Love Overcast // (ManxMan)

=Chapter 36=

Lance: Happy Birthday Cookie! (We are jumping back in time a little for the twin's birthday. Yes I know, I shouldn't fuck with time travel. Whoops, too late!!)

[Lance]

*~*~*

Home is where you are;

And where you are, doesn't have to be the top of the world.

*~*~*

"How is he?" First thing to come through the receiver isn't 'Hello', 'Long time no see'. Just a simple question in French. It makes me question whether or not he is some sociopath with a lack of morals. Of course, that can't be true because he is once a completely different person.

"Holding up." I grit through my teeth, not wanting to sour my mood. Today is a very special day after all.

He sighs, "Look, I'm not calling to taunt you, alright?" Giving it a moment to sink in, he continues, "You haven't called in a while, so I just thought I'd check in."

"Yeah, well I'm trying to put him back together because what you've done broke him." I steady my voice, and give him an icy tone. He deserves to know what he's done is not alright. "Give it a rest and tell me what you're actually calling to tell me."

"Mom and dad are sick." I lean up straighter against the wall, eyebrows creasing. Thinking that my French has gone rusty from not using it, I make him repeat, "Mom. Dad. Sick." He says unamused. The guy really needs to rethink his life, granted they aren't the best parents, they are still the ones who put us into the world.

"They are old and old people get sick." He reaffirms. My brother is not heartless I keep repeating to myself. I stand firm in that statement because I know there is no way a person without love could be affectionate the way he was in the past with Taylor.

"I'll fly over in a few days." I gulp, not wanting to handle the situation right now.

"That's not necessary. I put them in the best hospital there is. Save the money for yourself."

"How do you know they are going to be fine or not? You're not a doctor, and you most likely didn't even visit them." I grip my phone a little tighter, the warm air whipping past my other ear like a whip.

"You're right, I don't and I haven't." He chuckles a little bitterly. "Cut me some slack for trying to save you some coin. If you'd accept my money, it would be a different story, of course."

"I don't take hand-outs, and definitely not if I'm going to make sure my nephew gets fed and stays happy." I crack my knuckles, feeling very tense. "Visit them sometime. I'll send flowers."

"Of course, little brother." His chuckle dies down to a sigh, "Take care. You're doing well for yourself, I'm proud." If it weren't for his standoffish attitude, I would not have taken his words to heart. This time he sounds different though, very much so.

"Yeah, you too." Continuing my frown, "Say hello to King for me."

"Well, speak of the devil." My brother grunts. And from his side of the phone, there is a loud call of 'Aegis!' Then a loud bang with a thud. Doorframes seem to be the bane of King's existence. Old habits die hard though, even if they hurt you on occasion.

The phone cuts off before I can ask him to hand over to Kingston.

Pulling the phone away from my ear, I sigh. Seems to be a rough time for my family. I have to somehow make enough money to contribute to the hospital fees over where mom and dad are, and knowing how high my brother's budget is, it will likely be the better part of my savings.