AUTHOR'S POV 

~one week later~

The past week has been extremely tense between Larry and Laurent. Now that Franco has come into their lives they've become distant since Laurent insists on not telling Larry what's going on. The longer he goes without telling him the more they grow apart...and the fact that they just confessed their love makes it worse. Whenever Larry has tried talking to him it takes several times calling his name before Laurent responds which means he's distracted so Larry is having a very hard time believing that Laurent has "handled" it like he said he has. Practice for the two of them is also different. Laurent seems to be more tired than usual or gets tired quicker. They haven't made love as much either. Since the whole Franco business started they've only made love once and even then Laurent's mind seemed to be somewhere else even though he tried to keep his attention on making sure Larry was satisfied. Larry hasn't wanted to add to the pressure but they're not just a team in dance, they've been a team as brothers and now as a couple. Laurent should be able to tell him anything just like before...but for a reason completely unknown to Larry he just can't, and won't, tell him this. Larry is also finding it frustrating because it was just last week Laurent told Larry not to shut him out yet Laurent is doing the same thing now. They have an important meeting this afternoon so Larry decides he will try one more time to talk to him. Already dressed he grabs the key card to his room and went over to hopefully get some answers... 

~meanwhile~

Laurent: "Franco, I'll be there oki? I told you I won't back out so I'll be there. You just make sure you keep your word". *pause* "I'll see you soon".

Laurent releases the call highly frustrated because Franco basically called and demanded that he comes to and practice. He's been stressing because he has yet to find a solution on how to get out of this mess and on top of that Larry's repeated asking to tell him what's going on doesn't help. Laurent knows it will break his heart so he refuses to. He isn't aware that shutting Larry out so much is breaking Larry's heart so what he thinks is helping him is actually hurting him. Still, he simply can't endure the look on Larry's face as he's certain it will be devastation. That's why he's determined to find a way out so he doesn't have to tell him. Laurent can't lie and say he hasn't noticed how different things are between them lately. When he looks into Larry's eyes for the most part all he sees is emptiness...and oftentimes confusion. They should be even closer now since they're officially a couple but they're further apart...even more than they've ever been as brothers at times. Laurent can't recall a time they've been so disconnected. It goes without saying that it hurts a lot...but he honestly feels like he doesn't have a choice. Now getting ready to head out to meet Franco he hears a knock on his door and he knows right away it's Larry. He's hesitant to go over and let him in but he can't avoid him so he does. Trying to sound as normal as possible he greeted him with a,"hey bebe". Without so much as a reply Larry just barges, turns around to face him and immediately went into the reason he's there...

Larry: "Laurent, I'm giving you one more time to tell me what's going on".

Laurent: *sigh* "Larry we talked for this already. Please, not again".

Larry: "Laurent, you remember last week after we made love you said to me "don't shut you out"?

Laurent: "Yeah bebe", he replies softly. 

Larry: "Well you don't realize that you're doing the same! I asked you what's wrong and you won't tell me? You don't trust me"?

As much as Laurent hated to admit it Larry does have a point...but Laurent doesn't know what to say nor can he tell him so he just remains quiet. Of course Larry won't let that slide...

Larry: "Answer me Laurent". 

Laurent: "I do trust you bebe but....."

Larry: "No but Laurent. If you can't tell me then you don't trust me".

Laurent: "I do". 

Larry:  "Whatever". *pause* "Just tell me what Franco said to make you act like this". 

Laurent knows that much of Larry's anger is due to him being hurt by this secret and Laurent doesn't like to see or even know Larry is hurting so it does something to him...but he really, really doesn't want him involved so on the flip side of seeing him so hurt he's also getting frustrated because he's tried over and over to get Larry to understand. Now, he's simply tired of trying...

Laurent: "You're tired? I'm tired Larry. I'm tired of telling you to let me handle it. I'm tired of telling you to trust me. I'm tired of trying to make you realize that all I want to do is protect you. You still don't get it so I'm done".

Larry: "I'm trying to help"!

Laurent: "You can't help Larry"!

*silence*

Having nothing else to say Laurent sat on the bed and dropped his face on his hands. When he eventually looks back up at Larry he sees tears in his eyes. He's not completely surprised because he could just feel the build-up in him as they argued. Laurent hates seeing this and he fights like hell to keep himself from crying...

Laurent: *sigh* "Larry, bebe. I really want to tell you but believe me when I say it's better you don't know right now. I'm sorry". 

*brief pause*

Larry: "You know something Laurent? You keep saying that you want to protect me. It never occur to you, not even one time, that maybe I want to protect you too? We're supposed to be a team. You jump, I jump. You hurt, I hurt". *pause* "But you're a one man team Laurent. You don't want or need my protection so I'll leave now. You do what you want. I don't care".

When Larry uttered that very last part his voice became shaky as he's really crying now. Laurent wants nothing more than to go after him...but he's not sure what good it will do as he's already hurt him so bad and since he won't relent and tell him there's nothing else he can possibly say. Laurent jumps when he hear the door to his room slam and he can't help but feel worse so before getting ready to leave and meet Franco he releases the emotions he's feeling in that moment. He does manage to stop long enough to get ready...

