#corinthemerado

He laughs acouple times despite himself, mostly at the man’s commentary. His name is Leon,and the woman is his twin sister Mei, Erika explains later. They started out postingmusic, but built a fanbase that wanted to see more of them and started doingvlogs.

Basch thinksabout what it would be like to do something like that with Erika, but doesn’tthink either of them would enjoy it very much. It would be awkward even if onlybecause of their ten-year age difference, not to mention Basch is his sister’slegal guardian. So no, he thinks, no vlogs in the Zwingli household exceptthose Erika now keeps showing him. Which he didn’t ask for, but has to admit he doesn’t mind.

Because it gives them more to talk about whilethey had been losing touch a little bit, what with Erika being nearly eighteenand being much more focused on other things, but also because the videos areactually rather enjoyable, and the music the twins make is good. Really good.Leon’s voice is unexpectedly breathy when he sings, and his face relaxes in away that is hard to describe but has people in the comments writing in allcapitals and rows of exclamation marks.

Basch feels inclined to agree with them.

He catches himself watching Leon’s facemaybe more attentively than Mei’s, and immediately starts to feel creepybecause he has no idea how old the two of them are; probably closer to Erika’sage than his. He looks it up, and finds to his relief that they’re 22, so atleast he doesn’t have to feel like a dirty old man. So much.

While he’s there anyway, he clicksuntil he’s watching their earlier videos, wasting away time he could be usingto work or clean, and he feels guilty for a while, but he has to say it’s aworthwhile pastime, because he sees Leon get drenched for the Ice BucketChallenge he was dared to do by his sister, and his shirt sticks to his leanchest while Mei laughs off-screen. Basch glances over his shoulder and watchesthat video again.

He’s never really had time to indulgein crushes like this one – because that is definitely what it is, a crush –since he’s started taking care of Erika when he was barely out of his teens andtook over their family’s business around that time too. It’s a novel thing forBasch to have the luxury of watching hours of footage of someone he knows isunattainable, but good fantasy material.

Leon is his type. He’s dark with anedge of mystery, maybe even a hint of haughtiness, but also approachable anddry, and he obviously loves what he does. Basch admires that in any person, theability to shape one’s own life so completely like he has never been able to.In Leon, it’s attractive.

Erika catches on, of course. She’s muchtoo intelligent not to notice that her brother doesn’t need clarifications forthings Mei or Leon say sometimes, too observant not to see the way his lipsquirk at every other sentence Leon says like a teenager swooning over theBackstreet Boys.

“The Backstreet Boys, Basch?You’re not that old.”

“Justin Timberlake?” he tries, andErika laughs.

“Whatever you want to compare it to,”she says, “it’s cute. I don’t think I’ve seen you with a crush in… Ever.”

Basch hides his face in his hands,letting his hair fall in front of his eyes for good measure.

“I didn’t even know you liked men,” sheadds softly. “Not for sure.”

Well, what was the point in telling herif he was never going to bring anyone home anyway? He is always too busy, andbesides, he doesn’t feel attracted to people on a regular basis anyway. It’sjust a hassle, one he’s never thought was worth it.

To her credit – and maybe Basch’s too,since he did raise her – Erika only teases him a little bit.

The videos keep coming, and then thereis one with an announcement, which Mei is so excited about she almost slaps herbrother in the face. They will be attending a convention for YouTubers thatnext month. Basch doesn’t even have to look at his sister to know exactly whatface she’s making. The pleading one, without a doubt.

“No,” he says, keeping his gaze firmlyon the computer screen.

“I didn’t even say anything!”

“Hm-hm.”

They watch the rest of the video insilence, seeing Mei and Leon play a game while they bicker good-naturedly.Basch can’t deny the little leaps his heart insists on making every time Leonlaughs, brown eyes twinkling. He is very handsome, Basch knows he isn’t theonly person who has noticed that. He’s never seen Leon acknowledge hisfangirls, not like his sister, who will sometimes wink at the camera or thank aspecific commenter. No one seems to know if he has someone, maybe, a girlfriendor even a boyfriend. It adds a little to the mystery of his character.

