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Ralph didn’t expect to stay in touch with Peter.
After the funeral, he didn’t want to see anything that reminded him of Henry.
(‘Forget me, Ralph.’)
He tore off the poster of the band that they both swore they’ll go see one day. He pushed the red hoodie that Henry always stole from him all the way back to the dark corners of his closet. He shoved all their photos together in the corner drawer that he never opened. He changed his bed sheets, his sheets that still smelled like Henry from when he spend the night over.
He’ll forget him. Just like he asked. For his own sanity, he had to.
So when he saw Peter standing at his doorstep. Peter. Who was standing in Henry’s signature jumper. Peter. Whose face, Ralph just realised, resembled Henry’s a little too much.
Ralph broke.
Right there in the doorway, right in his dead boyfriend’s little brother’s arms.
Ralph shook his head off the memory. That was three years ago.
(Three years without him.)
Ralph continued wrapping the present. He smiled at the thought of Peter opening it. He’d love it.
The kid- eighteen. God he was gonna be eighteen now.
Peter and him, they never were close. But it all changed when he died.
He wasn’t surprised when Peter told him he didn’t know who else to turn when he appeared at his doorstep that night.
Who would he have talked to? His ignorant parents? Ralph let out a snort. As if those selfish old geezers would let their ‘perfect’ little son express any emotions. Even if his brother had just died.
He didn’t see Peter during the funeral. Not like his blurry eyes saw anything at all.
God, he remembered how small the fifteen year old looked in Henry’s jumper. How pink his cheeks were, from the cold, from running all the way to Ralph’s house, from crying.
He remembered the last time he saw the kid now, No trace of the small child. In his place was a young man. With an incredible future ahead of him.
Ralph smiled, he was proud of the kid. He remembered getting the call when he was in his dorm, his roommate left for some party earlier and he was just getting ready to join.
“Peter? What’s up man?”
“Ralph.” He could tell Peter was smiling from his cheerful tone, “I got into Princeton.”
“Holy shit.” Ralph laughed, “Dude! That’s great! Oh my god.”
Peter laughed too, “I can hardly believe it.”
Ralph smiled, “Your parents must be damn proud.”
Peter paused, “I- uh I haven’t told them yet.”
“What? Why?” Ralph frowned.
“I just received the email. You’re the first one to know.”
Ralph felt his breath hitch, his eyes wandered to his bed, there, laying on his bed, like always was mr. kill, Henry’s old teddy bear. He felt a tightness in his chest, “I’m the first one you told?”
Ralph could feel Peter shuffling awkwardly on the other line, “Yeah.”
He smiled, “Go tell ‘em kid. I’m coming back home in a few weeks for breaks, we’ll celebrate then, yeah?”
“Yeah.” Ralph imagined Peter grinning on the other end. That grin that showed off his dimples.
“Will be in time for your birthday too. Eighteen eh?”
Peter laughed, “Can’t wait.” Ralph didn’t realise then how strained it sounded.
It was damn awkward that first night. Both of them not talking… just sitting there.
“You were the one closest to him.” Peter broke the silence.
“I guess…” Ralph murmured, not looking up from his hands. He was embarrassed of his little breakdown that he had outside.
God.
He cried in his arms.
Ralph blushed, humiliation crawling in his stomach.
“Did you… did he tell you?” Peter asked hesitantly.
Ralph’s breath caught.
(‘Forget me, Ralph.’)
“No.” Ralph answered curtly.
Peter stared then nodded, “Okay.”
“Ralph!”
Peter waved excitedly at him.
Ralph smiled as he walked towards him with his trolley.
“Hey kid.”
Peter threw his arms around Ralph’s shoulders when he reached, Ralph found his face buried in Peter’s shoulders, “God, you’ve got to stop growing man. Taller than me now.” Ralph pouted “You’re still just a child.”
“I’m gonna be an adult in a week.”
“Still a child right now.”
Peter laughed as he took his luggage, “Come on you rude Prince, your parents won’t want to waste a second without their son back in town. My car’s parked that way.”
“Oh god, you’re driving?” Ralph said, making a face.
“Oh shut up! I’ve gotten better since you’ve left.”
Ralph laughed, “Uh-huh.” He tried to take his bags from Peter’s hands but the boy easily blocked it,
“Nuh-uh you must be tired from the flight, I’ll carry them. Besides, it’s light work for me.” Peter winked.
Ralph laughed.
~~~
Ralph scratched his fingernails as Peter looked around the room, he had a frown on his face.
