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 Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 6:12 pm
Xander parked in the familiar driveway of the house his sister had shared with Alex before the trip to England. It was probably the fourth time he had been there in two weeks, but he had his suspicion's. He was far from stupid. Alex said he didn't know was Lily was and that might be at the moment, but Alex had to know something. Before Lily disappeared, she and Alex had been talking a lot.
Sure Xander trusted Alex, he had watched the boy grow up and he was somewhat like the little brother he never had, but he wasn't Xander's brother or Lily's brother even if the girl called him that. Xander was Lily's brother and he would do anything to find his sister, including searching day and night for signs of the red head.
Strolling up to the front door he knocked, hoping Alex was home. It was just around dinner time today when he was dropping by. He wasn't about to inform Alex of the time's he planned to visit in case Lily decided to come see her friend. He sighed, knocking again, and waited hoping it wouldn't be the same thing.
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Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 7:47 pm
Two weeks of Xander showing up, he'd invite him in each time and offer tea and food, but Xander wanted an answer he couldn't give. It wasn't because he didn't want to, not that he did, but he also didn't know. Lily hadn't told him where she was going, knowing how terribly Alexandre was at lying, he had little experience in lying over the years. He was expecting Xander to continue to show up till his sister was found, and he would know if she had been - and she hadn't. He was home from both school and work and was attempting to finish some homework, and relax, when he heard the knocking.
Lily had a key and Michael wouldn't be at the door, not any more, and unable to really think of anyone else he figured it was Xander. Looking down to Cadha, who was curled up in his pillow bed on the kitchen floor, he called for the terrier to follow him as he stood. Dinner was for tonight in the form of take out, good quality from a top notch restaurant, he didn't have the time to cook tonight.
"Looks like Xander's back, Cadha." Smiling to the little dog, who's little black tail was wagging madly, he lead the way to the front door. "Give me a moment Xander." And unlocking the door he did open it. As his side, peeking out the door, was a yapping little black dog dressed in blackwatch plaid, little black eyes peering up at their red headed visitor. "Your here to question me again?" It might sound like a question but he certainly knew the answer so wasn't expecting one really. "Come in, tea?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 2:56 pm
Xander frowned at Alex and shook his head, "don't say it like that Alex, you make me sound like a terrible person. I can't help that I am worried for my sister and if she were to contact anyone, you are the most likely person."
He moved into the house, giving the little black dog a smile and moving toward the kitchen where he was sure Alex would start making tea in a moment or two despite his lack of an answer. His moving toward the kitchen he reasoned was probably enough and he liked Alex's teas as much as the rest of the family which was to say a lot.
Xander moved over the counter and leaned against it still frowning. He looked tired. It was obvious he was not getting much sleep, despite the fact that he would not be attempt to get back to finishing his residency until the winter or even spring semester. "Have you heard from or seen Lily since the last time I was here?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 5:21 pm
"You know I don't mean it like that. Its just the constant visits and knowing it's not really to see me." He spoke giving the other a bright smile. "And your hardly terrible, your a good person, something of a brother." Though Lily was more of a sister than Xander was a brother. But he supposed that was due to the age difference, and they hadn't been raised together like Lily and himself had been. "And you are here to question me again, so it's a matter of stating facts. But no, I know it's an older brother being worried for his sister. But my answer still won't change." Saying this as he turned and leaving the door open, a clear invitation for the other to come in, as he headed for the kitchen.
"The only contact me and your sister had was her telling me she was coming. Really she wasn't all that keen on staying in England and who was I to deny her? You know how close we are. I'd never deny her something or shoot down her ideas. If anything I do admit to helping with forming an idea." Reaching into one of the cabinets for the tea tins he finally settled on huffing once and turning to the other. "Which one would you care for? I have too many and don't want to figure one out for you." And since he didn't drink tea himself.
