"Remus Reinhart!" A guard called, and the door opened.
Roman's heart could have stopped. He was completely blindsided by finally being able to see his brother after so long. He didn't look different from Roman, other than the fact that he was almost twice as muscular. So his fear was as stupid as he thought. Though it appeared like Remus had broken his nose and it set funny, even though it wasn't very noticeable. Roman only saw because he looked at it every day in the mirror. His hair was shaggier than Roman's, which was saying something, but everything else was like staring at an alternate universe version of himself. That would be bizarre if he wasn't used to it somewhere in the back of his head.
"Ro!" Remus shouted and rushed up to the table Patton and Roman were seated at.
"Remus! Holy shit!" Roman exclaimed fervently before he could stop himself. "Have you been lifting the younger kids? What the fuck?" Roman exclaimed in bafflement.
"Why aren't you lifting the younger kids? You got to be able to throw a punch!" Remus sat down next to Roman and the pair laughed buoyantly. "'Ey! Seriously though, Sanvgjet?" Remus pointed to Patton.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. He's okay. Do you still speak that nonsense language we made up?" Roman asked curiously, leaning toward Remus.
"Half of my unit does, the guards can't break the code since there's no code to break," Remus tapped his head with a smug smirk.
"Remus is your identical twin?" Patton asked loudly and incredulously. Oh yeah, that's the expression he was looking forward to. Sheer bewilderment. Roman smirked at Patton's dropped jaw as he glanced between the two.
"He didn't know we were twins?" Remus pointed. "You chaotic bastard, you wanted to see his face, didn't you?" Remus laughed and hit the table lightly.
"I only just realized they didn't tell him on the way over. Perfect opportunity. The face is worth it," Roman smirked. "Seriously, though, this is bullshit. I'm really sorry you're stuck in here. My SW said something about you getting drunk and starting a fire? There's no way," Roman said pointedly.
"I didn't get drunk. I'm not that fucking bastard. That family was just assholes," Remus huffed angrily. "But I did start a fire," He shrugged, disaffected.
"You did?" Roman raised his eyebrows. "For god's sake, why?"
"I didn't mean to! They didn't cook for me there and it was mom's birthday so I tried to make her paella and it sort of scorched part of their stove. I ran away so they wouldn't beat my ass for it. Mom would have been pissed if somebody touched us on her birthday of all days," Remus said sheepishly. "I'm not the best chef, but I was sick of peanut butter sandwiches, and I just really miss her food," He added solemnly.
"I knew that was absolute horseshit. I can't make her paella, either. I've been trying, but it never tastes right," Roman admitted hourly.
"We're just going to have to wait till Dia de Los Muertos and ask her ourselves for how to do it, huh?" Remus laughed. "I just… still really want it again, even though I got in Juvie for it," He admitted much more quietly with a reserved look on his face.
"If they wouldn't kick me out immediately, I'd give you a hug, man," Roman said sympathetically.
"That's also horseshit nobody's allowed to touch anybody. We're all touch-starved bastards who get off on punching each other as human contact," Remus bemoaned. "I think we could cordially shake hands like fancy fucks and be fine," Remus held out his hand and Roman took it and they shook vigorously.
"Hm, yes, quite, stocks," Remus hummed.
"Yes, yes, indeed, business contracts," Roman nodded. They released before the guards got antsy.
"So who's this incredibly baffled looking stiff and how'd a non-parent get in to visit me?" Remus pointed vaguely to Patton with a quizzical expression.
"That's Patton. New foster parent. He's nice, actually," Roman motioned to Patton. Patton waved weakly, but he looked like he was still processing everything.
"I mean, he drove you out here, so probably. It's been fucking years, man," Remus faced more towards Roman.
"I'm sorry. I'm pissed about it, too. I've had just a real shit lineup of foster families. I lost phone privileges two families back, and I was with them for just short of a year and then I didn't have your number anymore, I'm so sorry I never called, man," Roman apologized emphatically.