“Uh so I-“ Ralph tried to make small talk, “I didn’t see you at the funeral.”
“I didn’t go.”
Ralph blinked, “Oh.”
So much for small talk.
“My brother and you….you two were close.” Peter said again.
“We were.”
Silence again.
“He must’ve-“ Pete began, “He must’ve said something- hinted-“
Ralph eyes hardened.
“What the hell, man? Is that why you’re here? To put the blame on me?”
(He already put so much blame on himself, if someone else puts it on him… he won’t be able to deny it any more.)
Peter got up abruptly, “No! No, not at all!”
Ralph paused but nodded hesitantly, “Sit down,” He got up, “Are you hungry? I’ll see if we have some biscuits.”
Ralph sighed when he was out the room, the biscuits were just an excuse. Just to give him some time to understand the situation.
What was Peter. His brother . Doing here?
~~~
“So how’s college?” Peter looked at him.
“Keep your eyes on the road man!” Ralph scolded.
Peter rolled his eyes.
“Eyes on the road.” Ralph repeated.
Peter sighed heavily but obeyed “Yes sir.”
“College’s good. Classes can be overbearing sometimes, but everything’s good. Exams went well.”
“That’s good to hear.” Peter smiled, looking sideways at him.
“Peter. Eyes. Road.”
Peter exhaled dramatically, “Yes mum.”
“You must be excited, huh? College life very soon.”
Peter kept his eyes straight this time.
“I’m scared.” He admitted.
Ralph smiled softly, “I know man, it can get scary. I know I was scared as heck when it was my turn.”
“I’ll miss everyone.”
“You’ll see them during breaks. Don’t worry too much, remember to have fun, yeah? These years will never be back” Ralph patted his knee, “Princeton , dude. You should be excited. I’m so proud of you, kiddo.”
Peter looked at him, “Thanks Ralph.”
“Peter! Eyes on the road!”
Peter laughed, “Sorry sorry.”
Ralph entered the room, carrying a plate of dark biscuits. Those which have that white cream inside them.
He placed them on the floor, Peter’s lips trembled, a little.
“Ralph, I’m sorry. Mum called, I should get going.”
“Oh, okay.”
Peter got up hurriedly and left. The biscuits uneaten.
Ralph didn’t expect to see Peter again, so when he did he was a little taken aback.
“Peter, hey.”
The kid looked paler, skinnier. His eyes hallowed. He looked…. he looked more like Henry. Ralph bit his tongue.
Don’t cry. Do not cry again.
Ralph was sure, he looked just as disheveled, if not worse than Peter. He rarely did anything anymore.
(What were you supposed to do, when you did everything with that one person, to the point that even breathing without them felt like a crime?)
“Hi.”
Peter fumbled with his jacket’s, Henry’s jacket’s, zipper.
“Did you forget anything, mate?”
“Ah. Nah.” He fumbled harder, Ralph was afraid the zipper would break.
He eyed Peter for a moment then sighed, “Come in then.”
They sat in his room. Peter on the chair, Ralph on the bed.
Ralph would say he was gonna get bored. But this was how he spend most of his time now. Just… staring into the wall.
(His eyes never darting to that one side, where Henry accidentally splayed his paint covered hand. They were making a birthday card for their good friend Al. Henry laughed when he saw the bright purple print on the wall, while Ralph paled at the thought of his mum seeing it. The purple colour of his hand print faded over time, but still there. Still present.)
“How did you know I liked those biscuits?”
Ralph blinked, “Come again?”
“Those biscuits.” Peter’s hands were folded in his lap. “They were my favourite. Who told you?”
Henry was licking a lollipop as they exited the grocery store, he reached for the biscuits package in Henry’s hand but was swatted away.
“Nuh-uh. These not for you mister.”
Ralph pouted, “You gonna eat all of them by yourself? You’ll get fat, and then your handsome boyfriend will leave you. So you should share Henry.”
Henry snorted, “Not me. These‘re for Peter. Little gremlin loves these things.”
Ralph grabbed the lollipop from Henry’s hand and put it inside his own mouth.
Henry was left a blushing spluttering mess. Ralph smirked, “What? You can at least share your lolli then.”
He laughed all the way as Henry chased him through the streets.
Peter knew who. Of course he did. Who else could have told him?
“Henry.” Ralph replied. And felt like crying. Then felt like slapping himself. God. Just saying his name did it for him.
Peter looked like he wanted to cry too. Just by hearing his name.
They were the same, weren’t they?
“You loved him.”
