It had been roughly a year since Heracles and Kiku had moved out of the Adnan household. On this Saturday morning, the house was eerily silent and only Maskeli wandered about, oblivious to the atmosphere. Anput lay at her master's feet in the bed, suppressing whimpers of worry.
"Gupta, I really think I should take you to the hospital. Your fever is really high." Sadık fretted over his lover, trying every method he knew to combat illness.
"It's just a cold." Gupta mumbled, "Stupid customer probably gave it to me." He referred to a woman who had come in with a sick toddler on her hip.
"I'm sorry bebek." The older man continued wetting the Egyptian's head. "Is there anything I can do for ya that I haven't done yet...?"
"I don't know if I can keep it down... but can you cook something that smells good?"
To that request the Turkish man eagerly got up for the kitchen. Sadık had a feeling the other man's request was for his own need instead. Since Gupta had started feeling unwell he had cared only for him, forgetting to eat in his panic. He even neglected to call his gas station to inform the employees neither of them would be coming in. He started cooking and Gupta was already being lured to heaven by the auromas...
~!~
"Gupta, what are you doing here?" A woman's voice soothed the Egyptian.
"Mother." He embraced the white robed and gold-adorned woman with tears in his eyes.
"What have I told you about visiting me before your time?" She scolded.
"I don't have any control of my illness." He replied through tears.
"I know habibi." She kissed his head. "I also noticed you are having relations with Sadık."
"I'm sorry." Gupta apologized. "But I couldn't find a girl that I loved."
"You dated your brother too." She appeared to be disappointed.
"We didn't really do much." He mumbled, face pink.
"You can't have children with men." Her body fizzed a bit.
"I don't need children." Gupta found it hard to look at her.
"But you want them. Would he be willing to adopt? He's far too old to start another family."
"Yeah." Gupta murmured and felt his head get cloudier. "You know so much."
"I only know what you know, habibi. Though I wish I could tell you my own knowledge about him." Her voice faded and the world went black for a moment.
"Gupta, you awake yet?" A tired yet relieved voice sounded from the foot of the bed. "I chased the Turk out for now." The ill Egyptian went to rub his eyes, wincing as wires tugged him.
"Why did you make him leave, Heracles?" He whined, mouth dry.
"He's been here for a whole week waiting for you to get better. Kiku and I insisted he get some air and a shower." Heracles stretched. "I'll call Kiku and tell him you're awake. Do you want anything?"
"Just Sadık. Maybe a stuffed dog or baby doll." Gupta smiled a little. "No one brought gifts?"
"Actually, you have a lot of gifts. We had to take some of them home though. The nurse was getting ticked off."
"Who would bring me gifts?" He looked around the room in bewilderment.
"Your coworkers." He replied, handing Gupta a stuffed animal attached to a balloon. "Mostly they're from just Alfred, Kiku, and myself."
"I'll have to thank them." He smiled and pulled at some of the animal's artificial fur. "Is Anput well?"
"She's been whining for you."
"I hope she didn't aggravate Sadık."
"Sadık hasn't been home yet. Lovino has been feeding the animals with the Spaniard's supervision."
"Who threatened Lovino?" Gupta glanced at the clock, hoping to see a date as well.
"His brother."
Gupta laughed, picturing the little Italian threatening his older brother. The two half-brothers spent a few minutes in silence until the Egyptian could ask about what else happened while he was out. Kiku had been running the gas station so Heracles complained about how lonely he had been until there was a knock on the door. Kiku came in quietly and greeted Gupta, a tray in his hands. He set the tray on the table and smiled politely, pouring a pitcher of ice water into a cup for the patient.
"Shukrān Kiku." He smiled and slowly drank, appreciative of the refreshment. "Anything new that Heracles left out?"
"Depends. Did he mention he's going to college?" Gupta did a spit-take at that to avoid choking in shock. "He is going to become a Philosophy major. He hasn't decided yet where to go after but he has time." The Japanese man was unfazed.
"But the money for it..?" He questioned, looking at his formerly unemployed ex.
"I've got a real job now. Yao's really taken a liking to me I guess and his lover gave me a job at their zoo with the big cats." Heracles explained. "It pays well and I don't have to pay rent anymore. The house is ours now."
