Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2006 18:29:48 +0800 From: YoDawgs Bl.net Subject: Search for Conscience, Chapter 14 Chapter Fourteen - The Aftermath. As usual, there won't be any disclaimers. Hope you enjoy the story. Don't hesitate to email. I like my work being commented on. Gives me a sense of purpose. Cheers! "What's up? Dog?" Sean echoed, intrigued. "It's a slang used by the Afro-American people back in the states. We return there every year to Los Angeles, and there are plenty of stereotypical people matching that category in the area where we stay." Sebastian's voice, identical to Seth's, was audible. There was a loud "Pof!" of skin against cloth, and Sebastian groaned, his face coming into view, with eyes closed, mouth slightly open and a frown of pain on his forehead, as he collapsed onto the bed, clutching his stomach, gasping for air. He was wearing a grey coloured jacket, with the same black shirt visible from the collar of the pullover jacket. As he curled up in pain, Cody noticed that he was wearing blue "Levi's" jeans. Obviously, Seth was dressed in the same manner. "Seth! What did I say about torturing your brother like that?" The feminine voice demanded. "Sorry, mom. He was being a smart-A... smarty-pants again. What a boffin." Seth added, cackling. "Seth, he's got leukemia. I think that's more than enough pain for him without the pain you're adding." The voice continued. Seth's face fell. "Oww, that hurt, Seth. That really hurt." Sebastian said huskily, head buried in the sheets. Seth nuzzled his face into his twin's back. "Sorry, Basti." he muttered. "'S alright." Sebastian said in a muffled voice, nursing his stomach. "Here, let me get that for you." Seth said, scooting over to the side of the bed and jamming his hand under Sebastian's shirt, stroking his abdomen. "Cold!" howled Sebastian squirming slightly. Both of them looked over at Sean and Cody, who had managed to wriggle out of his constricted space. "Sean...what happened?" Sebastian asked. "I fell asleep in the bath." Sean said, matter-of-factly. Seth frowned at the reply, and started to open his mouth, but was promptly nudged into silence by Sebastian. "Oh, right." He improvised. "So... what's new?" "Well, nothing much, except that Cody he's been accepted into the family, and, as you know, he's going to school with us on Monday!" Sean said in one whole breath, before pausing to regain his composure, placing a hand on his heaving chest. The look of happiness on his face was extremely evident, though. The look on the twins' faces was ecstatic. "Wow, cool!" Sebastian exclaimed, while Seth whooped with delight, punching Cody on the shoulder. "So, what class are you in?" Sebastian asked. "Not sure, really. I haven't even been in the school. We forgot to go yesterday, didn't we? After lunch." Cody replied. Both of the twins screwed up their faces and went glassy-eyed as they tried to recall the happenings of yesterday. Cody could hear John and Regina maintaining somewhat a long-winded conversation with the twins' parents. He didn't stare at them, because it was rude, but he noticed that both parents had the same blonde hair of the twins. Although a tad faded with age. Both Seth and Sebastian possessed the thin nose of their father, the angular cheeks of their mother, and a combination of both their chins. The mother was relatively overweight, but Cody's first impression of her was that she bore a distinctive resemblance to a "Mother Hen" type of person, who cared very much for her children, but chided them in such a way that it was both hilarious and serious at the same time. The father was a distinguished looking American man, and was incredibly tall. Cody estimated his height to be approximately six foot five to six foot six. He had grey eyes, while the mother had brown eyes, attributing to their eye colour. The mother was dressed in a blue pullover jacket, along with black jeans, while the father was dressed in a full business suit. Cody wondered why the man was dressed so neatly. Perhaps he worked on a Sunday, no matter how unlikely that proposition seemed. Seth giggled. "You better get some clothes on, man." He said to Sean "And Cody, you're barefooted." He pointed at Cody's bare feet. "Yeah, we were in a bit of hurry, actually." Cody retorted, rolling his eyes at Seth. "Ya think?" Seth replied, chortling. Cody spotted a plastic bag in Regina's hands. "I think your mom has brought clothes for you, Sean. I'm not sure whether she's remembered to bring shoes, though." He commented. "It's our mom, Cody." Sean said softly, breathing as gently as he could. "Don't forget that we're family now." He continued. "Sorry. Our mom." He repeated after Sean. "Well, aren't both of you just sweet?" Seth said evilly, smile cracking his lips. "Ooh, just you wait till I've recovered. When I'm done with you, I'm going to make sure