God's in 7th Heaven, All's Right with the World
By Cypher
Chapter Sixteen: A Stroll Down Memory Lane
Jordon stirred in his sleep, his arm dropping over Terry's shoulders. Being a college student, he had learned a long time ago to sleep whenever and wherever you could. Sitting up on the couch with his brother on his lap was hardly uncomfortable. At least he had something to keep him warm. He grunted as his eyes slit open, before they closed again and he drifted back to the dream world...
~*()*~
This is why I hated normal classes, why I couldn't wait till high school and get into AP courses. Jordon sighed and placed the English quiz in his bag. It wasn't just the fact that Jordon had aced the surprise quiz while being a new student, it was because he hadn't read the book that semester and had basically bulled it, and everyone knew it. But that's how you pass the essay portion on APs. Don't these people realize that?
Of course not. Jordon headed for the front of the school. They're in normal classes. They don't worry about APs or getting into college. Half of them are thinking about sex and the other half just don't care.
"Hey, great job on that quiz."
Jordon nodded and smiled. "Thanks." Matt Camden. That was the one kid who he was on full alert against. Sure, he was nice, but Jordon had met his type before. Sooner or later the teen would ask for something, probably to copy a test or homework.
You could be wrong, you know. You can't stereotype everyone, a small part of his mind reminded him.
Jordon snorted. Watch me. I've been on the smart circuit long enough that if someone doesn't fit the profile, they have an extreme family situation that I don't want to get sucked into.
As he stepped outside, he heard a slight wailing that was getting louder. He glanced down the street, searching for an emergency vehicle. Then he made out what the wail was.
"Aaaaannnniiiikkkiiiiiii!"
He turned around in time to catch his little brother, though the weight threw him off balance and he stumbled into a few students behind him. "Ototou!"
Terry hugged him and jumped down, smiling. "I wanted to greet you on your way out."
Jordon heard a few snickers around him, but ignored them as he did some quick calculations in his head. His school's not out for another thirty minutes, and he looks like he's about to cry, plus his hand is red. "Sure you did." He headed for the car.
Terry followed. "Hidoi! I only wanted to see how your day went."
"Something tells me it went better than yours."
Terry's smile fell and he looked to the ground, his feet going still.
That was all Jordon needed. He unlocked the rental car and opened the back door. "Get in, let's chat."
Terry crawled in and sat there, still looking dejected.
Jordon crawled in beside him and wrapped an arm around his brother, hugging him. "It wasn't that bad, was it? I mean, it's not like the school burned down or you incited a riot or started a fight."
Terry remained silent and watched as other high school students walked by.
"Oh no, you didn't burn down the school, did you?"
"No."
"Start a riot?"
"No."
"You got in a fight?"
Terry remained silent.
"You were in a fight!" Jordon stared at his brother. "You! You detest violence!"
"They struck first!"
"That doesn't matter! You don't start a fight!"
"It was four bullies! What was I supposed to do? Let them beat me up?"
Jordon opened his mouth, then shut it. He has a point. "Alright, touché. What was the damage?"
"Bruised jaw and impacted stomach."
Jordon winced. "Just two?"
"The other two ran off. At least they're not all idiots."
"Yes, you realize that after four or five years." Jordon rested Terry's head against his shoulder. "Well, so your first day was bad, but it'll go better tomorrow."
"I'm not going back."
"Oh yes-"
"Aniki!" Terry shoved Jordon back and looked him in the eye. "I'm not going back! The teachers hate me, the students think I'm a geek, and I think the principal is afraid to let me back on campus!"
"I'm sure you're exaggerating."
"Jordon, I taught the science teacher's class better than she did. I know what pure hate looks like."
Jordon searched his brother's eyes. He has another point. Due to Terry's orientation, their family were hardly strangers to hate. Jordon had seen some pretty heinous looks, and they certainly hadn't stopped there. So if his brother said the teacher hated him, he had to accept that the teacher did in fact hate him. "Okay. Would you like to enroll in another school? I'm sure there's another one that would take you for a couple days."
Terry shook his head. "No. It just won't work, Jordon. I'm not ready. I can't do this."
Jordon pulled off Terry's helmet. "Don't give up. You'll get the hang of it."
"Not as long as I am how I am, and the school is how it is." Terry ran a hand through his hair. "I don't give up often, aniki. In fact I think this is the second or third thing I've ever wanted to give up. So please, can we just drop it?"