Later, Erika says, “I’ve never been to aconvention, you know. It seems like a good way to make new friends.”

And oh, if there’s anything Basch isweak to, it’s the possibility of his sister making friends, acting her age likehe hardly ever has. He knows Erika knows that, and shakes his head inexasperation.

“Please,” she says.

“No, Erika. It’s much too expensive.”

She scoffs at that, because it’s not asif they lack in money. Basch will concede that. Still, there are better ways tospend it.

To his own credit, he says no next timeErika asks, and the time after that, and only then does he give in. Hebuys both of them tickets, because no matter what Erika says, she is still achild, and he is responsible for her.

“Oh, Basch, I turn eighteen in twomonths,” she says. “You can admit you want to see Leon in real life, nothingwrong with that.”

He doesn’t deign to reply to that, andhis sister laughs.

Basch keeps telling himself that it’s really not anything to do with Leon,even though he knows it is. A little bit. He’s never let himself indulge likethis, and it feels strange in a curiously good way. But he’s not about toconfess that to Erika.

The convention center is pleasantlybusy when Basch and Erika arrive, not too crowded even for Basch, who dislikescrowds on his best days. He has no idea what to expect, and is glad he andErika made clear arrangements about when and where to meet back, as he losessight of her after less than ten minutes in the bustle of people. But that’sfine, she can actually take care of herself despite what he keeps saying toher.

Rather quickly, though, he findshimself hanging about at the back of the room with some extremely bored-lookingmiddle-aged parents, and the second he realizes what’s happening, he’s gone, becauseBasch might be on the wrong side of 25, but he’s not going to turn into hisfather as he remembers the man just yet.

So he walks through the large roominstead, where more people are still gathering, forming queues at the standslining the walls, eager to get a picture with their favorite YouTuber. He stepsback when a man with a backwards hat sweeps past, talking into a handheldcamera while a gaggle of teenaged girls follow him around. Basch thanks thestars Erika is not among them. He swipes his fine blond hair out of his eyesand sighs, not knowing what to do now. He feels out of place anywhere among allthose people. He often does.

After getting something to eat, evenwhile his subconscious balks at the price of the sandwich he ends up buying, Baschwanders around, listening in on bits of excited conversations full of words heonly half-understands, and wonders when he got old.

He hears Mei’s excited chatter beforehe sees her. Basch would like to say he looked over the heads of the teenagerscrowding around her, but he’s shorter than most of them. Still, he manages tocatch a glimpse of the flowers in her dark hair, the tips of which are now avivid purple and fall almost to her denim skirt. Which, he assumes, isfashionable. He can’t bring himself to brave the teenagers and walk up to herstand, which seems to be devoid of her brother at the moment. It’s somethinghe’ll probably regret later; after spending all that money on a ticket, heshould at least talk to someone. It’s just weird.

Instead, Basch turns and decides toseek out a place where it is a little cooler and less noisy, and that perhapshas a toilet he can use.

There is a line by the toilets too,which means they will be disgusting. Dismayed, he ducks into a hallway andstarts looking for some other toilets. There must be. There is no one in thishall, probably due to the fact that the door was closed, and it is oddlythrilling to do something he’s not supposed to be doing, Basch thinks, smilingto himself.

He finds more toilets down a set ofstairs, large and clean and blessedly empty.

What a life, he thinks, wryly amused,that his greatest accomplishment of the day is finding a place to do hisbusiness. That won’t do at all. He resolves to talk to Mei, maybe Leon if he isthere, when he gets back. He can just tell her – them – that his sisterintroduced him to YouTube and he has enjoyed their videos, that’s all.

Satisfied with himself, he finisheswashing his hands, turns, and almost gets a door in his face. He jumps backjust in time to avoid a collision.

“Oh my god!” A familiar voice exclaimsbehind the door. “Did I hit you?”

“No, I, er—” Basch backs into the sinksas the door opens cautiously, and the first thing he sees are the familiar darkeyes, looking up at him, which is strange. He’s not often taller thanother men. He never realized Leon was so short.

