Rasmus studied Mitis’ motions, the two being motionless once again.

These two have always done that.

Their actions have always mirrored one another.

Yet it was their differences that brought them ever closer.

“Mitis?” Rasmus wheezed, tilting his head down at the mess of broken wood and blood in front of him.

“... Yeah.” Mitis replied.

Rasmus sighed, standing up properly before going to their alcohol table, pulling a small bag filled with white powder from a drawer.

Rasmus pulled out a switchblade from within the bag, drawing a thin line before snorting it quickly.

Rasmus held his breath for a second before sighing.

Nothing.

Rasmus looked between Mitis, the bag, and the knife.

Rasmus stayed silent as he threw the knife sideways, at the ground. It bounced harmlessly against the hardwood and into the pile of cushions.

Rasmus then took two steps towards Mitis before throwing the bag of white powder at Mitis’ face.

Mitis stood still, feeling the fine powder coat his face before wiping it from his eyes. He took a deep breath in before wiping the rest of the powder from his face.

Nothing.

Rasmus stepped aside as Mitis walked over to the drinks table, pulling two glasses and opening their bottle of celebratory whiskey. Mitis poured the drink, handing a glass to Rasmus while holding his abdomen before pouring his own.

The two raised their glasses in silence before drinking.

Rasmus reached for the bottle of whiskey, inspecting it before handing it to Mitis.

Mitis put down his glass, taking the bottle before inspecting it himself.

‘Why couldn’t you trust me more?’ Mitis thought as he looked away from the bottle’s label.

“Because you only delayed things.” Rasmus aloud. “I would’ve ended myself long ago, if you hadn’t come back.”

‘But... Why do it?’ Mitis thought, looking at Rasmus through tearful eyes.

“I thought things would change.’ Rasmus responded, once again. ‘I thought that my brother would…”

“Bring you from the darkness?”

Rasmus nodded, gently placing his half-finished glass of whiskey onto the drinks table.

Mitis studied Rasmus a bit more before going back to the bottle of whiskey in his hands.

These two had bought the bottle to commemorate the death of their friends. As time moved on, the bottle was only ever used to celebrate.

Celebrating Mitis’ revival.

Celebrating Rasmus’ clean break.

Celebrating moving into an apartment, enjoying each other’s simple company so that they both wouldn’t spiral into the loneliness and isolation that plagued them both long ago.

Though unspoken, this bottle was easily the one object that held together all of their memories.

It was symbolic of the struggles they faced together.

It was symbolic of the friendship and camaraderie that they found within each other.

It was symbolic of their brotherhood, through thick and thin.

Mitis glassed Rasmus, the alcohol burning into the deep cuts that the breaking bottle left.