Jordon sighed. He hated to see his brother fail, and he hated it more when Terry failed because he decided to fail, not due to outside influences. No matter how much he hated it, though, he knew that Terry knew himself, and when he made up his mind, he made up his mind. "Alright, if that's what you want."
"I'll try again, talk to sensei about easing me into high school, but..." Terry looked out the window, scanning the few people that remained, "I can't do it. I can't interact with a system I'm completely unfamiliar with."
Jordon rubbed Terry's back, letting him calm down. I guess I'll be getting a call from the principal, and some angry parents. Joy. "Tell you what. I saw a Borders when I was searching for churches. What say you and I go pick up some manga and burgers and just chill tonight."
Terry wrinkled his nose. "Chill?"
Jordon shrugged. "It's a term I picked up."
"Lose it, would you?"
Jordon laughed and opened the back door. "You wanna move to the front?"
"No, I'm fine." Terry pulled his legs up onto the seat and began undoing his roller blades. "Tell me when we're at the book store."
Jordon nodded and shut the back door. He glanced around, eyeing the kids hanging about their cars chatting with friends. I knew this was a bad idea. I'd better give mom a call. Maybe she can cheer him up. Then again, it was her idea in the first place.
~*()*~
"Go to public school? Have you gone completely insane?"
Jordon pulled the phone away from his ear and gave it an odd look.
"Terry would never survive the school system! Or rather, it wouldn't survive him."
Jordon cradled the phone between his shoulder and ear and flipped through a few pages in his physics book. "That's what I thought. But he said you wanted him to experience it. I never thought he'd lie. He knows the, quote-unquote, horrors I deal with."
"Dear God what was he thinking! I thought maybe in another year we'd begin getting him used to the idea, but just dropping him into the system? I'd never suggest such a thing!"
Jordon rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Well, he learned his lesson. Four periods and part of a lunch was enough to convince him it was Hell."
"Good. Now go knock some sense into him for lying to you. Honestly, sometimes I think he inherited my sensibility with the skin complexion."
Jordon paused. "Was that a compliment or an insult?"
"Both, dear. You wouldn't understand. You got your father's genetics."
"Bye mom." Jordon hung up. She could've put that explanation a little less bluntly. Then again, I'm as bad as her. Damn, Terry got the good traits. "Ototou! Kitchen! Now!"
Terry poked his head in. "You bellowed, oh one who sets off smoke alarms?"
Jordon pointed to the chair opposite him with the phone. "Sit."
Terry blinked, but sat in the chair, folding his hands on the table. "Is something wrong?"
Jordon set the phone down and leveled his hardened hazel eyes with Terry's. "You lied."
Terry slumped slightly.
"I just talked to mom. To put it in her own words, 'have you gone completely insane'?!"
"I just wanted to see what it was like. Sensei was on vacation, it's a small town where we weren't known and little hassle to visit the district. I just thought-"
"You thought wrong. Look at what happened! If something serious had transpired we would be in deep sh-"
Terry kicked Jordon's leg.
"Itai! In deep trouble! I don't want you ever pulling something like this again!"
"Yes sir."
"And I mean it! This isn't like the roller blades on the car."
Terry pulled back, surprised.
"Yeah, I know you still do it. I also understand why. I let you get away with it because it may mean your personal safety. But this, you could've done serious damage to those bullies. What if you had missed your aim and broken his rib? Or punctured his lung? You could've had a death on your hands! Or what if they had been using volatile chemicals in a lab?"
"They wouldn't. They're too dull to do labs."
Jordon slammed his hands down on the table, causing the phone to drop off the edge. "That's not the point!"
Terry shrank back and his eyes widened as Jordon stood up.
"Now, you are to never, ever do anything like this again, or so help me I'll do as mom says and really beat some sense into you, enough that you'll need a doctor! Clear?"
Terry nodded his head slightly, his whole body tense.
"Now go to the bedroom! And stay there till I come and get you, got it?"
Terry nodded again and quickly retreated into the safety of the room.
Jordon took a few breaths, but they weren't helping to calm him. Go for a walk. You'll work off the steam you've built up. Grabbing his jacket and the keys, he left the apartment building and took off walking. He knew Terry was too humbled, if not terrified, to leave his room while he was gone. Damn it, you try and raise them well, but they still go and do the stupidest things.
And he couldn't understand why Terry would lie. He himself had lied to his parents, but only to go stargazing, which he suspected his father knew about. There were no risks in going to a planetarium and looking through the telescope or going to a park and meeting a group of teachers. But this, this could've caused real damage.
