Nicolas
So embarrassing, I proposed, for the first fucking time. I thought that there was something quirky that would make it seem like a joke but seriously, if there was one thing I could have done better it's breathing, I held my breath the whole time.
Alister stands the hand of his hip watching everyone drink and be merry, parties, ew.
I smile awkwardly and take his hand. Then I guide him back to the table, his ring glittering on his finger and I feel a swell of hope, that I can be the best person I can be, that it doesn't matter that I am a demon, that it doesn't matter that there is something that I'm too scared to share.
I watch Alister chat merrily to the parents, and there is nothing for me to do, even when Alister holds my hand and gives it a squeeze. If there is something I can do to prove I am alright, I'll do it instead of making sure I am really, truly okay. I pick at my food before dad notices and gives me a weak smile saying "Son, Nicolas, should we have a little...Chat? Would that be okay?"
"I'm fine father"
"This wasn't an option, so let's chat in the corridor"
"Again? Just go to the toilet"
He smiles "potty talk"
We leave and go into the toilet to have our little chat.
"So, I've noticed your unhealthy eating, does Alister know?"
"Alister doesn't know that, or about my PTSD or Anxiety etc., there is no need for him to know"
"No need? Would he think this?"
I sigh, tired, does he really think I'd think that far ahead? "I have no clue; I just don't understand most things like this"
"Neither does your brother"
"Brother?"
"Didn't you know? That you have twins? Didn't your mother not tell you?"
My mother? She never done shit, always seeing another guy, thought it'd stop after everything, yet it hasn't. Yet again, I haven't visited in a while, a long while.
"Who is this guy?" a cool voice says from behind me, father's eyes go to slits.
"I am Nicolas, who are you?" I say my voice way to steady for how I feel, I feel like I'm going to pass out.
"I am Calore, Calore is our last name"
"Stop it Cal, you knew this would happen, don't get your flames get in a twist"
"Greyson Calore" he says moving to beside our father and God does it scare me.
He has my face. He must be a scholar; he smiles like one that had just seen the worst answer to a simple question. Father pats his back, and he sighs, looking at father "this is my twin brother? The Nicolas that had mother in control for like 3 months. I must get a grip.
"I am Nicolas, and at least I have fucking manners" even after everything I have been through. Greyson Calore fucking walks towards me.
"You only passed my first test, Nicolas, did you think it was a good chance you met Anton?" He knows Anton. "Shame he dissed my orders, and it cost him his life" the hunter, it was all this guy? Does he think I won't kill him?
"Was it you? Did you set this whole thing up to fuck me up?"
"Yes, it was all for me. I planned it all after all. Not for you to mess up, dearest brother. For you to be like us, cold-" he gets hit by father on the head.
"Cal has been planning this for years, as if there is nothing that could have stopped him, I tried. He made us meet and he gave you your fiancé."
"You're welcome," Cal says before smiling properly.
"So, you done it all to be nice? To help me?"
Cal smiles and heads to the table "You forgot my invite dearest brother"
"Shut it you are freaking cow" I say sitting beside Alister giving him a quiet recount of what the heck just happened.
Dinner goes well; Calore knows everyone at the table. Alister finally says to me "I knew Calore since primary school. He had a trick for knowing what everyone was like without speaking a couple words. It was hard to get along with him but I decided to be his friend and he had none stop conversations about his dearest twin brother, you, he visited you a lot, without his father knowing and when he found out I really liked you and you liked me, he made sure that it'd happen. He's just like that, he may seem a little sad and lonely but please try and be nice since he is...sensitive, and he had shot himself before I remember that vividly. There is nothing that scared me more than that night."
Alister smiles at me. Sad. I smile at Calore who hadn't touched the food father chose for him. Cal is smiling and chatting with everyone. Not giving any info about himself but harvesting information about them.