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queenzufufu · 6 years

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Youngsters (1/?)

For the kids at The Rooster teeth care home, life hasn't always been easy. They've come from broken homes, broken families. They've escaped with broken bones and broken spirits. But at least now they have a second chance to be happy with a real family.

Well...that's easier said than done when your family includes a hyperactive midget, an over eager wrestling fanatic and a boy who just can't go a day without punching something...or someone.

a/n: This is my first fic but one that’s been buzzing around in my head for a while. I hope people enjoy it and feel free to leave any constructive criticism!

AO3

The clatter of plates, stomping of feet and scraping of chairs echoed around the large building almost with a tone of urgency. The walls and floors seemed to groan under the pressure and chaotic atmosphere that morning. Not one particular sound could be made out amongst the cacophony – they had all merged into one ear-piercing racket. Until of course the most powerful sound managed to break through, for none of the noises were as loud or jarring as the firm, authoritative voice belonging to one Burnie Burns.

“Boys! Boys, settle down!” he demanded as two small children barrelled past him, both aiming for the same chair and both unceremoniously missing as it was pulled out from underneath them by a much older boy who grinned with glee as they sprawled out across the polished wood floorboards.

Luckily for Burnie, his colleague – and one of his oldest friend’s – was there immediately to rectify the situation.

Burnie nodded his silent thanks to Gus as the man promptly picked up the two and ushered the smaller, slender one into the original chair while calmly finding another one for the other. He also gave a stern warning glare to the eldest boy, who up until that point had been trying and failing to keep the smirk from his face.

As soon as Gus’s back had turned the teen in question glanced up at Burnie, smirk returning full force. Burnie just shook his head and turned away. He had school lunches to prepare – God damn I know I should have done these last night or better still, made one of the other staff do it – and besides, he knew if he continued to look at the boy he wouldn’t be able to keep the smile off his face either. And what kind of example would he be setting then?

Not that Geoff really needed much of an example to follow anymore, he thought. At seventeen he was as much of a man as Burnie himself was, or at least that’s what the teen tried to tell him when he wanted to extend his curfew so he could go to a friend’s party.

For a blissful few moments, it was relatively peaceful behind him. He wasn’t looking at them but judging by the noise level no more children had fallen on the floor or over a chair or out the window. Yet. It was only a single moment of calm however, in a storm of constant chaos and unpredictability that came with running a children’s home.

Fifteen years now, although back then they’d been a lot smaller and had only catered for a maximum of three kids at a time, unlike the hefty eleven they had right now - their current maximum capacity and therefore maximum mayhem inducing.

Case in point – at that precise moment, Burnie could pick out three conversations slash arguments that needed his attention.

“Hey, those were my waffles!” came an indignant cry to his left.

Meanwhile behind him at the large breakfast table there was another whinier, high pitched plea, this one directed at him. “Burnie, Michael keeps kicking me.”

And further down the room there came a perplexed question of: “Has anyone seen my bag? I could’a sworn it was down here last night.”

Ah yes, the first day back at school was always an eventful one to say the least. But I guess I wouldn’t have it any other way. He turned around and watched in horror as a jug of orange juice almost plummeted to it’s death on the floor. Nope, I take that back. I would definitely prefer it if everyone could just eat their breakfast in peace!

There was no rest for the weary though, and he quickly slipped into stern and not-to-be-messed-with Burnie like the old pro he was.

“Bruce, give Jack his waffles back, you put yours in that one – look they’re down now. And I’m sure Michael will stop, Jeremy, unless he wants to skip breakfast.” He said, giving the curly haired boy a pointed look and receiving a purposefully blank expression in return.

Sighing, he called out across the large room. “And I moved it into the hall, James, after I tripped over if for a third time.” He walked over to where James had taken his seat and gripped both of the boy’s shoulders, giving them a playful shake. “Let me remind you again young man to keep your stuff in your room or at least out of the way of everyone else – thank you in advance.”

