Yeet double matching digits

Please read the update posted yesterday if you haven't already.

Feel free to point out spelling errors, I'm a tired, lazy bastard and I ain't proofreading, fite me.

-

Alex was running around the hotel for a really long damn time. I mean, I get it, it was a fancy place. It had a pool, and a sauna, and a restaurant, with a communal sitting area with pool tables. But, he was just running round like a madman.

Why doesn't he see the appeal of just sitting down...alone...in a room... quietly...

After the second time entering the pool area I quietly slipped away from them all and headed back upstairs.

It seemed like the rest of them minus Hunter and Zac, were sitting in the floor specific sitting area. They were talking calmly, and briefly.

A strange idea, that only a few more years of living can turn an Alex...into a Chance...

What exactly gets rid of that childlike excitement, do they simply not have the energy anymore?

"Why are you just standing there?" Luca suddenly asked while not looking up from a revision book.

"Oh, sorry, day dreaming." I smiled kind of awkwardly before edging past them and escaping into my room.

Being right next to the foyer is going to be really annoying...

I sighed as I sat down on the edge of the bed, rubbing my temple.

I must admit the idea of going back to their house is attractive. I feel that maybe I'll be able to sleep better in a room that is familiar to me.

"You doing okay?" A familiar gentle voice made me smile and lift my head.

"I'm fine Aaron, seriously." I said then tssked.

"Well in that case." He sat down next to me. "Tell me what's wrong."

"That damn word, sometimes I mean it, I swear."

"Not this time."

"How do you know."

"Like I said, you have other tells as well."

"Godamnit. Aaron."

He chuckled at me and I exhaled sharply.

"Everyone's tired, and it's really tense, because of me. That's what's wrong."

"Hmm. That isn't your fault."

"Yes it is, we're only here in the first place because of me."

"Okay, but it's all our own fault that we're fighting with eachother." He defended. "And you're here for someone else, you're not in the wrong."

"I'm not in the wrong?" I gave him a skeptical look.

"Well, I mean." He frowned. "There are things that you've done that haven't been great...but..." He sighed.

It was quiet for a few moments.

"It's weird..." I eventually said. "It used to be ignored, not even slightly considered. But now, it just seems to be out in the open, everyone keeps on mentioning it."

"What?"

"It."

He blinked at me.
"Oh, right. You mean, the whole,er..." He coughed awkwardly. "Everyone's attracted to you thing?"

I rolled my eyes and sighed.

"Yeah, sure. Call it that."

More like everyone has had sex with me and knows about it but we can pretend it's just that.

"Why am I talking to you about this? It's probably better if we don't talk about it." I sat up slightly with a frown.

"Because I told you you could. And there's no point ignoring it anymore. It was bound to get to this point eventually."

"It wouldn't have if I just had more self control..." I chewed on my lip.

"It takes two to tango Sunshine." He smirked and I blinked at him.

"Wow, okay. True I guess."

"I mean, it's not just your fault, it's all our own doing."

"Your doing? What have you done."

"Um..."

"Nothing wrong is the answer to that. Yet you've been dragged right into the middle of it, like a few others. Chance was right when he said it wasn't an option for me to share. Because the person sharing with me would've been at the end of some stupid jealousy or something. Even if it was someone as innocent as Caleb."

"So it's the younger lot's fights that worry you more?"

"I don't know...it's more out in the open with them, but with Chester and Chance it's more... passive aggressive and suggestive. I don't really know which ones more dangerous yet."

"At least the younger ones have more innocent intentions...it's not about sex." He said and I made a face.

"Right..."

He frowned. "Or not."

"Er." I chuckled awkwardly. "Let's change the topic."

"I think, you should blame our father."

"What??"

"I mean, if we weren't such love deprived, spoiled brats we wouldn't be so desperate for your attention in the first place." He smiled in amusement as he leaned back on his arms.

"Right, okay. Sure." I stared out of the window. "You think something as simple as that, could result in such strong feelings?"

"No. It's not just that. It's also things about you that you can't control."

"Things about me?"

"Well, your looks and attractive patient personality are also a strong pull for rich brats like us that are used to getting what we want."