that you dig a hole in the ground and stuff your head in whenever the word "Tickle" is so much as whispered." Sean groaned. "Ooh, British humour, eh? Funny." Seth taunted Sean. Cody was aware of the fact that Seth and Sebastian were born in this country, and knew fully that he understood exactly what Sean meant. Seth grinned at Sean and was on the verge of expelling yet another vindictive comment when Sebastian leant into his thigh, turning onto his back, and shutting his eyes. Seth pulled off Sebastian's and his own shoes, and threw them down on the white tiled hospital floor. "Seth, I'm tired." He murmured. Seth looked at him, and a trace of sorrow crossed his expression, duly noted by Cody, who knew that Seth was aware that his brother was far from coping well with the disease. Seth reached out, and stroked his brother's hair and neck, running his fingers over the collarbone, which was just visible on top of the shirt. Sebastian shut his eyes as Seth toyed with a few russet moles on his throat. A few seconds later, Seth pulled off Sebastian's and his own shoes, and threw them down on the white tiled hospital floor. "Look at Cody's hair." Sean said. Sparing the twins the trouble, Cody moved closer to both of them, until he was at a distance of a foot from them. He bent his head downwards, exposing the fine strands of blonde. While his left hand was petting his not-so-similar double lying on his lap, he sifted through Cody's hair. Cody relaxed, enjoying the feeling. Just like a head massage. When Seth eventually let out the same astonished gasp as Sean and Regina, he knew that Seth had found the white streak. "Sebastian, look!" Sebastian raised himself up with his elbows, accidentally thrusting his elbow into Seth's groin. Seth jumped with an "Argh!", and guided Sebastian's hand away, panting slightly with the pain. Sebastian scrutinized Cody's forehead. There was a sharp intake of breath as he discovered the streak of shiny white. "You're like us now, Cody." He said softly. "I'm guessing it happened only today?" he asked. For a moment, Cody was taken aback by Sebastian's seemingly psychic abilities, but he saw through Sebastian's mislead. "Of course it happened today, Sebastian. We only met each other yesterday." He said, trying to withhold the sarcasm in his voice. "Haha, owned." Seth said, voice brimming with mischief. Sebastian went red, and lay back down on Seth's legs, taking hold of his brother's hands and guiding them to his chest. "Ready to go, darlings?" Regina's voice cut through the silence. Cody felt his heart leap into his mouth, while Sean jumped visibly. Seth gripped Sebastian in fright, and Sebastian thrusted his upper body into the air slightly in shock. "Did I scare all of you?" she asked, smiling. "Here, Sean. I've brought your clothes. You're alright, aren't you, Cody? Oh no." She said, as she spotted Cody's bare feet. "I didn't know that you didn't bring any shoes. You must have been in quite a hurry." She continued, not realizing that she was stating the obvious. "It's no problem, actually." John strode up to them. "He's a small guy. I'll just carry the little tyke." Cody felt himself being lifted by John's muscular arms, and placed on his shoulders. Meanwhile, Sean was adorning the clothes that his mother brought for him. A white "AND 1" T-shirt with red seams was being pulled over Sean's head, obstructing the view of his shirtless body. Cody felt his heart drop as the torso that he loved so much was being covered. Sean then pulled out the black skater trousers from the paper bag, and pulled it up his body, before realizing that he was wearing nothing under the towel. "Did you bring my underwear, mom?" he asked. "Oh no!" Regina exclaimed with a shocked tone, eyes widening. Sean's expression equaled and outstripped hers. The color drained from his face, and he was about to say something before Regina chuckled, and pulled a pair of grey boxers out of the paper bag. Sean grabbed it instantaneously and was about to begin adorning them before he looked around. "Seth! Sebastian! Stop staring at me!" he cried, noticing the twins' eyes riveted to his body. Both of them blushed for a second, before Seth slowly pulled Sebastian up, supporting him with his shoulder. Sebastian appeared lethargic, as he leant heavily on Seth. Sean seized the opportunity to jerk his boxers up his legs as hastily as he could. "Sebastian!" Seth giggled, as he strained to maintain support on Sebastian, who was leaning back with closed eyes and half-grin on his face, applying as much weight as he could against his protesting brother. He arched his back and heaved his full weight onto Seth, who squawked before he was squashed by Sebastian's overbearing torso. "Ugh... I'm gonna kill you." Seth's voice, muffled by the sheets, muttered. Cody knew that Seth was physically superior to Sebastian, yet he did not use any of