apimak - Tumblr blog

apimak · 1 year ago

Text

NEVER GROW UP

summary: reader watched all of her younger brothers grow up and can’t help but remember

pairings: hughes brothers x older sister!reader

warnings: none

extra: readers birthday is in february! and also idk if all three brothers were in hs at the same time, because of where their birthdays fall, but lets just say if quinn was a senior, jack would be a junior and luke would be a freshie!! its all because of where quinns birthday falls, if his birthday was in like sept, i think he wouldve been out of hs by the time lukes a freshie but wtvr.

three year old you sat in the waiting room, in your grandfathers lap, as you waited for your dad to come out of the hospital room and take you in. it wasn’t a long wait, maybe because you were drowning out the sound of the wailing cries of a baby, focusing on your grandfathers book. not like you could read it anyways.

“honey, come here” you heard, your head snapping in the direction the voice came from. it was your father, waving you in.

a big smile lit on your face as you hopped off of your grandfathers lap and ran towards your dad. he grabbed your hand and quietly brought you in the room. your mom laid on the hospital bed, a bundle in her arms. your dad lifted you up and brought you to her.

“hi baby” ellen said. “this is your brother, this is quinn” she spoke.

your smile stayed on your face as your dad leaned you towards the baby. “gentle, okay?” you nodded.

your fingers grazed your newborn brother’s face, then his hand. his little fingers clutched yours. “hi baby” you whispered to him.

your mom chuckled. “baby, his name is quinn. can you said quinn?” she asked.

“ki—kinn” you smiled.

your mom ran a hand through your hair. “good job baby”

two days later, quinn was brought home. you were quiet when he was asleep, quiet because you were in his room watching him, making sure he was okay. you watched him breathe, making sure it looked normal, or at least— what you thought was normal.

you were there to protect him, even if you were only three. “honey..” you turned to the doorway. your father and mother stood there.

“its time to go to bed, lovie” your father said.

you frowned and looked back at your brother. his eyelids fluttered as he dreamed. you let out a sigh. you reach your hand through the bars and tuck his bundle just a little more under him.

you got up and ran to your room before running back in, holding some object up to your parents.

“do this please?” you spoke as best as you could.

jim smiled softly and took it from you. he brought it over to the outlet near quinn’s crib and plugged the nightlight in. you smiled and pressed a button, turning it on.

in their eyes, they knew you would be an amazing sister.

five year old you sat in the waiting room, next to your grandfather who held one year old (almost two) quinn on his lap. quinn giggled at whatever funny thing your grandfather did.

your father walked out of the room, walking to you guys. “you two ready to meet your new brother?” he asked.

you nodded with a smile, hopping out of your seat. quinn didn’t understand much, but he had a happy face nonetheless.

your dad picked up quinn and held your hand, bringing you to the room. your mom held a bundle, again. your dad picked you up with his free arm, and set you next to your mom. he held onto quinn, allowing the boy to look at his younger brother.

“hi loves, meet jack” ellen smiled.

you smile and carefully caress one of his cheeks, before going to his hand. just like quinn, his fingers clasped around yours.

“hi jacky” you whispered.

as soon as he was brought home, you went to his and quinns (now) shared room and made sure the nightlight was in there, along with your pillow and blanket that lied next to the crib and on the floor.

much like you did with quinn, when jack slept, you watched. watched to make sure he was gonna be okay. to protect him. but he wasn’t the only one you watched.

you now watched both of your little brothers. you made sure they were tucked in at night, made sure they had their pacifiers and made sure the night light was always on.

you would be asleep on the floor next to jack’s crib by the time your parents came to get you. they never moved you though, they new being in there brought you a sense of peace. their only concern was how you were able to sleep on the floor so peacefully.

as time went on, jack and quinn were already so different. jack was more vocal, more loud, a little more annoying, but you still adored him.

as he grew slightly more, he seemed to find everything funny. literally, everything. from you snapping your fingers in his or quinns face, to you even just holding him, he’d burst into giggles.

