The big "O"

... build a kingdom around you ...

Victor POV

My leg was bouncing and I didn't dare stop it. The nervousness had to come out somehow and since no piano was on hand, twitching fingers, messy hair and bouncing legs had to do for now. Being here today was unpredictable and random. From my estimation, Nathan should have been the next to be approached about my Princess. He was living with her for months, after all. But here I was with Silas and his bizarre way of thinking. Almost no drama, if you discounted his wanting to leave for Greece or his actions this morning. That revelation I wanted to keep for later and examine it in depth. My face got hot when I remembered where my right hand had been and how it had felt to be there.

Nope, no sense in embarrassing myself more in front of my brothers. Especially now when I finally got the chance to ask some of my questions. So here we were, Mr. Blackbourne as confident as always and in control. Silas with a blissed grin on his face, slouched on the couch next to North. And North, with his stormy expression, one breath away from angry. A bit more relaxed after the talk with Silas, but only a bit.

I loved thinking about my Princess. Lately it was a favourite past time of mine. Play a piano piece, think of Sang. Compose a song, think of Sang. Programme a computer, think of Sang. Thank God she fit flawlessly into it all, or I would have been a scattered mess. She was actually good for my thought processes. Kept me from over-multitasking. Us being one of the largest teams in the Academy, I wonder if my Princess would make us the best and the most proficient team too. If she affected all my brothers the same, it was a certainty. And it would have seemed impossible for boys as different as us to love the same girl if not for the fact that, as different as we were, we understood her in ways she didn't yet. We, or I at least, loved her delicate strength, her innocent defiance and her unlimited potential. The rest, like our differences, I loved her because I fit certain peaces of the puzzle that was only Sang. The rest of the pieces I loved because those fit my brothers. Brothers whom I loved. I knew that logically, thou' still found myself baffled at times because she took the chance with us. Took it even after all she went through.

"Alexander here. If you called about the birds and the dogs talk I am unavailable until the new bruise yellows. If you called for any other reason, you are welcome to leave a message as soon as I am done speaking." the cheerful voice coming from the speaker derailed my train of thoughts. For another reason than the obvious. All of us leaned forward or, in Mr. Blackbourne's case, tensed. I examined each one of my 3 brothers present and frowned. But before I could say anything, Mr. Blackbourne was already speaking.

"Good day! This number was given to me by a Mr. Anderson a few months back. A Mr. Blackbourne and Mr. Taylor visited him at the time. He agreed, or should I say insisted, to be contacted for further questions WHEN those arose. And they did. If you could notify him of my call, I'd appreciate it." then he reached for the phone and ended the conversation. I sighed heavily and rubbed my face with both hands. North stood abruptly, looking frustrated. Then he went for a soda in the small fridge by the sink.

"What now, Mr. Blackbourne? Do we wait here? I mean, are we confident they call back immediately?" Silas grumbled, the smile gone. I caught North's gaze and, after denying a drink of my own, motioned him back to the couch. He returned and dropped heavily on it, making Silas tilt and shift to regain his balance.

"Mr. Morgan, is there something you wish to share with us? Just a moment, Silas." the observant Mr. Blackbourne said. I allowed a tiny smirk at him having missed this detail, but wiped it instantly when I remembered him saying he only cares to know every gesture, nuance and detail of the people he cares about. The rest, he'd said, are chores he sometimes files away in his mind and forgets the folder.

"First, Mr. Blackbourne, wasn't the Anderson team member you visited with North called Harry or Henry?" after his nod I continued. "Second, that was not a recording. It was an actual human being, either hoping to discourage us, test us or play a practical joke on us." At that I had their full attention. North looked furious, Silas was staring wide-eyed and Mr. Blackbourne with a small frown, pulled the phone from his pocket back on the table. A few moments of silent conversation passed, in which I was questioned and I assured them of my certainty. Then the dial tone rang again in the silent trailer.