RP: Brother, Where Art Thou?

[stephenross]

Date: August 22, 2011
Characters: Stephen Ross, Tyler Ross, Alex Jameson
Location:  Angel Abbey
Status: Private
Summary:  Stephen finds the courage to reunite with his brother.
Completion: Incomplete

Comments

[tyler_ross]

Eventually, Alex was going to start charging rent for the booth in the back that Ty often used for client meetings. Since he didn't have an actual office, it made sense to meet at a restaurant whenever the client didn't suggest an alternate location. Ty did meet at offices and party venues, of course, but he often arranged to meet the client for the final handing over of photographs at Angel Abbey. If it happened to let people see how cool and interesting the place was, well, that was an added bonus of wanting somewhere comfortable and familiar for doing that bit of business

[stephenross]

Stephen couldn't talk. His throat was coated in acid and his tongue swollen and useless in his mouth. He just stared, mesmerized by the first good look at his brother in years. He looked...good. Healthy. Happy even, if you could tell such a thing from a quick glance.

"Hi." He finally managed, aware that he probably sounded hoarse and looked like an idiot. "Tyler."

The name sounded good and that helped.

"I..I'm Stephen." He said. Lame. But...he wasn't sure how else to put it.

[tyler_ross]

The guy said his name, and Ty frowned slightly as he wondered if he should recognize him. He was usually pretty good with faces and names, had to be working bar and later making connections at the Weekly. This guy looked young, definitely had to be carded if he ordered something alcoholic, and there was something slightly familiar about the eyes. But Ty couldn't place him. At least he knew he hadn't ever fucked him. Those were faces that he definitely remembered

[stephenross]

"Yeah. It's me. I...sorry. To just drop in like this without any warning, but I didn't..it was the only way I knew how to find you." The words that had choked up in his throat before, poured out now in a torrent. "I saw you working here a while ago and I thought..I don't know what I thought. I wanted to see you, but I was freaking out. Mom left Dad and I'm living with her and you were so close...I just. I...fuck. I'll leave if you want me too, but I wanted to see you and say...sorry. I'm so goddamn sorry."

His chest hurt and put a hand to tight knot there. It was as if everything he hadn't been feeling for years was welling up all at once, choking him.

[tyler_ross]

It was him. It was really Stephen. Ty's Stephen. Not some stranger off the street with the same name. He tried to listen to the words that were spilling out of Stephen's mouth so damn fast, but he stopped listening when he heard the part about Stephen seeing him working there a while ago. A while ago. He'd known how to find Ty for who knows how long, but he hadn't ever bothered

[stephenross]

That went well. Stephen sunk down to lay his forehead on the bar, not giving a shit who noticed. He didn't want to chase after Tyler, he'd been told to stay, so he'd stay. Though now he was kind of wishing he'd ordered a drink first. Something to soften the edges of the harsh jagged broken glass that jangled across his nerves.

[angelalexjay]

Alex was working on the schedule for after their vacation, to balance things out for the folks covering him that extra time, when Ty came in the room.

Something was wrong. Ty looked on the verge of hyperventilating. Alex jumped up and moved to him, closing the door. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asked, concerned. He rubbed Ty's arms, holding him close.

[tyler_ross]

Ty was relieved to find Alex in the office. He hadn't been sure where he was, and he really needed him right now. He moved into Alex's arms, hugging him tight. "Stephen," he muttered. "My brother. Stephen. He's. He's here. Has known I work here for a while. Dunno why he decided to say something tonight, if he's known for who knows how long. Just couldn't breathe. Needed you." He tightened his grip, not wanting to let go while he tried to calm his breathing.

[angelalexjay]

Oh fuck and a half. Alex tightened his grip on Ty, one hand moving to stroke his head and neck as he held him close. "Breathe with me." He said calmly, taking deep breaths in and out while his mind raced.

"Do you want me to get rid of him for you, or do you want to talk to him? Can be back here, in private. I'll stay." He murmured into Ty's ear, rubbing his back soothingly.

[tyler_ross]

Breathe. Right. Ty started to breathe with Alex, focusing on the feel of him and sound of their breaths. "I dunno," he admitted. "I'm so pissed off, you know? And surprised. And kinda happy. But I don't know why. He's so big now. I didn't even recognize him, Alex. Hell, I had to figure out if I'd fucked him or worked with him or something when he said my name. I didn't even know my own brother." He rubbed his face against Alex's neck and wished he knew how to handle this. "Dunno what to do."

[angelalexjay]

Alex kept rubbing his back, trying to think of how best to handle it. "Okay, baby. It's alright." He thought for a moment. "How about I go talk to him for a minute, then if he's still wanting to talk to the both of us, I bring him back here?" Alex offered.

[tyler_ross]

Ty thought about Alex's offer and nodded. "Okay. Yeah, that sounds good. Give me time to get my shit together before talking to him. If he thinks it's worth it. Might already have left, deciding I'm not worth all this," Ty murmured. With a sigh, he straightened up and ran his hand over his face. "Could you bring me some water when you come back? Kinda want something strong, but water's the best idea."

[angelalexjay]

Alex nodded, kissing Ty briefly. "Sit, breathe. I'll be back with your water and hopefully your brother." With one last squeeze he exited the office, going back to the bar area.

It took him a minute to figure out who Stephen must be. He didn't have a drink in front of him, but he looked nervous as fuck, and ready to snap. He moved to stand in front of him. "Stephen? My name's Alex. I'm Ty's partner." He kept his face neutral. "Care to explain what happened? He's a bit upset." Which was an understatement, but all he was going to admit to right now. He pulled out a glass and poured Stephen some water, figuring he might be having the same reaction as Ty, even though he'd instigated it.

[stephenross]

"I'm sorry." He ducked his head, cheeks flushed. "His partner...that's good. I'm glad he's got someone...I... just wanted to see him. Talk to him. I think I might have freaked him out babbling. I just...I saw him before. I...didn't not come in because of him."

He wasn't sure what to say, how much to reveal to this stranger. He squirmed.

[angelalexjay]

Alex blinked at him, a touch confused. "So you chose not to come before now, even though you knew he'd be here? I'm sure you can see how this would look to him, given that he's tried to contact you before." He kept his face impassive, though the urge to scowl was growing. Still, he wasn't being homophobic, that was something.

"Listen, I don't know why you chose now to come see him, but I'm sure you understand that I want to... avoid any more hurt." He said, and coughed. "What exactly did you hope would happen?"

[stephenross]

He ran a hand through his hair trying to collect himself. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so shaky. Alex's intensity wasn't helping though some part of him almost wanted to thank the man for being so protective. It was good. Someone cared about Tyler. He wasn't alone