Coming Back Home

The Aftermath

I look Rylan in the eyes. "I'm going to kill him."

Xander POV

I walk into the house, carrying Xavier. He is only an inch or two shorter than me, but he is lean, whereas I am quite muscular. It isn't difficult for me to carry him. I go toward the stairs. Francesco walks by, giving me a confused look. I just shake my head and continue upstairs.

I make it to Xavier's room and nudge the door open. Gently, I lay him down on his bed. He doesn't move as I lift his bed covers over him. I sit down on the edge of Xavier's bed. He's just laying there, staring into space. I put a hand on his arm and squeeze it softly so he knows I'm here for him.

"Xav, what can I do?" I whisper. He doesn't respond. He just continues laying there not moving. I sigh. "Alright, buddy." I stand up and walk out of his room. As I walk down the stairs, I hear Francesco and Dad talking.

"Dad, I just saw Xander and Xavier going upstairs," Fran tells Dad. "For fuck's sake, they can't miss more school. That fucking boy, I swear." Fran hurriedly stops Dad from storming up the stairs it sounds like. "Wait, Dad. I don't think they were skipping. Xander was carrying Xavier upstairs."

"Is he hurt?" Dad says, alarmed. "I don't think so," Fran reassures. I decide to stop their questioning and explain what is going on. When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I see Fran and Dad. "Hey, Fran, Dad. I'll explain what's going on. Get Matteo and Riccardo, and I'll meet you in Mat's office. Where is Giada?"

"She is in her toy corner with Riccy," Fran replies. I nod in acknowledgement. "Okay. Like I said, I'll meet you in Mat's office." With that, I head to the living room to get Giada. I hear Fran and Dad following behind me.

I reach the living room and see Giada and Riccy playing with toys. "Giada!" I call out to her. She turns to look at me. "Hewwo, Xan!" she chirps with a huge smile and a wave. "Can you come here, please?" I ask. She nods and runs over to me. I lift her up and set her on my hip. "I'll be back," I say to Dad.

I carry Giada upstairs and stop outside Xavier's room. "Giada, I have a very special job for you," I tell her. Her face lights up with excitement. "Weally?" she asks. "Yeah. Now, listen closely, okay?" She nods with a serious face.

"Xavier had a very hard day, and he could really use some cuddles. Do you think you can do that?" I explain. "Yes, Xan. I can do dat," she replies confidently. I smile down at her. "Good. But, you have to be really gentle with him, okay? He may not want to talk to you, but don't be upset."

"I won't, I pwomise," she assures me. "Alright, let's go see him." I open Xavier's door and walk in with Giada. I gently set her down on his bed. She crawls closer to Xavier and wraps her tiny arms around him the best she can. "Hewwo, Xavi," she says quietly. "Xan says you have a bad day. I come to cuddew (cuddle)," she tells him sweetly.

I watch as he slowly opens his arms for her. She smiles at him and cuddles into his side. Xavier wraps his arms around her. As I am leaving, I see a tear fall from his eye. I walk into the hallway and close the door behind me.

As I said I would, I go down to Matteo's office to meet with my brothers and Dad. Everyone is looking at me with confusion and concern on their faces. "So, Xander. What happened?" Dad asks me. My fists clench when I think about it again.

"You remember that piece of shit that was bullying Xavier?" I begin. "Yeah, you said you'd handle things until it got too bad. Did he do something to my boy?" Dad questions angrily. I nod. "He assaulted Xavier in the bathroom." Dad clenches his fists and jaw.

"Francesco, you said he didn't look hurt," Dad accuses Fran. "He didn't!" Fran defends. I shake my head. "Not physically," I start. Feeling the gazes of my dad and brothers on me, I look down at my lap, swallowing harshly. "Sexually."