Quarantine Hits Different // NICK X TONY

Chapter 4: Coming Out Pt. 2 (Tony)

**A FEW HOURS EARLIER

Tony leaves Nick's room, shutting the door behind him, and walks into the living room to find Ondreaz sitting on the couch.

He walks up behind his brother, placing his hands on the couch and says, "Ondre, can I talk to you?"

"Hey Tony, sure, what's up?" his older brother asks.

Tony clears his throat, "I meant alone."

Picking up on his tone, Ondre replies, "Yeah, ok. Let's go up to our room."

His brother isn't usually a serious guy, but lately, Ondre has noticed that a lot seems to be on his mind. He wants to comfort him if he can. With his hand around Tony's shoulder, they walk up the stairs. On the way to their room, the two run into Thomas.

"Tony, we need to talk about you little outburst earlier," Thomas says with a firm tone.

Tony attempts to fend him off, but Ondreaz steps in, "Tony and I were just about to have a talk actually. I'm sure he can catch up with you later."

Before Thomas can reply, Ondre grabs Tony by the forearm and directs him into their room, closing the door behind them both.

"I swear he can be so nosy sometimes like he has this need to control all of us," Ondreaz says while rolling his eyes, "So, what did you wanna tell me? And this better not be a prank."

Tony motions to the bed. "It's not a prank, I swear. But, I do think you should sit down for this one."

Ondreaz looks at his brother suspiciously and takes a seat, "Ok, if you say so, little bro."

Tony's palms are sweating and his mouth suddenly feels dry. He didn't expect to be this nervous. It's not like his brother will have a problem with what he's about to admit. Ondre had accepted Chase when he came out last year, even called him brave. All fears aside, Tony knows he has to tell his brother the truth already.

He begins hesitantly, "You know how Nick and I have been playing into the fans shipping us on TikTok?"

"Yeah, if I didn't know any better I'd think it wasn't fake," Ondre says, smiling.

"It's not fake. Nick and I are together for real. Well, not together more like...friends with benefits for now."

The room goes completely silent for what feels like an eternity. For a second, that little voice makes him think maybe he was right to worry. Just when he was beginning to think that he had changed his relationship with his brother for good, Ondre begins to laugh.

"Nice one Tony. I thought you said this wasn't a prank," he says through his giggles.

Tony gets heated and raises his voice, "Dude it's not a prank!"

Thomas hears him yelling through the thin walls and walks back over to listen to their conversation through the door.

"This is serious. We had a fight and it was all my fault," Tony says, frustrated by his brother's reaction.

Ondreaz still can't believe what he's hearing, "Tony you like girls and Nick does too. You guys are just bored because we're quarantined and you're letting the fans' fantasies go to your head."

"It's not like that Ondreaz, please just listen. This didn't start with the fans. We've had feelings for each other ever since we moved in and now...I think I'm in love with him Ondre," Tony starts to tear up as his anger turns to anguish, "And I may have fucked it all up, so I'm asking for your help."

Seeing Tony's tears makes Ondre realize it's not a joke. He walks over to crouch in front of Tony's chair and looks up at his hurting younger brother. He reaches his hand up and wipes away the few tears.