Farin was very angry. He was fine when he, Kieran and Beau first entered Theo's bedroom. He felt fine when he helped Dwayne in through the window, and he was more than fine when he was staring down Theo. He was fine when he noticed Beau sitting next to his brother on Theo's bed, noticed the way he laughed quietly at something Kieran said. The way he leaned into Kieran's personal space, the gentle touches. But, when Beau had playfully pushed Kieran down onto his back and draped himself over him, Farin wasn't fine, and when Beau looked back at him with a smug smirk, Farin knew he was gone.
All it took was a small and simple touch and the anger became too much, and Farin had to remove himself from the room before he was physically ill.
It wasn't the flirting that got to Farin. It was the attitude behind it. The easy-going air that came with the actions. He felt as if Beau was treating Kieran like he was no more that a quick lay that he stumbled upon at a summer party. As if his little brother was desperate and wanton for affection of any kind.
Kieran deserved better.
Farin let those words filter through his head as he walked, vaguely realizing that he had been so angry when he stormed out of his cousin's house, hearing his aunts shouts from behind him as he slammed the door, that he barely registered where he was heading and that he was already down the street. He'd have to apologize to her when he saw her next.
When his younger brother had asked him what was wrong, Farin brushed him off.
"Are you sure?" Kieran pressed, obviously unsure of his brother's claim. For a brief moment, Farin was fine, actually fine, and then when he looked up and over Kieran's shoulder, seeing Dwayne and Beau coming up to them, he felt his stomach boil.
Beau was running his hand through his hair and worrying his bottom lip. Farin wanted to punch him, then, Beau lifted his gaze, and when deep browns met his own blues, the boiling feeling, the bitterness and anger was all replaced by something completely alien.
"Farin." Kieran's voice was uncertain and his hand was pressing gently into Farin's arm. It pulled Farin's attention to him.
"I said I'm fine, Kieran." Farin snapped, pulling his arm out of his brother's reach. The hurt that flashed across Kieran's face didn't go unnoticed, but Farin said nothing against it. He'd apologize later, and with a jerk of his chin, he turned on his heal and stalked away from them.
He didn't sulk the rest of the way to the bookstore. He refused, and every time he looked back and saw Kieran's bright smile, it made even the thought of sulking difficult. After a few minutes Farin fell back into step with the other boys.
Beau's hands were thankfully kept to himself for the whole time, which satisfied Farin and he found it easy to keep his temper in check. Though, he still couldn't bring himself to laugh and joke with them as the walk continued.
They found themselves at the bookstore sometime later, and their voices lowered upon entering. There was something about the silence and books that was sacred. Barely ten feet past the threshold, Dwayne pushed past all of them, making a beeline towards a red shirted employee, his back turned to them.
Farin looked at Kieran, who looked back, apprehension written all over him. Farin wanted it gone. He gave Kieran a smirk and a nod. Kieran's face brightened, nodding back before they both broke out into the most dramatic greeting, raising their voices, nearly shouting.
"Ollie! Oliver! Hi! Hello!" Farin started it, waving his arms wildly as though he were trying to land a plane.
"Hi Ollie! Hi! Oh my God, It's Ollie!" Kieran gushed pressing his hands into his cheeks. The two brothers sprinted up to the red-faced boy and ensnared him between their bodies.
"Oh, Ollie! How are you old sport?" Farin said ruffling Ollie's soft chestnut hair. Ollie pushed his hand off.
"I'm fine, Jay Gatsby. Let go of me." The smaller boy said, annoyed.
Ollie was one of those incredibly lucky people who had a voice that matched him perfectly. Farin loved Ollie's voice, absolutely, loved it. Whenever he saw a typical curious, little kitten, he would imagine that if the animal could talk, he'd sound like Ollie. The alto always made Farin feel cheerful, even on his worst days. Farin squeezed him for a second before letting him go. Dwayne pushed the Dorian brothers a side, casting a glare at them both.
"You guys suck." He said, pressing a quick peck to Ollie's forehead. The smaller boy smiled at the tender act, scrunching his nose at him. Dwayne gave him a small smile of his own.
Ollie looked between all of them. "What are you doing here?" He asked, furrowing his brow.
"We just came from Theo's," Farin started to explain, moving over to a random display of novelty coffee mugs, "Thought we'd come see you at work. Harass you a bit." He picked up one of the mugs, inspecting it.
"Well, you're a bit out of luck. I'm off." Ollie retorted, moving over to Farin and snatching the mug out of his hand, placing it back on the table.
