Thanks Vergina-spva and MyLadyDay for beta'ing
Chapter 10
Izo didn't have to open his eyes to know what Thatch was doing. "Stop staring at me." He turned his back towards Thatch.
Thatch chuckled. "I just always forget what cute freckles you have up close." He touched Izo's cheek, but Izo slapped his hand away.
"That's because I don't have freckles."
"You've been denying it all your life. When will you accept the truth?" Thatch sighed mock-dramatically.
"I am. Because I don't have freckles." Realising he wasn't going to get more sleep, Izo rose from the bed and put on his robe. He walked over to the dressing table and sat down to brush his hair.
Thatch popped himself up on an elbow as he watched Izo perform his morning ritual. "Ace has freckles too. I don't know why you dislike them so much."
"I can't dislike about myself what I don't have," Izo replied curtly.
Thatch chuckled again, and Izo watched in the mirror how he rolled onto his back, his hands underneath his head. The smile disappeared from his face as he stared at the ceiling. "Izo?"
Izo hummed as he resumed brushing.
"I'm sorry about last night."
Izo turned around, placing the brush on the dressing table. "You don't have apologise to me. Though, I'm still not sure what you were thinking, trying to pick a fight with Shanks of all people. That's just like trying to pick a fight with… well, you. You never get angry either."
Thatch sat up a little, his eyebrow raised. "You think I'm like him?"
"In many ways, yes."
Thatch huffed.
"What? It's a compliment. Shanks is a good man, and so are you." Izo checked himself in the mirror and when he had decided he was pleased with that he saw, he rose again, walking towards the bed.
Thatch was still staring at the ceiling, not moving even when Izo sat down next to him. "Do you like him?" he finally asked.
"Shanks? Of course I do, I adore him. But you know that. We've been friends forever."
Thatch remained silent.
Izo frowned at his behaviour. "You're… not asking if I like him, are you?"
"Do you?" Finally, Thatch looked at him.
"What? No, of course not. Not like that. He's with Benn and besides, I wouldn't want to date someone my brother dated." Marco had dated Shanks a few years back when Benn was out of the picture. "Why do you ask?"
Thatch shrugged. "You seemed all chummy last night."
"I don't think we behaved any different than usual," Izo replied thoughtfully. Had he? He had danced with Jinbei, but that didn't seem to bother Thatch. Was it bothering Thatch? Why? "Why do you care, anyway?"
Thatch propped himself up on his elbows. "Ehm, because I'm your brother? I always tell you stuff like this, and you never do."
"That's because there's never anything to tell."
"But if there was, you would tell me, right?" Thatch pressed.
Izo sighed and rose again to move behind the folding screen under the pretence he was getting dressed, though mainly, he was just glad he didn't have to look Thatch in the face. "I already explained I just don't really fall in love. Or feel sexually attracted to anyone." He hated talking about this stuff, because it meant he had to lie to Thatch or evade his questions. And even someone as thick-headed as Thatch was bound to catch up at some point.
Thatch sighed. "I know, I know. But you told me sexuality and stuff can change throughout your life. Just promise me that you'll tell me when someone does catch your eye."
"I'll tell you when there's something to tell." Izo knew that Thatch was hardly satisfied with his answer, but it was the best he could manage right now.
With a sigh, Thatch pushed himself off the bed and picked up his clothes, wobbling a little on his legs. Izo watched him through the cracks in the folding screen. "I'll go start on breakfast then."
Izo couldn't hold back a smile. If Thatch was doing the cooking, it meant that he was starting to get back to normal. "Do you need help with the stairs?"
"I'll be fine."
After getting dressed and braiding his hair for a change, Izo was about to follow Thatch downstairs, when he suddenly hesitated. Instead of going down, he went up the stairs to the upper floor where Pops' bedroom was. Biting his lip, he knocked on the door. Despite having lived in this house for over ten years, going into Pops' room still felt like something special. It wasn't that it was forbidden, but somehow, it felt like entering some kind of shrine.
Pops' voice called him to enter, proving he was still present, and Izo pushed open the door. Pops was lying in bed, reading a book, his giant dog Stefan lying beside him. When he saw Izo, Stefan started wagging his tail.
"Morning, son," Pops greeted Izo. No matter how often he heard it, the word 'son' still managed to warm him inside, and with a smile, Izo entered. Pops patted the bed invitingly. Izo sat down, only to be immediately licked by Stefan. Izo thanked his lucky stars he was wearing waterproof makeup.
"Is something the matter?" Pops asked when Izo didn't speak right away.
Izo sighed and scratched Stefan behind his ears. "I need to talk to you about Thatch." When Pops nodded encouragingly, he continued, "He's acting a bit strangely ever since he woke up from his coma. I mean, it is to be expected, since he went through major trauma, but… I'm worried about him."
Pops hummed. "These things take time, Izo."
"I know." Izo cast his eyes down. "I just… I fear I might have pushed him too much last night, by making him live with me. Part of me… Part of me wonders if I was doing what was best for Thatch, or…" He bit his lip. He had told no one about his true feelings for Thatch, except for Pops and Marco, so there was no need to finish his sentence. Pops' acceptance when he had finally managed to spill his secret had been what had kept him sane, as guilt had been weighing him down.
"Do you want him living with you to help him, or because you'll hope it'll change something?" Pops' voice was soft, yet it felt to Izo like he had yelled.
Izo looked away. "There was this moment, in the hospital. I'm probably reading too much into it, though." He shook his head at how silly he sounded, but Pops had a way of making him tell the truth. "Maybe there is a small part of me that still has hope, even after all these years." He sighed. "Perhaps it would be better if he stayed with you, Pops. Your nurses could take care of him too, and he'd be in a place he once called home. I mean, he's been at my house, but it's not like he lived there…" Somehow, his stomach seemed to turn at that thought.
