Undorn: The Beginning

Part Twenty-Nine

Bones, Region of Orrosta

Location: The Hospital

Beo popped his head through the bunk room door about a half hour later. Once he saw Bones stretched out on his bunk hands tucked under his head, Beo smiled slightly and walked in, closing the door.

"Hey," he made his way towards the bunk. His lips were turned upwards like he couldn't keep himself from smiling, but he didn't want to make it obvious. The olive skin of his cheeks seemed to be positively glowing. The sight of him, so happy, made a strange, prickling warmth occur in Bones' chest. Of course, he was thrilled for Beo and for the safety of his family. But for some reason, it stung worse than Bones thought it would. He would never get anything even close to what Beo had with his family. Bones hated himself for making it about him when it was anything but.

"Hey," Bones pulled his knees closer to his chest, letting Beo sit down on the end of the bed. Beo sat down, finally giving Bones the smile he had been holding onto. 

Bones prided himself on his ability to keep every single one of his emotions where they belonged: inside himself. He was always stoic, strong, unwavering. Or, he was sarcastic and obnoxious to keep himself from showing any weakness. So, he was completely and utterly shocked when Beo asked, "Are you okay?"

Okay sure, he may have let a minor tear slip in front of Beo's mother and sister, but that was barely even noticeable. He had covered his ass quickly and left. No one could tell.

"I'm fine," was Bones' robotic response. Beo cocked his head slightly, eyes narrowed. Bones knew what that meant. 

"Don't lie to me."

An obtuse, sarcastic comment was on the tip of Bones' tongue practically as soon as the last syllable left Beo's mouth. His lips parted to deliver it, but then, they closed.

Bones couldn't even remember the last time he told Beo something genuine about himself or his past. And Beo deserved that. He was the only one who deserved anything. He was the only one Bones wanted to give anything to.

"I..." He paused to clear his throat. He sat up straighter in the bed. "I just don't have the family you do. It, uh, it doesn't usually bother me, the being alone thing. But for some reason..." He paused, shaking his head. "For some reason, you and your family... I want what you have with them. I want to not be alone for once. I want someone screaming my name bloody murder like your mom and sister just were. I've never seen so much love."

Beo's features had softened. The smile that seemed permanent a few moments ago was gone. "Bones..." But he couldn't finish the thought, because his mom and sister were suddenly pushing the door to their bunk room open with a gentle knock.

"Boys?" Delarose smiled when she saw the two of them sitting cross-legged on the bottom bunk. Beo pushed himself off the bed to greet his mother and sister. "Catherine is setting up a room for us down the hall. We thought we'd check out your bunk in the meantime."

Beo chucked. "Well as you can see, it's nothing glamorous, but it does the job. This is Bones and me here," he paused, motioning to their bunk. "And Taide and Orwell, our other two Camp Monmouth escapees, over there."

"Knock, knock." The three of them turned away from the beds and Beo's very informative tour towards the voice. Catherine was standing in the open doorway. She beckoned to Delarose.

"Rose, Scarlett, come, everything is ready. Boys, help with the duffels, please. They're right outside the door. Come on, now."

Bones pushed himself off the bed, following Beo and his family outside. The two boys grabbed the duffels that waited for them in the hallway, then followed Catherine as she led the group to the women's room. It was a few doors down from their bunk, and definitely a bit more comfortable as well. Instead of bunk beds, three single beds took up the expanse of the room. Beo and Bones placed the duffels on the two far left beds.