Max had to swallow his words from earlier: the lame freshman party was actually a kick-ass warehouse gala funded by all the frats in the area, and it seemed like the entire student bodies of at least three universities were there. Billy had called it with his costume – with his mask on he could have been anyone, and the party was full of Dark Dragons.

Max felt undignified as Lord Jayesen, his prosthetic elf ears poking up through the choppy (and itchy) orange wig. But he smiled whenever he caught his reflection, reminded of the game. (To only dress up as a hero wasn't much of a change, but it was still a relief to him after what had happened.) And the mood of the party was accepting - only half the partygoers were in sexy or traditionally-Halloween-y costumes. When he passed a guy dressed up as a toaster he felt even better about his choice.

Max saw Nora first, a vision in red and gold. She was anonymous enough behind Ms. Marvelous' trademark ornate half-face mask, her standard brown hair unstyled and down. But Max could recognize his own sister, even in this crowd. Her shimmering gold cape fluttered behind her as she walked over towards them, strutting the hell out of the crimson suit. Phoebe came up behind her, and Max felt it like a punch when he saw what she was wearing: a Sister Amarthina costume. They had both had the same idea.

It was ridiculous that he felt so overwhelmed – they had only played the game together within the past week. It wasn't a nostalgic memory that reached back into their childhood, like "Hips Don't Lie". (That stupid ringtone he just couldn't bring himself to change.) But there was something about knowing they were making new memories together that made his heart swell up.

Dressed to match, what a twin thing to do, Phoebe's eyes seemed to say as she smiled at him, half-warm and half-amused, and a little of something else too. The nuns of the Lothine order, like Amarthina, wore white togas with gold bangles, their hair piled tightly atop their heads, held up by blue ribbons. It was…a good look on her.

"Wow," Billy commented, taking the words right out of Max's mouth. Max wasn't sure which of their sisters he was talking about, but in either case he agreed.

Max peeked to his side to see if Billy had noticed him staring at Phoebe, but of course Billy only had eyes for Nora as she approached them with a gait only slightly more subtle than that of a model on the catwalk. Max's gaze snapped right back to his twin despite his weak attempt at resistance.

At least to himself he had never bothered trying to deny that Phoebe was pretty, though it was the very last thing he ever would have said to her face (even now, when he should be mature enough to be able to do it). He had always thought her pretty - even when they were younger and it was infuriating to concede she had any positive qualities and he genuinely found her annoying most if the time. (Though, not always…)

And then, recently – as much as it felt like a lifetime ago for all that had changed for him - he had realized that she was more than pretty. She was stunning. Radiant even. (And he wanted to punch himself for even knowing that word.) At least to him she was - with her vibrant eyes; and mass of shiny, soft hair; and her, to be quite frank, adorable nose. She was radiant, and he had never noticed until…

But tonight she was breathtaking.

The reasoning he had used for so long - Whatever, so she's pretty. So what? Pretty girls sometimes have brothers. I just happen to be one of them. Those brothers aren't blind. They can't go around not noticing that facts are facts. It doesn't matter! - had never worked and especially wasn't working now.

And how troubling that all was to him seemed to be escalating as well. He hadn't thought it could get any worse, but apparently it still could. Billy and Nora weren't helping, either: they had already sprung back to each other like attracted magnets.

He tried again to look away, but again he wasn't able.

Phoebe followed Nora over and the four of them found themselves in a huddle.

"It's amazing, she looks just like her," Phoebe observed for the boys' benefit, looking over Nora with approval. Ms. Marvelous' suit was made of finer material but other than that the costume was impressively identical.

Max made no remarks about Phoebe's costume and she made none about his, as if there were an implicit agreement that nothing should be said. Nora had no such qualms. She turned to Max: "What the hell are you supposed to be?"

He scowled. "It's from Elfstar."

"Elfster?"

"Elfstar," Phoebe corrected, a little defensively. "Like mine is. Remember, I told you? It's a video game. A very famous video game."

Nora nodded, uninterested. "Let's dance, Billy."

She stuck her hand straight up into the air and he took it and spun her out onto the floor.

