Content warning: suicide mentioned/ alcohol use

Rick Cain shook his head. The damn boy was gone again. Why couldn't Dagger be more like his sisters'? The girls did every thing Rick asked them to do. No complaints or back talking. So why? 

"Damn it!" Rick screamed, slamming his head on the nearest wall. The sound of the doorbell rang around the house. Sighing, Rick began to make his way to the door. He made it just in time to see Henry Coldwell and his son Zachariah walk through the door. Henry was a short man, well shortern then Rick. Any who, Henry was quite old. Age was not nice to him. Wrinkles adored the mans face and made him look at least 20 years older then he really was. His hair was a full white, the only thing young about the man was his attitude. Zachariah was a tall lad, at least two or three inches taller then Dagger. He had short black hair and stormy grey eyes. Perfectly fit and manly looking. Why couldn't Dagger look like Zachariah? Then the boy would be a perfect son.

"Rick!" Coldwell said, throwing his hands up with a big smile splayed on his lips.

"Henry," Rick said it less enthusiasm. 

"Where's that boy of yours?" Coldwell asked, "my lads hoping to meet him." Rick glanced at Zachariah. He looked extremely uncomfortable.

"Well ummm... You see I told him- well I gave him a present and.... He well.... Um..."

"Get to the point Rick."

"He kind of left," Rick squeaked. Henry looked at Rick with a dumbfound expression. Henry sighed.

"You have no idea where he is don't you?" Coldwell asked. Rick let out a shaky laugh. Zachariah was glancing between his father and Rick. Rick watched as the boy reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. A loud beep echoed from the device. Zachariah glared down at the screen.

"Your son wouldn't happen to have long-ish red hair?" The boy asked. Rick nodded. "Well he's at a bar." 

"Sounds about right," said a voice. Rick looked at his daughter. Jasmine was standing between Kelly and Amma. Her brown hair cascaded over her left shoulder. She had a plate of chocolate cake in one hand and her phone in the other.

"What do you mean sweety?" Rick asked. Jasmine rolled her eyes.

"For God sakes dad you don't even know that Dagger goes to a bar like every night?" Jasmine asked. Rick raised an eyebrow in confusion. What the hell was she talking about? Dagger didn't drink that much right? Right? Sure Dagger usually had a bottle every couple of days, but not one every day. Or at least that's what Rick thought. Jasmine put her phone in the pocket of her jeans and took a bite of her cake.

"How about him thinking about suicide?" Kelly asked. Ricks mouth fell open. Suicide? Dagger didn't hate his life that much... Right?

"How about all the bullies at school?" Amma added. Bullies? What bullies? Dagger was one of the most popular boys in school. No one would bully him... Right? Wait, now it all made sense. The incident a couple months ago, the boy hadn't been teasing Dagger. He had been making fun of Dagger. The bags under Dagger eyes, oh god how had he missed all of this. Sure Ricks job took up a lot of his time, and he spent most of his free days with the girls. But he still hung out with Dagger.... Rick thought for a second. When was the last time he had done something with the boy? Nothing came to mind. Had it really been that long? Rick glanced back at the Coldwells'. 

"Girls let's talk about this later," Rick said. 

"What ever dad," Amma replied.

"You won't listen to us later. Are you ever gonna notice Dagger and his problems?" Kelly asked. Ricks mouth fell open. What we're they talking about?

"Face it dad," Jasmine said, setting down the empty plate, "Dagger's the least important person in the family. Or at least he thinks so." Rick watched as the girls shuffled to the dining room. He knew Dagger. Dagger's favorite cake was chocolate. His favorite color was red, the same color as his hair. His favorite drink of Whiskey and his favorite parent was his mother... Or was he wrong.

"Well," Said Henry, "we'll be staying for a while so... I think you need to talk to your boy. Sounds like you two got somethin to talk about." Henry said. "We can talk business later." Henry shoved past Rick. He was followed by Zachariah, who froze next to Rick. The boy looked at his dad. Rick could see the gears turning in the lads mind. 

"Dad I'm gonna go find this Mr.Cain's kid, God knows what's he's doing," Zachariah said. Henry put his hand up to let Zachariah know he heard him. Why? Why would this boy go to help Dagger? Oh, well. That just gave Rick more time to get down to business with Henry... And more time to talk to the girls. Maybe they could help Rick understand what was going on with Dagger.

