Never Walk Away

[McFly 0]

Matt McFly stood outside the childhood home of Kansas Kenickie. She had left with her father and brothers. Matt stayed behind, a little quiet time away from the rambunctious family. He was surprised with how well things were going. More specifically, he was surprised he was still alive. The idea of coming to see her family hadn’t been very appealing to him but it seemed important to her. After spending a couple of days there he could see why.

 

Standing outside in the open air was peaceful. The flaky snow crunched beneath his feet. A soft wind blew across the field. His warm breath fogged in the cold winter air. He gazed out at the forest in the distance. He could see the sharp mountains shoot up from behind the trees blanketed in snow. All of it was a radical yet pleasing change from what he was used to. He was amazed how much he enjoyed it there, even the mucked up horse stables. If this was the place Kansas wanted to make a home he didn’t mind at all. He also got a cheap thrill out of being the one she wanted to make a home with. He remembered the hysterics she went into every time the subject of a life long commitment came up. He wasn’t sure what happened that made her change her mind like that but he was damn sure he wasn’t going to screw it up.

 

From behind Matt heard steps echoing off the wooden planks of the porch. Thinking it was the old man he turned around. His stomach dropped when he saw Ian’s face. Oh crap. He looked cocky and smug like a bully meeting in the playground after school. Matt stood a tall six-two but Ian seemed to tower over him. It was the porch Ian was standing on that accentuated his height but Matt still felt a lump in his throat and reminded himself of the large open field behind him. “I thought everyone had left.”

 

“I came back a little early, just wanted to have a heart to heart with the guy that’s screwing my baby sister.”

 

Matt raised an eyebrow looking him back. “Excuse me?”

 

“I already told you once to keep your hands off her and you didn’t listen. What you think I can’t touch you because you’re higher in rank? Or maybe you think you can hide behind Kansas and be immune from the rest of us.”

 

Matt steps closer to Ian. No intimidation just rage. “Where do you get off--”

 

Ian cuts him off. “Obviously my three other brothers already know. With one snap of my fingers the only thing they’ll find of you is a skeleton. If you break her heart we’ll break yours, the hard way.”

 

“You know what forget you, I don’t need this.” Matt says trying to walk away.

 

“Why don’t you just leave?”

 

Matt stops in the snow feeling himself being coaxed on.

 

“She’s already been hurt enough.. Just cut it now before it becomes unbearable when you actually do leave.” Ian walks closer to where Matt is standing, the soles of his shoes pounding on the wood. “I could see it in your eyes. You’re just going to take what you want and then leave when you’ve had enough.” Ian steps off the porch looking Matt in the eye. Even without the planks suspended three feet off the ground he still stands above Matt. “You need to do yourself and her a favor and just leave now before you cause her some real pain. Don’t you dare let her get too attached to you.”

 

They stand in silence. The cold winter air biting the tension. Matt looks up at Ian, bewildered at his actions. He thought this was over after not hearing from him since that one transmission.

 

Ian stares down Matt long enough to make sure the point sinks in then turns to leave. As he does Matt reaches out grabbing firmly on his arm. “You know I’ve been getting a lot of weird stares since I got here but none more so than from you. I’ve had to do everything I can to earn her trust, I’m not going to waste my time trying to earn yours.” Ian starts to speak but Matt quickly catches him. “No no no, you don’t speak now, it’s my turn! On our last mission I nearly destroyed my career for her. I put everyone on the ship at risk for her. I would give my life if all she did were wish it. Do not threaten me with your overprotective machismo.”

 

“She’s too good for you.”

 

“Don’t you think I know that? But why don’t you let her make her own decisions instead of driving people away. You are the one that’s going to hurt her if you keep doing that. You can’t scare me into leaving, I’m not going anywhere until she tells me to, and even then I will fight tooth and nail to change her mind. ”

 

Matt’s adrenaline level slowly declines. He feels good hopefully having proved he’s willing to fight for Kansas.

 

Matt turns to walk away but as he does he catches a glance in the window leading into the kitchen. Inside the old man stares out having watched the entire episode. The sides of his lips are curled into a smile and he nods to Matt granting his approval.