Anyone observing Phoebe and Max could have deduced from their body language how uncomfortable they were to be left alone together, but their comfort only declined further as they spotted another Lord Jayesen and Sister Amarthina in the opposite corner…sucking each other's faces off.

"That's in direct violation of the Lothine code," Phoebe reproached after one too many moments of silence, when it became apparent that they were both watching the couple, hopelessly transfixed.

Max smiled. "Amarthina has been known to break the rules once or twice."

"I suppose if she had a good reason to break a rule, she might," Phoebe conceded. "But not for a dalliance."

"I don't think anyone would dally with Sister Amarthina."

Silence resumed, and Phoebe took the opportunity of the second lull to approach the subject of Billy and Nora: "So, what was the impression you got from Billy?"

She stepped closer to him to be heard, and Max retreated from her, to her consternation. "Exactly what I expected: he's bananas for the girl."

"Did he tell you about how it all started?"

Max and Phoebe's eyes collided as they both remembered the curiously erotic tale of Billy and Nora's first kiss. The eye contact lasted for a little too long, and they both turned away suddenly.

Their gazes naturally drifted to the dance floor where Billy and Nora were dancing together. An upbeat song with benign lyrics blasted through the impressive speaker system. A few of the dancers were grinding – Billy and Nora's movements were tame by comparison, innocent, silly even – but they were so intensely together. So intent on each other.

Billy twirled Nora a couple of times and she doubled over laughing.

"It's so much worse than I thought," Phoebe brooded. "They're in love."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Max remarked, his tone cryptic.

"It is definitely not a good thing, Max! I was hoping it might fizzle out. That they were just being dramatic, like teenagers are, with all their talk of 'always' and 'forever'. But it's…"

"Real?" he finished for her, growing heated. "You thought Billy and Nora were just going to 'fizzle out'? That's ridiculous. This might not last forever, but if it ends, it's not going to just 'fizzle out'."

"Don't you see? That's exactly what I've been worried about all along. In addition to a host of other things."

"They're happy. Why can't you just be happy for them?"

"Because they're not thinking. I have to think for them."

"Where was this grand inquisition when I-" Max cut off abruptly.

Phoebe furrowed her brow, utterly bewildered. "When you what?"

"Nothing. Never mind."

"Max?" She laid her palm on his shoulder but he shook it off instantly and stepped back.

Impatiently, she put her hands on her hips. "Is there something that you want to say to me? Why don't you just say it?" she yelled, half in anger, half because of the loud music. She had had enough of this - enough of being frozen out by him, enough of not understanding what was going on in his head.

He didn't react.

"What could you possibly be angry at me for? You're the one who is always doing bad things. And we've barely seen each other! I just don't understand."

She saw a spark of something in his eyes. She had hit on something. But still he didn't reply.

She had to claw at him with all she had: "We weren't like Billy and Nora, but we've always gotten along in our own way. I can tell we did, because we don't now. It's different, and it's terrible. This isn't us!" She shrugged sadly, a sorrowful bewilderment decorating her face, a soft pleading in her voice. "I want my twin back."

For the first time in weeks Max dropped all of his pretenses and she felt like she was seeing his raw trueness, that real self he hid from everyone. But it was still cowering in his eyes. He took a deep uncomfortable breath, but said nothing. Unknown sentences faltered on his lips, but he couldn't seem to be able to articulate what he wanted to say. Then he spoke, but the music was too loud – a new song, a total cacophony - and she couldn't hear. She shook her head apologetically, and pointed at the speakers.

He shook his head in frustration, then slipped an arm around her back and yanked her into him.

Breathless with surprise, she tried to recall the last time they had been this close. She wanted to keep staring at him, but he brought his lips around to her ears. "I don't know how to say it," he began. "I'm not very good at this."

Her heart was battering, like it wanted out of her. He still hadn't let go.

She couldn't find the right words to encourage him. She kept trying to think of them, but she couldn't concentrate. She couldn't think about anything but his hands. His hand on her back, flush against the small of her back. And his other hand, where was his other hand? It was hanging low at his side but it kept tickling her thigh by accident. She swept it up in hers and interlocked their fingers.