The young boy beamed up at him, looking positively angelic. “Thanks, Burnie. Sorry, Burnie.

Burnie just shook his head fondly. He knew the boy could be anything but angelic, but it was almost impossible to stay frustrated at him.

Placing the last few lunches in the assortment of bags, he took another glance around the room, counting the faces there. Everyone accounted for bar one, he surmised. That wasn’t really surprising.

His phone suddenly vibrated and he cursed under his breath as he read the accompanying message. Great, that was all he needed today. Barbara and Trevor - his two junior carers - were stuck in traffic which meant it’d be up to him and Gus to ferry the kids to school, which also meant leaving earlier than planned if they wanted to make it in time with only two minivans. Usually the kids would walk the two minutes to the bus stop but for some godawful reason unbeknownst to him, the buses weren’t running for the first week of term. Burnie had long ago decided he must be cursed.

Taking a deep breath, he bellowed out to everyone. “Right, breakfast time’s just been halved! Eat quickly because you will not be taking food in the cars! Not after what happened last time.”

––––

Gavin involuntarily shivered after Burnie’s final line. He and everyone else - well, except for maybe Elyse – knew exactly what he was referring to. To cut a long and quite frankly disgusting and traumatic story short, Jeremy plus food plus cars did not equal anything remotely close to fun.

Looking at his still mostly full plate of food, he hesitantly forked in a large mouthful, a rather stupidly large mouthful as he immediately felt nauseous. Even though he’d lived at the home for nearly a whole year, he’d never succeeded in having as big an appetite as the others. That’s why he still had to go for stupid check ups every now and then. They were dumb. The doctor gave him a checklist each time so he could tick off food that he had eaten. Gavin always felt like telling him not everybody could have appetite’s like Jeremy but his natural politeness and nervousness discouraged that.

The thought made him frown a little and suddenly there was an elbow jabbing gently into his side.

“You nervous?” the brown eyed, curly haired boy next to him asked. Aka eight year old Michael Jones. Aka his best friend.

“A little,” Gavin admitted quietly, still trying to swallow the remainder of food. Michael must have mistaken his frown for worry about their first day back at school after the summer break, which come to think of he was a little apprehensive about.

Michael gave him another shoulder nudge. “Don’t worry about it, you enjoyed last year, didn’t you?”

He nodded. “My teacher was nice.”

Michael nodded in firm agreement. “Miss Banbury’s nice too, a buddy of mine had her last year, she’s cool,” he reassured the younger boy. “You’ll be fine. Teacher’s love you, golden boy.” He gave Gavin a large smile.

Gavin couldn’t help but smile back. Michael’s never ending assurance was always a comfort to him, when still so much of life often filled him with fear and caution.

“Yeah, you’ll be fine kid,” another voice added from across the table – the one that belonged to his competition for a chair that morning. “And if anyone gives you any trouble, just give me a holler. I’ll show ‘em what’s what.”

“See Gavvy?” Michael said. “Old Kovic’s got your back.”

Gavin gave the older boy a grateful smile. Adam was going to be in sixth grade now, so he was one of the oldest in their school. Also he was tall and strong. Gavin had no doubt that he would be able to keep his word if push came to shove, quite literally.

“How about you James?” Gus asked, joining in on the overheard conversation. “First day of middle school’s exciting, right?”

“I guess,” the blue eyed boy shrugged. “It’s school. We’ll do school stuff.” He was never one to care too much about it and get all nervous over first day’s - he never took things seriously enough, that’s what Burnie always said. The best part of school for him was hanging out with his friends. And sports. Sports were pretty awesome according to him.

“You’re not worried then?” Elyse queried.

James shrugged once again at the blonde girl’s question. “Eh, it won’t be that much different to last year. Most of my buddies will be with me. Only thing is we’re now the small ones instead of the tall ones.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Jeremy groaned audibly causing everyone to laugh. The youngest might have been many things; hyper, loud, appetite to envy a lion’s, but one thing he definitely lacked was height.

