"You must be mistaking me for one of my brothers. We're triplets so it's kind of a common occurrence. It's no big deal it's just kinda annoying sometimes."
Russ sighed deeply, adjusting the medical tape on his hand. He winced slightly as he unrolled it. Why was he such a dumb ass? His brothers were constantly asking him and he still didn't have an answer. He knew he was going to get hit from the first second he opened his mouth but for some reason he couldn't stop himself. People who were cocky and arrogant just got on his nerves especially if they were picking on someone. The good part is that he wasn't too badly hurt, all his limbs were working properly and he wasn't too bruised up. All that had really been hurt is he had a bruise on his cheek and his hand was cut from a glass that had broken. The fight was relatively tame compared to a few others he'd been in. He began to rewrap the tape but for some reason it wouldn't stick properly and kept falling off. "Hey um... you wouldn't happen to have a first aid kit on you?" He asked the first person he saw. "Or anything sticky really."
"It wonāt be all gone, if it was all gone than when would everyone else by their candy?" Ben asked his brother while rolling his eyes once more. "Listen, I donāt give a fuck when you get candy, but thatās what itās going to be, you getting candy. Iām not spending my money on sugar with chemicals. Itās disgusting. Iām not wasting my money on it, but you can buy whatever you want with yours." Ben didnāt say anything else on the subject while he tossed two bags of carrots into the cart and then began to look at meats.Ā
Russ rolled his eyes. Ben was so moody sometimes. "Well then it's settled." Russ said, taking the bag out of the basket and instead carrying it in his arms. "The sugar with chemicals makes me happy and so I'll buy it." He said, matter of factly. "Seriously Ben you're such a kill joy." He muttered. "When was the last time you did something that was fun?"Ā
"Anythinā thatāll mess with people," a cheeky grinned appeared on his features, "Depends who the target is, really. Covering cars in post-it notes, for friends. Orange soda bombs for Schweetz. Nothing too crazy."
Russ nodded, thinking. He liked that he didn't hurt people. Harmless pranking was just plain fun but hurting people... now that wasn't okay especially when they hadn't done something to you. He wasn't sure that his brothers would agree with him on that one they were both more of a you hit me I'll hit you back kinda people. Russ was too in all honesty but he enjoyed the philosophy of nonviolence. "Then perhaps we could start with the punch and work our way up?" Russ asked with a quirk of the brow.Ā
"Or maybe youāre an idiot," Cyril rolled his eyes, the only sign of his amusement the quick twitch of the corner of his mouth. His little brother wasĀ not off readingĀ Twilight. They were Trinitys, they had to have some dignity. Heād hoped all three of them had learned the importance of reputation, by now. And reading books about supernatural love triangles was definitely what they needed to keep them safe. āAs long as he makes it back in time for workā¦ā
Russ couldn't respond at first, he was still laughing too hard. "But-but can't you see it? He's surrounded by woman glaring at him as he sobs over the couple he loves." He chuckled again. "I don't know about you but I find this hilarious." He grinned. "Oh come on! Don't act like you don't think so too." He grinned, straightening his posture. "I'm funny." He said proudly, like a kindergartner who had just finished a coloring page.Ā
It was chilly. It Usually was this time of year. Russ hated the cold and along with that the holidays. Sure, he liked Christmas as a child... now not so much. Holidays always made people happy, they celebrated their togetherness, made new memories and cherished old ones. But instead of feeling the cheer it just seemed to remind Russ of his loneliness. Sure he had his brothers but sometimes he wondered if that was all he had.Ā
Originally he hadn't meant to wander very far... it just sorta happened. One moment he was just outside of their shared apartment and the next he was in a part of town that he didn't recognize maybe it was the falling snow or the newly darkened sky but Russ was lost.Ā
He'd always been pretty good with directions. His brothers always made fun of him for that. But as soon as it got dark he was awful... couldn't tell right from left and was always discombobulated. That's what he was now, discombobulated. He glanced around the streets, searching for a street name that he knew. Nothing.Ā
So, not seeing any other option and dying to get out of the cold, Russ ducked into a small cafe near just off the road he was walking on. He took a seat at the bar, ordering simply a coffee to keep his energy up and to warm him up. The bartender gave him an odd look but didn't say anything. So there he sat, alone on new years eve eve. He wandered briefly if his brothers noticed he was gone. They probably did but he doubted if they cared or even worried about him. They knew he could take care of himself and he could but... sometimes it would be nice to know they cared. He took a breath, taking a sip of the warm coffee that the bartender had placed in front of him.Ā
"Deep in thought?" A voice asked. Russ turned around to see a woman sitting next to him, her lips curled into a smile. She was far older than him by a good forty years or so. Her tone had a matronly quality to it, as if she was trying to help. Her grey hair was tied neatly behind her neck and while her pale face was covered in wrinkles to display her age, her eyes seemed exactly the opposite, still young and taking in the world with wonder and a childlike innocence.Ā
"Just.. a lot on my plate." He supplied softly.
