Opened the door and got in. He stood there for a moment in the doorway and then sighed in an attempt to get all the weariness off his chest.
It didn't work, so he locked the door behind him, leaving the keys on the half-circle wooden table and completely avoiding looking at himself in the mirror on the wall.
He didn't bother turning on the hallway lights, he really wasn't in the mood for clarity.
- oh, you arrived! How was your day? —Annika watched as his brother shuffled to the couch where he was watching TV and then just dropped next to him face down.
Tommy made a muffled noise on the cushion.
Annika looked at him for a second, then calmly took the remote control and turned off the television as he muttered, "So, a bad day...
The only light on was in the kitchen and Annika didn't try to go and turn on the one in the living room, he knew well that Tommy preferred dim light these days.
"Okay, what is it this time?" —Asked the sister, while he smiled and stroked Tommy's head.
Tommy raised his face, looking at his older brother with a scowl that only deepened when his eyes met.
Annika instantly recognized that look. He knew her and knew what was coming next.
It's one of those days, uh... He thought patiently, waiting calmly for Tommy to speak.
Tommy couldn't keep Annika's gaze any longer and carefully sat himself correctly in the chair. Then he said what he always thought when things at the Disney offices got intense and the managers turned into tie-wearing ogres, as Goofy's son said.
I wish you were there with me. He said quietly, as if embarrassed.
Annika didn't lose his gentle smile even though he had heard this before and they both knew it.
-I know. I'd like to be there too, together we could annoy those uptight fools in suits. —I answered Annika, in an attempt to make his brother laugh.
It worked, at least for a second, before the smile fell from Tommy's face and in its place left a smirk worse than before.
Annika basically knew this routine by heart and knew what the next phase was.
"Sorry..." Tommy mumbled.
Annika wanted to roll his eyes, but he held back, he just asked: "Why are you sorry?" —as if they hadn't really done this for years.
Tommy pursed his lips.
It really didn't need to be said, they both knew, they both remembered the nights of crying and apologies that made this look like a pleasant conversation.
Tommy felt that he couldn't have done anything to stop the things that had been done to Annika years ago and then gradually overshadowed by him into oblivion. He was sorry he hadn't said anything. He was sorry he hadn't insisted more on Walt so that Annika would continue to appear next to him, perhaps if he had done it now they would be just as famous, just as remembered and just as loved.
Annika sighed, almost being able to read his brother's mind. He put his hand on his back. —Tommy, we already talked about this, I'm fine, I don't blame you for anything and nothing was your fault.
A moment later, Annika added a bit more lively and teasing tone. —Also, sorry if it sounds bad, but the state where you come back almost every day? It makes me feel relieved that I'm not there.
Then Tommy laughs and Annika's smile grows bigger.
-I guess you're right. Tommy answers.
"Of course I have." Annika says. Then he stands up. "Okay, time for hot chocolate.
Tommy laughs a little more, although it sounds sweeter this time, because Annika always makes hot chocolate for him when he's having a bad day, which sadly is more often each time. "Thank you Oswy.
The sister stops just reaching the line of the tiles that separate the kitchen from the living room and turns around, his ears slightly folded as he arches an eyebrow and puts his hands on his waist. What did we say about that nickname?
Tommy smirks, no doubt feeling better than when I arrived and amused by his older brother's annoyance. -I forgot it. He says with tender eyes and an innocent tone.
Annika narrows his eyes, but soon lets it go and returns to his relaxed expression. He turns to go to the kitchen, but not before saying sarcastically. "Sure, Mimi.
Laughter from his younger brother fills the silence half a second later, as Annika puts the water on to boil.
Ten minutes later, Annika returns to the room with two cups, one blue and one red, he hands the blue one over to Tommy receiving a low "thank you" as he sits next to him.
At the same time they blow twice before taking a first sip.
"Stuff at headquarters..." Tommy begins, looking at the turned-off television. —they get more and more complicated, they try to hit everyone they want and stay on top of what's new, they've been making confusing changes to our best classics and they don't seethat the most loyal fans do not like.
"Oh yeah, those new princess movies, right?" Annika comments lightly. It's not really his problem and he doesn't plan for it to be, but if it involves Tommy...
Tommy nods and sighs, the weariness coming back to him just by remembering it. —It's not that I don't like new or different things, but lately I'm starting to worry about what they're going to try to do to me or our friends next to please the fans.
The sister takes another small sip, barely making a sound, while he listens diligently and as they always do in these conversations, he finds a comment to level the heaviness of the atmosphere. "You mean there's a chance I'll see you dressed as Bunny?"
