HEAL

17 -- THE DEVIL IN NOT SO MUCH DISGUISE

They got back to the apartment, Larry humming and singing to himself, a perma smile stretched across his face.  Laurent, in contrast, had a perma scowl stretched across his.  He'd never seen Larry like this, not even in his previous life, when he thought he'd "found someone".  That "someone" usually lasted all of a couple of months at the most, just as Charlie would, he was sure, as lovely a girl as she seemed to be.  

"I'm getting a shower, Lau.  I love you."  he beamed at him at close quarters, pecking him sweetly on the lips, winking as he left towards the bathroom.  Later that night, while Larry slept like a baby, Laurent was finding sleep hard to come by.  His mind was roaring at him, as much as he tried to quiet it.  He was definitely confused, why would Larry do that, just walk on up and kiss him ?  But he knew this was just and exceptionally happy Larry.  Once Charlie got tired of him, saw something in him that she didn't like, watched Larry have one of his meltdowns, or caught him eyeing another girl, she'd be gone.  And that wouldn't take long, he knew.  So, he would just see how it played out.  She probably lived a distance away from them anyhow, and even though she was just 24, her parents still obviously kept a close eye out for her.  But, if things between Larry and Charlie ever got that far, and there was an opportunity for Laurent to "help" Charlie see Larry's true colours, he would.  There was just one problem with that.

Those particular harsh and dark colours weren't Larry's anymore.  He used to be a chameleon of sorts, changing his behaviour as each situation, each girl, or boy, demanded.  His drug taking colour ?  Black, of course, dark and ominous and moody.  His sex colour, a deep dark red.  His drinking colour ?  Bright yellow and orange, all happiness and fun and the life of the party.  His depression was a dark blue, purple even, deep and dark and all consuming.  Now, he was multi-coloured and multi-faceted, his exuberant hues radiating from him like the sun.  

--  Shit and fuck !  --  Laurent turned over again and sighed loudly.  Larry and Charlie really are alike.  Maybe, just maybe, they really do understand one another.  Could it be possible ?  Could Larry really have fallen in love with Charlie in so short a time ?  He didn't want to think he could or would fall in love with anyone, ever again, as unrealistic as he knew that would be.  Maddie had told him, hadn't she, Larry's a good looking guy, with a soul and spirit only an angel could compete with now, so why wouldn't he fall in love, and someone with him ?  He deserved to be happy, surely, even if it wasn't with Laurent.  And Laurent knew he deserved that too, he was just having trouble finding it.  But if he found that ever elusive thing, Larry would be happy for him too.  OK, then.  He resigned himself to the thought that there was nothing he could do about things right this minute, so he forced those thoughts out of his head, and relaxed enough to finally fall asleep.  

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The contestants were told to be at the centre an hour before the talent contest began.  There were some rules and regulations to go over, some permission paperwork to be signed, for their likenesses to be photographed or filmed.  As the twins entered the centre, it was half full already, and photographers and news networks were there interviewing both contestants, and audience members alike.  

"Jeez, look at all these people !  I didn't realise .... "  Laurent grinned at a nervous looking Larry.  He loved this, it reminded him of the heyday of their career, when they would walk into a room, or onto a stage, and all eyes would be on them, as the crowd went crazy, and the flashes from phones did the same.  He could feel the instantaneous spike in his energy, his adrenaline fueling his now rapidly beating heart.  Larry on the other hand, was frantically looking around the hall.

"She'll be here, she's a judge, remember ?"  Larry slumped his shoulders in relief as a shy smile slid across his face.  He just grinned at his brother.   As reporters approached them, Larry looked nervous again, but Laurent grabbed his hand.