Her Secret| ✓

10

Sometimes you can't explain what you see in a person.
It's just they take you to a place where no one else can - Unknown

You Send Me - Sam Cooke

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DAYLIGHT STREAMED INTO THE hall as Erik stepped out of the bathroom where the bitter scent of coffee permeated the air, he grunted in appreciation at the comforting smell. Frantic voices wafted up the stairs, he steered towards the stairs curiously and listened.

"It is not just that, she is not just on my rotation," Will said, sounding more agitated than he had in years. Erik was not in the habit of eavesdropping, but the twins had been uncharacteristically quiet lately, he narrowed his eyes and leaned against the wall by the stairs. "She is having an awake craniotomy later today, Olsen has requested I be put on his service today," He finished in one breath.

Scuffling, Erik could see Diana pacing around her room, mobile pressed to her ear.

"Do they know?" Alec asked, presumably meaning their parents. Erik held his breath as he waited. "No, I mean, they might. It is their hospital," Will said, mouth full of something—coffee, he guessed.

"Switch rotations with me, think about it. I can take care of this, Will," Alec said, his voice was low, but they had a tendency to forget how voices carried in the house. The door creaked and Erik pulled his mobile out so quickly it almost flew down the steps, he swore and smiled as Diana gave him a quizzical look as she passed him and went downstairs.

"How was your night, Red?" Will asked. Diana half turned to look at him as she reached for an upper cabinet. A hand emerged above hers as Alec grabbed and handed it to her, she smiled and tapped it against her palm. "Thanks, housemate," She said awkwardly, averting her eyes from his. Alec smirked, catching her eyes as he gently pulled a spoon out of his mouth, she noticed the container of cream cheese in his hand.

"Well. How about you two, sounded late when you got in?" Diana said, unscrewing the lid. Will reached around her left and placed the bagel bag back in the bread box, apologising for the accidental boob graze which she laughed off.

"Late, wasn't it? We could not find you or Rik anywhere, could you explain that?" Alec asked in an underhanded voice, giggling with Diana as she skirted the topic delicately. Diana was thrown, usually, Will was the chatty twin. It must be an off day for him, she thought, considering him as she poured her coffee.

Will turned from the counter to check the time on his bagels when he slammed into Erik, gaining control of his balance after Erik sidestepped. Will apologised with a suggestive finger to which Erik glared back at him, running his long fingers through his long curly black hair.

"Get a haircut, Rapunzel," Will snapped at Erik, baring his teeth like a rabid dog. Erik could see the internal struggle his younger brother was having, and it made him feel a little lenient. He decided flattening Will with one look would be enough, and tended to his unkempt hair, pulling a thick clump of curl down to inspect it. "You're not wrong, Wilhelmina, the sides are a bit too long," He added, testing the waters.

"Sorry, man. I do not know what got into me," Will said in a robotic voice, behind him Alec slid creamer towards Diana quietly. "Hey, Ric, do you have the awake craniotomy today?" Alec asked, leaning his elbows on the counter, Will turned, and glared at him. Alec smiled as if to say, "Someone has to do it."

"Mrs. Robins? No, that would be Charlie. Why do you ask?" Erik asked as he purposefully made a show of going through his mobile calendar. He looked up and looked at either twin as they both fell silent. He smacked his lips together and lifted his eyebrows, waiting.