"Us? You say it like you're as bad as them." I mumbled, then turned to look at him when he stayed silent.

He looked kind of guilty and put off as he stared at the floor.

I chuckled. "Aaron, you're nowhere near as bad as them. Trust me." I reassured. "And it's not like I'd call it bad really anyway. They're still good people and I still like them. Everyone reacts differently is all. And yes, some people's reactions are stressful and causes tension. But I don't hate them for it."

"Really? None of them? You don't have any ill will towards any of them?" He seemed skeptical.

"Well, I mean." I bit my lip. "I don't really want to talk about it...think about it." I mumbled.

He opened his mouth to say something, then frowned and sighed.

"Okay, tell me about it when you're ready..." He put a reassuring hand on my shoulder and I eventually smiled up at him.

"Thank you."

He smiled at me warmly and genuinely, which was refreshing, especially after my interactions with Luca and Chance today.

I haven't seen him all day, feels like it's been ages...

"You seem to be low energy at the moment, are you doing okay, physically?" Aaron asked after a few moments.

"I'm a little drained and tired. But so are you." I pointed out.

"Do you think you'll be alright to sleep in here tonight?"

Not really, I'll try, but it's unlikely. He needs his own sleep though, and to stop worrying about me.

"I think I'll manage, I'm tired enough to just fall asleep no matter how uncomfortable I am." I lied with a chuckle.

"Okay then..." He frowned for a moment before standing up. "I guess I'll call it an early night..."

"Are you okay?" I wondered and he smiled unenthusiastically at me.

"I'm just tired. Today was a little stressful. And so are... things in general."

"You'll be home soon, maybe things will go back to normal."

"I think things have changed a little too much to go back the way they are, both physically and mentally. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes change is good, even when you feel it's not at first." He reassured, in the way he does when you're not sure if he's talking to himself or not.

I smiled at him, but I didn't really have anything reassuring I could say.

"I thought you were going to bed?" I asked after several moments of him just standing there.

"Right, yeah, sorry. Just, thinking."

I chuckled as I stood up. "You sure you don't want to talk about it?" I questioned him and he frowned.

"What?"

"There's obviously something else bothering you. I'm not the only transparent one remember."

"Oh, right. Not yet." He smiled at me as I stood closely infront of him, and it made me feel a strange kind of tension...

I sighed before moving forward and hugging him, making him tense up for a second.

"Okay then." He chuckled and I closed my eyes and tightened my grip.

"I'm sorry I have put so much stress on you." I apologised.

"Riley..." He sighed, before wrapping his arms round my waist and hugging me back. He rested his head against my shoulder for a few moments.

"You aren't to blame for any stress I'm under. Most of it is no different to normal family feuds I've been in the center of many times before." He reassured with a little chuckle.

"And the other stress?"

"Well, that's just something I have to work through myself." He muttered, and I frowned before stepping back.

"It's fine, Sunshine. Goodnight. Remember to tell me if you're feeling bad, okay?" He gave me one last smile before quickly disappearing, and I frowned after him.

He obviously doesn't enjoy talking to me about that. Yet he does anyway, it's really strange. It's like he'd rather make me feel better at the expense of his own mental health. And that thought just makes me really uncomfortable.

It's probably best if I distance myself...

Ugh, at this point either option just causes pain.

I walked over to the doorway, observing Chance, Chester and Luca talking in the sitting area.

Chester was showing Chance something on his phone, and he actually smiled and laughed at it. I don't think I've ever seen that before...

It's like the tension isn't as strong when I'm not around.

Well, that's a lovely thought.

I sighed moodily before closing the door and flopping down on the bed.

I think I'm just going to lie here and do nothing till they're all asleep...

-

I could hear the slight drone of voices through the wall until late into the evening. I didn't have a phone, so just started doodling cartoon unicorns into the hotel branded notebook on my nightstand.

Eventually, I took a shower, but got into a fresh pair of clothes afterwards as I was too afraid to even try to go to sleep.

The idea of turning the lights off and letting my self think in silence put me on edge.

