STRANGERS WITH SOME MEMORIES.

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DEAD BOY (book one).
°•        CHAPTER SEVENTEEN        •°

"        WE HAVE TO COME BACK.       "

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TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS LATER.

A LOUD CHEER PRACTICALLY ROARED ACROSS THE CROWD. Daxton was the second loudest next to his brother. They shot out of the bleachers in sync, hands slapping to clap, throats hoarse as they cheered. Pride floods Daxton when he sees his nephew kick at the soccer ball, slapping it against the net on the other side of the field. There's a loud buzzer, then the game's over. Daxton was never fond of loud noises and he can feel a twinge of panic squeeze at his heart anxiously, but he doesn't let it overpower how proud he was that the game he worried about for a full week was over, won at that. Charlie lifts his hands to cover them around his mouth and shouts his son's name with joy.

Daxton is still grinning as he lifts his niece, little Isabella Quint, and props her on his hip. She's shy of four years old and loves her Uncle Dax more than anything in the world, possibly more than the giant purple stuffed bunny he got her for Christmas. Daxton follows his brother down the bleacher steps carefully, every creak making Bella squeeze her arms around his neck until they're at the fence where the winning team was gathering with their other parents.

James Daxton Quint (no, he did not cry in the hospital when he found out what middle name Charlie signed into the birth certificate) reminded Daxton so much of Charlie when he was a kid, as far back as he could remember. They shared the same bright smile that must have held the same glowing attitude in the pictures they'd look back on. James has his cap on backward, his once bright white uniform stained with dirt and mud. Tabitha wasn't going to be happy that she has to scrub the stains out.

"Look at you!" Charlie exclaims, crouching to be at James's level behind the wires, voice swollen with pride. "We're so proud of you, James, you did so great today!" He glances up to Bella. "Aren't you so proud of your big brother, Bells?" She cheers back with her tiny fists in the air. Even if she doesn't understand what's going on, she's still excited, bursting with energy, when everyone else is too.

"We'll see you soon to celebrate, alright kid?" Daxton promises with his fingers locked through the open metal holes. "You killed it today."

The adrenaline from the game starts to die down but James's eyes still lit up. He's panting, chest rising and falling quickly, but he still breathes out, "Thanks, Dad. Thanks, Uncle Dax."

His heart still skips a beat every time his nephew and niece called him their Uncle. It brings a wider smile to Daxton's face. He doesn't know when his issues with families began. From a young age, he remembers the distrust he had for his parents and knew that brought him to various foster families because that's where he met Charlie. Then, the years that pass, they're all blank. Daxton can't remember what happened until he and Charlie boarded a bus, and ended up with a few dog tags hanging from their necks. He was the only family Daxton had, could remember having, until he met his sister-in-law. Then he held James Daxton Quint in the hospital and actually did sob with tears that told the story of how much he loved his family.

They leave for the car, then because despite Tabitha's dismay at having to do laundry, she was excited to celebrate his win. They all were. Daxton had made a trip to the store with his niece, calling it an "adventure", and let her pick out as many decorations, balloons, streamers, candy, and cupcakes as she wanted. Bella didn't have to beg her uncle too hard to pick out her older brother a present, too, because Daxton would do and give anything to put a smile on their faces regardless of the cost.

And he gets the title of Best Uncle Ever which completely warms his heart when he gives them what they want, so that's a plus.

The house they shared was already decorated when they arrived. Streamers of blue and gold, the colors of James's sport's team hung from the ceiling. The cupcakes were frosted the same colors and Bella is already digging in as soon as her father puts her down. James doesn't hesitate to race and join her.

"Hey, easy now!" Their mother warns as she waddles her way down the stairs. One hand is pressed over her swollen belly. "We wouldn't need you two throwing up tonight from too much sugar."

The look on Charlie's face is the same one he held when he first saw her all those years ago. Love, passion, something truly genuine that comes once in a lifetime. Daxton had never seen his brother more in love with another. Charlie almost melted every time she was around. Now that Tabitha was carrying his third child, it somehow grew stronger in a way Daxton could never understand.

