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 Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 8:20 pm
Tobias hated Hawaiian pizza. He had never really been a fan of hot pineapple to begin with…not on hams or on anything else…pineapple was supposed to be cool and refreshing…not hot and scorching.
But he ordered their old usual. A medium half Hawaiian, half extra cheese with dollops of ricotta.
For good measure he ordered some mozzarella sticks as well, and two drinks, and at ten of eight, he sat waiting, face resting in the palms of his hands.
He was an idiot for being here. An idiot for thinking this was a good idea. It was not a good idea and Zac had told him so. Had told him that he was making a mistake and all this would do would get people hurt. Get Laurence hurt…and that was the last thing that Tobias wanted to do. Enough people had been hurt…had been killed and if somehow a link was found between himself and his brother…if the Negaverse figured out that he was back in contact with Laurence…
They could find Evan…or Zac or Cambria…
The very thought made him pale and he was about to just call this whole crazy meeting quits. If Laurence showed up…well he’d get dinner at least.
…he could always just write his brother an email when he got home…apologize for everything all over again.
He lowered his hands and moved to the edge of the booth, fully intending to get up and go home before Laurence arrived.
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 6:53 am
Just as Tobias was moving to the edge of the booth, Laurence sank into the seat across from him. He had changed out of the suit and gotten a shower; his hair was still wet. Tied up in a ponytail, it was clear that he'd hurried here as fast as he could. His outfit was crisp, professional, as always, but the sweater he'd thrown over it made him look more casual than he had in a long time.
"Sorry, I know I'm a little late. Truthfully," he looked at the Hawaiian pizza and just wore a tired smile. "I wanted to make sure you ordered the right kind. I was sort of worried you'd be an imposter, but. You're the only one who knows this dirty secret of mine. How are you holding up?" he asked; he didn't have an appetite, but he reached for a slice of the pizza all the same.
His heart was pounding in his chest; he knew there was no way anyone could have followed him. He'd told Gale he needed some time alone, and Karone had left with her. He'd powered up once before he even left to make sure there were no energy signatures, but everything was clear.
If someone had followed him, they'd have had to do a damn good job. The booth was in the back of the restaurant, the nearest window was far enough away that someone couldn't just peer in and see him. He could keep an eye on the door but he wasn't terribly worried.
...Yet.
He looked at Tobias, brows knit and tired smile on his face. It was nice to be away from the funeral, from everything.
It was nice to be with his brother, no matter what face he was wearing.
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 7:21 am
Tobias froze at the voice and looked up, staring like a deer in headlights before clearing his throat and sliding back into the middle of the booth. He hadn't even realized that the food had arrived already...had he zoned out that badly? “Oh, no yeah, that’s fine.” He swallowed and reached a hand that was only shaking slightly to grab one of the mozzarella sticks that had been placed on the table.
He shoved the piping hot thing into his mouth without much thought and regretted it almost instantly.
“Ah…Bad idea. Bad idea.” Like coming here in the first place.
“…How did the reception go…?” Finally Tobias looked at Laurence, taking a large sip of his drink to cool his sudden lava mouth. When he looked at his brother, he finally felt some of his tensions easing. This wasn’t going to be a mistake. Here was Laurence eating his nasty pizza just like he used to.
“…I still don’t know why you eat that crap. I have the feeling you only started doing it to annoy me…and it still works.”
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 7:25 am
Laurence cracked a soft smile. "I don't know why you won't try it. I hate Hawaiian Pizza everywhere but here."
He took a bite just to prove it, and for the first time he tasted food. For the first time in days he remembered what it was like to feel hungry, and he was starving.
He ate nearly half of the first piece in one bite. "The reception was awful. I mean, I suppose it went the way it was supposed to, but. I didn't want to be there. All I could think about was coming here."