"Gupta, Ninad-san has been visiting you too. He usually comes around this hour but I am unfamiliar with him." Kiku informed the Egyptian.
"He is an old coworker." Gupta looked at the wires. "Have the doctors said when I could be released? I'd like to be on my way soon. This place is depressing."
"Most likely later tonight if you can stomach something."
"Just give me Sadık's cooking and I could fill my belly til it bursts." He smiled.
"He should be here soon with your lunch. You missed breakfast." Kiku replaced flowers in one of the leftover vases.
"Hey Guppy," the door opened as the man of the hour stepped in, "hope you want some falafel."
"I'd love some." He wanted a hug more than food but refrained from making mention, aware of the situation he was in-the wires limited his movements. "I see you even made Ashure."
"Mmhm." Sadık smiled and took Kiku's place at Gupta's bedside, putting the food down. "I figured you'd share my favorite dessert with me." He kissed his forehead and let out a sigh of relief. "Your fever's gone."
"Yes but I think I'll still need help with eating. These wires are short and pointless." He smiled and tugged on one.
"Doctor said it was necessary. You really weren't doing well. Hell, I nearly pissed myself when the monitor would change its tune." He admitted with a heavy sigh.
"I'm sorry for scaring you." Gupta placed his hand on his lover's. "But I will be fine."
The Turk nodded and then squeezed the hand before spearing one of the falafel balls he had made. He held it up to his partner's mouth and glanced at the couple behind them. He motioned to the door and they left. Now the two could dine together in peace until there was nothing more to eat. Sadık wiped a bit of Ashure from Gupta's chin just as the nurse and doctor came in. They talked about leaving the hospital and got a time in which he would be discharged. The unhooked their patient from the machines after giving him a final checkup and then left.
"I dreamed of my mother." Gupta murmured, glancing a bit shyly at the older man. "We talked about… things."
"Ah… Was she mad with me?" It seemed the thought of Gupta's mother disapproving of their relationship had been on the man's mind before.
"I don't think she was mad… disappointed that I dated my half-brother and upset that I can't bring her children." He sighed, "I know it's possible for a woman to have my kid and the kid won't get HIV but I'd rather not take a risk."
"So you do want a woman." Sadık gave a slight smirk as the young man shook his head and embraced him. "Women are overrated. There are plenty of children out there that need homes."
"You're silly." Gupta let out a light laugh and kisses his scratchy cheek. "She had also said something that made me laugh if I could have." He waited for him to tilt his head before proceeding, "She said you're too old to start a new family."
"Seems like something she would say." He laughed and then sighed, "Your mother would always pick on me about the way I would talk and act. I was the youngest in our friend group but was the most mature."
"Sadık, she was just a figment of my imagination. It was really my opinion." He blushed in shame.
"Nah, it wasn't all you, Guppy. Trust me." He faltered a bit as the Egyptian stared at him. "Oh. You're trying to tell me something."
"Are you too old for a family?" He mumbled the question but it was still heard.
"I'm still fertile ya know. However, having a kid now does seem kinda pointless for me. I probably won't be around to see it grow up." He looked at Gupta's face which gave nothing away. "I'm over the hill, kiddo. I've had a wife and I've had kids."
"No you haven't." He interrupted him. "Heracles isn't yours."
"Still, Gupta… I'm over forty now."
"You are a healthy forty. You can have a child." He pointed out.
"You want me to find a woman and leave you?" The Turk scowled.
"No!" Gupta blushed at his own outburst, "No. There's adoption to consider."
"Adoption…" The man murmured and then looked at his young lover. "You think we are ready for a child after only two years?"
"Life is short and I am confident we can do it." He reminded him gently. "We still have time to consider things though."
"Yeah. That seems best so let's go home. Your baby girl misses you." He got up from the seat and took the thin hand in his, helping him up.
They left the hospital with the last of Gupta's gifts and things. There were already some cars at the house when they arrived and both knew what to expect and who was responsible. The door was unlocked and when they entered the lights came on and a party was in wait. The couple was not in much of a partying mood after their discussion but attempted a smile and thanks. A pile of gifts was in the corner of the living room where Anput was sniffing them eagerly.
