| Fan Fiction |
by Suki Chan
The house was in stillness except the rhythmic sound from the clock. Click. Click. Click. Each pounded into Matt’s head.
“Matty.” Danny’s whisper suddenly sounded from behind.
Matt quickly wiped away the tears on his face; he did not want to scare Danny. He squeezed out a smile and sounded calm, “…why woke up? Be good and go back to sleep huh?”
Danny looked still at Matt. He flipped open his quilt a bit, and softly shifted to one side to give off some space on the bed.
Matt caught the sign and smiled while climbing up his bed, “It’s been a while since Matty sleeps with Danny.”
Danny caringly pulled up the quilt for Matt. Instantly, warmth filled up Matt’s body and also in his heart.
The twins held closely together on the bed.
Danny could feel something wrong with his brother. He turned around and patted Matty’s head.
“Danny knows Matty’s not happy, huh?” Matt knows Danny knows Matt isn’t happy.
How could they not know from each other; they are twins.
“Matty and Ivy broke up.” Matt told Danny.
Danny was shocked and confused. He stared at Matt.
Matt explained to Danny in a simple way that he could understand, “Matty and Ivy aren’t staying together anymore. We are separated. We won’t go out for movies anymore…hm….she won’t come to visit our place anymore. Danny probably won’t see her again other than maybe bumping her on the street or something.”
Danny looked worried and scared, “…Danny’s not been good. Ivy’s mad.”
“Of course not. Of course not. Matty and Ivy have had problems for a long while. It’s just…*sigh*…” Matt said.
16 years ago, the night their mother left home, their father said the exact same thing.
It was fate.
Danny patted Matt’s head to comfort him.
“Danny’s a good boy.” Matt stroked Danny’s hair.
“Matty’s a good boy.” Danny stroked Matt’s hair.
They bursted out a chuckle together.
Matt never regrets to have taken up the responsibility on Danny. Not even if he had to lose his beloved Ivy because of him.
Never regrets.
Because Danny is his brother.
Danny pushed Matt to flip over on his side, and started rubbing his back gently.
“…wow…Matty rubs Danny’s back to sleep all the times. So it’s Danny’s turn to rub Matty’s back to sleep. Alright…” Matt’s heart melted. He gave a comfortable sigh and fell in sleep with a sweet smile hanging on his face.
******************************
Olivia scanned around and finally spotted Matt, sitting there alone on the bench. He had a lunch box in his hand but he was not eating; he was just bewildering in the air.
Olivia approached and hesitated if she should disturb him, “…hi hi.” She called lightly.
Matt spun around and greeted, “Oh hi.”
“I passed by the supermarket and wanted to go say hi to you. Your coworkers said you’re on lunch break and usually comes to this nearby park to eat.” Olivia sat down beside him.
“Yeah. Just to get out and take a short break. Could get some fresh air too.” Matt said.
Olivia peeked at his food, “You make your own lunch box everyday?”
“It’s expensive to eat out everyday, also too much MSG.” Matt hugged his thermo container, “Home made is more nutritious and saves money.”
“You’re such a family man…I mean…family boy.” Olivia chuckled, “Your girlfriend must have said that too.”
“She used to work in this same supermarket also. Back then, everyday we would each bring our own lunch box from home and come to this park to eat together.” Matt fell in memories, “We always stole food from each other. She loved the chicken wings that I made and every time she would beg to have them all…”
“That’s sweet.” Olivia envied.
“And sometimes she would make a small dessert pudding and we shared…” Matt bit his lips, “…back then. But…not anymore…since she quitted the job and works somewhere else….we don’t have lunch together anymore.”
Olivia noticed something on Matt. She remembered seeing them having some problems outside the supermarket last time, “You two are still in a bad fight? Cold war?”
“…we broke up.” Matt dropped down his head.
Olivia was shocked, “...sorry.”
Matt shook his head.
“What happened?” Olivia was a curious girl.
Of course she could not expect an answer from him.
Both fell in silence.
“…hm…” Olivia rolled her eyes, “I’m sure you can soon find another girl who’s willing to eat your chicken wings.”
Matt bursted out a chuckle by her funny comment.
“I’m not good at saying comforting words.” Olivia scratched her head.
“Thanks.” Matt eased up.
“…why don’t I treat you for dinner tonight?” Olivia thought, “I should be getting my tutor pay this afternoon.”