"No, I haven't. She knew you or Rose, or even your parents, would come looking for her and looking here. So no, she hasn't put herself at risk of being caught or myself at risk since we all I'm horrid at lying. The last I saw her was the evening she arrived." More than he'd said till now. He hadn't even mentioned that before but would now. He felt for Xander, even if they two hadn't grown up together Xander was still like a sibling. The whole family was as good as his own family really. "I picked her up at the airport, she came here to get some things and left. To where I don't know and haven't seen nor spoken to her since. I just know she has no wish to go back to England. So she'll likely hide till she knows its safe and she won't be sent back. And you...you should get some rest and relax, she can handle herself." Tilting his head down, almost thoughtfully, as he faced the other fully. His lower back resting against the countertop. His arms crossed loosely about his mid section.
"Lily and I still could never figure out the reason behind the move, it was rather sudden and such. My mother never even found out why, and I did ask." Crossing one leg over the other at the ankles. "Looking up then he smiled lightly. "She's back now, even if she isn't living here though...and your back, and you really need to take care of yourself. Lily wouldn't like seeing you looking run down. Not to mention I don't like it. You should stay, spend the evening, rest. We have an unoccupied room - your sisters former room. I do have a bed and mattress in there." Nothing else but there was still a bed and mattress.
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 6:14 pm
Okay, so Xander felt a bit bad at the fact that is visits were always about Lily and himself and he hadn't really been thinking about how all this would effect Alex. Still the boy seemed able to placate him and make him better about his rudeness. "Sorry Alex, you know I wouldn't normally be like this. You have said as much, but I can't help but to worry. Lily's my little sister and I've been protecting her for a long as I can remember."
He moved away from the counter and looked into the tea tin. He really like the one that was more of a red color, but be currently couldn't recall the name. "I'm not sure which it is, but its usually a red color in the cup."
He sighed lightly leaning forward onto the counter and nodding, "yes I know she didn't want to stay in England, but I didn't push the issue and I had my reasons. I never thought she would be so desperate to come back here, so I guess it is partially my fault."
Xander raised an eyebrow as Alex continued and the story finally came out. He had his suspisions for a while now and he knew Alex would tell him something eventually, but know he was also certain they Alex did not know where his sister was. He didn't think Alex could safely tell all he did without giving away his sister.
"Yeah, they told us it was about our father's promotion and supporting him and the new chapter in his life, but I don't know, I think it was more than that. Even I have to admit they were acting rather strange and they still are."
Xander started to chuckle at Alex's concern for him and how Lily would react to it. Alex was 100 percent correct and it was true that he needed to rest. Hearing Alex helped Lily eased his mind a little, even if Alex did not know where she was. Wrapping one arm around Alex and giving him a squeeze he shook his head down at the boy, "alright, no harping, you sound like my mom and Lily. I'll stay, but on the couch, okay Alex. I don't think I really want to sleep in my sister's room." He would try to get more rest just for one night and tomorrow it was back to searching for Lily and hoping she would show up.
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 7:25 pm
A red color...thinking over the various teas he had, and trying to remember each color, he turned to look over each labeled tin and taking each one down to inspect the contents. Some were dark but still produced a light color. Finding one he offered it to the other. "Perhaps the smell would help figure it out. This one is a red color when made." He knew Xander wasn't trying to be rude but he'd been under stress lately, more than most seventeen year olds really. It was why he was planning on leaving the country this winter vacation, he hadn't told anyone yet but he'd have to soon. He still had a plane and hotel to book, he needed one which permitted pets as he wasn't leaving Cadha behind.
"It's alright Xander, I quite understand. I've simply been under a lot of stress recently. So I'm a bit more snappish with family." That and he did dislike that Xander only came and questioned him, even though he did understand his worry, it didn't mean the other couldn't sit and talk to him and not question him once in awhile.
"It's not your fault. I don't think she wanted anyone to know, myself aside obviously." He said waving one hand gently in the air. "And you can't hold yourself accountable for what she didn't want to tell you, even if you had questioned or spoken to her." He finished as he left Xander to sniff the tea tin while he went to get the tea pot and fill it with water.
