It was strange not having Randy around. At one point in time, this would have been a dream for Mark. One less brother in the house meant more attention on him from his parents and less of the teasing and pranks that he and Brad played on him. But that was years ago. Randy had greatly matured and for the most part, he didn't bother Mark as much as he used to. Brad was another story, but he digressed.

He hadn't fully comprehended the fact that his brother was leaving for an entire year. Sure, they'd all talked about it and Mom had suggested-more like ordered-him and Brad to help Randy pack his things, but it wasn't until they got to the airport that it really just dawned on Mark.

His brother was leaving. Actually leaving.

If asked, Mark was certainly going to deny the ache in his chest. He gave Randy a hug. It wasn't often that they did so. They hadn't even done it all that much as kids. But now it felt right. He hadn't known what to even say. Did he say bye? Did he say nothing and wait until the hug was over? Or what? Luckily, Randy made it easy. He said he'd miss him and Mark said it back. He hadn't just done it because it was right there and he didn't have to think of anything else-he meant it.

He was really going to miss his brother.

Which brought him to now. It was precisely three weeks since Randy left. His mom wanted to call him right away but dad urged her to wait until he got settled in instead of bombarding him. She did, for like another half an hour. Then she couldn't take it anymore. She talked to him every other day, informing him of what was going on, the latest accident dad had been into and asking him questions about Costa Rica. So far, Mark had yet to speak to him. He was the only one. Dad had called him, Brad had called him.

He hadn't.

It was late now. His parents were sleeping and Brad was in his room working on a birthday present for his girlfriend. Some girl that Mark didn't know the name of. Anna, Ariel, Angela? Something like that. He'd been staring at the phone for the past ten minutes. He blew out a puff of air from his lips. He was being a major wuss, he knew it and that's exactly what Brad would say if he knew why Mark was stalling.

He couldn't just call him could he? He didn't even know what he wanted to say. Or why he felt like he needed to call in the first place. Honestly, as childish as it was, he needed to hear his brother's voice. Stiffly, he took the phone off the receiver and dialed the number that Randy had left for them. It was the number of the family he was staying with.

He waited, drumming his fingers on the countertop.

Someone answered on the other end, someone who was not Randy. A girl. She had an accent, he noted. "Hola," she said.

"Oh, crap," he mumbled. "Hope they speak English."

He heard a giggle from the other end of the line. "Of course we speak English. You're calling for Randy, aren't you?"

"Uh, yeah."

"I'll get him for you," the girl said.

He didn't hear anything for all of five seconds. Then there came a voice he didn't know he would miss so much. "Look, Brad, I already told you -"

"It's not Brad," Mark cut him off awkwardly.

There came a brief lapse of silence.

"Oh. Hey Mark," Randy sounded surprised. "Is Brad still working on his present for Brittney?"

Oh, he was way off.

"Yeah, I think so," Mark said.

Randy snorted. "You wouldn't believe what he asked me. He wanted me to write her a poem so he could give it to her and take credit! As if I don't have my own things to do right now."

Mark twisted a piece of the cord around his finger. "Right."

"So what's up?" Randy asked him.

"Uh, nothing really."

"How's school going?"

"It's fine."

"How's that friend of yours, Ronny?"

"He's fine."

How's dad doing?" their dad had broken his leg after a piece of a wall he'd been working on fell on him.

"He's fine," Mark repeated.

"Tone it down, Mark. I can't handle the enthusiasm," Randy said flatly.

Mark mumbled something vulgar.

"Is there...is there a reason you called?" Randy said carefully. "Other than to tell me how fine life is?"

Mark hesitated. He couldn't just say it. Randy would make fun of him for sure. Probably tell Brad too and then he'd make fun of him.

"Hello? Are you still there?"

"Oh," Mark snapped out of his daydream. "Yeah. Sorry."

Randy sighed. It wasn't full of exasperation. It was...something else. Something that Mark couldn't figure out. "Okay, what's wrong?"

Mark was caught off guard. "Nothing's wrong."

"Oh, please. You get spacey when something's up. Worse than when Brad's chasing after a girl. Spill it dork."

Somehow being called dork was comforting, as strange as that might seem. Randy hadn't called him that in years. "It's stupid," he muttered.

"How bad could it be?"

Mark was quiet for a moment. "Look, I miss you, okay? I know I haven't called and I wanted to. I just...didn't know what to say."

It felt like an eternity before Randy responded. "I miss you too, Mark," he said quietly.

They stayed on the phone for who knows how long, soaking up every minute. Unbeknownst to him, his parents had woken up and watched them for a bit, smiling softly before heading back up to bed.

