Chapter Two (Aidan)
"Seriously? Come on, Aidan. I think you're just imagining it." Mason states half seriously. I knew I was probably annoying him at this point, but this was serious, and I genuinely thought it was weird. I know Riley, I know him better than anyone, or at least I used to. The Riley that woke up from that coma is no the same Riley I had known my entire life. I wasn't just imagining it.
"Okay, I will admit. I'm a little jealous as well, Mason. But you have to admit. When they're together, he acts differently." I then say, after deciding to try a different approach. I was still making the same point, and I could tell that he knew that, but I could also see that he was at least thinking it over, and not just dismissing it.
"I don't know." He then responds with a slight shrug of the shoulders. Which was a little disappointing, but as I follow his gaze, I see Billy and Riley playing together, and I had to admit, I did feel jealous. "I know that you two aren't talking much, but that happens sometimes, and maybe he just needs a bit more time to think about everything." I then hear him say. Which quickly makes me turn back towards him in surprise.
"Time to think about what?" I quickly ask in response. It was maybe a little harsher than intended, and I could see the surprise on his face, but I wasn't in the best of moods anyway, and he knew that. It didn't make it okay, and I know that, but I couldn't help it, and he would know that it wasn't personal.
"Aidan, come on. You're his best friend, practically brothers, and you told me yourself, that you told each other everything. So you know what I'm saying. For what, three years? You didn't tell him about the fact that you were an Empowered. And I know, Lily was a factor, but you still kept it from him. On top of that, he had known the entire time, but had waited for you to tell him, he thought you would. On top of that, you knew that he already knew, and yet you still didn't tell him or hint it to him. So how do you think that would make him feel? that's not something that you just accept and get over." He then states in response. Hitting me pretty hard with the truth. He was right, he was so right, that even at my most stubborn, I couldn't argue against it.
Instead of responding straight away, I take another look over to Riley and Billy. They were now just sitting and talking to each other. It reminded me of all the times Riley, and I would do that, and yeah, I was jealous, I couldn't deny that, and I still felt like I had a point. However, Mason was right, and I had expected Riley to just get over it and then we would be okay.
"I guess so." I then eventually say in a dejected tone. I just didn't know what else to say about it all. He was right, and as much as I wanted to twist it somehow, and prove him wrong, I would never succeed. I just had no idea where that left me. Am I meant to just give Riley space to get his head around it all, or am I supposed to apologize constantly until he forgives me? I had no idea.
"Look, Aidan. I don't want to lecture you or make you feel bad. But, you need to just be honest with him, and I know you don't want to, but I think you should talk to him about Lily. You already told me that he knows you suspect her of something. So the fact you haven't actually told him what that is. Is just you repeating the same mistake you made when you didn't tell him about who you really were. It's only natural that he might feel like you don't trust him, and that might be what's keeping that wedge between you both at the moment." Mason then states with a sympathetic expression. It would have been easy to get angry at him, but he was just being honest, and he was also right. There was no denying that either.
"I almost told him the other day." I then decide to admit. I hadn't told him about that yet. To be honest, I kind of forgot about it, well more pushed it out of my mind. Although it was one of the reasons that I had started to worry about Riley and Billy's friendship. Of course, it could just be jealousy, I'm not too proud to admit that as a possibility. But there was something odd about them, when they were together, they both acted a little differently. I couldn't be the only one who saw it.
"Wait, what?" He quickly responds in surprise. Which I was expecting, and even though I could have, I decided not to respond, and instead, wait for him to carry on talking. "Seriously? Okay, well how can you almost tell him. Why not just tell him, because if you almost told him, then surely he would have picked up on it and that would make him think you still didn't trust him." He then says with a frown. I couldn't really blame him, and it's why I decided not to respond straight away. It was just easier for me to answer this way, instead of going through everything individually.
