Are You Joking?

[mitch]

TAGGED: Closed Jim Daniels
[W] Language

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When he woke up he wished he had not woke up because it was like a wrecker ball came hit him in the head. "Oh my God." He muttered off then he rolled around then laid there in bed which he figured out he was alone. Though he didn't come home alone last night he woke up alone which only meant one thing. His partner for the night left before he could wake up just like the many others had done. Pursed his lips then sighed, another waste of time, he rolled out of bed then hobbled directly to the shower. Maybe that would help his splitting headache but no it didn't make it go away. At least he was cleaned up for the day and was planning to staying inside his apartment all day. Which is why he had not shaven the small not really too visible stubble off his face. Walked around with his towel around his waist and went for a cigarette to maybe help, nope. It didn't help but it did feel really good so he kept smoking as he traveled from his bedroom to the kitchen.

Went to the front door to see it was unlocked, he rolled his eyes, locked it up. Oh well, won't be seeing that girl again, he was sure of it since she was American and here in Marseille for vacation. Smoking his cigarette he headed to the kitchen to look for some coffee and some aspirin for his head. "Never ever mixing bacardi and whiskey again. Be the death of me next time." He muttered as he looked for both the other headache relievers but he did not have neither one of them. "Are you serious!?" He yelled mostly to himself then held his head from the sound of his own voice ringing in his sensitive ears. Great, so he was going to have to go out into town and search for the two things he needed. Might as well grab some breakfast too, he thought. Heading back to his bedroom he put the cigarette butt out into the ashtray. Then he searched for some clothing to wear just to go out and about into the town, he didn't need anything fancy really.

He put on normal boxers, dark jeans which fit his form and a normal dark grey rolling stones logo shirt. Sitting on his bed he shoved socks on his feet and shoved his black sneakers on his feet. He brushed his hair but did not style it at all but like he cared he felt like crap today so he semi-looked like crap, though he dressed a little up. Since it was cold outside he went into his closet to search for a jacket. He settled on a band hoodie which was black and had the yellow Nirvana name on it. He didn't care he kind of looked like a little kid not his age since he was out for three things. Aspirin, coffee and breakfast which he was aiming not to be distracted at all. Once he was all ready he grabbed his normal things which was his cigarettes, keys and wallet which had some cash in it. Now what else was a scared 18 year old boy to do besides rob banks to earn money. Gamble, which he was a great gambler and had to make a quick earning.

He couldn't stay in one place for too long since he thought the police would be after him. So he was good at poker since he played in school and took that up as his gambling game. Used his powers to cheat though since he felt that was more humane then robbing a bank or some person on the street. These people were willingly giving away their money in some false belief they had a good hand in the game. So why not, done him well to where he can take care of himself and got here to Marseille and lives the busy city life. Which is why he had such a headache since he went out to the local dance club. He got so hammered the night before then he went dancing with some pretty little blonde hair American girl. We all know what happened the rest of the night, was typical for Mitch. Ever since 18 years old he never set his eyes on someone for too long, what was the point. He had no family and he felt he should not be so happy since he messed up. Feels horrible he could not find his little brother though he did go back for him, never saw him again.

He never went back again after that one night to look for him since he thought he was a wanted man. That ate him alive to think that his little brother was either dead or just around somewhere. Mitch was always the loving big brother and did think of his family, only one he had. Man did he screw it all up when he thought he was being so right. Leaving his house, locking the door he went put another cigarette in his mouth. He went down to the street then he walked a long while to get to the main town then he grumbled off. He did not even look to where he was going half the time and then completely rammed into someone on the street. Well he knew it was someone, not a pole, since the body of the person was soft compared to a pole. "Ugh, today is not my dad. Hey I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." He quickly went to apologize to the person without even looking at them. He was embarrassed he ran into someone with his carelessness but at least he stood there to own up to it. Waiting for the man to either yell at him or accept his apology.

[jim]

Jim was up all night, thinking. Over thinking everything. he was too messed up to sleep, even if Clay begged him to just pass out, he refused. He spent the whole night sitting with his knees to his chest, weight resting on the balls of his feet, eyes locked on the wall. Just thinking, possibly having a brief conversation at about three in the morning about pillows with Clay. Yes, their relationship was dry and bare, like a prune that was left out in the sun; disgusting and pointless. eventually, he decided to get up off the couch and walk for a while. The sun was out, so that meant no going out side for the walk. He circled around his living room, he knew it too well. You could blind fold him, spin him around three times, and he would still be able to tell you every detail of where things were. Anouther thing that drove him nuts, was how he was stuck in this place. He hadn't left his house in about three days. Only left the living room a few times. Nothing exciting.