quinn on the other hand, he was quiet, calm, he liked to sleep when next to you. he was always at peace.

even though you were five, you’d make sure they would stay like that. happy, and never have regrets.

seven year old you sat in the waiting room. three (almost four!) year old quinn sat squished in your seat with you, and two year old jack sat on your lap. your grandfather sat next to you guys, waiting for your dad to get you all.

when he did, jack jumped out of his seat and bolted it for the room. you got out of your seat and helped quinn too before following your father.

jack was already on the bed by the time you got in, sitting on your moms legs as he looked at the baby in wonder. your father picked you up, setting you next to your mom, before picking quinn up. the family looked at the newest hughes.

“this is luke.” your mom smiled.

“loo—luuke” quinn spoke, slightly struggling, but getting it. you looked at your brother, caressing his face just like you did to both quinn and jack. then you grabbed his hand. he also grabbed yours.

“mama?” jacks voice rang out.

ellen looked at him. “is that?” jack pointed at the wrist band. he clearly wanted to know what it was.

“it means im a patient here baby, soon it will be off and we can go home” jack smiled at “go home” and clapped.

once luke was home, it was a cycle repeat. this time though, quinn was no longer in the room. he had his own room, right next to yours. before you’d go to bed, you would go to his room and make sure he was asleep.

you were able to get your mom to buy a nightlight that was the exact same as the one you had originally. you put the replica in jack and lukes room, giving quinn the original.

it was next to his bed, illuminating his face.

as soon as you new he was all set, you tucked him in slightly more, and placed a small kiss on his forehead. then, you left to jack and lukes room.

jack was sound asleep, snoring quietly. you tucked him in too, placing a small kiss on his cheek.

you then went over to luke, who peacefully slept in his bundle. you sat down next to his crib and watched him, making sure he was okay. when you deemed it long enough, you lied down, on the floor, and fell asleep.

seventeen year old you sat on your bed, listening to thirteen year old (almost fourteen) quinn rant about how he was scared for his first day of freshman year. you pushed your book to the side and grabbed his shoulders.

“look at me, if any kid tries to mess with you, you tell me, alright? im not gonna let some weirdo mess with my little brother.” you told.

quinn nodded. you removed your hands from his shoulders, looking him in the eyes. “quinny, can you do me a favor?” you asked.

“whats up?”

you sighed, “when jack gets into highschool next year, watch out for him, okay? and then when lukes in highschool, watch for him too. you hear me? or make jack do it, but i want you to look out for them because i wont be able to, okay? im gonna do my best to help you this year too.” you told.

quinn nodded. “okay y/n/n” you smiled and brought your brother into a hug. “love you quinny”

“love you too sissy”

you’re now nineteen, quinns suddenly sixteen, jacks fourteen, and lukes twelve. you’re home for a week before you have to go all the way back to new jersey so you can go straight back to princeton.

jack groaned as ellen went to start the car. “why cant i walk there?” he whined.

you rolled your eyes. “shut up jack, if you walk there, you wont make it in time.”

“but all my friends are walking!” he complained.

“jack shut up, you can’t do anything about it so stop complaining. you’re gonna get there on time, and be warm while doing so. its cold here, you will be fine! plus, do you really want to carry your large bag full of hockey gear in the blistering cold? probably not!” you explained.

he crossed his arms and stomped towards the front door. “god i cannot wait to move out on my own.”

you sighed and grabbed his arm before he could leave. “look jack, listen to me. mom doesnt have to do this for you, you know that right? but shes not gonna make her son walk in the damn cold. and jack don’t make her drop you off around the block either. you need to understand that shes your mom, she’s getting older, she just wants to spend time with you.” you told him.

you could hear him sigh under his breath. “im sorry” he spoke. you ruffled his hair. “dont apologize, bub, just go out to the car, hang out with her until she gets you to the rink, and then have fun at practice. ill be picking you up.”

jack grinned before running out to the car.

“hes so annoying” quinn groaned. “tell me about it” luke retorted. “i had to room with him my entire life and i still do!”

“oh boohoo” quinn replied.