His eyes found his brother's and he had to force himself to swallow the food and hold off on taking another bite despite how badly his body was demanding to be fed. "I don't want to do this anymore. What's your name, now?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 7:32 am
“Yeah well. I hate Hawaiian pizza everywhere so…” Tobias shrugged and watched the male with a wrinkled nose.
“Remember that I got mom to stop serving her baked ham with the nasty pineapples on it. Pineapple was never meant to be heated. It gets so disgusting and mushy…it should be cold and blended with some coconut so I can indulge in my island side.”
He was watching his brother eat and there was a small smile on his face now. “Well…you made it…and now you are here…and um.” He reached over and took Laurence’s hand. “And so am I…also my name is still Tobias, I just threw an accent over…one of the letters, can’t really remember now…but. I like my name and I wasn’t going to go and just…change it.”
Was that too much information? It might have been but…This was his brother. Not some stranger.
“What don’t you want to do anymore? Eat that nasty pizza? Mine is full of enough cheese to cause a heart attack if you’d rather.” He swallowed hard and attempted a laugh. Perhaps joking about death wasn’t the best thing to do at this time but…
He didn’t know what else to do.
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 7:48 am
Laurence just snorted; he'd loved the baked pineapple and ham but didn't mention it. They both knew Tobias was the favorite, now wasn't the time to gripe.
There was no satisfaction that he wouldn't have to deal with his parents playing favorites again, nor any hope that he'd ever do anything enough to earn his time in the spotlight.
Even now, he didn't know where he'd gone wrong. He'd been a good kid.
Just not good enough. Never good enough.
He inhaled and leaned forward, setting his pizza on the plate so he could give his brother his full attention. "No, it's not the pizza. I want to know, though. How did you do it? Leave the Negaverse, I mean. How did you get out?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 8:13 am
The snort gave Tobias some hope and he squeezed the hand he held, pleased that he could at least make his brother laugh a little. The question made him freeze though and again the blood drained from his face. “Um…I’m…not sure what you’re talking about, Laurence…”
Obviously he had told his brother that he was disappearing…that he was leaving. They still emailed one another…but he couldn’t…remember why he had told him…but he must have mentioned the Negaverse. Must have told him the mess he got involved in…and that was why he had to disappear.
The male took another long sip of his drink and squeezed Laurence’s hand again tightly. “…Why are you…asking such a thing? I…I just…found a way out, that’s all…” Tobias gave a suddenly nervous laugh. “You…You’re not with the Negaverse, right? That’s a stupid question I know but…”
But he couldn’t be…there was no possible way. That would mean that coming here had been a trap. Thank God he hadn’t come with Evan or Zac…thank God he hadn’t done or said anything to give them away.
If he were pulled back into chaos…
…He just had to trust that they would save him once again.
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 8:42 am
"Relax," Laurence said softly, eyes still on his brother. "...But...yes. I am still with them. And I know you got out, and I said I couldn't go. We were going to go together, but I couldn't, I had too many things I had to finish. But I promised you I was going to, and...and I am. I want to, now. With mom and dad gone," he just sort of shrugged helplessly.
He wanted to keep some things to himself but he wound up blurting, "They left everything to you. The house, the money, everything. But you're 'missing', so the legalities of everything are going to be tied up for years. Or, at least, they would be. But I've got some lawyers--Negaverse lawyers--who are speeding things up. I made some calls earlier, they--they're lying, they're fabricating things. I made up a story. I said I just wanted to be done with it, that if they could help me get the inheritance, I'd give it to them. But I just--I don't care," he said, sounding almost desperate.
"I've got Gale, my girlfriend. I love her, but she's the only thing holding me back. My General--she's not going to tolerate me slacking for too long. I don't know if you saw the news, we were looking for you." He paused, air quoted, and repeated, "Looking for you."
