost eight. And almost 5 since Claus did. I've been living alone with my dad for almost five years. I've survived him almost every day for almost five years. It's… it's weird to think about…"
"I'm sure it is. And I'm sure it's hard to think about." Mr. Brennahan said softly, very carefully resting a hand on his shoulder. He didn't want to frighten him. "But you don't think about your dad while you're here. He can't get to you, and he can't hurt you. Besides, does he even know where you are?"
Lucas shrugged, and despite Mr. Brennahan's precautions, still tensed up slightly when he was touched. "He knows Melissa… so he probably suspects I'm here. I don't exactly have anywhere else to go, and I can't stay there. I just can't. I couldn't even sleep in my own room while I was there."
"Well, despite that, I promise I won't let him hurt you." Mr. Brennahan said softly, leaning forward so he could see Lucas's face. "Because I don't want you, or Melissa getting hurt. You two are both important to me." With that said, he started to pull back. "Now, you finish your breakfast and I can help you back upstairs."
"Y-Yes, sir…" Lucas's eyes were shining a bit with tears, which he was still holding back. He took another bite of his toast, trembling slightly. He wasn't sure how to feel about Mr. Brennahan actually caring about his wellbeing, but he was pretty sure he liked it.
His smile pulled up, and he nodded as he started to head into the kitchen. Settling his plate in the sink, he started to wash the dishes and hummed softly. "I do have a meeting today, but that's not until later. You think you'll be alright for a little bit?" Mr. Brennahan called out, setting his plate in the dishwasher.
"Yeah, I'll be okay, sir…" Lucas quickly rubbed at his eyes when Mr. Brennahan turned away. "I'll probably not try to go downstairs again for a bit…" He laughed weakly, looking down at his toast.
Shutting off the water, he placed his plate in the dishwasher. "That would be appreciated. I don't want Melissa coming home and seeing you passed out on the floor." Mr. Brennahan said with a soft chuckle. Coming back into the living room, he watched him with a light smile.
"Right…" Lucas took another bite of his toast, still trembling lightly. "She'd probably freak out. She's already witnessed me pass out like, at least twice, and I hear she didn't do too well." He sighed softly and finished his toast.
"Really, now? Well, then let's make sure not to let that happen again. For your and her sake." Mr. Brennahan smiled softly, offering to take his plate. "Did you want, or need anything else while you're down stairs? Maybe bring some water with you up stairs?"
"Um… yeah, I should probably bring water. Then I won't have to come down again." Lucas hesitated before allowing Mr. Brennahan to take his plate and dragging himself to his feet. As soon as he was up, he had to sit back down so he wouldn't collapse.
Watching him carefully, Mr. Brennahan sighed softly when Lucas sat back down. “I’m really sorry you got hit. I bet it’s frustrating.” He said, before walking in the kitchen and setting his plate in the sink. Coming back, he came up to Lucas and held a hand out. “I’ll help you upstairs, and then grab you some water.”
"Yeah… especially on the first day of school…" Lucas sighed softly, holding his head. "And I can't play any baseball until I've recovered." He glanced up when Mr. Brennahan came back and accepted his help, allowing him to pull him to his feet. He swayed dangerously and tried his best not to fall over.
“That really does suck.” He sighed softly, giving a light frown. With much hesitation, he started to lead him on over to the stairs. “How comfortable are you, letting me help you? Or what can I do to make it easier on you getting upstairs?”
"Um… what do you mean…?" Lucas asked weakly, leaning against the rail when they reached the stairs. He looked like he was about to pass out, and he was struggling to focus and stand properly.
“I mean, would you be comfortable with me supporting you? Because I don’t want to touch you if that will make you uncomfortable.” Mr. Brennahan explained in a soft tone, noting his swaying. In all honesty, Lucas was making him nervous. “If you’re alright with it, then I’ll do it. But I’m not going to do anything you don’t like.”
"Yeah, yeah, that's fine… I'll probably fall again if you don't, to be honest…" Lucas closed his eyes and drew in a few wavering breaths, involuntarily leaning into Mr. Brennahan a bit.
When Lucas leaned into him, Mr. Brennahan carefully wrapped an arm around his waist. “Alright. I just wanted to make sure.” He said softly, leading him up the rest of the way. “I know you don’t want to bug me, but tell me if there’s anything I can get you. I’ve got a meeting around 2:30, but Melissa should probably be home around three. Right?”
"Mhmm… three o'clock…" Lucas's voice was slightly slurred by now and he was struggling to walk on his own. "M'head hurts…" He mumbled, keeping his eyes closed for me.
As they made it back to Melissa’s room, Mr. Brennahan look at Lucas with a worried expression. “I don’t think I can give you Tylenol, after the Ibuprofen. I think there might be some already in it.” He mumbled, talking more to himself then Lucas. “Do you just want to try lying down with the lights off?”
"Okay, sir… that sounds fine to me…" Lucas took a moment to adjust his footing, trying to keep himself upright. Honestly, he would have collapsed a lot sooner if Mr. Brennahan wasn't basically carrying him. Thankfully, Lucas weighed next to nothing, so this wasn't actually too difficult of a task.
“Alright, how bout we get you back in bed, yeah?” He offered Lucas, starting to pull back for him to lie down. “Do you want an ice pack with your water? Or is the first all you need?” He asked him, once he had lay back down on Melissa’s bed.
"Hmm…?" Lucas looked up at Mr. Brennahan weakly from the bed. "Did you say something, sir? Sorry, my ears are buzzing and ringing really loudly so it's kinda hard to hear super well…"
Giving him a light smile, he shook his head. "It's alright," He stated a little louder for Lucas to hear. "I was asking if you need an ice pack." Mr. Brennahan elaborated, crossing his arms over his chest. "If not, I'll grab your water and leave you alone."
"Oh, um… probably, if it's not too much trouble…" Lucas yawned a bit and shifted around to be more comfortable.
"Of course not, it'll take about five seconds." Mr. Brennahan hummed with a light smile. "I would offer to bring you something to do, but I see Melissa already got your bag. I'll assume whatever is in there should keep you busy."
"Mmkay… probably gonna sleep… my brain doesn't wanna be awake, I don't think…" Lucas yawned and huddled up a bit on the bed with his eyes closed.
"You do that, and I'll go grab your water." Mr. Brennahan hummed, walking out and heading down the stairs. The echoing of his feet on the floor was left in his place.
Lucas was sound asleep by the time Mr. Brennahan returned. He seemed a lot more relaxed when he was sleeping, which was definitely different to how jumpy he normally was around the man.