And it has. Jordon glanced to the other side of the sidewalk, where a kid about Terry's age was walking, carrying a bag of groceries. He could've really hurt those boys, and it's a miracle they came out as well as they did. And Terry... Jordon shook his head. The emotional trauma must be as bad as, well, I don't even know if I can compare it to anything.
Spotting a bench, he sat on it and wrapped his arms around himself. I hate yelling at him, I hate telling him what to do, but I'm his brother. No, I'm more than that. I'm his guardian, the one who'll guide him towards the right path. But I'm also his friend.
"Hey, need a ride?"
Jordon looked up to see a sleek black car with Matt Camden as the driver. "I'm not going anywhere, thanks."
"You okay? You look a bit down."
"Just dealing with my brother. You wouldn't understand."
He watched as Matt drove away, only to park ten feet away from where he was sitting. A few moments later, Matt had come over and sat next to him. Jordon wasn't quite sure how to respond. He knew he could probably take the teen, but he hated fighting as much as Terry.
"You know, I've got a little brother too. He's a year younger than yours. He's in sixth grade."
Jordon leaned forward and put his hands together, looking over at Matt. "So?"
"He told me about this new kid he met today. They'd seen him around, but no one knew who he was."
Jordon groaned and closed his eyes. "Your brother wasn't one of the ones he hit, was he?"
"No. Though I know the kids. They are bullies. If he said it was defense, it probably was."
"I believed him. It'd take his testimony over an average kid's any day."
"You know, I'm trying to be helpful."
Jordon sat up and took in Matt's face. "Why? What's in it for you?"
"What, you've lived a life where you can't get help without something expected in return?"
"That's right, Camden-san, I have. All the years I was in school here no one wanted to do anything helpful for me unless I did something for them in return. My two years in Japan were wonderful, because that didn't happen. It wasn't all give or all take, it was mutual. So forgive me if I'm not totally trusting, but I've found that help comes with a high price."
Matt crossed his arms. "Not everyone is like that, you know. Just because you've had a few bad experiences doesn't mean that they'll all be like that. My father's a minister, and we live in a fishbowl because of that. But you know what that helped teach us? That gratitude is all the return we need for helping someone."
Jordon tilted his head. That certainly explains a few things. He mentally re-categorized Matt Camden, exonerating him from the stereotypes he had placed on him earlier.
"What, no come back?"
"I had to yell at him."
Matt blinked. "Who?"
"My brother. He wasn't supposed to be at that school."
"What do you mean?"
Jordon shook his head. "That's not important. What was important was that he lied, I scolded him. But I haven't been his big brother like this in two years, and now the duties have increased so much that, I don't know, do I even qualify as his brother? Or am I his parent?"
Matt nodded. "Ahh. That I can help you with."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah. I have a younger brother, but he has two older sisters. I'm the oldest of five kids."
Okay, so extreme family situation is back in the picture. "So? Did you have to give up the brother role for parenting?"
"No. Being a big brother sometimes mean you have to be strict, even worse than your parents. Kids zone out mom and dad. I know I have. But when it comes from an older brother, a person they admire and respect, they pay attention. I may not be able to punish my sisters when they do something stupid, but I give them such a hard time that mom and dad's punishment is meager in comparison."
Jordon nodded slowly. It made sense. Maybe I should rethink my evaluation of my peers. Just then a car blaring loud rap music sped around the corner, tearing along the line in the middle of the street. Not by too much, but some. "Thanks Camden."
"Yeah, no problem. And call me Matt" Matt clapped his hands together and rocked slightly.
Jordon sighed through his nose. "What do you want?"
"It's just, you're so good at the English. Think you could help me out? I'd be willing to pay you for tutoring me."
Jordon let out a short laugh. "I'd love to but I can't. I'm getting into my APs tomorrow, finally. And to be honest, I'm good, but not that good. I bulled that quiz essay through and through. It's how I aced AP Language and how I'll pass AP Literature. You just write a bunch of crap analyzing every detail, throw in a few allusion and metaphor explanations, and you've got yourself a score five essay."
Matt crossed his arms again. "That's it?"
"Seriously, that's all I did. If you took AP, and had a good teacher, you'd know that." He glanced at his watch. "Holy cow I've been gone nearly an hour and a half! I've got to get back." He stood, then hesitated and held out his hand.