Taken by surprise by the affection from the other he found himself leaning into the others side and returning the gesture. "She'll be fine, Lily will come out of hiding when she's ready to and not a moment sooner. Wherever she's hiding is not likely a place either of us would guess. You won't find her unless she wants you to. You should just take to the couch till you find her, and I mean it." It wasn't an offer he was ordering the older Jacob's to sleep on the couch and stay for as long as it took. he knew the other had the family home he could return to, and had been returning to, but obviously Xander wasn't sleeping and Alexandre would make sure he did. Even with all his stresses he managed to sleep. "Consider it family taking care of family. And I'd offer my bed, or to share, if I knew you'd accept either offer. But I know you won't." Even if it might be odd, since he was gay. Though Xander still didn't know that fact, in fact no one in Lily's family aside from Lily and Rose he had a feeling knew, he didn't know how though, he didn't advertise.
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 10:11 pm
Xander took the teas from Alex and gave the a whiff before nodding at the last, that was the one. He really like the way it tasted, it was smooth going down and just had a wonderful flavor. He didn't really get how Alex made such great tea's without actually drinking tea.
"Even if I didn't hold myself accountable I wouldn't feel any less guilty about what has happened. I also try my best to be there for both my sister's. You know family means the world to me Alex. You included, even if I havent been the best about it lately."
He moved to hand the tea Alex and sighed laughing slightly which was a funny little noise. Here was Alex looking out for Xander when it really should have been the other way over. He was practically ordering Xander to stay and letting him know that everything would turn out fine and to just wait it out. "I'll stay, but your right I won't except your offer to share your bed. Are the two of you still doing that. I thought you would out grow that years ago." There was a slight disapproval in his voice, but not enough where it felt like he was irritated.
"Now, you said you've been under stress lately. Care to tell me what's bothering you, little bro," Xander said giving Alex a concerned look.
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 10:29 pm
He went by the smell, and let Lily taste each one. He just didn't like the stuff, at least what he'd tried of it anyway. Taking the tin from Xander he set it by the stove top, and put the other tins away, as he moved about the kitchen. "I know but I also know you can't appease everyone, even if I know you'd like to try." Shaking his head with a teasing smile in place. Xander was a caring older brother, though Alexandre thought he needed to get out there and get more of a life for himself.
"Yes, it's a habit that I'm afarid won't die. I only do it when I have nightmares - you know that." He couldn't help it. Waking up terrified from some nightmare, even if the idea of a dog sized spider was completely unreasonable, was more than he could handle. The panic attack and thrashing in bed he went though, it was best to have someone to wake him from the dream sooner if possible and help him calm himself from whatever panic attack he was suffering from at the time. "You know there is a reason Lily never had a problem with sharing a bed with me. She's safe from me ever making an advance on her, and not because we're like family." He answered casually as he moved about prepairing tea for the other. Lily's parents didn't even know, and he knew they weren't fond of Lily and himself sharing a bed either.
Pausing in his work he turned to face the other. "Normally I'd say no and talk to your sister but she's not been around and it's rather recent - between the time she arrived and now." Meaning he hadn't been in contact with Lily to talk to her. "We could say it's relationship issues...not to mention school, homework, work, and trying to have something of a personal life. Not to mention maintaining the house and the one living here with me." He said thinking of Johnathan, he enjoyed the company but he could be a handful sometimes. You needed to ease him into things, to watch what you said and how you said it. He couldn't just say something to him he had to play a game of words and coddle him verbally.
Honestly relationships and these sorts of things weren't things he'd ever talked to Xander about, it was what he went to Lily about or would have. It was odd but Xander was like that older brother he'd never actually had.
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:57 pm
Xander just nodded at Alex. He was a very much a people pleaser, though more a pleaser to those he cared most about, which currently mostly included his family, Alex and his family included. He didn't like disappointing other, he wasn't a doormat, but he like be a reliable person. It wasn't something he could really help.
Xander nodded knowing about Alex's nightmare. Lily was always willing to crawl in with Alex or have Alex crawl in with her after one. They'd been doing it forever and it was one of the reason why even if the thought made Xander uncomfortable he didn't push the issue. Alex's statement about Lily not having to worry about advances from him, had him raising an eyebrow. If it wasn't because they were like family he wasn't terribly sure what the reason was. He was awful at this sort of thing, with the hinting and the knowing. He decided not to comment on it, simply nodding.
