“Neither love nor terror makes one blind: indifference makes one blind."- James Baldwin.
Aaah, a forced smile—that was what his dear elder brother had on his face now, as he sat opposite him, staring at him with his chocolate brown eyes that conveyed a whole lot of emotions. Perhaps, it seems, if they were not in a crowd filled with people—people who could spread things to the media, people who will surely talk—Santiago De La Cruz would have slammed his fist with full force on Emiliano’s face, and perhaps Emiliano, if he did not have a bit of dormant hypocritical anger at the entirety of the situation, would have let him do it. But even with that dormant anger that resided in him, Emilio still thought that perhaps he would have still allowed him to do it.
He smiled back at Santiago, his smile seeming less force and more effortless, because well- despite everything, he was happy to see him, and he had always been quite good in keeping his emotions in check. Through his peripheral vision, he had gazed at his sister, who did not seem jolly to see him, and perhaps, if it had been under different circumstances, if he had not felt uneasiness at being back- then maybe slick comment about it. He would have teased, ‘glad to see you’re happy I’m back, Sunny,’ or perhaps tell her that he could feel her burning holes in his skin- something that would have made the media gush about the nature of their sibling relationship, but Emilio had simply hummed, pretending that he could not feel her gaze.
Then:
“Long time,” his brother had said and Emilio bit back the comment that it was an understatement. instead Emilio had said, “Indeed, almost feels like I’ve lost track of it.” He had forced out a grin, as he awaited Santiago’s next words, words that he had already seen coming, words asking for them to talk privately. The way he had said it, it had been so casual, like he was actually giving Emilio a choice in the matter, and Emiliano did have a choice-one that he already knew he was going to pick.
He watched Santiago leave, followed by Sunny and for some seconds, it seemed that perhaps he would not go and talk to them. He had brought up his glass of water, staring at them through it as he disappeared, then brought the glass to his lips, before he stood up, pressing a kiss to Winsley forehead, “Will see you home, later, today,” He said, like it was the most natural thing in the world, like he had not gone years without being in that house. “It’s not a party- after all, if I don’t have something to drink,” And with that he had left- left to meet up with his siblings, left to a conversation that will probably leave them all in different emotional states.
“Emilio’s an a*s." He had heard Sunny say as he neared close, and for some reason, that had made him smile- a strange sensation of nostalgia and fondness in him. But as soon as that sensation came, to God ! did it disappear. Before he had reached them, he had gotten a drink for himself, he had to get something- he thought that perhaps, Santiago would be having a smoke at the corner where he stood, and Emiliano could have asked for a cigarette, but he didn’t smoke- at least not anymore and if he had done it, in front of them, then- his expression turned sour as he took a sip of his alcohol drink, before approaching them.
“The a*s is here!,” He announced as he approached them, a smile that did not reach his eyes etched on his face. “Sorry did I keep you guys waiting?” He asked, taking another sip of his drink, knowing that perhaps that sip will do him no good, but it was already too late to be making good choices, so why- so why not leave a little. “This drink,” He said raising his, “Is amazing! you guys should get your own after all, we did come here to catch up over some drinks,” In his tone, one could find a hint of warning in it- as if telling them to play along, get their drinks, so the bar man could see that indeed they had gotten their drinks, and not spread mindless rumors all around. “Get your drinks,” He said again, “And then, we can talk.” He took another sip of his, staring at his siblings- an expression, perhaps guilt, perhaps sadness, perhaps something else they would not expect on his face with his words.
@raviola - Santiago
@Caticorn - Sunny
mentioned:
@Madilfill - winsley