《A/n: Sort of later on after the good ending. I legit couldn't think of a fitting title >:[》

    You probably should have noticed it sooner, though it was unnoticeable at first, Elier was already a reserved, quiet, and antisocial person in public.

    But with a mother’s sense, you had picked up on changes quite quickly. The way he had begun to shy away from hugs or any sort of contact. Excusing himself to his room as soon as he came home from school.

    Elena and Michael didn’t realize it as fast as you had. Elena occasionally being snapped at without knowing the reason whenever she tried to hug her twin.

    So, one day before Elier came home, you waited by the front door to greet the two. Pressing a kiss to their heads when they entered, as well as greeting Jess who had driven them. She and Keith had moved out, though they only lived a few doors away in the neighbourhood, which was a blessing. They were willing to help at any time.

    You placed a hand on Elier's shoulder. Ushering him to the empty kitchen.

    “Sit, Eli.” You say, sitting down in your own chair.

    Elier’s brows were knotted, an inner turmoil rumbling inside him. He subconsciously rubbed his sleeved arm. “What's up, mum?” He asks, his voice steady.

    “Something's obviously bothering you, Eli…” You start, your voice grew quiet as you trailed off. “What's the matter?”

    “It's nothing,” he dismissed immediately, causing you to purse your lips.

    “Elier… you know you can trust me with talking about it, do you?”

    He frowned, swallowing the lump in his throat. “Yeah, I know… don't worry about it, mom. Really.” Even with that, he sounded unconvinced. Yet you didn't say anything when he pushed his chair back and left.

    A sigh left your lips, at least he knows he can talk to me… if anything.

•▪°○°▪•

    Elier sat at the edge of his bed, phone in hand. He glared intently at the screen, his direct messages opened and taunted him.

    Hah l o s e r

    Why not just disappear? Not like anyone would notice rite? LOL

    Honestly, why do you even exist if you're really just a nobody with a lack of family in your life

    He gritted his teeth, they were stupid, a huge part of him didn't care for the toxic words. Yet another small part of him stung in silence (not including the bruises).

    He jumped when his door was swung open. Shutting off his phone and slipped it into his pocket when Elena walked into his room in a stride.

    “Hey, Eli.” She smiled one of her bright smiles, “wanna go to the park with me? Fresh air and all that, I've been studying for the past few days and need a break outdoors.”

    He glanced to the time, an hour and a half to spare before dinner has to be made. So he shrugged and stood up, grabbing a sweater for the autumn weather. “Sure thing.”

    She let out an audible pleased breath through her nose. “Oki-Doki, I'll tell mum and dad.”

    Elier nods, “I'll wait outside.” With that, he follows her out and into the hall. One of them descending down the stairs while the other knocked on yours and Michael's room.

    Elena straightened up when Michael peeked open the door, looking down to Elena. “We'll be going to the park right outside, I'll be sure to call if there's an emergency.” She says, waiting.

    Michael nods, gesturing for her to shoo before he changes his mind. Elena laughs and dashes off, down the stairs and grabs her fall jacket as she passes the couch. “I'm going to the park with Elier for a bit!” She calls to you.

    “Be safe!”

    She opens the door, shouting, ‘we will’ before it's closed behind her. She joins her twin brother on the steps and they walk towards the park. Elena kicking stones as they walk.

    “What's got you so tense?”

    Eiler’s eyes widen for a moment, his head still turned to watch the pavement they walked upon. Fortunate that Elena hadn't looked up to him either. “Nothing, dunno why you and mom are asking.” He brushes it off, it was nothing, at least, nothing he couldn't handle.

    “Oh yeah? So mom asked you too then…” She doesn't push, but her tone of words hung in the air and seemed to strangle him.

    The rest of the walk was silent until they reached the park. Elena lit up like a Christmas tree, running over to the swing set and without hesitation jumped up on one of the current stationary swings. Her hands gripped the tightly as the chains rattled. A noise leaving Elier for a moment as he watched it occur.

    “Jesus Lena, you trying to fall and hit your head?” He exclaimed, going over to the swing next to her’s and sat down. She merely grinned at him.

    “If I fall then I fall, but it's too late to hesitate.” She pauses before adding; “if I hesitate then I'd definitely fall.”

    She's gonna get herself killed like that, he sighs with the thought, nonetheless, he supposes that she's pretty much right.