Xander found himself leaning back against the counter listening patiently while Alex started to tell him what was going on to a point. When Alex finished he gave the boy a small smile, "It sounds like you've got a lot on your plate Alex. I definitely can understand the not having a personal life with all that going on, not that I am the most social person anyway, but you know I'm usually very busy. I imagine that once everything is all straightened out with my sister, your stress levels will go down since she will be around to help with maintaining the house. While I am hear I will most certainly help."
Xander nodded before continuing, "I'm not sure how well I can help you with relationship issue, but I'm certainly willing to try."
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:22 pm
It was well known in the family about Xander's people pleasing ways. Alexandre knew how he was and really thought he needed to learn to care for himself a little more, think of his own needs more. Shaking his head he smiled at the other as he padded around the kitchen and went to get himself a bottle of flavored water. He didn't bother to pick a specific flavor but he did take note of what he'd grabbed - berry.
Catching the raised brow he laughed at the other. "I'm not interested in females - Xander. Your sister has known for a long time, before my parents even." He said calmly. Leaning back against the counter top as he cracked the seal on his bottle and took a sip. Nice and cold, almost cold enough to take your breath away for a moment. "I never thought it important enough to tell your parents, or you. Though your sister, Rose, suspects. I don't know how though." And unless Rose outright asked him he really had no reason to tell her, since she already had a good idea.
"Yeah, I do have a lot on my plate. I wind up feeling like I'm older than I am - almost like a parent at times." Shaking his head he gave a heavy sigh before another sip from his bottle was taken and his head tipped back lazily. With Johnathan he couldn't help but feel like a parent. And at times he disliked it, that was when he actually had time to recognize the feeling, and other times he just didn't feel anything. "Yeah, they should go down a bit when your sister returns. And I'd appreciate the help from you." Though he also needed, and wanted, to get Xander to get a social life. Just one more thing on his plate, but it was for family so it was ok. It wasn't something he could, or would, push off on someone else.
"I don't even know where to begin, or if I should or want to. I suppose I'm a rather jumbled mess right now."
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 9:30 pm
Xander's eyes went slightly wide a Alex's admission, but not because of the boy's orientation, more because he never even considered it an option. Xander was really terribly socially lacking, it was rather sad at time. As a adult and even more so as a doctor, it really shouldn't have thrown him.
He laughed nervously, "sorry Alex. I hadn't even thought of that. You know I yeah." Xander was hopeless, but he wasn't about to admit it, he was after all a full grown man. "It's your business who you want to tell. I happy you trust me enough to tell me Alex and and more so glad to know you feel comfortable enough to ."
Xander nodded knowing exactly how Alex felt, it was the plight of a big brother, or his plight as big brother anyway. "Maybe when you are feeling like that you should go get a massage. It will help relieve some tension and make you better able to deal with your stress. I'll treat you to one tomorrow, I could use one too."
Xander smiled at Alex putting a hand on his shoulder and guiding him into the living and over to the couch before sitting down himself, "I'm all ears Alex. You can tell me as much or as little as you like. I won't judge and I'll try to help."
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 9:44 pm
Turning to look at Xander he laughed at his reaction, he honestly couldn't help it. Of course Xander had never considered it, and not just because he didn't act gay (at least he didn't think so). It was just typical Xander to not notice something like this with a family member, like Rose somehow had - he still wanted to know how she guessed.
"I've never been uncomfortable with it. I figure it's just a small part of me, nothing too important and nothing unimportant. It simply is a part of whole. So I've never made it a big deal or been obvious about it. It's perhaps why I don't tell everyone and yet why people don't figure it out on their own." If people could figure it out on their own it might remove some problems from his life. Like the girls at school who seemed to have a crush on him, or think they did, and those at social events as well (the few that were his age that turned up on occasion).
"You go for massages?" He asked, surprised to say the least. Nodding his head slowly, while he worked to process the mental images, he finally found his voice. "Yeah...sure. I'm also looking into going to France for the winter break in school. I was hoping time away from this city would help as well. But in the meantime your idea sounds like a good one. It wasn't something I'd considered." And why would he? He mentally filed it away with getting nails done and pedicures - female things. So it had never been an idea which had come to him.
