Adult-FanFiction.org : Celebrity

Adjusting	By : Bia Category: Singers/Bands/Musicians > Eminem/Marshall Mathers Views: 7351 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I do not know Eminem (Marshall Mathers). I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 19
- 20
- 21
He didn't remember driving back. It was a miracle he hadn't wrecked the car. Pulling into the driveway, JC hit the garage door opener. He guided the sedan into the garage, turned off the engine and shuddered. It was taking all he had not to....

His head dropped onto the steering wheel, fingers biting deeply into the leather. He tried to pull himself together. Talking with the shrink was akin to picking shards of glass out of his flesh. Digging for tiny slivers, tearing up more skin. Spilling out pain until the wound ran red, before the culprit was found. She'd left him bleeding out. And a thought away from screaming.

He struggled to slow his breathing, unaware of the tiny shudders that ran through his body. I can do this, he thought wildly. Get out of the car. Into the house. Up to my room. Then safety. Thirty steps to the front door. Twenty-six to the stairs. Twenty to his room. Seventy-six steps total. Not even a hundred. Marshall really wouldn't kick the door in. At least not for a few days. Not giving himself time to think, he flung open the door, nearly falling out of the car as a wave of nausea hit him. He clung tightly to the car door for a long second, before pushing it shut.

Two weeks of avoiding thought (except the dreams). Two weeks of pretending life outside these walls didn't exist. Two weeks of peace. Blown to fucking shit. JC shoved away from the car, and staggered out of the garage. The porch light loomed like heaven out of the gathering night. He moved mechanically. One foot in front of the other. Only capable of one thought. Get inside, and upstairs. That was all he had to do. White teeth clamped down into the all ready bruised flesh. He just had to hold on. Survive.

When Marshall heard the car pull up, he stood. He'd been waiting for it. Moving to the dvd player he dropped the disk in, on his way out of the room. "We'll be right back, Hail."

Hailie nodded without looking up from her ponies. He headed straight for the stairs, settling on the third step. Josh was going to head right for his room. He didn't even have to think about it. So, he was cutting off the kid's retreat before he could even try. The door opened, and Marshall didn't quite tense. Josh was going to be upset. Convincing him that this was for the best wasn't going to be pleasant. Marshall scowled. Convince hell, he'd just tell him.

Head down, JC moved with bull dogged determination for the stairs. Every step seemed to take a year off his life. One arm wrapped around his stomach as if it could hold back the nausea. He shouldn't have let Marshall talk him into eating earlier. As if the thought had conjured him, there he was sitting on the stairs waiting for him. He didn't need this shit. Not now.

Marshall grimaced as he studied Joshua. Looks like shit, he thought dryly. Pale, and he'd gained back every shadow beneath his eyes. The slender frame trembled as if it were trying to shake itself apart. But what else did he expect? The shrink had obviously put him through the ringer. He remembered his first session with Dr. Summers. If he hadn't all ready had his shit together, she probably would have done a number on him. Two hours of psychobabble was probably enough to work anybody up. Especially if they actually had issues.

JC opened his mouth, then clamped a hand over it as the nausea finally overwhelmed him. He raced for the bathroom, sinking to his knees as every bit of food made its way back up.

Marshall winced as he heard the kid hurling. It was bad. Didn't change his mind, but it did make him decide to give the kid a little leeway.

JC sat back, lying his cheek against the cool tile of the bathroom wall. Maybe he could just stay right here. Marshall wouldn't mind. There were four other bathrooms in the house. The door cracked open, and he looked up.

Marshall stared down at the shaking man, before moving to the sink. Turning on the water he ran a guest towel beneath it. Wringing it out, he offered it to Josh. The kid took it silently. "You a'ight?"

JC didn't have the energy to glare. Wiping at his mouth as he climbed to his feet. "Fine. I just need some sleep."

"Later," said Marshall. "You don't need to be by yourself now."

JC eyed him wearily. "Not today, Marshall. I need..."

"You need to be down here with us. Brooding over that shit ain't healthy. Hiding your ass up in that room, ain't gonna happen," growled Em.

JC stiffened at the words. Marshall acted like this was so fucking easy. Like he could just shut it all off and move on. "Fucker," he muttered, nearly inaudibly. His nearly non-existent temper sparking.

Marshall lifted a brow. "What?"

"Nothing," muttered JC, shoving by. Movements tight and furious.

Even though there was no actual physical contact, Marshall would have sworn he felt the shoulder check. He hid a grin. Yeah, the kid was gonna be all right. He followed JC out into the hallway, his gaze narrowing as he saw him start up the stairs.

"Did you not understand me?"

"A shower, Marshall. Can I at least do that?" snapped JC. The 'Oh, lord and master' if not uttered, clearly heard.

"Come down after," said Marshall, willing to give in on this. Josh probably felt grungy.

JC muttered beneath his breath as he climbed the stairs. Bossy. Mother fucking hen. Didn't he know sometimes you just needed to be left the fuck alone?

