Chapter Text
Eridan couldn’t help staring out the window, green eyes flicking from house to house as they passed. It was somewhere he’d never expected his brother to live, this sort of cheery suburb. The houses all seemed to match, making Eridan grimace at the perfection. The endless expanses of cut lawns lined with pale driveways and picket fences, the prim gardens and squat houses that seemed far too happy with their shiny windows and comfortable porches. There were small differences, though they seemed to minute to cut into his discomfort. The pale paint of the outside almost made him gag, but at least it wasn’t white.
He pulled his eyes from the houses to stare at his lap, the cream of a blank page tempting his pencil as he lightly sketched lines infested with shake and bumps from the smallest of imperfections on the road beneath the car. An eye formed, the face slowly coming into being. One of his friends, his best friend, the pencil that had lined her face shaky but at least he could tell it was her. A sharp pain cut through his chest and he closed the sketchbook quickly before the burn could work its way to behind his eyes. He didn’t want to cry anymore, he’d done enough of that to last a life time.
“You feelin alright, chief?” came a voice from beside him, deep and smooth. Sometimes he envied his brothers voice, which was the reason he was so quickly rising through the musical ranks. Then again, he envied any voice at all, wondering often what his own would sound like. Probably raspy from disuse, if the thing could even work at all.
He glanced at him, the elder looking concerned from the crease of his brow to the way his teeth worried at the unlit cigarette in his mouth. Eridan grimaced at the sight. He could practically smell it; the scent having been burned into his memory by years of feeling it searing his lungs and tasting it on his tongue. Even the thought of it made his chest feel tight and he wheezed out a small cough before nodding to his brother.
Cronus sighed, taking a hand off the steering and running it through his hair. At least, as much as he could with the amount of grease and product he had slicking it back. It seemed that excessive hair styling ran in the family, though that was all the brother had in common. In fact, if Eridan hadn’t seen his birth certificate he would have sworn he was adopted. Cronus took after their father, the same tall, broad shouldered figure. Of course, his face was kinder and less scarred, his blue eyes shining with mischief rather than cold and calculating. But they shared the same sharp features, olive skin and dark hair that came from the Greek half of their family.
On the other hand, Eridan stood out. The black sheep of the family, or more so pale sheep. He was told he took after his mother, though he’d never met her. In fact, he’d only seen one picture of her and that had been when he was young. He was much shorter than both his brother and his father, his skin extremely pale with freckles across his cheeks, his eyes green rather than blue and nearsighted to the point that he was almost blind without his glasses. He glanced into the mirror, fidgeting nervously, and fixing his hair, the bright ginger always sticking out with natural curls, including a blonde streak which grew naturally at the front. He’d tried dying it before, but it proved to troublesome to keep up with so he let it be.
“You know, I’ve been learnin how to understand sign language. This chick at my school uses it too, and her boyfriend. Creepy asshole.” He muttered the last part, plucking the cigarette from his lips and pressing it into the box before pulling out a fresh one. Once this one was stuck between his teeth he pulled a lighter from his jacket pocket.
Eridan frowned, his tongue making a soft click against the roof of his mouth of disapproval. Cronus glanced at him, then huffed and put the cigarette back in the box and shoved it into his pocket. It made Eridan feel a bit better at least, though he huffed indignantly as the free hand moved to ruffle his hair.
The elder Ampora chuckled, turning his eyes back to the road. “Like I said. I’ve been tryin to learn a little. I know I didn’t try or help all that much back home…but I didn’t exactly think you wanted to write down everything you have to say. Now, I’m not sayin I’ll get everythin or be perfect at it, but I’ll do my best. Alright?”
‘Thanks, Cronus,’ Eridan signed. It certainly made things easier, though it wouldn’t help him much in school. At least home here might be more comfortable than back in the city. The memory of a sharp voice made him cringe, his hand on his throat. It had been almost thirteen years since he’d last spoken, though he could hardly remember anything before that point. Not that he wanted to, but who would?
“I’d sign back, but kinda got to keep my hands on the steering wheel,” Cronus said, shooting him a smirk. “But yeah just keep it simple and I should be able to keep up.”
Eridan grinned, his hands moving quickly. ‘Well I’ll try to keep it simple and slow. And thanks again Cronus. I mean I know sign language isn’t that easy to learn and from what you’ve told me about your college friends I’ll assume that- “
Cronus cuffed him halfheartedly, rolling his eyes. “Brat.” Amusement kept his voice light and Eridan couldn’t help snickering. Or, as much as he could. It mostly sounded like airy wheezing, which made Cronus glance at him. Eridan waved off the concern, it was just a laugh.
The concern lifted slowly as the car pulled into the driveway of a small house. It was similar to the other houses on the street, squat and neat. At least on the outside, Eridan knew better than to expect a tidy house from Cronus. It surprised him that he had a house at all, instead of just an apartment, but according to his brother their father had helped him get it to get him out of the house that much faster. Sounded like something he’d do at least.
