Domnick's words halted the arguments forming in Tory's mind. He watched his step-brother exit from the family's scene of drama. And... that was the end of that.

Tory briefly glanced at his mother before becoming increasingly interested in the contents left on his plate. He was trying to work through the events that had just transpired; he wasn't particularly doing a great job of it. He clenched his fists tightly, Tory hated not knowing what to do or what was going on. It didn't help that some of his thoughts and questions made him feel uneasy.

Sara cleared her throat. She still was surprised at Tory's outburst. Of course he was getting older and those types of things were to be expected... but it almost seemed as if it was more than merely an adolescent outburst. Still, Tory didn't seem to be turning into the typical wild child. There was no reason to make a fuss.

"Why don't you go watch some TV?" she suggest with a slight smile.

Tory nodded. TV would indeed be a great distraction from the messed up evening. As he got up he mumbled, "Sorry."

An hour later, Tory wasn't distracted.

Dom just stared at Tory a few moments, the tirade had certainly not been anticipated. But that was part of what got his blood up, really. Tory was far more attractive when he was actually passionate about something, even if he was being moved by his anger. Dom knew he shouldn't be thinking this way.

Just another sin to add to my growing list. He sighed mentally. At this point it probably doesn't make a difference.

"I didn't know you cared so much," he said by way of deflection. But he couldn't quite bring himself to be mean about it. He could tell by the way Tory eyes flashed that his stepbrother wasn't going to let it go.

"Like I said, I have nothing better to do right now," he shrugged, "Why not leave school and better jobs open for those who want them." He stood up from the table, pushing his half-eaten plate away.

He hoped he didn't sound as bitter as he suddenly felt. He was tired. Of this argument and of simply being himself. His work was how he defined himself now, how he marked off the day to day, and he defied Tory to try to take that way. So what if it was shit? At least it was something.

He could have said any sort of mean things, any sort of things to tear down Tory's delusions. To show the kid just how selfish his words really were. But he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Anger was attractive, but the type of pain that words could bring was not.

"I'm feeling tired," he said instead. "I'm gonna go to bed now. I have to work the morning shift, anyway."

Tory gave Dom an indignant look. His heart was pounding, his step-brothers comment had only made things worse. He ignored the obvious fact that he was basically putting on a show while the rest of them watched and gave a few lines of input.

"Why..." Tory started then averted his eyes down to his unfinished plate. He was trying to sort through a few responses. Naturally, he didn't spend much time doing that. Tory resumed looking at Domnick with upset eyes. "Really? That's stupid! You could try to have some fun! There's lotsa stuff to do like go to the bar, see a movie, go on a date." Tory huffed loudly. His last suggestion didn't really sit well with him, but it was too late and he pushed it away.

Tory couldn't understand Domnick's indifference about the whole matter. Who would want to work at a shitty place to the point of exhaustion? It was retarded.

"And you should go to school or get a better job," Tory continued, preaching and passionate. "Cause most waitresses are just stupid blond bimbos and you could do better."

It was really a difficult question to answer. Partly because Domnick himself wasn't certain why he stuck around in his current situation. Most of it, he suspected, was because he had nothing better to do, and little ambition to make something of himself or his situation. Possibly the years of people telling him that he was no-good, bound for self-destruction, and had no future had seeped in. He certainly didn't see the point in trying.

Personally, he saw Tory as someone who had a future, even if he was dense at times. Possibly more than a few times. But it wasn't something to complain about. Though he understood why he was upset. It all came to not knowing.

Innocence was bliss to everyone but the innocent.

And then that fiery temper was turned on him. Tory's eyes were really pretty. Especially when he was angry. And suddenly, he thought he might want to provoke him a little, to see what might happen.

This side of Tory was different. It was demanding, where his stepbrother had so far been meek. It was almost . . . agressive. It was exciting. Sort of like the drugs he used to do in high school.

He shrugged, "Nothing better to do, I guess. Is there something else I should be doing?"

Tory wasn't satisfied with that answer but he didn't know to exactly push the issue. Until now, there hadn't been any sort of argument or conflict involving all four of them. There weren't many conflicts at all, really which was a relief since Tory disliked arguments. He lost most of his battles due to his nature to get emotional and explode rather than attempt to stay calm and rational.

He narrowed his eyes at his mom. "If you guys are all helping, why can't I get a job then?" Tory asked plainly. That subject had been discussed and put to death many times by his mom. He needed to focus on his school, once he got an education he could work the rest of his life, was Sara's reasoning. It was sound, but Tory still saw a lot of his peers work a part time job and have extra money. It wasn't that cool to have to ask money from his mom. And, some of the jobs seemed fun too.

Sara gave him an endearing but tired look, "Honey, we've talked about this before. There's no reason for--"

Tory cut her off, "Yes there is if you are having a hard time!" His voice was louder, cheeks red from anger. "I do nothing but school and study my ass off in my room. And it fucking sucks!"

Tory's mom anxiously glanced at her new husband and step son. She really didn't want to have it out with Tory in front of them.

"You say we're okay, but why does Domnik work so freakin' much then?" Tory looked over to his step brother, eyes demanding. "You want to tell me?"

Dom took another bite of pasta. And things were certainly awkward now. He picked at his food.

"I wouldn't say we're poor," Dom said. "But everyone has trouble making ends meet from time to time."

He was staying out of this if he could. He'd only said anything at all because Tory had directed the question to him. He took another bite of food, wondering if he could bail.

He watched his father. And there was a man who hated confrontation. Let everyone walk over him when he could get away with it to avoid it. But he was also one of the kindest and open-hearted souls that Dom had ever encountered. Not to mention patient. No one else would have put up with raising him, his mother certainly hadn't. She hadn't handled him well even before her relatives convinced her that moving away from them was the best thing to do with what little sanity she had.

Bitter? Maybe a little.

Nice his father was--but easily cowed, and eager enough to give that it often got him taken advantage of. He'd be suspicious of Sarah if he hadn't already seen enough evidence that she was sincere.

His father was utterly useless in a headache like this.

Tory wasn't skilled at figuring people out most of the time, but he sensed that he wasn't being let in on something and that pissed him off. For most of his life, he'd been in his own world and his mother took care of whatever needed to be taken care of within reason, of course. Sarah believed that her actions would give Tory the environment to be happy and grow to be a good person. It was a simple arrangement that worked, especially when Tory was younger. Now, however, her son wasn't overly pleased about it all.

He scowled and rolled his eyes at all of them. "I'm not stupid, I can tell tell something's going on." Tory's tone fit completely with stereotypical teenager attitude.

Stephen leaned back in his chair - it wasn't really his battle; it was Sarah who had been adamant on keeping it all a secret. Sure, it had been a little strange at the start to agree that he would contribute to a school fund for Tory, a step son but a stranger nonetheless. He loved Sarah and love helped or influenced decision making. It was a good thing he ended up liking the kid.

"Tory," his mom began and gave him a reassuring smile, "It's not a big deal. Like Domnik said, nothing to worry about either. We all help out with the bills and savings. That's all."

Tory raised his eyebrow, not quite convinced. It was normal to have parents talk about money. It was normal to have older kids pay a bit of rent. But... Domnik worked too much. There's no way he'd have to pay that much rent. Plus, he generally appeared more tired than the rest of them too.

"Shouldn't only parents have to worry about that kinda stuff?" Tory asked and looked over at Domnik. "Are we like, really really poor or something?" He had never thought so. They didn't look poor.

Things weren't adding up. And that also pissed Torry off.