Trigger Warnings: Implied/Referenced Stripdancing, Self-Hatred, Drug Use, Substance Abuse, and Sibling Incest

Sidenote: Tim and Jim are 17 years old about to go 18 years old in this fic.

Past day

February 14, 2007: Growing up was more than just maturing, it was the wait to know the identity of your soulmate.

Movies made it appear so easy, so romantic; and textbooks made it appear so bleak and boring. But reality was more of an itch at the back of your brain, a curious question that would take years to reach an answer.

Jim was more excited about the idea of soulmates than Tim. He was curious about the how and why, and giddy about someone understanding and accepting him.

Tim didn't want to know who his soulmate was. The very concept of it terrified him; what if he was stuck with someone who didn't like football, boxing, or who thought he was gross because of the things he liked? What if his soulmate turned out to be the old lady who liked to pinch his cheeks or even worse, Bonnie?

His mom told him over and over again to have faith on who his soulmate would be and to stop being so pessimistic, but he couldn't help it…

What if his soulmate tried to stop him from becoming anything he'd want to be? What if they didn't like having ice cream for dinner or prefered raisin bran cookies over chocolate chip?

He just wanted to be with his brother forever; deep inside of him, he kept wishing that he was Jim's soulmate so that they would always be together.

Flashback begins

January 29th: "Timothy Possible!" The teacher chastised, slamming his ruler on Tim's desk which startled him from his absent-minded doodling.

Tim stopped what he was doing, looked up and was met with a disapproval look from his teacher.

"Pay attention. It's important to know these things about soulmate bonds so you can find your soulmate when the time has come," the teacher barked.

"What if I don't wanna know who's my soulmate?" Tim retorted interrogatively, lifting up his chin in defiance. His classmates muttered and stared at him.

"I say, whoever is your soulmate would probably wish the same thing when they meet you," the teacher countered bluntly which made the whole class sans the teacher and Tim erupt in laughter and Tim flushed with anger and humilliation.

Flashback ends

After coming out of the closet to them, his father chastising him with homophobic slurs which led to them getting into a physical altercation, in which, Tim won, which resulted in Tim getting evicted from the house until he "straightens" himself up, the wait for his soulmate was a torture. Even if he had wanted to know who they were, who would ever want a homeless and useless buffoon like him as their soulmate?

But his soulmate was the only thing he had left...

Maybe they would be compassionate and give him a new home. They'll help him get a nice job; together they would form a family again.

March 14th: A month after being kicked out of the house and the morning of his 18th birthday, Tim woke up with a bleeding heart, with his twin brother's name, "Jim Possible" inscribed in the middle, tattooed on the right side of his right shoulder blade; he felt justified in collapsing into a sobbing mess.

Present day

May 22, 2010 (3 years later): People looked for underprivileged male models/strippers without names because they were "unclaimed". Many faked having no name for the sake of making money.

An old man, who had been on the bussiness for a long while, teached Tim how to use make up to cover it up.

"Y'know..., like this, I almost feel young again," Tim said suddenly in a mature, husky voice which gotten deeper over the years, looking at his right shoulder through a mirror. It was as if there had never been anything there. He gotten taller over the years; almost the same height as Kim. He's average built with a bit of muscles, his hair is now longer and shaggier and has a slightly trimmed beard.

"Dude, you're 21," the old man pointed out, exhaling the smoke of his cigarrette while watching Tim with a strange expression on his face.

"I know," Tim admitted knowingly, wearing nothing but black leather spandex shorts and went out to stripdance in front of his customers.

May 25, 2014 (4 years later), 7:11 pm: Night was falling and he was on his way to Manhattan where his twin brother now resided in. Tim's body ached for warmth and rest, but he didn't want to pull over on such a secluded road.

He was very surprised Jim somehow reached out to him via letter for 7 long years. Tim vividly remembered his twin brother trying to make drastic attempt to defend him but then chickened out when being threatened of getting kicked out as well if he'd intervene. Tim could never forget that heartbroken, sympathetic look Jim gave him after getting evicted from the house. He was never angry at Jim for failing to defend him, no, he could never stay mad at Jim; though it would've been nice if Jim did more than he should've, y'know, putting the old man in his place for once. But then again, Tim understood why Jim was so hesitant to defend him because of fearing the repercussions if he did intervene. He wondered what his twin brother could possibly want from him. His heart throbbing with panic and desire to finally see him.

To finally be with his soulmate. After his stripdancing days were over, he went to rehab where he successfully sobered up and reformed and no longer do anymore drugs or alcohol; he has been cleaned for 4 years. Although he had worked jobs like a pizza delivery guy, a cook at McDonald's, and a Costco employee from time to time, he wasn't making that much minimum wage to keep a roof over his head to the point where he would booked rooms at several hotels for a couple of nights or spend some nights at some homeless shelters.

