Did I Ask You? (Odion.)

[Declyn O'Callahan]

Graduation was approaching fast and to say the least, Declyn was not ready at all. He was still keeping up his grades enough to pass and his power was somewhat under control until he started drinking and the hallucinations came back. He really could graduate with ease and not have to worry about his ability, but due to his lack of motivation, he just didn't care at the moment if he graduated or not because he was beginning to realize that once he did, he'd have nothing to keep him here. Dec would go back to Ireland and try to find some sort of art school out there that would offer photography. If he even cared enough to start up college in the fall.

Declyn couldn't find it in him to care about school. Ever since the stuff with Cam and even with Odion, he just lost himself. His parents had been right trying to keep him in Ireland and away from his twin. They knew things wouldn't turn out as he'd hoped. He thought they'd be close, the type of brothers that could tell each other anything in confidence and help each other. Instead he got a brother that seemed to hate him, lied to him, judged him and ignored him. Oh and stole from him, but that wasn't as bad seeing as how he hadn't taken any of the more valuable things. Things hadn't gone the way they were supposed to and it took a hard toll on Dec, more than what he let on.

Sitting his dorm room, door shut, ignoring everyone in his room, Declyn flipped through pictures he'd taken during his time at Hammel. A few attempts at pictures of Odion that he'd take with him back to Ireland. Pictures of him with Cameron that he probably should have burned or tossed out because with each picture, the wound was opened again. Every picture made it seem like he'd had good times with them and that he'd have them forever, but the reality was that he already lost both of them. Things were just so different now that it was like looking at someone else's pictures with Odion and Cam instead of his own.

Tossing them to the side, he placed his head in his hands and sighed. Why did things have to change? He'd been so happy then. Now...now he was just hollow and going through the motions.

[Odion Martins]

With everything that was happening, Odion hadn’t been making time for his newfound brother. In fact, after the initial excitement of Declyn finding him in the first place, their relationship was pushed to the backburner. Odi had tried to make something of the broken pieces, but Declyn didn’t seem interested. He was so heartbroken over Cameron, that he had forgotten why he came here to begin with. Odion wasn’t sure what to do, so he gaze Declyn what he thought was sufficient space to think over things. It was better this way, Odion thought to himself, because then his twin couldn’t be a target, and that was truly important when he himself was walking around with a wager over his head. He really did seem to be putting himself into Lani’s shoes lately...

Since meeting the blond, Odion had happened upon a few new emotions: courage, love, and guilt. It was a combination of these new emotions that spurred Odion to hunt his brother down. It wasn’t fair that Declyn come into Odion’s life and then seemingly forget all about him. The truth of the matter was, Declyn had stopped trying before he really gave Odion a fair shake. Besides, Oidon had apologized and explained his side of the story, and if Declyn wasn’t willing to listen, then he was the terrible brother. It wasn’t like Declyn had gotten him anything for Christmas, and the small present Odion had left in Declyn’s dorm for their shared birthday had probably gone unnoticed. The fact was, that Odion did care about Declyn, he was just scared to let anyone in. It didn’t mean he didn’t want to, it just meant he needed Declyn to be strong, to be patient, and above all, to not be such a twat.

Odion hadn’t gone to Dec’s room for another heart to heart, or to harass him. It was just to check up on him and see if he was doing alright. By the looks of things, Cameron hadn’t gotten over what had happened months ago. And Odion was so sure that he would’ve forgotten all about Declyn by now... With these thoughts in his head, he rapped on his twin’s door and waited patiently. He wasn’t sure if Declyn regretted coming here, but maybe, maybe it was for the best. Odion pursed his lips to keep the tears from coming after thinking such an awful thought. To think, even his own brother wanted to abandon him. His blue eyes looked up expectantly as the door was answered; they were brighter than usual thanks to his white t-shirt. “Have you just been moping around in here the past few months?” Honestly, Declyn looked like hell.

[Declyn O'Callahan]

It wasn’t that Declyn wasn’t willing to accept Odion’s story, it just didn’t seem to him that his brother really cared. He understood that Odi had things going on (thanks in large part to the dumbass he was always with), but it wasn’t as though he didn’t either. He’d tried hard in the first few months to be the brother that he never got to be, but once Odion started making him feel as if he was annoying, he didn’t see the point anymore. Why put himself out there if he was just going to piss off the person he’d come to see? Ireland was starting to look better and better with every passing thought. He passed over a picture taken sometime at Christmas and the little gift that Odion had given him was in the picture. Dec felt guilty for not getting anything for Odion, but he didn’t know the redhead well enough to know what to get him. It wasn’t as though his brother was really the sentimental type. And there was also the birthday they shared and yet they hadn’t even seen each other. Dec’s present to his brother was still sitting on his dresser on top of the card his parents were hoping he’d give to his twin. He hadn’t been out of his room long enough to drop it off at his twin’s room though and he was too busy shutting himself off from the world to stop by.

