Trigger warning: Brief mentions of blood, alcohol, violence 

When finally he was managing to gather his thoughts, Remington said, "I think I love you again." 

The sentence caused Andy's eyes to widen, but he didn't say anything, not without working out how best to word it beforehand. It wasn't that he didn't love Remington, because he did, of course he did, but how could he possibly tell him about the boyfriend who he had since gotten back together with? "Oh, Remington," he said eventually, and it sounded much less certain than he had planned it to. "I don't know if now's the right time..." 

Remington stat up straight and let go of Andy's hand. 

"Listen, it's not that I don't feel the same, but I just really don't think now's the time." And I'm not exactly available, either. 

"Stop touching me, please," Remington demanded, and when Andy moved his arms, he got up and stepped out of the shower. He said nothing more, and left the elder sitting against the tiled wall. 

Remington rinsed the blood from his arm in the kitchen sink with cold water, wincing as he rubbed the cuts and dabbing his skin dry with kitchen roll. Then he pulled his sleeves down, and with his phone and his wallet, he left the house. 

It was the early evening, and the sun would be setting soon. Remington made it to his brother's house in less than half an hour, ringing the bell and waiting anxiously. "Uh...hey," he said slowly when the door opened. It was Larisa. 

"Hey, Rem. Everything okay?" 

"Yeah, uh, is Sebastian in?" He pressed a smile. Larisa was one of those people who we was both afraid and envious of. It wasn't that she'd done anything to scare him, but she always seemed so self-assure that Remington often wondered if anything phased her. And he knew things did, because he'd seen her stressed about her job and her friendships and things anyone would get stressed by, but somehow, she made it all look so easy. She had always been nice to him, though, always taking the time to check he was okay when she could. 

"Not right now, he's gone for a run. Should be back in an hour or so." 

"Oh. Right." 

"Can I help with anything?" 

"No, it's fine. Sorry to bother you. Uh, bye." 

"Wait, Remington," she said. "Do you wanna come in? I think we should talk, anyway." 

The singer frowned. "Oh, okay." 

Larisa led him into the kitchen and offered a drink, which he declined. She picked up Mishka and sat the dog in her lap. "Me and Sebastian, we're going through a bit of a tough time in our relationship," she began. "We're not going to break up or anything, I don't want you to worry about that. We'll get through it, but I wanted to talk to you about it because, with everything that's happened recently, it's only fair." 

Remington put his hands in his lap. "Because of me?" He asked. 

"No, sweetie. Not because of you. Because of your idiot big brother, and because of your horrible ex girlfriend." 

"Oh," Remington whispered.

"I know what he's been saying to you and Andy and I want you to know I don't agree with any of it. He can be a stubborn fucker and I don't want you to think I stand by what he's doing at the moment." 

"You don't?" 

"Of course not. Since he caused a scene in the hospital, we've been arguing most days. Sometimes, he won't accept to being wrong no matter how obvious it is." She stroked Mishka's head. "I've tried knocking some sense into him but he's not having it, but if he doesn't stop bothering you and Andy soon, let me know, okay? I honestly don't know why he's being so rude." 

"I know why." 

"Oh?" 

"He's not told you?" 

"Told me what?" 

Remington sighed. "Well, you know me and Andy used to be together?" 

She nodded. 

"He was a bit, uh...difficult, at times. You know, he had certain...problems. Alcohol and stuff. You know. Before we even met, he had made a sex tape and posted it online himself because he needed the money. When I told Sebastian I was with him, he flipped. He hated Andy from the start, for the sex tape and for everything else." 

"Yeah, he keeps going on about the sex tape." 

"Not just that, though. Andy used to get really drunk and fuck around on stage. Yelling at people in the crowd, starting fights between members of the audience by provoking them. He got kicked of stage more than once for threatening people. He never actually hurt anyone. That bit's important to remember. He never laid a finger on anyone physically, but some of the things he said..." Remington shook his head. "I know he wasn't the best and I didn't like everything he did, but he made me feel so loved, and I hate that Sebastian overlooks everything he does for me and for our band just because he's had a bad past. Everyone's done shit. Not just Andy." 

"I agree completely."

"Not that any of that matters anymore, because Andy doesn't even want me now." 

"Where did you get that idea from?" 

"He said. Kind of. I told him I love him again, and he said that now's not the time, which is basically the same, isn't it?" 

Larisa frowned. "Don't rule it out, it's clear that man has a deep adoration for you. Anyone can see it. I mean, sweetie, the way he looks at you. Come on, it's obvious." 

Remington lifted his eyes to meet hers. "Really?" He asked. 

"You said it yourself. He's done so much for you and your band despite the shit he's been put through by my idiot fiance. Don't jump to conclusions because of one thing he said. He's probably just trying to do what's best for you. Are you sure I can't make you a tea or something?" 

"No, it's okay. Thanks." 

"Why did you want to see Sebastian, anyway? I wouldn't want to be anywhere near him if I were you." 

"I don't know anymore," Remington admitted. "I was gonna tell him he was right." 

"You were?" 

"Lapse of judgement. Thanks for talking me out of it." 

"Give Andy a chance, yeah? I'd say the same about your brother but I wouldn't mean it." 

Remington smiled. "I'll have that tea now, if you're still offering?"