/

"How's Puerto Rico?" Mark and Randy were now calling on a regular basis. It was the closest they'd been in years and his mom had gushed about it the other day, saying she was just so happy they were getting along. Mark had smiled awkwardly, relieved when his dad broke the moment.

"Costa Rica."

"Oh, yeah," Mark said offhandedly. "Well how's Costa Rica then?"

"Sunny," Randy said matter of factly. "And ridiculously hot. How's home?"

Mark looked out the window. It'd been pouring for nearly an hour. "Rainy. And humid."

A pause.
"Are we really talking about the weather like we're mom and dad's age?"

"I'm afraid so," Randy said with a dramatic sigh. "So, has anything changed since I left?"

"Not really," Mark shrugged despite knowing his brother couldn't see him. "Mom's still burning food. Dad's working on the hot rod. Brad can't keep a girlfriend and I'm trying to make another movie."

"What's it about? Another serial killer?"

"He wasn't a serial killer," Mark protested. "He was a guy that lacked satisfaction in life and was tired of being ignored so he killed his family."

"And the way you said that so casually isn't concerning at all."

"Shut up," he ignored his brother's chuckle. "Anyway, I haven't decided yet. Ronny and I are still tossing out ideas."

"Can I toss one?"

"Sure."

"Leave it to the professionals," Randy said cheekily.

"I hate you."

"Not as much as you hate Brad."

"Yeah," Mark said with a grin. "Oh, man. You should've seen it. He wrote a letter to that girl."

"Brittany?"

"Nah. Different girl. Her name's Molly and he's so sure she's the one," Mark snickered. "He called her his sun."

Randy made a noise that was between a scoff and a snort. "At this rate, he's going to go through an entire solar system before Christmas."

Mark used his free hand to take the letter out of his pocket. He glanced around to make sure that Brad wasn't going to find him. He might have stolen it from his brother's desk. "You should hear this: Dear Molly. I know we've only talked once but I thought you should know, I can't stop thinking about you."

His brother's laughter rang in his ear.

"Your lips remind me of fresh cherries. I love cherries-"

"Mark!" Brad barked as he came through the front door.

Oh shoot

"Uh, gotta go Randy," Mark said quickly. "See ya."

"Bye," Randy said amused.

Mark threw the phone down, running around the corner as his brother threatened him.

/

"Hey."

"I see you're still alive," Randy observed. "And on parole."

Mark gingerly touched the black eye he received. Their parents, namely their mom, had not been okay with them fighting. He was grounded for a week for stealing the letter and Brad was grounded for two. In that time, he hadn't been allowed to contact Randy at all. Apparently their mom had informed him of that when he called back later that evening.

"Barely," Mark said.

"I hear he really nailed you."

"He didn't nail me," Mark rolled his eyes. "He got lucky."

"And you got a black eye. Sounds like he nailed you to me."

"Whatever," Mark scoffed.

"How's the movie coming along?"

"It's not," Mark scowled. "I dropped the camera yesterday and the screen's all busted."

"Oh," Randy said. "Well, can't you just use the money from your savings to buy a new one or get it repaired?"

"No," Mark said, annoyed. "I don't have enough for it and Mom wants me to go clothes shopping anyway. So now our movie is on hiatus for who knows how long."

"Can't you ask Mom or Dad?" Randy asked.

"I tried. They want me to earn the money myself but they won't even let me get a job and there's nothing I can do in the neighborhood."

"Ah," Randy said. "The old earn it yourself scheme. Brad and I heard that one all the time."

"It sucks," Mark was a bit sulky.

"Alright. Tell you what, Mark."

"What?"

"I've got a little over four hundred dollars saved up and it's still at home. Take what you need for your camera and you can pay me back later."

"Four hundred?" Mark echoed in disbelief. "How? You've only got forty in your sock drawer."

"That's because-wait a minute, you were in my drawers?!"

"No," Mark rubbed the back of his neck. "So, uh, you were saying I could borrow?"

He could practically see Randy rolling his eyes now. "Sure."

A grin spread across Mark's face. "Thanks Randy, you're the best!"

"Yeah, yeah," Randy said fondly. "Don't say I never did anything for you."

/

"Dad broke the roof," was the first thing Mark said to Randy.

"Again?" Randy said, only mildly interested.

"He made a huge hole in the middle of it. Mom's furious," Mark told him.

"How'd that happen?"

"The neighborhood's doing a decorating contest for Halloween now."

"Oh, boy."

