Dice panted as he ran upstairs, above the bar area and into your shared bedroom— clutching something behind his back.

“ H..Hey! I- I got you something. “

He shuffled over to your bed, pulling a new book out from behind his back. It was a book you’d been looking forward to but didn’t have the money to buy…. How’d he get this??

“ I- saw it- and… borrowed it for ya’. “

He smirked, letting you take the book.

“ Be sure tuh’ hide it from Ma’ and Pa’… Don’t want them pawnin’ it off. It’s a first edition. “

He pat your head, sitting next to you on your bed- He had a black eye.. probably from your father, and some fresh cigarette burns on his arm from mother.