And as always happens, Tommy laughs, because his brother, although sometimes a little annoying, always knows what to say to make him laugh. "I hope not, otherwise she would look like Minnie's sister."
So they both laugh this time.
"But still," Annika says when they've settled down and Tommy takes another sip from his cup. —, don't worry, I know it's not very good to say this but those suits have you in a glass box, they wouldn't dare to do something so radical to you or our friends.
"Do you think so?" Tommy asks with a spark of hope.
-Of course! says the sister. Then he smirks and makes a nonchalant gesture with his hand. —they do it to princesses because they are easy to handle.
Tommy looks at his brother surprised at him, before shaking his head. —if you had said that in front of the camera they would eat you alive in a second.
Annika smirks, chin held high. "Good thing I'm not!"
Tommy laughs again, no doubt feeling lighter. Of course everything that happens in the studio would be much better and easier to handle if he still worked with his brother, but at the same time he is glad that he doesn't have to go through this stress as well.
The managers and the fans themselves do not know it, but Annika is much more important than him, if Annika had not understood and supported him from the beginning, if he had become resentful and spiteful and hated him, Tommy had no idea what he would have done. And he definitely wouldn't be where he is.
Annika was his biggest support and without him, Tommy would have given up long ago.
It was kind of funny, because the head of his rivals, WarnerBros, was just like him in that regard. That's why they got along despite fan speculation. And both as famous and important as they were, they had their own support.
Bugs Bunny had his partner Daffy.
Tommy had his brother Annika.
Annika leans back with a small sigh of contentment as he finishes his cup and sets it on the coffee table in a Tommy-shaped cup holder.
On the other hand, Tommy is looking at his cup still halfway, so he looks at Annika and when he looks back at him, he looks away for a moment. -You know? I thought, I could, you know, get a cartoonist and pay for a redesign for you. Annika winced, but Tommy continued. —it would be even better! I would do it just the way you want.
Annika doesn't say anything and this makes Tommy nervous, wondering if he offended him by suggesting that he needed a redesign, although he doesn't at all.
Then Annika puffs out his cheeks and purses his lips while his ears tremble a bit and before anything else, he lets out a laugh.
Tommy looks confused at the reaction and Annika wipes a tear that doesn't have time to fall.
-of course not!
-that? because? Tommy asks, alarmed and even confused.
Annika puts a hand on his chest and smiles. —Tommy, I don't need a redesign, I like how I look, I chose to stay with the 2D version of "Epic Tommy" because he is my favorite and I like him.
Tommy actually agrees, it's possibly the best version of his brother, though he still resents the fact that the game only has his name on it when they're both technically the leads. He even sometimes resents that he cares more than Annika.
Annika continues. —plus, you know it wouldn't be official, so it wouldn't last and I'm not going to make you pay for a redesign every few months.
I could easily afford it. —Mutters Tommy, bringing out a bit of that childish side that only surfaces with his brother.
Annika chuckles. —I know, even so, thanks but no thanks. —After saying that, he stretches out his arms towards Tommy. "Okay, hug time."
Tommy arches an eyebrow. I think I'm a little old for that. He complains, but it's clear he doesn't mean it.
Annika just moves his hands. "Don't make me go for you, little brother." —hums.
Tommy laughs, setting the empty cup next to Annika's in another cup holder in the shape of Donald's head, and without further ado joins his brother in a warm and comforting hug.
...
"oswy?" —Tommy calls, now uwearing a blue sweatshirt and her shoeless feet propped up on the coffee table.
Annika rolls his eyes, but answers the same. "Yes, Mimi?" —He is lying on the couch, wearing a red sweatshirt, while his head is resting on Tommy's lap, he is playing with his long ears as is his habit on days like this.
They are both watching a movie now, before going to sleep.
—The weekend is Maxy's birthday. Tommy says.
-Oh, true! I know what I will give him this year. Annika answers excitedly.
Tommy giggles. "Actually, I heard from Goofy that he wants to introduce you to someone."
That gets the sister's attention. -Oh yeah? And do you know who he is, little brother?
Tommy shrugs, then shoots his brother a quizzical look before continuing to watch TV.
Annika arches an eyebrow, feeling even more curious to know who this is... "Is it a Toon?" Is she a girlfriend? I thought he was dating that sweet girl, Roxanne.
Tommy laughs at Annika's curiosity and decides to give him some crumbs. —He's a toon, he's not a girlfriend, because he's not a she and no, he doesn't date Roxanne anymore.
Annika blinks and turns to the television. Then he smiles. "I can't wait to meet him and see if he's good for our Maxy-waxy."
Tommy laughs once more, letting out his trademark laugh, before they both continue to watch the movie with occasional comments and jokes.