"Why don't you ask him what he wants?" Pops wrapped an arm around Izo, pulling him close. "And you have to remember, Thatch will be Thatch no matter what."
Izo nodded and took a deep, shaky breath. "I know. Thanks, Pops." He rose and walked to the door. His hand hovered over the doorknob, before he turned around. "Pops, I'm sorry about how I acted when Thatch was in a coma. I could only focus on my own hurt, ignoring yours and the others'." He looked at the floor.
"The only important thing is that all my sons are safe and sound," Pops said with a smile.
Izo smiled back and left the room. He went downstairs, greeting Marco, Namur and Blenheim, who were already sitting at the table, before going into the kitchen. The sooner he had his talk with Thatch over with the better.
Thatch was whistling something as he stirred in a pan, sitting on a stool on high legs so he could reach the cooker without standing. He stopped as soon as he heard Izo come in. "Hey, taste this."
Before Izo could argue, a spoon was held in front of his mouth and out of habit, he opened his mouth. "It tastes great," he said after he had swallowed.
Thatch looked at him suspiciously. "Really? You're not just saying that?"
"Of course not. Since when are you insecure about your cooking?" Izo inquired.
Thatch shrugged. "You know…"
Izo's face softened. "There's nothing wrong with you, much less with your skills."
"Never mind, okay?" Thatch turned back to the counter. "What's up?"
Obviously, he was trying to change the subject, but Izo decided to indulge him. "I came to apologise for last night."
"How so?" Thatch started chopping some vegetables.
"Well, I realised I may have been a little pushy."
Thatch dropped his knife and looked over his shoulder, looking mock-shocked. "This has to be the first time you apologise for being pushy."
"Shut up." Izo gave him a slap against the back of his head for good measure.
Grinning, Thatch continued what he was doing.
"Anyway," Izo continued, "I talked to Pops, and I think it might be better for you to stay here, with him. Less change," he added when Thatch didn't reply right away. "Of course it's up to you."
Thatch placed his knife on the counter and rose from the stool to look Izo in the eye. "You don't think the reason I protested is because I don't want to live with you, do you?"
"No, I know that's not the case, but…"
"There's gonna be change either way. I'll have to give up my job regardless where I live." Thatch continued chopping the vegetables, but Izo noticed his pace was brusquer. Cautiously, he stepped closer.
"Everything's changing and I don't have a say in it. I can't even stand up properly. But it's fine. Fucking hell!" Thatch cursed suddenly and put his index finger in his mouth. A drop of blood fell on the counter.
"I'll get the first aid kit." Izo hastened himself to the cabinet in which they kept the band-aids. His heart was racing. Thatch didn't curse often. He didn't cut himself often either, unless it was with shaving.
Thatch held out his finger to let Izo to put the band-aid on it. When he was done, Izo took his hand. "Thatch…"
"Yeah, I know, I know." Thatch waved him away with his free hand. "I'm being dramatic."
"You have every right to be."
Thatch sighed. "I just feel so helpless. Like I don't have a say in anything that is happening…"
"You do." Izo took a step closer. "It's only temporary, Thatch, you'll see."
Thatch took a deep breath and wiped the blood from the counter with a clean cloth. "I know. That's why I want to stay with you."
"Are you sure?" Izo asked. "Pops would love to have you here."
"No way, you said I had to stay with you, so you won't get rid of me that easily." Thatch grinned as he crossed his arms before his chest.
Izo rolled his eyes. "Didn't that come back to bite me in the ass."
"Don't you always say that's your best feature?" Thatch asked teasingly.
"Honey, I'm all my best feature." Laughing, Izo wrapped his arms around Thatch's neck. "You're going to be okay," he whispered softly.
Someone clearing their throat made them both look up. Ace had entered the kitchen. "Am I interrupting?"
"Nah, you're just in time to set the table." Thatch nodded to a cabinet. "Fetch the plates, would ya? Breakfast'll be ready in a bit."
"I will, but first, Izo, can I talk to you?" Ace's eyes flicked to Thatch, who has started chopping again. "In private?"
Confused, Izo followed Ace into the garden. They were standing next to the pool. Izo couldn't say he had used it much. Of course he could swim, he just chose not to. "What is it?" he asked Ace. "Should I be worried?"
Ace shook his head. "No, I just wanted to know how you're doing."
"Okay." Izo blinked a few times. "I'm perfect. You really needed to ask me that in private?"
Ace sighed and sat down on a garden chair. "I wanted to know how you're really doing." Izo opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, Ace continued. "I know how you feel about Thatch. And before you ask, no, Marco didn't tell me. I figured it out on my own."
Izo gaped at him. Was he that transparent? How did he know? "Wha– How?" he finally managed to stammer.
"Remember on Marco's birthday when you broke apart when Thatch was bragging about Noj? I kinda figured it out then. And believe me, if I'd known, I'd never set them up, honestly. Besides, I'm just good at knowing who likes who."
"Unless you're the object of affection," Izo remarked dryly. It had taken quite a while before Ace figured out how Marco felt about him. Izo did believe Ace that Marco hadn't told him, though. Marco wouldn't betray his trust.
Ace smiled sheepishly. "Well, anyway," he said eventually. "How are you really? I know you're happy he's awake, but is it really wise to have Thatch live with you?"
Izo sat down next to him. "I appreciate your concern, but I've had these feelings for a long time. I can cope."
Ace's eyebrows knitted together, his usually cheerful face looking worried. "I just want you to be happy. And Thatch too."
"I know, honey. But I am happy, really." Izo smiled softly. "Your life doesn't have to be perfect for you to be happy, you know." He closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair. "I have Thatch, that's enough."
