Numbered Days (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
theotherson)
Jun. 24th, 2013 05:17 pmThe bike had been a perfect idea. Not because he was on the verge of developing a serious appreciation for mechanics. In all truthfulness Norman couldn't say that he enjoyed getting his hands dirty, the differences between tools and nuts and bolts and wires, all the work that it takes to restore something old to a new state is so much more intensive than he could have planned for. But it clears his head, puts him on a single track path that's hard to veer away from. Dylan is a surprisingly apt teacher and Norman a diligent student. New as it is, he can't remember a time where he felt so unconcerned and light.
The lessons on Dylan's bike, going from a passenger to trekking on his own in short bursts - To the gas station and back - quell whatever occasional frustration he feels. Over his mother, over Bradley, whatever it is can be solved by a ride. And while Norman is looking forward to completing the work on his own he thinks there won't ever be anything like riding with Dylan.
It's brought them closer in the last few weeks. Sometimes they go out and do things and some of it Dylan likes more than Norman, or Norman has more fun than Dylan but it doesn't matter. Having a brother means just doing things with them and enjoying the companionship more than anything else. That's what Norman figures. Dylan's his brother and Norman loves him in the only way he's ever really known how to. And he's not that bad at cooking, either, and he's come to accept pizza as an acceptable plan B when a recipe doesn't pan out the way it's expected.
Everything has smoothed out. He almost doesn't even remember his mother (almost), and looking back at them reminds Norman of storm clouds, lingering concern and implications.
And all of that returns when he comes home from school to find a smart looking woman on their doorstep. She has the kind of expression that screams 'official' and it creates nothing but anxiety. Her badge says 'Child Protective Services'.
"What are you doing here?" Where is Dylan? And why is this woman here? There's no reason for it, they've been fine, things have been great--
Norman fails to notice the small tremble in his hand, nor how dramatically his own expression has changed. "Dylan!"
Had she already knocked? Was he still at work? He's got his brother's schedule all but engraved into the side of his brain but suddenly Norman can't recall it.
The lessons on Dylan's bike, going from a passenger to trekking on his own in short bursts - To the gas station and back - quell whatever occasional frustration he feels. Over his mother, over Bradley, whatever it is can be solved by a ride. And while Norman is looking forward to completing the work on his own he thinks there won't ever be anything like riding with Dylan.
It's brought them closer in the last few weeks. Sometimes they go out and do things and some of it Dylan likes more than Norman, or Norman has more fun than Dylan but it doesn't matter. Having a brother means just doing things with them and enjoying the companionship more than anything else. That's what Norman figures. Dylan's his brother and Norman loves him in the only way he's ever really known how to. And he's not that bad at cooking, either, and he's come to accept pizza as an acceptable plan B when a recipe doesn't pan out the way it's expected.
Everything has smoothed out. He almost doesn't even remember his mother (almost), and looking back at them reminds Norman of storm clouds, lingering concern and implications.
And all of that returns when he comes home from school to find a smart looking woman on their doorstep. She has the kind of expression that screams 'official' and it creates nothing but anxiety. Her badge says 'Child Protective Services'.
"What are you doing here?" Where is Dylan? And why is this woman here? There's no reason for it, they've been fine, things have been great--
Norman fails to notice the small tremble in his hand, nor how dramatically his own expression has changed. "Dylan!"
Had she already knocked? Was he still at work? He's got his brother's schedule all but engraved into the side of his brain but suddenly Norman can't recall it.