He loves to ruin lovely moments though, so he grins and asks, "Where are the drinks?"

Tabitha immediately shoots him a look while Charlie shakes his head, amused. "You haven't drank since - "

"I'm messing with you, Tabby-Cat." Daxton crosses the kitchen to press a light, friendly kiss on his sister-in-law's cheek to tease her. "You looked stressed. Can't be good for Daxton Junior. Just wanted you to relax."

"Daxton Junior," Charlie mocks with scoff through a laugh. "You already know Tabs wants Charles for him." He follows his brother and kisses his wife with more love, his hand resting as gentle as possible over her balloon stomach like merely his palm could already protect the growing baby inside of her.

It's so sweet that Daxton feels a little sick... But in a good way. Not like he was going to hurl on the floor. He instead laughs and barrels towards his niece and nephew, seizing James by the waist, and listens to him squeal in laughter before throwing him over his shoulder like he weighed nothing. "We're forgetting the true hero here!" Daxton calls with a tight hold on James's legs so he doesn't slip. "This little guy right here, scoring the winning goal!"

Bella is bouncing on the balls of her pink sneakers with her arms outstretched from her father to her uncle. "Me too, me too!" Charlie crouches in response almost immediately and embraces his daughter so he can lift her too.

"Uncle Dax!" James exclaims loudly through his laughs, his cleats kicking in the air. Tabitha groans a little in the background considering she could tell her children had already had too much sugar as Daxton brought him back down to rest on his feet. Then he swipes the tip of his finger across one of the cupcakes and smears it across James's nose. "Hey!"

It turns out into an all-out cupcake war. Daxton's breath has been gone when he loses himself in the powerful laughter between him, his brother, his nephew, and his niece until they're all covered in the baked goods. After his life had been full of such lows, starting as far back as he could remember, there were highlights as he slowly dug himself out of the hole he was burrowed in after terrible things happened. Awful, horrible events, things Charlie experienced too, and so they never spoke of it, despite the bond between them strengthened by it.

This was his family. And Daxton loved them more than anything in this world.

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Daxton still had trouble sleeping. He couldn't truly fall and stay in a deep sleep unless someone was in the room with him. He felt as if every time he closed his eyes, he'd wake up to the sound of an alarm blaring, while being covered in either sand and dry blood, with his ears ringing from the shots... Daxton's skin still crawled. He still felt shivers creep up his spine. And some days he'll still reach for a weapon that isn't there to defend himself against an invisible enemy. Charlie understood and never pressured his brother to sleep in his own room, never complained when he woke up in the middle of the night for a glass of water to see him unconscious on the living room couch. He only grabbed a heavy blanket and made sure Daxton was warm.

Fortunately, Isabella Quint fell asleep on her Uncle Dax easier than her own bed. She was resting on his chest that rose and fell with every breath, her cheek pressed against the cold metal of his dog tag. Daxton wasn't as lucky to pass out as fast as her. He sprawled back on the couch cushions, head propped under the arm resting on the arm, eyes heavy with exhaustion but glued on the screen of the TV.

They snapped open when Charlie shifted in the rocking, cushioned chair from the sound of squeaking. They promised James and Bella a fun movie night with popcorn, snacks, the whole fun bit. The sugar high hit them, and then it died down so fast that they passed out just as quick. James looked smaller than possible being cradled in his father's arms. Daxton faintly smiled as the memory of holding him as a baby hit him again. There was only one other time he had that feeling, and that was when he cradled Bella after her birth. He truly believed his heart could burst with how much he loved his niece and nephew.

"I'm just bringing him to bed," Charlie whispered quietly as to not wake either of them before suggesting, "You want to do the same for Bells?" Daxton nodded and draped his free arm over Bella's back before attempting to sit up.

She made a soft noise in her sleep and burrowed herself further into Daxton's chest. Bella truly felt tiny in his arms that he was afraid one wrong move and he'd break her. He always feared to break everything he touched, everything that he loved. But there's no doubt in Bella's unconscious mind he'd ever harm her. Charlie and Tabitha trusted him too, and that trust was something powerful, something Daxton could never betray.