Ralph blinked his tears away, “I did.”
“And he loved you.” Peter’s voice cracked, “You two were- you guys were dating, weren’t you?”
“He told you?”
“No.” Peter shook his head, “He would’ve never trusted me with this.”
Ralph bit his lips, It was true. Henry would’ve never told anyone in his family. The only people who did know were his friends, and some people in school.
Peter got up, “I’m sorry.” He was full on crying now, “Yesterday when I came, I blamed you- I tried to.”
A sob
He fell to his knees, “I’m sorry I’m so sorry, it wasn’t your fault- it’s mine. My fault. If I had been a better brother- He would’ve- H-He-“
Ralph got off his bed and knelt in front of Peter.
“Peter…don’t cry.” Ralph said. He, himself, on the verge of crying.
Peter hid his face behind his hands his sobs muffled, “I’m sorry. I took him from you- I’m the reason he’s not here with you right now. I should’ve noticed- I should’ve-“
Ralph hesitantly put a hand on his shoulder, “Peter, no. He was suffering. He was suffering so much. He was in pain everyday.” Ralph didn’t stop the tears now.
Peter broke down completely as he heard this, pushing his face into Ralph’s chest.
“You were the only thing-“ Peter hiccupped, “He loved you so much.”
Ralph put his arms over Peter’s shoulders. And let him cry. His hoodie getting wet by the second. Not that he cared.
Just two boys on the floor. Crying their hearts out for a boy, no one but they would grieve for.
“Have you been eating, love? You look skinny!”
His mum fussed over him as Peter smiled wickedly.
“I’m fine- mum.” Ralph blushed at the attention.
Mum turned towards Peter, “Oh and thank you for getting him from the airport, darling. You’re such an angel!”
“No problem at all, Mrs. Rhodes.”
“I saw my life flash by me ten times on the road.”
“He’s overreacting, Mrs. Rhodes.” Peter gave an innocent smile. His mum immediately taking his side once she saw his dimples.
Ralph groaned. Peter and his stupidly charming smile. He himself, has been a victim to their charm, more than once.
He saw Peter more and more. They would sit in silence, make small talk, sit in silence, Ralph would offer him biscuits, they would eat, sit in silence.
Ralph was…. well he was getting bored.
One day he got up from their usual spot, him on his bed, Peter on his chair.
“Come with me.”
Peter got up to follow him to the living room.
“Help me set this up yeah?” It was a video game. Him and Henry used to be crazy about it.
Peter was comically bad at it.
“Peter. Jump.”
On the screen, Peter’s character crouched.
“Jump Peter! Press the red circle.”
“I got it- I got it.”
The screen displayed ‘GAME OVER’ in big bold words.
Peter held the controller so hard, Ralph could see his knuckles turning white.
Ralph sighed, he really was his brother. Henry hated losing too. “It’s alright. I was pretty bad at it too, starting out.”
The only person who was good at it from the beginning was- well. Ralph bit the inside of his cheek.
“Another round?”
~~~~
It was a routine. Peter would come around four. They would play till seven. Ralph’s mum coming in with a plate of biscuits every now and then.
Peter got better at the game. He had that concentrated look that he saw so often on Henry’s face, while he was playing.
Ralph would introduce Peter to other games as he got good in one.
Games he last touched, when Henry was still alive. Games Henry loved. Games Henry always won in. Henry’s favourites, Henry’s least favourites.
One day, while they were playing one about killing zombies, (this one was in Henry’s top five). Ralph reached over and covered Peter’s eyes as he was going to get a hit on a zombie. A gesture he did a million times over with Henry before.
Peter gasped as his vision was obscured. The zombie on the screen biting Peter and killing him.
Peter swatted Ralph’s hand off his face and punched him playfully on the arm, “You cheater!”
Ralph laughed loudly, clutching his stomach as Peter’s face turned red, “I was gonna win this time!”
“Yeah-! I bet you were!”
This scene played out a million times before already. Ralph would tease Henry. Henry would get mad, calling Ralph a cheater. Ralph would apologise while still laughing, Henry would punch him lightly on the arm.
He looked over, expecting to see Henry’s grinning face but saw blonde. Blonde and blue eyes. His breath hitched.
Right.
This was Peter. Not Henry. He would never see that messy spiky hair or that shade of green again.
Peter. Henry’s little brother. Peter, who Henry said was an annoying little gremlin but had that fond, soft expression on his face as he said it.
Peter, who didn’t deserve Ralph using him for his own grief.
Ralph bit his lip.