Marshall grinned as he watched JC disappear up the stairs. Kid was all ready getting some of his moxy back. He dropped back to his seat to wait on him. He didn't trust JC as far as he could throw him. Even though he was sure it'd be a good distance.

Marshall waited ten minutes after the shower cut off before yelling up the stairs. "Josh, I'm starting the movie in five." The don't-make-me-come-up-there heavily implied.

A few seconds later, JC appeared at the head of the stairs. He didn't want to do this. So why was he? Logically, he knew Marshall wouldn't actually drag him kicking and screaming out of the room. He sighed. It all came down to the fact that he was right. Em was right far to often. It really ate at him.

Marshall eyed the slightly belligerent man, hiding a grin. This was the kid he'd first met. Snarky, mouthy, not that half person he'd been becoming. Without another word the pair headed toward the den.

Hailie glanced up as her daddy and Mr. Josh entered the room. She studied her new friend with serious eyes. Daddy was right. He looked so sad. When he headed for his chair, she decided he needed a hug first. "Mr. Josh," she called, scrambling to her feet.

JC paused as Hailie came toward him. The little girl peered up at him, then wrapped tiny arms around his legs. He closed his eyes against the ache in his chest, but bent over picking her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he opened his eyes to meet hers. He had to swallow several times, to squash the pain rising in his chest, before he could speak. "Hey, Hail. What are we watching?" He asked, carrying her over to the sofa. Aware of Marshall watching them as he settled in the far corner with her.

"Veggie Tales," chirped the girl.

JC looked disbelievingly at Marshall. Veggie Tales, his eyes said. Marshall shrugged, then hit play. Hailie squirmed in his arms until he put her down. She scooted off the couch moving back to her toys, eyes darting between them and the TV.

As the video played JC let his thoughts wander. He'd been staying with Marshall for two weeks now. There were times when he thought he was going crazy. It was like the world had fallen in on him. Instead of drowning, he'd found steady ground. What Marshall had given him was beyond words. He still didn’t know why. He knew what Marshall had said. But this was... If he hadn't run into Marshall that night... There'd been nothing to live for. Justin. Everything. It had felt like his world was over. He might have...

"Dr. Summers thinks I should take a break from N'sync," he said, abruptly.

Marshall didn't start, he'd been watching Josh. The video playing a white noise for them both. He'd seen the darkness shifting in the sliver-blue eyes. He wasn't surprised the Doc had suggested time off. The woman was always pushing the idea at him. Marshall thought about it. Josh hadn't spoken much the first few days. The kid had watched a lot. He was always aware of when those midnight blue eyes were locked on him. At first, he'd spent the time talking constantly just to combat the silence. Eventually, Josh had begun adding his ten-cent. He hadn't really been surprised the kid knew his shit. Knew what to do with a sound board. Josh was a bit like Deshaun in some ways. Both deep and silent. But sharp as razors when provoked. If he actually got away from that boy-band shit, he could probably make a name for himself.

"What do you think?" He asked, wanting to know what was going on in the kid's head.

"I don't know, Marshall." JC paused, eyes darting to Hailie. "I'm a breath away from screaming my brains out." JC admitted quietly, looking away from Marshall, out the sliding doors.

Marshall knew how that felt. In theory. Usually he was a thought away from homicide. Giving Josh a little time to collect himself he glanced down at Hailie. His baby. She was what kept him from losing it. His only lady. Joshua didn't even have that. The one person who was supposed to love him, fucking abused him. Kim cheating. Yeah, she'd made his life a living hell. This... He couldn't even begin to understand what the kid was going through. But he knew when someone was drowning. Proof and Dre had thrown him a life line so long ago. Now, he head the chance to do the same for someone else.

"Six years," JC said, softly. "I go back-"

Marshall understood what he wasn't saying. There were some things you needed to just get the fuck away from. Or it'd eat you alive. He stood without looking at Josh, moving to the player. "There wasn't a time limit on that offer to chill here," he said popping in the next disc. "Another week. A month. Whatever."

JC's eyes closed, head dropping back onto the sofa. A weight lifted of his chest, and the choking feeling he'd had all day faded away. "Thank you," he whispered. He could almost feel Marshall's shrug. "Why," he asked, hesitantly. Not quite sure he wanted to question his fortune. Marshall was unlike anyone he'd ever known. The man was a mass of contradictions. Full of rage, as lethal as a viper. Yet, there was something almost sweet about him. No, that wasn't right. He was abrasive, crude and damn could he be vicious. But he'd kill to protect his own. Never put an abusive hand on someone he gave a damn about. And somehow... Only God knew how, Marshall had decided to give a damn about him. He didn't like to think about what would have happened if he hadn't.

Marshall sighed at the question. He didn't know what to tell the kid. That he had no idea why he gave a fuck? That some part of him, hadn't been able to look away from his pain. That from there it had spread like a cancer until it had begun to affect his every waking thought.

"Joshua. Kid," he started, then stopped. Meeting the darkened eyes, he finally muttered, "I couldn't look away." It was all he had to offer. It was all he was going to say.

