The Ruiz Brothers - Part 2

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「 ✦ Ongoing ✦ About me ✦ Table of Content✦ 」

Between past regrets and fresh beginnings, first impressions may shape more than either of them expects.
Rated PG-13 - mild language, grief, suggestive content

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First Impressions

Why did it bother him so much?

It may have been a simple text, but somehow Braydon couldn’t stop overthinking it. They hadn’t seen each other in years, let alone talked or texted, yet her message stung with the sharpness of a wound that had never fully healed — like they’d only separated yesterday.

"We're moving off the grid (...) thanks for the memories." "We" and "memories" — those words were charged with both foresight and history. A quick glance at her social media confirmed what he already suspected: she was engaged. Soon to be Mrs. Vickers. Was it jealousy? He wasn’t sure.

Even though Alondra and him were over, the echoes of what could have been still lingered like the bittersweet scent of faded roses. She could have been Mrs. Ruiz, for all he knew. Instead, she had chosen a different path. One that left their unborn children—and their relationship—at a precipice. 

She rejected parenthood with him on two different occasions. Although they were young, fresh out of high school at the time, Braydon was still prepared to take responsibility and do anything he could to be the best father and partner. She had a different vision of the future, and as painful as that truth may be now, it obviously did not involve him or any children. He knew that the decisions were ultimately hers, which made the pain even more excruciating. For years, he burned through anger like gasoline on an open flame until there was nothing left but ashes that had once been his dreams — which is why it still bothered him so much. 

It wasn’t out of spite. It was envy, nostalgia... and maybe something else he couldn’t quite place. Mrs.-soon-to-be-Vickers was not only moving away, but also officially moving on, while he was still spinning in circles — quietly aware that what he thought was freedom was just a safety blanket shielding his vulnerabilities. He knew, deep down, that he was merely drowning his fears with his salacious escapades. Each meaningless encounter deepened the void in his heart as time slowly chipped away at the years.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t even hear his brother enter the room until he felt him plop down on his bed, shaking his errant thoughts away. Lucian had already leaned over Braydon’s shoulder, out of curiosity, and scoffed at the text message.

"I didn’t know you guys were still talking?"

Braydon shrugged, slightly annoyed at his brother’s lack of boundaries.

"We’re not." 

He swiped the screen off before setting his cell phone down on the nightstand.

"Do you ever knock?"

"Sometimes. Why?"

"What if I was, you know, busy...?"

"Nothing I haven’t seen before!"

They both laughed to lighten the mood.

The whole family knew not to mention her name, since it was them who helped him pick up pieces of himself when everything came crumbling down.

Lucian said, his tone turning serious:

"She's bad news, bro. Don't even bother answering that text..."

"Look at you, baby brother, looking out for me!" He smirked playfully, ruffling Lucian's hair just like old times.

"Oh my god, stop! And don't call me that, you weirdo! But seriously though..."

"I know, I know... I wasn't planning on texting back. I don't have time for this shit."

He stood up, checking his reflection in the mirror.

"I'm getting ready for the Moon Revelry Festival tonight, you in?"

"That swinger festival?! Gross. They should totally blacklist you!"

"It's not a swi—whatever, bro. Since when did you get so virtuous? You need to get out of your comfort zone and explore a little. Science and video games gotta get boring!"

"Not when you're gaming with your future waifu."

Braydon barely flinched at the news as he kept adjusting the buttons of his shirt. 

"Please don't tell me you're doing the long-distance thing. Closed or open shirt?"

"Why does it matter? It's a nudist festival, dude. It's not a long-distance relationship, we met online, went out a couple of times and it turns out we have a lot in common."

He finally glanced over at Lucian, surprised to hear that he was dating. As far as Braydon remembered, his brother hadn't shown much interest in relationships outside of gamer friends and family. He had a few crushes back in high school but never anything that led anywhere. But then again, Lucian had always been very private when it came to those things. The fact alone that he chose to open up meant that he was serious about that girl—whoever she was. Excited, Braydon jumped down hard on the bed next to Lucian, causing the book he'd been distractedly reading to bounce off his hands.

"Spill it! How long, her name, and did you guys...?!"

Lucian laughed, partly annoyed by his brother's immaturity and lack of boundaries:

"Really?! I knew you would make a big deal out of this."

"It IS a big deal, You don't usually share this stuff with me, dude. That means that you're finally ready." Braydon joked in a mock-serious voice " Ready for me to be your guru and show you the way!"

Braydon always had a knack for reading a room, and if there was anyone who knew how to sweep a lady off her feet, it was him. Annoying as it was to admit.

"You're such an idiot sometimes...but you're not wrong... I could use a few tips."

"First thing’s first, you’ve got some shaving to do. Don't tell me she's seen you naked in that furry suit!" Braydon burst out laughing.

"Dude, fuck you!"

Lucian scoffed, clearly embarrassed. 

"She did, and surprisingly, she seemed fine with it."

"Look at you, already scoring goals! But seriously, that hairy chest? It’s gotta go. Trust me.

You know what? You guys should totally hang out with me and my lady. Call it a double date! If that’s too formal, we could always invite the cousins and their wives too.

Lucian had been dating the girl for a little over a month. He felt that introducing her to any member of his family so soon would add unnecessary pressure to something still so new. On the flip side, introducing her might hint at the seriousness of his intentions — something he wasn’t sure he was ready for yet. He had spent so much time pursuing academic excellence and building a career that he eventually aspired to something more at that stage in his life. Kachine was everything he hadn’t realized he needed. She was as beautiful as she was kind, as effortlessly cool as he was awkward, with a hint of something volatile and raw in her long nightshade hair and captivating brown eyes that reflected his own insecurities. It seemed like she was out of his league at times; however, they had enough differences to be challenged out of any comfort zone. And the cherry on top? She loved video games as much as he did.

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