"That's what mom said. You know how crazy Dad gets. He's determined to beat Doc Johnson so he was trying to pin down this huge blow up skeleton and somehow made the hole. He fell through and broke the table."

"Did you get it on film?" Randy asked, hopefully.

"No," Mark was equally as disappointed. "Dad was making me and Brad work outside. I couldn't get to it fast enough."

"That's a bummer. Hey, how's the camera working anyway?"

"It's great," Mark said happily. "I got a better version and it works so much faster."

"Nice. So how much trouble is Dad in?"

"Considering we have to put a tarp on the roof and eat in the living room-a ton. Mom made dad sleep on the couch."

"Yikes," Randy chuckled.

"Yeah. But dad says he's gonna fix it," Mark said.

"Ahh, right. His million and one ideas for helping soothe a screw up. Let me guess, dinner at a fancy restaurant and dancing?"

"Exactly," Mark told him. "They're getting ready right now."

"He's so predictable."

"I know right?"

/

"Are you coming home for Christmas?" Mark wanted to know.

"Well hello to you, too," Randy said. "It's just November. I've got time."

"Just answer the question. Are you coming or not?"

"I don't know yet. You know, Mom asked me the same thing the other day. It's like you guys are in sync or something."

"Yeah well I wasn't crying over it," Mark said. His dad had told her he'd come home when he could and she just burst out in tears. She told his dad that she just wished he could be back now.

"She was crying?"

Mark nodded. "She just misses her baby so much," he said teasingly.

"Just wait until you leave for college. She'll be a wreck."

"Maybe not," Mark shrugged. "What are the odds that Brad's gonna ever graduate college or move out? She'll have him to keep her company."

"Truer words have never been spoken."

/

"I need girl advice," Mark rushed to get it out.

"Isn't that more of Brad's area?" Randy said. "I'm not exactly popular with girls."

"I don't need you to be popular," Mark said with impatience. "I need you to tell me what to say."

"Alright. Well, first tell me what she's like."

Mark couldn't keep the dreamy smile off his face. "She's...perfect. Gorgeous. We're in the same algebra class. She lent me a pencil once."

"So you skipped past dating and went straight to the engagement stage, huh?"

"Shut up," Mark's good mood wouldn't be diminished. "I wanna ask her out but I don't know how. I was gonna talk to her today but I got all tongue tied-stop laughing!"

"Sorry," Randy calmed down. He was still grinning, Mark just knew it. "It's hilarious. Last year Mom and Dad were freaking out that you wanted to kill us all but the big, bad wannabe killer can't even talk to a girl."

"Not helping!"

"Alright, alright. Calm down."

Mark shifted his weight, wishing his brother would just spit out already.

"What's this date gonna be like? Are you taking her to dinner or the movies or what?"

"I don't know," Mark frowned. "I haven't figured that out yet."

"That's a bit of a crucial part."

"I know that," Mark said. "I just don't know what she'd like."

"Well there's your problem. How can you go on a date if you don't know that stuff? Next time you see her, ask her if she's free on Friday night."

"That's it?" Mark said, skeptically.

"That's it," Randy confirmed. "You guys can work it out from there."

"And you're sure it'll work?"

"Can't guarantee it but it's worth a shot."

"Yeah," Mark said. "But what if I forget what to say?"

"You'll be fine," Randy was uncharacteristically speaking softly. "Don't think too much of it. Just do it and try to be confident about it."

"How can I be confident when I feel like I want to puke around her?"

"Okay, first don't tell her that," Randy laughed. "And second, just fake it. It'll come to you eventually."

"You think so?"

"Hey, it worked for me didn't it?"

"That's true. Thanks Randy."

"No problem dork," Randy said.

/

"You'll never believe what happened!"

"Dad made it through a show without hurting himself?"

Mark paused. "That'll never happen. No. I got a date! Julie said yes!"

"I knew you could do it," Randy sounded proud and it made a warmth blossom in Mark's chest. As cheesy as that was. "So, where are you taking her to?"

"We're going to see the new horror movie coming out next weekend. She loves them, can you believe it? How are you and Lauren doing?"

"Uuuh, we've been better."

"Fighting?"

"Broken up," Randy corrected.

"What?" Mark was surprised. Prior to leaving, her and Randy had been sickeningly in love. They were always together talking or kissing or something. "How'd that happen? You guys were fine before you left."

"Yeah, well turns out she doesn't feel the spark anymore." Was he just imagining it or did Randy sound bitter?

"Oh," Mark didn't know what to say. "Sorry."

"Eh, it's okay. Better now than later. It's kind of awkward now, since we see each other so often. But we're trying to make it work."