"We were talking about some stuff, important stuff and I could see that in his eyes, he was hurt that I wasn't telling him everything. I'm not stupid, Mason. I know that I made the wrong choices. So I decided just to tell him about Lily, but before I could even really start. Billy came barging into the room." I then explain as I give Billy and Riley another glance. Just to make sure they were still too far away to hear this conversation. I didn't want to have to deal with all that.
"I don't want to piss you off or patronize you, Aidan. But that was a few days ago, and you've spent time with him alone since. It just seems to me, that you're making excuses. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying I would be any different, and I get why you're hesitant, but if you wanted to tell him, you could have done it." He then states firmly. Once again, he is spot on, and once again, I can't argue against what he just said. I just didn't know how to talk to Riley. It was a new issue for me and not one that I had any idea how to fix.
"Fucking hell. When did you get so good at this kind of thing?" I then say with a slight smirk. It was a bit of a cop out, in terms of what we were talking about. But I really wanted to get away from it for a while. So I decided just to lighten things up again, and thankfully, from his expression, I could tell that he was going to let me off the hook. At least for now.
"Fair enough. So where are they sending you off too next, anyway?" Mason then asks with a slightly calculating tone. I could tell that while he was going along with it, he wanted to say more. It's another reason I really like him, because he is respectful of peoples feelings, and will let something drop if you ask him to. Not many people do that, and I include myself in that.
"There are rumors that an Empowered named Wraith, is trying to recruit some new followers. So I am being sent to investigate, but it's a surveillance mission. So it will probably be boring." I eventually respond with a shrug of the shoulders. It wasn't exactly exciting, and I had never heard of anyone called Wraith before, so I doubt he is going to be any kind of threat.
"Seriously? They're sending you on a standard surveillance mission." He then quickly asks in a surprised tone. Which is pretty much what I was thinking at the time, when they gave me the mission, but I think I kind of understand why. I just didn't really agree with it, and if it wasn't for Lily. I might have said something.
"It sucks, but I'm not above the rules, Mason. Plus to be honest, and I swear to god, if you tell anyone else this, you and I won't be friends anymore. But to be completely honest, after the fight with Baine's team, I kind of need a break from fighting." I decide to say next. It wasn't the whole truth, but it was pretty close, and I thought it was good enough unless he pushed me for more.
"Shit..." He then begins to respond in shock quickly. But from his expression and the fact he trailed off, I decide to let him finish. It's not like I could blame him for being caught off guard. Anyone would be. "Are you okay? I mean, if you ever want to talk about stuff like that, I'm here for you." He then says with a warm smile. Although it did take me a few moments, to realize that he was giving my knee a reassuring squeeze. I hadn't even noticed that he had even put his hand on my knee, so it was definitely a bit of a shock.
"It's nothing like that, I promise, Mason." I quickly decide to respond. I could see how much he was worried about him, and while I did have a few things to get past, I wanted him to know that it wasn't anything like he was thinking. "Honestly, Mason. It's more the fact that I lost control, and I lost it in front of people. So I just want to take a step back for a while. You understand, right?" I then add with a slightly nervous expression. I knew he would, but it was still hard to completely let your guard down. Even with people you trusted.
"Fair enough, and I get it, Aidan. But I'm worried about you. It's not just this, it's the stuff with Riley and Billy as well, even Lily. It just seems like you have so much going on in your head. I don't know, I just worry, and I want to help." He then says with the same warm smile as before, but I could see the concern all over his face, and I couldn't help it. I could feel the tears forming in my eyes already.
"What am I supposed to do though? You agree with me about Lily, and I can't just drop it. And I know it sounds crazy, but I've known Riley almost my entire life, and when he and Billy are together, or you talk about Billy with him, he changes. It's nothing massive or obvious, but when you know someone, truly know them, you can tell when something is different. So I need to figure it out." I quickly fire back firmly. I had almost shouted the response because I felt that strongly about it, but I managed to keep my voice down. The last thing I needed, was for other people to hear this conversation.