Anyway, he was only in kindergarten this year. Gavin doubted that height would be a massive factor when it came to finding new friends, especially when you were as friendly as Jeremy.

More laughter and chatter rang around the breakfast table as kids and teens rushed to stuff as much food in their mouths as was humanly possible before Burnie would be giving them their marching orders.

Gavin for his part had kind of given up. His stomach ached and he still felt a bit nauseous. Him and eating food quickly never went well, especially early in the morning. Honestly, before he’d come to the home he’d never even had the option to eat that much at all. Except for that one week when… He forcefully paused the memory. It would do no good to throw up on the table now.

He was about to make his excuses to go to the bathroom to try and calm himself down when a sudden presence behind him had him stiffening. A shadow cascading in front of him as he caught the form moving in his peripheral vision.

Gavin swivelled his head to see their second newest arrival standing there in silence, looking as menacingly unfriendly as ever. Oh Gavin really hoped things weren’t going to kick off again.

With that boy though, it was always a gamble. Lawrence was only eleven, the same age as James, and yet to Gavin he seemed so much older.

He’d barely spoken to Gavin, except to push past him and call him a ‘fucking midget’. That wasn’t very nice. The older boy was only a little taller, only standing slightly higher than Michael who himself was barely taller than Gavin; if anything he was the small one. But Gavin’s downfall was he was skinny, whereas Lawrence looked like he could go through a few rounds in the ring against Geoff and come out relatively unscathed. Gavin wouldn’t be surprised if that actually happened with the amount the boy got on everyone’s nerves.

The older boy had still yet to say anything but the way he was eyeing Gavin was starting to creep him out. No one else had paid the new arrival much attention thus far, the older boy sticking close to the wall. But then suddenly he had taken a step forward and his hand was reaching out, and Gavin instinctively flinched from the fist coming towards him.

But no contact was made, the boy’s hand going straight past him to grab the remaining waffle on his plate, so quickly Gavin almost missed it, before he swiftly turned and left, roughly shoving in Gavin’s slightly stuck out chair as he went.

The young boy swallowed. Well, that could have gone a lot worse, he supposed. At least Burnie and Gus wouldn’t complain about him not eating enough or wasting food. But nevertheless, that was still rude he thought. You didn’t just snatch food off people’s plates without saying anything!

The thief had nearly made his way back out of the room but hesitated when Burnie asked: “Hey Lawrence, you gonna be joining us?”

Lawrence shook his head, keeping his eyes lowered. Gavin didn’t miss the way he’d immediately tensed up, like he was ready for a fight. He’d seen Michael act the same way when he got into a shouting match with another kid at school. Except there was no one shouting now, at least not angrily – in fact, Burnie sounded a lot gentler right then than he usually was in the morning – so he didn’t quite understand it.

“I’m good,” was the only response Lawrence offered, keeping his one hand and food – Gavin’s food – behind his back. Gavin narrowed his eyes but still didn’t say anything. He knew better than to anger people who were older and stronger than him. He’d learnt that the long, hard way.

Burnie gave a small smile and nodded. “Alright…you sorted? Everything ready?”

Sighing, the boy simply held up his school bag in the most nonchalant way ever, with an expression that read “are we done here?”.

Taking in the unspoken message, Burnie just gave him the thumbs up. “Okay, we’ll try not to be too late,” he said, even though the eleven year old had sauntered out after the first word left his mouth.

Next to him Michael was shaking his head. Gavin knew that his best friend didn’t think much of the newcomer. Michael may have been feisty at times, but rudeness and disrespect were things he simply could not stand. The older boy turned to him with a “what can you do?” expression but his frown deepened when he took in Gavin’s plate and connected the dots. “Wait, did he – motherfucker!” The eight year old cried out, slamming his fist down on the table in anger and making the nearby glasses shake precariously.