"We know." Kieran said, walking up to them, holding a white stuffed rabbit to his chest.
"Where?" Farin asked right after, lifting a brow a fraction and pointing at the stuffed toy. Kieran pointed off to the side, and Farin looked over to a shelf housing various different stuffed animals of all sizes. "They all look so soft." Farin said simply, not betraying any hint of the way his heart was leaping.
"Come have a coffee then." Beau piped up and Ollie shook his head.
"I had plans for my time after work." He said as he began to walk over to the cash registers along the wall. Two other employees stood behind the wooden counters and waved happily at them. They all waved back.
"What plans?" Dwayne said, sounding almost hurt as he looked down at Ollie as he moved behind the counter. Ollie didn't even look at him when he answered.
"Why don't you check your phone?"
Dwayne pulled out his phone immediately and started moving his finger over the screen, furiously.
"What's going on with Theo?" Ollie asked as he began to go through his tattered bag, making sure he had everything. Farin almost didn't catch what he said as he watched Beau smile coyly at one of the employees behind the counter, a tall blonde with stubble and glasses and the body of a swimmer. When Beau leaned against the counter and the blonde did the same, Farin had to look away. He turned to Ollie and gave a briefing of their drama situation. Ollie looked genuinely upset.
"Maybe we should grab a coffee." He said, worrying his hands as he moved around the counter, "This sounds serious." Dwayne stopped fumbling over his phone, obviously finding what he was looking for. He reached over and grabbed Ollie by the elbow.
"No. Coffee can wait." He said simply. "We're going to my place."
"But - " Ollie began, and was cut off.
"But no."
Ollie turned fully to him, concern written on his face, "Honey, are you alright? You seem bothered..."
"Ollie."
"And flustered..."
"Ollie..."
"And it's like you're frustrated over something..."
"Are you ready to leave?" Dwayne was beginning to sound annoyed. Ollie nodded and with a growl, Dwayne hoisted Ollie over his shoulder.
"Avont! Go make the Beast of Two backs!" Kieran said theatrically and Ollie giggled.
"We'll get coffee later. We'll text." Dwayne said and Beau gagged, joining them again.
"Please, not during." Beau said as they left, Dwayne carrying Ollie. With a laugh, he shouted after them, "Don't forget protection!"
Farin watched them with a faint smile playing on his lips. They were both just far too cute to handle. His little smile faded the minute he looked over at Beau.
"Did you get tired of your tall blonde? Or did he tell you to fuck off?" Farin attempted to keep is tone light and joking, and if he failed, Beau and Kieran didn't let him know. Beau laughed and Farin couldn't stand to look at him any longer. He turned his gaze away with a scowl, and made his way back to the shelf of stuffed toys. He pressed his fingers into the plush chenille of a bunny's round middle and let a small smile play at his lips.
"Do you really want to hear about it?" Beau asked, voice dangerously close to Farin's ear. Farin's breath hitched in both surprise and embarrassment as Beau's Irish accent made his skin tingle, and as Farin realized that he was too distracted by plushies to register Beau. Farin snorted.
"No, thanks." He said bitterly, shifting his shoulders, uncomfortably, and shoving against Beau. "Leave your escapades to yourself, thanks." He glanced back at Beau, his eyes narrowed, "I need a coffee." He brushed past Beau, "I can't deal with you unless I have caffeine buzzing through my veins."
He heard Beau chuckle behind him as the three boys made their way over to the Starbucks and got in line. Kieran was talking loudly about which drink he should get, a hot one or a cold one. Farin wasn't paying attention and he looked up and caught eyes with the barista behind the counter.
Her dark hair was pulled back in a halfhearted bun; the green apron she wore was a mess of milk, powder and spilled coffee. But, when she looked at him, her smile was bright and it was sweet. Farin cast a quick look around the cafe and back to her. Her smile widened and it was easy for Farin to smile back. She may not have been his type, she was so far from anywhere near it, but she smiled at him and just for him. It made Farin feel appreciated. So, he smiled back at her, and it felt good.
"What are you getting?" Kieran asked, forcing Farin to look at his brother. Kieran looked at him hopefully and Farin said,
"I'll be getting whatever you're getting."
Kieran's face lit up. "Okay then," He started, sounding thoughtful, "What do you feel like?"
Farin looked over his brother's head, noticing the line getting shorter. "I don't know. I feel like whatever you feel like." He caught the barista smiling at him again.
"But Farin - " Kieran whined,
"Damnit, Kieran. Just order." He said, shoving his brother forward.
