All About Us (LT One shot books)

T-shirt

Laurent had been watching Larry's strange behavior for several days now. And the only thing that came to mind was that the twin had completely lost his mind. And Laurent knew for sure that he had nothing to do with Larry's behavior.

Larry himself did not know what was happening to him. It's just that everything that he and his brother experienced at the beginning of the year suddenly fell upon him. It happened by accident, he was sorting through his things, getting ready for the next trip, and a thin gift bag fell on him from the top shelf of the closet. Larry frowned, turning it over in his hands trying to remember what it was, or whose gift it was until realization hit him. Well, of course! This is a gift for Laurent. Larry smiled awkwardly. He and his twin now have everything, they have not saved money for gifts for each other for so long. Gone are the days when they bought things that the other twin did not want to spend money on. For example, the first iPhone that Larry got was given to Laurent because Larry didn't want to spend money on it. He considered it a worthless purchase since his smartphone still worked well. But Laurent had a different opinion. So, it happened to many things that they had. Larry did the same for Laurent, giving him a PS5, only he had to fly to Portugal to get it. Now they had everything they wanted. That's what Larry thought until last November when he saw a T-shirt printer in a New York City mall. It was only a moment before he chose the color of the T-shirt, the color and size of the font, and typed in the caption. Hell, he thought then how happy Laurent would be "I'm the older twin".

With these words, their loudest disputes most often began, they cited various arguments, each proving their case. Although Larry always recognized Laurent as the elder and happily took on the role of a younger brother. But angering Laurent was his weakness.

And not that this T-shirt would end their arguments. But this T-shirt would be filled with sentimental meaning. When Melissa saw this T-shirt, she contemptuously wrinkled her nose and expressed her doubts about the value of such a gift. Perhaps it was then that Larry realized that they should no longer be together. Because, with millions in his accounts, Laurent would be happy with this T-shirt, as if Larry gave him a flying Ferrari. And many did not understand this. Happiness is not in money, and the meaning of life is not in them either. Larry can easily agree that money solves quite a lot of problems, and makes life easier, but does not make it happy. And the joy of a gift is not in its price but in its value. Yes, they gave each other expensive things, but it was always something they needed, something they wanted and would appreciate the waste of money and time, but such simple and sentimental gifts received the greatest value, like this T-shirt with the inscription: "I'm the older twin".

Larry smiled broadly as he recalled how, on their birthday a few years ago, Laurent, instead of a real gift, gave him an official paper stating that Larry was the real owner of his black necklace, which he had worn for many years. It was so cute and silly at the same time. Their friends thought that Laurent was joking when he said that Larry was stealing everything in his life. But it wasn't a joke. When Larry saw this necklace in Laurent's hands when he showed the purchase at the rehearsal, his eyes lit up, and Laurent shouted "NO" loudly, scaring the dancers and choreographer Beyoncé into stuttering. But Larry stole it anyway.

But then why can't he look his twin in the eyes for almost a week? Why does he feel this awkwardness? Why is it so difficult for him to approach the twin and give this gift? Why didn't he give it to him sooner? They also improved relations, and then it became bad again, but they had periods of calm.

Laurent woke up feeling something was wrong. No, it wasn't a sense of distress, more like he wasn't alone in his room.

- Larry? - Laurent asked hoarsely into the darkness. But instead of answering, he felt someone climb into his bed. – What do you have in your hands? - Laurent sat up in bed and switched on the night lamp.

- Nothing. - Laurent chuckled. Well, yes, his twin was the most embarrassing creature he knew. The only time Larry wasn't embarrassed was stealing his stuff. Laurent looked at his brother with a look of "Well, yes, I believe." Larry shyly handed Laurent a package.

- What is it? - Laurent was in no hurry to open the bundle.

- Your gift. - Larry rolled his eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

- But our birthday is only in a couple of weeks! - Laurent wanted to know exactly what was going on.

- It's for the past. I never got around to giving it to him. We fought a lot. But even when we didn't, I still felt embarrassed. You know, I thought at one point that you didn't want to be my twin anymore. I didn't think you'd be happy with this gift.

Laurent, looking at Larry in disbelief, began to unwrap the package. He didn't even know what he expected to see there, but not a T-shirt that said: "I'm the older twin." Laurent stared in amazement from Larry to the T-shirt.

- Did you do this for me? – Laurent pressed the T-shirt to himself, looking at Larry with shining eyes. - And you thought I wouldn't like it?

- Well, we had a lot of problems, I didn't know how badly we were broken.

- Larry, I love this T-shirt! You are so stupid!

- Promise me... - Larry said in a suddenly dry voice.

- What exactly? - Laurent squeezed the twin's hand, encouraging him to keep talking.

- That you will never give up on me, no matter how asshole I can be sometimes. - Quickly said Larry looking directly at Laurent. He wanted to see Laurent's emotions. He wanted to know the truth.

- Sometimes? - Laurent asked playfully, looking at Larry with narrowed eyes. Larry opened his mouth to be indignant but remembered how he was a few months ago and he had to admit it.

- Okay, most of the time. - Humbly lowering his head on Laurent's shoulder admitted Larry. -Happy? - Larry snorted irritably, staring imploringly at the twin, waiting for an answer.

- Larry, this is something I would never do. Except to punish you. But since I'm older, I can do it. - Laurent pinched Larry lightly as if confirming his words about punishment.

- Ouch! - Larry slapped his brother's arm lightly. - No, you can't, and you're not the oldest! - Larry was indignant pulling away from the twin.

- Ha! Here is the T-shirt. - Laurent started shaking his unfolded T-shirt in Larry's face. -See? See what's written on it! - Larry rolled his eyes. Of course, he knew what was written on it, he also made this damn inscription!

- Asshole. I knew you would use this against me! - Larry sat back from the twin and folded his arms in resentment.

- You are the king of assholes, and also my little brother. And you have to deal with it! - Laurent carefully placed the T-shirt on the nightstand and turned to the twin, twisting his fingers.

- Nah Laurent! You won't dare! Hi - Larry tried not to scream so as not to wake the whole house while Laurent tickled him. Larry tried to fight back and even get to the side of the twin. - Lauren stop it! I hate you!

- Nah, you love me! - Laurent said, pressing Larry's legs to the bed and breathing heavily, intending to tickle the twin's heels.