"I mean, I'm not happy about it, but I get it. It's not like I could get your number to call, either. Your jackass social worker would never share it with mine," Remus shrugged. He didn't look happy, but he also didn't look hurt, which was relieving. Maybe Roman was afraid for nothing.
"Oh, I got a new one. They fired the old one. Long and Kistka story. Events transpired," Roman replied, honestly not wanting to get into it. Though Roman wasn't sure he could hold it together if he saw the police here. It was unsettlingly sterile, like those holding centers, and the guards were extremely unnerving.
"Shit? Kistka? Jesus. Some serious events must have transpired to get an SW fired, I had one who used to hit me and he just got suspended," Remus said flippantly.
"Shit, that's a bad SW. My new one is nice. He pulled some favours to get me on the approved visitors list along with the new guardians," Roman explained.
"What, a real bro? Nice. Mental fistbump. If we make fists they will tase me," Remus nodded. "My parole officer isn't the worst. I had to throw my weight around for a while, but I've got respect now and the other kids give me some space. Can't be the top of the ladder but can't be the weakest here. I think I've mostly got this place figured out by now," Remus explained proudly.
"I'm so sorry Remus, I feel like such a piece of shit for winning the fucking lottery while you're stuck in Juvie," Roman wrung his hands and dropped his shoulders.
"Hey, the fates be dicks like that. Honestly, it's nice to know you've got it good, if that's what you mean," Remus nodded encouragingly.
"Nobody hits, nobody yells, and they have real ice cream. It's awful I don't deserve a lick of it," Roman and Remus laughed together. Patton looked like he tried to object, but Remus cut him off before he could start.
"Man, I hope I get placed with someone who will let me visit you after I get out. I've just got one more month," Remus said, seeming excited.
"One more? Seriously? How long have you been here?" Roman perked up immediately at that news.
"Just a little short of two years. They couldn't prove much, but the family was intense about pressing charges. So I got a lengthy sentence for freaking out and running off," Remus said, sounding annoyed.
"God, I freaked out and ran off last Wednesday and they've been nothing but nice about it and it's driving me up the wall," Roman rolled his eyes and flailed his arms slightly.
"What'd you freak out about? The usual?" Remus asked curiously, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow.
"Nah, I got this new thing where I have a fit about being a fuckup and I'm not punished for it, it's weird," Roman said dismissively.
"Ugh, what a nightmare," Remus laughed. "So you've had mostly shit homes, too? I always kinda hoped you ended up better than me," Remus admitted, sounding disappointed.
"Same," Roman agreed sourly.
"Well, the nice part about Juvie is I'm so desensitized to hitting and loud noises that I don't freak out about it anymore. I mean, the smell of alcohol still sets me off, but otherwise I'm a little better at handling it." Remus said. Roman smiled at that. It was a mixed bag at best, but at least it was something.
"God, I'm worse if anything. Pat says that good environments are hard or something? I don't follow. I just know I have a mental breakdown every goddamn day and I'm just so sick of it," Roman groaned and leaned on the table.
"Ugh, that sounds like shit city. I haven't had one in a while. Some kid choked me out like dad used to recently and I pulled myself together long enough to sock him in the dick and get out of there," Remus looked proud of himself and nodded.
"Oof, in the dick?" Roman made a disgusted expression and winced.
"You'd do the same," Remus accused and gestured towards Roman vaguely while he tilted his head.
"I know I would, I can't even handle shirts touching my neck, but that had to have pissed off some people in your unit," Roman said, motioning to the building in general with the hand that wasn't propping him up on the table.
"Yeah, but 'dickpunch mcgee' ain't been fucked with since. Somebody will doubtlessly try to get me back in the dick, though. I've gotta stay ready," Remus said resolutely. What a nickname.
"That's probably the hard part even if you have it figured out. No safe spaces," Roman nodded hourly.
"Man, what's even a safe space anymore. Safe spaces are a lie we tell ourselves. We ain't safe from ourselves, even if we're safe from others. Under the bed or in the closet always seems like a great idea until you're cornered, you know?" Remus said blithely.
"Deep. Dark. But deep. Turns out I've been attacking myself so I get it," Roman held up his arm. The bandages were finally off, but you could still the healing lines of nail cuts.