Matt blinked and took it and shook hands with him.
"Thanks." He turned and ran towards the apartment. I can't believe I lost track of time. Baka. Terry's probably worried about you. As he ran up the steps and went into the apartment, though, it seemed as if all was well. The kitchen and living room was as he left it, and the door to the bedroom had been closed.
Closing the door behind him, he walked over and knocked on the bedroom door. "Terry? You still awake?"
"Yeah."
Jordon opened it and walked in.
Terry was sitting on the bed, his knees to his chest, staring out the window at the moon. There were tear stains on his cheeks, and his eyes were bloodshot from crying.
Jordon walked over and hugged his brother, and he was glad Terry returned it. "Hey, it's okay. You know it's for your safety. Because I love you. If anything were to happen to you I'd never forgive myself."
"I know. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."
Jordon closed his eyes as he felt one of Terry's tears slide down his neck. Poor kid. He let Terry cry it out on his shoulder, rubbing the young teen's back and making soothing noises with his throat. And he didn't let go for a long time.
~*()*~
"Jinsei chuu n' wa rakki bakari to chau kedo egao de ganbareba nan to ka naru de."
Jordon growled at his singing brother. "If you sing that next line I'm gonna smack you."
"Shiketa kao ya to shiawase mo nigete iku ashi-"
Jordon whapped Terry's shoulder.
"Itai! What's with you?" Terry rubbed his arm. "You went to bed early, got up on time. You have a nice breakfast. You're not still sore about the school thing. So what's wrong?"
"Three."
Terry blinked. "Three? Oh! Three!" Terry refilled Jordon's orange juice glass. "I'm sure it was a fluke in grading."
"It was math."
Terry paused, pursing his lips.
Jordon looked at him. "What? No more encouraging comments?"
Terry set the orange juice down. "Look at the time! I've got to get in the shower!" Terry slid out of the kitchen. "Ashita mo ee hi de arimasu you ni, issho ni utao."
Jordon groaned and hit his head on the table. Living with a genki brother is harder than I remember. He closed his eyes. If you make a glum face you'll turn away happiness. Sure. I got a damn three on the exam. Happiness isn't going to come until I figure out why the Hell I got a three.
Terry stuck his head around the corner. "Ne, aniki?"
Jordon opened his eyes and tilted his head up. "Nani."
"We still going to that karaoke thing tonight? Cause if you're not up to it."
Jordon sighed and sat up, rubbing his face. "No, no. I promised, and hey, it'll probably take my mind of that damned score."
"Alright." Terry vanished again.
Jordon looked up at the ceiling. Karaoke. This is gonna be fun. Here's hoping they don't mind our music.
~*()*~
"So how was I?"
"I liked the Japanese version better than the translation." Terry sipped his soda.
Jordon shrugged and rested his arms on the table. Everyone seemed to like it. Good thing I brought the music. I haven't heard any American songs in, well...wow, has it been three years? I guess I am out of touch. Then again, J-pop holds much more appeal.
"I played pool."
"I noticed."
Terry sighed rested his head between his hands. "It was boring, as always."
Jordon glanced over to the pool table, where, surprisingly, Matt Camden was standing there staring at the table in disbelief. It's a small world, compounded by a small town. "Got them in on the break?"
"I tried not to think of the physics, I really did, but my hands wouldn't listen to my mind."
"Our family tends to strive for top performance even when we don't want to."
"But it makes playing things like pool and golf redundant. I mean, you got a hole in one on about every hole last time you played."
Jordon smirked and held his coke in front of his face. Note to self, take him miniature golfing. Physics only gets you so far in that game. "I also noticed your little stick thing. You nearly poked out someone's eye out with that twirling."
Terry ducked his head. "Sorry. I stopped after that guy grabbed the stick."
"It's called a cue."
"Yeah, and he said he knew you?"
"Oh, I was in his class when they screwed up my schedule."
"He said you were good."
Jordon raised his drink. "Two years of practice."
"And again I say, lucky." Terry glanced at his watch. "When do we go on?"
"Eleven thirty. You gonna make it?"
Terry yawned and nodded. "Yeah, no prob."
"And what did you decide?"
"Armageddon."
Jordon raised an eyebrow. "That's so unlike you."
"Eh, it's not too confusing and it sends an important message." Terry folded his arms on the table and rested his head on it.
"Hey, maybe you should take him home. I know Simon would be in bed by now."