He propped Bella until her head fell against his shoulder so he could swing his legs off the sofa and stand. Daxton cupped the back of her head, his fingers gently brushing through her thick hair so she'd stay asleep despite the movement. Luck was on his side because Bella's eyes don't open even when he nudges open her bedroom door and make sure she's comfortable in her bed with her blanket enveloping her. Daxton places her favorite stuffed animal under her arm. He double-checks her nightlight is on before leaving the door open a crack. Some days he wakes up with a weight on his chest because Bella snuck her way to him and he didn't blame her or send her away. Being on your own sucked.

Daxton makes his way back to the living room where Charlie was already waiting. He suddenly didn't have enough room to lounge on the sofa again because a large ball of fur was curled up on the cushion. Ares's head was inches away from dropping off the couch, his pink tongue poking between his lips, and Daxton smiles before gently touching his head instead of plopping next to him. Ares lost his vision from an attack and was startled easily by fast movements and loud noises since he couldn't see.

The war turned family dog flinches lightly under the touch, but with one sniff of his owner's scent, he calms quickly and presses into the touch. Daxton is still careful when he moves to sit next to him, but Ares, who was actually a hefty German Shepherd believing he was a tiny puppy, tries to situate himself in his lap. The weight presses on his legs but he doesn't bother pushing him off.

Daxton is scratching under his ear as Charlie speaks to him, an amused smile on his face, "Sweet thing, isn't he? And they said he'd never be great as a family member."

"They said the same about me," Daxton admits, avoiding Charlie's eyes. Daxton Shields was made to fight with skin made of iron and a body built like a shield. He wasn't made for soccer games, giving piggyback rides, sharing cupcakes or other various sweets, admiring eyes... He was never made to be apart of a family. But then Daxton meets the gazes of his brother, his sister-in-law, his pet, his niece, his nephew... And then he thinks he can peel the armor off just for them.

And other days, Daxton didn't know where his skin begun.

"And look at you now," Charlie counters. He picks up a remote so he can turn down the television's noise, hoping they could hear one another better. "You're the best brother, you know that, Dax? And the best uncle."

Daxton shakes his head and states, "Yeah, well, you're the best." Everything, he wants to finish with because Charles Quint was everything that kept this world turning and more.

However, he doesn't get the chance, because a phone's ringtone blares so loud from its spot on the coffee table that Daxton's shoulder jerks in surprise and Ares leaps off his lap with his head down. Charlie's hand was stiff from where he had rested it under his chin, startled. Daxton knows the best way to pretend none of this happened was to make light of the situation by turning it into a joke. "Oh, I got it!"

Charlie snaps out of his daze but doesn't move fast enough when Daxton leaps to seize his cell phone that stopped ringing and buzzing when he presses the green button. "Hey, give it back! It could be from work!" He demands, but it isn't serious if his laughs say anything.

The phone is pressed to Daxton's ear as he hops back over the couch, scrambling to get away from Charlie who chases after him. They're too damn old for this, to squabble like they're kids with younger limbs again, maybe the couch would even break under the weight of two grown men, but Daxton won't let his brother have that victory. "Charles Quint speaking," he greets in the best deep voice he can muster which he knows isn't by any means his best.

There's a heavy, unsure pause on the other end as they listen to the brothers fight over the phone. Daxton is dodging Charlie's arms and hands as he hears, "I'm sorry, I think I have the wrong number - "

The voice is so familiar yet completely unfamiliar that Daxton almost freezes, confused, but he shakes it off as a strange feeling like déjà vu and responds, "Nah, I'm just fucking with you. This is his brother, Daxton, I'll give him the phone - "

"Wait!"

This time, Daxton does jump at the urgency in the tone. Charlie stops fighting too because it was so loud he heard it too. He pulls the cell phone away so they can both hear when he turns the speaker on.