Peter was a good kid. A kid who held so much guilt. Ralph remembered Peter crying in his arms.
My fault.
Ralph let Peter win the next game.
Peter leaned against the counter, “So, what’s the plan for today?”
“Gonna meet some people from school tonight, they’re all back for the holidays.” He took out biscuits from the pantry, “Wanna come with?”
Peter took one biscuit, “Nah, it’s fine. You catch up with your friends.”
“They were all Henry’s friends too.” He smiled softly, “Come with me. They’ll want to see you. Anyway, I told you we’d celebrate you getting into Princeton too.”
Peter hesitated for a second, chewing on the biscuit then nodded. “Okay.”
Ralph was an awful, awful, person.
How could he blatantly use Peter like that? Pretending he was Henry. Using him for his selfish reasons.
Because he couldn’t admit Henry was dead.
Because he didn’t want to think about it.
So what? Now he was going to replace Henry with his little brother?
Ralph felt sick.
Peter didn’t need that.
Didn’t need Ralph using him. Kid had enough on his plate already.
I’m sorry. I took him from you.
Ralph took in a sharp breath.
He’ll put a stop to this.
A stop to their little gaming sessions.
To their biscuits break.
To Peter seeing him.
(To him stop seeing Henry.)
‘I’m not in the house today. Don’t come.’
He send it to Peter.
He laid on his bed, his face buried in his pillow. He didn’t realise when he slept, he didn’t remember his dreams. Only that it featured a boy with messy hair and green eyes, like it always did.
~~~~
He got less and less texts from Peter asking to come over. He felt glad. How would Henry react to him using his precious little brother? Ralph shivered. No, Henry wouldn’t want that. Not his brother.
He started going to school. People gave him pitying looks, his friends, Henry’s and his friends not knowing how to talk with the elephant in the room. It won’t ever go back to normal. Good. Ralph didn’t want to go back to how it used to be. Not without Henry.
He ran into a junior, “Er sorry…” the kid said quickly trying to walk past him.
The kid… he’d seen him before…
“You… you’re Peter’s friend.”
The kid looked up, “Uh yeah. Yeah.”
“How… how is he?”
He promised himself he wouldn’t see Peter again. He knew he’d only hurt the boy if he did. And he couldn’t do that to his brother . But he hadn’t seen the kid in weeks, he was worried.
The boy frowned, “Um… I mean I saw him in his house last week…He was- well he looked ill, honestly. It was like he wasn’t even there, or he didn’t realise I was there. He’s not been to school ever since- uh you know.” He looked to the ground, “Sorry I’m late for class.”
Ralph rubbed bis forehead.
Fuck. He really is awful.
his brother. Now that Henry was gone, he should be looking out for him. But all he did at the end was use him, and then discard him like he was nothing.
He leaned against the locker. Henry… What would he think?
Today. After school. He’ll go to his house. He’ll see him.
Ralph sucked in a breath.
He just hoped he didn’t see Henry’s face this time.
“Peter!” Margaret threw her arms around Peter’s neck, “Wow, look at you, you grew ten feet or something!”
Peter laughed, “Hey Margaret.”
Al patted Ralph’s shoulder, “Hey mate, how’re things?”
“Good, good,”
He smiled, everyone was here. Bert, Brian, Susan, Linda, William, everyone. The whole of them. It was like a whole class gathering.
(But it will never be complete. Not ever.)
The night went on, they laughed, shared stories, exchanged old and new ones. Reminiscing about the old times. Excited for the future.
Getting drunk was a given.
“I love you all so much.” Ralph said, his cheeks dusted with pink.
Margaret snickered, “Don’t get soft on me now, ya git!”
“But I missed you all soooo muuuuch!” Ralph slurred on his words
The whole gang laughed.
“Love you too, Ralph.” Brian said.
Ralph smiled like an idiot. He hugged the person closest to him.
“Ah! Get off me you idiot!” Susan pushed him.
Ralph pouted, “But I want a huuuuug…” He turned to the one person he knew wouldn’t deny him, “Gimme a hug Peteeey”
Peter smirked, “C’here you big baby.”
“You’re the baby. You watch those happy hippos crap.” He teared up, “Noooo…. why are you turning eighteen next week, keep staying a kid.” He put his whole weight on Peter now.
Peter laughed, struggling a little to keep him up.
Someone snickered behind them.
It wasn’t one of their friends.
“God. Look at him. All over that kid, just like he was in school with that drug addict.” The boy shook his head, “I thought it was a rumour but I guess it’s true.”