"Okay, that's a fair point, it really is. However, Aidan. You need to take a step back. You say you need a break from fighting, and that's a pretty remarkable admission, so why not take a break from this Riley and Billy thing, and before you say anything, I believe that you aren't imagining things. But, and this is a big but, I think you should drop it for now. Get this mission done, and then concentrate on Lily. Once that's done, then we can take a serious look at them. I mean it's not like they're evil or bad people, so I think it can wait." He then states with a firm expression. Which is just annoying, I mean fucking hell, he is way too good at this kind of thing. It's not even remotely fair. Fucking hell.
"Thanks. I really mean it, Mason. I really like you, a lot." I then find myself saying, without really thinking about it. But as I see the surprise on his face, I quickly blush and sit back a little bit. I can't believe I just said that and even though I could have brushed it off, my reaction pretty much confirmed what I really meant, and I had no idea what to do, or how he was going to react.
"Come with me." I then hear him say, as I watch him slowly get to his feet and hold out his hand for me to take. "Hey, Billy, Riley. We're heading off, catch up with you later." He then calls out to the others, which I can see just give us a quick look and a wave, before getting back to whatever they were talking about. I, however, had no idea what to do really, and even as I reach out and let him pull me to my feet. I'm unsure if he's angry or not.
I then let him lead me away from the others and back towards the Facility. I still had no idea, but he wasn't holding my hand too tightly, just enough to keep hold off it, which I guess was a good sign, although I guess maybe he might have just been holding it as lightly as he could, without losing grip. What I did know, was that he wasn't saying anything, and as we passed through the Facility and made our way to the living quarters, I couldn't help but get more and more nervous.
Six hours later...
"Quit it, Riley. There's nothing to tell." I quickly state with a shy smile. I just couldn't help it, and even though nothing really happened earlier, not what I am sure he is thinking. I was definitely not unhappy with what did happen, and I couldn't help smiling, but it still wasn't what he thought it was.
"Yeah, because you're just grinning like a moron because you hung out with a friend." He then fires back with a shake of the head. Which should have been funny, but while it was just for a moment, I would swear to god, I saw something else in his expression. I'm not exactly sure what, but it looked like anger or annoyance. It was strange because I knew for a fact he liked Mason, and he knew that I liked him. So I wasn't sure what to make of it, or if I even really saw it.
"Do you really want to know?" I then decide to ask with a searching look. I was sure I just imagined it, but now that I think about it, he really hasn't been that supportive of me liking Mason. It's just strange because they get on really well, but for some reason, he doesn't seem to like the idea of me liking him. I'm sure it's not out of jealousy, he's made it clear that he is straight and I believe him. But he still seems to be against it, so I decided to try and see if he would let anything slip.
"Why wouldn't I? Come on, Aidan. You've had a crush on him for weeks, and then you two go off on your own for a few hours and ever since, you couldn't wipe that grin off your face if your life depended on it." He quickly fires back. This time sounding more happy and interested in what had happened, but I still couldn't shake off that for whatever reason, he wasn't happy about Mason and me, getting closer.
"Well, nothing happened. I'm serious, Riley. Nothing happened, we just talked, and it just cleared a lot of stuff up, and that's it, I promise." I decide to then say with what I am sure, is the same stupid grin, that he said I had since Mason and I had talked. I felt a little bad for not telling him everything, but I wanted to tease him a little bit.
"So you aren't together?" He then asks in surprise and a hint of relief. Which again, just throws me off, I honestly had no idea what his problem seemed to be, but at the same time, it wasn't like he was being a prick or anything. He just for whatever reason, didn't seem to like the idea of Mason and me, dating.
"He's eighteen years old, Riley." I respond back with a slightly disappointed look. I knew he was older, but I figured he was sixteen, and I never really considered anything that he had told me when we had told me to go with him, and then explained everything to me. I mean it still sucks, but at the same time, at least I know where we stand now.
"What's that got to do with anything?" He then quickly asks with a confused look on his face. I couldn't blame him, because I pretty much said the same thing to Mason. So I got it, and even before I begin to think about responding, I can see the look of realization on his face.