"You... You two remembered each other? You stuck together, all this time?" They question, sounding genuinely shocked that two brothers were on the other line despite being the one to call.

Charlie's eyebrows furrowed, lost. "Um, I've known Daxton as far back as I could remember. We grew up in the same foster home, we're brothers - " He cut himself off with a furious shake of his head. "Nevermind, God, why am I telling you this - who is this? What do you need?"

"Shoot, sorry, um... I just got distracted. That was pretty surprising to me." They clear their throat before introducing themselves, "It's Mike. Mike Hanlon, from Derry... Remember?"

"Mike?" Daxton echoes like a parrot. He doesn't know how to feel, not at first, until something in him snaps.

Memories that could have cut like a knife through Daxton's skin start flashing like an old, shitty 80's movie in his head. He remembers a young boy with wet blue eyes, clutching a dirty yellow raincoat like a promise from death, another with dark skin, hands holding slabs of meat, but with the kindest smile he's ever seen, then one with a loud, annoying screech of insulting words he couldn't mean because of a short temper all while clutching an inhaler, then another with chubby cheeks that never seemed to stop smiling, flicking through the pages of a book, and the next is the last boy in button-ups with curly hair hidden under a kippah because the very end of his short memory is a girl with flaming red hair and fists clenched at the sides of her dress. His memories must have saved the best for last, cause then Daxton sees Charlie, grin so wide the sun can't compare so it's warmth, giving a bike a push.

All of this felt as if it was passing like a lifetime, but could have only been a couple of seconds for Daxton, and he wondered if Charlie felt the same by his wide eyes.

But then another memory comes and goes. There's another boy, one with thick black glasses that had a crack in the lens. Daxton can't see his face, but he sees raven curly hair, neon-colored shirts, and it all feels so unbelievably familiar that his chest aches. But that pain doesn't stop his heart from racing. Daxton swears he sees the image of himself from the past too, a young boy, afraid, blue eyes glazing after him. His hands feel warm when he remembers small fingers brushing against one another, trembling when lips press together -

"Shit," Daxton curses and scratches at his head violently like somehow the scrapes could dig to his skull and rip the thoughts out of his brain. Charlie immediately grabs his wrist and yanks it away before his nail could do damage.

Mike Hanlon, his brain screams anyway, and the picture of the teenage boy with a kind smile and meat pops up again. "Mike?" Charlie questions weakly.

"Yeah, it's - it's me," Mike replies, sounding relieved.

Slowly, faint words fill his mind next that are louder than the man on the other end of the speaker. There's a flashing image of Daxton, but he's a little older, sad blue eyes that refuse to peel off the floor above a curling lip. It must have been what he possibly said the last time he spoke to Mike Hanlon,

"If I don't leave now... I'll be stuck here, until the day I fucking die."

Daxton blinks, then the foggy memories from his forgotten childhood stop. At least, for now. He could somewhat sort his thoughts out. "Right, Mike," he says as it all clicked. He tries to be civil despite the dizzy feeling that would have swept him off his feet if he was standing. "It's, um... It's been a while, I guess." He doesn't know what else to say. No words felt right.

"It has," Mike agrees, his voice light like he was now smiling. "You both sound great. I wish I was calling under better circumstances."

"Yeah, hey, Mike," Charlie rubs Daxton's wrist until they're clasping hands. The sense Daxton always had for oncoming danger spread to him too. "What's - did something happen?"

"It's back."

Daxton's memories that worked so well before suddenly stopped as his brain decided now was a perfect time to malfunction. "What do you mean, Mike?" He asks, but he doesn't want to know the answers.

There's a beat of silence for a minute or so before Charlie urges, "What's back?"

He only says one word, but it's more than enough. "It."

Daxton isn't sure what he sees, but it terrifies him, so badly that the struck of fear feels like a hit from a lightning bolt. Daxton doesn't understand why his ankle even throbs. He swears he can think of yellow eyes that could have belonged to a cat, and red, so much red -

"We have to come back, too," Mike's voice draws him back to Earth.

"We?" Daxton whispers.

