Odd Jobs

Chapter 36 - Kiss to a Palm

"What about this one?", Mika asked, turning his laptop towards his brother seated next to him. The younger turned his attention away from his phone, and to the computer screen.

"Is that an apartment?", Ashera responded.

The blonde nodded. "Yeah. I was planning on getting a new apartment anyways, so I definitely need to, now that you two are back in the picture.", he chuckled.

"Yeah... Sorry, Mika."

"Huh? What are you apologising for?"

"We kind of just... Left, with no real plan? So, I'm sorry for just barging in like this. Especially during a time where it isn't the most handy." He pointed at his brother's bandages.

"Ah, these? No need to worry about them." Mikaela closed his laptop, resting the device on the coffeetable in front of them. "But hey, Ashera. There's no need to apologise for re-entering my life, okay? You couldn't have given me a better surprise." He gave his little brother's knee a playful push. "I was lonely."

"Sorry it took us that long. It took us forever to find you."

"How did you find me, now that you mention it?"

"Oh, we... uhm... Found where you work."

Mika's eyes widened, letting a small cough escape his throat. "Ah! That's, uhm... Unfortunate."

"Yeah..." Ashera coughed, clearing his throat. He nodded to the closed laptop on the coffeetable. "So, have you found anything interesting?"

The blonde nodded, reaching over to grab the device off of the coffeetable once more. Opening it up, the two were met with photos of a relatively large apartment, based somewhere on a third floor of a building in town. "I like this one. It's close by Ferid's Palace, so it's easy to get to work. It's a rural area, so plenty of schools for you both to enroll in."

"It looks nice."

"Mhm. It has two bathrooms and four bedrooms, so plenty of space."

Ashera raised an eyebrow. "Four bedrooms? Wouldn't it be cheaper to find one with three? I assume that when your boyfriend comes over he'll stay in the same room as you..."

"... Yeah. You're right." Mika sighed, his fingers trembling over the keyboard. He focused his energy in attempting to ignore the building migraine in his head, or the dwelling tears in his eyes. Alas, his attempt was futile. "I think, uhm..." He choked back a sob, met by a reassuring hand placed on his back.

"Take your time."

"I think... Some part of me is hoping that mom will appear soon...?"

"I can... call her, if you want to?"

"Uhm..." Mikaela fiddled with the hem of his sleeve. "I'm not sure if it's a good idea. Dad might-"

Mika's sentence was interrupted by his phone vibrating on the table. Reaching over to grab it, he saw the caller ID read Lacus Welt. He raised an eyebrow. What could Lacus possibly want from him on a Saturday noon? Pressing the green icon, he answered the call.

"Lacus?"

"Yo, Mika! How are you doing? We haven't talked in forever."

"Hi. Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. I just started working again, and everything has just been incredibly busy. But I'm well."

A chuckle sounded over the phone. "That's good to hear, at least. Say, you got a shift later? If not, maybe we can grab lunch together and catch up?"

"That would be fun, but I'm heading to Yuu-chan's house later..."