~Tony's POV~

After a long day of Jaime and I helping Laura get settled into her room in my apartment, we all crash on the couch, watching the latest Batman film on TV. We've been yawning for hours, completely exhausted, as it's around one or two in the morning.

I'm awoken by a buzzing coming from my shorts pocket. I grab for it blindly and flip it open, shoving it to my ear and mumbling a 'hello?'. I hear the short little shit's laughter on the other end.

"Hey Tone," Vic practically fucking giggles, "Get yourself, Laura, and Jaime over here. We're having that welcome home party!" And he hangs up. I sigh and chuck a pillow at the sleeping couple to wake them, looking at the time and seeing that it's almost 3 in the afternoon.

"What the fuck Tony?"

"Get up and get decent, welcome home party at the Fuentes' place." Laura groans and detaches herself from Jaime's embrace, standing up and pulling me by the hand into her room.

"You're basically ready to go already, you've got to help me pick something to wear!" She squeals, freaking out. I chuckle and simply pull out a pair of high-waisted and light-wash denim shorts, patterned silver tights, studded ankle boots, and her purple, vintage AC/DC tee. I shove the clothes at her and walk out of the room, at least to put my contacts in, and probably fix my hair up a bit.

When I'm done, I walk out and Laura immediately rushes in, practically slamming the door behind her. I chuckle once again, stepping out to the living room and kitchen area to see Jaime sitting in a chair, looking almost the same, just a little more awake.

"Is Laura almost ready to go?"

"Yes she is!" I turn around at Laura's voice. I may not have any feelings for her, but damn, she is beautiful. I step out into the hallway, just to let them have a moment together before we walk to the party.

They follow me out a minute later, hands intertwined. I close and lock the door, and we're on our way. As we approach the residence, it seems odd. The atmosphere is normally palphable at this distance, but the block is utterly silent. Jaime and I share a look of concern before crossing over the threshold.

It makes sense now; the house seems entirely empty, save for a blonde girl in the kitchen who looks nervous. Wait a second, I recognize her....

"Abigail, what the fuck are you doing here?" I spit at her. Laura looks entirely confused, and Jaime slightly outraged. She just shakes her head and points to Vic's room. I grab Laura's other hand a little roughly and pull her and Jaime along as I march up the stairs and throw the door open.

"Victor Vincent Fuentes, what the fuck is that bitch doing here?" Jaime practically yells. Laura smacks him across the chest.

"He's upset already," She notes, pointing to Vic sitting in his desk chair, on the verge of tears, "So shut the fuck up and let him explain." She punctuates her sentence with a peck on the lips to let him know she isn't mad, just needs to know what's going on.

"This is the girl that fucked me over, Laura. The girl that 'Caraphernelia' is all about. She showed up today, randomly, so I sent everyone else home and just came up here and waited for you guys. Abigail just wants to talk, okay? You guys are so annoying, you know I'd never get back with her."

"No Vic, " Mike says, "We don't. And that's all we're trying to make sure of."

Laura kneels down in front of Vic and takes his hands in hers. "Look, Vic. It's perfectly fine to talk to her, we just don't want her to play you and have to watch you get hurt again. To you, it may seem like she really cares, but she could really just be playing games, and I for one will not stand by and let you trust the wrong people like I have my entire life. So, okay. Go talk to her. If it's okay with you, I'd like to be there, mostly because I can be more objective, and for moral support. Okay sweetie?"

Goddamn. Laura is really something special. Vic smiles, just a little bit. "Sounds good, Laura. I swear, sometimes talking to you is like looking into an emotional mirror, just on the outside and in a shorter, younger, and female version of myself."

Laura just shakes her head and hugs Jaime quickly, whispering in his ear before grabbing Vic by the hand and leading him downstairs.

Mike just shakes his head and occupies the seat where his brother had just been. "There's no way this ends well."

Jaime smirks. "Oh trust me, from what Laura just said, it will."

Notes

see what I did there?
The confrontation will be next chapter! As well as some sweet Jaime/Laura feels.
Sorry about all the dialogue, but it was the best way to make progress in this chapter.