Eridan got out of the car, looking at the house. It looked welcoming, the outside a light seafoam blue rather than the cream of the neighborhood. The sound of the trunk popping open made him turn to see Cronus looking expectantly at him.
“Come on. I ain’t carryin all your shit inside, princess. You’re gonna help.”
Sticking out his tongue at him, he grabbed a suitcase from the trunk. Cronus returned the sentiment, grabbing a hastily taped box with “Books” written on the side. “Geez what the fuck, Dan? Did you bring Pa’s whole library?”
He rolled his eyes, pulling out his laptop bag and slinging it over his shoulder while Cronus lugged the box to the door and unlocked it. “Your rooms in the back. Haven’t gotten a bedframe yet, but there’s a mattress.”
Eridan nodded, looking around. The walls were all painted in light colors, just enough to keep it away from white. The front door opened into the living room, which was littered with papers and sheet music, along with a guitar laid out on the couch. “Sorry for the mess. This was all kinda short notice,” he heard, nodding slightly. It could be worse. He was just grateful his brother wasn’t fond of plain white as well.
A nudge from behind sent him walking toward a door down the hall. He tensed, unsure what to expect, as he opened the door. He froze, eyes widening a bit. The walls were lavender, the color he’d once convinced Cro to help him paint his bedroom. Though it had only lasted a week before their dad found out and put a stop to it, it was still his favorite color.
He felt something warm in his chest, something welcoming. After barely five minutes, this place felt more like home than the manor where he’d spent almost eighteen years of his life. The warmth built behind his eyes as well, spilling out down his cheeks. He wiped them quickly as his brother came into the room, grinning at him as he set his bags on the mattress that was pressed against the wall.
A loud thud echoed off the walls, a result of the books being dropped rather abruptly. It made Eridan jump and glare at his brother, kneeling beside the box and looking at it.
“Come on, Dan. They’re books it ain’t like they’re breakable.”
This only serves to make Eridan glare at him again, giving him a sign you didn’t have to take a class to understand. Cronus rolled his eyes and messed up his little brother’s hair, earning flailing smacks to the hand and arm.
“We’ve still got more shit to unpack, you can cry over your books later.”
Reluctantly, Eridan followed him back outside. His shoulders tensed as a pair of eyes caught his from across the street. Green met red, bright even from this distance. Though the eyes were not the only red thing about the stranger. They wore the same color on a hoodie, though it didn’t seem cool enough weather to call for one. He offered a wave, which was returned before they began to cross the street.
He couldn’t take his eyes off them, the red keeping his attention more than he’d like to admit. A heavy hand clamped down on his shoulder, making him jump. His stomach lurched to the back of his throat, his eyes wide with the memory still staining his vision as he looked wildly at Cronus. The hand lifted for a moment before settling in a softer manner on his hair. By the time Eridan’s heartrate had returned to normal, the red figure reached them. Upon closer inspection, their eyes seemed more pinkish than red but the color still made his stomach churn uncomfortably.
They offered a warm smile at him before turning their attention to Cronus. The look he was given was decidedly less warm, but Eridan had a feeling there was affection behind the annoyance.
“I take it this is Eridan? I told you I could help you move him in Cronus. Honestly, after all the fuss you’ve made this week I thought you’d at least introduce me when he got here.”
The annoyed affection was also present in his brother’s eyes. Maybe there was something more there?
“Kanny we barely got here ten minutes ago, I woulda come over once we got settled in. ‘Sides, you helped enough this week. We’ve got it.”
‘Kanny’ put his hands on his hips, lips pressed thin as he looked at the Ampora. “Well I’m here now. It’d be incredibly rude of you to ignore my offer after I came here. Not to mention inconsiderate of your brother, who may very well want the help. And, for the last time, Cronus.” He brought one hand and poked the center of the taller male’s chest with a very pale index finger. “I have a name. Use it. You know it irritates me when you call me that.”
There was a silence as Cronus raised an eyebrow at the other. When it became obvious that he wouldn’t be backing down any time soon, he sighed. “Fine, fine, Kankri. Honestly, with how much you’ve been hanging around lately, I’m startin to think you’ve got some ulterior motive.” The statement was followed with a smirk and a wink.
Kankri yanked his hand back as though it had been burned, the lack of pigment making the blush that colored his face all the brighter. “I- You- “he stumbled over words for a moment. “I’m being a good friend,” he protested, quickly regaining his composure quickly and turning to Eridan. “Now, since your brother has still failed to properly acquaint us,” he stuck out his hand, “My name is Kankri Vantas. My brother and I live across the street and I attend college with Cronus.”