"Welcome back, Gupta" greeted the Egyptian from the people attending.
"Thank you very much for this party, Alfred." He thanked the American once he found him, sitting on the armchair. "May I sit in my favorite seat though?"
"Sure thing. Hey, hey, what happened to you anyways? Did you get beat up or hit by a car?"
"Oh, no one told you?" Gupta blinked and looked at the others, surprised to find his nephew Lovino was there.
"Nope." He replied. "Just said you were really sick." Lovino made his way over while America was talking.
"Hello Lovino and thank you for looking after Anput." The dog barked as she heard her name, trotting over. "And not telling everyone."
"He told everyone but Alfred-kun, Gupta-kun." Kiku stood beside the Italian.
"What?" He felt sick.
"Don't worry, zio." Feliciano popped up. "We all still love you or else they wouldn't have come with all these presents!" He motioned eagerly to aforementioned pile.
"Speaking of…" he smiled, "When can I open them?"
"Right after we eat." Alfred was already eating though.
Gupta laughed and nodded, enjoying the party as well as he could. Arthur had brought along his sons and husbands-the Frenchman had prepared the buffet that was on the counter with help from Feliciano. There were a few decorations too, courtesy Feliciano and Alfred. A video game system was hooked up to the television which Kiku was playing, acting rather unlike himself when faced with a victory. His Greek lover had long since given up on trying to get his attention or beat him and tossed the controller to Alfred before going to Gupta. They sat on the couch alone as Sadık kept the party in order and the guests entertained with stories, even bringing out some hidden alcohol.
"I have a favor to ask you…" Heracles sighed.
"Haven't I done enough?" His brother frowned, "What is it?"
"Well… Kiku's family is having a reunion in two weeks and they wanted me to bring mine since I'm dating Kiku." He explained. "Sadık will come too."
"Alright. If he comes, I will go. What should I wear?"
"Traditional Egyptian garb." He replied rather quickly.
"What? Why?" He stuttered.
"That's their reunion. Their family comes dressed in their birth country's cultural attire. I'm going to be wearing a costume my mom bought Sadık way back when they lived in Europe." He pulled out his cell phone, showing the outfit.
"I don't know if I have anything like that here that would fit." He murmured, trying to think.
"There's that costume Sadık got you last year." He pointed out.
"For raqs sharqi?" He blushed. "I don't think it would be appropriate for that and that costume is for Turkish women."
"Don't you have any in Egyptian style?" He inquired. "And a female style would be fine."
"No. Sadık says all the things I was supposed to get in the will are lost. He even searched her house in Cairo."
"Maybe dad took the things, thinking they were his." He suggested. "If that's the case then you should ask the Vargas brothers."
"I'll ask Feliciano." He resigned and stood, "If I can't find out about the attire then I will make something. Feliciano, could I speak with you for a moment?"
"Sure!" He chirped. "What's up?"
"Do you still have some of your grandpa's things? I need to know if he took anything of my mother's."
"Ve… I don't know. I only kept his art stuff and I gave his old war stuff to Ludy. Are you looking for anything in particular?" He tilted his head.
"Outfits." He replied.
"Oh. Oh…" He looked away. "You'd have to ask Lovi. He took most of nono's clothes and got everything Ludy and I didn't want but we do have the house in Rome if you want to search there."
"No, it's fine. I'll just have to ask Lovino." He fretted. "Thanks though."
He left the younger brother to search for the elder but found him missing from the living room. He would have asked Sadık about it but the man was following Emil around like a drunken puppy. He would inquire about that after locating his nephew, trusting his man not to commit adultery with a teenager. He left the living room, going through the hallway where the bedrooms were. Heracles' room was locked so he knocked on the door, ignoring the curses inside. He would be holding the alcohol key in the future-this party was a drunken nightmare.
"Oh. What do you want, zio puttana?" He slurred a bit, dressed in only his tomato boxers.
"I want to look through my father's belongings to see if he has my mom's outfits."
"Che palle…" He grumbled. "Why should I?"