"I know my brother." Jordon sipped his soda, watching his brother's eyes droop. "Besides, I promised him some karaoke, and I don't break my promises. and don't talk as if he's not here. He's coherent enough to understand you."
Matt crossed his arms. "I'm just saying that perhaps he's too tired."
Jordon turned in his seat slightly, keeping one eye on Terry. "Look, Camden, I appreciate that you're trying to do, but I know my brother better than you. He wanted to do karaoke, so we'll wait until our time comes up."
"I don't think he'll make it that long."
"Ye of little faith."
Terry slumped forward.
Matt waved his arm. "See?"
Jordon rolled his eyes and set his drink down. "Look, Camden-san, I appreciate what you did a few nights back, and you're a nice guy," he locked eyes with Matt, "but we're not friends, we're not chums, and I'd be glad if you kept out of my family's business."
Matt had a stunned look, then frowned. "Fine. I was just trying to help."
"Not everyone wants your help all the time."
Matt threw up his hands and walked off.
Finally. Honestly, one night of talking does not make him an expert on my family or make us friends. That's one thing Terry noticed about small towns that irritated him. Five minutes of discussion and everyone thought they were best friends and knew everything about you. I can't wait to get back to a city.
Jordon turned back and looked at Terry. He's so cute when he sleeps. So innocent, not like the smart alec he usually is. So much easier to deal with. He shook Terry's shoulder. "Ototou, we should head home."
"Mm?" Terry blinked blearily at Jordon. "Did I fall asleep?"
"No, the lapse in time was due to a distortion in the space-time continuum and we are now in an alternate universe where you're straight."
Terry wrinkled his nose. "You have a strange sense of human."
Jordon chuckled. "Humor. Strange sense of humor."
"Whatever." Terry stretched, then slumped forward again. "Wake me when it's our turn to sing."
"Terry, if you're tired, then we should go home."
"It'll be fun. I'll be fine." Terry's eyes began to slide close again. "Prom-"
"AIYA! I didn't know you'd be here too!"
Terry snapped straight up, wide awake, and turned in his seat. "Amber! Wait! Don't-"
Jordon flinched as Amber, a modeling friend of his brother, tackled Terry out of his chair. She's worse than mom at times. "Any broken bones?"
Terry groaned and shook his head slowly.
Jordon smirked and put one leg over the other, picking up his drink. "Maybe you're right. Let's stay a little bit longer."
"Amber," Terry pushed himself up on his elbows, "do you have to do that every time?"
Amber, her short raven hair disheveled from her tackle, grinned and sat up. "It's a perk of youth. Besides, it annoys the hell outta ya."
"I know. I've told you that so many times they don't even have a number for it." Terry shoved Amber to the side and stood up. "Honestly. You're eighteen years old. You don't see my brother doing that."
"That's because I get to annoy you in so many other ways." Jordon waved the waiter for another pitcher of soda. This is gonna be good.
"Is everyone okay?"
Amber, who had gotten up shortly after Terry, smiled as her aquamarine eyes scanned over the newest addition to the party. "And who is this? Your latest prospect?"
Terry coughed and slid his foot into her heel.
Jordon checked the expression on Matt's face to make sure he hadn't figured out what she meant. Clueless. Good. "Amber, meet Camden Matt."
Terry let out a sigh through his nose.
Jordon hit his forehead. "Right. America. Matt Camden."
Amber stuck out her hand and shook Matt's before he could lift it. "Hey, nice to meet you. Free tomorrow night?"
Matt jerked his hand back. "No, actually. I'm not."
"Camden's a minister's son."
Amber's face fell. "Well damn. Why are all the cute ones on some vow of chastity?"
Terry balked and gave his brother a pleading look.
In a minute. Jordon was rather enjoying the look of shock, or anger, that had passed over Matt's face.
"Aniki."
Jordon nodded and leaned forward. "Amber, I bet you and Terry have tons to catch up on. Why don't you take him out for some coffee. Just have him home by one."
"Aww. Sure, throw me a bone." Amber winked at Matt and turned to Terry, wrapping her arm around his. "Come on. The car I'm renting is a convertible."
Jordon nodded as Terry threw back a thankful glance. He's suffered enough for one night.
"Who was that?! Your sister?"
Ah yes. I forgot he was still here. "No, actually. She works with my brother on some odd jobs here and there." Partial truths. Ah well. It works. "She travels about as much as we do. Don't mind her flirting. You're cute, but she had the toying look in her eye."
