Michael lay on his stomach on his bed, the pain from the punishment still sharp but beginning to dull. The sound of footsteps approaching his room made him turn his head. He saw his four younger brothers—Matthew, Jackson, Logan, and Andrew—peeking in through the door. Their faces were etched with concern, their eyes reflecting a mix of worry and affection.
"Hey, you guys," Michael greeted, trying to sound casual despite the lingering discomfort. He forced a small chuckle. "You don't need to worry about me."
Matthew, the eldest of the younger brothers, stepped forward. "Michael, are you okay? We heard what happened, and... well, we wanted to check on you."
Michael smiled faintly, appreciating their concern. "I'm fine. Just a bit sore. You know how it is with punishments."
Jackson, the most talkative of the group, frowned. "That was really brave of you, Michael. But it must have hurt a lot. Do you want us to get you anything?"
Michael shook his head gently. "No, I'm good. I don't need anything right now. Just need to rest and let things settle down."
Logan, the quietest of the group, looked at Michael with wide, sympathetic eyes. "We're really sorry about what happened. We didn't want you to get punished for us. We didn't mean for things to get out of hand."
Michael reached out and placed a hand on Logan's shoulder. "I know you didn't. You guys don't need to apologize. I did what I thought was right. That's all that matters."
Andrew, the youngest and most visibly upset, bit his lip. "But you got hurt because of us. I wish we could have done something to stop it."
Michael gave Andrew a reassuring smile. "You don't need to worry about that. I made the choice to step in, and I knew the risks. It's part of looking out for each other. Besides, we're a family. That's what we do."
Matthew hesitated before speaking. "Do you think Dad and Papa are still angry with you?"
Michael sighed softly. "They're disappointed, yes, but they understand why I did what I did. They're good about these things. They just want us all to learn from our mistakes."
Jackson nodded, though his brow was still furrowed with concern. "We all learned something, didn't we? About how important it is to look out for each other and follow the rules."
Michael agreed. "Exactly. And I'm sure things will be okay. We'll get through this together."
Logan moved closer, gently rubbing Michael's back in a comforting gesture. "We really appreciate everything you do for us, Michael. You're always looking out for us, and we just want to make sure you're okay."
Michael chuckled softly, feeling a warmth in his chest from their support. "I'm okay. I promise. But it means a lot that you're all here. Thank you."
Andrew reached out and hugged Michael carefully, avoiding any pressure on his sore areas. "We love you, Michael. We don't want you to get hurt again."
"I love you guys too," Michael replied, hugging Andrew back with as much gentleness as he could manage. "And I'll be fine. Just need to take it easy for a bit."
As the brothers continued to chat, Michael felt a deep sense of gratitude. Despite the pain and the difficulties, these moments of support and understanding made everything worthwhile. They laughed and shared stories, trying to lighten the mood and ease Michael's discomfort.
Eventually, Matthew glanced at the clock and sighed. "We should let you rest now. You need to take care of yourself."
Michael nodded. "Yeah, you guys should get back to doing whatever you were doing. I'll be alright."
As the brothers left his room, Michael watched them go with a sense of pride and contentment. He knew that despite the challenges and the rules, their bond as a family was stronger than ever. And that was what made everything worthwhile.
Later that evening, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Harris checked in on Michael, their expressions a mix of concern and understanding. They offered words of encouragement and support, reassuring him that while the punishment was necessary, their love and care for him remained unwavering.
As Michael lay back down on his bed, the pain slowly easing, he reflected on the day's events. He was grateful for his family's support and determined to continue being there for them, no matter the challenges they faced.
To be continued
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StarlitHearts