"Because I'm your uncle and you're not as much of a dick as you appear." He looked down at his boxers.
"Ay! That better not be an insult on my size."
"You said it, not me."
"Che palle! Fine. Meet me at the restaurant tomorrow at ten."
"Okay. In return, feel free to use my sex toys." Admittedly, Gupta held a bit of a grudge still. "They're in the top drawer."
"Gross! Antonio, don't touch those!" The look of panic made the Egyptian sigh.
"Relax, I don't use those things. They are Heracles'." He left then, going to his lover's side.
"Sonny's in love~ Aşk." He was poking a very aggravated Emil's cheek. "Tell me who~ Söyle bana. Söyle bana~!"
"Sadık, stop harassing the child." Gupta sat, tugging the curl as he went.
"Ow. Don't pull out my hair." He pouted.
"I think it's time to end the party and for you to go to bed."
He grabbed the man's bare forearm and toted him to bed, wrapping him tightly in a blanket to keep him trapped. Then he kissed his forehead and went back to deal with the guests. The only ones sober and able to drive were Francis, Feliciano, and Kiku. Alfred had gotten into the alcohol with his father and they were having a nasty fight. Francis intervened and apologized before dragging them to the car by the ear. Feliciano was the next to leave after fetching his brother and Antonio. Kiku packed up his game system and then bowed a bit to Gupta before waking Heracles for the ride home.
Only Emil was left in the living room, looking rather awkward. Gupta glanced outside to see where his car was but there was none. He retreated to the living room again and went to the hall closet to find clean blankets. He deposited them on the arm chair and noticed Emil was just watching him.
"I assume you're staying?"
"Sadık said he would take me home but he's drunk, isn't he?"
"I'll call your parents for you." He smiled and went to the house phone. "You know their number?" He took the phone to put it in and then handed it back. "Ahlan? Are you Emil's father? Oh, brother. He's at his boss' home still. I'm afraid that we can't bring him back tonight. It's rather late but we don't mind keeping him over. We have plenty of room." He listened for a moment. "Okay. Tiṣbaḥ 'ala kẖayr." He held the phone out to Emil. "Here. You have permission to stay."
He left the teenager alone on the phone and started to pick up the party's mess. There was not too much mess thankfully. He had finished picking up the last of the trash when he recalled his pile of unopened gifts. It seemed the party-goers had been uninterested in Gupta in the end, preoccupied with each other. He did not mind that though, smiling at the plush creatures left for him. He picked up a box from Heracles and decided to unwrap it before bed.
"Um, Gupta? Can I ask you something?"
"Of course you can, Emil." He smiled at the young man. "And you can sleep in that bedroom."
"Thanks… But I wanted to ask you about your condition. Did you get it from an ex-boyfriend?" He seemed worried.
"No." Gupta smiled. "I was born with it. Why do you ask?"
"I know someone else that has it." He responded, "But he got it from doing bad things. We're all scared for him. Especially my brother… But you seem like you're living happily."
"That's because I am happy." He replied. "Your friend can be happy too with the right people supporting him." He looked at the kitchen clock after hearing a crash from his bedroom. "You should get to bed and possibly lock the door." He patted Emil's shoulder and then left with his present from Heracles. "Sadık, what are you doing? That's the tub."
"The toilet seat was down." He replied, looking over his shoulder.
"You better scrub that and yourself before getting in this bed." He scolded, sitting on the bed and got a grunt of affirmation.
He giggled as his lover struggled to get undressed in his drunken stupor but made no move to help him. He looked to the gift as burning hot water started from the shower and ignored the resulting yelp. It was wrapped, oddly enough, and a card was stashed inside the wrapping paper. It was a cute Japanese card with a translation to the side of the kanji, handwritten. It read 'Get Well Soon, Mom' which confused the Egyptian until he saw a baby in the box-a baby doll. He rolled his eyes at the humor and opened the card, the contents now written in Greek.
Gupta groaned at having to translate so late but succeeded in finding the gist of the message. It was because the Greek knew his brother's love of children and desire for a family life. He lifted the porcelain doll from the box, marveling at its appearance and attire. It all looked handmade. The doll was very detailed and cute so he cuddled it, closing his eyes. The body was soft with stuffing.
