Brothers-ish

Sugar Cuts Bitterness Pt. 2

Simon's proposition to change the scenery was agreed upon by everyone. At last, it was time to begin the real shenanigans. In spirit, Vik sat up with excitement and eager eyes. In reality, he remained glued to the couch. The energy and commitment necessary to move was lacking. While JJ had the energy and commitment, he lacked balance and coordination necessary to move. The intoxicated man tripped over his own feet, never standing up right, and stumbling along the walls to his room. Simon leaned to Vik's left ear whispering, "That shit was batshit wild man. I ain'ever seen nothing like that before." Despite his wavering voice, the smile he harbored clearly meant he enjoyed the unexpected danger. Does he not realize his boyfriend was staring down the barrel of death? He should be upset, or concerned instead of entertained. Based on his reaction to the event, Vik knew Simon had been genuinely frightened by JJ's erratic behavior. It was odd how quickly he brushed aside such a real threat. Vik shrugged it off as the drugs affecting his critical thinking. Thinking about the situation any further was hurting his own head. Luckily, to distract him, Simon abruptly said to Vik, "Dude, you look terrible." Which didn't shock Vik. His eyes felt sunken into his skull. He's seen on Simon's own face what weed does to one's appearance.

"Oh really? You think I look terrible? Have you ever looked in a mirror before?" Vik quipped back at him playfully.

"Da-yum! Are you trying to roast me?" Simon jokingly exasperated. He struggled to contain his giggles before giving in.

It was the laughter of a sixteen year old boy giddy from coming home to find his very own TV in his room. A superb reward for getting an 85% on an important test. Bought with the money mom and step-dad managed to scrape together. They were waiting to save up to buy it as a Christmas gift but mom had convinced dad this would be effective encouragement. A "B" was high for a kid who would bust through the front door excitedly waving a test with a 74 written in red ink at the top. Meanwhile, Vik stood behind the parents looking on at their enthralled teen son, as he wondered with jealousy why he didn't get to have a television. He was too young, they told him. But he always got A's. If a "B" is worth a TV, Vik should have so much more than that. Little did he then know that piece of tech would be handed down to him. His step dad even bought him the new "COD: Advanced Warfare" to play on it. A bonus gift which resulted in a rare father-son hug. Then mom stepped in to urge dad to play it with him. She forced them to bond at any chance she got. And Vik always waited for his turn to be invited to play along. But Simon never did extend an invitation. The closest Vik ever got to experiencing the game was when Simon bragged about it while practicing soccer tricks in their little ten by ten fenced backyard.

Nowadays Simon brags about how easily he could give his small step brother a blackeye. Or, like right now, how despite his high level of intoxication, he could still drive without cops suspecting anything. He dragged on about this so-called "skill" to his boyfriend who was currently driving. Vik liked listening to his brother stupidly brag about that than the former. While squished in between Simon and Harry, Vik silently spied on JJ's phone. Like every other twenty-something year old male, he was pursuing attractive women to sleeze. Occasionally he would call out, "Haz! Check out this girl. Left or right?" Then he'd display his private business to everyone in the backseat. Meanwhile, the youngest zoned out staring at scenery whizzing by the window. One final time Vik was being taken somewhere completely unknown. When Vik first arrived he felt confused and clueless about how odd it was these people chose to sit in a drug house and be content. Once he got over the fact was an accessory to a crime scene, he was able to loosen up and make friends out of strangers and his brother. Perhaps embracing the "fuckery" as Simon put it, is why he was currently so unbothered. In the back of Vik's mind he remembered that "fun" does not equal "good." Only the future will determine that distinction.

They reached their undisclosed location at last. Or so Vik thought. This is just where they were parking the car. The real destination was a mere walk away. How far? No one was sure. Each boy gave a different estimate. Given half of them were high school dropouts, Vik wasn't sure they even knew how long a mile was. The idea of them getting lost didn't cross Vik's mind. Placing unwavering trust in these clowns was deemed okay since no one has gotten hurt yet.