Michael Lawrence.

Dakota: hey do you wanna get drinks

Dakota: it's been a weird night and I need to get out of the house a bit

Dakota: one final bar trip before we head to the Netherlands, it'll be fun

Michael: are you asking me out? 😏

Michael: kidding obviously like of course you're not

“Ew. Don’t call me fucking, Mike. I prefer Mikey but also Michael is fine.”

“Oh god, I think it was...with some guy? On the yacht. My last semester project is a solo dance so unfortunately no dance partners there.”

“Teddy, obviously. Hate even thinking about it. Same goes for my practical family, Miles, Meredith and Miriam. And Blake, he’s become like a brother to me too. And Lana. God, I really have a lot of extended siblings. Just...any of my people, okay? Please, don’t go after any of them.”

“Baby face?!” Teddy hollered in protest, “Fuck off, I’m… a Greek statued! Chiselled. All that jazz… Michael, dunno if you’ve noticed but I’m, like. Super white. Maybe the whitest student here. People need to wear sunglasses when I walk into the room. But yeah, maybe!” Teddy’s mid-chuckle when he suddenly feels Michael’s arms wrap around him, startling but not surprising in the slightest. Teddy was a bit weird when it came to hugs, claiming himself as a lover of the action but always a bit nervous to step forward and do so with anyone outside his family. It felt nice, automatically hugging the other back with a fond chuckle, “Alright, softie.” The sudden mention of Bash has Teddy freezing, the smile on his face falling in seconds as he automatically pulls back, busying himself with a few more awkward sweeping movements before standing, “Uh, y’know… well, we broke up. Y’know. Y’know! Yeah, whatever, we… broke up. Sucks, I guess. I dunno… sorry, I know you were, like… like, I know you guys got along and shit.”

A slightly bemused giggle escapes from Mikey’s lips as he threw his older brother a look, holding one of the throw pillows close to his chest, “Yeah, a baby face. Even when you have scruff you just look like...a baby with scruff. Is cupid a greek god? Cause if so then yes, you’re like him.” His nose crinkled in amusement, resting his chin upon the pillow, obviously just TEASING with Teddy, doing his job as a younger brother. “We could still be related. At least partially...” Brows knit into a furrow, not knowing his complete ethnic background was always a sore spot. He’d recently discovered who his birth mother was, with the aid of Tatiana but they were unable to find out anything in regard to his father. He wondered if his Mom even knew who his father was or if it was just a random night of fun. As he pulled away from the hug, he’s beaming at Teddy with a wide grin at the nickname. Though he quickly mirrors Teddy’s falling smile with one of his own, instantly realizing that he must have said the wrong thing and wishing he could backtrack. “Fuck...sorry, T. I didn’t...obviously I didn’t know.” Michael said lamely, rubbing at the back of his neck, “Don’t apologize. I get along with pretty much everyone so...not a big deal. I just want you to be...uh happy. You uh...wanna talk about it? Or want to forget about it?”

“Fucking Christ,” Teddy blurted once Michael burst into the room, bag of chips he’d had in hand dropping to the floor and spilling their contents everywhere, “Michael, what have I told you about knocking. We have a murderer skulking in our midst and you’re acting our some weird Kool-Aid Man fantasy!” Groaning as he bent over to grab at the array of chips spewed in front of him, it eventually turned into a scoff at his brother’s bold claim, “You think you look 23? Michael you’ve still got baby face like crazy. You know who looks 23? Me. Because I am 23. You? A baby. Me? Practically ancient. Get it right,” Already making his way to the fridge to grab some water for the younger Lawrence, Teddy shrugged at his question. The most he’d done is wallow on his own, self pity at an all-time high after recent events - usually he enjoyed telling Michael everything, but with everything going on at school, Teddy generally kept personal hardships to himself, “Honestly? Hung out with Blake’s dog while he was gone, nothing crazy. Kinda nice, actually. Can’t remember the last time I had a night to myself.”

An amused SNORT escaped from his lips as he shot Teddy a look, “We’re brothers, Teddy...Brothers DON’T knock.” Giving a shake of his head as if dismissing the most ridiculous notion he’d ever heard. What Michael wasn’t aware of was that his younger sibling mentality was definitely showing. Now an actual chuckle erupts from him, “You do NOT look twenty-three. You? Talking to me about a babyface when YOU are the king of baby faces? Are we sure we’re not ACTUALLY related by blood? Because sometimes, I honestly wonder.” As if suddenly realizing he forgot something, he’s quick to hop to his feet, halting Teddy’s cleaning by throwing his arms around his brother for a hug. He’d always been a hugger but ever since the death of Tatiana, he made a habit to hug Teddy (and the rest of his love ones) more neurotically, not knowing which one could be the last. Plus he knew his brother was going through some shit right now and you never knew when a hug could be needed. He pulled away and kicked off his shoes before jumping back over the back of the couch and resuming his previous position, “Where was your boyfriend? Did he go to the dance alone then?” Obviously he was a little out of the loop.

“He thinks everyone’s intimidating. He’s like four pounds,” Blake replied, smiling down at him as he seemed to get more acquainted with Michael. “I’ve been okay. I was in the hospital for a bit and now I’m free and ready for Europe,” he said. “How about yourself? Any new developments?”