his strength against his brother. He was well aware of the reason, of course. Seth loved Sebastian too much to risk hurting him, with exception to the belly smacks and hilarious pranks. The truth was that both of them loved each other too much, and despite whatever Seth might comment about Sebastian's seemingly smart-ass attitude, he knew that Seth would be very unhappy if Sebastian died, as an understatement. They were too emotionally and physically attached for separation. He sincerely hoped that Sebastian would recover, and was willing to lay down his life for him, if given the opportunity. Seth eventually managed to lever Sebastian off him, and reached for his sneakers, before stuffing his black-socked feet into them. Cody eyed both of them, perched on John's shoulders. Suddenly, a thought flicked through his mind. "Sebastian, Seth, how do you know whose sneakers are whose?" he asked. Sebastian grinned. "We don't. We just wear them. They're the same anyway. We got the same size and all, so we don't bother at all." He replied, dangling his feet down from the stretcher. Seth caught hold of his left foot and unceremoniously crammed it inside the corresponding remaining sneaker. "I really gotta tell Seth not to mind his brother so much. Ever since Sebastian's been ill, he's been getting double attention from his ever-loving brother." The twins' mother stepped up to John. "Hey there, Cody. I'm Sam. John and Regina have told me so much about you." The woman drawled, holding out her hand. "Pleased to meet you, Sam. How long have you been here?" "Oh, we were here ten minutes ago. I'm quite surprised you didn't see us." "I meant in the country, sorry." "Oh. Right. We moved here...um..." she turned to her husband, who was idly reading one of the many diagrams hung on the hospital walls. "Scott! How long have we stayed in this country?" "Five years." Was the response. Samantha grinned at Cody. "Well, you heard him. So, what do you think about Sebastian and Seth? I hope they behave when they're alone with you, especially Seth. He can be a real devil sometimes." "I think it's absolutely fantastic, the way in which Seth cares so much about Sebastian. And also, they like the very same thing that the other fancies. The only difference is that Sebastian tends to be a little more..." he struggled to find the word. "Knowledgeable." He said. "They're cool." He ended. Sam smiled. "Nice to hear that. You're also going to school with them, aren't you? Regina told me that since you and Sean live in the same house, you're gonna walk to school together. Seth and Sebastian have always joined Sean, every time he passes our home. I guess they'll be thrilled at the prospect of yet another mate." "Actually, Sean told them already." "Oh. Well, then." She replied, a smile still etched on her face. At that point, Sean completed the task of adorning his clothes, whilst Seth finally managed to stuff Sebastian's other foot into the black sneaker, after undoing the shoelaces and loosening the tongue. He bound the knot with the shoelaces, and patted his brother on the foot. Sebastian opened his eyes, yawned, and stretched, before jumping onto Seth's shoulders. "Oww, Sebastian. I'm strong, but not THAT strong." He complained. "Hold on to my shoulders, I'll give you a piggy back." He leant over, and Sebastian climbed aboard, tucking his feet through Seth's arms and stretching his arms around Seth's neck, clasping his hands. Suddenly, Seth stopped. "Get off, I've got a better idea." Sebastian alighted immediately. Seth pulled his jacket over his head, tugging his shirt long with it, and revealing part of his abdomen, which contracted as he realized that he was one step closer to becoming shirtless. Sebastian grinned, and held the black shirt steady, as Seth completed the action. "Take off your jacket." Seth said to Sebastian, who immediately obliged. As his brother, he was unable to remove the jacket without the force of static catching hold of his black cotton shirt and dragging it up with the pullover. Seth chuckled, and, utilizing his index finger, wriggled his finger in Sebastian's navel, tickling the rim. Sebastian started screaming in desperation, and nearly pulled his shirt off as he fought tooth and nail to remove the jacket, to end his torment. He would have succeeded in pulling his shirt off and revealing his bare torso to the entire host in the room, if not for Seth, who realized his peril, and relented, while using his other hand to hold the black shirt in place. It was done; both jackets were off, Sebastian slightly flushed from the exertion. Seth looked at his father. "Dad, can I have your jacket, please?" "Why?" Scott asked, still reading through the chart on the board. "Just." Scott unzipped his jacket, and tossed it at Seth, who caught it in outstretched hands. He grinned. "Okay, get on." He said to Sebastian. Sebastian climbed