Kieran was laughing as he ordered two drinks that Farin couldn't remember even if he tried. Reaching around Kieran, he handed the girl enough to cover the bill and refused to take the change. She laughed out a thanks and dropped the large tip into the jar next to the register.
Farin pulled his brother away to the far side of the counter to wait for their drinks and a few minutes later two large, toffee coloured, drinks blended with ice were placed in front of them. Kieran squealed in excitement, ripping open a straw and scooping the chocolate drizzled whipped cream into his mouth with a satisfied hum.
Farin unwrapped a straw and dipped the end into his own topping. He popped it into his mouth and turned expecting to see Beau standing behind them, waiting for a drink of his own, but he didn't. What he saw was Beau. Beau leaning on the counter top. Beau leaning on the counter top, talking in a low seductive tone. Beau leaning on the counter top, talking in a low seductive tone to the barista that had smiled at Farin.
Could Farin not have one thing, one fucking thing that was his own? Even a nice smile from a nice barista? Was it too much to ask? Apparently, Beau thought it was. Then suddenly, there was a growl of suppressed anger, a yelp of surprise and one certain seventeen year old name Beau stood rim-rod still as cold coffee, half melted ice and whipped cream dripped down his face.
That, in fact, did not happen. Though, Farin would be very happy to follow through with it, but the drink was good, and it was expensive, and Beau wasn't worth it. Farin moved over to an empty chair by an electric fireplace and began to sip his drink quickly. Kieran sat down next to him. Farin could feel his eyes on the side of his head and did his best to ignore them.
"Farin." he said, "Slow down. You're going to get a brain freeze."
Farin didn't listen and sure enough, three long sips later, he pulled his mouth off the straw and pressed the palm of his hand into his forehead.
"Told you." Farin slowly moved his gaze to his brother, who was holding his drink in both hands and looking at him with raised brows. Farin didn't hit his brother. He just laughed. Farin didn't want to laugh. He wanted to hit his brother.
He wanted to throw out the rest of his drink that he had realized was far too sweet after the first few swallows. He wanted to storm out of the cafe and go home. He wanted to crawl into his bed and stay furious at everything for the rest of the night, hell, for the rest of the week
Farin did none of those things.
He sat in his chair, next to the electric fireplace. He sipped on his drink quietly, not even tossing a comment at Beau when he finally joined them. He stayed quiet when he noticed Beau slip a piece of paper, presumably a phone number, into the front pocket of his jeans.
He sat, and he finished his drink. He sat and he listened to the other boys talk and laugh, and heard none of it. He stayed out with them, he didn't go home and before he knew it, they'd been there for close to two hours.
Kieran's phone went off. He moved to answer it and Beau turned his conversation towards Farin. Farin ignored him though, as he watched his younger brother from the corner of his eye. Everything about Kieran was completely calm. He was relaxed, lounging back in his chair, one foot pulled up in front of him. He was nibbling on the straw poking out from his empty cup. Kieran was as calm as he ever could be.
So, when his posture changed completely and he pulled himself to sit upright, Farin couldn't help but turn his full attention onto his brother. The pitch of Kieran's voice rose slightly, and his breathing grew sharper. Farin strained to hear what was being said, but Kieran's voice was just too quiet. He waited until the conversation was over. Kieran lowered his hand from his ear and cradled his phone. He was worrying his lip between his teeth as he looked down at it. Farin tried to catch his attention discreetly, but failed. He couldn't manage to catch his brother's eyes every time they darted towards the doors.
Finally, giving up on the silent super brother ninja bond, Farin used his voice to get Kieran to look at him.
"Kieran," he said loudly, interrupting Beau, "Was that Ollie?" Kieran nodded.
"He's on his way over from Dwayne's place. He should be here soon." Was all he said before he retreated into himself and back into his bubble.
Farin watched him for a while as he kept up the in no way stimulating conversation with Beau. Kieran suddenly jerked his head up and looked at the doors, straightening in his seat even more. He cleared his throat and said,
"Ollie's here."
Both Farin and Beau looked over towards the door, where Ollie was laughing and chatting pleasantly with the person coming in behind him. Farin's brow cinched when he saw Levi Greene walking in with Ollie. Was He going to come and sit with them? Farin had no problem with the guy per se, but he wasn't exactly part of their intimate group of friends. He watched as the two of them got into line. The karate kid stopped talking and let Ollie take over. His keen eyes moved around the room, his expression questioning when they stopped at their table.
That's when Farin noticed that Kieran was gone