It would shock people to learn that, while one of the two friends knew just about everything there was to know about the other, starting with his parents' names and ending with the way he liked to hold his pencil, that the other, usually so thorough with things like this, knew nearly nothing.

Funny, how the lazy and good-for-nothing Nicholas Verte was better at keeping secrets than his best friend, the intelligent and talented Rodney Lunette.

Rod knew that he didn't know that much about Nicky, but, as part of some sort of weird, unspoken agreement, he had never pressed Nicky for the information.

Nicky tapped his foot impatiently as he stood on the subway train. He wasn't wasting any time..... he was going there tonight. He needed to get this sorted or he would never be able to sleep.... let alone face Rod in the morning.

When he stepped out into the platform, it immediately started to rain. Christ he hated this place.... it ALWAYS did that! It always rained when he came here. Heck, even the last time that he had gotten on the wrong train and it stopped at this station, it started to pour, only to stop when he got home.

Sighing, he pulled his hood up, and stuffed his hands in his pockets, heading out into the rain.

Perhaps he should have thought about this better. There were three major gangs in this district and a number of little ones. How was he supposed to figure out which bunch of punks had hurt Rod? He paused in his stalking and looked around. Maybe... he would help him?

It wasn't like he didn't have contacts in the area.... even though they hadn't spoken for a couple of years... Maybe he would?
Well it couldn't hurt to try, hey?

So, with that decision made, he walked through the dark and unpleasant district, heading for a particular door. It was part of an apartment complex, not at all unlike Avenue Q, except each building had three or four apartments in it, rather than just the two. And, unlike Avenue Q, this place was a dump. And that was saying something.

He headed up the tall flight of steps to the uppermost apartment, and knocked on the door. He would be very surprised if he didn't live here anymore, and if that was the case he was screwed as far as options went.

He waited. And he waited. Then, he heard movement from the other side of the door, seeing a shadow move across the other side of the peep hole. Then, there was a click as someone unlocked it, and slowly, it cracked open. "....Nick?"

Nicky turned and looked at the man standing in the doorway. "Hey bro', long time no see."

The man inside stood at about six foot four, with a squarish face and green eyes. His black hair was cropped close to his skin, and strong biceps showed through the light t-shirt he was wearing.

They were similar enough to be recognised as brothers, but different enough to not be mistaken as one and the same. Nicky's hair was longer and scruffy, with a rounder face, and his muscles were not as well defined. He also stood a little shorter, at six foot even.

The two looked at each other for a long moment, as if trying to wrap their head around the fact that the younger brother was there at all. It was certainly unusual enough. He had dropped all contact with his family once he got to college.

"So, are you going to make me stand on the doorstep all night, or what, Jace?" Nicky asked, impatient.
"Oh, right, in shock I had forgotten our perfect manners."
Nicky snorted, but his brother stepped to one side to let him in.

Jason Verte, age 30, lived in what was possible the best looked after apartment on the street. It was still a small apartment though; with two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom, it was about the size of the apartment Nicky shared with Rod..... Except the rooms were a little smaller over all, thanks to that second bedroom.

Nicky strode past his brother and flopped down on the couch, much like he did at home.
"Nice to see you too, hey?" Jason said, arching a brow at the shorter man.
Nicky looked up at him with a half amused smile.
"Oh come on, Nick." Jason said with a huff. "Don't think I don't know you well enough to know that for you to come all the way out here to see me, you need something. You haven't come to see me in four years... or dad either, for that matter."

"Dad's a jerk, and so are you bro'.... but you're right, I do need something. I need your help." Nicky said, setting his green eyes on those of his brother, pulling his hood down.
"Oh really." Was the reply. "And why would this big old jerk help you?"

Nicky levelled his brother with a look. "Jace.... You know how things work in this stupid ass district. And wether I like it or not it's that sort of stuff that I was raised with. One of my friends wandered into this district a couple of weeks ago and some punks beat on him. You don't mess with what's ours, right? Our family IS still running this hole, aren't we?"

"Damn straight we are. But if your friend is stupid enough to walk in he-"
"Damnit Jason he was here because of me!!" Nicky stood, hands balled into fists by his sides.
Jason blinked. This was... so unlike his usually so cheerful little brother. This had irked him off something fierce...

Nicky took a deep breath to calm himself down. "Look, I know I didn't really take on much of Dad's ideas but it pisses me off to think that someone had hurt him. Someone here."

Jason's eyebrows rose slightly. "Which friend got his ass pounded on?" He asked. "From what I recall, you didn't have many."
"Rod."
"The Fag?"

"Oh for fuck's sake. YES. Funny how the only person to really give a shit is the guy I want to stick up for, huh? I bet you'll be giggling about that for weeks. I can just hear it now... 'My little brother is defending a gay!' Ha, ha, ha, ha, everybody laugh!"
"Alright alright don't get your boxers in a bind, Christ." Jason shook his head. "I forgot how much being here brings the worst out of you, Nick."

Nicky placed an elbow on the arm of the couch, and rested his head in his hand. "Tell me about it. I get irritated when the train just passes this place. Never mind it always seems to fucking rain when I'm near...."

"So, you want to go and beat some young punks up for kicking your friend?"
"He was here because I had made him upset, Jace. You remember what Rod's like when people poke fun at him being gay, right?" Nicky sighed. "I guess he trusted me to be the one to never say stuff like that... but then I went and told all our neighbours when they asked me about it; 'yes, I DO think Rod is gay', and I guess it hurt him more than anyone else's words could have."

"That's all it was?"
"He's a sensitive guy, okay? Shut up."

"So, do you know who it was that beat on him?"

"That's why I'm here talking to you bro'. I've got no idea. I guess I didn't really think about it when I got on the train, but I was so freaking pissed off..."
"Couldn't he tell you who it was?"

"..... He was admitted to hospital today."
"From the injuries?"
"No... but, he did have a fading bruise on his cheek, and I remember how easy it was to get concussed from shit like that...."
"Speaking from experience?"
"Oh come on, it's not like you haven't been concussed from being punched in the head too. And Rod's not exactly built as tough as we are."
"Point."

"So how do you know that some kids from here were beating on him if he didn't tell you?" Jason asked, flopping down on the couch beside his brother and putting his arms behind his head.
"Because..... I was.... cleaning the apartment..."
"God Forbid!"
"Hey shut up!"
Jason chuckled.
"I was cleaning the apartment, because.... he had trashed it in a fit of crazy... and I found the ticket he bought to get home after he had gotten lost. And he had bought it here. It's not that hard a conclusion to come to, especially seeing as I know what this hole is like."

Jason nodded his head.
"Well, seeing as it is you, and, you're right, you don't just beat on the friend of a Verte-Mikehal and get away with it... I recon I could help you out bro'."

Nicky smiled at him. "Thanks Jace."

A/N: When I started writing this, it was gunna be a short story. :P lol. Sorry if Nicky seems a little OOC here, but, it's just on of those places that bring out the worst in a person. I know there are a few places that just irritate the hell out of me when I'm near them :P