It wasn't long after they left the parking lot (Logan having reluctantly allowed Victor to pile his groceries in next to Logan's and hitch a ride) that the 'questions' started.
"So, Logan, looks like retirement suits you. Gotta be, what, 50 pounds hanging over your belt there?" His big brother reached over and poked Logan's gut, which sat in his lap and bounced gently every time the truck hit a bump.
"No idea," Logan said bluntly as he reached down and smacked Victor's hand away.
Victor grinned, a faint mocking edge to it. "Decided to just let yourself go and not care, huh?"
"I can kick your ass with or without the gut, Vic," Logan snapped. "Want to see?" There was no way he was telling Victor about his deal with Kayla: that was private between the two of them.
Victor held up his hands in surrender. "Hey, now, no need to get all fired up. Just makin' conversation, Jimmy."
"My name's Logan, now," Logan said. He'd changed his name when he retired (although Kayla knew his real name if not his real past), and he didn't need Victor making people ask questions. A strange look crossed his brother's face, and Logan felt strangely guilty.
"Alright...Logan," Victor said quietly. Almost sadly.
Logan wasn't sure what was going on in Victor's head, but he felt a sudden urge to say something to make Victor feel better. However complicated their relationship had become over the years, they were still brothers.
"You're probably right," he admitted. Victor blinked in confusion. "About the weight," he elaborated. He smacked one hand to his gut while he kept the other on the steering wheel. "Probably about 50 pounds sittin' here. Though some of it's definitely gone to my ass." Victor chuckled, mood visibly lifting (though Logan wished the faint mocking edge hadn't come back with it).
"Livin' the good life, Logan?" He asked. "Too much beer and pizza?"
"Too much everything," Logan admitted, giving his gut a fond pat. "Turns out when I like to eat when I'm not fightin' all the time. Makes me feel more manly," he said cockily.
"Really." Victor said flatly. Logan smirked.
"Come on, Vic, you remember what it was like when we were kids. All the toughest, strongest fellas had guts to go with the muscle. Wasn't like nowadays, with a bunch a pretty boys flockin' into gyms. A real man had a real good appetite, too." Logan rubbed his gut. "I think my appetite's pretty good."
"Must be," Victor said, glancing at Logan's gut again. He was quiet the rest of the way to the house, a thoughtful look on his face.
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