AUTHOR'S POV      

Stephanie: "So you're going back to him"?

*silence*

Stephanie: "Larry"?

Larry: "Yeah I am".

Stephanie blows out a sigh of frustration to which Larry just drops his head. Several moments of silence pass before Larry lifts his head to speak...

Larry: "Stephanie, I...I know you don't think it's the right thing to do but I don't know what else to say other than what I told you before".

Stephanie: *soft sigh* "I don't know what to say either Larry".

She stands up and proceeds to walk to her room but then has a change of mind...

Stephanie: "Actually I do know what to say. Do you really think he's changed this quickly? It hasn't even been a full week Larry".

Larry: "I know but he promised he would get help".

Stephanie: "Ok fine. But why go back before he does"?

Larry: "I don't know what you mean".

Stephanie: "I mean give him a chance to prove he's changed before you go back. Have him prove that he's getting help. To go back this early when he probably hasn't even made a phone call yet doesn't speak commitment. He's just saying whatever to get you back".

Larry: "I guess I didn't think for it that way".

Stephanie: "Well it's not too late to change your mind. I already told you can stay as long as you need to".

Larry stands there for a few seconds to ponder what she said and is seemingly considering it...but then...  

Larry: "No. I hear what you're saying, I really do, but I believe him. I looked in his eyes. He means it. He means it as my twin and as my lover. I have to give him a chance. I can't say I love him if I don't try".

Stephanie: "Ok. Well if that's how you truly feel I guess there's nothing left to say".

Larry: "I can leave tonight if you want".

Stephanie: "I'm not going to rush you out of here. If you want to go back tomorrow I'll go into work late again and give you a ride".

She then drops her head as silence fills the room. He knows she's upset even though she tries her best to make it appear otherwise but Larry knows her too well...

Larry: "Stephanie please talk. I know you have something else to say".

Stephanie: "What can I say that I haven't said already Larry? Besides, you're a grown man so I can't stop you. All I can do is be your friend and let you know that I'm here for you when you need me again".

She turns to walk to her room when Larry stops her...

Larry: "Well why can't you say if I need you again"?

She stops and slowly turns around. She slightly shakes her head from side to side before she looks deeply into his eyes and softly replies...

Stephanie: "It's when, Larry".

They stand there looking at each other until Stephanie breaks it by dropping her head again then turning back around to go to her room. It takes Larry a minute to understand what she meant and that's when he feels himself getting slightly irritated because she's basically saying that it will happen again. Just because that's how it was for her doesn't mean that's how it will be with him so he says to himself, "it will be different this time. I know it will".

Larry heads to his room to change and starts packing his things up. When he retrieves his phone from his pocket and looks at it he notices a text message from Laurent...

"It was so good to see you tonight my love and I'm sorry I upset you. I know we will always have each other as brothers but I want more than that. I want what we had before and I mean what I said. You're my life bebe and I'm so sorry I hurt you. I love you so much and I really hope you come home to me".

Larry just smiles at this message. Perhaps it is too soon to go back home...but when he thinks about the sincerity he saw in Laurent's eyes and hearing that same sincerity in his voice a part of him starts to feel excited about their new beginning. So much so that he's actually eager to get back home... 

STEPHANIE'S POV

Words can't express how upset I am to know that he's going back although I can't say I'm surprised. It's like Laurent has some kind of hold on Larry and it goes deeper than their "twin connection". I know he wants to give him the benefit of the doubt but the least Larry can do is consider what I said about letting Laurent prove himself first. I wasn't saying it to hurt his feelings or make it seem like I don't support him but a true friend tells you the truth even when you don't want to hear it. It doesn't mean that I support him any less. Anything that Larry has ever wanted, any dream he's ever had I've supported and a situation like this is where he'll need my love and support the most. That's why I told him that I will be here when he needs me and believe me, it's not my intention to speak negatively into someone's life but he forgets that I was a domestic violence victim and I don't think I'm wrong in feeling that this is pure manipulation on Laurent's part. I would love to be wrong...but my gut and my heart tells me that I'm not. Actions always speak louder than words and my dear friend is going back based off of words. I get it. He loves him so he has to trust him but I need him to understand that he can trust me too. Trust me with his fears, trust me with his worries and trust me to be the friend that I take tremendous pride in being because I care. And because I care I need to inject reality and not sugarcoat anything. My mind is going back to the day I confronted Laurent. When I think about the look on Larry's face and the tears falling from his eyes I could have seriously hurt him when he walked through that door. And Lilo. That beautiful, sweet little girl. To know her father is being subjected to this just breaks my heart. That's why I went in so hard on Laurent. Most people would probably wonder why I was so quick to stand up to him but didn't seem to have the same strength in my own abusive relationship. Perhaps that's because I tend to be more vocal and definitely more fearless when it comes to people I love and Larry is definitely in the top three of those people. I love him dearly and I don't want him hurting like this...but I have to realize that there's nothing else I can do but be here for him...   