His elbows were planted on the table and he leaned forward, "She's wanted me to pull starseeds, and I just. I don't want to. It's making me sick thinking about. I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do anymore. There are detectives snooping around. They're playing stupid, but I guess something was wrong with the car. I was told it was an accident--that it was something stupid. That it could have happened on any model, but they've been asking me a lot of questions." He looked at Tobias. "A lot of questions. And it's not exactly a secret that people are whispering I had something to do with it, and I didn't. But I've got blank spots that I can't account for."
His voice was low, and quiet. "...I was out patrolling, I don't have a solid alibi, and I'm afraid for if--when--they start asking me questions and I don't have the answers. I don't know. I'm paranoid, I'm freaking out. I want out."
He was rambling, he knew it; the words were falling from his lips.
"I'm sorry. I know this sounds stupid, but you--you promised you were going to help me, and I need help, Tobias. The lawyers are waiting on me to make a few more calls, but I can get everything in the will. Maybe by the end of the week, that's what they were saying. And, of course, I said I'd donate it to the Negaverse, most of it. They seemed pleased with it. I don't know, I wasn't thinking straight. But I just."
He reached his hands up and massaged his temples; the stress seemed to practically leak out of him. "I don't want them to have anything. I want to sell everything we can. I'd burn the house down before I gave them any money for it. I don't know. Maybe I'm just losing my mind. But I. I can't do this, Tobias. I need out. I need you."
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 10:20 am
Still with them. His brother was really with the Negaverse. For a moment Tobias couldn’t breathe, despite Laurence telling him to relax. How was he supposed to relax with this kind of news? How was he supposed to relax at all when this still might be a trap. But…he had promised before that he would leave? He really wanted out?
Finally Tobias was able to get his breath out, and pulled in another slow one to make up for his empty lungs.
“…Wait, what? Mom and dad gave it…all to me? What the hell…” It was enough to startle him out of his initial confusion, though it ignited a small spark of anger towards his parents, a spark that was swiftly followed by a rush of guilt. “I don’t know why they did it…I mocked you about them liking me more, but Laurie I never…asked for it, I swear…they had no reason to do it…You’re ten times the son I ever was…”
He shook his head suddenly, trying to keep his mind on the subject at hand. “I’ll help you. Enough. All of this. I’ll help you. We…your girlfriend? We can protect her too. Tell her what’s going on, Laurence. You have to tell her what’s going on first of all…” He reached up and took the male’s hand again, holding it tightly, fiercely. “I’m your brother. I’ll get you out. We can take the stuff…I can get…I don’t know. Storage units if you want. We can keep it and sell the crap later. But, Laurence, you need to get out of there…especially now that you’ve told me and…and now that you know where I am…I…”
Tobias swallowed hard and let out a breath. “…We’ll make a plan. Obviously the plan that I made went well…so we’ll make one for you…but first off…you need to tell your girlfriend. Gale. If she’s the only thing holding you back well. You have to tell her. If she’s part of the Negaverse…”
His voice trailed off. “Well…then you’ll just have to convince her to come with you, or don’t let her know what’s going on…you might have to leave her…it’s not ideal but…”
But he hoped it wouldn’t be the case.
He was itching to confess all of this to Zac. To Evan. To get a plan into motion.
“I won’t leave you. I’ll get you out of there…you and me…we’ll be brothers once again.”
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 12:01 pm
Laurence just shrugged when he tried to console him about being the favorite; he knew Tobias hadn't asked for it--it had just been handed to him. Like everything else.
He held Tobias' hand tightly and just nodded again, letting the words sink in. It was a vague plan, not entirely unlike the haphazard one he'd thrown together himself.
"Gale's not...I mean, not that I know of. She's a nice girl, Tobias--she can't...she wouldn't be involved in something like this. I can't imagine her in this in any capacity. But...yeah, I'll. God, I'm going to break her heart."
He buried his face in his free hand and massaged his eyes.
"But I can't stay. I really love her, but I can't. Even if I did, I don't know how long it would be before something happened to her. I'm not a good agent, I don't--I don't belong here. I just. Wanted to one-up you so badly, and now, I just..."