    “How're your classes doing?” She switches the subject, her eyes trained off to the distance.

    “Alright, not stressful at the moment. Though we do share art class so it is a break from the other subjects.” He says with a smile, they had both been compelled to take art after watching you paint for hours, it baffled them. “You?” He returns, looking to his twin.

    “Other than math and English, I’ll hold it together just fine.” She replies in a mumble. There was a period of time that passed, the two simply chatting like close friends before she spoke again; “hey… aren't they from our school?” She points and is correct. The three males walking over were in fact from their school.

    Elier wished he wasn't already acquainted with them. As their approach became a tad quicker when they noticed him. He brushed away a strand of dark blonde hair, glancing to his sister. She was watching them with narrow eyes and her lips were threatening to pull to a frown.

    “Oh look who it is.” The black haired one in the middle said, Jack Miller, a smirk stretching across his face. Then he looks to Elena. “You're his sister, right? Nice to meet you.” There must have been something in his tone because Elena let out a growl, startling the three. Elier looked to her.

    “Lena, get ahold of yourself.” He muttered loud enough for her to hear.

    “Geez, even your sister is as weird as you. No wonder you two are here alone. Probably got no friends.” His two friends laughed at his sides, a taunting glint in his eye.

    “Pardon…?” She practically hissed, Elier got off the seat when Jack moved to tower over her.

    “Did I stutter?”

    The short one of his two proxies walked in front of Elier. Blocking him from getting to Elena.

    His hand when to rub subconsciously at the bruise on his arm, a glare aimed to the three bullies.

    “Lena, don't.” He muttered and the one in front of him rose a brow, a cocky look on his face.

    “Oh? Don't what ‘Lena’?” His higher pitched voice was cocky, his expression even more so.

    There was a reason Elier refrained from fighting them back during school breaks. Rather choosing to run and lose them on his trail.

    The twins locked eyes, a dangerous look in Elena’s (e/c) orbs. He didn't fight back because he didn't know how to, both he and Lena had learned self-defence from their father years ago. As well as other techniques to get them out of a fight.

    Though he knew Elena grew to have a hard time with restraints. If they threatened him, he wasn't sure if she'd be able to control herself not to critically hurt them.

    “Don't kill them.” Elier’s gaze flickered from Elena's to the three before them. Of course, they wouldn't take me seriously, he thought when they began to laugh uncontrollably. It was annoying, to say the least.

    Elena sighed, pushing past Jack, and then his lackey to get to Elier. She grabbed his sleeve and began to pull him along. Her eyes gesturing to the lady with a stroller walking closer.

    Right... he looked back to see that they too had seen the woman and stroller coming closer. A scowl grew on Jack's face and they didn't follow when the twins began to run back.

•▪°●°▪•

    You hugged him, your face near the crook of his neck as you let out a huff. “I'm serious! He's bothered by something. I just don't know what…”

    Michael pulled you back to kiss your forehead, “in due time, Lollipop.” He assures.

    “I hope so.” You whisper, welcoming the arms that wrapped around your hips and pulled you forward to lay on top of him.

    “You like me topping?” The words came out before you could stop them, a snort leaving the man under you. You felt the blush rising onto your own cheeks.

    “You're too much.”

    “But you still love me.” You mumbled into his shirt, embarrassment written on your features.

    “I do.” He affirms, “I always did.”

    “That's… nice to know.” You tell him, a soft look in your eyes.

    You both turned your attention to the front door, Elena and Elier walked in. Both catching their breaths, Michael didn't miss the paranoid look in Elier's eye.

    “Back before we expected.” You said, turning an ear to the door. “Are you both alright?”

    “Yes,” Elier replied, quite quickly. “We were just hungrier than expected.”

    Elena looked at him, almost like a glare in her eyes as she forced her gaze to pierce him like a knife. She didn't like lying to her parents, neither did Elier, but he couldn't let them know. He didn't need to let them know.

    As though she read his mind, she mouthed silent words; “this is where it starts, please. Tell them.” The look of refusal was all it took for Elena to back down. She knew as much as Elier that they needed to involve them on what was happening. Though Elena herself didn't exactly know how much those three at the park were doing to Elier. She didn't want to ask with the a result of being pushed away by her twin brother. That thought scared her, they were like two peas in a pod despite their contrasting personalities.