Matt huffed and stalked off again.
Jordon ran a hand through his hair and looked at the mostly full pitcher of coke he had ordered. What the hey. I can get coke any time. He tossed his money on the table and grabbed his coat. I wanted to finish that chapter on quantum mechanics anyway.
~*()*~
"Ohayo."
Terry grumbled some sort of a reply.
"That's no way to address me in the morning. I'm your brother, after all."
Terry growled and searched the cupboards for some sort of morning liquid.
"You know, you can have a cup of coffee. You look like you need it."
"You don't want me handling scalding hot liquids right now, aniki."
Jordon pushed his chair back from the table slightly, in case he had to make a quick get away. "So, it was surprising to see Amber in town. What's she here for?"
Giving up on his search, Terry pulled out a cup and poured himself a generous amount of java. "There's a new studio being set up nearby. They called her in for some quick publicity." He sniffed the liquid, then shrugged and drank it in one gulp.
Jordon looked at the ceiling. Three...two...one...now.
"GAAAAAHHHH! That's awful! What is this?"
"Coffee. You forgot to add the sugar and cream."
"Why didn't you stop me? Geeze, now I'm going to have this horrid taste in my mouth all day!"
"What time did she bring you home."
"I dunno. Two, I think." The now awake Terry began searching the cupboards again. "We got any sort of mints or mouthwash or something?"
Jordon calmly drank his own cup of coffee. So she brought him in an hour late. If it was mom, she would've been getting him back just now. "She was excited to see you."
"She was upset when I left LA. We had some fun times together." Terry opened the fridge. "I'd settle for orange juice. At least it'd make the flavor more murky."
Should I worry about what those fun times were? Wait, what am I thinking? He's gay. Jordon finished his cup and stood. "Well, I've got a few essays to crank out, then I'm off to a review session. Gonna try and figure out why I did so poorly on the math section."
Terry stood and put his hands on his hips. "Yeah, yeah. Maybe I should just suck toothpaste right out of the tube."
"Get a grip."
"Oh, and I'm going to try and hit the zoo today."
Jordon placed his hand on the doorway and gave Terry a warning look. "No pets."
"I won't. Besides, he followed me home. What was I supposed to do?"
"Bring it back. I do not want to come home to find a four hundred pound tiger lying on the couch."
"Don't be ridiculous." Terry scratched his head. "Besides, that wolf couldn't have been more than...two hundred fifty pounds."
"Smart ass." Jordon headed for the bathroom. It was a known fact that Terry loved animals. Before Jordon left for Japan, Terry had even adopted a baby wolf, to nurture it until the zoo took it back. Unfortunately, Terry forgot to mention how fast it grew, so when Jordon came home for a visit, he was bowled over, with a snarling muzzle right up against his face. That wasn't pleasant. And he could've at least warned me.
So now whenever Terry went to the zoo, Jordon made sure he came back alone. He let out a small laugh, turning on the shower. Well, almost always come back alone. One time another boy had come back with Terry. He was cute, polite, and easily frightened. Every brother's dream. Too bad he had to move. Terry was rather downcast about it, but he knew his brother kept in touch with the boy. At least I don't have to worry about animals or boys here. Except that blond.
Terry had made it a goal to try and find the blond boy who had helped him that one day at school. So far, he'd failed at spotting him around town, he wasn't allowed near the school, and other than blond hair and gray eyes, they didn't have any leads. God probably just provided him with a silver lining that day. So that he felt it wasn't a total waste.
"Aniki! You're wasting the hot water!"
"Hai!" Jordon stepped into the shower. Like he never lets it run five minutes before getting in.
~*()*~
"Aniki, do we have to leave?"
Jordon, folding a pair of jeans, nodded. "Yeah, we do. Your sensei wants us in Seattle. Did you finish your homework?"
"Yes, but I want to stay. It's just starting to grow on me?"
Jordon raised an eyebrow at Terry. "What's starting to grow on you? This town? The annoying questions of who you are? The idiot students, not to mention idiot faculty?" Grading me down because I used skills too advanced for them. Idiots. At least I know I deserved a five. "What?"
Terry rubbed his arm and leaned against the wall. "Well, I like the church. And the store owners are starting to warm up to me, even though I won't tell them much. The police are actually friendly and talk with citizens. It...feels nice. I can't explain it, but I think I belong here."
"You belong in a place where kids and parents fear you because of what you did to those bullies?"
