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They’d made it a glorious thirty-nine minutes down the highway before Kurt realised he was stuck–not only in the backseat, but in a car with three teenagers. Eighteen, nineteen, and nineteen. Even if they were all legally adults… well, they were young, and he’d never felt older than he did right then at the tender age of twenty-five.
Still, it wasn’t all bad.
“You doing alright back there, Kurt?” Vert was laughing. “I know Alec can kinda be a handful.”
“Uh huh, like you’re any better. I’m just glad you finally put the whole ‘team of one’ thing to bed,” Alec quipped, leaning over to elbow his fellow back-seater. Sorry, he’d love to do this to your brother instead, but Wylde was spectacularly out of reach and this tea was hot. So, prepare your teacups, gentlemen, ‘cause he was ready to serve. “You don’t even know the half of what this chucklehead’s gotten into before he met y’all. Me, on the other hand? I’ve known this little blond bombshell since preschool.”
Number of colourful phrases used to describe Vert Wheeler: Two.
“Hey-hey-hey, I know just as much about you, Alec. Don’t forget that.” And Vert was driving! Don’t forget that either, lest he pull over and put Alec in time-out personally. Mark would definitely-probably take his side, right? Though, it was difficult to say for sure based on how hard Mark Wylde was trying to bury his laughter behind a fist, but–! Sure, Wylde would let’m believe it for now. He owed ‘em that much. Just a little hope.
“Maybe, but y’know the big difference between you and me, Vert? I don’t have any shame.” None whatsoever, and Alec displayed that proudly for everyone, whether in the backseat or front, to admire.
“I’m fine,” Kurt cut in. “Just keep your eyes on the road. I don’t want to have to explain to Taro that we wrecked his car because the two of you got in a baby-fight.”
There. Balance restored. Kind of. Wylde rolled his eyes, not having a second of anything his brother said. So, thanks for the concern, you prickly pear, but he knew better (and he was sure of it this time!). Ever-so-casually, Mark leaned forward. “You’re just antsy ‘cause you’re not driving. Don’t worry, if anyone’s gettin’ into a fight, ain’t it usually me? I’ve got the time.”
Just like that, Wylde pushed , sliding his seat all the way into his brother’s knees and leaning back. Hey there. You brought your little brother on a forty-plus hour car trip; how’s that going for you? Unimpressed, Kurt only just withheld the urge to press the dark purple bruises dotting Wylde’s face, leering at him as nearly thirteen year-old memories resurfaced with a vengeance: in the car with mom. Before the divorce. Before Kurt left his little brother the first time. Calling them fond memories, though nostalgic, would never really be the truth (even if he wished otherwise now that he was older and more appreciative ). Yet, this situation was definitely familiar.
“Comfortable?” Kurt and Alec jinxed with completely opposite levels of enthusiasm. Yet, Alec’s energy won out in the race for a second spoken thought. He clapped Wylde’s metal arm with all the confidence of someone who wasn’t about to minorly inconvenience his hand’s pain receptors. An acceptable loss. “Y’know, not to take attention away from Vert, but I can’t hold this in anymore..”
“But after seeing you up close? I gotta say, you look good, Markie. It’s no wonder why you ‘n Vert patched things up so fast.” Vert could feel Alec’s grin even with both eyes firmly on the road, and it thoroughly disrupted his delicate sensibilities. Oh no. Yet, there was nothing he could do to stop him, not with such short notice. “He always was makin’ friends with the best-looking guys in school.”
Yes, Alec included himself.
Yes, Alec delighted in the chaos of confusion, fluster, and embarrassment surrounding them (though, looking on with raised brows, Kurt seemed the least concerned). He was just lucky that Vert wasn’t in any position to slug him – or that Wylde apparently wasn’t in the mood. The younger Wylde lurched forward with an incredulous snort, nearly locking his seatbelt in the process. Nevermind, Kurt. You got off easy this time; he had to rein his seat back in and figure out how the hell he oughta respond. It was funny. Probably. Vert wasn’t laughing. Vert was actually very red in the face. Jesus Christmas.
Thanks?
“You– you just keep telling yourself that, Alec. Maybe someday it’ll come true,” Vert sputtered. Somehow, that was the best comeback he could think of. It wasn’t even good. He fumbled, “A-and besides, I thought you were supposed to be on my side. I can’t believe my own best friend is perpetuating that old rumour again. What are you – fourteen? ”
He was offended (not really)! But he was heavily embarrassed. Impenetrably so.
“Nineteen and older than you – like Markie,” Alec chirped, completely and totally pleased with himself so far. Although, there was one little correction. “–sorry, it’s Mark. Right. But, hey, I’m not the one who cried at recess when I was six ‘cause a girl kissed me.”
He let the moment linger, oblivious to the gears working in Wylde’s head. They both were (though not Kurt. He knew something they didn’t). Then, as Vert failed to come up with an appropriate response in time, Alec shook his head, outing himself for a graceful surrender. “Nah, I’m just teasing you, Vert. I know better’n anyone your true love is the ocean.”