Guilt was mixed in with his regret of showing up. Guilt for maybe not trying hard enough, guilt for being a jerk about the Cameron thing, but it was the regret that was poking at him constantly. He regretted coming here because if he hadn’t, Odion wouldn’t have had to put up with him. He felt like such a pest when it came to his brother. Sure, not knowing anything about the family was bad, but Declyn figured that Odion would have been better off just keeping what he thought was the truth in his mind instead of really knowing. Declyn hated that he knew about it let alone making someone else know the truth and suffer with him.

Hearing a light tap on the door, Dec was tempted to ignore it, but it was rare that anyone tried communicating with him in his dorm. So he slipped off his bed dressed in his dark torn jeans and a bright green shirt that read “Get Lucky” on it and headed to the door. When he opened it, his eyes lifted slowly and froze as they reached the boy’s face. Well, damn. Dec ran his fingers through his hair and sighed as he appraised his twin. Of course today was the day he decided to show up. “Nice to see ya too, mate. Ya seem peachy as always,” He said with a half-hearted smirk. The brown-eyed twin didn’t have it in him to be a jerk knowing that he was planning on leaving soon. He didn’t want to leave and have things be bad between them. Still, he had to give a little bit of sass to his brother, it’s what they did. “What’re ye doin’ here?”

[Odion Martins]

The green ‘Get Lucky’ t-shirt he was wearing was wrinkled and fixed around his body as though someone was tugging on it from behind. Odion chuckled a bit and tilted his head to the side, eyes aglow. He wouldn’t say they really got along, but they were starting to accept one another for who they were. And it was the, “dumbass”, Declyn had to thank for helping Odion be even remotely pleasant.

“I came to visit, just to say hi.” What other motive did he have? “Also, to politely decline any summer visits to Ireland with... the family.” It still didn’t feel right. He felt like sending a very impolite response, but it was better just to let things go. The people in another country didn’t feel like family to him. Declyn was physically here, so Odion was trying in return, though it didn’t make things easier on him. He didn’t know how to behave like a brother. Lani made it look so natural, and for Odion it was just, painful and awkward.

Odion crossed his arms in front of him, trying to hide the pain inside his chest. Honestly, he thought he was over this. “Did you know they sent me my birth certificate?” He asked, scoffing a little. As if everything didn’t hurt enough.

[Declyn O'Callahan]

Dec looked a bit on the ruffled side, his hair not fully in place, sticking up in the front a little. His shirt was crinkled and twisted a bit from him laying down and his jeans were hanging low on his hips due to the lack of a belt. He was not looking his best by any means. But, it was just his brother. It wasn’t anyone he was trying to impress. Like a certain boy with the letter ‘C’ starting off his name. He shook the thought away though.

“To say hi? Well that’s a tit bit odd if ye ask me. Were ya just wonderin’ around the neighborhood?” Yes he was being an ass, but it was fun. This was the most interaction he’d had in a few weeks, especially with it being his brother. But the joking was cut short when Odion brought up family plans over the summer in Ireland. Clearly he was in the dark about Dec’s sudden desire to get up and leave to go there now. So what if he didn’t graduate? Back at Kocher he was a king, here, he was a nobody. “I don’t think they were expecting to see you…” He answered blankly.

“Did they?” Declyn asked, slightly distracted by his own wandering thoughts. He hadn’t known about the birth certificate, but he’d had a feeling it would come up eventually. His mother was a tad pushy about the whole thing. She didn’t seem to understand the term ‘space.’ “I’m sure that was interesting.”

[Odion Martins]

Odion rolled his eyes. Apparently they were more alike than they thought... They were both nobodys here, and somebodys at Kocher. They were both asses. They were both living in the shadows, and Odi was quite content with that. Odi didn't say anything more about their shared parental units and looked away. This wasn't exactly easy to talk about. He might've liked Declyn like he liked Jared if only Declyn could trust him... That was another thing. They both had trust issues.

“Sure.” Odion said simply, feeling his walls starting to come back up. Declyn wasn’t even trying to understand how painful it was to know your name wasn’t even real. Now he was the one wanting a relationship, and Declyn was pushing him away. He simply didn’t see what else he could do... He hadn’t evening said ‘I told you so’ about the whole Cameron disaster.

Odion leaned against the doorframe suddenly. “You know what, we should go out,” he said randomly. “I bet I could outdrink you.”

