The Worth of a Coin (BxB)

Chapter 29

-Ruarc Brennan-

Walking down the path to my old house was like being punched with nostalgia. Besides my childhood home, this was the house I lived in longest. Once I got to know Harlen and the others in the street, I didn't want to leave. This had been my home for decades.

I felt a bit embarrassed; this was like presenting one of my deepest secrets to Quan, and Cappi I supposed. I was certain that there were no pieces of furniture inside the house. All of the furniture had been moved into my new house.

"Do you not have the key?" Quan asked with curiosity. "That would've been a good idea to ask about that first." He had a knowing glint in his eyes, which suggested that he knew that I most definitely had my key.

"I didn't take it off." I muttered and pulled a chain from my trouser pocket. There were many keys, most of which I didn't know the purpose of. They were old and some were rusted, which made me feel like a walking museum most times.

I unlocked my front door on the second try, as I had two identical keys. The carpet and walls were the same brown and sage colour scheme. I moved to the side and helped Quan up the steps, even though he probably didn't need the help. He hadn't brought his cane with him, so I was unsure how much support he needed.

"It still smells like old spice," Quan muttered under his breath. He probably didn't want me to hear that, but I did.

"It's so empty in here," Cappi observed brightly. They ran into the house, doing a lap of it before bounding back down the stairs, taking three at a time. "It's so cool."

"Haven't you been in an empty house before?" I asked them with a sense of amusement. There was a looming sense of sadness in the place, the emptiness filled the entire building.

"Nope," Cappi said happily. "It's great, I love it. When I get a house, I want it to be empty, just like this one."

Quan shook his head. "How does Fewesi deal with you?" he said in an indifferent tone before placing his hand on the wall and walked around the corner. "Don't suppose you mind fingerprints on the walls?"

I snorted. "I couldn't care less about what happens to this house." That was a bit of a lie. When it was sold, I knew that I would probably stare at it if I walked by, I might even knock on the door to introduce myself to the new owners. I cared about not ruining the paint that I did many years ago. I could decorate the house within a day, but I found the process entirely tedious.

"If you say so." He was then out of my sight.

I didn't lock the door behind me in case we had to make a hasty exit. It would've been ideal if the house was quiet, but that wouldn't happen with Cappi around.

A small bang came from the living room. "Damn," Quan hissed. He was beside a lone table, holding his left kneecap. "I thought you said there was no furniture left?" he complained.

"I did," I confirmed, stifling a laugh. "I didn't know that there was anything left here. I've had that table since I was forty."

Quan made a strange face, like a mix of humour and disgust, along with the pain he had previously felt. "Please don't remind me about that," he begged. "Could do without the reminder."

"Let's not go back to that conversation, yes. Even though I look and think like someone who is only four years older than you." I exaggerated brushing the topic off. "Either way, you're dating someone older."

He sent a glare in my general direction. "Hush." He lifted a finger to his lips before sitting in the middle of the room, his legs folded under the table. "What did the child bring?"