He grumbled and jumped in the shower, his hair was oily and gross and he needed a shave. After he was finished he went into his room and pulled out a pair of jeans, dark gray in colour, along with a plain black shirt. He slid on a black sweater on top. The dark colours made his skin look even paler than it was to begin with. We going out today, huh? Come on kiddo, you know fresh air is good for you! The voice was pleading in his skull. He rubbed the back of his head and grabbed a pair of socks from the floor. Stepping over the pile of clothed on the side of his room, he stood int he corner for a moment. He then leaned back against the corner for balance as he slid on the socks. Chairs were made for a reason ... Jim shook his head, "Shut up. You want to leave or what?" Clayton said nothing more.

"want to go out for food? Oh, what do I care. We are going out for a meal." Jim hissed. Jim was growing colder. He was being haunted by his demons even more now-a-days it seemed. Caleb started it, and then Clay kept bringing it up, which made him remember, which pissed him off, which drove him insane. Jim didn't like being angry, it wasn't a pleasant emotion for him, he had lived with it for to long, and towards the wrong people, himself included. It was a miracle that he had survived up to this point, if he wasn't afraid of the death and if Clayton wasn't keeping surveillance on him, his life would have ended a long time ago. He didn't handle the guilt all that well, but who could blame him. He, technically, killed their parents, got Mitch in jail, was adopted by some messed up people who were too perfect for their own good.

He walked out the front door, locking it on the way out. Putting his keys in his pocket as he slid down the hallway to the steps. he jumped down every other step and then slowly walked out the door. The air hit him like a wall. He hated the out doors, he shouldn't have left his house. He took in a deep breath and walked down the sidewalk. his eyes locked on his feet. He knew where he was going and he didn't care who was coming towards him. They could move, besides, unless they were five, he doubted that he could hurt them with a simple run in. He was as skinny as a starved dog and was about as tough as a lost kitten. He would admit that to anyone, cause it was clear to be seen. No self confidence, no self respect, no need to take care of himself. He didn't see the point, he didn't bother. Just keep living, don't put effort into it. Simple as that.

The breath drew out of him as he smashed into someone. He jolted back, that took him by surprise. He normally didn't actually run into someone. They quickly started apologizing. Jim looked up at him. staring at him for a moment, zoning out. He looks familiar to you? Clayton asked quietly. "It's ... okay. I wasn't ... either ..." He muttered. He didn't know who this guy was but he did seem to look familiar, but he didn't really care. Jim didn't move though, he wasn't good at being put into semi-social situations, they felt awkward to him. He just stood there, hand in pockets, head down. Take another look at him. Clay insisted, he looked up. After a moment he felt like an idiot cause he had been blankly staring at this poor guy for about a minute and standing in his way.

[mitch]

God his head was hurting so badly that is why he was kind of not paying attention to what he was doing right now. His hand was on his temple and the other hand was putting the cigarette from his lips and away. He was trying to pay attention where he was heading but he didn't need to really. No one was around so he made his way then stopped paying attention for just a mere moment. In that moment he had rammed right into someone flat on and then backed off. His cigarette was dropped but he looked to see the man in front of him and didn't look like he was burnt. So that was a good thing, then he went to rush to apologize for what he did. Since he did run into the man and was not paying attention what so ever which he rubbed his head. He was dying in pain and reason why he was walking in such a rush and not paying attention.

He did not really look at the man too well he just went straight to the apologizing part of his deal. "No don't apologize I wasn't paying attention." He remarked then he finally looked at the man which he looked taken back. His eyes matched the familiar, oddly familiar, sparkle of blue as his own. Sure blue eyes were common but these eyes looked too much like his mothers eyes. Only person he shared these eyes with was his brother Jim so Mitch was staring for a very long moment. He let a small breath in then out and looked as if he had seen a ghost. Turned a little pale, just like that night Caleb messed with his head, he was just tripping out right now. Maybe it was the hang over that was doing this to him or maybe it was the man again so he took a step back. This man was staring back at him and he shook his head like he was believing it.

