Connor's way back to America was complicated and many things were delayed, but he eventually made it that Friday night. He got the entirety of his luggage back and was now making his way to the entrance of the airport. As he walked through the automated doors the familiar Minnesota wind nipped at his skin, goose bumps covered his skin. He took in a breath of the air as he made his way to catch a taxi and go to the address written on a page of the documents Kate handed to him.
After giving the driver his address he sat quietly, leaning against his seat and letting his mind trail off, looking to the gloomy sky from the window.
"Promise?"
"Promise Tro."
He shuddered at the thought of him making such an empty promise to Troye. He hated having to leave him and a good life he had finally created back in Perth but Connor knew it was for the best, he had to convince that to himself.
After thinking a lot more about Troye and being worried about him the taxi stopped in front of the house Connor was truthfully nervous and fearful to step into, let alone knock on the front door.
"Here's your stop kid," he said not taking notice of how Connor's face resembled one of a deer caught in the headlights.
"Uh...yeah thanks," he said quickly getting out and taking his things from the boot. It was now quite late into the night and the breeze had become even colder. He put on his backpack and pulled his suitcase behind him, slowly making his way up the brick path to a very nice two story home.
He stood in front of the door and took a deep breath, knocking lightly on the door. Soon a familiar boy's face appeared as the door opened, taking Connor by surprise when the boy pulled him in for a hug, forcing Connor to take his hand of the suitcase handle and wrapping his arm around him as well.
"I missed you, Con," Brandon muttered into Connor's ear.
"I missed you too, B," he said melting even more into the brotherly hug he longed for.
Brandon took hold of Connor's suitcase and led his older brother into the house.
"Uh Dustin, Nicola and Uncle Drew are out and said they would be back soon," Brandon said leading Connor to what was going to now be his new bedroom.
"Okay," Connor said now smiling at the thought that Brandon and his relationship held no tension and Connor hoped it could be the same for the rest.
Connor started unpacking his bags while Brandon stayed seated on the bed and just spoke with the brother he thought he had lost forever. They went on to catch up with one another, Connor of course leaving out anything to do with Kate or Troye's family, which was till Brandon got hold of a stack of photos from the pocket of his bag.
Connor's face fell when he saw what his brother had just found and immediately tried to get them away from him. He can't know, not now.
"Hey! I'm just looking," he said pushing his brother slightly and getting the pictures away from his reach.
"I know...but uh...ah B just give them back please, please just leave them," Connor said, tears now forming in his eyes, one's Brandon noticed.
"Okay...sorry Con," he said giving them back.
"No, no. Its fine they just...uh...personal," Connor said putting them away in a drawer of his dresser, tears subsiding.
"Personal how?" Brandon asked gently seeing how tense his brother had become.
"Just personal B," Connor said.
"But Con you can trust me," Brandon said, he missed his brother and wanted to prove to Connor he was always going to be his little brother and a great friend as well.
