Umbrellas in The Sun and Rain

Chapter 7

Theo found himself in front of Hobies shop, his insides squirming before dropping at the realization the shop was dark. Upon closer inspection of the windows, everything inside was covered in sheets and a thick layer of dust. It almost looked like it hadn't been touched since Theo had been here last, and the thought caused panic to rise in his throat. Where was he going to go now? He didn't know anyone else. Maybe they were still here, simply not using the shop anymore but still living in the flat above. Should he ring the doorbell?

The door suddenly swung open, revealing Pippa. She was still small- Smaller than Theo, even- But her hair had grown back to be a darker shade of orange than before. Her eyes were still golden brown, but instead of the bright look Theo remembered seeing any time he came into the room, it now was dull and puzzled; she was looking at a stranger, "Um…Can I help you? You've been standing out here for like..Ten minutes"

She'd forgotten him, Theo realized with a sickening jolt. How could he have expected she would?

Behind her, Hovie appeared, wearing a dirty apron and an annoyed look, which was quickly replaced by shock as he took a step back, "Dear God."

"It's me," Theo said quickly, "Theodore Decker. Remember?" The words tumbled out of his mouth quickly; he didn't want them to slam the door in his face before he said anything.

Pippa gasped softly, and Hobie stepped out, pulling him into a tight embrace, "Theo."

Theo felt tears start to spill out of his eyes and down his face- He wasn’t sure why exactly he was crying- Suddenly, he was being brought inside to the wood smells Theo had adored so much when he was younger, up to the kitchen, “It’s wonderful to see you! How are you? Are you hungry? You look knackered- and so different! Dorian, go make him some tea…”

Pippa nodded quickly, moving to pick up a nearby kettle, and Theo scrunched up his face a little, “...Dorian?”

“Ah, yes, Dorian is…What did you say it was called?”

“Nonbinary,” Pippa- no, Dorian, said, moving to set the kettle on the stove and turn it on, “I use he/they, though.”

“Oh,” Theo said, blinking rapidly, “Cool,” he said quickly, biting his lip. Fuck. So no matter what he wouldn’t be entirely straight. Both of the people he’d loved weren’t girls. What the fuck.

“Right, yes,” Hobie nodded, “So! Theo! When did you get back?”

“Ah- um..Today,” Theo said, and Popper chose that moment to peek out of his back, tilting his head curiously.

“Aha! Who is this?” Dorian said, moving to scoop Popper out of the bag into their arms, cradling him.

“T-that’s, um, Popper,” Theo said as the kettle whistled, and Hobie made him some tea, moving to place it in front of him, “Ah..T-thank you.”

“So- Tell me, Theo, what have you been up to?” Hobie asked, sitting across from Theo as Dorian played with Popper on the floor. And, between sips of hot tea, he told them everything; his dads death and everything else, minus the drugs, stealing, and other shit he knew Hobie wouldn’t like. Hobie stayed silent (though he seemed to be growing more worried), until Theo finished, “You need to call her, Xandra.”

“What? No-”

“Yes, Theo,” Hobie pointed to the old-fashioned home phone on the wall, “Come on, Dori. Let’s leave him be for a little.

Theo watched helplessly as Dorian picked up Popper and left with Hobie, before he moved over to the phone and punched in the number, biting his lip and his heart banging around in his chest. Secretly, he was hoping she wouldn’t answer but, as luck would have it, she did.