AUTHOR'S POV

Stephanie wakes up the following morning with a heavy heart. She told Larry that she will take him home and of course she doesn't want to because she believes he's moving way too fast...but this is his battle and she can't fight it for him no matter how bad she wants to so she decides to just get ready to take him home then go to work. Hopefully work is the perfect distraction to take her mind off of it. She gets out of bed and immediately notices a piece of paper under the door. She dreads going to pick it up because it's obviously from Larry and she has a bad feeling about it...but of course she does and after cautiously unfolding it she begins reading...  

"Stephanie, I know you said you would take me home in the morning and I want to thank you for that but I decided to have Laurent pick me up when I know you're asleep. I'm sorry I'm leaving without saying goodbye but I wouldn't be able to take the look in your eyes like the one I see tonight. You're my best friend and I love you so much...but this is something I need to do. I hope one day you can understand".     ~Love, Larry

After slowly refolding the letter she walks back over to my bed and plops down on it...thinking...

~meanwhile~ 

Larry slowly opens his eyes and it doesn't take long for him to remember that he's back home which causes him to think about Stephanie. He knows she's up and getting ready for work which means she's already read the note he left her. He blows out a small sigh because he can just imagine the look on her face as she read it. He's silently beating himself up about leaving it to begin with but he knew she was upset about his decision so he thought if he slipped out during the night it would be better. He then starts to think about how it went down...

~flashback~

Laurent: "Hey bebe. You oki"?

Larry: "Yes I'm fine". *pause* "I'm ready to come home".

Larry could hear his smile through the phone...

Laurent: "Bebe you made me so happy. You coming home tomorrow"?

Larry: "Well Stephanie said she'll bring me home in the morning but...I want to come now".

Laurent: "Then I'll come and get you".

Larry: "Oki. Just please don't blow the horn. I don't want to wake her up".

Laurent: "No problem bebe. I'll see you soon".

Larry: "Oki", he whispers. 

*****

When Laurent pulled up Larry already had the note written and under her door. He paused briefly, feeling bad that he was leaving this way but turned to leave anyway as Laurent was waiting for him. Since she gave him a key to her place he quietly slipped out, locked the door behind him and made his way to the car. Laurent wasted no time leaning over and giving him a kiss and a sweet smile to which Larry returned, well, the smile at least. As soon as they got home Laurent carried his bags into the house...

Laurent: "I will never pack these again bebe. I promise". 

Larry simply smiled and went into the bedroom...silently praying that he made the right choice. Since it was pretty late he climbed in bed ready to sleep the night away when he felt Laurent get in and inch closer to him... 

Laurent: "You asleep my love"?

Larry: "I'm awake".

Laurent begins kissing on his shoulder....

Laurent: "I know I told you us relationship is not just making love but...can we bebe? I missed you so much and I'm so happy you're home".

Larry turned to face him and the moonlight that was coming through the window was giving his face an incredibly beautiful glow. He would be completely lying if he said Laurent wasn't the most beautiful man he's ever laid his eyes on. Speaking of eyes, with Larry looking into Laurent's and being reminded of how warm and delicate he was being at this moment he allowed his body to relax and give in to his request so he softly replied, "yes". Laurent allowed a smile to form then he leaned down for a kiss and soon after he was making love to Larry as if he was the only person in the world...

~end of flashback~

Larry shakes his head to get the memory of last night out when he turns to Laurent's side and notices he wasn't there. Thinking he's in the bathroom he calls out his name...but now he smells bacon and wonders how long it's been lingering in the air. After all, he was really engrossed in the memory of last night. Then he thought, "Is he really cooking breakfast"? This will certainly be something new. Nonetheless, he decides to get out of bed and freshen up to go and see for himself. He notices the light on his phone which means he has a message. When he picks it up he sees it's a text from Stephanie...   

"I love you too my friend and I'm here for you".

Larry smiles as it's such a huge relief to know that Stephanie isn't upset with him for leaving the way he did...but that smile quickly fades when her words start replaying yet again in his mind. Admittedly, those words did get to him but there's no going back. He's here now so he has to give Laurent a chance...he just has to...  

Upon entering the kitchen, he sees Laurent facing the stove and he thinks he's dreaming. Laurent, cooking? It's a strange yet pleasant sight and he can only hope he will see more of it...

Larry: "Good morning baby". 

Laurent spins around...a smile already plastered on his face...

Laurent: "Good morning my love. It feel so goods to hear you call me baby again".