Laurent leaves his room and decides to stop at Larry's even though he initially thought it would be best to leave him alone. He walks over...but instead of knocking something tells him to place his ear against the door. His heart drops as he hears the sound of Larry crying and he's crying as if he had been holding back while talking to Laurent. Now that he's alone he just let it all out. Laurent's heart just keeps dropping. He removes his head then softly places his open hand on the door, whispers "I'm so sorry bebe" then walks away to leave the hotel. He will have to really fight to get through this practice considering what he just heard...and that will certainly be a challenge...

~hours later~ 

Larry had cried so much that he literally cried himself to sleep. Thankfully he didn't oversleep and in fact, he still has a lot of time before their meeting. Needing and desperately wanting to clear his head he decides to go out and do something to take his mind off of everything. As mad as he is at Laurent they're still business partners so he will send him a text to let him know he'll be out. The kicker is that Larry doesn't want to hear anything from him unless it has something to do with Les Twins because as far as he's concerned, as long as Laurent is shutting him out nothing else is important. He decided to go shopping for shoes but internally cussed himself because he really doesn't need anymore. He just really needs a distraction so that's exactly what he headed out to do...

*Laurent*

Laurent finally arrives to practice with Franco but his mind is all over the place. He's dancing with more vigor than he usually does but that's primarily because he's so angry that he's even here with him so his dancing has a lot of frustration behind it. He feels his phone go off in his pocket and he's sure it's Larry which would normally bring a big smile to his face...but considering the fight they had earlier he's somewhat hesitant to check. Nonetheless he pulls his phone out to look at the screen. Sure enough, it's a message from him...

"Laurent, I'm leaving because I need to be by myself for a while. Since you don't want to tell my anything only call me if it's for Les Twins. If not, I just see you at the meeting".

Although a text message Laurent can clearly hear the tone behind it and it's screaming anger. It makes his heart sad especially considering he and Larry have been so close their whole lives. It's painful being so distant from him but he honestly believes he doesn't have any other choice. He's confident that things will work out so he silently repeats to himself hoping their connection will allow the message to reach Larry...

"I'll make this better bebe. You and I will be together no matter what. I promise".

Laurent can't even take comfort in that statement for a minute because Franco's annoying voice is distracting him...

Franco: "Concentrate Laurent".

Laurent: "Look man it was Larry. I'll stop anything for him".

Franco: "Yeah well, not on my watch. Let's go. From the top".

Laurent balls his fist as he bites his lower lip in frustration. How he just wanted to hurt this boy. He has to think of something...and fast. He refuses to break Larry's heart simply because this guy doesn't know how to work hard to make his dream come true. He wants the fame but doesn't want to pay his dues to get it. He won't get away with it...and Laurent will make sure of it...

*****

Franco: "Good practice man. I think we're on our way".

Franco extends his arm to shake Laurent's hand but Laurent merely looks at it using only his eyes then back up at him....

Laurent: "Nah I'm good. See you later".

Franco: *chuckles* "Don't be salty Laurent. There will always be Les Twins. You two will just have bigger and better competition now and you won't be winning every damn thing".

Laurent: *laugh* "With Larry by my side we're always winners even when we lose".

Sarcastically replying...

Franco: "Aww. That's really sweet but...."

Laurent: "I'm done with this conversation. Practice is over now. Bye".

Laurent can't get out of that studio fast enough and once inside a cab he relaxed against the seat. Five minutes into the ride he receives a text message. Thinking it's another message from Larry he braces himself for it only to be surprised that it's an old friend, Christina. She lives in New York and told him that she heard Les Twins are in town so she wants to come and see him because there's something she needs to talk about. Even though it's probably not the best time he can tell it's serious so he replies saying that will be fine and gave her the hotel information he's in. He just hopes her being here won't cause any further problems with Larry...

~hotel~

Christina arrived shortly after Laurent got settled in his room so they got caught up a little bit. Then she divulged exactly what she needed to talk about...

Christina: "Laurent, I've been dating this guy for a few months but recently he started beating me and it's been so scary".

Laurent: "I'm so sorry to hear that".

Christina: "Thank you. I had to get away from him because I'm scared about what he possibly would have done next".

Laurent: "I understand and I'm here to help you".

Christina: "I appreciate it Laurent". *pause* "Can I take a shower first before we talk about what to do"?

Laurent: "Well I have a meeting to go to so we'll talk later".

Christina: *nods* "Ok".

While Christina went to shower Laurent just laid back and relaxed on the bed. He starts thinking about Larry...wondering if he's back from shopping. He's tempted to message him or perhaps go across the hall to see him but he decides against both. He knows how upset Larry is at him right now so it's best that he doesn't. He decides that once Christina is finished with her shower he'll freshen up too since he had practice with Franco. He doesn't want to go to a meeting sweaty so when she came out he went in after her. Right before he gets in he hears a knock on the door and Christina calling out that she'll answer it. Then it comes to him that Christina is only wearing a robe and it's more than likely Larry at the door. His eyes widen as he rushes out of the bathroom...

---------------------------- 

A/N: Hope everyone enjoyed! If so, please vote and comment! Love you guys. :)