Brother Mine (River)

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Liam sat at a booth in the Leaky Cauldron, waiting for his brother to show up. It was summer, so his brother wasn't in school or anything and Liam figured it was about time they spent some time together, even if it was just lunch. If River wanted to do something else afterward, he would. He honestly enjoyed spending time with his little brother, he just didn't always know if River wanted to do so much with him. Wasn't he busy with friends and such during the summer? Or was he more like Liam, with few friends but good ones? Liam knew his brother well, considered the two of them as being very close, but he didn't know everything about River. He didn't know who his friends were or what he chose to do with his free time. 

He opened a book and pretended to read it, hoping that it would stop anyone from approaching him. Most people didn't, since there weren't very many people Liam was close to, but one never knew who would walk up when they were in public. He discovered long ago that pretending to be busy with something was often a good deterrent and kept most people away. Even so, he wasn't reading. His eyes flicked around the room, searching for his younger brother.

@river

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River was so incredibly nervous about seeing Liam that he almost didn't go. But he loved his brother! Of course he wouldn't ditch him. But... he was scared to tell Liam that he was married. Yup, married. He and Vi had eloped, order of her parents, and now lived in the Flint Mansion together, because River had gotten everything in their parents will. River hadn't been very... open with his brother, or half sisters, since their parents death six months ago on New Years Eve... and now he was married.

He had a ring on, a ring, a ring, and walked into the Cauldron. He saw his brother, a book in his hands and couldn't help but smile. "William!" he called, "Liam," he corrected, crossing over to his brother, quickly. "Hey, sorry I'm a little late I was... freaking out, to be honest," he admitted.

@liam

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Since he wasn't actually reading the book in his hands, he saw River the instant he walked into the Cauldron. His brother was smiling, though he kind of looked a little hassled. Was something wrong? Liam watched his younger brother with interest. He knew they hadn't talked much in the last while, but why would his little brother be worried to talk to him just because they'd both been busy lately? Or was he worried about something else. 

River walked to where Liam was sitting and Liam gestured for his brother to join him, his eyebrows furrowing as River confirmed that he was freaking out. "Freaking out about what?" he asked almost instantly. River probably expected him to ask that, so he doubted it was a surprise, but Liam wanted the answer. Was River in some sort of trouble? Was someone planning on doing something to him? If they touched a hair on his brother's head, they'd regret it. His eyes narrowed as his thoughts darkened at the idea.

@river

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Liam asked what he was freaking out about and River swallowed hard. Liam could be incredibly intense, and River didn't want to trigger that intensity on anyone, but... "I got married, Liam," he said firmly, placing his left hand with the simple silver wedding band on the table. "To Vi. My betrothed," he said. He took in a deep breath, then spoke fast. "I know it didn't really count anymore, since mum and dad but... her parents still thought it was a good idea and so did I. I think we're a good match, family wise, and she's... she needs someone who isn't going to hurt her," wait what? What did Vi's feelings have to do with any of this? "I'm just trying to make dad proud and... I know you won't understand," he let out a long sigh, his shoulders slouching forward, "I really think this was the best thing. She moved into the house with me and we're... I mean, I still am going to school in the fall but she'll be alright. She has... stuff," oh gosh, he couldn't even remember if Vi got a job this summer.

@liam

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River was nervous. That much was extremely obvious and Liam felt his muscles tighten. What would River be worried about telling him. When River spoke, his mouth fell open. His brother, little River, was married? Surely he misunderstood, but the ring on his finger was evidence to the words he was saying. Liam felt dizzy, confused. Why would his brother get married without telling him? How did that even happen? River began to explain and Liam listened, but at the same time he wasn't listening. His mind was reeling and thoughts flying too fast for him to be able to fully pay attention to his brother's words. Something about a good match and Vi needing someone. Liam snorted. Viovinnia Knott (Flint?) did not need anyone. He spoke about trying to made their father proud and that Liam wouldn't understand. That hurt worst of all. More than his brother getting married and keeping it a secret was his reason. When did Liam ever do anything to break his brother's trust in him to this extent? He watched his brother slouch as he continued to defend his position, saying that she lived in the manor now and that she would be fine, even when River went to school in the fall. He nodded absently, not really looking at his brother as he tried to process everything. River was married. He'd still go to school, but he was married, in an insane attempt to make their dead parents proud of him. More than that, Liam had to have done something wrong because he'd somehow lost his brother's trust. He didn't even realize his brother was probably waiting for some kind of a reaction as he dove into his own thoughts, trying to decide how he lost River's confidence in him. What did he do wrong? When? He tried to solve the mystery, his expression a blank mask to anyone that might be watching, including his brother. He was used to hiding his feelings from people.

@river

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Aaaaand Liam didn't say anything. Literally. River stared at him, and then slowly raised an eyebrow. "Do you... have any thoughts on that?" he asked, swallowing hard. He hadn't expected Liam to say nothing. Though, River should have known Liam was thinking it all through. Liam was always a big thinker. He was good at that kind of thing. Maybe he was just trying to think of the right thing to say and River should have stayed quiet and let his brother work through his thoughts. Maybe Liam was furious with him for trying to make their parents happy, since Liam hadn't really been involved with their parents for a while now... or maybe Liam was just wondering why River was so nervous. They were brothers, weren't they? Real brothers, full blood brothers, not a lie like their sisters. Not that he blamed Dust and Eliza for it, but... there was still something special between the two brothers. They had nothing to separate them but what they allowed to separate then. This wasn't going to do that, was it?

