Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Derek is an alcoholic. He had nothing to turn to other than bottles of whiskey after losing his family. And losing them because of his mistakes. All he has got now is his sister Laura. Seeing his sister who lost everything because of him and still putting on a brave face, that too for his sake, was sickening . It's been 5 years since the fire and alcohol and his work helping his sister run the family business was his life. 

It was an arson done by Derek's ex-wife that had taken down Hales. His family wasn't as excited as he was about him getting married when he just turned twenty one and that too to a woman who was almost thirty at that time. After understanding her manipulative ways especially for their baby girl Derek had put a foot down and decided to end the marriage and gain custody of their one year old. He was staying with his family during this mess and they all came back home to support him. When he thought everything had settled down she hit and hit hard. She burned their house down with everyone he had ever cared about in that house. He lost his mom,dad, his older brother, younger sister and his baby girl and Laura lost her husband. The feeling that all of this was his fault was worse than death. And getting knocked out by his drinks was the easiest way.

He knows he is hurting his only living family by his actions. By the time he realized it he didn't know any other way of living anymore. Laura has tried to get him sober many times but he just couldn't. 

Now Laura is worried about his health like seriously worried. Seeing her brother puking up blood can do that to a person.

"I'm fine Laura" Derek states

" Yeah, puking blood and looking like death is the perfect evidence of a person's well-being. We are going to a doctor and yes 'we' I'm going with you" Laura seaeths

 "Laura I'm not a child I don't want you decided my fuckin life" Derek bites back with fury in his eyes

" oh yeah want to be treated like an adult, then  act like one for fuck sake. Derek the decision is made we are going to a doctor and we both know that he is going to say you fucked up your body by drowning in fucking whiskey every minute of the day. I'll be here at seven be ready I made an appointment " before Derek can object " Derek please, at least for my sake listen to me this one time , please " Laura pleads with wet eyes. Derek had immunity to her anger but not to her pain so he reluctantly agreed. 

The doctor's appointment went as expected. Lots of tests, doctor predicting it might be because of his alcoholism and this might have something to do with his liver and his sister who looked angry, terrified and in pain all at the same time. He couldn't look her in the eyes. He felt guilty for dragging her into his mess, then again she leaped into it all by herself, and what if he is sick and if it is lethal good it will put an end to his miserable life.  That would be good.

The test results will take a few days and he had the doctors warning to stay away from alcohol, some meds and some references to some rehabs ,like Laura hadn't tried that already . What did the doc and Laura know about his need? He got home and poured himself a drink. Laura walked in with a bag and went straight into his guest bedroom, they lived in the same building just a floor appart, so he took this as her encroaching his territory in an attempt to control his life but he remained silent there were previous attempt but it never worked . He was proven right when she walked to his in-house bar ( his safe heaven)  and he expected her to come and collect his bottles and throw them away and break a few in the process coz she can't hit him, like she has done before. 

But this time she came and stood in front of him with her arms crossed and face filled with determination and said " Baby brother we are leaving New York after your next appointment, to California, I'll have uncle Peter come to New York and look after this branch while we take over the Californian branch."

Derek was expecting a lot of things but this was not that. They moved to New York after the fire and here he fell into his alcoholism so for the first couple of year she let him be, understanding he was grieving. In the third year she told him his problem was getting out of hand  then she pushed him to get help. He went to a rehab for her sake. He stayed sober for two months then fell off the wagon. That's when she first suggested moving again but he resisted it. before he could recover she went on " I should have done this ages ago. I never should have listened to you - " 

Derek recovered and cut in with so much anger " I'm not going anywhere" he bellowed 

" Yes, you are brother" Laura said flatly

" Like I've said before you don't get to make my decision for me " Derek said

" like I've made it clear, you have lost the right to make major decisions in your life when you started drown your sanity in alcohol " she countered and continued before Derek could cut in " the decision is made Derek, you like it or not we are leaving and that drink you are holding, enjoy it and remember it, that's your last drink." With a finality in her voice he had never heard before." Don't take this warning lightly brother, if I see another glass of whiskey in your hand I'll burn down your whole collection" and with that she went to the room she took over without waiting for a response.

Derek sat there for a long time knowing this time he had no way around this. That didn't make him any less furious about losing control of his life. Then again he knows he doesn't have it any longer, first he gave it to Kate then to alcohol then now Laura is taking it at least she has his best interest at heart at least what she thinks is best for him.