Larry: *smile* "I see you cooking".

Laurent: "Yeah and you're just in time. I made your favorite. Pancakes, bacon and eggs. Come sit down and I'll bring your plate".

Larry: "Wow. Oki".

Larry gladly takes his seat as Laurent brings his plate accompanied by a glass of orange juice...

Laurent: *smile* "You mind if I join you"?

Larry: *smile* "I don't mind".

Still smiling Laurent winks then heads over to grab his plate and beverage to join Larry. He takes his place at the table then reaches for Larry's hands to say a quick prayer just as he did the previous night at dinner. Even Larry has to admit Laurent is already off to a good start and it makes him smile...

After enjoying breakfast in peace for several moments Larry decides that he will bring up something that's now a concern ever since Stephanie brought it up. He's without a doubt nervous so what better time to bring it up than now. After swallowing his last bite he nervously begins speaking to Laurent...

Larry: "Um, baby? I have to talk to you".

Laurent: "Sure bebe. What is it"?

Larry clears his throat and it becomes vividly clear to Laurent that he's really nervous about whatever it is he needs to say...

Laurent: "It's oki bebe. No need to be nervous. Just say it".

Larry: "Well, um. When I told Stephanie I was coming back she asked me something that I didn't think for".

Laurent: "Like what"?

His voice completely changed when he asked that and Larry just assumes it's because he doesn't care for Stephanie now so he just answers the question not giving it a second thought...

Larry: "She asked me why I would come back before you got help. She said I should let you prove that you get help first and if you don't do it then it's just words".

Laurent's jaw can instantly be seen clenching... 

Larry: "Baby please don't get upset".

Laurent: "I'm not upset bebe...but you didn't believe me when I said I will get help"?

Larry: "I believe you. I just, well, it made me think and I understand why she said that. I just want to make sure you're serious".

Laurent becomes eerily quiet making Larry nervous by the second...but then he sees Laurent's face soften and he relaxes a little...

Laurent: "Oki. Well how do you want me to prove it bebe"?

Larry: "I don't know. I mean, if you're going to talk to somebody have you called them yet"?

Laurent: "No, but I will".

Larry isn't sure how to feel about such a nonchalant answer but he doesn't want to press the issue. He then sees Laurent stand up, clear the table and surprisingly walk over to the sink to wash the dishes. Larry is sure he's angry so he stands up, walks over and stands behind him then wraps his arms around his waist while placing his head on Laurent's bare back...

Larry: "I don't want you to be mad baby. I just can't go back to how it used to be. I want things to get better".

He holds onto Laurent while he finishes the dishes and after Laurent dries his hands he turns around carefully, wraps Larry up in his arm then kisses his forehead...  

Laurent: "You can trust me bebe. I'll make the call for help. Don't worry, oki"?

Larry gently nods then lifts his head to look into Laurent's eyes. Laurent smiles then takes Larry's face in his hands and kisses him...

Larry: "I'm going to take a shower baby".

Laurent: "Oki. Take your time".

*****

Larry is in the shower and he's actually feeling pretty good about his conversation with Laurent. There was no yelling, threatening or anything. Laurent was extremely calm especially considering the fact that Stephanie was brought up and well, it's no secret how he feels about her. However his calmness is obviously something Larry hasn't had the pleasure of experiencing in quite some time and it's making Larry relax even more. He knows the road won't be easy for him but he also knows the best thing for him to do is trust that Laurent will do whatever he needs to so they can resume the life they had before. Larry vows to himself at that very moment that he will help him in any and every way possible...

While Larry is in the shower in their bathroom Laurent is in the hallway bathroom. For the past few minutes he's just been gazing at himself in the mirror...his mind filled with different thoughts but the one he thinks about the most is what Larry said...

"I mean, if you're going to talk to somebody have you called them yet"?

Laurent stares at himself for another second then bends down and sniffs a familiar substance...a substance that Larry still doesn't know has been a part of Laurent's life for days now. He throws his head back, rubs his nose then stares back into the mirror...a completely different person looking back at him now. He bends back over, takes another sniff then pops up while throwing his head back and rubbing his nose again. He can feel his euphoria begin as he runs his hands through his hair. Then he begins to softly rub all over his face as his body shakes and as his eyes are closed. That's how amazing it feels. Shortly after his eyes are back open as he looks into the mirror once more and after a brief pause he quietly speaks into the atmosphere...

"I'll make the call alright".

That completely different person in the mirror now has an evil smirk on his face...

--------------------------------- 

A/N: Hey everyone. Now many of you said you trust me so I don't want to feel any virtual smacks upside my head alright? Lol! Hope everyone enjoyed! Love you guys. :)