#castleevermore

Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, the voice says. Riko’s taunting tone and Kevin can almost hear the disapproving click of his tongue. I always said you’re nothing without me. Look at yourself. Nothing. You hit the bottom of that bottle trying to leave me behind. You left, remember? I know you like to pretend you didn’t. How could you leave your brother behind, Kevin? Kevin.

“You know, I always look for him,” Kevin says quietly, leaning forward with his elbows on his thighs and he rubs his palms together. It’s an ache in his chest he can’t seem to get rid of. A void in his stomach that never goes away—it doesn’t matter what Kevin is stressed over because it’s there. It’s always there. “Even when I pretend I don’t care, I do. I care so much, I don’t know what to do.”

Andrew spots Neil first and hands off the shaker and the glass to Kevin. “Twice in one week,” he says as he approaches to stand across from Neil. “The soda isn’t that good here.” Neil hums, his gaze tracking Andrew’s movements as he places a glass in front of him and pops open the tab to the soda can, the fizzle drowning beneath the lessening chatter and the melody of Allison’s voice as she sings. “Would you believe me if I said it’s not the soda I’m coming back for?” “Not a chance,” Kevin says from across the bar, pouring pink colored liquid into the cup and drops a lime into it, handing it off to a woman who exchanges the drink for another few bills as a thank you. “You cause trouble wherever you go. This is a refined establishment, you know.”

"We don't know it's dirty. It was…probably stolen." Kevin shrugged. "Doesn't matter. He's long gone." "Is he?" Kevin tilted his head but his question was answered when the man of the topic took a seat at the bar—directly in front of them, hidden on either side by others who remained standing near due to most of the seats on the first and second floor already occupied and used.  "If you're wondering about the money, it isn't stolen. I won it at a game. It isn't my fault people don't know how to play poker." He rested his chin on the palm of his hand, dark eyes scanning the drinks behind Andrew and Kevin, then flicked over to them and with a small smile—one that didn't look entirely right on his face—he requested, "I'll have a soda."

Katelyn shakes her head. “Why are you betting against each other?” “He thinks it’s funny,” Neil says. Allison huffs. “No way. Andrew doesn’t just throw away money on that. What else did you give him?” Neil shrugs. “I asked.” “Again with that I asked shit.” Matt rubs his temples. “Definitely freaky shit.” Seth looks between the group staring at him and he rolls his eyes. “Oh, come on. Just look at them. Freaky shit for sure.” “Betting on it, Gordon?” Nicky questions. “Don’t need to when I know. Now, are we moving this game along or what?” “Man, it’s a lost fucking cause.” “Because you give a fuck?” The group says in unison.  “I will kill all of you and then myself.”

"Here we go," Andrew murmurs and Neil glances at him for a moment before his attention is set on the scene in front of them. "Fuck this shit," Nicky says and lunges towards Seth like a starving lion let out of its cage. It goes on for another minute or so of Nicky and Seth trading punches and grunts when Kevin nudges Andrew with his elbow and asks, "Aren't you going to stop them?" "That would mean I give a fuck."

He’s aware he’s being stupid. Sacrificing himself for the sake of family, for the sake of a game he’s grown obsessed with over the years. It has given him something to fight for and anyone would be sorely disappointed to believe Neil would let it go without struggle. He will leave himself raw and bleeding if he can help it. He’s had a taste of what freedom could be like. He’s still afraid but not of this. Not of Riko as Neil is slammed against the wall with angry fists clutching his collar. Neil laughs after Riko’s hand sharply cracks against his cheek. The force caught the skin inside to split open along with the corner of his lip. Hard enough to draw blood and coat his tongue in metallic iron. “I know people who hit harder than you,” Neil says with a grin. Then he spits the blood from his mouth, watching red splatter over Riko’s face.  Riko’s eyes darken and without missing a beat, Neil is dragged across the locker room.