"Are you sure you're going to be ok?" asked Charlie as Hunter strapped on his duffle bag. "I can come with you if you need."

"I'll be fine," said Hunter. "I really don't know what I'll be walking into. Besides, no one should have to endure that MegaBus ride unless they have to."

"That wouldn't bother me if... "

"And my hometown isn't quite as... diverse as Chicago. You might get some shit for, you know... "

"Well I wasn't planning on binding anyone's feet or building a railroad, but... " That got Hunter to chuckle, much to Charlie's relief.

"I'll be ok. Really. But thank you."

Charlie hugged him. "Travel safe."

"Thanks, dude."

"Come back soon."

*

Hunter kept the seat next to him reserved with his duffle bag. Part of him really hoped that Daryl wouldn't show up, but he knew how selfish that was. The prospect of having to spend the next few hours on the way to bumblefuck Indiana with the estranged brother that's been trying to fuck up his life didn't have any sort of appeal to it. But still, no one should be robbed of the chance to say goodbye. Even if it was to the man who raised you in his image only to disown you when you didn't turn out the way he wanted. And just as the engine of the bus revved up to leave, a pounding on the door forced it open. On walked Daryl, his oily hair slicked back into a ponytail, looking out of his skin in jeans and an ill-fitting flannel. He walked the aisle and found Hunter.

"Hi," Hunter said somberly, moving his bag.

"Hi," said Daryl, taking the seat.

"You look... um... "

"When in Rome, right?"

Hunter knew how much it must've hurt his brother to have to dull down his flame. It was a life they'd left together long ago and as blasé as Daryl was trying to come across, Hunter knew that the impending death of their father had shaken them. Still, he wasn't quite ready to spend the next few hours trying to make polite small talk.

"I didn't get much sleep," said Hunter, reclining his seat and putting his headphones in. "Wake me up when we get there."

*

The tired public transportation system in their hometown actually made Hunter miss the CTA. Hunter stared out the window of the bus as it drove around their hometown. Everything seemed smaller, less important. He could barely believe that this was the place he'd been so afraid to come back to. Fuck this town, he thought. After a few hours on the MegaBus and another half hour on their small town's bus system, they made it to the hospital. As they approached the room their father was in, they were greeted by a haggard woman Hunter almost recognized as their mother.

"What is he doing here?" she snarled, pointing at Daryl.

"Never mind that," said Hunter. "How's Dad?"

"He's sleeping," she said, eying both of them suspiciously. "You can sit with him if you want. Just you though. I've got to get back to the house. See about the others."

"The others?"

"It is Thanksgiving, after all. The house is full of everyone. Uncle Seamus brought all of his kids and... well, there's just no room. So you won't be able to stay with us."

"I didn't think we would."

"Or eat with us."

"Right. Well, you'd better get back to them."

"Let me know if something happens." Daryl glared at her as she waddled to the elevator. Hunter shook his head and opened the door to their dad's room.

"See if you can get us a room at the motel," Hunter told Daryl. "Oh and find out how late the cafeteria is open. Looks like we'll be spending Thanksgiving here."

###

Glad to be back for Volume 4! Just joining us? Catch up now:

Volume 1 -
Week One, Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, Week Five

Volume 2 -
Week One, Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, Week Five

Volume 3 -
Week One, Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, Week Five

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