aboard again, gripping Seth's neck. "Hold on for a moment." Seth quipped. He flung the jacket over his shoulder, letting it rest on Sebastian's head. He then hooked his hands around Sebastian's calves, securing them in place. He jumped a little to make sure that Sebastian was fully attached to him. He then arranged the jacket so that it rested over both of them symmetrically. Following that, he zipped up the jacket again from the inside with one hand, taking care not to lose balance. He did not insert his hands into the sleeves, but allowed the jacket to rest over both of them, supported by Sebastian's and his own shoulder. He jumped again, not realizing that Sebastian's head was covered by the collar of the jacket. "You ready, bro?" he asked. "Err, just a second." There was a brief shuffling inside the jacket, before Sebastian resurfaced, popping out like a jack in the box, resting his chin on the back of Seth's neck, where the spine was most visible. He readjusted his arms, squeezing them through Seth's armpits. His hands eventually ended up gripping Seth's chest firmly. Cody smiled incredulously. These twins were definitely something. Sebastian's head was poking out of the jacket, just behind Seth's. They very much resembled a two-headed ogre, Cody thought. They looked incredibly cute, cuddled against each other, Cody's train of thought continued. Seth giggled. "Hey, hey. I ain't your girlfriend, you know. With you touching me like that and all." he taunted. Sebastian snorted, and pinched his brother's nipples through his thin shirt, inside the jacket. "Ah!" Seth cried out, throwing his head back and arching his back, hitting Sebastian on the nose. The jacket stretched a little, groaning as its seams were stretched to the limit. Sebastian let out an "Uh!" and began kneading Seth's chest to comfort him. "Mmmm... that feels good." Seth sighed. "Keep it up." He trudged around the room, sneakers slapping the plastic covering of the floor. "Hmm, you've still got your shoes on." He noticed. "No, no. Don't get off. It's fine. Much better than putting it on later anyway." Samantha was momentarily stunned, when she was jerked from her preoccupation by the action of Seth pacing the room with Scott's black and yellow jacket on, carrying Sebastian, whose head protruded like a sore thumb. "Seth!" She chortled. "You don't need to do that for your brother." She said. "He's sick, but not THAT ill." "I know, but I want to." Seth replied, completing a revolution on his heels and pacing in the opposite direction. Sebastian nuzzled his head into Seth's neck. "I love you." He said softly, resting his cheek on Seth's spine. "Eww, you do?" Seth joked. "Then I ain't gonna be able to get a girlfriend then, with you around. You'll probably scare her off." He giggled loudly. Sebastian ignored the comment, and rubbed his cheek against Seth's bare neck, closing his eyes. Cody was slightly jealous. He knew that no matter how attached he became with Sean, Seth and Sebastian would always be ten times more attached. They were the same, the ultimate duplication of genes, cells, everything. They were each others half. He also pitied Seth, who had to live in constant fear of Sebastian leaving him. Sean eventually managed to stuff his feet into his shoes without the aid of a shoehorn, Regina watching over vigilantly. "Ready to go, honey?" Regina inquired. Sean nodded his assent. "Don't you need the doctor to sign you out?" Cody asked, intrigued. "Oh, we collected the leaving slip while Sean was... uh... being..." John stammered. Cody could feel his back rumbling as the words vibrated their way out through the vocal chords, making the body shudder very slightly. "Oh, okay then." He replied. "Alright, all set then?" John announced. Sean nodded, and slid down from the bed, hurrying to the twins. Regina, Scott and Samantha filed out of the room, chattering loudly. John motioned for the twins and Sean to lead, and walked out of the room with Cody perched on his shoulders. Cody admired the muscular frame of Sean's father, the workings of the sinewy back. He laid his hands precariously on Sean's neck, and felt the firm muscle through the jacket and shirt. John chuckled, and gently pushed the three boys out of the ward. They went down the lift, through the A & E ward, out through the double doors, and out through the front door, instead of the A & E ward. Cody gasped as the cold West London air hit him, along with the smell of pollution. It was not the air which was cold; that was tolerable in itself. It was the wind, which blew in gusts over the whole of the United Kingdom. Cody knew that the gusts were caused by the cold fronts in the North Sea hitting the warm fronts from the land, caused by human activity. The people of Britain only had themselves to blame for the blistering cold gusts. They reached the BMW, Sebastian alighting from Seth and