Mark exhaled. "Have you told Mom or Dad yet?"

"Not yet. I've been putting it off. I just know dad's going to try to give me advice about how just because we've broken up doesn't mean life's over and mom will constantly tell me everything's okay and I'll find someone else eventually."

"Pretty much."

"They'll just make it into this huge deal and it's really not one. So we broke up. Life goes on."

"Are you telling me or trying to convince yourself?" Mark raised his eyebrows. Randy was not sounding as though it was as simple and nonchalant as he was trying to make it out to be. Then, he figured this was probably the time to be sympathetic. His brother did lend him the money for his video camera. So in some instance, he did owe him. Plus, he did feel kind of bad for Randy. Lauren was his dream girl for a long time and now to have that over with was probably hard on him. "Look, you're better off with her."

"Mark-"

"I'm serious," he said. "She's dumb for dumping you. You'll find another girl that's better. Or you'll live alone with a bunch of cats. Either way, you'll be happy."

"Thanks, I guess," Randy said dryly.

"I think the words you're looking for are: Thanks Mark. You're the best. Don't worry about paying me back. This will take care of it."

"Not a chance," Randy scoffed.

"Can't blame me for trying."

/

"This was the most awkward Thanksgiving we've ever had," Mark stated, shaking his head.

"How awkward?" Randy asked.

"Plenty. Grandma came over with Parker and Uncle Marty came with Aunt Nancy."

"I thought they were divorced?"

"They still are but Grandma hounded them about it, saying the girls needed both their parents on the holidays so they came."

"And? What's so awkward about that?"

"They wouldn't stop arguing," Mark was annoyed. "Every little thing. Mom wanted dad to step in but you now how that goes. Aunt Nancy's apparently starting to see someone and Uncle Marty was furious because she wanted him to eventually meet Claire and Gracie."

"How'd that turn out?"

"About as much as you'd expect. Uncle Marty brought it up at dinner and they really went at each other. Grandma was trying to keep the peace. Mom tried using some of her psychology tricks on them and Dad tried to stay out of it. Aunt Nancy ended up dumping the mashed potatoes on Uncle Marty and stormed off."

"Huh," Randy mused. "You go away and you miss everything. What happened after that?"

"Well, no one was really hungry anymore. And you know how horrible mom's food is so dad ordered pizza."

Randy let out a breathy laugh. "Wouldn't be a real Taylor holiday without pizza to save the day."

"So what does Costa Rica do for Thanksgiving?" Mark said.

"It's really not that much different from home. Except maybe for some of the food. Elena's family has these tropical dishes we made. Her mom taught me the recipe."

"Who's Elena?" Mark asked teasingly. "Is she your new girlfriend?"

"No," Randy said flatly. "She's part of the family I'm staying with."

"That's convenient..."

"You sound like Brad," Randy told him and he was likely making a face as he said it. "We haven't hooked up or anything and we don't plan to."

"Alright, alright," Mark barely refrained from snickering. "You're not together." He switched gears now. "You're coming home for Christmas, right?"

"Yes, just like I told you and mom already," Randy said. "I'll be home two days before Christmas. I've got my flight all planned."

"Cool," Mark said. "Apparently mom invited Granma, Parker, Uncle Marty, Claire and Gracie again so you, me and Brad will have to sleep in the basement."

"Great. Just what I wanted. To share a room with Brad again," Randy deadpanned.

"Mom made his promise to clean up after himself."

"Right, because that works."

Mark nodded and he asked, cheerfully, "So, what'd you get me?"

"Nothing. What'd you get me?"

"Nothing," Mark answered.

"Whatever, dork."

"Geek," Mark retorted. Quietly, he added in a sort of begrudging way-it wasn't like they got touchy feely often-, "It'll be nice having you around again for a bit."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah. I need some homework help."

"And by help, you mean you want me to do it for you."

"Well, I wouldn't you to get bored while you're here."

"How thoughtful," Randy snorted.

/

"Hey, Randy."

"Mark," Randy sounded strange.

Mark didn't think much of it. This was their last call before Randy had to go to the airport. Their parents, particularly their mom, were ecstatic for him to be coming back. Even if it was just for a short while. "I got your gifts wrapped. Just so you know, I gave one of Brad's gifts to you. He's being a jerk lately because Molly won't talk to him and I-"

"I can't come home," Randy blurted out.

"What?" Mark was stunned. He had to be joking. Just to get Mark all riled up and the he'd say gotcha at the last minute and he and Brad would be laughing at it later on. "Why aren't you coming home?"

