James and Skye rushed out of the room, James stuck close to her. They had no idea where their father or eldest brother was, at least until they heard talking in the kitchen. Something about finding a drug dealer.
James was about to knock but Skye was worried about Marco so she entered. James was quick to follow grabbing her hand and pulling her back.
Fear consuming him for not knocking and barging into a private conversation.
"What is it kids" Rafael asked not even bothering with the interuprion.
"Yeah where's your guard dog" Lorenzo added earning a glare from Rafael.
"We were in the gym, Leo asked us to get one of you sir" James spoke not bringing himself to say what he had just witnessed.
"Is Alex okay? He's not hurt is he?" Lorenzo asked and it suprised the two siblings how caring he sounded.
"Marco is" Skye whispered.
It confused Rafael and Lorenzo, but then realization dawned on him. Marco probably had a moment of pure guilt letting Alex hurt him.
When the 4 entered it was worse than expected, worse than how James and Skye left things.
Marco was unconcious. Alex shouting with Leo still restraining him "let me go. Let me fucking go. I'm going to kill him"
Leo simply held Alex. He couldn't attend to his brother if Alex was beating him.
Rafael didn't know where to start, he wanted to reassure his son and make him feel safe but his other son was unconcious. Lorenzo felt similar.
"Leo take these two out, maybe find Nico and keep them occupied. Lorenzo calm Alex, I'm going to check Marco"Â Rafael finally said.
"Please don't hurt him, he didn't mean it" Skye and James said.
"We won't. He just needs to calm down before I allow you anywhere near him" Rafael said as he walked towards Marco.
Lorenzo took hold of Alex who was still fighting to get free. Instead of restraining him, Lorenzo hugged him. "You're safe" he whispered.
"Come on kids" Leo said trying to lead James and Skye out.
Skye looked at Marco. She knew why he had let Alex hit him. She also saw how careful their dad was bring but also she freaked out when she saw him calling for an ambulance.
Marco had treated her like shit. She feared him. But he had his reasons, nothing could excuse his behaviour but she understood. She felt a connection to Marco, maybe because he knew how she felt regarding certain abuse.
"No. He's not that hurt. Will he be okay" she panicked.
"He should be. Leo take them" Rafael said.
He felt guilty. He thought this would be good for Marco but it ended up like this.
He didn't know how bad Marco was but considering he was unconcious he called for an ambulance.
He looked over at his other son's. Lorenzo seemed to have calmed down Alex who looked like he had no regrets. He didn't bother saying anything, instead he carried his son upstairs and into the living room waiting for the ambulance.
He had hoped to keep his other children from seeing but they were all watching. Alex still being held by Lorenzo.
James was hugging a crying Skye.
Leo and Nico watched too.
"Lorenzo you're in charge I'm going to go with them" Rafael stated as he ran his hand through Marcos hair.
He hated seeing his son like this and it was just a reminder of last time this happened.
"We have to ask sir, how did this happen" a paramedic asked as they began putting Marco on a stretcher.
Rafael glanced at Alex and then turned back to the paramedic "I wasn't there but I know he got into a little fight on the way home from school. I'm thinking it might have suddenly happened due to that" Rafael lied.
The triplets were shocked that their father didn't immediately give Alex up.
The others weren't suprised knowing their dad would do anything to protect them.
Skye who was doing her best not to cry anymore managed to free herself from James and headed towards the paramedic, of course James followed wanting to be there to take a hit If their dad or one of the paramedics got angry.
"will he be okay" she asked.
The paramedic smiled "yeah your brother will be back to normal in no time don't worry"
She nodded and buried her head back into James chest who was quick to wrap his arms around her.
"We need to take him now" another paramedic spoke.
"Lorenzo keep them seperated for tonight, no junk food, bedtimes still apply, no parties Nico" Rafael spoke as he tried to parent his kids whilst walking out with the paramedics.
"All of you listen to Lorenzo. He's in charge"Â he continued.
"I got this dad. Let me know what happens" Lorenzo said.
Rafael nodded and with one quick goodbye he was off.
Lorenzo in charge, his brothers usually rolled their eyes with how strict he was but everyone was too worried for Marco.
"It's getting late, Skye James why don't you go hang out in one of your rooms then go to bed" Lorenzo spoke. Even though his words seemed like a suggestion, his tone told them different.
James didn't want to leave Skye. She was about to break so he worked up the courage to ask Lorenzo "can we stay together in the same room tonight please, Lorenzo sir"
Lorenzo hated how he was addressed "yes just make sure you get some sleep and drop the sir" he replied.
James carefully took Skye upstairs.
"Nico go to your room too," Lorenzo said once they had left.
Alex was still emotionless and once his younger siblings were out of the way, he led Alex to the living room. Leo followed not knowing what to do. He should have kept a better eye on them and Marco would be okay. He didn't say anything he just watched silently as Lorenzo sat Alex down and then sat down himself before pulling Alex into him hugging him.
"I can understand a few hits Alex especially after how he treated you but this? Please talk to me" Lorenzo said.
"It's my fault, I should have kept a better eye on them. Alex obviously didn't mean it" Leo said sitting across from them.
"I meant it. I hate him. I hate him so much. He's taking Skye from me. He beat me up , he beat James up and you side with him" Alex said.
"We know he beat you up that's why I can understand a few hits but not hospitalising him" Lorenzo explained gently.
"It's not my fault he didn't defend himself. He's stupid and he's weak"
Lorenzo was trying his best to be calm, to understand Alex but this was Marco. Marco, the brother who annoyed him, who had anger issues worse than him, the brother who woke up every day blaming himself for the triplets bring taken, the brother who fought hard for them
"Marco is a dick but he is not weak. He may have let his anger out on you alot but he wouldn't go this far. I'm trying to understand you Alex"
"I don't need understanding, just let me go " Alex said however he made no effort to leave Lorenzo's comforting hold.
"As you wish"Lorenzo replied letting him go.
"You are to go straight to bed and you will not disturb Skye and James tonight"
Alex wanted to argue but Lorenzo's tone was something he didn't want to defy.
So he left.
"What the hell happened " Lorenzo asked once Alex had left.
Leo explained everything he knew and Lorenzo nodded. He needs a therapist, they all do but Alex especially, he needs to know he has people to protect his siblings and that he's a kid Lorenzo thought to himself
He gathered that his brother had finally snapped.
Meanwhile upstairs, Skye clung to James, they rarely if ever had seen their brother like this. It scared them. Skye didn't dare let go of James all night.