"They're forgetting about that. Besides, no parents have dodged me."
"You haven't been at the school dealing with older siblings and hearing the rumors about what a lunatic you are."
Terry shrugged. "So let them call me a lunatic. It'll make it easy for them to accept that I'm gay."
"Ha!" Jordon looked over at him. "Sometimes I wonder just how much of dad's brains you got."
"What does that mean?"
"Terry, if you announced that you were gay here, you'd be run out of town and crucified so fast you wouldn't even finish your sentence. These people don't like change. They're afraid of the unknown, and especially controversial unknowns. Haven't you noticed? There's no abortion clinics around here. They have to go to another city. There's no gay bars, or even a support group within a twenty mile radius. This isn't a place you can live, Terry. They won't accept you."
Terry crossed his arms, glaring at Jordon. "Hidoi, bakayaro."
"I don't care. Now start packing."
Terry bit his lip, thinking. "What if I don't want to leave?"
"Where will you go? One phone call and I'll have your accounts frozen. You won't have any money, you don't have any friends."
"Amber-"
"Will side with me. As fun and friendly as she is, she also knows what's best for you."
Terry looked at the ground. "Will we ever come back?"
Jordon sighed and sat on the bed. "Terry-"
"Well, will we?" Terry looked up. "I like it here, okay? Sure, I had a rocky start-"
"That's an understatement."
"But it's improved dramatically since then."
Jordon pinched the bridge of his nose. "Maybe when you're more mature. When you can integrate more with the community." That should keep us away for another twenty years, God willing.
Terry's eyes moved back and forth. "So when I'm more mature and can integrate with the community, we can come back?"
Jordon through his arm in the air. "Yes! When you're at that level I'll help you buy a damn house so you can live here as long as you like!"
"Honto?"
"Yes, anything. Now get packing or we'll miss our flight."
"Hai!" Terry beamed and marched out to the living room to collect his things.
Jordon shook his head, rubbing both his temples. What just happened?
You made a deal. He matures enough, you move here for more than a week or two, a voice in his mind responded.
Great. May he be twenty-three and on his own when he's at that stage in development. I've had enough of this small town. I can't wait to get to a place with a Starbucks.
~*()*~
Jordon blinked awake, looking around. Starbucks. Heh. He felt his hair for a ponytail and found nothing. Maybe I should grow it long again. Or at least bleach it. I'm gonna blend in so much at Tokyo U. He looked down on his lap and smiled as Terry snuggled closer. I can't believe how much he matured in four years. I thought I'd never see this town again. Now it feels awkward leaving it. Or maybe it's because I'm leaving him, too. He ran his hand through Terry's hair a couple times.
That was enough to rouse the teen. He stirred and tilted his head up. "When I open my eyes you'd better be the blond of my dreams or you're in big trouble."
"And here I thought you liked sleeping with me."
Terry sat up and hit Jordon's shoulder. "Urusai. Simon's cuddlier."
"Oh, so I'm being replaced by your boyfriend?"
Terry yawned, covering his mouth with a fist. "Well, you have to admit, he's cuter than you." He blinked, as if suddenly realizing something.
Jordon shifted his weight, getting the blood flowing to his legs again. "What?"
"I just had a dream of our first trip out."
"You too?"
Terry rubbed his eyes. It wasn't uncommon for them to share dreams. Their biorhythms were so in sync that sometimes it seemed like they were telepathic. "The blond kid that helped me. I think it was Simon. But, why didn't he recognize me now?"
"Well, you didn't have colored contacts back then, so the red eyes might've thrown him off. That and you weren't wearing a helmet."
Terry whapped Jordon again and held up his wrist, squinting his eyes a couple times. "We'd better hurry. We only have six hours till the flight."
"My, how little time." Jordon stood and stretched.
Terry watched him, scratching his back. "Aniki?"
"Hmm?"
Terry shifted his legs. "Do...do you think I'll be okay? Without you around and with Simon's family and the community? I mean, when we come out, is what you said way back then going to be true?"
Jordon let his arms fall to his side. "A lot of things have changed since then, Terry. And with Eric's help...I think it'll work out. They trust him and his judgment. And have faith, hm? That's what you've always told me."
Terry grunted. "Sure, throw it back in my face."
Jordon chuckled and rubbed Terry's head. "You want the shower first?"
"No, I'll cook breakfast."
"Thanks." Jordon wandered towards the bathroom.
