darker_london | Choices (Flynn, Pauline) (Reply)

When Flynn woke up fully for the first time in days, all he could think of was a ridiculous joke going round and round in his head. What's black and blue and aches all over? Malachy Flynn.

Stupid jokes.

It had been surprising to find that his mother had stayed by his side the entire time, at least that was what all the nurses had said. They exclaimed how he must have such a wonderful relationship with the woman. If they only knew.

It was two days before Flynn could handle standing up and moving about. He was very thankful that none of his bones had been broken. They released him from hospital then, and Flynn was glad. He just wanted to go home.

Home. It was a strange concept, but that was what his parent's house had become, or so he thought.

As Flynn gathered up his few possessions, his mother entered the room without knocking. "Hello, Malachy. Packing up?"

"Mmm. Hi." Talking hurt every muscle and bone in his face, not to mention his tongue which he had bitten while Patrick Finnegan and his thugs had taken their aggression out on him.

Pauline looked uncomfortable and Flynn stopped packing. "What is it?"

"Malachy...you let Patrick hurt you. Why?"

Unwilling to discuss the fact that he didn't want to be a violent man for Quinn's sake, he shrugged instead.

"Malachy...they're not going to stop coming for you."

"'s fine," Flynn said, and he grabbed a pair of socks his mother had brought him he hadn't even worn.

"It is not fine!" Pauline said, panicking. "Malachy, you can't stay with us if you're just going to let them hurt you! You have to fight, or-"

Flynn looked up at her, his eyes flashing. "Or what!? You'll kick me out again?!"

Pauline watched Flynn with terrified eyes and she raised her hands as if afraid he would hurt her, which immediately calmed Flynn down.

"Mam, I'm not going to hurt you. But, please, don't-"

"Malachy, I can't watch this continue! You have to fight back or go!"

He had to fight back and become the man Quinn hated, or turn back to the streets where he had suffered for six years. "Mam, why...why can't you just let me-"

"We understood when you killed Frankie, Malachy. We understood he wouldn't leave you alone. But I will not let you live in my house if you are going to come home with black eyes and broken legs anyway. I can't watch it."

Flynn watched her for another moment and then he nodded in understanding. "Then I can't live in your house."

What is black and blue and sore all over and has a breaking heart?