Prompt: Brennan vs. Pete? They're both kind of prone to fighting, so maybe Pete messes with Leon during one of his moments of anger and it starts something
A.N.- I wasn't sure where to put this since it's CA and TOF. If I keep getting requests for crossover prompts, I might just start a new book specifically for those!
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We were sitting in Beckett's basement, his current crew and his old one. He'd invited everyone up for pizza and wings while his parents were out of town for a conference.
"It's freezing down here," Killian said, curling closer to Kaz for warmth. "My nipples could impale Kaz."
"Not if I strangle you to death first," Beckett said, snapping his yo-yo into his hand.
"Your basement is as cold as your heart," Killian said.
"Get a blanket and quit complaining," Beckett said.
"Maybe your parents were hoping to freeze your brother out," Tessa said.
"Well, it worked. He has an apartment now," Beckett said.
"They're going to freeze me out," Pete said in annoyance. I'd noticed his mood getting steadily worse, and figured it probably had to do with his leg. He'd been shifting it restlessly and rubbing at his knee.
"We should break into his apartment sometime just to fuck with him," Leo said.
"A blast from the past," Mikayla said.
"How come we never got to torment your brother?" Fagan asked Beckett.
"Because he was away at college," Beckett said. "Besides, if you fuck with him now, he'll just come bitching to me. I don't want to deal with it."
"Maybe someday you and your brother will fix your issues," Leon said. He was lounging on the other end of the couch we were sharing with Fagan. Fagan sat between us, feet kicked up on a coffee table.
"I lost my first baby tooth because my brother punched it out of my mouth," Beckett said flatly. "I don't see us fixing our issues anytime soon."
"I bet that's how the Constance siblings solve their problems anyways," Pete said. "Throw a few punches, mentally manipulate each other, and call it a day."
"I would never hit my siblings," Leon said, frowning. "We don't always get along, but they're still my brother and sister."
"Not everyone gets along with their families," Pete said, his irritation growing. "Beckett's folks fucked him up, mine fucked me up, I'm sure yours fucked you up."
"They didn't," Leon said, patient exasperation coloring his tone. "My parents were good to me."
Pete barked a laugh. "That shit dad of yours isn't good to anyone. He had teachers and students threatening my leg. He helped my parents keep me drugged. He always mocked me about overdosing someday."
Leon's hand had disappeared into his pocket to fidget. "I know he's done bad things. But he's my dad, and he's always been good to me."
"Well, aren't you fucking special," Pete snapped. "Why are you even here? You're a Constance."
"He's here because I'm tonguing him, and Beckett is his friend," I said.
"'Friend' isn't the right term," Beckett grumbled.
I ignored him, keeping my attention on Pete. "Leon never did anything to you. He was eleven years old when you wreaked your havoc on the Academy."
"My last name doesn't define who I am," Leon said.
Pete stood up, taking a step towards Leon. I got off the couch and stood between the two of them.
"Sit back down," I said, my voice a warning.
"I'm not afraid of some damn kid," Pete said.
I rapidly analyzed the situation. I'd want to stay between Pete and Leon. Pete's leg was clearly causing him a lot of pain, and he'd shifted his weight to his good leg. He'd be slow, and I could drop him easily if I had to. He'd hit hard, but only if he could actually land a punch.
He was bigger than me, but I had working legs. Pete took a step towards me, fist raised to hit me. I could duck under it, hit him in the stomach and knock him back onto the couch so that I didn't cause damage to his bad leg. I could restrain him before he could get back up.
But there was no need to. Before he could reach me to throw a punch, Kaz had stepped up and grabbed the back of his neck, pushing his head down a little.
"Hey, listen to me," Kaz said. He put a little more pressure on Pete's neck. "Pete, listen to me."
"I'm listening!" Pete snapped. "Let me go, Kaz!"
Kaz looked at his hand in surprise and dropped it from Pete's neck a little hastily. "Come with me. You need to take painkillers. I have the ones that don't fog you up in my car. Let's go."
Pete held an arm up and Kaz looped it around his shoulders. He helped Pete limp out of the basement and up the stairs. We heard the front door shutting a few moments later.
"He terrifies me," Killian said.
Beckett lowered his yo-yo. "He wouldn't have managed to swing a punch."
"Shame. I think a fight would've been fun," Fagan said.
"Sorry about him," Leo said to Leon. "When the pain hits him like that, his temper gets worse than ever. He'll be back to normal once he has some painkillers in him. His anger has been unchecked since he stopped taking all of his medication a few years ago."
Leon got up and put a hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"What, did you miss that massive punch he got me with? I think you need to play doctor."
Leon's face heated up and he smacked my chest. "I was being serious, you pervert."
I led him back to the couch and we sat down together, my arms around his waist. "I'm fine. Don't listen to him, alright? You're not your dad, and you're not responsible for the things your dad does. You're a good person, and you've been fighting to end the abuse at the Academy."
"Thanks for protecting me," he mumbled. "You didn't even hesitate." He looked exhausted, running a hand through his hair. "Thank you, Brennan."
"You're too cute to get punched in the face." I kissed his cheek.
"I'm going to go check on Kaz," Killian said, and he looked a little worried as he went up the stairs and out the front door.
"This is why I don't like inviting you assholes over," Beckett said.
"Aw Beck, you love us," I said, grinning.
Beckett shot me a dirty look. "Next time, I hope Pete punches you."
I leaned back on the couch, nudging Fagan out of my personal space with my foot. I pulled Leon closer to me. I could handle a guy in a bad mood. I wouldn't let anyone hurt Leon.