Theo was in the middle of calculus homework when his phone rang. As the opening riffs of his favorite song blasted at full volume, he fumbled to answer.
He didn't recognize the number – probably a spammer. But in the panic of trying to shut off the ringtone before Dad could hear, he accidentally pressed the green button.
"Hi, sorry but I'm not interested," he said quickly, hoping to end this interruption as soon as possible. The homework was due tomorrow, after all, and he'd foolishly decided to start it at eleven PM.
"Are you sure about that?"
The voice turned his blood to ice.
Even distorted through the phone line, he recognized the low, near-emotionless tone. How could he not, when it haunted his dreams almost every night?
"V-Victor?" he sputtered. It came out so loud he clapped a hand over his mouth, heart racing. But if Dad had heard from downstairs, he gave no indication.
And he didn't have time to worry about Dad's reaction when Victor kept on talking. "That's right. Good to talk to you again, Theo."
"How – how – " Theo strained to keep his voice down, but it kept trying to climb higher. "How do you have my number?"
"That's not important."
"Um, no, I kind of think it is!"
Victor went on as if Theo hadn't spoken. "Listen, I'll keep this short. I want to meet."
"You...." Theo's head spun. "You...what?"
"It's as I said. I've done a lot of thinking and I've decided I want to talk to you in person again. I'll text you the location where I'm waiting."
"Wait, wait! You mean, you want to talk right now?"
"Yes. I'm already there. It's closed, but I'll let you in. Only you alone. I won't talk if you come with any of your groupies, your familiar included."
"Hold on a minute!" Theo paced around his room, wondering if he wasn't having a bizarre dream. "What makes you think I even want to come? For all I know, this could be a trap."
"It could be," Victor conceded. "But if you don't come tonight, you'll lose your chance. The next time we see each other will be on the battlefield, and I will show no mercy to your companions. Last time, we didn't get to finish our conversation. I'd like to continue it, if possible. So...just this once, can't we talk as brothers?"
Theo shivered, icy sweat crawling down his neck. 'Don't do it', a thousand voices screamed in his head, from his highest reasoning to his basest animal instincts. 'It's a trap.' No other reason an Infernal Legion member would ask him to meet past midnight in a private location.
But. Victor wasn't just an Infernal Legion member, was he? 'As brothers....' Theo swallowed hard, forcing himself to remember their conversation at the masquerade gala. Even now, each of Victor's words sliced his heart open anew.
Victor, the apathetic prodigy who'd barely paid him any attention, had come to decide that Theo was the most important person to him. More important than anyone, to the point where he didn't care who else he had to hurt. Back then, Theo hadn't been able to wrap his mind around how a person could change so much.
Because Victor had said Theo alone saw his true self. Those were Victor's feelings, but Theo couldn't accept it so easily, not when he felt like he'd never known Victor.
Maybe...maybe if he had another chance....
Through the phone, he only heard Victor's steady breathing. Not a single sign of impatience. In that respect, he hadn't changed; Theo couldn't remember him losing his temper even once. In his memory, his brother was always calm, his gaze distant as if he couldn't be further away, whether he was playing the cello or sitting at the dinner table.
Only when they'd played in the forest had Theo ever seen Victor smile. And the first time Victor had gotten angry –
The snapping bow echoed in his mind once more.
"I want to bring Zenith with me," he found himself saying.
"Not happening. I won't be wearing my armor because I have no intention to fight, and I'd like the same respect from you. Remember, this is your last chance to talk."
No it wasn't, Theo thought, though his hand was trembling so badly the phone almost slipped out of his grip. Hadn't he promised to save Victor? There would be plenty of time to talk afterwards.
Though how did he plan to save Victor in the first place? By defeating him in battle? Theo remembered the implacable man in black armor who had crossed swords with Zenith, and a shudder ran down his spine. Yes, he was prepared to fight, but – but it wasn't like he wanted to. In spite of everything, Victor was still his brother.
Maybe if he could reach Victor without having to fight, if he could convince him....
He knew it was a long shot, oh how he knew. But he still wanted to hope. He didn't want to treat Victor like just another Infernal Legion enemy.
"It's all right if you don't want to," Victor said, stoic as ever. "I wasn't expecting any different. I guess next time I'll see you in battle. Consider yourself warned."
"Wait!" Theo blurted, panic searing through him. "Wait, I'll come!"
As soon as it came out, he wished he could take it back. His heart slammed against his ribcage like an elephant trying to escape. Idiot, idiot, he was a complete fucking idiot –
"Hm." If Victor was surprised, he didn't show it. "Then I'll be waiting. Here's the location." The phone buzzed. "See you."
With that, he hung up. For a while Theo stood frozen, listening to the dead air on the other end of the call. Slowly, he lowered the phone down to his side.
His chest felt tight enough to explode. 'I still have time,' he reminded himself. 'I can just not go. Stand him up.' It might be rude, but it was probably the wisest course of action.
He shook his head to clear it, then slapped his cheeks, but his thoughts remained as muddled as ever. They boiled inside his head like a pressure cooker about to blow over. His body couldn't contain it.
Taking a deep breath, Theo stuffed his phone into his pocket and grabbed his jacket off the chair back.
~*~
'Insane. I've gone completely insane.'
The thought echoed in his head, ricocheting back and forth until it drowned out everything else. The violent thrum of his heartbeat, his shoes pounding on the sidewalk.
But he didn't stop moving, each step carrying him further from his house. And closer to Victor.
From the brief search he'd done, it seemed the location Victor had given was a nearby dance studio. A weird choice of meeting place, but Theo didn't waste time wondering about it. As long as he kept moving, he wouldn't have to think. Let his body take over, because if he returned control to his mind he'd realize just how stupid he was being.
He picked up his pace, squinting against the cold breeze brushing his face. Another reason to keep moving. Typical for May, the weather had gone from full summer heat to early spring chill in the space of a day.
One last turn, and Theo arrived at the block of buildings where the dance studio was located. He slowed down, but his heartbeat picked up. 'It's not too late. I can turn back.'
His phone chirped, "You have arrived!" His feet stopped before an unassuming front entrance. Through the large window, he saw a dark, empty lobby.
Doubt curled inside him. Was Victor really here?
He reached out to touch the door, and sprang back in shock when it swung open. Looked like they'd forgotten to lock up. Or someone had opened it already. Victor had said he would let Theo in.
Swallowing a deep gulp of air that nonetheless didn't fill his lungs, Theo stepped inside.
"Okay, I'm here," he said loudly. "Where are you?" The only movement in the lobby came from the fish swimming inside a tank.
The lights flicked on in the hall to the left of the lobby, making his heart stop. When he regained control of his breathing, he headed toward it.
If Sam were here, she'd probably be running in circles screaming bloody murder. Theo had never cared much for ghost stories or scary movies, so he didn't fear whatever mysterious force had turned on the lights.
No, his heart raced and spine prickled because he knew exactly what awaited him.
The door to the studio at the end of the hall was propped open. Upon seeing it, Theo froze. He could still turn back. Run home, crawl into bed, pretend Victor had never called. Tomorrow was a school day, anyway.
Gritting his teeth, Theo broke into a run.
In no time, he reached the door. With shaking hands, he pushed it open.