Tim found himself standing before the front door of his twin brother's house; it was a fancy house, he gotta say; better than where he'd live in time after time. Tim wore a short-sleeved black leather jacket over a red tanktop with black denim pants and black leather boots. He knocked on the door then stood there and waited patiently. He heard the noise of the door getting unlocked until it opened wide up to reveal the person standing behind it, Jim.

Jim wide-eyed and his mouth agape in shock and incredulity when he instantly recognized Tim and studied his disheveled appearance while speaking up suddenly in a mature, businessman voice, "Tim."

Tim was caught off guard not only by Jim's instant recognition of him, but his voice; it gotten deeper over the years as well which secretly aroused him as he returned, "Jim."

It's been long since Tim saw Jim, he was amaze by Jim's appearance; even after 7 years, Jim looked exactly Tim by height, build, and facial features but with few minor differences: Jim was more cleaned, kempt and presentable than Tim, especially in only a blue tanktop and gray gym shorts, his hair remained same like it was years ago, and clean-shaven. "He looks even handsome, sexy and beautiful as ever," Tim thought in allure by Jim's appearance which secretly turned him on even more than just Jim's voice.

Tim was once again caught off guard when Jim instantly lunged forward and embraced him into a big, warm, familial hug with his eyes closed and a content smile which caused him tensed up slightly before slowly relaxing as he closed his eyes while hugging Jim back, mirroring Jim's smile.

"I'm so glad to see you again, bro; it been so long," Jim admitted contently which warmed Tim's heart that his twin brother had really missed him.

"I know, but I'm happy to see you again, baby bro," Tim returned contently which warmed Jim's heart that his twin brother had really missed him as well.

Almost simultaneously, they slightly departed before opening their eyes and gazing and smiling at each other eyes, mirroring each other's content expressions but still hugging each other with Jim's arms wrapped around Tim's neck and Tim's arms wrapped around Jim's waist.

Then Jim's expression faltered into a melancholic, remorseful look as he lowered his head in shame with his eyes closed which made Tim's expression faltered as well into a half confused and concerned look, thoughtfully tilting his head to the side while asking, "What's wrong, Jim?"

Jim said nothing but still had his head down, refusing to look up at Tim then finally he spoke up remorsefully in a mummur, "I'm sorry."

Tim thoughtfully tilted his head back up to stand straight while prompting, "For what?"

Jim sniffled as tears began streaming down his face as he sobbed guiltily, "For not defending you against Dad and letting him kicked you out like that; because I'm nothing but a wusp then I was before and now. I should've had done more, I should've; but I feared of the repercussions of my actions if I'd intervene. I understand you have every right to hate me and not forgive me for failing to be there for you when you'd need me." Tim's heart broke when he'd see his twin brother crying before him and that he'd think Tim had or even still had anger, hatred and resentment toward him because of what happened years ago.

Tim let his right arm go from Jim's waist, almost formed his hand into a fist before softly placing his hand under Jim's chin and lifted Jim's head up to face him which made Jim fluttered his eyes open and gazed at Tim as Tim assured admittedly, "Jim, it's okay. There's nothing to cry about. Besides, I'm not mad at you nor do I hate you; I never was and never have." Jim blinked at Tim in bemusement by Tim's assurance as he prompted, "Really?"

Tim's lips slowly twitched to a half resolved smile while reassuring, wiping Jim's tears away and cupping Jim's right cheek, "Of course, bro; I can never stay angry at you nor hate you. You're not a wusp, Jim, you never were and never are. I understand why you, Mom, and Kim were scared to intervene. So there's nothing to dwell about; the past was the past. It's over and everything is good now; and you've already been forgiven."

A relieved, content smile slowly plastered on Jim's face at Tim's reassurance as he remarked happily, "Thanks, bro."

Tim mirrored Jim's smile as he started, "Hicka bicka boo..."

"Hoo sha...," Jim finished which made both men chuckled at their famous childhood catchphrases then hugged with their eyes closed again before eventually they opened their eyes while breaking away entirely.

"C'mon, let's go inside. I can fix your something to eat if you'd want; you must be starving from that long drive," Jim suggested.

On cue, Tim's stomach suddenly grumbled at Jim's suggestion which made Jim laughed and Tim blush in embarrassment while placing his hand on his stomach as Tim sheepishly chuckled and admitted, "I guess I am."

"And after that, we can, y'know, do something catching up for ol' good time sake; Oh, we can even watch movies and/or play video games if you're in the mood," Jim added.

Tim nodded in agreement with Jim's suggestion while agreeing, "Sure. I'd love that."

Jim took Tim's hands and their fingers intertwined with one another as they walked inside Jim's house before Jim closed the door from behind him and locked it.