Why Should We Hide?

"Aren't they the same thing?" Artemis chuckled. "...that can't have been fun though."

"No not really... Especially when i was stupid enough to move in with him."

"You...lived with him?" Artemis asked, frowning.

"Yep... My grandparents couldn't afford having a teenager living with them... And Austin wasn't that much of a jerk yet...."

"Oh..." Artemis frowned, slowly nodding. He nervously brushed a bit of hair off his face, looking around the room. "Uh anyway, this is where you'll be stayin'...hope you don't mind that it's normally a study."

"No i don't mind at all, i'm just glad to be off the streets." Alex said with a smile, "Hope i won't be underfoot."

"Off the streets is always a good thing." Artemis agreed. "Oh... no, it's pretty relaxed here ...for most things anyway." He added, frowning slightly.

"And what are the things that are not relaxed around here?' Alex asked.

"Well..." Artemis started, hesitating before speaking again. "I-I wouldn't mention anything about Austin around our parents while you're here..."

"Why?" Alex asked, "Are they against gays?" Alex had never hidden what he was.

"I don't know," Artemis said slowly, looking away. "I just know dad would be disappointed if any of his sons were..."

"Is one of your brothers gay? Or is it you yourself?" Alex asked, having a gut feeling of why Artermis would bring it up.

"You...you'd probably know by now if Jacen was..." Artemis said nervously.

Alex nodded, "Yeah I'd know... But you didn't really answer my question there...."

"I...I didn't?" Artemis said, glancing at Alex before looking away again.

"No you didn't... Look i don't mean to pry but the way your acting about this is making it a little obvious..." Alex said quietly.

Artemis took a breath before responding, hoping he didn't still sound nervous. "What do you mean...?" He asked calmly.

Alex sighed, "You look and sound nervous, the fact that you want to hide it stands out very clearly for someone who knows a lot of the signs..." Alex said softly before trying to lighten the mood a little, "Besides Jacen says i have a gift for picking up on this stuff."

"I..." Artemis went to deny it then stopped himself, sighing. "He does? What made him say that?" He asked to try and change the subject.

"He says i can just tell... And most of the time i'm right." Alex answered.

"What was it about him you realised for him to say that...?" Artemis asked.

"It wasn't him... It was something about one of his ex girlfriends."

"Which one...?" Artemis asked, the way he said it making it obvious he wasn't pleased with his twin's behaviour.

"Honestly i don't remember her name.... She didn't last that long...." Alex said softly.

"Typical..." Artemis muttered. "Most of them don't."