Franco Castellano had never imagined living in the same house with the two people he used to admire (and envy) from afar. It still boggled him how time could change everything. Even his mother—Althea had been nice to him. It was probably because she didn't want to get caught for telling him the truth. They both knew that Francisco Castellano wouldn't approve of it.

He sighed and directed his attention on the screen of his laptop. Callista had prepared a room for him and he hadn't gotten a chance to get out yet. He worked, trying to ignore the burning hole of trepidation in his stomach.

Franco now realized how unsocial he was. Just the thought of talking with Castor, without being rude, had him sweating.

All of his life, he had looked down on others. It was easy especially with the help of his glistening last name. And he had only looked up to one person: his father. The latter was a lot easier because he was scared and he knew that he couldn't disappoint the person who showed him love—or at least his definition of love.

But he had never stood eye to eye with someone before. It was the reason why Castor and Callista's confidence irked him.

Franco pulled off his glasses as he pressed a thumb on his temple. Relationships were far complicated than mathematical theorems and equations.

He heard a knock that his stomach twisted. "Shit."

Caly had her fist poised for another knock before a warm smile appeared on her face. "Hey. Did I disturb you?"

"No," he answered hastily. Franco pushed his hair back. "Is something wrong?"

"We have barbecue. Castor's inviting you," Callista spouted without losing her smile. "And we're gonna watch a movie."

"I'm invited?"

"Yes."

"Oh." Franco's palms felt clammy. "Am I dress okay?"

Callista crossed her arms as she laughed. "Seriously?" Her eyes scanned her form. Pants and a grey sweatshirt. "That's fine."

Franco closed his bedroom door and walked with her. His apprehension remained as they went down the stairs. "Are you sure this is okay?"

"Yeah. Except for the fact that we're gonna watch 'Die Hard'." Callista snorted. "Again."

"What is it about?"

"Oh no. He's gonna enjoy converting you." Caly stopped in the kitchen for a second and grabbed a bottle of barbecue sauce. The girl paused in front of him, looking cozy in her large black hoodie. "You look like you're facing death row. It'll be okay."

"That's easy for you to say. I've never really had...friends." Franco leaned against the counter.

"I don't have one either. Castor was the only one who had guts and... my circle of friends grew after that." Callista's smile was a melancholic one as she continued talking. "He was so annoying and so are his family. I never thought I could tolerate them."

Franco knew she was making him feel better but he wasn't convinced. "That's because you're friendly."

"Of course not. I was spitting acid back then... even now." Caly shook her head and tugged him to the back of the mansion. "Don't worry. Cas will do all the work."

The pool was shining bright as Callista pushed the double doors open.  They trudged to the left side where a barbecue grill and a projector screen were set up. A fire pit was burning softly in the middle. The stars were brighter as the lights went out.

Castor sat on an outdoor recliner chair with his back to them. He bent down to get a canned beer from the cooler box.

"Did you eat without us?" Caly asked and the answer was 'yes' as they went to their seats. Castor sat in the middle so they were forced to sit on each side.

Callista grabbed the plate of barbecue from Castor's hand and helped herself to one stick. Franco observed them for a while that it took him a second to realize that Castor was speaking. To him.

"What?"

Castor glared at him. "I asked if you want a beer? Or is wine all you ever drink?"

"No. Beer is fine," he replied as Castor threw him one. He barely caught the can that Caly slapped his best friend's arm.

"What? He caught it!" Castor mumbled before going back to his comfortable seating position.

Callista huffed a sigh and manned the grill which was closer to her. The movie started while they ate silently. Franco tried to appreciate the film but he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the fight scenes.

"You don't like it?"

Crap. Franco scratched at his forehead. What was he supposed to say? Why was Castor even observing him?

"It's just...unbelievable." Franco managed to say before he drank half of his beer.

"It's a movie." Castor snorted. "It makes sense though," he added and handed him a barbecue.

"What makes sense?"

"You probably like Inception and those depressing stuff. Like Caly." Castor let out an amused smile, patting Franco's arm. "That's okay."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Callista yelled in protest and kicked at his chair.

Franco chuckled. He had never examined himself closely before but he always had to worked harder with liberal arts. "Yeah. I guess I like logic."

Castor's green eyes hovered over Franco for a second before a determined look settled on his face. The man was quiet as the movie ran for an hour. He started to understand why Castor loved the movie. The tension was gripping.

The two men drank most of the beers while Callista focused her attention on her phone. She shot Castor and Franco a jeering smile before she put her AirPods on.

Franco frowned at what that smile could mean. His inquiry was answered as Castor lowered the movie's volume as the end credits rolled.

"Do you want to meet my—our mother?"

Franco gulped at the straightforward question. He crushed the can on his hand, feeling suffocated. "I... I guess so."

"And what are you expecting?" Castor asked again in the same tone.

"I don't know. Probably something different than the mother I have?"

"Oh." Castor turned his gaze on the projector screen. "What was she like?"

"My mother?" Franco felt his chest pound. He didn't know how to describe Althea Castellano. "She's...detached. Very modern."

"Ah... that sounds like my mother." Castor drank another beer. "But I'm certain she'll treat you differently."

Franco sensed the bitterness on his brother's tone. Callista hadn't told him anything about Castor's rage. He had assumed that he just didn't want to share his family. "Why is that?"

"Because you're her favorite son." Castor flicked the wetness off his hand as he swiveled to him. "Celeste's grief has spanned for years. You're all she's wanted to...raise."

Ah. Franco clenched his fist. So that's where his hate stemmed from. It seemed that both Castor and he were destined to have had shitty mothers. He didn't know what to say. "I'm s—"

"Don't do that." A dry chuckle emitted from his lips. "Shit happens."

Franco sighed. "You think it'll go well?"

"Maybe? I'm... I can't promise anything about parents and mother stuff. I'm not very good at that either but..." Castor let out an irritated sigh as he forced the words out. "Being brothers and all that... I can guarantee you that."

"What... what do you mean?" Franco's ears buzzed in anticipation. Castor's words reminded him of that 'Die Hard' scene where McClane talked with a cop he barely knew. Like they were long time buddies.

"It means I got your back."

✘✘

Can I ship Cas and Franco now?
Hahaha omg

Votes and comments are appreciated.