“I believe you.”

Teo took a deep, shaky breath, releasing a trembling exhale. Until now, he hadn’t realized how badly he needed to hear those words.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. I’m sorry I didn’t support you when you needed it. I feel terrible.”

It was a first step. Teo knew their relationship wouldn’t be fixed by a simple apology—Orion had always been the favored son, the one they compared him to, the one meant to be the perfect example. Teo had always been the broken one. Overcoming the bitter feelings that had been associated with these facts for practically his entire life was difficult.

“I guess I’ll have to get used to the fact that you take—”

“I don’t take anything,” Teo cut him off before he could finish the sentence.

“I meant in your relationship with Rick.”

Orion had no intention of accusing his brother of taking drugs. Definitely not after what he had just heard from him.

“I’m still not taking anything.”

A small, amused smile played on Teo's lips for a moment, overshadowing his dejected expression.

“What?” Orion muttered, clearly needing a moment to process this. “Oh my god, that’s more than I needed to know. Too much information.”

He waved his hands in front of him, clearly traumatized. At the sight of his brother's panicked look—as Orion apparently imagined his brother and his best friend in an intimate position while clearly expecting the exact opposite—Teo couldn't hold back his laughter.

After all these years, this was the first time Orion had managed to make his younger brother laugh, and he froze as he watched him, Teo's shoulders shaking with laughter, looking not just relaxed but almost happy in his presence for the first time.

It was a sweet, yet harsh awakening at the same time. Orion didn't think he could go back to where their relationship was before—hanging by a thread.

“The correct term is receiving, just so you know,” Teo couldn't resist remarking after he got his laughter under control.

“I’ll remember that,” his brother said, still looking shocked by the sheer amount of information he’d just absorbed. But it was his own fault, so he couldn’t complain.

“So you don't mind? Me and Rick?”

Teo’s tone became less certain and more cautious again.

The blonde nodded. “I know I didn't react the best way, but you two seem good for each other. I’m sure Christmas is about reconnecting, and I’m glad you two found the opportunity for it. Actually, now that I know what you mean to each other, I’m sorry I didn't bring him here sooner.”

They both knew why he hadn't, and that he wouldn't have reacted well without an explanation anyway, but neither of them said it out loud.

“I’m pretty sure Christmas is for spreading kindness and giving back to those who have less,” Teo pointed out.

As he tried writing his Christmas song, he had studied the holiday a lot, struggling with rhymes and metaphors, constantly feeling like he was missing something—or more accurately, that he was drifting away from the theme—and had consulted Google for help.

“Maybe this year it could mainly be about reconciliation?” Orion suggested.

Before Teo could respond, there was a soft knock at the door.

“Come in,” the dark-haired man called out loud enough, knowing it could only be one person, and he was right. 

The older man’s head appeared in the doorway, which he opened just enough to see inside, and his gaze immediately fell on the two brothers on the bed.

Rick couldn't stand it anymore. When they had been gone too long, he decided to check on them. He feared the worst-case scenario, and although he hadn't heard them shouting, he knew that words could hurt just as much when spoken quietly. Especially when their relationship was already fractured enough that it only took the strike of a match to send it all up in flames.

“Everything okay?”

Orion didn’t answer immediately, instead turning his head to his younger brother. It felt strange to feel anxious about his response, but it turned out he had no reason to fear.

“We were talking.” Teo nodded and then moved slightly to the side, creating a gap between him and the blonde. It wasn't particularly because he wanted to keep his distance from him, though. “Wanna join us?”

Rick didn’t hesitate. He stepped inside, closed the door behind him, and joined the two brothers.

“So…?”

Rick didn’t quite know what to ask, his gaze shifting from one brother to the other as he sat down.

“I guess we can try?” Teo's offer sounded more like an uncertain question, but he said it nonetheless, and that was proof that, from his perspective, the relationship between him and Orion wasn't completely lost yet.

“I’d like that.” The blonde nodded immediately. “If you give me the chance.”

The younger brother nodded, knowing it wouldn’t be easy and wondering how Orion would deal with their mother—and whether he would confront her. If he was to have a relationship with both her and Teo, something had to change. Teo didn’t know what yet, but he hoped that for once, the blonde would be on his side.

“That’s what Christmas is for.”