I felt okay at the moment, and I didn't want to ruin it by freaking myself out.

I opened the door and looked out into the hallway. There was a lamp on next to the sofas, but everything was quiet.

"Great..." I whispered to myself before sitting down on one of the sofas.

It remained silent, with just the tick of a large grandfather clock, or whatever they're called.

I sighed and put my notebook down, tired of drawing unicorns.

I watched the pendulum swing in the glass cabinet, despairing over the slowness of time.

Still 2 AM...

Another sigh, and the sound of a siren in the distance.

Ugh, cities...

I tensed as a door opened next to me.

"Hey gorgeous, can't sleep?" Chester's voice asked after a yawn.

I looked up at him to see him in just obnoxiously pink boxers and a hotel robe.

"Too scared to try." I chuckled, and he frowned.

"I'm sorry about that." He said, before collapsing down onto a seat opposite me.

"I'm better than before, at least." I smiled. I didn't really mind telling Chester about this, his judgement wasn't something I really cared about.

"Oh, right." He suddenly stood up and walked back into his room.

Okay...

He came back out with a box and handed it to me.

A phone...

I looked up at him with a frown.

"What?"

"It's yours, I bought it earlier."

"...What, when? Why?" I blinked.

"After we arrived, from a shop down the street. You might as well put your old American SIM card in it." He smiled down at me.

"Chester...I can't just take free shit from you." I sighed.

"Seriously, it's no trouble for me." He rolled his eyes, before smiling mischievously and leaning down over me with his hands either side. "Besides, it was your birthday a few days ago, consider it a present." He smirked.

I raised a brow at him. "Well don't expect me to have enough money to return the favour any time soon. But, thank you...like, really."

"That's okay, I don't really benefit from material presents..if I want it I just buy it."

"Hmm, good for you." I grumbled and he chuckled.

"There is something I can't buy that I want though..." He quirked a brow.

"Oh really?" I gave him a look.

"Yeah, unfortunately it's something that can only be given, not taken. Morally speaking, at least."

"Since when was that one of your concerns?" I quirked a brow with a smirk, noticing he'd gotten closer.

"Since I started wanting to keep it."

"Keep it? Well, good luck with that."

"Hmm, indeed." He chuckled. He glanced down to my lips, before smiling at me. "I might as well try." He said, before standing up and moving away.

I blinked, in a daze. Oh. Okay.

He sat back down on the chair opposite. "You said you had trouble sleeping when you're alone?" He said as he lifted his feet up and got comfy, and I blushed.

"Y...yeah, most of the time." I smiled awkwardly before shuffling in my seat.

"Okay." He rested his head on his hand, and smiled at me.

...

Um.

"Say, what's the story of that bird of yours?" He asked calmly after a few moments of silence.

"Ana? She's just a companion."

"But I doubt you have a falconers license."

"Oh, no... I shouldn't have her, but I found her. She looks after herself, but she likes to follow me, because I raised her."

"Oh, does your mother know? She didn't tell us about you having a bird."

"No...I didn't think Anatara would be a problem...she is barely even seen once she settles down in an area. I've kept her while living in hotels that didn't allow animals before, it doesn't make a difference."

"What about vets?"

"She's wild, I've accepted the fact that when she gets injured its over. That, or she'll be taken to a sanctuary."

"Lucky she's okay then."

"I guess, but maybe she'd be happier if she went off on her own..."

"I'm not sure she'd find a family, they're not common that's for sure."

"Yeah..." I gave a tired sigh. "Just another thing I have to add to my worries..."

"She's fine at the moment, Caleb talked to the person looking after her earlier."

"That's good..." I mumbled before stifling a yawn.

"Do you still think about that part of your life?" Chester asked after a minute or two.

"What? England? Or, California..."

"Any of it, in America. Before and after that. Do you still have contact with any of the people?"

"Um, maybe a few stored on my old phone SIM, but I don't talk to them anymore."

"So there aren't any missed friends?"

"No, I refused to make friends back then. They were only... acquaintances." I smiled, thinking back on vague memories of people I'd met.

"Hmm...." He frowned.

