The Extent of Love

16

His eyes felt too heavy. He didn't feel like opening them.

"Al," a female voice said, shaking him, "Al, get up."

"No..." he whined, burying his face into the pillow.

He felt a hand wrapped around his ankle and a few jerking motions, but still he didn't open his eyes.

Then he got slapped.

"Ouch!" he exclaimed, pushing himself up and clutching his cheek as the headache washed over him. Someone picked his hand up and put a cup in it, and he started drinking without even thinking. Sugary tea, and another cup with Heather's Hangover. He despised both of them equally.

"You should've taken water between drinks," Veronica stated, helping him up, "someone's here. Wants to talk to you."

"Who?" he asked, running his fingers through his hair and attempting to look better than he did before, then flattening out his shirt.

"Thomas," she growled, shaking her head and puffing her hair like a mane. Thomas was her ex, and they didn't end on good terms.

"Ah," he said, "probably wants his money."

"I thought that too," Veronica said, following him out and down the stairs back to the parking lot, the two heading into the bar.

Alfred stayed silent, going to the couches and sitting across from the Italian.

"Hello, Mr. Wilthon," Alfred said politely.

"It's Mr. Yuvexi now," Thomas said, holding out his hand for Alfred to shake. He didn't. He was way too tired at the moment to be formal.

"Coffee, black," Angelica said, placing a cup down beside him, "and a coffee two creams three sugars."

"Thank you," Thomas said, taking the cup from her and trying to keep his polite aura even though he was denied.

"Let's cut to the chase, what do you want?" Alfred said, glaring at him. Veronica left to go take care of Ivan when he woke up.

"I want to come back." he said, a pleading tone in his voice.

"No,"

"Please, I have nowhere else to go! I'm living in my car on the side of the road. I'm fine with becoming a spy again, it's better than starving."

"... huh?" Alfred said, clutching his head. Thomas left because he wanted to make his own path.

"I just- I need..." he muttered, holding his own head and covering his ear, "I need my family back-"

"Then you shouldn't have left in the first place!" Angelica interjected, cleaning glasses and setting them up. She didn't look the happiest at this point.

"Please!" he pleaded, tears welling up in his eyes, "I don't want money! Please let me back!"

"...It's too early for this..." Alfred muttered.

"Sir, it's almost 10 o'clock," Thomas said, looking up at him with confusion.

"Uh... fuck." Alfred said, pushing himself up with the table.

"Say no! He's an ass!" Angelica yelled, glasses clinking as she put them away.

"There was a deal when you left, what was it?" Alfred sighed.

"That I wouldn't say a word."

"Go home," he stated as the Italian lit up, his face breaking out into a smile as he launched himself across the table to hug him.

"Al! But-"

"Angel, it's fine," Alfred chuckled, "he's still family. He'll always be family. Tom, go home."