Coming Back Home

The Aftermath

I look Rylan in the eyes, my face deadly serious. "I'm going to fucking 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. I continue to carry him into his bathroom. Gently, I set him down on the toilet. Kneeling in front of him, I look into his haunted eyes. "Xav, you need to shower, okay? Do you want me to help you?" I ask softly. We haven't bathed together in at least 15 years, but this isn't a normal situation.

Almost imperceptibly, he nods his head. I push away any embarrassment or discomfort and just do what I need to do for my brother. He needs me right now. That's more important than my manliness. I quickly help him shower and make sure every trace of that bastard is gone from his body. After helping him into some comfortable clothes, I gently lay Xavier down on his bed. He doesn't move as I lift his bed covers over him. I sit down on the edge of his 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 else 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. I take one last look at him before softly closing his door. I feel heat behind my eyes, a sign of my rising emotions. But, as usual, I turn the pain and sadness into anger and head downstairs.

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," Fran explains. "Was he hurt?" Dad says, alarmed. "I don't know," Fran worries. 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. "I'll explain what's going on. Get Matt and Riccy, and I'll meet you in Matt's office. Where is Giada?" My voice is hard, and my face only shows anger. "She is in her toy corner with Riccy," Fran replies immediately. I nod in acknowledgement. "Matt's office," I repeat. 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, trying to keep my voice gentle. She nods and runs over to me. Her brightness and joy are only able to calm me down slightly, enough so that I don't scare her. I lift her up and set her on my hip. Then, 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. "Weawy?" she asks. "Yeah. Now, listen closely, okay?" She nods with a serious face. If I wasn't so angry about what happened, I might take a second to admire her cuteness.

"Xavier had a... very hard day, and he could really use some cuddles from his little sister. Do you think you can do that?" I explain. "Yes, Xan. I can do dat," she replies confidently. I nod 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 try to prepare her. "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 has bad day. I come fow cuddews (for cuddles)," 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'm 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. I walk in the office, slamming the door behind me in rage. Everyone is looking at me with confusion and concern on their faces. "Xander. What happened? Is Xavier okay?" Dad asks me. My fists clench when I think about it again. I take a moment to calm myself down enough to tell them what happened.