"Yeah, I thought he was younger as well. I know how to pick a crush, right?" I then say with a small grin, which widens when I see him genuinely grin for the first time since we started talking about this. He also looked a lot more relaxed as well, but I decided to quit over analyzing him, all that was going to do, was make things even more awkward between us.
"Your straight best friend, who is pretty much your brother, and an eighteen-year-old guy. Yeah, you definitely know how to pick them." He then says with an even wider grin. I had missed moments like this, and I hoped things would just get easier and easier between us. Because he was right, we are family, and we shouldn't be angry at each other.
"Well, I will be sixteen soon. So I'm not completely giving up. Even if he said, he wasn't going to date me, just because I was old enough for him to date." I then decide to say with a thoughtful smile. He hadn't rejected me completely, but I knew that if we ever did get together, it would take more than my sixteenth birthday, for it to happen.
"He is gay then? I mean, if you were both the same age, he would be interested?" I then hear him ask curiously. I had gone into my own thoughts for a few moments, but his question was a good one, and I had been asking myself the same thing as well. Well, it was more about what if we were the same age, more than it is about whether or not Mason was gay.
"He's gay, but he made it clear that it's not just the age thing. He said that we could talk more after I turn sixteen, but even then, we would have to get to know each other, go on some dates and stuff, just to see if we do like each other. Until then though, he isn't going to think of me as anything other than a friend." I answer honestly. I could have left a lot of that out, and considered it, but I think we've had enough secrets between us. So I decided just to be honest, although he wasn't giving much away as he looks at me thoughtfully.
"He has a point. I mean he's a lot older and even though you're probably the most powerful person on the planet. You're still technically a kid, and he would get in so much crap if he dated you." He then says in a thoughtful tone, after a few moments. I mean he was right, and it's one of the things Mason had said himself, so I couldn't argue against it.
"Still sucks though." I then say with a chuckle. Just to let him know I was joking around, and not being serious. "I would ask you how your love life is going, but you've been stuck here for a month and the only girl that's shown any interest in you, is Dr. Erickson." I then decide to say with a big grin, and quickly laugh as he gives me the cutest attempt at a death stare, that I have ever seen.
"Yeah, being in a coma and then being experimented on for a month, kind of gets in the way of dating." He eventually responds in an obvious attempt not to sound a little annoyed. But I saw right through it, and I could tell that this had nothing to do with my attempt to tease him, and everything to do with being stuck here.
It's not something I can blame him for though. This place had its perks, it really did, and I enjoyed the gym and pool, as well as some of the other stuff. But it wasn't home, and it wasn't a holiday camp. At its heart, it was a research facility more than anything, and while Lily has made sure they didn't bother him too much. He still had to sit through a lot of tests and questions.
So I definitely understood where he was coming from. I mean apart from wanting to be at home with Riley and Lily, there was a reason I spent so little time here. So with being a lab rat on top of that, I actually don't know how he has kept so calm about it. I would have been out of here a long time ago if it was me. I guess he's just a lot more patient than I am.
"I've been investigating Lily." I then suddenly say nervously. We have already talked about the fact that Lily and I had been a little off with each other, and he wasn't stupid, but I wanted to tell him as much as I dared to tell him. Especially since I was going away for a while on the surveillance mission, which while easy, usually takes at least a week to complete.
"Why?" He simply asks in response. I could see that he wasn't happy about the confirmation, but at least he was willing to listen and not just get angry with me and get defensive. Which made it a lot easier to talk to him and maybe help fix our friendship a little more, by revealing another secret between us. Maybe he will even tell me a few of his as well.
"I love her, Riley. I mean that and what she did for me, I will never forget that. But she's not the person we thought she was." I answer carefully. I knew that he could get angry at any moment if I said the wrong thing. So I wanted to take it slowly and make sure that he knows that I'm being serious and not just throwing accusations about.
"What does that even mean?" He quickly asks with more of an edge to his tone this time. He wasn't getting angry, and I could tell that he was still curious, but I definitely needed to continue to think about what I said, and as clear as I could.