"A girl?" She asked, a twinkle in her eye.
He rubbed his neck. "Um... not really."
She smiled, sensing the feelings behind the words. "Don't worry, she'll come to you soon."
He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Sometimes the best things come when you least expect them... and in the most unexpected ways." She stood up, still smiling gently. "Be patient." She said and with that she left, leaving Russ bewildered and confused.Ā
At the time he was doubtful. He made his way home that night and did things as he usually did. The next night he met her, a girl by the name of Margaret 'Peg' Vincent. It wasn't as he expected but in a way it was better. Russ wasn't ready for a real relationship, just someone who cared, someone who would be willing to listen other than his brothers if things got too bad and someone who was willing to get drunk with him and do all the stuff his brothers found irresponsible and odd. Peg was his best friend through thick and thin and for some reason the woman had something to do with that... as if she'd orchestrated it or had something to do with it somehow. Either way he wanted to think her. So for a period of time he'd go to that cafe every so often, hoping to catch her and to thank her for what he believed she did. Now, it's become a annual tradition, waiting for her each year the night before new years eve at the same time in the same spot. She's never come but each year he goes in the hopes that she will so he can thank her properly. So he can tell her that she was right.Ā
Ben just sighed and waiting for Russ to stop trying to think of a time. It wasnāt going to happen, no matter how long he sat and tried to think. Ben didnāt often say things if he didnāt know they were true. āMature.ā Ben commented while he leaned back on the cart. āWe donāt need to buy Halloween candy yet. Itās too early. You can buy it the day before Halloween, otherwise youāre just going to eat it all and weāll have to come back for me.āĀ
"But it'll all be gone the day before Halloween!" Russ cried out, jutting out a lip to form a puppy dog face. "Besides as I've stated before I make some of this money and I should have a say." He reached out and placed a bag in the cart. "I just want to be sure the children have some..." Then he sighed, crossing his arms. "Fine. You can hide it when we get home but you have to let me get a handfull first." He knew all of Ben's hiding spots so this wasn't too bad of a deal.
"Well my darling, Iām thinking that once I eat we should get drunk. And if we can make it out of the house, which Iām hoping we wonāt be able too, then we can find something to do here." Peg giggled. As much as she would love to go out she would rather stay in tonight.Ā
Russ grinned, "Sounds like a plan." He picked up a bottle, examining the label for a moment before standing up and reaching into the cabinet for two glasses. "So..." He held up a champagne bottle. "You want to go light first or just skip to the good stuff." He asked with a smirk.
"Oh babe, no one knows the girls like you do." She laughed and playfully put a hand on his chest. "It was a nice change of pace for him, it was sweet of you to do this for him. But yes, the girls do need you honey. Theyāre lost without you."
He smiled, happy to feel needed. "Well I need them too." He gestured to around him. "It's really boring around here... especially at this hour... all I get to see is occasional drunks which can be funny but just for a short time." He sighed lightly then turned his attention back to her. "How's the audience tonight?"Ā
"Well donāt suggest until youāre inspired. Start small and wreck the party, one step at a time. Bāsides, it means Iām less likely to get caught, for now." A grin appeared on his features at the offer of help, and he shrugged slightly, "Nothinā yet, but we can brainstorm or something, if you want in?"
Russ glanced around the room and seeing no better options nodded. "So what types of pranks are your forte? Stuff like this?" He asked, gesturing to the punch bowl.
"Heās a big boy, he should keep track of time himself, by now," Cyril murmured, looking over as his triplet attempted to call, pulling out his own mobile when Russā didnāt cooperate. "Got it." Unlocking his phone, he called their other brother, rolling his eyes and sighing when he got to voicemail, "Hey, we have work in forty-five, where are you?" With that, he hung up, raising an eyebrow at Russ, "Did he say where he was going?"
