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Since officially becoming a part of the Constantine household Chas had been struck by uncanny moments of deja vu more than could really be called comfortable. Amon was his dads son through and through. Catching their son out of the corner of his eye; smoking while leaning against the garden wall, or draped haphazardly over the sofa with an arm thrown over his face, or even drinking milk straight from the bottle - illuminated by the fridge light in the early hours of the morning, always caused a double take. Chas was getting used to seeing the ghosts of the past in their boy to the point that he had to remind himself of the differences.
Their Amon wasn’t as rough around the edges - no matter what he wanted people to believe. He was a sweetheart. Raw trauma soothed and comforted by the loving family John and Chas could only dream of as kids. He wasn’t as much trouble as they used to be.
So opening the door to a police officer to find Amon, nose bloodied, left eye blackened and scowling something fierce was a shock to the system. At his side, Geraldine had a wide grin on her face that she only barely schooled when the policemen glanced her way. “Alright there Mr Chandler?” The officer smiled weakly and nudged both kids between the shoulderblades. Personally Chas thought that was a rather bold move, as Amon looked about ready to murder someone and Geraldines beaming smile was matched by a glimmer of violence in her eyes. “Returned safe and sound - Mr Cooks family arent pressing charges, no harm done.”
“Right… good…” Chas replied blankly. The way the officer was talking implied an earlier conversation.
“Just tell them to try and avoid fights in the future Mr Chandler-”
Amon very nearly turned and Chas hastily planted a hand firmly on his shoulder, guiding his son behind him and further into the house. Again he could have been years in the past in that moment, steering John away from a fight that he couldn’t win. “Yeah, I will do,” Chas agreed, hand like a vice on Amons shoulder. He chose to ignore the huff of annoyance. He should have been paying attention to Geraldine.
She very nearly darted past him and Chas had just enough time to spot her rising fist to grab her wrist with his other hand and pull her back. “Thanks for bringing them home,” Chas said tersely. “I’ll talk to ‘em.”
The officer glanced between the two kids, smile all but gone. “Have a good evening Mr Chandler,” he said before closing the door and heading out.
Geraldine made a rude gesture at the wood. “Geri stop it,” Chas chided. “I dont need the two of you assaulting a police officer.” So there he was stood, one of his kids in each hand. Every bit him and John at the same age. Except now he was meant to be responsible for whatever mess they’d gotten into. “What happe-”
“Noah called Geraldine a slut-” Amon’s silence had apparently barely contained his rage and now that the policemen was gone it came bursting forth. “And said he was gonna get her to blow him-”
“And I said I wouldn’t touch a creep like him in a million years, but he said that’s because I’m too used to hanging around ‘fags’-” Geraldine continued seamlessly. Chas released both of them to listen with a sinking feeling in his chest.
He sighed heavily and looked over Amons bruised face. “So you hit him?” He asked.
“Actually Geri hit him,” Amon said. “But I pulled her out of the way before he could hit her back.”
“I gave Amon the bloody nose,” Geraldine admitted, finally showing a shred of regret for her actions. “I was just so angry and I didn’t realise he’d gotten in front of me.”
“I tried to lead her away but then Noah-” Amon trailed off and looked at his sister.
“He threatened to do stuff to me if he got me alone,” Geraldine finished. Chas felt his blood run cold at the very idea. Someone threatened to touch his little girl. To hurt her.
“I broke his leg,” Amon said at last. “And I told him that if he ever lay a finger on Geri I’d kill him... “
“Actually you said you’d gut him like a squealing pig,” Geraldine corrected, grin resettling on her face. Honestly, Chas shared the sentiment.
“You shouldn’t have said that, Amon,” Chas said quietly.
“I’m not sorry, he deserved way worse than a broken leg-” Amon began to protest but Chas cut him off.
“Amon if anyone ever threatens to hurt your sister you make ‘em regret it. You break every bone in their body.”
Amon was staring at Chas, dumbfounded, mouth agape. “But-”
“Daaad-” Geraldine interrupted, arms crossed firmly across her chest. “I don’t need Amon to look after me. He needs me to look after him. He’s all soft.” How Geraldine had ended up like John, picking all the fights, and Amon like himself, Chas wasn’t sure. But it meant that he knew full well how bad Amon would be if that line was crossed.
“You said I shouldn’t-” Amon started to ask, only to be interrupted again.
“You don't admit to anything Amon,” Chas told him. “Especially not where a policeman can hear you.”
“Admit-”
“He means you need to be able to lie to the police,” Geraldine informed him proudly. “He means when you beat someone up you should lie about it after.”
“He doesn’t-”
“No, I do,” Chas said firmly. “Now both of you go get cleaned up. And not a word to John until I figure out what to tell him.”
Amon frowned at Chas, eyes narrowed and tail flicking in annoyance. Chas quietly wondered what the glamour made him look like to everyone else. “Dad won’t care. He’ll say I should’ve hexed him.”
Chas had to take a moment to close his eyes and think about how willing John would be to curse a teenager for calling his son names and threatening his adoptive daughter. Far far too willing. “Thats exactly what I'm worried about. Now go on, upstairs.”