Escaping Grace

"So he invited us to Ashleys birthday thing on Thursday," I called to Vale as she hastily cleaned the apartment. she'd gotten over her sulking phase and now CC was coming over and she felt it was cleaning time.
Me, I was content playing Xbox. I was trying to level up my Warden in Dragon Age; I wanted all the achievements and getting to level 30 was my current goal.
"That's cool." a pillow sailed over my head. "I'm sure it'll be fun. Ashley totally knows how to party."
"And how do you know that?"
"I've hung out with him of course. You only hang out with Andy and we both know you weren't talking."
Well, I flushed. "We have talked, thank you."
"Yeah? About what?" she challenged, fluffing the throw pillows we never used.
"How else would I know he invited us for Ashleys birthday --- and to ride with them to the next concert?"
"Bed talk?"
I glanced over at her with a frown. She sent me a flash of a smile as she turned. "Christian will be here in fifteen minutes, Leah! You better change or take that to your room so we can have the livingroom."
I rolled my eyes. "Yes, Mom."
"Leah, I'm serious."
"Look, I'm battling Morrigans mom right now and you can't save during a boss battle!" I responded, sending in Alistair for an attack. "I'll move afterwards."
"You're as bad as Clarke and Nate," she grumbled.
True. I think I was worse. I'd been deprived of this until I'd met them and I had a lot of missed time to catch up on.
"And you're still in your pajamas and it's twelve!" she called, and I glanced at myself. I had on pajama shorts and a random sports t shirt I'd stolen from one of my brothers years ago and just always kept. I was somewhat presentable. Besides, if CC was going to visit our apartment randomly then I was going to wear whatever I wanted.
I stuck a twizzler in my mouth resolutely. I wasn't going to change whatsoever.
"Yes!" I whooped. I'd killed Flemeth!
Vale glared ferociously at me as she strode to the door. "You're killing me, Leah."
I chuckled, watching the cut scene.
"Hey!" Vale brightened immediately. "Hey, babe," I heard them kiss. "Hey Leah."
"Hey," I replied, not looking back. Thank God there were subtitles. "Don't mind her, she was just moving to her room." I rolled my eyes, and the cutscene ended. I quickly saved, then clambered to my feet. "Fine, I'm leaving." I unhooked the Xbox and gathered my games and controller. I hefted them all in my arms and turned, slightly annoyed. I had never asked her to vacate a premises for a man, not that I'd ever brought one or even had one come to the apartment.
CC gave me a shy smile. "It's good to see you, Leah," he said, and I gave him a smile. "You too," I said, and headed for my room. "Um, actually, Leah," I turned at CCs voice, and Vale was glaring at him. He refused to look at her. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure." uh oh.
"Look, me and the guys have been talking, and we're ungodly grateful for you guys opening for us." My gut tightened. This didn't sound like it was going to be good. "And, I know this is normally something your manager would tell you and all, but --- we have a tour coming up, and we want you guys to tour with us."
Oh holy fuck.
"Oh fuck," Vale was gaping too.
"Dude, we totally would," I said hastily. "That would be great!"
CC grinned. "Cool! We were hoping you would say that. After the last show there's a four week rest and then we start our east coast tour."
"Awesome!" I squealed, and narrowly dropped my Xbox. I rushed into my room and sat my arm load down, and grabbed my phone. I started to call Andy, but my phone rang, and I brightened even more.
"Daniil!" I burst happily. Daniil was my fourth brother and by far my favorite. He was the only brother I was close with, the only one who knew what it was like at home.
"Hey! I'm in town and I was wondering if you're free."
"You're home from Paris then?"
"Yes. I'm on leave for about two weeks. I just landed yesterday." Danny was in the military like our father had been, and he traveled everywhere. I was beyond excited to see him.
"Of course I'm free! I can be ready in fifteen minutes!"
"Great! Still live in the same place?"
"Yes," I said, running from my room. "We do. Do you remember the apartment number?" I slid to a stop in front of the dryer and snatched my jeans out and ran back to my room.
"Yeah. Third floor right?"
"yep! See you soon!" I was ready in twenty minutes, and I jerked a brush through my hair hastily as someone knocked on the door. "I'll get it!" I shouted to Vale, who had retreated with CC into her room, which was very annoying considering she'd made me move.
I flung the door open. "Danny!" I squealed, and he grinned. He reached and grabbed me in a huge hug and swung me around. "I missed you so much!" I burst, clinging to him. "I missed you too!" he sat me down with a grin.
His brown hair was longer then usual, and he wore a camo jacket over his black sweater. I'd always known he would be in the military, just like Dad. just as tall and slim, too. I think that was why I did love him so much.
"It's been months since I've seen you," I stared at him. My eyes traveled to the slim scar on his left cheekbone, and then hastily away. It was my fault he got it, and I'd always felt so bad about it. He smiled at me.
"Eight months since I've been stateside. I've been in France for what feels like forever." he shook his head. He Offered his hand, and I took it quickly. "Let's get out of here."
We hurried down the stairs and across the street. Danny had always favored the little café across the street from where the apartment was. We stepped inside and quickly found a booth.