"Brutal. Badass looking though, like you fuckin' fought a badger," Remus smirked.
"Is fighting a badger badass?" Roman raised his eyebrow.
"I dunno, I fought one in the yard once and people said I was a badass. Rabies shot hurt like a bitch. Do you know when you started doing that?" Remus pointed to the healing scrapes on his arms.
"I don't even know I'm doing it. They've been making me wear these stupid gloves at home," Roman said, feeling annoyed with the situation.
"Gloves are pretty cool, IMO," Remus made a spirit fingers motion and wiggled his eyebrow.
"I don't want to be a 'Hans'. Who wants to be a 'Hans'?" Roman's voice raised slightly and flipped his hand in the air dismissively.
"I thought Hans was a cool villain! He found himself in a shitty situation, so he made a master-plan to put himself in a good one! If he could have just married Anna off the bat, then he'd have been sitting pretty as princess-consort of Arendelle. I mean, assuming he stopped trying to kill Elsa to ascend the throne. He'd have no need to do anything shitty unless he felt like he wanted to dominate the world or something since he'd assuredly get a say in running the kingdom since he was honestly helpful other than the whole evil plot thing," Remus explained his standpoint. It weirdly made sense.
"Huh. I never thought about it like that. I mean, Anna would still have been in a loveless marriage," Roman said, not completely sold.
"She could've got the weird reindeer fucker as a side piece, it's super common for royalty to have extramarital affairs," Remus nodded sagely.
"Boy, that's a freakin' AU I never saw coming," Roman whistled. "Bypass the events of the story completely. Elsa is clearly a lesbian, anyway. The movie could have used her powers as a metaphor for coming out or something," Roman mused.
"Yes, make it gayer," Remus hissed in delight.
"Um… Hans is gay and mostly leaves Anna alone. And Anna's bi and Kristoff's NB?" Roman suggested, not sure what Remus was looking for.
"Perfect," Remus nodded. "Now you can be cool with the gloves," Remus motioned to Roman's hands.
"I do not follow your crack logic," Roman furrowed his eyebrows.
"Gloves are gay," Remus grinned.
"I'm not-" Roman tried to object.
"Yes, you are. We're identical twins, fucko, that's how I know. That's dad talking and you need to sock that voice right in the fucking face," Remus said seriously, looking Roman dead in the eye.
"Identical twins don't necessarily have the same orientation," Roman said dismissively.
"We're monozygotic, not dizygotic, we statistically likely have the same orientation and I'm bi as the day is long," Remus said firmly.
"Don't you use math to fool me, I can't do math," Roman hissed in displeasure.
"It's true, see, 'cuz you're gay and gays can't do math," Remus laughed.
"Fine! I'll consider that maybe it's dad and reevaluate my life or whatever," Roman dramatically huffed and gave up.
"Thank you," Remus gave Roman a thumbs up. "Any chance you'll get kicked out in a month and they'll maybe place us together if there's a home willing to take two gay teens?" Remus asked hopefully.
"I said I'd consider it, I'm not admitting anything! But probably not. I'm getting medical care and shit, I think they might like me for some ungodly reason that I can't comprehend, I've been nothing but an ass," Roman sighed. "Patton, any chance you'll send me back next month?" Roman asked, equally hopeful and depressed about the concept.
"What? Huh? I'm so lost! You're both talking like a thousand miles a minute," Patton answered, looking between the two with furrowed eyebrows and pursuing his lip.
"Any chance you'll change your mind and boot me out next month?" Roman asked again, a little slower.
"What? No! Why would you ask that? I told you we're not sending you back and I mean it!" Patton insisted.
"Ugh, see? But they promised they'll take me to visit you even if your new ones won't take you to visit me. I think they might actually be good for it since I'm here now and all. I'd kill to live with you again, though. I'd put up with you kicking me and everything," Roman sighed, motioning to Remus's tapping foot.
"I do be kung fu fighting in my sleep. But, actually, I shouldn't share a bed. I sleep-attack anyone within a foot of me," Remus said. "Defense mechanism, these days," He tilted his head and shrugged slightly.
