Sometimes we do things even though we know it's wrong for everyone else but right for us. You have to put yourself first in order to overcome your obstacles and fears. You have to be willing to lose people and opportunities while fighting for what you want but... don't lose yourself in the process..

———

Je t'aime Larry
—Laurent

———

Lau awoke to the sound of Jaden slamming the apartment door. Fearing the worst, he rose to his feet slowly walking out of the bathroom only to find the apartment empty. Looking around confused he walked into the bedroom to find half of Jaden's clothes gone. Something about this put him on edge, something didn't feel right and he didn't want to be around when shit hit the fan. He'd made up his mind, he'd sleep at his mom's house for a few days, Larry had his own place so he didn't have to worry about seeing him. Speaking of Larry he replayed their argument repeatedly in his head.

He missed him so much and felt horrible that they weren't speaking. He loved his brother more than anything and he wished he could just tell him what was going on. It's ripping his heart to shreds, it feels like half of him is gone. It's been a few days now since the fight but the wounds are still fresh. Without his brother being his sunshine and strength he needed to carry on, he's fallen into a dark mental state. Larry has tried to reach out to him and apologize for the things he said to him but Lau won't hear it. Jaden meant what he said and he'd rather suffer than live in a world without his other half.

The abuse isn't getting any better and neither is Lau's mental state or insecurities. Larry can't take hearing his brother speak this way, he aches to hold him, comfort him and tell him how beautiful he is because to him Laurent is the most beautiful person he's ever seen and that will never change. "Mon Dieu, tu es un idiot Lau"  Larry responds every time Lau calls himself ugly or unattractive. In Larry's eyes his brother could do no wrong, he was perfect in every way and nothing could ever change his mind. Not when it came to Laurent.

He sat down on the couch scrolling through his phone to distract himself from giving in and calling Larry. He was caught up in an internal battle with his brain and heart... his heart was currently winning. He couldn't do it, they'd never gone this long without talking and it didn't feel right. He took a deep breath to clear his mind as he clicked on Larry's contact. The phone seemed to ring for a century and he contemplated hanging up when the call connected and his ears were blessed by the sweet sound of his twin's voice. "Hello? Lau? Ça va?" Lau smiled nodding his head as if Larry could see him.

"Oui, tu me manques tellement"  he sighed closing his eyes taking in the sound of Larry "I miss you too Belle" he could tell his brother was smiling his signature smile on the other end causing him to smile against his will. He sighed once again feeling himself becoming emotional "I'm sorry, Je suis vraiment désolé Larry" He sniffed wiping his eyes before continuing "I keeping secrets from you and we never do that.."

Larry was silent on the other end for a few seconds before he spoke "No, I the one who's sorry, I yell at you out of frustration and I say things I no mean.. I sorry Belle, please forgive me". Lau was full on crying now as he nodded his head. "You forgiven" Larry breathed a sigh of relief sinking down into his chair "how about you come over so we can talk about everything, anything you want" Lau nodded through tears "I like that". Larry hummed a bit "Alright Belle, I'll see you in a few oki?" It was Lau's turn to nod this time "okay... Je t'aime Larry" Larry smiled with a soft chuckle "I love you more Lau" and with that they ended the call.

——

Lau took a deep breath as he pulled into Larry's garage, climbing out of his car and locking. He walked up to the door knocking softy. The door swung open and he was pulled into a tight warm hug, his body melting into it. He desperately needed this hug, weeks turned into months without physical affection to a person who's love language is physical touch can take a huge toll on them (fun fact, my love language is physical touch!) . He doesn't want to sound clingy or co-dependent but he needs his brother, Larry is the only one who understands him, his mind and his heart at times.

Larry: Come inside Lau, it's freezing out there and you no have a coat

Larry glared at his twin for a few seconds before smiling gently pulling him fully into the house, he could never stay angry with him for long no matter how hard he tried. With Lau now in the house Larry closed and locked the door behind them, he lead them to couch in the living room

sitting down beside the other. He could tell Lau had a lot on his mind so he poured them both a drink and took a deep breath

Larry: Whatever you want to tell me, I hear to listen. You no have to say anything you no comfortable saying oki?