slipping out from under the jacket. Sean entered the car first, and held the door open for the twins, who fought for first place in. John carefully leant over and faced his back to the car. Cody appreciated John's care and concern for him, but not merely setting him down on the ground. He eased himself into the car, landing on Seth's lap. Seth squealed, and pushed him over to the middle, where there was some space allocated for him. He landed, sprawled, on the seat, with his hair strewn all over his head. Sean reached over and pulled him to a sitting position, patting his strands back to their normal position. "We need to take you for a haircut." Regina commented from the front seat. "Err, Regina." Cody asked. "Are the twins coming with us?" "Well, they're in the car now. A little too late for asking, isn't it?" she commented. Cody went red. "Only joking. They're joining us for lunch today. We're paying, since we made them miss their church session. Scott and Sam are going to meet us there. We're going to eat at TGI-Fridays." TGI-Fridays were, and still are, a place where families usually went. The food was served in huge portions, and was more than enough for one single person to finish. As a result, families shared their food. "Cody." Sean called softly. "Yeah?" "Lie on my lap. You must be tired after what happened this morning." He said, arranging his jacket on his legs. "Sean, I'm fine. If anything, you're the one who needs rest." He replied. "Nonsense. I was out cold for almost the whole morning." Sean scoffed. "Now lie on my lap!" he ordered, a grin on his face. Cody obliged. Hesitating, he lowered his face downwards till his left cheek touched Sean's jacket-clad thighs. He felt Sean's hands on his head, massaging his hair gently. "Mmmm..." he moaned softly, enjoying it. The twins observed from the other end, grins on their faces. He felt his feet being moved, and savoured a soft texture a millisecond later. His legs were now atop both the twins' laps, his heel resting on Sebastian's left thigh. He fell into a state of complete relaxation, giggling once in awhile as he felt Sean running his fingernails over his neck. He felt his torso being caressed by the twins, occasionally becoming aware of one twin's hands under his shirt, rubbing his chest or stomach. His eyelids automatically became glued to the bottom of his eyes as he began to drift of into nothingness. He reflected back on his life three months ago. Three months ago, he left all his friends, his family. It was a pity because he did not have any other siblings, or relatives, with the exception of his grandparents, who, unfortunately, were a little too old to effectively look after him, and provide the basic necessities. There was a clicking sound as the door open, and a silent beeping, which signified "Door Ajar." John bent over and stepped into the car, closing the door and fastening his seatbelt. "Sean, I've just spoke to Mr. and Mrs. Davenport, and we are of similar opinion that you should go home and have a rest." "But dad, I'll be all alone." He responded, slightly too quickly. Cody opened his eyes instinctively. How could they leave an underage child in the abode without supervision, or at least company? "Let me finish." John continued. "They've agreed for me to provide company for you, by leaving you alone with your XBOX." Sean looked aghast. He looked with wide eyes at his father, who was smiling broadly. "Oh." He said, downcast. Cody could not believe that Sean had not seen through John's ploy. He reminded himself that Sean was probably exhausted after the morning, and could not logically make assumptions in his mind. "We're letting the twins and Cody stay behind. Your mother will make sure, that you don't get into any mischief." John burst the bubble. Sean's face lightened up in a split-second. "Oh, thanks, dad." "No problem." Cody felt mischievous. "Hmm..." he said. "What?" Sean enquired. "I don't know, I feel really peckish. Perhaps I'll join our parents." He replied, trying not to allow his face to contort with a grin. Sean's eyes widened in shock. "But..." he sputtered. "Only joking. I can't leave my brother alone with these two dorks here, can I?" he chuckled, motioning towards the twins, who immediately put on scowls of similar likeness. He felt hands slowly ascending up his body onto his chest, but was too slow to stop Seth's fingers cruelly twisting his nipples. At the same time, Sean started digging him in the ribs and wriggling his fingers, causing his body to buck and throe with ticklishness. He screeched loudly, twisting and turning for all it was worth. "Hey, keep it down, boys." John's voice overwhelmed the host of giggles and cackles. They ceased their action. Sean went back to petting Cody, while the twins hummed to the music of their IPOD and stroked his chest and stomach. He felt at peace, albeit only for a few minutes.