"That looks like one of Ludwig's works." Sadık's voice in his ear startled him.
"Ludwig? Feliciano's Ludwig?" He held his breath to avoid the smell of alcohol.
"Yeah. He likes making bisque dolls but for quite a penny." He started nuzzling and groping. "Put it away though. I wanna play."
"I don't think I want to sleep with a drunken man." He put the doll aside regardless. "Find the condoms and I'll consider it though." He pecked his cheek and lay on his side.
"Damnit." He whined and a little crash sounded as he searched the room and eventually the house. "Ha! Found one, Gupta…?" The older man sighed and put the condom on the bedside table before lying beside the sleeping man.
"Good morning, Sadık." Gupta greeted the man from the kitchen, nibbling on toast with their overnight guest. "Hangover?"
"Big time. I'm sorry fer drinking so much. I'll make an amazing lunch to make up for it." He kissed him and then took his toast. "And I'll make you some more toast. Oh, hey Emil. What are you doing here?"
"You didn't give me a ride home last night." He pointed out with the roll of his eyes.
"Oh right. Yer guardian isn't gonna be mad, is he?"
"No. Gupta talked to him but…" He looked at a cell phone in his pocket a moment before it rang. "Halló bróðir." He flinched. "Don't yell at me for that. Berwald said he would call you." He paused again and stood up. "It's not my fault you're with that idiot in Denmark. You could have come with me."
He disappeared into the hallway and continued an argument in a foreign language, leaving the couple alone in the kitchen. They exchanged a look and then continued their breakfast. Gupta did the dishes, this time without meeting opposition since Sadık went off to look for pain killers. He heard a door open and expected the older man but it was their guest, his expression showing through for a change.
"So will your brother come to the Americas soon?" He watched Emil make his way to the coffee machine.
"Yeah. If his friend doesn't die before they get a ticket." His back was towards the Egyptian.
"Emil." Gupta went to his side. "He'll be fine. Don't worry about him and tell your brother not to worry either. Stress is a bad thing when you're ill. When people stress over me, I get stressed because I feel like a burden. Your brother's friend probably feels the same since he's keeping you brothers apart."
"It's his fault for getting worked up though…" He looked away then looked back. "I'll call my brother later… and talk to him."
"That's a good Sonny." Sadık's voice boomed, startling both younger males. "You like coffee a lot, right Emil?"
"Uh… Yeah. Everyone in my family does. Why?"
"Then go ahead and take those." He pointed to all the instant coffee. "I only use beans-it was Heracles that liked instant-and Gupta can't have caffeine."
"Huh? Why not?" Emil sipped his own cup.
"It's not healthy. I can't drink alcohol either." He pointed out and then looked at the clock. "Shouldn't you be at work, Sadık?"
"Nah, too hung over. Sonny can cover my shift." He wrapped his arms around his lover. "And I can take what I missed out on last night."
"There is a child present and you were drunk. That's not my fault." He tapped his nose. "You need to take Emil to work anyways and you've been away so you might as well just stay at work today. I have to be somewhere around ten."
He received no question and they got ready for work. Gupta kissed his lover and wished them luck then grabbed something from his room before leaving for his meeting.
Sheesh. Talk about a stress overload. First I graduate and have to move into a trailer and shit. Then I have to give my dogs to my uncle. That day we drop the dogs off, they run off so now my babies are gone… then the very same week my girlfriend gives up on our relationship. Really fucking sucks cause I dedicated my whole future and 3 years to her pretty much. So I throw myself back into the internet and fanfiction… and I probably won't have any reviews cause it's been so damn long. -sighs- I really wish there were more Turgypt fics to cheer me up. Granted, George came out with his Turgypt fic but it's not updating fast enough~ -whine- So I'm gonna try and finish this one up so I can start another one.
Also, theapricottree is my bff. She and I are working on a Sealand-centric fic so if you're interested you should go watch her. No yaoi in it (except what I can sneak in there) cause she's not a yaoi fangirl. Now I'm gonna finish watching Tsuritama, sleep, and then start the next chapter.