He exhaled and lowered his hand.
"I just want my family back. And you're all I've got, Tobias. You're the only family I've got."
The only family that mattered, at the end of the day. He could say it as many times in his head, but his heart still ached for his parents. Ached for the chance to make them proud.
They'd always told him to look out for Tobias.
He just wanted to go back to doing that again.
"I'll tell Gale. I told her I'd call her when I was done taking some time for myself. I'll tell her tonight. After dinner, can I leave you my phone number, and you give me yours, and I'll call you when I'm finished? -- Or. No, I should get a new phone." He was quiet and then nodded, like he'd made up his mind. "I'm going to get a new phone, I don't want anyone to trace anything to you. Will you leave me your phone number? ...And, you should stop emailing me. Just in case anyone is trying to keep tabs on me."
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 6:40 pm
Tobias didn’t let go of Laurence’s hand and just nodded. “Then tell her. I’m sure this will turn out okay. It did for me. And I’ll remind you of everything, if you end up forgetting…but I might lie a little. And tell you how mom and dad loved you more…” He wore a small smile now, beginning to truly relax. He had thoughts about what their future was going to be like, thoughts of them getting to be in each other’s lives in a much better way than they had before.
“…And you’ll have me forever, Laurence. I don’t ever want that to change. I love you, and I think you’re the best big brother in the world, you always have been and I can’t wait to have you back…I…you can’t imagine how lost I’ve been without you. How many times I just wanted to come over and tell you things that have been going on in my life…I…”
He swallowed hard and closed his eyes for a moment, nodding. “Get a new phone, that’s a good idea. One of the trac phones that can’t be traced. Get a card with a few hundred minutes on it and…I’ll give you my number now. We’ll work through this. I have a whole support system that will be ready and willing to draw you close…you…won’t be the first one who’s been freed from the Negaverse in the house. There’s a few of us. We’ll be able to help.”
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 7:12 pm
He smiled softly, as relieved as he was nervous. He found himself nodding along, resolving to see this through to the end. He drew out a business card--the funeral home's--and turned it over. He had a pen in his pocket and passed it to Tobias so he could write his phone number.
"All right. I trust you. But--if I forget...don't lie too much." He flashed a small smile. "You don't have to lie to me. I'm just...I'll be happy to come home. To be honest," his smile faded a little. "I guess a part of me wants to forget...me." His eyes were downcast. "...Then I couldn't be mad that I tried so hard and things still ended up like this. I wouldn't wonder why I wasted so much of my life trying to make them happy. I wouldn't have to sit here and think about how stupid I was for thinking I could have changed anything. But," he exhaled.
"I don't want to forget growing up with you. You know, before you turned into a brat. I don't want to forget Gale. I don't want to forget how hard I worked--how much I accomplished."
His lips pursed. "...I don't know, we'll see. It's in fate's hands. And whatever happens," he looked at his brother and squeezed his hand. "I'll be in good hands."
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Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 7:43 pm
Tobias nodded and scribbled his number on the back of the card before sliding it back to his brother and taking another mozzarella stick from the basket and eating it with less gusto this time. Thankfully it was no longer the temperature of the earth’s core and he was pleased about that.
“Write yourself letters. That’s what I did, I guess. I had letters to myself about everyone important. Write about me, and about Gale. About mom and dad. About whatever you think is important…that way you have something and it’s in your own hand…not that you’ll know it but…still.”
He stroked the male’s hand with his thumb and just gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “Zac told me I was foolish for going and talking to you…but I’m glad that I did it…I’m…so relieved that you’re doing this, Laurie. I’m excited to have my brother back. This is…the very best ending to one of the worst days in my life…I think…I really do think that mom and dad would be proud of you for this…you found me. And you’re coming back to me…they would want to know that we were together…and now we are.”
And lord willing, they wouldn’t ever have to separate again.
“You’ll always be in good hands. I love you.”
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