"I'd put up with the sleep fu. We can have 4 AM panic attacks together maybe," Roman chuckled.
"Aw, brotherly bonding," Remus cooed and fluttered his eyelashes.
"Shut up, you fucking dork," Roman groaned. "I miss you so goddamn much," Roman said intensely.
"Miss you, too. Don't get emotional or they'll kick my ass," Remus shot a look to the door he entered from.
"Sorry. I know the no emotions rule. I've just been waiting this whole time in the stupid hope that maybe we can be brothers again," Roman admitted quietly.
"I'm always your brother, you can't lose me that easily," Remus smirked and leaned forward.
"I must start lifting more weights and then I can punch you in the face through the mirror," Roman motioned to Remus and laughed.
"Man, that'd be cool. I'd stab you behind the ear," Remus nodded. "It'd hurt like a bitch,"
"Ugh, Rude!" Roman scoffed.
"Mirrorverse Twinicide! Calling the band name," Remus declared.
"Shit, that's a magnificent band name," Roman nodded in agreement. "Is the food here okay?" He asked curiously.
"I mean, it's better than starving," Remus shrugged loosely, not seeming very bothered.
"That sucks. Hey Patton, can I give him the chocolates? They made Patton carry them in for some reason," Roman asked, holding out his hand for the bag.
"Huh? Chocolates?" Patton pulled the bag out of his shirt pocket and Remus hissed in delight and made grabby hands. Patton passed it over, still looking kind of confused. "We couldn't bring much, sorry kiddo,"
"Kiddo? Weird. Thanks, though! Oh my god, I just want to eat them all, but stuff like this is gold in there. I can use it to trade for things or favors," Remus said, sounding really conflicted, glancing between the bag and the door he came through.
"Just pick a favour you'd do for yourself and eat a chocolate for it," Roman offered.
"Oh, life hack," Remus nodded and considered it, holding the bag. "There is more here than I need of favours, I think. Hm. Staying alive is a favour," Remus chuckled and dug out a chocolate to pop into his mouth. He ate it with a massive smile. "Oh my god, I have had nothing sweet since our fuckin' birthday," Remus hissed in delight.
"We can bring more next weekend, kiddo," Patton offered.
"What, we can come again?" Roman shot in excitement. Remus looked to Patton with a wild joy in his eye.
"Bring chips, too!" Remus cheered.
"I have no idea what's happening, but sure?" Patton said. "We're almost out of time for visiting. I think I see why you're not good with time because I literally do not know how that happened," Patton sounded really confused.
"Shit, already? Can we please stay till they kick us out?" Roman pleaded with Patton, holding his hands together.
"Of course, bud. I know it's been a long time. Why are they only letting you get an hour, Remus?" Patton asked, still clearly befuddled.
"Oh, one hour is the 'good' amount of time. They don't let us have more than an hour. If I was in trouble I'd have less," Remus shrugged.
"That's awful. Prison really is better," Patton's frown deepened. "There's not a lot we're allowed to bring you, but is there something other than chips you want?"
"Seriously? You don't know me and you're willing to buy stuff for me?" Remus asked incredulously. "What's with this guy?" Remus pointed with this thumb.
"I still can't figure it out, honestly," Roman shook his head. "Too nice. People can't be this nice," He tilted to the side.
"I mean, he puts up with your ass," Remus pointed to Roman and laughed.
"And I continue to be baffled by it," Roman shrugged with amusement.
"Man, I hope someone will barely tolerate my presence over the clear and present disdain here. I mean, I will be hard to place now because I'm a 'dirty criminal'. I'll probably be in a holding center and end up in a group home at best," Remus said, dejected.
"I'm so sorry, those centers set me off just thinking about them. I hope you're not stuck in one long," Roman was equally distraught at the idea.
"My parole officer says he's already working with a social worker to find a placement. He warned me to not get my hopes up or anything, but he knows those places freak me out," Remus said, a little hopefully.
