I realized this would be such an important moment in both Donovan and Link's life so I had to write it.

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Donovan felt made of stone as he watched the tv, waiting. On the couch, Monica sat with her fingers relaxed on her legs, seemingly completely untroubled. Beside her, Link couldn't stop moving. His leg bounced and he kept repeatedly curling and flexing his fingers.

Despite there being only the three of them in the apartment, Donovan felt like he could feel the whole city, the entire country waiting for the announcement.

This was it. This moment right here could be as defining to Donovan's life as the one where his father introduced him to Senator Douglas. One moment that had set his life on a new path. Now here he was again.

Monica reached for Link's hand to be a comfort to him but Link pulled away, running his hand through his unruly hair. Donovan said nothing, offered nothing. They were both in limbo but in vastly different ways.

Finally, the woman on screen finished her short break down and announcement, "William Douglas has won the Presidential election." 

Everyone on screen rose and started applauding. From beyond the apartment, Donovan could hear the cheers of other tenants. Even outside he heard the faint shouts of people excited about the announcement.

But inside the apartment was completely silent.

Four more years gone. That quickly four more years of Donovan's life were solidified. No going out to get a job. No moving on. Remaining here.

For four more years.

Link stopped moving. He sat as still as Donovan, staring at the screen. Donovan knew he should say something. Say anything to be there for Link, but right then he felt trapped in his thoughts.

The past two months he'd mistakenly hoped for an end of his job. He'd seen how close the race was and Donovan had thought that maybe...

Link rose without saying anything and walked into his room, shutting the door behind him. Monica looked after him, worried. She looked to Donovan and he broke from his stunned state. She rose, but Donovan held up a hand.

"It's okay," he said.

He knew what he needed to do. He knew what role he needed to play. Monica could give a mother's comfort. But it was Donovan's reassurance that he knew Link needed.

Shoving his emotions away, he moved to Link's door. When he knocked, Link didn't answer.

After a second, Donovan walked in and took a seat at Link's desk chair. He swiveled this way and that, portraying an easy comfortableness.

"Seems like you're stuck with me," Link said.

"Pretty sure I was supposed to say that," Donovan said.

Link looked over and Donovan gave him a half-smile. It had the desired effect, Link relaxed. Though they had become close over the years, Donovan knew Link worried Donovan wanted to leave.

Donovan would never let Link see what he wanted. His job was to protect Link, Donovan took that to mean in all forms: physical and emotional.

"You know," Link said, placing his laced fingers behind his head. "I really wanted him to lose."

Donovan continued to slowly rotate in the chair as this was just one of the many normal conversations they shared.

"I thought..." Link rubbed his eyes. "I thought if he was no longer President that it might be different...That, I don't know, I could... see him more. Possibly meet Mason..." He shook his head. "Now it all sounds stupid."

"Wanting something is not stupid," Donovan said.

Link looked at him, completely open and vulnerable. Despite how much he'd grown since they first met, he seemed so young to Donovan at that moment.

"It's only four more years," Donovan said. "You could still have that. It's merely postponed."

Link nodded, staring up at the ceiling. A stretch of silence passed between them. Donovan could see how Link settled into the old reality: rarely seeing  his father and not knowing a half-brother. He sighed deeply.

"It means four more years for you as well," Link said, coming out of his thoughts.

He could tell Link was now wondering how Donovan felt about it. For his part, Donovan showed nothing of his inner turmoil.

"Then it will be another good four years," Donovan said with a quick smile. "Do you know how easy it is to do homework when you already know the answers?"

Link laughed. "Yeah, true." He sighed again but it was filled with relief and contentment. "I'm really glad I won't have to finish high school without you."

"Only because I'm you're own personal tutor."

Link met his gaze, earnest. "No, because I'll have my best friend with me."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Donovan said back, ignoring the twisting in his gut. He stood and slapped Link's shoulder. "Go talk to your mom, she'd worried about you."

Link sat up. "Where are you going?"

"For a run and you're too slow to keep up."

"Also not insane to go out in this weather."

Donovan snorted. "Barely cold enough to call it weather. Go talk to her."

Donovan nodded to Monica as he left the Evans' apartment. She smiled gratefully at him and invited him to stay for dinner but Donovan needed fresh air.