“Are you alright?” Leon asks, lookingup at Basch imploringly. “I didn’t expect anyone to be here.”

“I am fine. I… Didn’t expect anyoneeither.”

A fleeting smile passes over Leon’s face,and Basch can feel his heart thud. He hopes it doesn’t show. The dark eyessweep over him. Maybe Leon is surprised at his age – neither a teenager nor aparent. Basch wipes his damp hands on his dark pants, feeling extremelyunfashionable in the face of Leon’s skinny jeans and smart shirt, with awaistcoat falling open and bright sneakers shuffling on the linoleum floor.

“Well,” he starts, pushing back fromthe sinks, “I, ah, should probably get back.”

“Hm.” Leon bites his lip, then widenshis eyes. “You’re at the convention? Or do you— No, you don’t work here, doyou?”

“No, I’m, yeah.” Basch pushes hisfingers through his hair.

“By yourself?”

“With my sister.”

“Sisters, right?” Leon rolls his eyes. Basch made an agreeing noise. Then, “I’m sorry, I’m keepingyou. Your sister probably misses you.”

Basch smiles despite himself. “I wouldn’tthink so. She’s better at this than I am.”

“Better? At?”

He falters, unsure what he wants to sayto that, but Leon smiles bashfully and apologizes.

“It’s none of my business, is it?”

“I don’t mind.” Basch is finallysettling, and it’s nice to talk to him – he doesn’t know Basch knows him atall, and Basch is not going to volunteer the information now. He sees Leon’sdark eyes drop to his hand, to the heavy ring on his thumb, a family heirloom,and spreads his fingers. Erika always says he has a pianist’s hands but he gaveup playing years ago.

“Fancy,” Leon mumbles, biting his fulllower lip.

“Old,” Basch supplies, and the mansmiles, eyes crinkling up. Basch doesn’t manage to look away from his mouth,though, not before the eyes sweep up to his face again, and Basch is all tooaware of the sparkle in them.

“Kind of fits with you,” Leon says.

Basch bristles. “I’m not old.”

“No.” A smile with lips pressed tighttogether. “Fancy. I wear something like that, I look like a dweeb. You lookkingly.”

“Old family,” Basch mumbles. “I don’tthink you’d ever look like a dweeb.” He’s glad he’s facing away from themirrors so he doesn’t have to watch himself turn bright red. Basch Zwingliflirting? The very idea would make Erika laugh.

Oh, dear god, they’re flirting. In an abandoned toilet.

Leon’s smile turns lopsided. “Thankyou.”

Basch is fairly certain he can hear hisheart beating in the quiet room. A lamp flickers with a pling. He licks his lips, swallows when Leon doesn’t try to concealthe fact that he follows the movement with thoseeyes.

“I, er,” Basch stutters. Leon cannotpossibly find him attractive, can he? That is just a ridiculous notion. And yet…

“You what?”

“I should get… My sister is probablywondering where I am.”

“Yeah. Yeah, of course. Have a nice,uhm…” Leon falters when Basch squeezes past him, pressing their arms tighttogether. “A nice day.”

“You, too.”

“Maybe I’ll see you around?”

Basch’s heart skips a beat at thehopeful tone. This is surreal.

“Yes, maybe,” he replies, opening thedoor.

“Bye, then!”

Basch thunders up the stairs and to themain hall, and waits for Erika.

Once back home, after his sister haspulled the embarrassing bathroom encounter from him, Basch quickly convinceshimself that it was nothing, that that’s just how Leon is off-camera. Erika keeps shooting him appraising looks, which heignores in favor of his never-ending work.

A week after the incident at theconvention Leon and Mei publish a new video, and Erika comes home from her vacationjob insisting he must watch it. Baschobviously cannot say no to her, so he sits down and watches the twins talkabout the convention, interspersed with clips filmed there. Erika excitedlypoints herself out in a few shots, and Basch thinks that’s what she wanted himto see, but then—

“And Leon has a very serious problem heneeds our help with,” Mei says. “Don’t you, dear brother?”

Leon scowls at her, but says, “Well, Ido. It’s taken Mei here a lot of persuading to make me do this, so you betterpay attention.”