Eridan swallowed hard, looking from the hand to Kankri’s face. How much had Cronus told him? Not that him knowing would make things any less awkward. He forced his hand into the others, noting how warm it was. And no wonder, given that he was wearing a hoodie, which Eridan couldn’t help but be curious about. As soon as the handshake reached a socially acceptable length he pulled back, pausing before he signed. He might as well see if it was an option before hunting down a notebook.
‘Eridan, though it looks like you already knew that. I think Cronus has mentioned you before.’
To his surprise, and delight, Kankri signed right back.
‘Yes. He’s mentioned you before, though this past week was more informational than previous conversations. He wasn’t clear with why the move was happening, but he did inform me of your condition. Mostly due to the fact that, aside from myself, the two of our friend circle who are most fluent in the technique aren’t the fondest of your brother. I assisted him in gaining their help, and as I’m sure you’ve seen he’s made some good progress.’
“Hey hey hey,” Cronus muttered. “Just cause you know it doesn’t mean ya gotta show off and leave me outta the loop, Kanny.”
Kankri shot him a fiery look, but otherwise ignored him aside from a simple, “It’s Kankri.” He turned to Eridan again. ‘Do you need any help moving things inside? It’s really no problem, I promise.’
Eridan nodded a bit, offering a smile that was quickly returned.
“Alright its settled. I’m helping.”
Cronus let out an annoyed huff, but only answered by walking to the trunk and hefting a box out.
The work moved quickly, the boxes left on the floor in his new room. There weren’t many, but anything left back in the city would be gotten at some later date. If their father didn’t throw it out first, no matter how many times Cronus insisted he wouldn’t.
With a quick stretch that popped his back, he glanced at the couch, where Kankri and Cronus had been talking since they’d gotten everything out of the car. The hoodie was laid out over the back of the couch, though underneath it had been another long sleeve. His questioning look from earlier had been answered with something about sensitive skin.
Eridan wasn’t sure how he felt about Kankri yet. He was nice, if long winded, and despite the way the red turned his stomach he knew that wasn’t his fault. Stepping out of his room, he tapped the albino male’s shoulder.
‘Do you want some water or something?’ he asked, grateful for the help he’d given earlier.
“Yes, thank you. That’s quite considerate of you.”
In a moment, he’d stepped across the living room, stepping into the kitchen, and abruptly freezing as a sudden curse was almost unnoticed by him. The white of the tile and the counters was gleaming, cutting sharply into him as bile crawled up his stomach. His chest tightened, his eyes fixed on the sterile color as his breaths became short and shallow. Footsteps behind him barely registered as hands pulled him from the horrid color. Eridan squeezed his eyes shut, red flashing on the white in his mind. He was pulled into a hug, a calming hand on his back as the panic slowly began to fade. It took a good few minutes for his breathing to return to normal and he pulled back.
Cronus looked down at him guiltily, grimacing. “Sorry. I didn’t get a chance to…fix that. It won’t be much longer hopefully. …You okay?”
Eridan nodded, forcing himself to smile at his brother. ‘I’m fine. Just surprised.’
“If you’re sure, chief. I’ll get some drinks.” He nudged him toward the couch, where he sat without too much prompting. Kankri looked a little nervous and concerned, watching him carefully.
“…Eridan? Are you alright?”
He sighed and nodded, offering no explanation. Luckily, he took the hint and didn’t press the issue. Once Eridan had his cup of water in hand, he vanished into his room and began unpacking. The work took his mind off everything else, and putting things away kept him busy until Cronus called him to the living room for pizza. He kept his eyes away from the kitchen, feeling a little guilty that the elder was putting so much effort into making him comfortable. He appreciated it for sure, he only wished he could handle the things Cronus was fixing.
Conveying none of this to his brother, he curled on the couch with a box of pizza and a movie playing on the television. Kankri had left at some point and Eridan was almost tempted to ask what exactly was going on between the two, but for the time being he’d keep his nose out of it.
The movie was done well after dinner was demolished and Eridan once again disappeared into his room, this time to sleep. Even though the mattress was on the floor, it was still comfortable with his thick violet comforter wrapped around himself. Occasionally he’d hear the door open, light filtering in for a few moments before disappearing again. Cronus checking on him? Maybe that little episode earlier had freaked him out more than he let on.
Despite the thoughts running rampant and the newness of the room around him, Eridan fell asleep quickly into dreams of plain white rooms and red seeping in. More than once he woke in a cold sweat, for once thankful he had no voice so his screams wouldn’t wake Cronus.
By the time he heard the insistent beeps of the alarm, he had already been up for over an hour, staring at the ceiling and dreading the day laid out before him. He’d always taken classes online, but that was no longer the case.
In an effort to put off having to trudge to the school, he squeezed his eyes shut and pulled the blanket over his head until he heard his brother holler for him to ‘get his ass moving’. Neither of them were much of morning people.
Sitting up with a groan, he threw his blanket off and began digging through the clothes boxes, focusing on them instead of his growing nerves.
He could only hope high school was better than movies made it out to be.