JC met his gaze. He could see the growing discomfort in the rapper's eyes. He was pretty sure he was pushing Marshall's manly boundaries. He nodded once, turning to the TV. He nearly snickered at the audible sigh of relief. "What are you doing with Veggie Tales?" He asked, moving on to a safer topic.

"Dre," answered Marshall, as if that were explanation enough. JC had learned over the intervening days, in most instances it was. Proof, Bizarre and Dre were to Marshall, what the guys were to him. So he knew that behind that one word answer was a story.

"You watching," asked Hailie, turning her head to face him.

JC glanced from her to her father. He could sense a set up. Forcing himself to pay attention, he turned back to the TV screen. He frowned as the vegetables posed on the couch, glancing over at Marshall when one of them piped up 'artistically'. Marshall looked at him innocently. Like that was gonna work. He blinked as the caption registered, Bellybutton by Boyz in The Sink. When the strains of music grew clearer, he turned a disbelieving gaze on Marshall who was now openly smirking.

Marshall shifted to watch Joshua as the younger man's gaze fixed on the screen. He could see the laughter bubbling under the surface. He knew the kid would get the humor in it. When the first giggle escaped, Marshall felt a strange burst of pride. He had no idea why. All the kid had done was laugh. It wasn't like he'd really had anything to do with it.

JC couldn't hold it in. Watching the vegetables dance across the screen, dressed like generic boy-banders, singing about bellybuttons. He'd dare anybody not to laugh. It was fucking hilarious. He didn't think he'd ever seen anything so funny. When the caterpillar started rapping, a single thought reverberated in his head, Justin. He lost it.

Marshall watched as the kid fell to the floor, howling with laughter.

"Justin," he shrieked. "That's so Justin."

As the song continued the laughter grew louder, taking on a hysterical edge. Josh curled on his side, unable to stop laughing. Inching toward hysteria. Marshall could sense the oncoming breakdown, even as the first sob escaped. He saw Hailie peering at JC her little grin fading. He scooped her up onto his lap, tucking her into his side. "It's okay, baby."

JC tried to choke the sobs down when he heard Marshall crooning to Hailie. He didn't want the girl to worry. He slid a hand over his mouth, as he struggled for calm. When he thought he'd gotten himself under control, he sat up slowly.

"You okay, Mr. Josh," asked Hailie, crawling out from under her daddies' arm. She scooted down until she was just by his shoulder, tentatively petting at the dark curls.

"Yeah, Hailie. I needed that. I don't suppose we could watch it again?"

Hailie sighed a put upon sigh. "Not you too," she said, voice highly indignant. "Daddy watches it at least three times before we can watch the rest of the movie."

JC snickered, glancing up at Marshall. Marshall met the watery gaze, grinning. "You can't blame me. It's freaking hilarious. And it wasn't even me doing the mocking."

Josh laughed, an almost breathless sound. The pain in it dug an unexpected ache in the blonde’s chest. Yeah, he'd been right to do this. The kid looked one step away from cracking. Marshall was pretty sure if he'd been alone or allowed to be alone he would have. And he wasn't going to let that happen. As JC climbed back onto the couch, he hit rewind.

Hailie tucked herself into Mr. Josh's side as soon as he'd gotten settled. He needed a Hailiebear more than daddy did right now.

JC glanced down at her. She was nearly as responsible for his continuing sanity as Marshall. "You know, kiddo, your daddy's lucky he's got you." JC said, tugging on a long blonde curl.

Marshall stilled, watching the two of them.

Hailie sat back, eyeing the watery eyes again. She knew that look. That not gonna cry look. Stiff upper lip thing. That she didn't quite get. Daddy used to have it whenever she went back to mommy. But he always said as long as he knew he had her, that she'd be back, it kept him from going crazy. That she made his world happy. That he got to have her. "You got me to Unca Josh," she said as seriously as she could. Josh made her smile. He made her daddy smile when he wasn't looking. He needed them to look out for him. Daddy always said you looked out for family. So he was family now she decided. She glanced over at her daddy, who was watching them. "Daddy too. He can kick anybody's butt."

Marshall's gaze narrowed as his daughter proclaimed Joshua family. Slim stirred in the back of his mind, at the sight of the two curled up together. 'Another one to protect', he thought.

JC stared down at her, teeth unconsciously worrying at his lower lip. He would not break down and cry. "Thank you, Hail. I don't think I've ever gotten a better gift," he murmured, pressing a kiss into the golden curls. "I guess since we're family, you get three songs before bed now." Hailie grinned. Yes! She loved to hear him singing. He sang even better than daddy.

How could someone who hadn't even known his baby a whole month, understand the gift that Hailie was and not her mother? Em pushed down the anger that briefly flared. Josh's response just increased his growing respect, and admiration.

"Cool," cried Hailie, turning back to the TV. Seeing the vegetables singing again. She sighed. "How many times we gotta watch this?"

JC turned back to the video as well. "Just twice more."

Marshall grinned settling back to revel in the mocking of boy bands. Josh's soft laughter buzzing in his ear.

~~~*~~~
~~~*~~~

The song can be found at my LJ, for inquiring minds.
- 19
- 20
- 21
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Adjusting