Mitch completely forgotten about to bend down to get his nearly full cigarette since he was struck. This was like a a bolt of lightening hit him and his hairs began to raise just a tiny bit on the back of his neck. The hair, shaggy, like his own hair it was shaggy and exactly the same color except a hint darker on the other man. Mitch was always active and out in the day times at times, like the beach to surf. So his hair was a little naturally bleached out from the sun or else the two would have identical shades. Also this counterpart was nearly as tall as him or maybe as tall as him. "Oh god did someone slip a roofie in my drink last night because I'm seeing things." He said this completely out loud when he meant to say this to himself or in his head.

Confused he looked off to the side as if he was looking for someone else, but saw no one. So his eyes snapped back to Jim which he shook his head slowly then muttered out. "You." He remarked then pointed to him and shook his hand at him like he was disciplining some naughty dog. "You can't be here. Your not real." He snapped out at him which he kind of shook since this was not possible. That man killed Jim and yet this man in front of him looked a clone to his little brother, but more filled out. Mitch put his hand to the side of his face then he finally thought he lost it. "Jim?" He remarked slowly like he was really asking a tough life threatening question. As if he was going to die if this man said no then walked away or this man was going to hurt him because he asked. Mitch was so scared, so confused and almost nearly forgot about his pounding hang over.

[jim]

Jim ran his hand back through his hair, noticing that the man was looking at him oddly back. He looked off to the side for a moment, thinking. Even Clay wasn't talking, but not for the same reasons. Jim wanted him to say something, anything. Explain why this guy looked so familiar, why he was staring back at him, to tell him why he had gone silent all of the sudden. He allowed his eyes to move back to the man, who looked like he lost some of the tint to his skin. He didn't pay any attention to what the man said, it didn't matter. Didn't concern him, right? Well, he wouldn't know and didn't care. He glanced back down to the cigarette which was just lying there on the ground.

Jim took a step back when the man raise his hand and said, you. He stared at him, was this guy insane? Clay let out a little laugh and Jim took another step back. If this was one of Clay's friends than he didn't want to be around. He didn't want to be here. He was thinking of turning around and speed walking away, but the thought left his head when the man said his name. Jim scratched the back of his head. The thought that crossed his mind was if this guy was working for Caleb, but quickly dismissed it after Clayton growled. Well, say something. Isn't this the guy you've been missing since you were 16? Jim's jaw dropped slightly. His eyes widened a little. "Holy shit ..." He muttered. His throat closing slightly.

this was Mitch? No, that was crazy, no way that he would just run into him on a street. Caleb did say that he had gotten to his brother, and that he hadn't given in ... that meant he was alive and around. But what were the chances? Next to none. "M ... Mitch. I ... You ..." He stopped what was he supposed to say? 'Hey, I missed you. Sorry I killed our mom and made both our lives go to shit, want to go get sundaes?' No, he didn't know how to act in this situation. Water built up in his eyes. Lemme talk to him, if you won't Clay said, his voice slightly crazed. "You can't have him." Jim muttered under his breath as he started to back up. He couldn't do this. This couldn't happen. He had wanted his brother back, but he never thought he actually would ever see him again. He never even guessed that he would see him, hear him, know him again.

Jim was shaking lightly as he took his steps backward. He was going slow but away none the less. He wasn't sure what he was doing. He wasn't sure what to do, or what he wanted. He wanted to turn around and run away, go hide in a corner. His mom was on the front of his mind. The damage he had caused, now that the man who saved him from going to some psyche ward or jail was right there within reach, his emotions went into overdrive. "I ... I'm sorry." He muttered again as he turned around and slowly started to walk away.

[mitch]

After having his freak out attack on his brother making him look like some mad man there was silence. Jim looked as if he was going to run away right now and then that would be the end of it. Mitch ran his hand through his hair then rubbed his temple from his throbbing headache that was still there. Though not as bad as before since he was ignoring some of the pain for this was a complete shocker. His little brother out of the blue runs into him or vice versa he ran into him. He didn't even know his brother was even in town and so he was simply floored and flabbergasted. Out of the whole time him trying to track down his brother he had no successes and randomly now it was happening? He did look for Jim before he ran off and searched before he was on the run. Breaking out of jail, especially when you killed someone horribly, was something not gone unheard about. His picture plastered everywhere saying he was some psychotic killer. So he had to skip town and not stay there for a long time which he did escape.