“Michael!” Burnie reprimanded instantly. The others had gone silent. They were all used to Michael cursing occasionally, and none of them had had what you would call sheltered childhoods so it was nothing new. But when Michael sounded that angry, they knew they should probably take an interest.

Michael stood up, pointing a finger at the door, looking Burnie dead in the eye. “He just took–”

“Michael,” Burnie said again, quieter this time, but he made the gesture across his throat which they all knew meant “cut it”.

“But–” Michael began again, although this time sounding more confused than mad.

Burnie walked over and clamped a hand on his shoulder. “Michael, leave it,” he said once again. “I know what he did was wrong but now’s not the time. I promise I’ll talk to him later.” He bent down so he was eye level. “I promise,” he reiterated. That was important. Michael took all promises very seriously and found it hard to trust a lot of people to keep them. Burnie was one of those few people though. As he was to all of them. They trusted him.

And so Michael let it go, despite how much Gavin knew his friend probably wanted to go after the older boy and tear into him. He was protective in that way, especially over Gavin. “He’s an asshole,” Michael whispered into his ear. “Just be grateful we’re not going to school with him.”

Gavin nodded in agreement. He understood just too well how scary it could be joining their home. He’d been terrified to speak to anyone for weeks but Michael had kind of just not let him be alone, and eventually he’d finally felt confident enough to utter those first few words. Those words being, “Don’t do that!”, when the slightly older boy decided he wanted to eat a live beetle he’d found in his room he shared with Jeremy.

“Not my fault the sucker entered my territory!” Michael had replied. But he’d laughed it off and let the beetle outside. Gavin sometimes wondered if the whole thing had been a ploy to get him to speak up, knowing his love of animals. Anyway, ever since then, they’d been thick as thieves and close as brothers.

Lawrence was different though. He didn’t seem scared. He was the scary one. Gavin had been playing on the Xbox with Michael, Bruce and James when they’d seen him arrive a month prior. Or rather heard him. Been dragged in kicking and screaming like he was being brought for slaughter. It had taken three grown adults to bring him in, and once they had he immediately broke a lamp by shoving over the desk it was sitting on. At least that act of destruction had calmed him from that particular episode but it wasn’t like he’d been any better since.

No. Gavin liked to think he could read people pretty well. There had been some days in the past when all he had done was watch people without saying a word. Sometimes even weeks. And so Gavin could tell there was something just…off about the boy. But what it was he couldn’t quite place. Or perhaps it was some sort of thing he hadn’t heard of yet. Like insomnia – he hadn’t known about that until recently. Ryan had that and it made him grumpy at times.

On the other hand, at least Elyse was nice. Like stupidly nice. Like, he didn’t know people could be that lovely until he’d met Elyse. She’d only been with them for two weeks but she already felt like one of the gang, and considering this was her first foster home and it was one full of boys, she handled it remarkably well.

He didn’t know why she was in care – he didn’t think anyone did apart from the actual carers and maybe Geoff – but there was an unspoken rule that you didn’t ask. They all knew how awkward it could be trying to explain. I mean, what did you say to that?

My parents hurt me?

My parents died?

My parents didn’t care about me?

Or simply. I don’t know.

There was no easy answer and they each respected that. Gavin himself, only knew about half of the true stories as to why the others were here. The rest were only small and brief answers, a brief slither of the horrific truth.

But no matter what they were here for, they’d made the best of it, and he knew very well that he was lucky they had such a good home with a bunch of genuinely good-hearted kids and carers.

Elyse fit right in with them. Despite whatever she had been through before, she was trying her best and in return they had welcomed her. Just like Gavin had done in the past. And Michael before him. Even Geoff at one point.

You get what you give, right? he thought. It was simple, really.