[Declyn O'Callahan]

Declyn was in a frustrating state. He didn't care about anyone else at this point, not even himself really. He was just careless. The only way someone would get to him is if they were in desperate need of help, and it had to be someone he'd once cared about or still did even. Right now he just didn't find a reason to constantly be looking out for everyone else. It didn't help that he didn't realize what Odion was thinking either. How was he supposed to care if he didn't know that his brother was trying?

He nodded slightly at his brother's answer and shoved his hands in his pockets. Now what? Was that all he'd wanted to say? Odion wasn't one to just pop in, say hi, tell him the latest about his parents and leave. There was always something more. It hadn't taken Dec long to figure that out about his twin. They were different in that aspect, at least they had been before Declyn got into this funk he was in.

His brother leaned against the door frame just then and sparked up an idea, random as ever. And it confused the hell out of Declyn. "Go out?" That was weird enough, but then the remark had him narrowing his eyes. "Aye, you may've been born in Ireland, but you weren't raised as an Irishmen. We'll see who outdrinks who." He turned and grabbed a flannel before signaling for his brother to lead the way.

[Odion Martins]

If only Declyn had known Odion before he arrived here. Of course, that was simply impossible, but if he had been able to see how much Odion had grown over the past year, Declyn would be able to tell that Odion had changed for the better. But that wasn’t the hand either of them had been dealt, and there was no point in wishing over things that didn’t exist. So Odion was doing his best here and now, and hoping it would lend to something better.

It wasn’t easy to be this... humble. It wasn’t easy to put himself into another’s shoes, especially when they were his brother’s. Everything felt strange between them, two people who should be as close as fingers on a hand. But Odion had been severed, and he needed Declyn’s help if he was to be reattached.

Grinning like mad, Odion stood up straight once more. “I raised myself,” Odion said, a hand to his chest, “I think the values were similar.”

Taking the cue to leave, Odion went down the hallway, out the door, and into the moonlight. Staring at his brother, Odion tried not to feel strange. The lack of light sent strange shadows over Declyn’s face, and they looked more similar now than ever before. Twins. “Who passed on their brown eyes to you?” Odion asked, wondering where this would lead once they started drinking. Perhaps it was time for an excuse for a heart to heart.

[Declyn O'Callahan]

Declyn did wish sometimes, more often than he’d admit, that he’d grown up with his brother whether it be with their parents or being taken to the same caravan. At least then they’d have each other to depend on. Even if they both had trust issues, it’d be other people they didn’t trust, but they’d know that as brothers they could trust each other. Maybe that would solve the problems they had now. But it wasn’t as if that could be changed and he tried not dwelling on it so much.

He arched an eyebrow at his brother’s smile and offered a short laugh and smirk of his own, “Aye, perhaps that is the case. We’ll just have to see I guess.” He said with a nod. It’d be a true test to see if the born and raised Irishmen could outdrink the born Irishmen with similar values. Odi could probably hold liquor a hell of a lot better than Dec that was for sure. Dec was a beer drinker first and foremost, though lately he’d been trying his hand at liquor and doing fairly well. Except for the hallucinations.

Following his twin down the hall to the door, he walked out and kept his hands warm inside his pockets. It was weird already, spending time with his brother. Declyn glanced sideways at Odion and quickly away, it was like looking at himself, but different. The eyes were translucent in the moonlight whereas his were more dark and ominous. And as if on the same wavelength, Odi’s question surprised him. “Our…uhm my..dad.” Gosh what was he supposed to use? Odion clearly didn’t want to think of them as his parents so should he just keep them as his own instead of linking them?

[Odion Martins]

Odion randomly wondered if calling a psychologist was in order. After all, it wasn't every day that twins found each other and got to experience their genes together. This would not only be fun, but enlightening. Odion hadn't always wished of having a brother, but he had wished of having some kind of family. Those needs had been met through the gang interaction, but not really. That wasn't like Lani's family, and it certainly wasn't what Declyn would call family. But Odion wasn't too old to learn about these things, and he secretly hoped someone would be willing to show him.

Odion nodded, looking down at the ground before glancing at Declyn again. “So I have mum’s eyes then,” he stated, finding it strange to refer to a woman he had never met as his own mother. The word was void and bitter, but that didn’t make her not his mother.

Coming up the gates, Odion simply paused time, not thinking to forewarn Declyn of the whiplash he might feel as Odion allowed the both of them to continue forward. “Have you said anything about me to them?” He looked around quickly as though he was in the middle of doing something dirty. “Our parents?”

[Declyn O'Callahan]

In all honesty, psychologists kind of freaked Declyn out, they always knew things about you that you didn’t even know. And Dec definitely didn’t want to feel even less normal than he already felt. He was already certifiably insane without having gone to a shrink. It was for the best that he didn’t end up lying on the padded couch that would soon lead to a padded cell.

