It's been a while since I've updated, I know. I'm actually trying to pass this year of school, though, seeing as college is only a year away and it's time I got my butt in gear. So, without any further ado, here's a bonus chapter to hold you over while I type up the next one. It should be posted by Friday, an early Halloween present for you all. Happy reading!

Bonus Chapter 5.5: Actions and Reactions

Tom woke up the next morning with a feeling of dread in his stomach. He lay there for almost 20 minutes, his guts churning, anxiety burning a hot course through his body. He felt as though he were going to be sick, and when he could stand it no longer he went into the bathroom and forced himself to puke. When he was done he rinsed his mouth out, brushed his teeth twice, and gargled, successful getting the taste out of his mouth.

Strangely, it had calmed him, and he went about the rest of his morning routine in a blank state.

Eventually, he found himself walking in the direction of the hotel's private dining room, his younger brother at his side, casting him reassuring smiles.

With a sigh, he willed himself onward.

TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH~TH

The door shut behind him as he followed the drummer and bassist into their room. They sat down and turned to look at him, their faces expectant. He cleared his throat and scratched at the base of his neck, fingers twisting into his dreads nervously. Bill glanced at him with bright eyes and his lips curved up ever so slightly. With a sigh, Tom let his hands drop back down to his sides.

Georg opened his mouth to say something. Bill shot him a look and said lowly, "Wait." He turned back to his twin and smiled again, urging him on.

Glancing at each of them in turn, Tom sighed again and let the words tumble from his lips.

"I'm gay," he muttered, now looking out the window.

Dead silence filled the room for a few seconds, suffocating him in its grip. His heart clenched tightly as he awaited their reaction. Would they be condemning? Hating? Or would they rush to hug him, be supporting? These thoughts and others circled rapidly through Tom's mind, forming a tornado.

"Uh…are you being serious?" Georg questioned.

Tom directed his gaze to the floor. "Yeah," he mumbled, increasingly worried. His forehead wrinkled in anticipation.

"Oh, man. Fuck. Wow. I'm sorry. Shit," the bassist said, clearly taken aback.

"What?" Bill let out a whoosh of air he hadn't realized he was holding and stood up, eyes flashing angrily. He had seen the anger fill his twin's eyes as that sentence was spoken, his maternal (1) instincts kicking in to protect Tom.

"Wha-" Georg stated. "Oh, no, not like that! I meant, I'm sorry for that argument that day on the bus. I didn't mean…you know I'm not like that. I didn't mean to imply it's a bad thing."

Bill relaxed again, settling back into his chair, apologizing with his eyes.

Gustav finally spoke up. "It's alright. I kinda figured it out."

Tom glanced up quickly. "What? How? Is it that obvious?" he asked, his tongue darting to play with his lip ring anxiously.

"No," the drummer assured him. "But that day on the bus, I put the pieces together. Why Bill always looks at you after saying 'No,' when people ask if he's gay, why he always acts so feminine, trying to distract people, why you never have a girlfriend…" he trailed off with a shrug. "Plus you just shut down completely after that fight."

It was the most he had said in a while, and Tom stared for a second. "Oh. Well…." He said, touched.

Gustav shrugged.

"So…" Bill said. "Are we all okay?"

"Yeah, man," Georg answered, getting up to give the guitarist a brief guy-hug. Gustav followed suit, and then they all found themselves standing around awkwardly.

"So…who wants to play video games?" Tom asked.