"Max, tell me," she said. "You can tell me. Please tell me."

"I want to," he said softly, not looking her in the eyes.

And he might have, if they hadn't been rushed by a large, excited group that had just entered the party. The force of the assault wrenched them apart. Phoebe glanced over at Billy and Nora, who were staring at them. Had they been watching?

Not that there had been anything to see.

Phoebe turned back to look at Max but he was gone.

*/*/*

"Phoebe's still not sure," Nora said as Billy took her into his arms for a slow song.

"They were freaked out, but not grossed out. I think we're OK. Phoebe just needs time to get used to the idea."

"And Max is with us?" Nora asked.

"Yeah, I think so. He ought to be."

"I know what you think, Billy, and you know I don't disagree, but I wish you wouldn't encourage it. How do you think Mom and Dad are going to deal with just one set of us together? Unresolved tension is one thing, but if they're a couple…"

Billy smiled at her. "I'm not sure that's the right way to look at it. That's not the way we want them looking at us, is it?"

"Billy, you know I don't like it when you're noble."

"Sorry. Anyway, I didn't encourage him. But I think I should. Whatever's going on between them, don't you think we should help fix it? They're in a bad place."

"You're a meddling nuisance just like Phoebe. It's none of our business." She peeked over at her sister, who looked bereft as she stood alone against the wall. "But I suppose we could do something..." She laid her head down on his shoulder. "But not until the song is over."

*/*/*

Nora found Max outside, sitting on the edge of the concrete ramp in the back.

"You looking for me?" Max asked.

"No, I just came out for a cigarette."

"Funny."

The area was swamped with partygoers out for fresh air, and more than two young men held out cigarettes for Nora, but she waved them off. She sat down next to her brother. "I know you don't like to talk about your feelings," Nora began. "I don't either."

"We're two peas. It's a good thing we're not closer in age," Max replied with a fond smile. "I would have been a bad influence on you."

She smiled back. "Yes, I think you would have. As it was, Billy managed to be a good influence on me. He's the reason I'm out here, to prod and poke you until something spills out."

Max groaned. "I'm tired of getting the third degree."

"You're tired of it? All day Billy and I have put up with being under your microscope, answering questions we would rather not answer, fearing what you might do, who you might tell. Particularly you, Max. Phoebe might be playing therapist or social worker or whatever, but she'll come through for us. It's you I don't trust."

"I've earned that." Max hung his head, and Nora saw genuine regret. "But I'm rooting for you. I really am."

"That's what Billy believes."

"The only thing that's got me concerned about what's between you two is if you move on and leave him behind. Everything else can be weathered, but that would…wreck lives. He's not going to take it well."

"Like you didn't take it well with Phoebe?" Nora lifted her eyebrows inquisitively.

Max smiled at her, like a savvy and mischievous child caught in a lie. "He's gonna take it worse."

"No, he's not. Because it's not going to happen. It's been 18 years, and I'm not tired of him yet. He's not tired of me. What makes you think that's going to change? I knew what I was taking on, when I allowed this to become what it is. Or, more accurately, when I dove headfirst into it," she admitted. "I'm not going to leave him. Not ever. Even if I wanted to go, I wouldn't. I'd stay for him. But I'm never going to want to be apart from him."

Max reached over and rustled the top of her head affectionately. "OK."

She glared at him and rearranged her hair back into place, patting down the new frizz he had created. "Are we going to talk about you now?" she asked.

"Sure, we can talk about me. We can talk about how I have nothing to show for my life. How all of my dreams are shattered. How all my hard work at Sidious Tech was for nothing – don't laugh, I actually did do some work while I was there. We could talk about how I blew all the money I made on fleeting pleasures and meaningless shit that I didn't even get to keep. And how I'm clueless, and a failure, and lost, and miserable, and…alone."

"Wah-wah." Nora mockingly rubbed her eyes like a crying baby.

Max rolled his eyes. "Haven't I earned some credit with you by being so cool about you and Billy?"

