Brotherly Bonding [BoyxBoy]

Brotherly Bonding- 8

"There, there..." Jesse cooes. Gecko whimpers pitifully, trying to pull his leg out of Jesse's gentle grasp. "You'll be okay, why won't you let me look at you?"

"You do realize he can't answer, right?" Lucas asks spitefully. Jesse just nods, not looking away from the injured animal. I hear Tanner sniff, coming out of some deep thoughts. You can always tell there's something going on in his head, unfortunately it's nearly impossible to tell what it is.

Quite suddenly, I break into a fit of coughing. I silently curse the stratchy throat that's been nagging me for so long. I had spent all night hacking, and when I wasn't unintentionally trying to misplace a lung, I was attempting to keep my breath steady. I don't think anyone noticed...

"Bad cough," Ash passes by the doorway of the livingroom, right to the kitchen. Already I see it coming. It'll be one of those days.

"Yeah..."

A few moments later I stand and follow him, a glass of water in mind. He avoids my gaze entirely.

There isn't a doubt in my mind that the plate was strategically placed, I know very well by Lucas, to deliver doom to any that pass. That person happens to be me. The whole decimal-three seconds pass in slow motion as I narrowly let it slip by my hand. Ash turns his head at the echoing shatter. I wince and turn away from his annoyed gaze. It hurts to see.

Ash sighs and stands, silently pouring himself another cup of coffee. I watch him from the corner of my eye and pull a cloth from the drawer, wetting it a bit.

Ash just stands there as I get on my knees, picking up the bigger pieces of shattered porcelain. Hissing, I pull my hand away, dropping the chunks again. A line of blood trickles from the small cut. Though seeing this all, he walks past me without a word. I hate these days.

I clean the mess and use the towel to pick up the invisible shards that would undoubtably end up causing pain for the guys in the morning- no socks or shoes.

Then I get my drink and walk up to Ash's room. I am not about to take this treatment today.

He's sitting at his desk with his earbuds in, writing something. He imperceptibly cocks his head when I enter, but otherwise doesn't acknowledge me.

"Ash," I say as I take a seat on his bed. "Ash?"

A few moments later I step forward and tug at his headphones, pulling them out. He shoots me an agitated look. "What do you want?"

"To talk." I say coldly, returning the glare. "I know, it's amazing."

With an exasperated sound he pushes his chair back and faces me as I sit again. "About?"

"A few things," I drop the angry tone and begin thinking of where to start. "What was wrong with Tyler last night?"

I see him tense visibly. "That was nothing."

"I-"

"He's Tyler- I said to not question those two."

"You said it a lot nicer the first time..." I grumble.

Suddenly he looks away, taking a breath. "I'm sorry Aaron."

"Why did you have pop all over yourself last night?" I asked, that possibly trivial memory coming back.

"Lucas. He was being his usual self; a douche bag and an asshole."

"Those are kind of the same thing... But both very good adjectives for Lucas." A serious thought comes to mind. "Where has Devon been, Ash?"

I hadn't seen him for a while, a little too long. I realize that I've missed him, he was one of my big, goofy idiots- even if he was one of the more mature (ish) ones- and they're my family.