Days drifted by in a haze of monotony as I lounged around, yearning for time to speed up or for some random event to break the tedium. Lukas is a rather dull companion. He spent most of his days holed up in his room, having me nurse his injuries and rarely engaging in conversation. Kolton, on the other hand, was the more intriguing twin, with his witty remarks and lively demeanor. He was the only one in this peculiar household who seemed to tolerate my presence if only just a bit. Donald Trump, as I affectionately called him, remained as stoic as ever, and Lukas' cop sister remained a constant source of disdain.

My days at the house usually revolved around Kolton(when I'm not cleaning wounds and tending to Lukas' every fucking need), except for today. Lukas had insisted that I stay with him, though he hadn't offered a clear reason why. So there I was, perched in a chair by his window, avoiding eye contact with him and the sight of his injuries. My caregiving duties included preparing breakfast, tending to his wounds, and even assisting him in the shower. He seemed to be milking this situation, and I couldn't decide what annoyed me more – his helplessness or my own inability to do anything about it. Hiring someone to take care of him had crossed my mind, but with the debt I owed, it wasn't a viable option.

The absence of Monster and his henchmen had not gone unnoticed, and for once, I was actually grateful. Spending all this time at the twins' place seemed to have a few unexpected benefits. I was managing to keep a relatively low profile, avoiding any major trouble. Of course, I couldn't resist the urge to stir up some minor mischief now and then, which inevitably irritated those around me. However, it was nothing that would put my life in immediate danger or set me on the run. For that small mercy, I thanked my lucky stars.

"It's annoying, ain't it?" Lukas finally broke the silence. I turned to look at him in surprise, not expecting him to speak. He raised an eyebrow, his cold and savage tone underscoring his words.

"Yes, it is," I replied tersely.

"Maybe if I wasn't so badly injured, neither of us would be stuck here," he mused with a hint of bitterness. I scowled in response. Lukas had a talent for exuding negativity, and it grated on my nerves.

"Look, I get it, okay. I screwed up big time, and I'm sorry about that," I continued, my tone softening slightly. "But this is freaking bull. I mean, come on, man! Just send me to prison. At least there, I'd get some boy-on-boy action." I sighed wearily, not sure if my crude remark might actually land me in prison.

"Help me walk," Lukas finally requested, dispelling the tension in the room and ignoring everything I previously said.

"Say please," I retorted, arms folded across my chest. Lukas stared at me, and I held my ground.

"Can you just help me up? I need to use the bathroom," he conceded.

"You should go down and see your family instead of staying up here and staring at me all the damn time," I advised.

"I usually just stay up in my room. I don't need to see my family. They barely even care. Take me to the bathroom," Lukas replied and began to sit up. I groaned inwardly, realizing that this duty came with my new role as his reluctant caretaker.

I've never considered myself a die-hard family person, but being around the twins and their family was certainly an eye-opener. I couldn't fathom the idea of not wanting to see my family regularly. In fact, I moved out once, and I found myself returning home to visit my mother just two weeks later. The bond I shared with my family was something I couldn't live without, and it made me appreciate the simple but essential connections that family provides. It's amazing how different people's lives and priorities can be, and it's a reminder of the diverse ways in which we all navigate the world.

I helped Lukas to his feet, and he struggled with crutches, clearly unaccustomed to using them. He spent most of his time in bed, playing video games, surfing the internet, or talking on the phone – though I had no idea who he was talking to since no visitors seemed to frequent the house.

We made our way to the bathroom, which was conveniently located in his bedroom. I stood by the door as he used it, unsure if I should offer privacy or remain on standby. Lukas washed his hands at the sink but then stood there, gazing at his reflection in the mirror. My uncertainty got the best of me, and I finally spoke up.

"Do you want some privacy?" I inquired. He sighed softly but didn't avert his gaze to the mirror.

"You are beautiful... You can do anything you put your mind to... You have potential..." I began to recite words of encouragement, trying to break the awkward silence. Lukas blinked a few times, looking back at me with a perplexed expression.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Oh, I'm giving you inspiration," I muttered. Lukas sighed softly, shaking his head. He moved away from the mirror and headed back to his bed, with me following closely, just in case he stumbled. He settled back onto the bed and looked up at me, sighing.

"You aren't as much of an asshole as I thought you were," he admitted.

I hummed in response but then glanced at the wall, avoiding further eye contact. "I mean, you are a major one – what guy does the crap you did? But generally, I think... You're not so bad." When I looked down at him, I realized he was still staring up at me. I furrowed my brows, puzzled by the intensity of his gaze -- although by now I should be used to it. That's the one thing this family has in common.

"You like me," I stated with a smirk.

"I don't like you; I just tolerate you," Lukas replied matter-of-factly, causing me to roll my eyes. Deep down, I suspected he was full of crap; he liked me.

"You don't have to pretend," I teased. "I get it – I'm a totally likable guy. And I know you've forgiven me because you just... You really like me." I smiled, unable to resist my own playfulness.

Lukas raised an eyebrow, clearly bewildered by my statement. I stepped back, creating some distance between us, and turned away, the conversation having taken a strange turn. There didn't seem to be much left to say, so I fell silent.

"Is there anything else you'd like?" I eventually asked after checking the time, realizing that nightfall was approaching. The idea of walking the streets at night, especially without Bird for protection, didn't sit well with me.