Walked to the couch he sat himself down and offered Xander a throw pillow once he'd joined him on the couch. Looking down at the uncapped water bottle in his hands he sighed. "I guess the break up was my fault, though I didn't see the problem at all with what caused it." So maybe he was leaving out what had caused it. He was more musing to himself, hence the leaving out of the reason. "I wish I could say it wasn't important or meaningful to me - the relationship. I wish I could file it away, lock it up, and move on." But he kept questioning himself, had he caused it? When had been the right time to ask the others age and give his in return, it simply hadn't seemed like an important thing. They were simply two people dating. But like being gay his age too wasn't an important thing. It was simply a small part of a whole.
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:01 pm
Xander simply nodded at the explanation. It seemed solid enough. It didn't bother him at all that Alex was gay, he was still the same person and he was right, it was just another part of him. A part Xander was only just learning about, but it could be said that you could know a person your whole life and never learn everything about them.
"Glad to know you've got all that figured out. I'm not sure how much help I would be to you if that was your problem. I have to shove you at Rose, um she probably better with that sort of thing."
Xander laughed lightly at the question about massages, but nodded none the less. "My job is stressful. I see a lot of kids with emergencies and panicked parents. Its a good way to unwind, no big deal really, just working out the kinks in my muscles. They appreciate it."
He nodded when Alex agreed and gave a small look of surprise when Alex mentioned France. "Good for you Alex. I imagine France is very nice around Christmas. I hope you enjoy it. Are you going alone or with your mom and dad, or maybe with your friends?"
Xander frowned slightly at Alex's next statement and put an encouraging hand on his shoulder. "I'm not really sure that how those things work, but I'm sure it will get better with time. Most things will, beside your a great person and you'll find someone amazing I'm sure. You're only 17, right?" This was Xander talk for your amazing kid, get back on that horse.
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 8:01 pm
"I normally talk to Lily about everything. So please, don't even think of shoving me at Rose - ever. I really don't want to be shoved at her. She'd have a field day." She would drive him nuts and want every detail he could give to her about everything, she'd have material to tease him about as well. No, he really didn't need Rose involved in this part of his life.
"I'd never thought of that. But the reasoning makes sense. I assume that means the people who work there all know you?" He asked grinning at the other, a teasing grin. "You must go all the time given how calm you always are." The other really seemed to never be round up and stressed. He could only imagine Xander went often. It was a good thing he did, he couldn't imagine a round up stressed out older brother really. The idea of Xander like that really didn't compute in his mind.
"I'm not taking my parents and I honestly don't have many people I'm close enough to that I'd take. If I were dating I would take that person or if Lily were around. I know your busy or I'd invite you." Smiling at the other as he said the last part. It was true though, Xander was family after all. With a tilt of his head he nodded to the others words. "Your right, you usually are. From the inside it isn't something I think about first. But your right. I'll get over it and find someone, eventually. I just need to give it time...I have a while left to live." He hoped at least. Really he never did know when he'd die, but he couldn't say this to Xander. "You actually should find someone, because like you told me - your a great person."
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:21 pm
Xander laughed at Alex's exclamation, but nodded at him, "I won't I promise. I know how Rose is. She'd help, but I guess its not worth being her next social project." He never really had much to tell his sister, but she was constant trying to tell him stuff. She even sent him on a blind date once, total disaster.
Xander gave a small frown at Alex for his teasing, but smiled after a moment. "Yes they know me well enough. They can expect me one every two weeks or so. Though I haven't been to the one here since I left for England. It's no matter though, I will go and I get to bring you with me."
Xander understood at the current moment not wanting to take one's parents somewhere with them. With all that was going on at the moment, he'd wasn't totally pressed to sleep in the same house with is own parents. He'd accepted Alex's offer after all, even though it also meant he would be around should his sister choose to show up. "Well let hope my sister turns up soon and you can ask her if she would like to go. Not sure how keen she will be after England, but it won't hurt to ask right?"
He gave Alex's shoulder a squeeze and smiled, that encouraging Xander smile that said all will be okay, but he raised an eyebrow at Alex's statement. "Thank you Alex, but I think I should focus on getting my career start finished and I'm not really interested right now."
He ruffled Alex's hair dismissing the very thought and standing. "I think the tea is ready. I think I'll go pour me a cup. Want anything from the kitchen?"
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