"I'm going to sound like a hypocrite here, Riley. Believe me. Even I think that. However, we both know now, that she's an Empowered, and she's been one longer than I have. We both know that, right?" I then begin to say, as I decide to change how I wanted to say this quickly. I knew that he was aware now that Lily was an Empowered and has been for a long time, but I also knew that he didn't know what I was about to tell him.
"Yeah, you both told me all that stuff, and I know you only told me because you had no choice. So what's your point?" He asks back with even more edge in his voice. He was still pissed that we might have still been lying to him if none of this had happened. I couldn't blame him, but it was a quick reminder that I had a lot of work to do, to heal that wound.
"I only found out that Lily was an Empowered, just before what happened with Baine's team. It's why Lily and I were arguing, and I was actually on my way back to tell you everything when Baine's team attacked me." I then say softly. This was a lot harder than I thought it would be. It felt like I was betraying Lily, which was stupid, I mean in a way, maybe. But I wasn't saying it to drive a wedge between them. I just wanted him to know the truth.
"Wait, what?" He quickly responds with a confused expression. I can see him going over it in his head, and it confirmed that he really had no idea, and it also gave me more confidence, that he would at least hear me out, and not just get angry and mad at me for making these things up.
"For all these years, she's been amazing, Riley. Truly, she's helped me more than you might ever know. She's been more of a mother to me in the past couple of years than my own mum ever was. But in all that time, despite knowing everything about me, she hid the fact that she was an Empowered. Everyone who knew hid it from me, and I want to know why." I answer honestly. I could have said more, and I definitely had more to say. However, the only way that I could explain it and get him to understand was to take this slowly, and not just overwhelm him with everything all at once. That would never work, and I needed him to understand.
However, as the seconds pass, I realize that he doesn't seem to be getting ready to respond. I can see him staring at me, and I can tell that he is still thinking everything over, but he's definitely not going to say anything, and I have no idea what to make of that.
"I don't think she's evil or a bad person, Riley. I think I said that already, but I mean it, and this isn't about turning anyone against her. But she is holding something back, Riley, and it's big. We've actually had a couple of conversations, and more than once, I thought she might actually tell me something. But there is always an excuse, which stops her telling me, and I need to know. That's why I'm investigating her. I want the truth." I then find myself saying. It was a little more than I wanted to say, but it was the truth, and I wanted him to understand why I was doing it. Maybe even help me, but I think that is a little too hopeful right now.
"So..." I then hear him begin to say, but he quickly trails off for a few moments. I could see that he was conflicted, and I just had to hope he wouldn't turn on me. I couldn't handle that. "Why wouldn't she tell you though. I mean you said she helped you more than I would ever know, so I am guessing that means something about you being an Empowered. So why wouldn't she just tell you?" He then asks me with a confused expression. Surprising me completely for a few moments, before really thinking about what kind of person he actually was. He rarely overreacted to anything and tended to look at things from both sides, before deciding on something. I can't believe I forgot that it would have made me less nervous a few minutes ago.
"That's one of the things that made me want to know the truth, Riley. I've talked to her like I've already said, and while she hasn't said anything concrete, she's hinted to me, that things might not be what they seem at the Facility. I have no idea if that means it's evil or something like that, but I doubt it, they protect the world and stop the rogue Empowered. But there's something going on, and Lily is involved in some way." I decide to answer in response. I honestly didn't believe that the Facility was secretly evil or corrupt, but I was starting to wonder if there was an ulterior motive behind the scenes. That's all I could think of, anyway.
"I've been wondering if this place is just about what I was told it was, or if there was more to it." He then says in a thoughtful tone. Completely caught me by surprise, and I can only stare at him for a few moments, as I repeat what he had just said, in my head a couple of times.
"Why would you say that?" I then ask curiously, as I study his expression. He wasn't playing any mind games, he wasn't that kind of person, or at the very least, he would do it to me. But his response still caught me off guard, and it made me rethink my approach to the conversation about Lily and the Facility.