––––

Burnie ran a hand through his hair as he walked back inside. He decided that the more stressful his life got, the more frazzled his hair got and that morning was definitely on the upper end of stress. And that’s why I wear hats, he thought, as he grabbed a nearby one and placed it on his head.

He’d gone out when he’d heard the front door slam and wanted to make sure Lawrence hadn’t run off. The boy had yet to run away so far, but judging by his files that had been a regular occurrence at his previous seven or eight homes. Luckily for him– and his hair – the boy had merely been skulking in the corner of the driveway, eating the remainder of Gavin’s food. He could have possibly been smoking too – but that was another issue Burnie would have to touch upon later, less he wanted another battle with the boy.

Burnie had seen the waffle theft happen – not much got past his experienced eyes – and it was that experience that had taught him when to pick his battles. He would of course address it like he had promised Michael, but not right at that moment. At least he knew Gavin wasn’t going hungry because of it. Despite the progress that had been made, that boy still got full from a candy bar.

He groaned inwardly as he heard the clatter of plates being put into the dishwasher. He had a feeling he was going to be doing a lot of picking battles with Lawrence around, more so than usual with new kids.

The young boy wasn’t really meant to be with them. He’d been headed to another home - a youth detention center actually, or juvie as they were more commonly known. A facility with more security and strict rules and less emphasis on the caring side of things. Burnie didn’t approve of every way the centers conducted themselves, but he didn’t necessarily disapprove either. Some kids were just too much of a danger to themselves and others to be housed in a more “normal” home.

Someone had taken pity on the eleven year old however. Maybe because the place he’d been headed to had been overcrowded to the brim with boys who were generally older than him. Maybe it was because Burnie and the others had taken in so called “problem children” and special cases before. Maybe it was because they thought he deserved yet a twelfth chance.

The foster home Burnie had become the head of eight years ago was one of the top in the state. They were a private care home. Financially funded by a company set up nearly thirty years ago by a friend of Burnie’s father.

Fresh out of college and with limited knowledge on what he wanted to do, Burnie had begun working at the home during the weekends. He had quickly found the work to be challenging, exhausting and at times downright depressing, but he also found that there was something so, so rewarding about it.

Over time those weekends had turned into week days, and then seven days a week. He’d done day shifts, night shifts, he’d undertaken more training and moved into more senior positions as more staff had been hired for the enlarging building. And then one day, he’d found himself taking over from the former manager – or as the kids fondly called them – the big dog.

So now here he was. The big dog in the chaos house. The building itself was near perfect. Large and open and airy, with plenty of light and space for the kids to let off steam. There was a garden at the back large enough to hold a small concert and in a quiet and safe enough neighbourhood that they didn’t have to worry too much about the kids wandering off site.

A couple hundred years ago the area might have been completely rural. But with a busy city a twenty minute drive away, houses had popped up over the decades. You went back far enough and you could find out that the building had once been a hunting lodge, back when it was twenty times smaller.

That’s where the original and official name had come from. It had been the The Rooster Lodge Home until about eight years ago on April Fool’s Day, when one of the kids (almost certainly Geoff) had climbed up and stuck a pair of mechanical teeth on the weathervane that still perched on the roof – the only remainder of a history long since lost. And so then naturally it had been The Rooster Teeth Lodge Home. Somewhere along the line the ‘Lodge’ had been dropped – both to shorten the name and due to the fact that the building hadn’t been a lodge for a very long time and no longer resembled one. So Rooster Teeth it was. The Rooster Teeth Home.

His home.

There was more clattering and then footsteps as some of the kids emerged into the hall and dived for their bags.

Burnie allowed himself to smile. Okay then, okay, we’re finally getting somewhere.

Then there was an incredibly loud smash!

“Oh for– what was that?” he called out.

Of course the two replies he got were. “Nothing!” and “Bruce did it!”

Typical.

a/n: So there’s the first chapter. Really looking forward to writing this!

Part 2

#my fic #ah fic #funhaus fic #rt fic

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