Ralph felt Peter stiffen.
The boy’s friend laughed, “Pfft… Imagine that. Your boyfriend kills himself so you snog the next best thing. Mate’s really hopping from one brother to the next.”
“Can’t really blame him for moving on. I mean that boy was always horrid ever since childhood, I remember all the stunts he used to pull. I was glad when I heard he killed himself. Fuckin’ druggie. Though I feel a little bad, imagine looking down on earth and you see your boyfriend bend over for your little broth-“
The next thing Ralph knew, he was on the floor punching the shit out of the boys. He remembered them now. They were in his school. Always taking shit about other people.
One of the two socked his jaw, his mouth bleeding, he pulled one of the boys’ long hair, Someone kicked him. He gave them a black eye.
He heard his friends yells, he felt hands on him pulling him to his feet. Dragging him away.
He thrashed, kicking like a child throwing a tantrum.
I was glad when I heard he killed himself
How dare they.
How fucking dare they.
“Ralph.”
Glistening blue eyes.
Peter.
They were outside now, on the street, away from the fighting, the noise, the lights.
He knew his friends were handling the situation inside, Margaret probably threatening to murder the boys.
He knelt over and puked.
Peter was there thumping his back. He leaned his head on his shoulder.
Drug addict. Druggie.
Was that how people remembered Henry?
Henry who was brave and funny and kind. Henry who loved music. Who loved to create. Who made everyone smile. Henry, who Ralph loved so much. So much that he was sure that anyone that he would meet or had met already, would never ever compare to him. Would never love another like he loved him.
Henry, who deserved so much more. Deserved more than life gave him. Deserved more than Ralph.
Ralph let out a sob, and then the tears wouldn’t stop.
“Its okay.. It’ll be okay Ralph…” Peter held him tightly, as if grounding himself.
“No, no. It’s not okay. It’s not. How can you say that? It’ll never be okay.”
Ralph felt bad as his accusing tone hit Peter. Peter who lost his brother too.
He buried his face in Peter’s chest.
“Ralph.”
Henry’s mum answered the door, she looked…. tired. Her cheeks were hallowed and her eyes were heavy. But Ralph couldn’t find it in himself to feel sympathy for her. She deserved to suffer in her misery. It didn’t count for even an ounce of what Henry felt.
“Is Peter home?”
She nodded and let him in. The house reeked of alcohol and sweat. This wasn’t a place a fifteen year old should be living in. It was dark but he saw a figure in the shadow of the living room, a man.
Ralph ignored it all as he walked upstairs to where he knew was Peter’s room…. He walked past Henry’s room as fast as he could.
(‘Forget me, Ralph.’)
Ralph knocked, once then twice.
He stood for a good minute without any response then just walked in.
“Peter? It’s me, Ralph.”
He saw Peter on the bed, just looking up at the ceiling, not even acknowledging Ralph.
Ralph felt the guilt of leaving him overcome the guilt of using him.
“Peter… kid, how are you?”
“I’m good.” He said, sounding the complete opposite.
Ralph sighed, “Hey… how about we go to my place? There’s this new game I want you to learn, my mum brought extra biscuits just for you, we could-“
“You were the only other person who cared for him.”
Ralph stood as still as he had ever been.
“No one else understood… not my mum, not dad. They say they loved him now, I see their guilt everyday. But, they don’t understand.”
Peter got up to sit, “Before he did it, he kissed my forehead. I pretended I was asleep. But I felt him pause near my door. I think he knew I wasn’t sleeping. I think he was waiting for me to stop him.”
Ralph bit his lip so hard, he was sure it was bleeding now. Peter just kept on talking. Like if he stopped, Ralph would disappear. Henry would disappear.
“With you… I could pretend he was still here, pretend to have the brotherly bond that I always craved for.”
Peter got up, walked towards him, “Playing games that I never understood, exchanging teasing smiles, doing all that I could never do while he was here.” Peter almost smiled
“And you didn’t want me anymore. Didn’t want to talk or play. And Mum and Dad don’t understand. And you left me. Left me like he did. Why? Why.” Ralph could see the tears in his eyes now, “Why don’t you ever let me in, Henry?”
Ralph pulled him in a hug as the boy let out a sob.
“We were never close. But- but he was my brother. My brother. And I wanted- needed him to care about me.” His voice cracked.
“He loved you.”
Peter let out a croak.
“He said that?”
“He didn’t need to. I saw it every time he talked about his talented, soft hearted little brother.”