Sure he cheated to use his powers now and then but he did get out of the sticky situation he placed himself in. He did it for Jim, that was how much he loved his brother, he would take the blame so that Jim wouldn't of gotten punished. After all Jim would of done the same for him, wouldn't he? Finally Jim spoke saying just what he was saying over and over in his head since this was a trip. Really Mitch thought he was drugged up or something, or this was not real at all. Taking a step backwards for no apparent reason his eyes did not leave the face of his little brother. How could he take his eyes off the brother he had been looking for all these years. Besides back then he did look online to see if there was a Jim Daniels in England and checked the registry millions of times. Maybe it was perhaps his brother had been living here in Marseille for the time. This was so odd that he went put his hand down into his front pockets. He needed to smoke so he wrestled to get a smoke from his pocket and lit the end of it. Took a very very long drag from it then exhaled nervously.

He heard his brother say his name so he knew this was his brother for sure now then he nodded warily since he was in so much shock. He took another nervous inhale of his smoke then exhaled it out. God his brother was alive and well which now they were stuck on words to say to one another. Surely Mitch did not hold something against Jim for what happened. Whatever happened that night he knew it was not his brother for his brother wouldn't of done that horrible thing. Mitch saw his little brother tear up a little which his facial expressions soften up. How can he comfort his brother? Wouldn't that look weird two grown up dudes hugging one another? Also what if Jim didn't want to be comforted and the hug would weird Jim out. So Mitch just stepped a little forward to show he was not going to go no where. Taking short inhales of the smoke he calmed down a little then he tilted his head to the side. "My god Jim....I thought.." He choked out a little finally trying to get some words out there. He did not know what to say to his little brother that didn't sound horrible.

'Hi Jim, how you doing? See your doing well after killing Mom and me deserting you. Haven't killed anyone recently right?' He shook his head to his questions which he shut his eyes for a moment. Like that was nice to ask your brother you have not seen in years and then come out like that. Suddenly Jim said something that Mitch did not pick up and in fact Jim was backing up. All of a sudden he said he was sorry then turned around then started to walk away. Mitch watched his brother leave then shook his head for this was not happening at all. With a shut of his eyes he clicked his power on then he opened his eyes to everything stopped. Jim got just a little ways from him but he went walked over slowly to his brother then faced right in front. His brother was so grown up to where he either resembled closely to their mother or father. He could not place but he knew that this was his brother and the only one safe with his tainted secret. Putting his hand on his brothers shoulder he unfroze time to where Jim would still be walking. But now since Mitch all of a sudden popped in front of him he would of been stopped. "Oh, after all these years that is all your going to say to your brother? What the hell Jim? I thought you were dead because I couldn't find you." He remarked trying to reason with his brother to stop running away and face him. Also let him know that Mitch was looking for him and did have a passing thought on him, looking for him and thinking he was possibly lost to him.

[jim]

Jim wiped his sleeve against his left eye, allowing the cloth to drag along his skin and absorb the moisture. The knot in his stomach grew, especially as he turned and started to walk away. How could he walk away from this and be alright? Wait, what did it really matter? He wasn't alright to begin with. He was a messed up idiot. Nothing more. Why should he stay? Why should he talk to Mitch? No, the question was how. He didn't ever honestly try to find Mitch, he went back to his brother covering up for him. He never tried observing any other moment that involved Mitch. he was too busy dwelling on Clayton's mess up than to ever think of searching for Mitch. He could have helped, Mitch must've been searching for him too. If they both tried, if Jim had made himself stand out more or something, he could have helped.

He sighed, closing his eyes slightly as he took another step. He was stopped, coming face-to-face with Mitch, a hand on his shoulder kept him from stepping again. "Fuck ..." He said, he turned his head around. How did he do that. He stared at Mitch for a moment. He just wanted to go, he shouldn't have left his house. this is precisely why he didn't come out for useless reasons like food, you always run into trouble or a situation you may not be able to process and mentally handle.He looked down at his feet, he didn't want to look at Mitch any more. It just made him feel terrible. He listened to Mitch's words with little emotion. Keeping his eyes locked on the old worn shoes that he had received when he first moved in with his adoptive family, he didn't see the point in updating them. They were grungy but okay looking.

