Chapter 3: Should I Stay or Should I Go pt.1

Lust was an excellent driver, considering the poor quality of the road. Extreme heat from the sinkhole radiated throughout the neighborhood and brightened up the dark alleys of the town center. Wrath curled up at the back seat with Pride's varsity jacket as a blanket. Her long purple locks draped across her face and unto the leather seat.

The color was vibrant enough in the dimly lit street to tell it wasn't blending in with its jet-black surrounding. Her studded backpack sat on the floor as the key chain swayed with the motion of the car. Both brothers' faces were lit momentarily as they passed the streetlights; getting closer to home.

"Is she out cold?" Pride questioned.

"After a stunt like that? No doubt. Why does it matter? I'll be the one carrying her inside anyway. You can carry her bag," Lust glanced at Pride's face then the road again.

"Why do you really stick around her for so long? You knew about the rumors; you could've avoided being disowned by dad."

"She's just a kid and I'm her legal guardian until she comes of age. I happen to not mind taking care of her."

"Well, she seems to be able to handle that by herself. Have you fallen for her?" he eyed his older brother suspiciously.

"You know I can get any girl I want. Why would I settle for her? Are you jealous that I get to see her every day? Smell her hair fresh out of the shower?" he teased his brother as he looked at his reaction in his peripheral vision.

"Stop it. You're the only person that knew about my feelings for her even before you knew her," Pride's cheeks were flushed.

"Now that I think about it, it does feel like I'm married to her. I don't mind playing house with her," he winked.

"Don't you dare."

"Don't worry, she might be impulsive, but I can reassure you she's never kissed anyone before."

"Let's just drop it."

Lust gave a slight nod in agreement before focusing on the road again. He parked the car in the basement and locked the car while Pride carried Wrath and her bag to the elevator door. Lust smirked at his brother's desperate attempt at seeking approval and showing his not so secret affection. He slumped two more backpacks on Pride's shoulder and went inside the elevator.

Pride laid Wrath on the couch as Lust prepared them some supper. They were all hungry, considering all the close call they just experienced. The studded backpack was calling Pride to open it. Its quaintly heavy weight struck him with curiosity of what unimaginable things she could have packed inside. Upon unzipping the bag, Wrath's eyes shot wide open. She smacked the back of Pride's head with his own varsity jacket.

"Don't you have any manner? You don't just open a lady's backpack without her permission," she snapped with a sleepy voice. "What time is it? I'm famished."

"Food should be ready soon; Lust is cooking some ramen. So, why is your backpack so heavy?"

Wrath unzipped her bag and revealed all the alcohol and snacks she packed from the rooftop. Pride's face lit up with the sight of the savored goods. He had sneaked a few bottles of alcohol around the school over few years. Having a similar face with a sibling that was of age had its advantages.

You wouldn't get questioned when you buy booze, cigarettes, and condoms from the store. He also had some connections with the underground traffickers which gave him leniency. Protection, power, fame, strength, reputation, you name it.

"I knew you wouldn't let my babies go to waste," he gratefully hugged her.

They walked to the balcony and stared at the night sky. He offered to light a cigarette from the pack that he had kept from the cops. The two shared a cup of vodka while they smoked and waited for food to be served. Lust walked out with a tray of good-smelling food. He set it on the table and walked out to the balcony to take a shot with the group before eating.

"Double portion everything for Pride, extra spicy for Wrath, and extra broth for myself. Let's eat," he smiled.

"Thanks for cooking this late at night," Pride replied.

"This is so f*cking good. Besides, he wouldn't have let us starve. He'd make a good stay-at-home husband," Wrath mumbled as she stuffed her face with more food.

Pride and Lust looked at each other cynically over the mention of 'husband'. Wrath was dumbfounded with the sudden change of atmosphere. After a few seconds, the two-brother realized what had happened and pretended like it was nothing. Pride passed a piece of katsu to Lust to show her that they have nothing against each other. She shrugged it off and went on slurping.

They stayed back on the dining table and continued their drinking session while Wrath piled up the dirty dishes and brought them to the sink.

"Here, let me help you rinse them off. You were kind enough to let me stay over tonight," Pride offered as Wrath shuffled over to give him space next to her.

"I'll go prepare you some clean clothes to change into," Lust announced as he got up and left the kitchen.

"What happened at the police station?" she asked.

"Nothing much to be honest. They were just wondering why we stayed back after school and if we have anything to do with the diner fire. The sins had gained quite the reputation among cops. Oh, and if we knew what happened to BoJack and his squad."

"Did they actually call him that?"

"No, but I couldn't remember his name. Nice cover up by the way. I don't know how you did it, but I'm proud of you, kiddo," he nudged her elbow and smiled softly.

Lust came back carrying a clean shirt and a pair of sweatpants. Pride went and have a shower as Wrath and Lust sat on the balcony. The sky was as dark as her hair, with sparkles of star here and there. A gust of wind blew over, cover her face with her hair. Lust put her hair to one side and pulled her closer to his side as they both slumped over the railing. The road was peaceful, other than a couple of stray cats roaming and claiming their territories in the dead of night.

"Why do you still stick around with me? I've done too much shit for you to forgive. You always managed to save me from my own mess. I even dragged The Sins down with me," she wondered.

"When given the choice to be right or kind, choose kind," he looked at her as she rolled her eyes, "and it's fun to see you struggle sometimes. But even you deserve to be saved," he stared into the distance, far enough to make out the glow of the fire.

"Were you two lovebirds talking about me?" Pride popped in.

"As if. I'm gonna shower. Don't kill each other behind my back! Wouldn't wanna miss that," she joked.

Wrath dragged herself into the bathroom. The day didn't turn out the way they had planned it to be, but she was grateful for the companionship, nonetheless. She smiled to herself before slipping into the steaming shower water. Water trickled down her temple slowly as if to wash off the exhaustion from her body.

The bathroom got chilly in a matter of seconds and the smell of the ocean filled the space. Wrath stepped out of the shower to dry herself and faced the mirror on top of the sink. She let out a hefty sigh and started to brush her teeth.

"That was an impulsive action. You could've been caught or injured badly. Luck can run out," said the lady dressed in the green satin dress.

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