“I keep wondering.” Peter pushed his face deeper into his hoodie. “Am I still even considered a brother? I’ve always been a little brother. I don’t know how to be an only child.”
(“Forget me, Ralph.” Henry gave him a sad smile, “Forget me and live.”)
“You’ll always be his little brother.” Ralph told him firmly, “That will never change. Never, Peter.”
Ralph doesn’t have any siblings, or any younger cousins. He was the youngest. But at that moment he swore. Swore to Henry, that he’ll be the big brother Peter needed. He won’t ever replace Henry, he doesn’t want to. But he’ll be there for Peter. However way he needs him. No matter what.
~~~
A year without him. It went by quickly, uneventfully.
“Oh my sweet baby, I’ll miss you so much” His mum kissed his cheek.
Ralph blushed, “I’ll miss you too mum.”
He was at the airport, getting ready to leave. University life. He was excited. Excited and scared.
His dad patted him in the back, “Call us when you land, son.”
“Will do.” He smiled reaching for his bags.
“Wait, darling, we’re waiting for someone.”
He titled his head, “For who?”
“Ah he’s here.” His father laughed as they saw Peter running carrying something in his hands, his cheeks pink.
“Ralph!” He smiled brightly and hugged a confused looking Ralph.
“Peter? What are you doing here?” Ralph already said his goodbyes to everyone last night, during the farewell party his parents threw him.
“I- I forgot to give you something yesterday.” Peter bit his lips, “Actually…. I was delaying it as long as I could.”
He took a deep breath and presented his hands, in it was a teddy with a lost eye.
“Henry’s Mr. Kill.” Peter kept his eyes on the teddy, “I kept it for so long, it ….helped me. Whenever I was scared, it felt like he was really here.” Peter looked from his hands to Ralph.
“I want you to have it. You’re leaving and… I want him to be there with you. So you know you’re never really alone.” He smiled and Ralph felt his eyes burn.
He pulled Peter into a hug again, “Thanks Peter.” He mumbled into blonde hair.
It was Peter’s birthday.
And No one could get Peter out of his room.
Peter’s mum came down the stairs for the third time today.
She shook her head, “No luck.”
Peter’s dad sighed, “I’ll talk to him.” Ralph got up before he did, “No I’ll try.”
He dashed up the stairs before anyone could object.
He entered the room, in his hand was Peter’s birthday present, “Peter,”
“Whats up?” Peter answered casually bouncing a ball against the wall.
“What’s up with you kid.” Ralph sat on his bed where he lay.
“I’m leaving for Princeton tomorrow.”
“So you are,” Ralph gently ruffled his hair, “What is it? Gonna miss your secret girlfriend or something?”
“Nope, but I’ll miss your boyfriend.”
Ralph’s hand froze.
“I know he’s not really here. But, this is the place he was born, where he grew up, where he died.” Peter looked away, “I don’t think I’m ready to leave him yet.”
Ralph clutched the present harder, “I know man, but it’s your birthday today. And everyone is down to celebrate. They’re just waiting for you, kid.” He gave him a grin, “Eighteen man. Legal to vote, legal to get a tattoo, though if you do, don’t get a lame one, ask me first. Legal to rent a house. Eighteen, Peter. You can-“
“I don’t want to be older than him.”
Ralph felt like choking on his words.
“I can’t be older than him. He’s my older brother.”
There was silence between them for a good minute before Ralph said, “Do you remember what I told you? That you’ll always be his little brother?”
Peter got up to sit, “That’s-“
Ralph interrupted him, “No Peter. Shut up man. For a second let me talk.” Ralph gave him a gentle smile, “It doesn’t matter right now and it won’t matter when you’re thirty or in fifty years from now when you’re an old, wrinkly man. You’ll always be his little brother. No matter what. And he’ll always be your older brother. No matter what.”
He looked down towards Peter’s present, “Open it.”
Peter frowned then did as told, letting out a soft gasp.
A teddy bear with a missing eye.
“You gave him to me when I was starting a new life.” He held Peter’s hand which was holding Mr. Kill, “So I’m giving him back to you now that you are doing the same.”
Peter’s eyes stayed locked on the old teddy.
“It doesn’t matter how old you are, or where you are. Your brother will always be with you. Always. I can promise you that.”
Peter looked up from the teddy to Ralph, his blue eyes shining but he had a smile on his face.
“Come on birthday boy. Your party is still waiting to start.”
Peter laughed, and Ralph smiled as he was reminded of another laugh. A boy with mischievous eyes.