"Doctors and nurses tend to talk a lot more than I think they realize, especially when they think you're asleep. I haven't overheard anything that's scared me or even made me feel scared or suspicious, Aidan. Although, now that we've been talking, I can't help but think about some of the stuff, and be a little more curious." He answers with a slight shrug. Which told me that he at the very least, he believed that I wasn't just making this up and that there might be something else going on.
"I don't think it's anything bad, I mean I don't think they want to hurt people or take over the world. At the same time though, we've seen enough films and read enough comics, to know that sometimes, even good guys with the best intentions, can end up causing a lot of harm. I just want to make sure nothing like that is going on." I then decide to say, choosing my words as carefully as I could. He may believe that I had a good reason to be suspicious, but I was still unsure of how he felt about Lily potentially being involved.
"And you really think that Lily might be involved?" He then says suspiciously. Although I have no idea where that obvious suspicion is directed, so I had to still be careful. If he got angry or reacted badly, he could tell Lily all of this, and despite the fact that she had hinted at wanting to tell me everything. It had been a month since she first said that, and she still hasn't. So I was nervous about how she might react to this conversation.
"If she does, then the way she has talked to me about it recently. I don't think she is in favor of whatever may or may not be happening. Like I said, Riley. I don't think she is some kind of evil mastermind. I just think she's hiding something and that I have a right to know. We have a right to know. Don't you think?" I then state in response, and despite wanting to approach this cautiously, I decided to take a bit of a chance. I just hoped I didn't regret it, especially since I just thought about how careful I needed to be, a few moments earlier.
"We could talk to her together." I then hear him suggest in a slightly reluctant tone. I could tell that he was conflicted, but at the same time, I think his more rational side, was winning out and letting him see that I wasn't suggesting that she was a bad person.
"It would be easier with you there, but I think we should wait until you get home." I then say in response. It would be great to do it now, but it was obvious that she wasn't going to say anything here, but maybe at home, and with Riley there, she would be more open to telling us what was going on.
"Don't you have to go on that mission though?" He quickly asks with a slightly worried expression. I had completely forgotten about my mission, and he was right. Fuck, that would mean having to wait almost two weeks, shit.
"Yeah. Fuck, I forgot about that." I state after a few moments of disappointment and frustration. "It's just a surveillance mission, Riley. It's probably the least favorite mission you could be given because nothing ever happens, you can ask anyone. I will be fine. Bored, but fine." I then find myself having to say with a reassuring smile, after seeing that he still looked a little worried.
"I guess so. Aidan. I don't like this whole situation, especially about Lily, but I get it, and I guess we will just have to wait until you get back. It will give me time to think and maybe see if I notice her acting weird or suspicious." He then says with a less than happy sigh. This was hard on me, but Lily was his actual sister, so it had to be a million times worse for him, to even consider the idea that she could be a bad guy or involved in something wrong.
"Thanks for hearing me out, Riley. I know things haven't been great between us recently, but I knew I could talk to you about this, and er… well, I'm sorry for lying to you for so long, I know I've said it a lot, but I really mean it. I miss you." I then struggle to say, as I feel myself getting a little emotional. I don't really know why, but I just realized that this was the kind of talk we used to be able to have naturally, and without feeling like we had to walk on eggshells, and I guess it just got to me.
"I know, and I'm not angry or anything, and I missed this too. It's not all your fault either. We've both been distracted and distant." He quickly responds, before moving over to me and cuddling me. It was something we hadn't really done since everything happened, and it was nice to feel it again. So I quickly returned the embrace, and just held him tight.
I'm not sure how long we stayed like this, but it wasn't until we heard the sound of someone knocking on the door before we let go and stepped away from each other. "Come in." I hear Riley then say, with a half smile directed at me. A smile that I quickly return, before frowning a little when I see Billy enter the room, closely followed by Mason, which instantly puts a smile on my face.
To be continued...