Declyn could hear the bitterness in his twin’s tone as he spoke of their mother. It wasn’t strange hearing it, everyone sort of had that bitterness when speaking of her. She wasn’t exactly a people person. That was more of their father, but Dec wasn’t about to make any comparisons between the two of them and their parents. Odion probably wouldn’t like the results. “It would seem so, I mean both sides have blue eyes as a recessive trait, but I think it was more pronounced on her side,” He said quietly.

Seeing everything still as they walked towards the gate, Declyn started feeling a slight bit dizzy and nauseated. Unable to put his finger on it, he blamed the hangover. He didn’t realize that Odion’s power would have the effect on him. The question was sort of a surprise seeing as how their parents had been an off-limits topic every time before this, but Dec wasn’t going to deny Odion the chance to know about them. It wasn’t his place to keep those things from him. “In the beginning I did, when we first met. They always asked about you and that was when I was the most excited about it I guess,” Dec shrugged. He hadn’t meant to make it sound as though he wasn’t interested in having that relationship with Odi, but with the way he’d been lately, that was how everything came off.

[Odion Martins]

“Makes sense,” Odion said absently, “recessive, unlikely to appear, unlikely to exist.” Was it only he who saw the irony in that. Yes he and Declyn looked quite similar, but they also looked distinct at the finest details. Perhaps fate was cruel, but she always seem to stick to her plans.

Odion nodded as Declyn explained. He had been excited up until Cameron had gone and broken his heart and nothing seemed to matter anymore. Time resumed once they were past the gate (and the guard), and Odion stuck his hands in his pockets.

They weren’t that far off from the bar he was thinking of, most of it was comprised of high schoolers anyways so they shouldn’t have many problems getting in. “I know I have the personality of a porcupine,” Odion started while they waited in line to get in, “but I do want to be your brother. I do want to get to know you.” He looked over at Declyn with hopeful blue eyes.

[Declyn O'Callahan]

What was he supposed to say to that? Red hair was also supposed to be recessive and yet they both had that. Even more so they dark auburn hair that Declyn had was even more rare, especially in Ireland. If anyone shouldn't exist it was him. At least if Odion hadn't been shipped off he would have fit in with the family better. Declyn always felt out of place wherever he went. Especially around his family. No one would see it though.

It wasn't as though he'd been trying to lose his optimism and happiness when he'd lost Cameron. Everything just dulled after the light faded from him. It was like everything got darker when he and Cam split, but it wasn't like Cam felt it. There were many people at Hammel that would be more than happy to have as many flings with the blond as possible. For all he knew, he'd been left in the shadows, never to be seen again. Melodramatic? Yes.

Odion started speaking again, and Dec's eyes cast a sideways glance towards him. The sincerity in his brother's voice caught him by surprise and he about tripped over his feet. Their eyes locked and Dec looked away quickly, "You don't have the personality of a porcupine. And I know you do..." Didn't he? Maybe he didn't really know, but he always sort of hoped. "I mean, I get why you are the way you are."

[Odion Martins]

Odion sighed, his brow furrowing. Declyn, though he hadn't known the bloke that long, was never like this. He was usually chipper and upbeat, someone who generally would annoy Odion with how happy he was. Like Avi. But Declyn wasn't anywhere near that natural happiness of his and Odion didn't think he was the one to blame for that.

"Do you like them?" Odion prompted. "Our family, I mean." He had to know what they were like, had to know where he came from even if he didn't know who he came from.

The surprise on Declyn's face nearly broke Odion's heart - he really was a terrible person, wasn't he? But really, there hadn't been much of a heart to begin with, it had merely grown, like what had happened in that ridiculous Dr. Seuss story. Odion grinned, "Well, it's a start."

Walking into the club, Odion went to the bar and ordered a grey goose martini, gesturing towards Declyn. "Order whatever you like," he said, flaunting a rather thick wad of twenties in front of Declyn's face. Being a thief had many perks.

[Declyn O'Callahan]

Declyn was in denial about his personality change. If anyone brought it up, he'd blame it on his maturity level changing. He wouldn't admit that he was still hurt about Cameron. No one needed to know that he was still pining over the younger boy. Not that it was a secret, he just liked to believe it was. It made him feel less pathetic than he knew he was.

"Do I like them? I dunno, I mean they're my parents, don't I sort of have to like them?" After all, their genetic make-up was what made him who he was. That usually meant he had to at least sort of like them if he liked himself at all. And as dark as he was, he wasn't self-loathing.

They walked into the club and Declyn looked around. It was nice, luckily he didn't feel under-dressed. His twin ordered automatically and he looked at the redhead. Someone knew their drinks. "I'll just take a beer," He was sort of liquored out.