"So tell me everything!" I ordered, gazing at him. "How was France? Did you like it there?"
"Yeah, it's good. I missed you, though. You stopped Skyping," he chided, and I rolled my eyes.
"I've gotten busy. We've had a lot of concerts and we're working on a new album now. We've been opening for ---."
"Black Veil Brides," he interrupted, and I nodded. "Yeah, I've seen some pictures. When did you get your tattoo?"
"Oh, it's been a while," I shifted.
"And when did you start dating the singer? Doesn't he wear too much makeup?"
I blushed. "I'm not dating Andy, we're friends. And no, I like it. Its part of his image for the band."
Danny shrugged. "I think they were too much makeup. He might be gay," he warned, and I could have choked.
Trust me, he was far from gay.
I just shook my head. "He's not. None of them are. His drummer is dating Vale, actually. Or at least I think, I'm not sure if they're official now or not. They're all awesome."
"Well I'm glad it's working out for you." he said sincerely. He reached out and caught my hand, squeezing.
"How are the nightnmares?" He dropped his voice as he spoke to me. I looked down, fiddling with the end of my sleeve. "They're better. I haven't had any in a while."
"That's good. Has the doctor lowered your doses then?"
"Um, n-no. But I haven't been back to him because I haven't had to use all my pills," I said hastily when he frowned. "Really, Danny, don't make such a face."
"I just worry about you, Leah."
"I know," I forced a smile. "But I'm fine. Don't worry. I'm just glad you're here. How long are you staying?"
"Well, I'm here for two weeks beford I head up to North Dakota to see Grigori," he shrugged. I hesitated. I hardly knew my eldest brother, I couldn't even remember his face.
"You can make it to our show," I realized suddenly. "It's not too far away. I can get you a ticket and you can come back stage and meet everyone!" He paused a second, as if he had to consider it. "Okay," he said, and I let my breath go. I smiled.
"I can't wait for you to meet Andy and everyone," I said excitedly. "It's been so long since you've seen Vale and Clarke, and do you even remember Nate? Everyone has changed so much! We're working on a new album so we're all working really hard, and ---."
Danny chuckled, and I stopped rambling.
"You seem so much happier, Liliya."
"Oh, I am. I'm so happy now, Danny. Everything is going so well."
"I'm so glad for you," he squeezed my hand again, and leaned back as the waitress sat our orders down. My hot chocolate and his black coffee.
"I was . . . Worried, when I left last time." he said after a moment. "You seemed so . . . Unhappy. Like when I left before, when I... Left you with Mother. I am still so sorry, Leah. You know I am. I never should have left you there with you so young. And then Romochka," his voice tightened in anger.
"Please, I don't want to talk about him." I shook my head.
"Is he still trying to talk to you?" he demanded. "I'll kill him if he ever comes near you again, chéri."
"He's not bothered me any, I swear. Please, Danny, I don't want to talk about either of them. I just want to talk about other things. Like did you meet anyone? A girl?"
"Ha, no. I've not met anyone." He let the other subject drop.
I frowned. "Why not? You're so handsome."
Danny blushed slightly and then shook his head. "No. I just haven't met anyone yet."
"Well, we're just too cool for the rest of our family," I giggled. "Singles unite!"
He laughed and bumped fists with me. All our brothers were married with like fifteen kids each, and we were the only ones who weren't. If mother had had her way I would have already been married to Romochka and having my fourth child.
"I'm glad I got to see you. I was afraid you wouldn't have the time with your rockstar life," Danny leaned back in his chair.
"I always have time for you."
We talked for a while, but after a few more hours he said he had to go. "I gotta find somewhere to stay while I'm here before the day gets too away from me," he said as he stood. The waiter had been giving us an awful face for the past two hours anyway.
"You could always stay with us at the apartment tonight," I offered. "Or until you have to leave. None of us would mind."
He hesitated, then shook his head. "Nah. That would be too much of an imposition."
"Psh! No it wouldn't, we'd love to have you. Besides, our next concert is going to be out of town, now that I think of it, and you can have an easy way there. This way I know you can't miss it."
He thought it over a moment, then shrugged. "Why not? We haven't roomed together in years!"
"Yay!" I gave him a quick hug. "It'll be so great to have you around!"
Not to mention I would feel safer with someone else there.
"I just gotta grab my things from Jeremys place and I'll head on back."
"Okay." We stepped out onto the street, and I pulled on my sunglasses against the glare. Danny leaned down and gave me a kiss on the cheek, and I waved as he got into a cab. Vale was going to have a heart attack when I told her, so I would probably just wait until it was absolutely necessary.
I watched the cab disappear around the corner, then dashed across the street. I glanced around, feeling watched. I frowned at myself.
Now was not the time to be paranoid. There wasn't anyone paying me any attention. I started to push open our building door.
"Liliya."
I jerked at the sound of my name, and whirled around.
Romochka.

Notes

Sorry about the wait! I'll try to update quicker.