Reunion (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 5

The sun slowly rose above the horizon, casting the house's rooms in a golden light. The world outside was still and quiet.

Until a loud thud cut through the air.

049 shot up out of bed, he rushed downstairs to find the source of the noise. There were some muttered protests from 035 but his complaints went unnoticed.

Downstairs 049 found Jay, which he would have guessed if he wasn't panicked and blinking sleep from his eyes. Jay had managed to hang himself upside down, a rope strung over the ceiling light holding his ankle high above his head, which rested against the floor at an uncomfortable angle. 049 stared down at his brother as he processed the sight in front of him. He continued to stare even after it was processed, a mildly disapproving look across his face.

"Jay, you know I enjoy your tricks as much as the next person, but must you practice so early." It wasn't a question, and Jay knew it.

"But I want to be ready for when they arrive!" Jay practically squawked.

049's glare fell to the floor as he looked away from the person strung up in his living room, arms crossed tightly over his chest.

"I don't understand you." Muttered under his breath.

A heavy silence fell between the two, there was no way it had lasted more than a minute or two but it felt like an eternity. 049 sighed, kneeling down to untie the thick ropes around Jay's wrists.

"One would think with how easily you got out of the foundation some rope wouldn't be able to get you stuck."

Jay shifted, a movement 049 figured would be a shrug if it weren't for his odd position. "I'm out of practice. Been getting out of those joints more than my usual setups recently, the only reason I could get out of my locks so quick is because that's what they use. Which is why I have to practice!"

Another sigh, more fond this time, not as tired. "Alright, I'll help you practice. 035 would probably be alright with helping too, just wait until later." A pause. "Please."

"Ok."

035 got to the bottom of the stairs just in time to watch 049 cut the rope holding Jay up, causing him to thud to the floor.

035 didn't question it, an amused smile on his face as he entered the kitchen.

He had placed three mugs on the counter and started to prepare water for tea, the other two entered the kitchen shortly after. He and 049 drank their tea plain and Jay's was more sugar than anything else.

The three sat in the living room, quietly drinking their tea until 049 spoke up. "Would you like to help Jay practice his rope tricks? I told him I would but I wanted to see if you'd like to help as well."

"Oh absolutely, when should we start?" 035 turned to look at Jay who was practically bouncing with glee.

"As soon as possible!"

And so the three found themselves standing outside with a frankly absurd amount of rope.

Jay's arms, hands and legs had all been tightly bound. Testing the rope proved it to hold tight. 035 had thrown one end of the rope over a tree branch and held it tight while 049 secured the rope abound Jay's ankle.

"Ready!" Jay called, trying not to bounce as 035 pulled the rope. Within seconds he was suspended midair, hanging upside down by his ankle.

"And, start." 049 clicked the stopwatch he was holding.

It wasn't long until he clicked the stopwatch again, Jay having fully unraveled himself from the ropes, now standing on the ground. 035 was laughing as he clapped at Jay's performance.

Most of the day continued in a similar fashion, Jay being trapped in increasingly absurd situations. Rope, locks, chain, handcuffs, chests. All being undone in record time, 035 practically howling with laughter the entire time.

"Did I do good?" The sheer unfiltered excitement in Jay's voice was infectious, causing a smile to spread across 049's face.

"Yes, you did wonderfully." He couldn't remember the last time he had watched his brother perform but he could remember the excitement was always the same. It always seemed like the first time he'd gotten it right, even if he'd done it a hundred times before.

"Do you think they'll like it?"

The question cut through 049's thoughts like a scalpel through skin. His smile faltered, it was less than a second, but he was sure one of them noticed; he brushed off the thought, his smile returning. "I'm sure they will love it." He stopped for a moment, trying to plan out his words. "Just be sure to not take anything they say to heart, alright?"

Jay nodded, such a calm motion seemed alien for him. "I promise."

035 stood on the sidelines, watching the interaction between the two. He saw 049's smile falter and the concern in his voice had struck a nerve. He was tempted to ask about why 'they' were or even to go through Doc's office to see if he could find anything. The letter. How had he forgotten the letter? He was sure it had something to do with it. No, if 049 had wanted him to know he would have told him. Right?

"I'm gonna go on a walk, I'll be back soon."

The two turned to look at him, he almost chuckled at how they tilted their heads the same way.

"Alright dear, be safe."

"I always am. See you later." 035 began down the trail, he needed to clear his head.

————————————————————
A/N. I am not dead, so that's something. Chapters will still be slow so apologies for that but I've been writing a lot recently so there shouldn't be such long gaps between them.

And for my own curiosity, do any of y'all listen the The Magnus Archives or Welcome to Night Vale? Because I have gay horror podcast brainrot right now (seriously tho Jon being ace makes my cry from joy every time I think about it)