***

Zachariah walked into the bar. It was like every other bar that he had ever seen. A disgusting place crawling with unable body people, who liked to drink their problems away instead of trying to fix them. Zachariah glanced around, looking for a red head with long hair. His eyes landed on a corner booth, tucked away into a far corner of the bar. Shoving past people, who stank strongly of sweat and cheep booze, Zachariah began to make his way to the booth. He noticed that the person did indeed have red hair, he also noticed a bottle of Whiskey lying on the table. Zachariah picked up the bottle. It was empty. Had this kid drank a whole bottle? By himself, with no help? Well damn, that was some strong shit to drink. Zachariah put the bottle down.

"If your hear to ask for a blow job, I strongly suggest you leave," the boy said. The boy lifted his head. Holy mother of all beings. This kid was hot. He had a the most beautiful face that Zachariah had ever seen. The boys eyes were an emerald green, and his hair. Fuck, Zachariah thought. This kid. 

"Dagger right?" Zachariah asked, sitting across from the boy. The kid reached for the bottle and glared as he found it empty.

"Who wants to know?" He growled. Zachariah took a deep breath. He noticed little scars decorated the boys wrist. Had the kid gotten in a fight? Or had he done that to his wrist?

"Your father," Zachariah replied. Dagger grunted.

"Since when did he care if I drank my life away?" Zachariah cocked his head. Were the Cain girls right? They had told him that Rick didn't care about Dagger. But Zachariah never believed them. After all how could a father not care about his one and only son? Dagger groaned and slammed his head on the table. An unfamiliar feeling settled inside Zachariahs gut. He wanted to protect Dagger, even though this was their first time meeting. Zachariah wanted to help the little red head. Damn wolf instincts! Zachariah thought. This kid wasn't even a wolf, but the feeling. From what Zachariah's dad has told him, it happens when a wolf finds another wolf attractive. How in the living hell could that happen because of a human? Unless Dagger wasn't human... But Rick was. Who was the boys other parent? What was Rick hiding about Dagger's mother? Zachariah shook his head, clearing out the  misted thoughts.

"No," Zachariah said, "what I ment was. I'm hear to make sure you get home safely."

"Why?" Dagger asked. The boy looked up as a waiter put down another bottle of Whiskey. Dagger grabbed the bottle and winked at the waiter. The girl ran away giggling.

"Because your sisters told me you usually spend the night here," He replied. "And... Well I thought it would help if I came to make sure you get home." Dagger raised an eyebrow, when suddenly he burst out laughing. Zachariah didn't understand. Why was the boy laughing? What was so funny about wanting to help?

"I'm sorry," Dagger said, rubbing under his eye. "Its just no one's ever bothered to come and get me before." 

"Why?"

"Well I am the Cain family's biggest mistake. Nobody in that house cares about me." Zachariah raised an eyebrow. So it was true. This kid really did think that everybody hated him. That was horrible. No child should think that. Zachariah glanced at Dagger's wrist again.

"You did that to yourself?" Zachariah asked. Dagger looked at his wrist.

"Not like the old man'll care." Dagger sighed and went to take a drink out of the bottle. Zachariah reached over and took it from him, he took a sniff. Southern Style, that shit was strong. Zachariah shrugged and took a full out of the bottle. He handed the bottle back to Dagger. Dagger glared down at the bottle.

"Well happy birthday to me I guess." The boy threw his head back and chugged the rest of the contents. Wait, it was Dagger's birthday today? How interesting. Why was the boy here? Drinking? Instead of at home with his family.

"So that's why Jasmine had cake," Zachariah said. Dagger groaned again. "Why you don't like cake?"

"It was chocolate!" 

"So?"

"So... I hate chocolate!" Dagger glared at Zachariah. That explains why the boys smell had no chocolate aroma around it. 

"Why'd your dad get it then?" Dagger smiled and let out another laugh. Zachariah's heart fluttered in his chest. Dagger's laugh was kinda cute. Stop it! Zachariah told his heart.

"My dad can barely remember my name! Let along what flavor of cake I like!" Dagger laughed. What was so funny? This kid found his father not caring about him funny? What a weird person.

"So what kinda cake do you like?" Zachariah asked. Dagger froze. He looked like he wanted to answer, but thought better of it.

"Um," Dagger rubbed his kneck. Zachariah noticed the boy biting his lip. He glanced away. Fucking hell! This kid was killing him.

"Red Velvet," Dagger replied. Zachariah ears perked up. He smiled at Dagger.

"I know a great place to get Red Velvet cake," Zachariah said, grabbing the other boy hand. He glanced back to see a confused look written all over Dagger's face. Silently chuckling to himself, Zachariah began to lead the way out of the bar.