"That sounds like fun," he smiled, "What time?"
"Afternoon, about 3," Kitty interjected herself into the conversation, "And you better be there," she tapped his soft head of hair.
"I will make it for sure," the young mutant smiled at his lovely.
When the two left he sighed and closed the door, cutting the lights off to his room. He dug into his bag, taking out several envelopes, stamps and bills. He doled out checks, sealing them with each of the proper bills in the proper envelope after signing them with his brother's name: Mikhail N. Rasputin.
After scanning through the mail Piotr decided to call and check his brother.
"Allo?"
"Allo brother," Piotr spoke in Russian.
"Allo dorogoy, how are you?"
"I'm well, how are you brother?"
There was a pause on the line, "I'm fine. Do you need something?"
"Did you give me all the mail? I was signing off on the bills and wanted to make sure everything was done."
"Yes, yes, you have them all."
"Alright. Have you taken your medicine?"
"Yes, dorogoy. Victor went to the store for me, said it was a gift," he chuckled some
"That was kind of him," he listened to the fall of his dear brother's voice, "I'm going to stay with you the weekend, ok?" He didn't want his brother alone at home. With Victor in his own place his brother was more or less home bored.
"I would enjoy that."
"I would too," he smiled, "I must go for now. I love you, brother."
"I love you too. Goodbye."
The younger mutant hung up with a heavy heart at his brother's cracking voice. Poor Mikhail.
X
As the day passed Pete dropped the bills off, and stopped at the pharmacy for his brother's medications. He did a mental checklist to make sure he had done everything.
The tall mutant walked up to the steps of his brother's small home, taking out his keys and unlocking the door. He stepped into the living room and was greeted by several things. An immaculate kitchen, an empty 750ml bottle of 80 proof vodka, and the sound of Mikhail retching.
Pete simply locked the door, set the bag down and waited for his brother's return. It came slowly and wobbly.
Mik emerged from the hall and saw his younger. He instantly grew ashamed and averted his eyes.
"Hello, dorogoy," he whispered, walking towards his couch and sitting.
"Is this what you've been doing all day Mikhail?" Pete raised the empty bottle, "Did you eat anything?" a small shake no and a slumping. Piotr shook his head and took his brother's arm, guiding him to the kitchen.
He placed a table chair with its back against the wall and seated his brother in it. Without a word Pete took a pot and kettle from the cupboard along with a can of soup.
Between cooking the younger man checked the pill bottles, "Brother how many of these did you take?" he held the antipsychotics. A finger gesture of three, "You were only supposed to take two," he checked the other bottle, "Were you drinking while taking these as well? You are going to hurt yourself."
Mikhail's lips barely moved as he whispered something unintelligible.
"You must speak louder so I may hear you," Piotr stepped over and leaned to his brother. Whispering and not speaking being one telltale sign of his being drunk, "Repeat yourself."
"I have to pee…" was just barely audible over the sound of liquid dribbling from the seat of the chair and down Mikhail's pants.
Piotr sighed, "It's ok, brother, just go wash and I'll clean this."
Mikhail covered his face and sobbed in shame, "It's so sorry!"
The younger shushed him, rubbing his hair back, "It's ok, I'll fix it all. Clean yourself up and come back to eat."
Mik drug himself sobbing from the kitchen in return to his bathroom.
X
After mopping the kitchen and wiping the chair down Piotr fixed his brother a bowl of soup and some hot tea to settle his stomach. On time Mikhail slunk back in, sitting at the table, still not looking his junior in the eyes.
"Come, Mikhail, eat please."
Not wanting to be anymore trouble the elder complied, sipping the soup. His hands shook so bad from dehydration that droplets of tea leapt from the cup when he attempted to raise it. This was all too much for him to deal with and soon he was sobbing again.
"It's ok, brother," Pete quickly wiped the table and attempted to assist him with the tea.
"I'm so sorry, Piotr. I'm sorry that I burden you so," he sobbed, "Had I stayed lost you would be better off."
"Don't say that!" he was appalled at hearing such horrible things.
"Why shouldn't I? If it weren't for me you would be enjoying the life a twenty year old should."
Pete took his brother's hands in his own, "You are no burden to me. Don't think such things, and please don't cry," he hugged him tight, "There is nothing in my heart for you but love."
"I don't deserve you," he sobbed into his shoulder.
X
After comforting his poor brother, a meal and sleep aid, Colossus managed to get him into a rested sleep on the bed for once. He couldn't help but wipe away at the tears that leaked from his eyes as he cleaned. It hurt him to see his once strong beyond belief older brother in such a low and depressed state. Feeling he didn't deserve love.
Pete sighed, putting the dishes away. He would make a real meal in the morning to make Mikhail feel better. As for now he would just prefer to take advantage of his brother's medicine induced sleep and go out to get his own meal before it got too late.