He hurriedly changed into workout clothes and grabbed his phone before dashing down the stairwell. He hit the sidewalk and took off. His head pounded with scenes he'd had to endure over the last years. Scenes of mindless stupidity and immaturity. Endless days of mind-numbing dullness.

Four more years.

Four more years.

Donovan ran harder as if he could outpace the future. But he couldn't it. It was everywhere around him in the shouts of celebrations and loud toasts for what was to come with Douglas still as President. Some shouted with anger but their voices were drowned out.

Four more years. He couldn't do it. He couldn't face all those years of loneliness. Of boredom. He couldn't do it. He couldn't.

He made it to the Mall and reflecting pool before he exploded. He screamed, loud and long, forcing every bit of frustration, emptiness, and despair out.

He sank to the ground, draping his arms over his legs. No one came to see if he was all right. No one even cared that he'd screamed.

Donovan sat there breathing hard, hating how much he wanted to sit there and never return.

His phone buzzed and he retrieved it from his pocket. Only then did he realize how many messages and calls he'd missed. All from his brothers. Two miscalls from his parents.

James: Thought I rigged the election, seemed I didn't rig it the right way.

Clint: How are you?

Brock: I have a sniper rifle and gear, say the word.

James: are you crying out of happiness because you get to keep your cushy job?

Clint: Donovan, answer

Brock: Bad joke.... or was it?

James: Dude, answer

Clint: Donovan come on man, talk to me

Brock: Donovan, respond.

James: DONNY WONNY!

Clint: I called.

Brock: Now you're making me worry and I hate that.

As Donovan scrolled through the mess, his phone lit up with all three brothers calling. With a sigh, Donovan answered. He didn't say anything, only fell back on the cold grass.

"Donovan," Brock said, concerned.

"I'm here," Donovan said.

But he didn't want to be. He wanted to be home with his brothers. But technically they weren't even home anymore. They all had jobs and lived in other states. Even Brock who lived in DC was currently on a job in Seattle.

Donovan was alone.

"So are we," Clint said as if he read Donovan's thoughts.

"I can't do it," Donovan said. "I can't do four more years. I..."

"Then don't," James said.

Donovan let out a derisive laugh.

"I'm serious," James said. "You signed on for one term with Link. There was a possibility of a second but it was never settled on. You could give up this job. Someone else could take your place."

"He has a point," Brock said. "You were sixteen when you signed on. Asking for a full eight years wasn't in the agreement."

"We would back you up with Douglas," Clint said. "You don't have to figure this out alone. If this is what you need to do, then we support you."

Donovan couldn't say anything, overwhelmed by his brothers' support as well as the idea that maybe he didn't have to endure another four years. He thought of the freedom, the ability to choose what he wanted to do. The relief it would mean to break away from high school.

How amazing would it be to be able to connect with people his age? How wonderful would it be to have the liberty of talking to a girl? To be able to date a girl.

The hopefulness of it all wrapped around Donovan until he knew with complete certainty that this was what he would do. He'd quit and be able to live his life.

A single image stopped him in his tracks: Link looking young and vulnerable.

Link saying Donovan was his best friend.

Donovan's daydream shattered.

"I can't," Donovan said. "Link."

None of his brothers argued. None of them said anything.

They knew Donovan. And they knew Link. How much he'd grown over the years. But also how much he still relied on Donovan. How much Donovan cared for Link.

Slowly, Donovan sat up, his resolve solidifying.

"We're proud of you," Clint said.

"And we're here for you," James said.

"We got your six," Brock finished.

"Thanks," Donovan said.

With the encouragement for his brothers still with him, Donovan headed back.

Link: the one reason he was okay with giving up his freedom.

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Heyo Rhino! 🦏

(Believe me, I say that in love)

Where your pots filled with thoughts? I want those thoughts in pots or I shall have no potatoes. 💬🗯💭

(Oh hey look ☝️ once again I've made no sense)

Not going to lie, I didn't think Donovan could get any more impressive, yet here I am wrong once again.

Thinking of all he's given up for Link and how he even hides his emotions so Link won't be effected takes so much strength and courage that it's just...

WHY IS THIS MAN NOT REAL?! 😭

Whatsoever, you've all already hit this and so I guess it's nothing new. Still, Donovan managed to surprise me.

Also, love me some Keller Brother support! ❤️

Vote, comment, follow because we love Link and love Donovan most.

Did you know that baby foxes were this stinkin' cute?!