The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era [BL]

The anger he felt in the morning had already subsided a lot. Mostly because of talking to Astrid, and definitely being able to talk and see Emmy again after so long. This day was such a roller-coaster for him, but he was glad it ended it on such a high note.

He couldn't believe that, just this morning, he was thinking of not seeing Tommy and the duke ever again. But now, he could look at Tommy calmly. Most of the anger he felt for the other had now turned to pity.

Yes, pity. Because, unlike him, it would not be easy for Tommy to connect to the twins. After all, the two had already had a preconceived opinion of Tommy. And they weren't exactly children who easily be swayed. If Tommy wanted to get close to the two, it would take a lot of effort.

Not only that, there was also Emmy. Because of what happened back then, Emmy's relationship with Tommy was tumultuous, to say the least. It would not be easy for him to try to reconnect with their sister. It would take more than a simple effort to do that.

He wouldn't even dare to mention the duke. That old man required a whole new level of groveling to earn forgiveness.

Tommy sat down in front of him. Neither of them spoke for a while.

"...Will you also meet with Andreas?" Thomas asked after a few minutes of silence.

He was sure that the answer would be 'yes'. This was Cassius. He wouldn't just stop after meeting one of their nephews. But Thomas still needed to ask.

"Yes, tomorrow," Casey responded, not trying to hide it.

Thomas whipped his head up. Tomorrow? That fast? But his surprise didn't last long. Maybe because he had already expected it. He just didn't expect that Cassius wouldn't really waste any time.

But then again, this was Cassius. He had always been more of a doer rather than a thinker.

There was another long silence after that.

The next moment Thomas spoke, he asked in an almost in an almost inaudible voice;

"Can I go with you?"

Casey raised his brow, not really expecting for the other to ask that. "Let me ask them first. If they agreed, then you can accompany me."

Thomas nodded, understanding it well. It would be thoughtless of Cassius if he just brought him there without even informing the twins.

"I'll send you a message later if they agreed or not. If you have nothing else to say, please go. I want to rest," Casey said before standing up. "You can see yourself out."

Thomas also stood up. He didn't wait for the other to leave the study and said what he wanted to say since this morning. No, maybe he wanted to tell this to Cassius from long before.

"I'm sorry, Cassius. I'm sorry for being a useless older brother. I'm sorry for not properly being there for you. I'm sorry for letting you down in all ways possible. I'm sorry for letting you experienced so much heartache. Just...

I'm sorry for everything."

This was something he should have done long ago. He simply took for granted the fact that Cassius never said anything. But this morning, he saw just how much in pain the other was. He had just been hiding it in his careless smile and sarcastic remarks.

The fact that Cassius chose to keep all those emotions in for so long instead of letting it all out highlighted the lack of trust and dependability he felt towards him and their father. It was a testament to the emotional barriers that had been built over time. And he could only blame him and their father for that.

The fact that Thomas could only say this now confirmed his failure as an older brother.

This sudden apology took Casey aback. He didn't know how to react at first. But he must admit that some of his hurt and pain was pacified by that. One might say that he was too soft-hearted, but he's generally just a simple guy. If one apologized sincerely and from the bottom of their heart, he would feel compelled to forgive them.

Of course, it still depended on the severity of the wrong done to him. If it's to the level of murder or something similar, forgiveness would be out of the question. And even if he forgave someone, he would never forget. That person would never be allowed near him again.

But the situation within a family was different. No matter how much pain and sadness they caused him, they were still his family. So, it might be weird to say this, but forgiving them was easier and harder at the same time.

Casey stared at Tommy and then sighed. "I honestly don't know how to respond to that. So, let's put that off for now."

Thomas almost smiled when he heard that. Because it's such a very Cassius-like answer. "I understand. It's fine. You still talking to me was already more than what I could ask for."

He would just try to be better from now on. Not just for Cassius, but also for Emmaline and her children.

----------

On a certain part of a city center, another pair of brothers were also having a serious conversation.

Astrid just finished making dinner when Reas arrived. Before they ate, he decided to tell Reas everything that had happened today. After he finished, Reas was silent for a few seconds before letting out a crisp curse.

"Damn. The duke really moved fast. But I must say, Cassius moved even faster."

"That's your only reaction?" Astrid asked amusedly.

"Well, my brain is actually still processing everything and I'm just telling you my current initial reaction," Reas said with a shrug.

"Uncle Casey wants to meet you tomorrow, by the way. Is it alright?"

Upon hearing that, Reas's initial thought, albeit inappropriate for the situation, was: he had plans with Lauren tomorrow.

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