Work Text:
I (M, 28) have known my childhood friend (M, 27, "Ravi") since I was 10 and he 9 years old.
For context, we used to be very close back then, even though we got in many fights during our teenage years. The thing is that both of us are adopted, and Ravi had just gained another sibling (M, 23, "Samir") by adoption at that time (We were 17, 16 and Samir 12) The whole problem is that his adopted parent (M, 50) is a really problematic and literally gave Ravi's nickname (that was given by his dead mother) to Samir.
Of course, Ravi was furious and sad for this, and, in his fury he even acted as if Samir had any fault in It. Which means they don't really get along for a long time after this. They only started a real fraternal relationship when they were 15 and 19, where the problem and reason I writing this started.
After a villain attack, Samir died. Yes, died for real, I know that's something odd, but our world is attacked every month.
Ravi, that just started to repair their whole relationship months earlier, was devastated.
In that time, Samir's death was as a fuse for me. I was already having drugs problems, and this only made things worse. Since I was friends with Samir.
Everyone was devasted and sad, and both Ravi and his father changed forever, they never got to be what they were before this.
The whole thing is that, 3 years ago, I found out Samir somehow resurrected. And, as I said, even this is odd in our world, dead people suddenly resurrecting? Even I was shocked when I found out. Or better, when Samir told me.
And here is where things worsened in a way, after the shock and confirmation that it really was him, our friendship was reborn, and we even got closer than we were. At first, I though His family know he was alive again, since he talked about meeting his father.
The thing is that he only "talked" with his father, and it wasn't a good talk. I'm not going to say what happened since it's not my story to tell.
But then Samir asked me not to tell Ravi, saying he would do it himself when he's ready. And I accepted, it was not my life to tell anyway, so if it was not wanted, I won't tell. That was 2 years ago.
And since that day, I'm in a stalemate I can't get out. Look, Ravi is still in grief, he goes to Samir's grave every month, when Samir 21 birthday came, he put a bottle in his grave because he could legally drink, he talks to him when he's stressed and more.
But the thing is that he's alive, and I know that. I see Ravi cry every single death anniversary of Samir, I saw it, we even talked by phone about it this year because Ravi was more emotional and know me and his Brother used to be close.
And I know he's grieving for someone who's alive and is avoiding him. And now I don't know what to do.
I not even sure why he don't want Ravi to know he's alive, I think it's because he changed since he revived, but I doubt Ravi would care, he's been in grief for 8 years for God sake. And even though I know this may be result for the whole mess his adopted father did, I don't think Ravi deserves that.
But the last straw came last week, Ravi said he and his others brothers (they adopted father adopted more kids) were going to do a party for Samir. Apparently, one of the kids said that it would be good, and Ravi thougt it was.
And he invited me. And I can't take it anymore, I can't still see Ravi in grief for someone alive, but I also don't want to betray Samir. And I feel like any choice I do would be the wrong one.
And I don't know if I still can pretend he’s still dead.
So, Reddit, tell me, AITA?
Edit: Yes, I'm sure it's him, I don't said how I'm sure because this wasn't really the thing now. But I'm sure.
Edit²: For a whole year I though Ravi knew, I just foud out he didn't a year later, thats how I know Samir's alive for 3 years but have this secret for 2 years. And yes, their adopted father know Samir alive, for even more time that I know he is, and didn't told anyone.