"No. You can leave," Lukas replied, prompting me to exit the room without further conversation. I closed the door behind me and felt his lingering gaze follow me as I walked away.

In the hallway, I encountered Kolton, who was dressed to go out. Typically, when he was at home, he lounged around in sweatpants, a sight I thoroughly enjoyed. However, tonight, he was dressed more stylishly, wearing jeans, a white top, and a black jacket. He had a cap perched on his shaved head.

"You look good," I said to him. "Where are you off to?"

"No where that would matter to you. Are you leaving?"

"No, I was actually planning to go to your room for a night of wild sex." I said with a straight face. He stared. "Yes. I'm leaving."

"That wasn't funny, Daniel. You aren't a funny guy. You're stupid and moronic, but not funny," Kolton remarked, his tone cold and biting. He turned and started walking away, not giving me a chance to respond. I followed him, our footsteps echoing in the hallway as we walked side by side toward the staircase. The tension between us lingered, a silent understanding that our relationship was far from warm, but it was also far from boring.

Over time, as I spent more days at their place, a subtle shift occurred in my dynamic with Kolton. We weren't exactly friends, but we had moved past the constant scowls and frowns that once defined our interactions. Kolton began to tolerate my presence a bit more, even appreciating the occasional joke or witty remark I'd throw into the mix. It wasn't a transformation into best friends by any means, but at least it seemed like he no longer wished me bodily harm on sight. Our relationship had evolved from a hostile standoff to something more akin to wary coexistence.

"Give me a lift to my place."

"Why? So you can abduct me and hide me in your closet."

"I don't have a closet; I'd tie you up underneath the bed," I replied with a sly grin. Kolton's retort was swift and pointed. A sly smile played on my lips as Kolton and I briskly descended the stairs. Inside the house, his family members were scattered about. Young Donald lounged in the living room, engrossed in the glow of the television screen, while his sister occupied the kitchen with an air of distant focus. We breezed past these areas without exchanging a single word. Kolton swung the front door open and stepped out, and I followed suit, closing the door behind me. The mood inside was never one for idle chatter.

I couldn't help but break the silence as we headed towards the car. "What's the matter with you guys?" I queried, my curiosity getting the better of me. Kolton responded by playfully tossing his keys into the air and deftly catching them with nonchalant grace, paying no attention to my question.

"Where do you live?" he inquired, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement, as he unlocked the car's back door and pulled it open for me. I halted in my tracks, simply staring at him. His lips curled into a smirk, sensing my hesitation. Eventually, I resumed walking and made my way to the passenger seat, taking the initiative to open it myself. Kolton rounded the car and settled into the driver's seat, casting a glance my way before starting the engine.

"What?" I groaned, my frustration simmering just beneath the surface. It always seemed like there was some sort of drama with these people.

"Nothing," Kolton replied casually, leaving me even more exasperated. I rolled my eyes at his nonchalance. "Well, can you drive the damn car?"

"Hey, I can put you out to walk—so watch your mouth," he retorted. My eyes subtly lingered on his features, studying him as he remained engrossed in his phone, and I slouched further into my seat, choosing to stay silent for the time being.

I checked the time. Where is he even going? It's early. The night is young. He should just be having a couple of drinks before actually going out. A couple of shots would have surely loosened him up, making it the perfect opportunity for me to initiate my own nefarious plan—to abduct him and keep him all to myself, his mouth securely taped shut, of course.

As Kolton continued to drive, I couldn't help but speak up. "Hey," I said, catching his attention. He turned to look at me, his lips curving into a smile. "Lemme take you to a party."

"How about no," I responded with a scoff.

I groaned audibly, feigning reluctance on the outside, but deep down, I was grinning like an idiot. It was becoming increasingly clear that he liked me. He was taking me out to a party without me even asking. He suggested it voluntarily, and that said more than words ever could.

Our journey led us to the epitome of a party scene – a chaotic and vibrant atmosphere greeted us. Red cups were scattered around haphazardly, like the remnants of a vibrant celebration. The partygoers had left a trail of debris everywhere, adding to the visual chaos. People were swaying and dancing on the lawn, their movements dictated by the rhythm of the music blaring from the massive speakers. Some were so drunk that they sprawled across the grass, creating an impromptu lounge area. The decibel level of the music was clearly designed to disturb the entire neighborhood, a testament to the night's intensity. The venue was practically in the sky, judging by the scent of weed which hung in the air like an intoxicating perfume, an unmissable part of the sensory overload.

I couldn't fathom why anyone would start a party so early in the evening. Kolton seemed to have a clear purpose for his early arrival, but he didn't bother to enlighten me. As he exited the car, he almost left me behind entirely, caught up in the fervor of the scene. However, he quickly doubled back and pulled me closer, advising me in a hushed tone to "mingle" and make some better friends. Then he vanished into the lively chaos.

I decided to tail Kolton, not wanting to lose track of him entirely. I followed him to a room, presuming it was a bedroom, and he swiftly closed the door behind him. I didn't waste any time trying to enter; the door was locked, and I had no intention of knocking and waiting. Instead, I retraced my steps and made my way back downstairs to the kitchen, my next destination. A drink was in order, and perhaps I might even stumble upon a temporary companion for the night amid the wild revelry.