Basch glances at Erika, who’s watchingwith rapt attention.

“—in the bathroom,” says Leon, andBasch snaps his eyes back to the laptop.

“But I didn’t ask for his name oranything. And that sucks, because I would have liked to…” He raises one thickeyebrow. “Get to know him a little better.”

This time, when Basch glances at hissister, she’s grinning at him, and he doesn’t hear most of Leon’s explanationabout the man he met in the bathroom,and Mei joking about coming out of closets versus bathrooms, because… It can’tbe real. Basch is not interesting. He doesn’t think so, at least. Leon must bejoking, or life has taken a turn for the completely illogical.

And if there is anything Basch hates,it’s illogical things.

“What,” he just says when the videoends.

“Basch!” Erika nearly shrieks. Nearly.A Zwingli does not shriek. “It has to be you, hasn’t it?”

“I…”

“Yes,Basch. Oh, we must send a message!” She pauses. Glances at him. “Unless… Youdon’t want to.”

“No, Erika—” He takes a deep breath. “Letme think about this for a while.”

She purses her lips. They’re pink andshiny with lip-gloss.

“And how long is ‘a while’? Is thisgoing to end up like that time the baker asked you—”

“No,” he interrupts. “Just… A while.”

Erika shakes her head on a sigh, butleaves it alone for the next week.

Or so he thinks.

Until there is a new video, and Meiannounces, to Leon’s surprise as well as Basch’s, that she has probably foundthe mystery bathroom man. Basch glances at Erika, who affects an innocent facethat always fools everyone except for Basch. He groans.

“What did—” he starts, but she shusheshim and gestures at the screen.

“—not going to show that to all ourviewers, of course, I doubt he’d be very happy about that, but, dear brother,please tell me if this is your mystery man?”

Maybe it’s someone else, Basch thinksas Mei hands Leon a piece of paper with a flourish and a drum roll starts.Someone who wanted to take advantage of the situation…

Leon smiles, and Basch’s heart thuds.

“Yeah, that’s him.” He looks at thecamera. “So, your sister sent this. To my sister. As I said; sisters, right?”

Mei pokes him in the ribs, and heyelps. Basch is extremely tempted to do the same to Erika. Maybe he will.Later. When his hands don’t feel quite so sweaty anymore.

“Well, uhm,” Leon continues, lookingdown at his piece of paper, “I won’t name you in case you don’t want that, butyou know who you are, and I guess you know who I am, so… See you around, maybe?”

Basch doesn’t see much of the rest ofthe video, though he hears the unfortunate neighbor’s jingle, and can’t helpbut smile to himself.

“Erika,” he says softly, when it’sdone.

“I know, I’m sorry. It’s just, I wantyou to be happy and I won’t always be here and the way Mei said it, it reallyseemed like he wanted to get to know you—”

“Erika.”

“And he does, obviously! And I’m fairly sure you do too, so when Mei asked,I just sent—”

“Erika. Don’t apologize.”

She smiles wryly. “A Zwingli doesn’tapologize?”

“Only when necessary.”

Now, she grins. “It’s not necessary?”

“No.” Basch takes a deep breath. “No.Erika, I’m grateful you did that. I would never have.”

“I know,” she says, putting a hand onhis shoulder. Her nails are lilac. “Mei gave me a phone number. Do you want…?”

“Yes.” He nods. “I’d like that.”

And so, eventually, Basch manages togain his own jingle. It has yodeling, and Leon thinks it’s so hilarious henearly falls off his chair the first time he lets Basch hear it. He tries tokeep a stern face, but fails miserably. Leon’s eyes twinkle, and Basch crosseshis arms.

“I don’t like it,” he mumblespetulantly.

“You lie, Basch Zwingli. You love mystupid jingle. You know your sister helped pick the yodeling. I feel like Ishould be worried about what she and Mei are getting up to these days.”

Basch is not even surprised anymore.

“Sisters, right?” Leon adds. Baschsmiles and reaches for him, tangling their fingers before he can push anybuttons to start the awfully catchy jingle again.

“Right.”