The Neighbor Next Door

(slowly) getting better

"You did what?" MePad glared at their brother from across the table.

"I taught him a lesson, MePad. He certainly needed it." 5 was unbothered by what he had just confessed, taking a sip from the cup that was brought to him. He really just didn't care, but MePad was furious.

"I know you do not like either of them, but you have to at least be civil. They are people as well as we are."

"Oh grow up, MePad. A little pushing around never hurt anybody. Surely he'll thank me for it next time he sees me, anyways."

"I doubt after your behavior, that he will show up at all."

"Oh, he'll show up if he knows what's good for him." 5 just leaned back in his seat, placing the cup down. "Plus, our creator is dead. It's not like I need to respect his old, pathetic creations. They mean nothing to me, or this company. Just realize that already, won't you?" Their tone was condescending as ever. It honestly really annoyed MePad. Constantly did they try to justify, and forgive, and excuse their brother's actions, and personality, but it was getting harder each day. MePad turned around, stepping away from the table.

"If you keep acting like this, you will not have anyone else left to turn to."

"Oh, what's that supposed to mean?" 5 let out a curt laugh at this, not taking his brother seriously.

"It means, I am this close to being done with you. I get you have everything now, but you have to improve this attitude of yours."

"Or what?"

"Or I am leaving. I have no interest in this company. This building. This life. Now that I have the chance, I want to be myself."
"Peh. Yourself? The company is all you have. You can't just leave." 5 leaned forward again, his expression and tone shifting. He refused to lose this. "You have nowhere else to go."
"As long as I do not act like you, I am sure I could build a life for myself." A direct insult. 5 stood up at that, slamming his hands down on the table.

"You don't get to speak about how I act! I'm the head of this company! All of this! I have everything! If you leave, you'll have nothing!"

"Wrong. I believe it is you who will have nothing by the end of this if I leave. I am done with this conversation. Goodnight."

"You can't walk away from me! Get back here!" 5 raised his voice, just shouting at his brother as they left the dining room. 5 clenched his fists, absolutely furious, before slamming them down again, letting out a yell of frustration. He wasn't going to lose anything. His brother was stupid, and wrong, and-- and...

5 let out a shaking breath, running their fingers through his hair, regaining his composure. He was fine. 5 wasn't going to let the pathetic sad blue one ruin what he was building up. If MePad left over how they treated him, well... He'd just have to put the blame on the blue one. And he wouldn't let that slide if it happened.

They had everything they had ever wanted. They just had to get through the will reading in November, and then he wouldn't have anything to worry about. And even if their brother left, even if he had nobody, well... He still had everything else. Trusting other people was for fools anyways. That's what got their dad killed.

5 refused to make that same mistake.

...

Of course one good, nice night wasn't going to solve anything. That's not how any of this worked, but it did help. He felt a lot more clear on Monday, and a lot less... Well, shitty, really.

He woke up around ten, almost timidly heading downstairs to probably sit in the living room for a bit, just trying to be out of OJ's way, knowing the ginger had work today. Though, his idea of staying out of the way was thwarted as he saw OJ in the kitchen, most likely making himself some breakfast. He turned to look at the stairs as MePhone came down, a small smile on his face.