"You, too?" Roman asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I mean, we were screaming like we were being gutted with a fishhook when they dragged us apart. I don't think anybody in the room was okay with that. I bet we traumatized other people," Remus gestured outward with his hands.
"Oh, god, probably," Roman sighed. "Man, prison's too good for dad, they should have let mom kill him," Roman groaned angrily.
"Wait, what?" Patton asked incredulously. "I thought your mom died protecting you?"
"She died in the emergency room. The cops separated her from him before she could finish stabbing the bastard after he gave her the fatal internal damage," Remus spat. "We were all in the hospital, after that. Black and blue with broken bones and shit! 'Cept good ol' Arthur, anyway. He was out back at the time. Obviously, dad had to get his guts put back in, but they should have just let him die," Remus rolled his eyes.
"I still have fuckin' nightmares about it. Ugh! Dude, the smell from dad's guts, holy shit. I'll never forget it. I try not to use serrated knives…" Roman mumbled and trailed off.
"I mean the flashbacks and nightmares aren't great, but serrated knives always just reminded me that mom loved us enough to try to kill him for it," Remus shrugged.
"I mean, that is nice of her and all, but that doesn't stop the fucking blood-curdling screams from playing in my head. Though, to be fair, mom probably thought we were dead when she came in. I mean, we were barely breathing and there was blood all over us," Roman shuddered. "You think we'd be here if Abuela didn't have a stroke and she could still take us when dad fell off the wagon again?" Roman asked curiously.
"Dad would have done it one way or the other. I don't think Abuela could have protected us forever, as hard as she and mom tried. I miss the fuck out of her, though. Remember when we got bored and sawed off those tree branches in the backyard when she fell asleep so we could hit each other with them and after she was mad she let us keep the branches? Great day," Remus smiled and nodded.
"Not that this information isn't completely and utterly horrific, but do you need me to bring you anything, Remus? We're running out of time," Patton shuddered and looked absolutely horrified for some reason.
"Oh! Right!" Remus smacked himself in the head and they both cackled.
"Mood," They deadpanned together.
"Underwear. Medium. Black boxers," Remus said. "Boxers and chocolate,"
"They-" Patton started, looking concerned.
"Listen, you and your sad smile don't need to know what sick shit they put us through back there," Remus pointed behind him with his thumb. "Just trust me on that. Don't bring too much stuff or they won't let you in with it. Less candy and only one of those snack bags of chips," Remus showed the size of the bag with his thumbs and foreigners.
"I'm going to miss you all goddamn week, Remus," Roman said despondently.
"Eh, we waited four years, we've probably got this. I dunno about you but life's suddenly a lot more worth living," Remus leaned on his arms.
"Oh, same. I can't wait to throw you out of a tree," Roman laughed evilly.
"Oh, come on, it only happened a couple of times," Remus rolled his eyes, sounding amused.
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind, but a little vengeance never hurt anybody," Roman smirked.
"I'm pretty certain revenge hurts people, there, Roman," Patton stopped him and Roman shook his head sarcastically.
"The tall twink will protect me from your cold vengeance. He could probably reach in a tree and pull you out. You're skinny as shit. I could carry you above my head," Remus laughed darkly.
"Man, I haven't had a house that let me eat full meals for years until these gay dorks, cut me some slack," Roman huffed and flipped his hand as if he was shooing a fly.
"Gay dorks? All of 'em?" Remus sounded oddly impressed.
"Yup," Roman popped the p. "I mean Virgil hasn't mentioned it," He added while considerately tapping his face.
"You will get so bullied at school if that gets out," Remus whistled.
"I'll just start benching the other kids like you do," Roman laughed.
"Time's up," A guard barked out near them and Roman and Remus both jumped.
"Shit," Roman and Remus hissed in unison.
"I miss you, I have stupid emotions for you, I'll see you," Roman blurted out as Remus got up.
"Ditto. See you next week, thanks again for the chocolate!" Remus waved as he walked back over to the guard. Roman sighed deeply and Patton stood up to help him out of the table. He grumbled and stared at the door Remus exited through and pulled himself up to his feet to head out. It would be a long ride home.