Terry sat on the couch, staring at the wall a few minutes, before getting up and going into the kitchen.
~*()*~
"Okay, you got all the bags?"
"Yep." Terry glanced around the living room. "Hidden away all incriminating evidence of my job and orientation."
Jordon checked his pockets. "Passport, wallet, keys, directions, tickets. Check."
"I've asked the Camdens to watch over the house, get the mail, etc., while we're gone."
"Good thinking." Jordon smirked. "Where's that wolf when you need him? He'd make a killer watch dog."
Terry frowned. "He had to put down. Got into a pretty bad fight with the alpha male and, well..."
"I'm sorry."
Terry shrugged and looked at his watch. "Where's the limo? I told the company to send it over by now."
"I'll see if it's driving in circles." Jordon opened the door just as Simon was about to ring the bell. He raised an eyebrow. "You're a bit early for house sitting."
Simon flushed lightly. "I'm, uh, here to take you to the airport."
Terry glanced past Simon where Lucy and Robbie were waiting in the van. "You didn't have to, Simon. We called a limo service."
"I canceled it. I-I wanted to take you."
Jordon smiled and grabbed a few bags. "Get in there and kiss already. I'll handle the packing."
Simon blushed even more as he stepped inside.
Terry guided him out of sight from the outside world. "Don't let my brother get to you." He smirked and kissed Simon's nose. "That's my job."
Simon fidgeted. "Terry..."
"Simon, this is sweet. I wish you'd told me about it, but it's sweet." He brushed Simon's hair back. "I'm going to miss you so much."
"You're going to call, though. So we'll keep in touch."
Terry nodded. "I'll definitely be back by the second week in September. Maybe third if there's some problem."
"I know. This is important to you. Take as much time as you need."
Terry chuckled and hugged Simon. "Lord, I love you." He pulled his head back enough to maneuver it down and kiss Simon.
Simon closed his eyes and returned in kind. They remained that way for a minute or two.
"Okay you two. All the bags are in the car. Now either break it up or I'm getting the squirt bottle."
Terry broke the kiss and shook his head. "Did I mention how glad I am you won't be here to do that particular little thing any more?"
Jordon laughed and put his arm around Terry's shoulder. "No, but don't worry. I'll find someone to do it."
Simon stepped out before them and Terry locked the door. He patted it a moment, then handed Simon the key. "Take good care of it for me."
"I will." Simon climbed into the van and sat in the back. Terry sat beside him.
Jordon climbed into the middle seat and leaned forward. "Robbie, how good a shot are you with a water gun?"
"Aniki no baka!"
~*()*~
~*()*~
~*()*~
Aniki: older brother
Ototou: younger brother
Hidoi: mean, cruel
Manga: Japanese comic
Itai: ow, ouch
-san: respectful honorific
Genki: energetic
Ne: hey, right
Nani: what
Ohayo: good morning
Hai: yes
Bakayaro: jerk
Honto: really
Urusai: shut up
Aniki no baka: idiot older brother
Author's Prattle: Wow. Did that come out fast. Hope you enjoyed it! Not to worry! Terry will return from Japan (brotherless, of course) to a whole new set of challenges (Kevin has entered the picture. Muwahaha...the possibilities). I've already got it planned out in my head, but I'm gonna try and keep it on hold until I get a few more chapters of "Never Again Separate" out and I catch up on all my school work and get past the first set of midterms (my classes have four a semester. Sciences...)
To those of you wondering why Matt failed to recognize Jordon later, I'd like to point out a few details. When Terry returns and starts dating Simon, Jordon has very little interaction with the Camden family. This means that there isn't much time for recognition to take place. Jordon forgot Matt as he wasn't too important, and Matt had a deja vu feeling, yet couldn't quite place it. Also remember that Jordon had bleached hair and a short, thin ponytail when he visited four years previously. His hair's back to normal and it's short, so he looked quite different in modern day than in the past. Besides, with all the people in Matt's life, what're the odds he'd remember some weird guy he barely knew?
Let's see...oh, the anime references are numerous. I'll just put out a standard disclaimer this chapter: I only own Terry, Jordon, Amber, Gwen and Hidoru. I do not own the 7th Heaven characters, nor any anime references made in this chapter. Issho no Utao is a what Terry was singing earlier, it's yet another song from Card Captors Sakura, and with it's upbeat music, holds some sound advice. Translation can be found here:
http://www.animelyrics.com/anime/ccsakura/ccsinu.htm