Part I

Raymond raced around the dingy apartment he shared with his older brother Tony. He picked up all the empty pizza boxes, Coke cans, beer bottles, and chip packets strewn all over the floor and the couch.

The sound of swords clashing and people yelling buzzed through the air. Game of Thrones was playing on their off-brand ‘SORNY’ TV.

Raymond puffed up his chest and reminded himself of what he had to do. Tony would be home any minute and he would love how tidy the place looked. 

Would he say yes? Raymond wondered. He’s been to Ireland before, and he said he loved it. Why wouldn’t he want to go again? But why didn’t he include it this time? If I don’t see it, I won’t get a chance till God knows when. Four years of uni, no holidays, no breaks. Nothing. It’s over now and all I’ve got is this trip. Then I’ll be working at Tony’s place when we get back. He said he hasn’t had a holiday for over five years. Five years! What shell of a person would I be by then?

Raymond brushed his long black hair black and heaved a sigh of relief as he observed the immaculate apartment.

The spicy sweet smell of fresh cinnamon donuts filled his nostrils when he placed the plate of them on the kitchen counter, strategically positioned nearest to the door. Tony’s favourite, he couldn’t resist.

Part II

Tony gulped down his Stone & Wood Pacific Ale, ‘Thanks, bro! Fuckin’ hard day. Can’t wait till Europe!’

‘Y-Yeah, it’ll be good,’ Raymond said, taking a bite of the smallest donut.

They were laying down on their beige IKEA couch watching, you guessed it, Game of Thrones.

On the screen were tall and luscious green trees, winding pathways, and the deep blue sea lining the cliff side of Northern Ireland – one of the main filming locations used in the show. 

Raymond gazed at the screen, ‘It’s beautiful, aye.’

‘Stunning. Go there on your next trip, bro,’ Tony answered, lazing back further in his chair.

Raymond felt the pit in his stomach aching. Say it!

Raymond took another look at the rolling countryside on-screen. He turned to Tony, ready to say the words, but felt them stuck in his throat. Raymond’s hands turned clammy.

Tony was oblivious, goggling at the TV in a drunken stupor. His blonde hair nearly covered his eyes. Raymond couldn’t do it. He grabbed a donut and wolfed it down, feeling sorry for himself.

Part III

Raymond and Tony stepped into the Dirty Walrus Bar and Hostel in London. It was 2AM, the smell of beer, cigarettes, and desperation wafted off of them.

The hostel was dark and empty except for the lonely security guard reading a book under a dim light overhead behind the receptionist. The guard didn’t twitch a muscle as Raymond and Tony walked past him.

They climbed the claustrophobic stairs up to their room.

‘What job can you get with that music degree?’ Tony asked, falling over one step.

‘I-I don’t know,’ Raymond replied.

They snuck into their private two person room, each crawling into their own bed.

‘Can’t wait for you to come into sales, bro. The hours will be so shit at first, but the money is so good. You’ll forget all that uni crap so you won’t be a little pansy boy playing your harp in the gutter.’

‘It’s called a zither.’

But Tony was already asleep and snoring. Raymond punched his pillow and turned away from his brother. He gazed out the window. The moon glinted off the River Thames and the lights of the London eye shined. It was so beautiful, but Raymond couldn’t appreciate any of it.

Part IV

Waterloo Station was bustling. It was morning and commuters were darting about trying to get to their trains while avoiding the commotion near the service desk. 

‘She lives in Ireland and she told me to come visit her!’ Raymond yelled.

‘You only met her last night, you baboon,’ Tony laughed.

‘The trip you planned is shit! We are going to Ireland.’

‘If you thought it was shit, why did you say fuck all about it? Oh, maybe because you’re a little sheep, or maybe it’s because you know you don’t deserve to go there because I paid for everything. When I was planning the trip, you didn’t lift a finger to help. And when I asked for your input, what did you say? “I’m easy, bro.”’

‘I just wanted to make you happy. I thought you knew how badly I wanted to go to Ireland. You said it was so great, and I’ve been wanting to go ever since you showed me the photos from your last trip. I don’t know when I’ll get another chance to come to Europe again.’

‘You’re an entitled little brat, you know that? I pay for all our rent, the electricity, and the internet while you doodle away on your stupid ukulele and jack off to fucking Game of Thrones.’

The brothers glared at each other. Tony continued, ‘I paid for every plane and train ticket, every hostel room, all your food, all your drinks, and all your drugs! Youhave the fucking audacity to want me to change my plans this late into the trip? All because you didn’t have the balls to tell me what you wanted, you baby? Fuck off.’

Part V

Raymond smiled as he looked out on the shimmering water. He felt a rush build in him while he looked out onto the real life location of Kings Landing from Game of Thrones.

He let his legs hang off the edge of the stone wharf on the bay. He hummed the theme song, ‘Dun dun du nuh nuh nuh.’

They didn’t change their plans. Raymond didn’t see Ireland, but he was happy to settle for Dubrovnik. Tony already had it marked out on the trip plan, but Raymond hadn’t realised it was used in the show. 

Raymond looked out at the water. He loved this ancient city, everything from the cobbled streets to the orange roofs. He was grateful Tony gave him this opportunity.

Raymond turned to Tony, ‘Next year we’ll go to Ireland. I’ll plan and pay for everything this time.’

Tony smirked, ‘Haha, you better, mate.’

A satisfied smile crawled over Raymond’s face.