"You earned some big boy credit. Which means I'm going to give it to you straight instead of indulging you."

"I'd prefer to be indulged."

"Wouldn't we all. Listen, Max: life's unfair."

Max held up his hand to stop her from the trite lecture. She pushed it back down again, laughing, and continued: "Life's unfair. And you're one of the people who likes to make it that way. Sidious Tech was a cesspool, and the world is better off without it."

"Wow, you are giving it to me straight, aren't you? I missed you, Nora."

She didn't let him sidetrack her. "You're better off without it too. You've always been enterprising enough to make it on your own. So what's really bothering you? Because it's not some junk that was repossessed or some corporate assholes that would have stabbed you in the back eventually anyway." Nora rose to her feet. "You said 'lost, miserable, and alone'. You don't have to be that way. So figure it out. And then do something about it, because that's the only way that anything will change." Nora sauntered back inside. She hadn't been holding a microphone, but somehow she had still dropped one.

Max laughed mirthlessly. "Wow."

*/*/*

"Did he tell you what was bothering him when you guys were alone this afternoon?" Phoebe asked Billy, after he had dragged her out to the dance floor. She wasn't in the mood for dancing, but Billy got her imitating some of his moves and before too long she was into it. She wasn't 100% sure, but at one point the two of them – and only the two of them in a sea of dancers - did something that bore a frightening resemblance to the Macarena with a chicken twist. But somehow costumes and Halloween and being with family made that OK. All the same, she didn't really want Max to walk back in and see her doing it…

"No, he didn't say…"

"Come on, Billy! Don't be coy: you suspect something! What is it? He was trying to tell me something, but we got interrupted. Do you know what he was trying to tell me?"

"I'm not sure I should tell you. I know he wouldn't want me too."

"Well, does Nora know? If you've told her then I don't see why you can't tell me too."

"I've told her what I think. We tell each other everything."

"Yeah, you guys are perfect. I get it. Why is it something to keep from me specifically?" Phoebe whined: "Tell me!"

"I think he's worried about how you might react. I'd say in the not-too-distant past you reacted rather badly to something very similar," Billy teased.

Phoebe was about to strangle him. "You seem to find this very amusing."

"Yeah. I do."

Phoebe waited for Billy to say more but he didn't. She elbowed him. Hard. "Billy, you've got to help me. There's…something broken between us."

"Nora's putting some pressure on him as we speak. Just promise me that you'll listen to him."

"Of course I will."

"Just, be chill, OK? Don't react right away."

"I don't understand. I-"

Billy covered her mouth with his hand. "Just dance, Phoebe."

*/*/*

Max did not follow Nora right back in – in fact, it was another 20 minutes before he showed his face – but when he did return he was purposeful and confident. "Let's dance," he said to Phoebe as he strolled right past her, snatching her hand and taking it with him. She had to run to catch up, only for him to stop suddenly and encircle her in his arms.

For a moment he didn't speak, they just swayed. And she was too shocked to say anything either.

She didn't know the song. She wondered if the lyrics were romantic, but she couldn't focus enough to understand them. Most of the couples on the floor – well, the persons (not everyone dancing together was a couple) – were slow-dancing, but Phoebe still felt like they stood out. She was glad Sister Amarthina wore flats, because with heels she was just the right amount of taller than Max for it to be awkward. As it was they were…nose to nose.

"You're tense," he commented.

"No, I'm not, I'm-"

He didn't allow her to finish, dipping her instead. He pulled her back up rapidly, making her feel handled, which she didn't mind.

"You can't partner dance," she ridiculed.

"I'm all right."

"No…" The denial carried no emphasis. It didn't even end, as if she couldn't quite finish saying the word because the lie was too untrue. His was an unusual mix of moves but oddly graceful, the confident execution refining the style. One arm he held up, at shoulder level, formal, caging her in. She liked it. And then there was the other hand on the small of her back again…

She hadn't realized she liked being touched there so much.

It made her body hum.

"I want to tell you something," he finally said.

"Please, Max, whatever it is, just say it."