Fresh sat in his dorm room looking at his phone's dark screen; he didn't know why he was waiting for a call that would likely not come tonight. He felt his soul give a pang and sighed flopping face down onto his pillow. He missed Error and regretted what he said…"Me and my big mouth…." Fresh sighed turning onto his back staring at the ceiling. He felt another pang in his soul and gave a soft bitter laugh, "You were right Geno...sadness is an icky feeling." Fresh turned on his music closing his eyes wishing he could undo the day his big mouth had torn a rift between he and his older brother. In the background the a sad song began to play….

It's been a long time, and I find myself wishing maybe I could connect….

Three years ago:

"I'm nervous…" Geno murmured to his brothers. "Why? You have the highest GPA in the whole school. You deserve recognition for that." Error said and Geno blushed hiding in his scarf. "You also proved the doctors wrong." Fresh added. Error glared at him, "What did I say?" Fresh said. "You just dampened the mood baka." Error huffed. "But he did prove em wrong." Fresh insisted. "Now is not the time to talk about doctors!" Error hissed and Geno sighed watching his siblings bicker. "Error p-please stop. Fresh is r-right I did p-prove them wrong." Error gave an angry huff but stopped yelling at Fresh. Fresh gave a lopsided smile to Geno who weakly smiled back. Out on stage the superintendent spoke of Geno. "There's your cue bro." Fresh nudged Geno very gently. Geno walked onto the stage very flustered when his classmates started clapping. "I…" Geno tried to speak but started to cough. "Oh no" Error said. Geno continued to cough and cough feeling lightheaded. The superintendent yelled for someone to call an ambulance. Geno was eased onto the stage his brothers running over to him, "Geno your breathing exercises." Error said rubbing Geno's back. Geno tried to breathe the way the doctors taught him but failed. He heard the doors open then blacked out.

When he woke up the EMT asked him his name and age. She then asked if he could breathe deeply; once Geno was able to respond she unhooked him from the O2 machine. The EMT asked if he wanted to go to the hospital and Geno said no. Asy was called to take him home; the principal also excused Fresh and Error for the remainder of the day. Error didn't let go of Geno's hand the entire ride home murmuring soothing things to him. Fresh stared out the window in the front seat not saying a word; Asy watched the two in the backseat in his rearview mirror seeing as Geno was trembling. They arrived at the house Asy and Error helping Geno inside while Fresh carried their bags. Geno was set on the couch where he immediately began to sob. "Shh Geno it's okay…" Error soothed hugging his brother who sobbed into his shoulder embarrassed and disappointed. Asy left to call CQ and Com to inform them of what happened. Geno was not any better when Sugar and Ink arrived after school ended for the day. They all did their best to comfort Geno while Fresh watched not sure what to do. After an hour Sugar and Ink went home leaving the brothers alone. Asy had been called into the hospital to care for a girl with Leukemia.

Geno was still upset about what happened mumbling, "That w-was a fiasco…" Error hugged him offering comfort. "It wasn't that bad." "The EMT had to revive me on stage...yes it was…" Geno covered his face with his hands. Error sighed softly not arguing with Geno. Fresh had stayed in the recliner "We all knew this day was coming though." he said quietly. "What is that supposed to mean?!" Error snapped. "The day Geno's illness catches him again? We all knew his health would get bad again. It was bound to happen sooner or later." Fresh replied. Error stood up. "Shut up Fresh!" Geno held onto Error's hand, "Please don't f-fight." Error pulled away from Geno glaring at Fresh, "You are an insensitive prick you know that?" he growled. Fresh sighed softly. "Me being a prick doesn't change anything." Error stalked toward Fresh his pixelation syndrome acting up as he got angrier. Geno watched them bicker feeling torn. "Error please…" He begged. " No Geno not this time!" Fresh watched them both "I don't understand why you're so mad." " You don't know when to shut the funk up that's why!" Error snapped. "Language bro." Fresh said. Error felt something in him snap. He lunged at Fresh punching him across the face. Geno got up rushing over to them; he shoved Error away from Fresh. "I s-said stop!" Error glared "How can you stand up for him?!" Geno looked ready to cry, "Because he's our brother and...he's right…my health would s-start to go bad again someday. We all knew it would…." Error threw his hands up in frustration, "That doesn't mean he should remind you after you had a bad day!" Geno started to cry, "He's not doing it to be mean Error!" Fresh rubbed his cheek watching them argue which was a first for him. Usually he and Error fought while Geno watched. "He should just keep his funking mouth shut!" Geno stomped his foot "And you need to control your temper!"

Geno suddenly began to cough. Error froze regretting his decision to argue with Geno. Geno continued to cough the stress having pushed his unstable health over the edge; Error rubbed his back try to help him. Fresh called an ambulance not taking any chances. 30 minutes later they sat in the hospital room with Geno was asleep. Error was crying and glared at Fresh who had a bandage on his cheek from where Error punched him. "This is all your fault!" Error hissed angrily tears going down his cheeks as he held Geno's hand.

"What I'd give to take it all back...now that I sorta understand why you got so mad…" Fresh sighed. He pulled the blanket around his shoulder as the storm picked up. Storms still scared him because you know people have died during storms like the blizzard that howled outside his window. There was no way that his phone would work. He turned it on and saw the yellow alert symbol next to the message he tried to send.

It's been a long night and this service sucks...and my message can't be sent.

Fresh pulled the blanket over his head laying down staring at the picture of he and his brothers before they graduated high school. It was after a soccer game that they had won. Geno looked so happy and in the background you could see Dec and Sugar making peace signs. "It's funny...emotions were never easy for me...now I wish I could go back to feeling nothing...it's easier than feeling alone…."

All I know I need you….even if it was just for today.

He missed his family so much but all Error and he did was fight. He couldn't stand being the reason Geno was upset enough to trigger an attack. "You always tried to patch things up between us…to hold our family together…" He looked at the texts from Geno wishing he could reply and reassure him. Just to talk to him...and Error…

Geno:Fresh are you ok?

Geno: We miss you

Geno: Are you coming home for Christmas this year?

Geno: Is it stormy up there?

'I miss you too….I'm sorry…' (message not sent)

Some way you will see, a letter always leads me back to you...