Lau: Thank you Larry... but I wa- I need to tell you everything, it'd make me heart lighter

Larry nodded his head giving Lau his full attention, taking a slow sip of his drink he prepared himself while Lau took a deep breath

Lau: Jaden... h-he hit me... he hit me all the time and I no know what I did... we was oki up until maybe a year or two ago.. I-I can no it anymore Larry, I need to go

Larry's facial expression never changed as he listened yet on the inside he was boiling with rage. How dare that nigga put his hands on HIS Laurent? He wouldn't live to see next week. Pushing his plan to the side, he noticed Lau crying now. Gently pulling him into his arms he soothed him slowly rocking them

Larry: I take care of it Belle, what I need you to do is pack everything you have because you live here now permanently

Lau: I-I can't! If I leave he kill you and I can no live with that Larry

Larry softly shushed him shaking his head softly at Lau

Larry: that nigga no touch me and he no touch you no more, I take care of it Belle just please stay here where I know you safe

Larry pleaded with his brother who he could see was in deep thought before hanging his head and nodding

Lau: Oki Larry... I pack

Larry: thank you Belle, we go tomorrow for now you relax and rest

Lau nodded his head a bit wiping his tears gazing back at Larry with sad eyes

Larry: c'mon, let's get you upstairs. You take a bath while I go cook you something then we cuddle oki?

Lau nodded his head standing to his feet taking the hand Larry had slowly outstretched to him. He gently led them up the stairs and into his master bathroom that was connected to his master bedroom.

He showed Lau where everything was before gently kissing his forehead leaving him to go downstairs.

Lau took a deep breath and turned the faucet to the bathtub getting the temperature just right. He added some bubbles and lit a few candles before climbing in once it was full, wrapping his arms around his body he allowed himself to breakdown quietly sobbing into the air.

Meanwhile Larry had made his way downstairs and into the kitchen.

He washed his hands before grabbing the ingredients he needed for the dish he'd be preparing: Seared steak with grilled asparagus on a plate of garlic mashed potatoes. He washed the meat before seasoning it, once he was finished he heated up his skillet placing the steaks inside letting them cook while he started on the asparagus washing and seasoning them as well. Once everything was in their respective pans he pulled out his phone making a phone call

Larry: hey man it's Larry

???: what's up man! You never call this late...You need something?

Larry: yeah, I need you to get Jaden to that warehouse

???: I gotchu bruh, you want the "tools" too?

Larry: yeah, get everything set up for tomorrow, I be there around 11

???: ight man anything else?

Larry: nah that should be it, thanks Ray

Ray: no problem man

And with that he went back to his meal preparing the potatoes. Once everything was done he plated the food, washed everything up and headed upstairs to his bedroom. Lau had finished with his bath and was now laying on his bed lazily flipping through channels adverting his gaze to Larry hearing him come in

Larry: dinner is served

Lau: thank you.. looks delicious

Larry sat down with Lau and they begin to eat gazing at the random movie they found every now and then. Once finished Larry took their plates heading back downstairs to wash them. He turned everything off and locked up everything before jogging back up the stairs and into the room finding Lau fast asleep. He gently closed the door behind him after entering. Turning off the light and tv he made his way to his side of the bed quietly, getting himself comfortable. He gently pulled Lau into his arms smiling softly when he felt him relax into his arms. He sighed a bit voicing one last thought before he allowed sleep to claim him

Larry: he gonna pay Belle, and maybe one day you'll be mine like you were supposed to be from the start

Translations:

Mon Dieu, tu es un idiot Lau: My God, you're an idiot Lau

Hello? Lau? Ça va?: Hello? Lau? Are you okay?

Oui, tu me manques tellement: Yes, I miss you so much

I'm sorry, Je suis vraiment désolé Larry: I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Larry

okay... Je t'aime Larry: okay... I love you Larry