“That’s ok. Thanks for your offer anyway.” Matt shook his head.
“Come on. You just love to shake your head on everything.” The cheerful girl yakked, “I’m off at 6…you get off same time at the supermarket too, right? You pick a place.”
She was so enthusiastic and Matt could not turn down on her, “…ok then. But not tonight though…I have to…hm…I have to pick another day. I’ll let you know.” Ad hoc was never for Matt; he had to make arrangements for Danny first.
“You already had plans for tonight?” Olivia recalled, “You’re in rush again after work? Going again to…where I dropped you off last time? You’re meeting up someone? Bring him or her along to the dinner then!”
Matt hesitated.
“Come on. I love meeting new friends.” Olivia was excited, “How about buffet tonight? That should be good for everyone.”
Danny sure loved to go buffet too. But… “If you don’t mind I bring him along.”
“Of course I don’t mind.”
“I am serious. If you don’t mind.” Matt said.
Olivia wondered.
***************************
When Olivia saw Matt appearing at the door of the restaurant, she stood up and waved.
Matt walked over to the table, “Sorry we’re a bit late.”
Danny saw the stranger at the table and got scared. He quickly hid behind Matt’s back.
“Danny, let’s meet a new friend here. Her name is Olivia.” Matt smiled and softly pulled him forward.
“Hm…” Danny refused and buried his head on Matt.
Olivia curiously looked. Matt already told her a bit about his twin brother. “Hi! Nice to meet you Danny! I’m Olivia!” She greeted warmly.
“See Olivia’s saying hi to you! Don’t you have to be polite and say hi to her too?” Matt comforted, “Shhhh…it’s ok Danny. Don’t worry. Matty’s here.”
Danny finally lifted up his head a little and peeked shly.
Olivia smiled and reached out her hand.
Seeing her friendly move, Danny hesitated, and reached out his hand. He grasped Olivia’s hand very lightly, then quickly shrunk back to Matt.
Olivia found him cute.
“Alright Danny, why don’t you sit here…” Matt settled down Danny and sat down between him and Olivia.
“Hehe.” Olivia looked excited, “Let’s go out to get food! It’s prime ribs Wednesday tonight…yummy yummy…”
They walked out together to pick their food. Matt asked Danny if he wanted this and wanted that, and Danny just nodded and shook his head. Soon, his plate was filled up.
“Hey Matt. You kept loading stuffs for your brother and forgot about yourself!” Olivia chuckled and scooped some ribs onto this plate.
“Thanks.” Matt nodded.
“…and some for you.” Olivia served some to Danny also.
Danny stared at his plate.
“Wow. What do you have to say?” Matt reminded.
“…thanks.” Danny whispered.
“And what’s her name? Remember?” Matt asked.
Danny thought, “Olive.”
“Haha…” Olivia giggled, “I love that name!”
Matt laughed and patted Danny’s head, “It’s Olivia not Olive. Olives are those black or green round soary thingy.”
They went back to the table and enjoyed the delicious food.
Matt was busy taking care of Danny on the side, “Cut this ribs. Remember hold your fork here and knife there…that’s right…good for you Danny…”
Danny meekly did as Matt told him and ate quietly.
“And how are the prawns? Like them?” Matt asked.
Danny nodded and munched. He looked happy.
Matt gladly watched his brother eating.
“…Matty, have one too.” Danny poked a big prawn to Matt.
Matt sweetly snapped it.
Olivia enjoyed the warm picture and the brotherhood love.
Matt realized he had left Olivia alone for a while. He turned around to her, “Sorry. Just have to settle down Danny first.”
Olivia casually shrugged her shoulder. She licked the cake icing on her fork.
“Isn’t that for dessert? Why are you having cake as the first thing?” Matt pointed.
“Just feel like it.” A childish grin lit on her face.
Danny’s eyes glowed on the cake.
“Danny you want some cakes too? Let’s go get some more together!” Olivia happily bounced up and dragged Danny. She was happy to find a buddy.
Danny looked at Matt for permission.
Matt nagged, “Danny, eat sweets at the end…”
“Stop putting these stupid rules to your tongue. I’ve never heard a tongue saying he doesn’t want cake as appetizers.” Olivia had a wild thought.
The joke was too difficult for Danny to understand, but he supposed she was saying some good things for him to convince Matt.
“Ok ok.” Matt laughed and let Danny go.