@liam

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Liam came back to reality when he heard his brother's voice again, asking if he had any thoughts. Liam nodded, though he still didn't know what to say. He wanted to know why River didn't trust him anymore, but asking that straight out would probably drive him further away. That's what he wanted to ask though. "Why ... all the secrecy?" he said finally, unable to control himself. He paused for a moment, trying to think of something else he could say. Despite the fact that his brother keeping secrets hurt his feelings, it wasn't the only important thing about this conversation. "Are you happy?" his voice was soft and Liam was still looking at the table, feeling as though he must be the worst brother in the world. So much for good intentions.

@river

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Liam nodded, but still didn't talk at first. River waited and then the rest of the words came. Why the secrecy, was he happy. River looked down at the ring on his ring finger of his left hand, titling his hand a little so the ring caught the light. Then River nodded. Then he nodded again, looking up at Liam even though Liam was looking down. "I was just afraid you wouldn't approve, Liam, and... I was scared that you'd talk me out of it," he admitted, "but I didn't want to be talked out of it and... I am happy," he said. Somewhere inside him he felt like it was true, too. That he was actually happy about this, about Vi, about living in his fathers house and being part of the purifiers who could teach him to strong and in control. He didn't like the killing, of course not, and a part of him knew that he couldn't be a part of it forever but... for now, this was what he wanted. He smiled a little, "what about you, Liam? When's that marriage thing happening? I would think you and Tamara would have beat me to it," his attempt at a lighthearted moment.

@liam

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Liam swallowed and then looked up and stared at his younger brother, waiting for him to say something. It took River longer than Liam wanted it to, even though that made him a bit of a hypocrite since Liam was the king of taking forever to answer a question. He looked down again before his brother said a word, not catching his nodding. He clenched his jaw when River admitted why he hadn't said anything. River didn't trust him. That was the meat of the problem. "Just because you wanted to do something I wouldn't have done didn't mean I wouldn't support you," he answered lowly. "I've always wanted you to be happy." Liam paused a moment, letting the rest of his brother's words sink in. He inhaled and exhaled heavily, looking up at River. "I guess ... it's fine. As long as you really are happy." He searched his brother's face, trying to read whether or not he did feel happiness with Vi and thought he saw a little light in his brother's eyes, though he wasn't sure if it really counted. River smiled, and Liam looked past him, trying to push away his anger and disappointment. He could pretend to not be upset, couldn't he? For his little brother? Maybe somehow Liam could earn River's trust back if he pretended to not be upset. He looked back to his brother and forced a smile, shrugging at his brother's question. "I don't know. When we both feel ready for it, I guess." He quirked an eyebrow at River, "Don't worry, you'll know when it gets to that." The word were out before he realized and his eyes widened slightly. He didn't mean ... he wasn't trying to make River feel bad. He closed his eyes and lifted a hand to his forehead. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that," he added softly. No wonder River didn't tell him things, if this was how he reacted.

@river

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Liam said he would have supported him and really, River knew that. He was just scared, as he almost always was, and that was always messing things up for him. His brow furrowed as Liam said he wanted him to be happy, and River gave a short nod. He was afraid if he spoke yet his voice would crack, and he didn't want that. There was a moment of silence, well, a moment of deep breathing, and then Liam looked up at him and said it was fine as long as River was happy. River nodded, but didn't say anything else. He didn't know what to say. Liam was being supportive, even if River had been secretive and untrusting. They would be okay.

Liam answered about Tamara, saying that they'd get married when they were ready. his eyebrow raised and he said River would know before it happened. River actually didn't think about that as a hit on him or anything, so when Liam apologized River shook his head and waved his hands in front of him, "no, no! I get it, really. Mine was more sudden, anway. Vi's parents kind of sprung on us they wanted it to happen sooner rather than later, it was more a shock. Yours is more obvious, I get it," he explained.

@liam

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River didn't say anything else about Liam wanting him to be happy and Liam couldn't help but wonder if his younger brother actually believed him, or if their trust in one another was gone now. He still had a hard time wrapping his mind around the fact that his younger brother was married and that he hadn't found out until much later. Were things okay with the two of them? He decided that he'd just have to see how things went. If River kept on keeping all sorts of secrets from him then Liam was sure their relationship would struggle, but he would hope for that to not happen.

Relief flooded through Liam when River reassured him that he wasn't offended. Good. While he wasn't sure how things were between them, he didn't want to do anything to chase his younger brother away. Though he'd obviously done something wrong, he wanted River to feel like he could come to Liam for anything. He nodded as River spoke. "Yeah, that's it," he paused a moment. "I love her, I'm just not sure when we'll be ready to take the next step." Yeah, that made sense. At least it did to Liam. 

He took a deep breath, "So, anything else I should know about?" He smirked to show he was teasing, though at the same time he wasn't. Was there anything else going on in River's life? Anything important?

@river

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River nodded. Love was a complicated concept. He knew that it was real, though. Part of him thought that could develop for him and Vi but... he would have to see. "No, nothing else. I'm happy for you. You too will be very happy together," he said with a sure smile, but it was a little bittersweet. He kind of wished he'd had a normal relationship, the way Liam did with Tamara... but, that was past, and he had made his choice. "Let's just enjoy the day together, eh?" he suggested, trying to cheer up a bit.

@liam
(the end ma brother)