"That part of my life felt very temporary...I was always moving around. So I felt it was inappropriate to make friends, only to leave."

"What about now?"

"I mean, ideally I wouldn't have got to know you guys. That was the plan... but, yeah it didn't work out like that." I bit my lip, then chuckled when he made a face.

"Yeah, not quite." He smirked. "You think you'll be moving soon then?" He suddenly frowned.

"I don't know, it's different now, I'm eighteen...but my mother will be leaving, at least." I said and he smiled.

"That's kinda funny, she's kinda badass to be honest."

"What?" I sniggered.

"I mean, in her own villainous way. Like, she constantly uses her looks to marry and steal money from naïve rich men? It's beautiful honestly."

"Yeah, well it only works if the guy isn't able to protect himself legally in time, so shh about it." I shook my head when he just laughed. "She will take a lot of money you know, aren't you worried about it?"

"Not really, my funds come from our business. And despite owning the business my father can't take it out for personal reasons."

"Is that what you wanted to do when you're older, run his business?" I questioned.

"No, my job isn't important to me. It's my pass time that I'm interested in. And with lots of money, you get to do cool things for fun." He raised his eyebrows with a smile.

"Interesting perspective..."

"Yeah, well, one of us had to do it, I volunteered as tribute." He sighed, before smiling again.

"What is your father's company?" I questioned curiously while reshuffling on the sofa until I was lying down comfortably.

"You've never asked?" He smirked.

"I couldn't give two shits what got my mother's victims their money." I commented and he chuckled.

"Architecture." He said, and I frowned.

"Seriously??"

"Why? Were you expecting me to say share holding or something."

"Well, to be honest. Yeah."

"We buy plots of land and build interesting houses there. That and get commissions for renovations and people's houses."

"...And you design it?"

"Nowadays not so much, there are hired designers. I just organize it all. My father just sits in the penthouse pretending he's important while I do all the work."

"... Who's doing that at the moment?"

"My assistant, she's a bit stressed out. But I am ignoring her calls."

"Oh, ok..."

"I mean, it's not like anyone is going to die while I'm gone."

"M'kay..."

"It was a good excuse for a holiday." He sighed.

"You do seem more relaxed."

"Hmm, do I?" He smiled at me while tilting his head backwards over the armrest, making me chuckle.

"I guess you don't want to go back..." I yawned again and rested my eyes for a moment.

"Not really... but you have to go back to your life eventually. You have to do that too..."

"Hmm, my life...."

"School?"

"Yeah, I'm not so sure that's going to work out..." I mumbled.

"You're not doing well?"

"Not..." Another yawn. "... really..."

I was expecting him to say something else for a little bit, but after a while, I just drifted off...

--

"Have you no shame??" A voice made me open my eyes, and I blinked in confusion, before my eyes focused on Alex standing and looking at Chester.

When did this blanket get here...

Chester blinked at him, wincing at the light, before seeming really confused at the blanket over him and sitting up.

"What..." He mumbled while rubbing his face.

"You're in your underwear in a public space..."

"Right, that. Then, no, I don't." He smirked at him, before looking over at me.

"Did you do this?" He motioned to the blanket and I shook my head.

Strange...

"Alex, I told you to leave them be." Aaron's voice sounded from behind me, and Alex shrugged.

"Welp it was either me or the cleaning lady."

"What time is it..." I sighed.

"7!" Alex smiled and I gave him a look before pulling the blanket over my head.

"Nope."

"Come on, Riley, time to get up." Aaron pulled the blanket off and I sighed.

"Why...I thought the plane was later on..." I grumbled as I sat up.

"Yes well we want to get out of the hotel."

I stood up and stretched slightly.

"Did you even try go to sleep..." Alex wondered and Aaron sighed.

"No, I found him out here at half three in the morning. No idea why Chester was there though." He said, and Chester pulled his tongue out.

"Keeping him company, unlike you." He teased, making me give him a look.

"Get changed, you ungrateful hoe." Aaron spat and Chester snorted.

"Yes sir."

-

I didn't see much of the other brothers that morning. Alex dragged me out with Caleb into the city centre as soon as I