Jim shrugged, "What else is there to say?" He asked, sounding slightly depressed. He rubbed the back of his head. Forcing his eyes up to Mitch's. "What am I supposed to say?" His eyes started up again, he was being pathetic. Come on, Kiddo. Let's go. You don't need this guy. You've been beyond fine without him for the last few years. No need for more emotional drains. Clay muttered, sounding sly. All Clay wanted was Mitch to stand out of the way and let Mitch through. Someone else cutting in was the last thing he needed. Caleb already put a leash on Jim that wasn't there before. He wouldn't want Jim to become attached to someone who was biologically related to him. Someone who Jim may feel obligated to like or be in debt to.

"I'm alive ..." He said lowly. Just a comment, "So ... you looked? Well ... for me?" Jim asked, sorting out his thoughts. "People told me you would never do that, that the second you found me, the cops would come and drag your sorry ass to some jail in the middle of no where." Clay growled, Your doing a terrible job of being negative, mate. Making things personal and giving an odd ball story. Jim swallowed. "How ... you been?" Jim asked, ignoring Clay, not knowing what to do nor what to say.

[mitch]

Jim swore that Mitch was just going to let him walk away from him and that is why he used his powers. Stopped time walked to go in front of Jim then put his hand on Jim's shoulder before unfreezing time. Jim was the only one he would trust with his powers and Mitch suspected maybe Jim had to be tainted too. He only assumed it since they were related and the tainted gene was genetic. Though it could of skipped him but still he was going to tell his brother tainted or not that he was tainted. Surely he figured it out a little by now since no way Mitch could of done what he did unless he used some power. Jim was startled and muttered out a curse word. Then looked around like he was confused but he didn't really do much but smirk off then responded off. "How do you think I escaped?" He simply remarked since his brother looked confused. Now with his small demonstration of his power without saying his power would of said a lot.

How Mitch escaped the cops in the jail and how he escaped them till he was too far for them to know. He was already across the seats by the time the next day came. "What else is there to say?" He repeated in some shocked tone of voice then he nodded pursed his lips. He took his free hand off his brothers shoulder then he went lifted his other to his face to take a drag of his cigarette. He didn't know what to say to his brother being so distant to him right now. Mitch felt after four years his brother would be interested of his existence also to know he was not alone. When his brother asked what was he supposed to say Mitch's eyes looked at him. There was some studying going on there but he did not hear or know the mental battle inside his brother. Mitch had some idea his brother was not the reason for their mothers death. It was someone else, someone inside Jim, he was sure of it since Jim wouldn't hurt no one.

Mitch was not exactly sure about that theory since he did not have proof of it. Mitch kept the smoking motion from his lips then away from his lips as he inhaled and exhaled. Waiting for something to come out of his brother after he said his own share of questions to his brother to answer. With each answer there was a nod which he rose an eyebrow when his brother sounded as if he didn't believe him. "Yes I looked. I escaped exactly after they contained me in the cell but lucky me I have a useful talent. Before they shut me into the cell I froze time and snagged the extra set of keys to the cell." He stopped when Jim said the sad news to him then he looked at his brother sternly. "Have you not been listening? EVEN if they would of got me they would not be able to keep their hands on me." He went spoke lowly as if someone was going to over hear him.

"Obviously mom or dad were tainted because..I have the ability to freeze time, Jim. That is how I escaped then, did you even wonder how I did it? All of them were baffled on how I was there and then not there where they left me the next second. I went back for you right away but you weren't at the house and I searched around vigorously before hearing sirens going off. I knew I couldn't stay and my ability was too strained so I had to leave. I didn't leave you behind because I wanted to no matter who told you what." He looked at his brother to show he did mean this and then he went shook his head. Jim asked him how he was doing so he cut off the story which he was sure his brother did not care about at all. "Hangover." He remarked lowly, he know his brother asked how he had been but he answered how he was feeling at his moment. His hand went to his temple then he rubbed it slowly to attempt to relieve the pressure of the pounding inside his brain. "How long have you lived in Marseille?" He asked spontaneously since now he was curious how long his brother has been in the same city Mitch has lived in for the past four years.