    So she stayed quiet, maybe it's best to have Elier tell them himself. Though it was doubtful.

    You may have missed their quick exchange, but Michael isn't one to ignore observations as such. Nor ignore the sort of strange pestering look Elena still continued to send Elier.

    “Ah, well are the two of you helping out with it?” You ask, curiously.

    “Of course, mum!” Elena asks, her usual kick in enthusiasm was flipped back on like a switch. All evidence of the strange look she had in her eye was gone.

    Michael stared and Elier shifted uncomfortably. His son hadn't met his eye, nor returned the small hint of a smile that Michael gave him.

Strange, was the only thought that passed his mind at the time.

•▪°○°▪•

    “Dad,” Elier squeaked, his head shooting up to look at the tall figure who loomed in the doorway. It was almost nine, and the boy was going through his phone with a bleak look. “Did you need something?” His demeanor was back to composed, the previous surprised expression faded fast.

    Michael nods, wordlessly asking Elier if he could enter. His question was answered, Elier not denying him. Michael took a seat next to him on his bed, the phone in Elier's hand was shut off quickly before he could even glance at it.

    “You are acting off.” Michael tells him, almost bluntly. Far more straightforward than he knew Elier was ever expecting.

    “I am? I… don't have any reason to.” Michael's eyes narrow, not out of any anger. Rather annoyance. Annoyance at how convincing Elier can speak a lie. Annoyed because Elier knew it was a lie.

    A hand, Michael’s hand, was placed and rested firmly on his shoulder. Elier tensed under his fingers. Not a grip that assured him, rather, one to crumble him.

    “It's nothing, dad.” The words were murmured, though his head hung low, his dark blonde hair shadowed his eyes that are filled with fear and pressure.

    Though Michael Myers wouldn't take no, as the problem shown through thin holes. Whatever was happening, concerned him. Or at the very least, was something he could help his son with.

    So crumble Elier’s wall did. His shoulders falling limp, though not out of any relaxation.

    “It’s just some bullies, nothing else- ow! Dad, my shoulder!” Michael released him quickly, apologizing in a quiet tone. He hadn't meant to squeeze the boys shoulder. Though the mention of bullies, the core of Elier’s problem had caused a sense of deja vu for him.

    In his own younger days, before his crime of murder, he had a run in with bullies. He's seen bullying. It felt far more important for him to intervene if it involved a loved one.

    So he will, giving a nod. He hugged Elier, making the boy tense in surprise. Not a reaction he was expecting either.

    Nevertheless, it felt better, as he poured out the problem to his father. His shoulders didn't feel like they held up so much weight. Even if the problem is still present.

•▪°○°▪•

    “Hey,” Jack stopped the teen in his tracks, yanking him back by his backpack. “I'm talking to you, bitch.” He nearly hissed into Elier's ear. “You were lucky to get away yesterday.” There was a smirk on Jack's face, a glint in his eye. It made Elier enraged.

    “How hard is it to leave me alone?”

    “Not to hard, but your a fun one to pick on.” He answers, in a ‘matter-of-factly’ kind of tone. “I always wondered why you never tell a soul too! Not that I'm complaining, you some kind of masochist freak?” He asks, his smirk widening. The two friends by Jack's sides break into laughter.

    A car horn honks, gaining the four’s attention.

    Elier’s eyes widen, a smile breaking out on his face as he watches as Michael step out of the drivers.

    “... Dad?”

    Jack’s eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets, causing Elier to snicker. Even his two lackeys are brought to shock.

    “That’s… your dad?” Jack stammer's to create a sentence.

    From the sun, the tall shadow blanket's three of the four, a hand covered the top of Elier's head. He proudly nodded with a ‘yep’ to add.

    Intimidation by size and the glowering look Michael gave them was enough. All three almost tripped over their own feet as they (practically) scrambled away.

    There was a huff of laughter, it caused Elier to look up at his father, caught off-guard. Sheer amusement was planted on his face, and it spread to Elier’s.

    “Thanks, dad.” Elier spoke up as Michael maneuvered him to turn and walk to the car. “You're the best dad I could ever hope for.”

    His hair was ruffled, before he was lightly (just about playfully) pushed into his seat.

    “Best son.” He hears Michael mumble and he's glad he had opened up.