Randy sighed heavily. "There's a bad storm that's been hanging around for a couple days. It's not safe for the planes to fly somy flight got delayed."

"Oh," Mark said. "Well maybe you'll still get here by Christmas."

"I don't know," Randy said, disappointed. "I hear there's a snowstorm at the airport I'll be going to and that their flights got delayed, too."

"So you...you might not be coming at all?"

"Possibly not until after Christmas," Randy told him.

Mark looked down. "Oh."

"I know. I hate it too."

"It's fine," Mark said, trying to be more positive than he felt. "It's probably better if you come later anyway. You won't have to share a room with us and all the relatives will be gone."

"I'm sorry," Randy genuinely sounded sincere. "You know I'd come if I could."

"I know," Mark nodded.

/

It was Christmas Eve and Mark was home alone.

It wasn't how he pictured the holiday going. As far back as he could remember, his family had done things together on this day. It was just tradition. It was how things always went. But not this year. It was different and weird and kind of depressing.

After the whole family went to the church service, his mom had an idea. She thought it would be really neat of them to go out caroling. She suggested they invite Al and Wilson if neither of them were doing anything. That was something Mark wanted no part of. He'd rather just stay home.

And he told her as much. She was initially worried about him being by himself, but he assured her he'd be 'd given him that sympathetic smile and gave him a hug. She knew he was still disappointed-not sad-that Randy wasn't coming home. So for that reason and likely that reason only, she let him stay home.

Brad tried to get out of it too. He claimed he was really sad about Randy not being here and he just couldn't bring himself to go out and have fun. Their mom had stared at him for all of two seconds before laughing and telling him to get a move on it.

For the past ten minutes, Mark halfheartedly watched the TV. The snow fell steadily outside and the multicolored lights illuminated off the glass doors. He eventually turned it off, blowing out puffs of air. He glanced over at the phone.

He could try to call for Randy again. But maybe not. He'd already done that earlier and weirdly enough, each time Elena told Mark that Randy was busy doing this or that and couldn't pick up the phone. He'd have to answer eventually, though. Maybe he'd give it another go.

So he dialed.

"Hey," Mark said when he heard breathing on the other end of the line. Dismay shot through him when it wasn't Randy that spoke, but Elena.

"He can't talk right now," she said apologetically. "I'm sorry, Mark."

"Oh," he said.

"I'm really sorry," she repeated. "He's very busy at the moment."

"He's been busy all day," Mark frowned. "What's he doing?"

"I can't answer that," she said with hesitation.
"What? What do you mean you can't-"

"Goodbye, Mark," she said quickly. "And Feliz Navidad!"

The line went dead.

"Weird," Mark muttered.

He heard the front door open from behind. Were they back already? That was too quick. Course, if dad somehow tripped or injured himself in some way it was plausible. He turned around, expecting his mom to come through and ask him for the umpeenth time if he was okay.

And then he froze.

Randy's bags were set down and he was shaking snow off of him. He saw Mark staring at him and grinned.

"Randy!"

For the first time in a long time-and Mark didn't even care how he looked at this moment-he ran to his older brother, pulling him into a tight hug. Randy laughed and hugged him back tighter. When they let go, Mark was in disbelief.

"I thought you weren't coming!"

"Yeah, well the sky cleared up and I thought I'd surprise you guys so I told Elena to cover for me," Randy clasped him on the shoulder. He glanced around. "Where's mom and dad?"

"Out caroling with everyone else."

Randy raised his eyebrows. "Mom's idea?"

"Mom's idea."

"Should've known," Randy nodded.

They both were quiet for a moment.

"I'm really glad you're here," Mark said seriously.

"Me too," Randy smiled.

It's been a while since I've watched home improvement so I can only hope that they're mostly in character. if you have any requests you'd like for me to do-namely involving Randy b/c he's my favorite lol-I'd be happy to do it

I'm Actually working on a couple fic ideas for this now. One is a crossover with Harry Potter where Oliver Wood is best friends with Randy (and Percy) and he decides to bring Randy to school during Christmas so he could see everything and meet Percy (and yes I know muggles can't see Hogwarts but I'd just be ignoring that)

Another is an AU fic where Randy isn't apart of the Taylor family and gets adopted as a teenager. I saw a fic where he gets adopted (as a kid) on here and I got inspired to write something like that. It would be a sad fic sorta where Randy's been through some stuff and learns to feel loved by his new family

or just one where Randy is struggling mentally and his brothers, who never suspected anything, end up finding out and try to help him. Even if he doesn't want their help