"Yes, we... The Losers Club."

Of course, the Losers Club. They must have been the other kids he was seeing before. Daxton glances down to where his hand clutched at Charlie's so tightly his knuckles were turning pale. He suddenly feels like this wasn't the first time he's done this. Their hands slowly peel apart and reveal something special, something that their eyes have barely looked over after years of leaving Derry - a scar. It was thick and deep, unlike the one crossing Daxton's temple or the one that ripped over Charlie's torso. But it felt like it held so much more meaning as if it was meant to be there for a moment, but had remained no matter how much time had passed. It almost didn't feel real.

"I'm sorry, Mike, I... I can't," Charlie says quietly like this was something to be ashamed of. "I have a family now, we have work, we can't up and leave out of the blue."

"Please," Mike pleads with them desperately. Charlie presses the hand with a scar on it over his mouth. "We can't finish what we started without all of us. I, please... Just let me explain. Come here, talk, I'll tell you everything, and you'll remember. You'll remember everything."

"Okay." The agreement sounds like it came from someone else and not Daxton Shields himself and even he looks shocked it came from him. "Okay, Mike, we'll be there," he repeats, this time more clearly. "Just text us where." And he hangs up before he can change his mind.

The headache pounding in Daxton's head started to ease once the phone screen went black like the connection from Mike to the memories swirling his head had finally broken. He stands so fast his knees start to wobble. "Do you... Do you see it, too?" He mumbles without looking back at Charlie.

"Some of it. It's like, pieces and all, but no faces." He hears Charlie sigh after the words and rises too. "I can't go. Not when Tabs is pregnant, or - I can't. I have a bad feeling about this."

And so does Daxton. It's a scary emotion so powerful that it feels like he's been shot and the pain was spreading to every limb. He's actually felt that physically because he has been shot at, thank you, but somehow the feeling felt even worse.

Daxton finally turns to stare at his brother. His next words dismissed Mike's. "I'll go," he offers. "Alone."

"No," Charlie declares firmly.

"You have a family here. I get that and so will Mike. I'll be fine - "

"No!" Charlie exclaims, louder than he meant. He sends a look down to the bedroom doors and prays silently it didn't wake anyone else. Luckily, it doesn't. "Dax, you... You were always the first to run into gunfire."

"And you were right behind me," Daxton retorts. And if it was Charlie to dive first, it was Daxton who was right behind him. They were brothers until the end.

This was the last thing either of them wanted to do. But Charlie tilts his head back, looking as brave as he did the day they enlisted. Daxton had a hunch this wasn't going to be any different. "Then I'm going with you," he states stubbornly because nothing in this world could change their minds.

After a few seconds of silence that felt almost dead, Charlie grabs the back of his brother's neck and presses their foreheads together. Daxton squeezes his eyes shut, grasping Charlie in return, like he'd slip away and he'd be alone, gasping for air. He is undeniably scared out of his mind, but he doesn't say it because they were sure of only one thing.

They were going back to Derry.

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author's note:

welcome back!

charlie deserves the best dad award and daxton is the best uncle, you can't change my mind.

i've had this idea ever since i wanted to write an It fic. apparently there's a conspiracy (idk if it was confirmed by stephen king) that the reasons the losers didn't have any kids was because they wouldn't have had a reason to go back to derry and risk their lives. again, i don't know how true that is, but i have loved the idea of charlie being a dad since i wrote his character. believe me, this was planned from the start. i even considered him being a foster dad, but i didn't want too much fostering in this book, ya feel?

anyway, i didn't feel a need to cast tabitha or his children in my synopsis since they'll only be in like two chapters and mentioned a few times, so you can imagine them any way you wish!

i added a few hints to what daxton and charlie were up to all those years, one may be clear but the other may not be just yet. all will be revealed in the next chapter, as well as the expected lovely reunion 😉

thank you for coming back! sorry it took so long to get this chapter out, i had NO idea how to start it which is why it seemed a bit slow at the beginning but it's all uphill from here. ❤️

- koda

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