“luke, jack tells me all the time that you’re the annoying one! dancing around in pjs before school starts.” you laugh, walking over to your brothers.

“whatever” he grumbled.

you chuckled and ruffled his hair. “dont ever change, bud.”

luke sat on your bed, head on your chest as he cries. fourteen year old luke was crying over hockey and his coach. twenty-one year old you was holding him close. “let it out, lukey.”

he sniffled and cried, tears staining your shirt. “am i really that bad at hockey?” he asked.

you pulled him away from you and held him by his shoulders. “god no, lukey. you’re fucking incredible at hockey! you’re gonna go somewhere with your talent!”

“but coach rhines said im useless.” he spoke.

your brows furrowed. luke wasn’t a crier, so this was hard on not just him, but you as well. “you aren’t useless, luke. coach rhines is useless because what the fuck does he do besides sit on his ass and yell at you and your team? nothing! remember that, lukey. jesus, is this your school coach?” you asked.

“no— hes the rec coach” luke wiped his eyes.

“well, throw that jersey away because after i have a talk with him, you’re switching teams.” you spoke. “i dont care if i have to pay for it or whatever, you aren’t staying with him.”

“okay” luke whispered.

you frowned and grabbed the boy, tackling him into a hug. his laughs erupted throughout the room as your legs wrapped around his, keeping him in your hold.

your fingers tickled his sides. he laughed and tried to move away. “ill stop once you say you’re one of the best hockey players ever!” you laughed.

“b—but sidney crosby!” he laughed harder as you tickled him more.

“okay okay! im one of the best hockey players ever!” he spoke, expecting you to stop. you didn’t.

“gotta say it like you mean it kid!” you laughed.

after yelling it a few times and laughter cutting him off each time, you stopped. you both lied on your bed, your legs draped over his. “movie night?”

“yes please!”

summer vacation. all three brothers, and then your parents, would be here soon. five minutes. you walked into your childhood room. the walls still had your pages clipped to them.

your guitar lied in the corner of your room.

you took mental pictures, knowing most of this stuff would be leaving with you for when you moved into your apartment. you took mental pictures of it all.

you sat down on your bed. the only sound in the entire house was the creak of the bed frame. you remember sitting here and being able to hear when your father walked up the front porch steps, signaling he was home. he was the only one who used the front door, along with jack.

you remember this room almost being the meeting room with your brothers when you were here. quinn coming in for advice. jack coming in because he liked a girl. luke coming in because he felt like he was bad at hockey.

you also remember being able to hear either of your brothers blasting their favorite songs because the walls are that thin.

but now, you sat here realizing that at some point, all of this would be gone. no more house, no more memories, no more family.

you sat on your bed, crying. crying until you heard footsteps on the front porch and jack laugh at something he said.

you wiped your tears and walked down stairs. you walked to the front door and opened it as your dad was about to unlock it.

“in case you forgot, dad, no one used the front door” you smiled.

jim grinned and pulled you into a hug. “theres my favorite daughter”

“im your only daughter”

“so it works!”

vancouver, canada. a place home to the canucks, the team quinn played for. he stood next to you in the empty apartment that was a few doors down from his. jack and luke went back outside, going to grab a few more boxes of yours.

your parents would be flying in tomorrow to see you.

“vancouvers colder than i thought.” you told, voice in the middle of cracking.

quinn looked at you. “whats wrong?”

you shrugged him off. “its nothing, quinny. im okay, really.”

quinn scoffed. “tell me whats wrong, sissy. let me be here for you this time. you were always there for me, so its my turn. what is wrong?”

you sniffle before starting to cry. “i wish i never grew up quinny. god i miss when you, jack and luke were little. i miss being little. having no responsibilities, no regrets, being happy all the time. and i dont want to grow up anymore. i want to stop and stay young forever because the cost of growing up is losing you guys.”

quinn grabbed you and hugged you tight. he let you cry into his shoulder, and soon enough, jack and luke joined the hug too. you didn’t want to grow up. not anymore.

ynhughes