He went back down to where Emerson was sitting. He sat next to Emerson looking at him. Emerson's body trembled as he held his knees close to him. Remington sighs knowing it was harder on him than anyone, Emerson held respect and trust in their dad before he turned away. He said their dreams were nonsense and left the next month. Emerson was only 10, for the person he trusted to tell him it was worthless to try and leave right after hurt. It tore him and he was scared he would relive the pain.

He was the main reason why Emerson felt so fucked up. Because he thought he mattered to him. Remington goes to comfort Emerson, who was just seconds away from breaking down. He wraps his arms around Emerson holding him close. Emerson sighs laying his head on Remingtons shoulder. Remington puts his hand on the side of Emerson's head his fingers tangled in Emerson's knotted hair.

"It's going to be okay," Remington sighs, he didn't know if it was convincing enough, but he was sure of what he was saying when he said the next part, "he can't hurt you, I won't let him."

"I can't let you protect me," Emerson says, his voice sounding like he's about to cry.

Remington shakes his head looking at Emerson, "It's okay to cry, Em," Remington says softly.

Emerson nods, letting go of what he's been holding onto since this morning. Emerson wraps his arms around Remingtons torso. He hold onto him tightly while he cried. He didn't know if he should feel this way, he felt like he was being too emotional. But he also felt like he needed to cry. Remington sighs rubbing Emerson's back with the hand he had on Emerson's head moments before.

There was a knock on the door moments later. Remington stays on the couch with Emerson, the knocking continues and Remington looks at Emerson contemplating if he should get up and see who is there. Remington grabs his phone and looks at Emerson slowly standing up.

"Go into my bedroom lock the door until I tell you it's safe," Remington orders, he looks Emerson in the eyes, he was scared for his younger brother more than he ever would be for himself.

Emerson opens his mouth to argue but gives in when he sees how worried Remington looked. The knocking increased in audacity Emerson goes to Remingtons room and Remington moves the blinds to see who is there. A man stood outside Remingtons door. Remington knew this was indeed their father. Even with the white hairs he recognized the man who ruined their lives.

Remington grips his phone getting ready to call the police if he needed to. There was yet another knock on the door. Remington looks at the bedroom which should be locked. Remington didn't know what came over him but rage filled him and he swung the door open.

"Remington?"

"Why are you here?" Remington asks. His voice hinted that he was upset.

"I shouldn't have walked ou-"

"I get it, you walk out not believing in us, now you're back because we're famous." Remington was about to slam the door but his dad spoke again.

"I can't deny that I checked in because you guys were successful. I did. But you need to trust me I am genuinely trying to make things better."

Remington glances at the bedroom door thinking what Emerson would say. He looks back at his dad and sighs. Why should he trust him?

"You've done enough, you can leave us just like you did years ago," Remington sighs finally closing the door, well, he slammed the door. He locks it behind him paranoia filling him.

Ch 8

Emerson heard the sound and it scared him. The slam was unexpected, he heard talking but not yelling he assumed it wasn't a heated argument. Remington looks back at the door tears flooding his vision. He walks away and knocks on the bedroom door. When the door opened Emerson stood there looking like he was close to breaking down again. The sight hurt Remington, he could barely tell what he was doing, he was close to breaking down too. Emerson hugs Remington and buried his head into Remingtons shoulder.

Remington froze, he looked at Emerson who had just began crying and had no idea how to fix this. Remington hesitantly wraps his arms around Emerson. Emerson lifted his head and saw Remingtons face. He knew Remington held a much bigger burden than Emerson had and he knew Remington was holding back. Emerson lets go of Remington and takes a step back he looks Remington in the eyes he reaches for Remingtons hand holding it just like Remington held his that morning.

"I-It's okay to cry, I'm not going to stop you." Emerson sighs, he released Remingtons hand and looks down.

Remington steps back until his back makes contact with the wall. His breathing increased in speed and he was close to just breaking down. Remington slid down the wall bringing his knees to his chest. Then Emerson got a call. It was Sebastian, he answers the call scared about everything.

"Emerson, he came to my house, I just thought you'd want to know..." Sebastian says.

Emerson sighs sitting by Remington. He wrapped his arm around Remingtons shoulder.

"H-He came here too, he just left Rem's place a few minutes ago." Emerson sighs and looks at Remington, "look, things aren't going well right now, is there a way you can come over. I don't think Remington is going to do shit, and I can't cook for shit." Emerson laughs a little at the last comment he made about cooking but knew that was the last time he would laugh in a while.

"Yeah, I can come, I'll be over in about twenty minutes maybe. I have to go I'll call you back when I'm on my way."

"Wait, I have a question," Emerson says.

"What?" Sebastian asks.

"You talked to mom, right?" Emerson asks.

"Yeah I did, he hasn't contacted her, and she's fine. I told her everything and she's not too happy about it," Sebastian sighs.

"Alright, thank you. I'll talk to you when you get here. Bye Seb."

"Bye Em," Sebastian says hanging up.