Russ shrugged. "Not that I remember." He raised an eyebrow."Maybe he's off doing something he doesn't want us to know about... like-" He hesitated, trying to think of an example. "-going on a date? Or meeting with a book club discussing Twilight." He laughed, imagining Ben sobbing over the Collins or whatever those vampire's names were. "Hey! It's a possibility. A hysterical one but one nonetheless."Ā
Ā āThe Underworld.ā Her eyebrows nearly rose into her hairline, surrounded by naked girls all day.. that must be like paradise for any guy. She briefly wondered if he had a girlfriend there or something, and he was protecting her? āGlad I donāt go there, you could break me in half if you wanted to..āĀ
Ā āHm, iāll stop playing today if thatās okay.ā She gently tossed him the basketball back, without hurting him miraculously. She gave him a smile, and then graciously took his hand and gave it a firm shake, well, his hand practically swallowed hers anyway.Ā
He laughed. "Well then I guess it's a good thing I don't want to. Besides you don't look like a rule-breaker to me and I only break people in half in they break the rules." He said with a teasing grin. "Yeah, it's fine. Though y'know I could teach you a few more tricks at another time? If you're ever feeling like you want to get good at basketball you should give me a call." He smiled. "I haven't played in a while. This was fun."
"About an eight. Poor guy, itās a little more crowded then usual today and heās a big guy, he takes up a lot of space babe." Peg laughed. The girls would squeeze by and heād grunt and move out of the way awkwardly. He was doing his best not to look as some girls walk by in their costumes. Cyril was getting a good look at the ceiling though. "Some of them walk up and say āHi Russ,ā and give him a little pat on the shoulder, or butt before they realize itās not you."
Russ laughed. "I can imagine." He couldn't wait to tease him about it later. "I bet he jumped a mile. He doesn't know the girls like I do." He laughed harder. "Oh god just picturing it." He winced slightly. "I probably shouldn't do this to him again besides the girls need me."
"Ugh, a man after my own heart." Peg flipped her hair and laughed. "Thank you so much! Iām so hungry, how did you know!" Peg giggled and grabbed a fork and the take out box. "Oh tequila. My favorite. Russ youāre perfect." Peg leaned up on her tip toes and kisses his cheek. "I have glasses, wine, lines, salt, and chasers. Oh and if youāre hungry thereās food in the fridge." Peg hopped up on her counter and started to eat. "Make yourself at home sweets, my apartment is your apartment."
Russ grinned, taking a seat and looking over the various bottles of alcohol. "What are you feeling tonight?" He asked. "I figure the birthday girl- er soon to be birthday girl should have the first choice."
"Yeah, your welcome" he said beginning to walk towards the mythology section. "It over this way" he pointed in the direction they were going. "Yes, I do, probably not in the way you think"
Cyril would have answered yes, but at the sudden change in the chipāsĀ existenceĀ made him keep his mouth shut. Instead, he waited patiently for his sandwich to arrive, grabbing it and taking a large bite as soon as it was in his hands. Funny how one didnāt notice how hungry they were until food was placed in front of them. āOne time, got it,ā he rolled his eyes slightly, assuming as much. Neither of them liked cooking much, so heād assumed Russ wouldnāt make a habit of it. āBen?ā he swallowed his bite, furrowing his brow for a moment, āI have no idea.ā Cyril had been asleep when their other brother had taken off.
"We should probably call him or something." Russ said, plopping down onto the couch. "Work starts in..." He glanced at his watch. "- forty five minutes." He pulled his phone from his pocket and attempted to turn it on before remembering it was dead. He casually got up and plugged it into the wall, attempting to look nonchalant. "I vote you do it."
"It seems Iām just good at everything" He said with a smirk, happy at how easily he could annoy his brother. "When was the last time you saw Cyril eat something that wasnāt meat? Heās perfectly happy with what I buy. He eats even less sweets than I do, so donāt even try thatĀ argument." Ben tossed another bag of potatoes into the cart as he moved by. "Meat, potatoes and a vegetableā¦ I just need enough for a week, then we can go get all the other shit youāre convinced that we need to have in the house."Ā
Russ paused, thinking. "Well last week he-" No that didn't count. "But a few days ago-" No that wasn't right either. "Screw you." He muttered, crossing his arms but he perked up at the mention of his supposed 'shit'. "Yay! Halloweens approaching so we need more than usual. Probably at least three bags.... you know with the kids and all." he was pretty sure that they both knew that he was going to eat at least two of those bags himself. He just didn't want to say it.
Floydās brow furrowed when the man insulted his choice of activity, but at the second part of the statement he redeemed himself, causing a wicked grin to spread across the younger boyās features, āWell my cousin forced me to leave my usual bag of tricks at home. So I figured Iād start small and go bigger as I found things to mess with. Unlessā¦ you got any ideas?ā He was always up for mayhem, whether he was alone in causing it, or had partners in crime.
"I merely suggested a larger plan. I didn't say I had ideas." He said, leaning against the wall. "Though if you do have any bigger ideas and need another person I can help." He glanced around the room. "I'm bored out of my mind."Ā
