Almost Happy (boyxboy)

Chapter Twelve: Brayson's Not So Stoic After All

Chapter Twelve: Brayson's Not All Stoic After All

[Brayson Thompson]

I sighed and tapped on his door before opening it.

"What brings you here without my bidding?" I shrugged and sat down at the chair.

"It was nice to see you this weekend. You haven't done that in a while. The kids were really happy to see you. I do have one thing to ask though." He glanced at me and waited for me to continue.

"When are you going to adopt them? They thought this weekend you were going to do it. They've been so on edge since you haven't showed up. I think they thought that you forgot them." He frowned.

"I've been meaning to. Every time I ask mom for the papers she refuses. She knows I can take care of them, she just can't let go of them so easily." I sighed and watched as he looked up at the ceiling.

"It's almost your birthday. What do you want?" I looked up also, before shrugging.

"I don't know. A day out of there. We haven't had a sleep over in almost half a year. Why don't we do that?" I looked down and saw his shoulders shaking.

"I've been sleeping at CC's for the past month and a half. I've been planning on letting go of my lease and just moving in with him. We can make it before that if you want." I shrugged.

"It's fine either way. I just want out of the house for a while."

"Why don't you get a job and I'll talk to my landlord about giving the lease to you and Chace-Chace? You two used to dream about moving in together." I laughed.

"We're both guys. I'm into girls. You just keep dreaming." He sat up and looked at me with a bored look.

"You can't fool me that easily. Maybe the pack but not me. He's been in love with you since you guys were kids. You've felt the same way. You've just been too caught up in forgetting it with the sex and weed... Get yourself together. It's okay. You know that. So why do you continue to do this to yourself?" He's right... He's always right.

"Because if I finally do admit it... If I finally tell him I'm goin' to break apart. I can't do it. My whole childhood was surrounded with being a respectful kid and not letting anyone influence me. Then as soon as I'm put into that damned orphanage my life breaks and I'm in love with a guy. I'm smoking pot between classes. I'm asking myself what's the point. I can't admit it." He shook his head and sat back.

"Let it all go right here. You don't have to wait. Just let it go now so that when you tell him you won't fall apart." I stared at him before I stood up and went over to the door. But I was stopped by his hand grabbing my wrist. He pulled me to him and held me tightly.

"You're my little brother. I hate seeing you like this. Is this what you want? To live a lie and hold back every emotion within you? You know how much he will do for you. So now question yourself. Will you do everything for him? You will, won't you. What are you going to do when he comes home with someone and you're going to break then? You have to tell him. You're going to get hurt if you don't." I hugged him as I started to cry.

"I've already lost him to some skank. She's been hanging around him a lot. I don't know what to do. We haven't been talking all that much either. What do I do? You're right. You're always right!" I sobbed into his neck as he held onto me when a knock at the door.

"Give me just a moment!" He tightened his grip on me before the door suddenly opened.

"No one— "He was interrupted by a soft sob that came from my lips.

"Why don't you sit down?" I nodded and let go of him before turning around only to see Chace at the door looking at me with wide eyes. I looked over to Izzy to see him sigh.

"I'll be with you in just a moment. Why don't you go sit by the door outside?" He still Stared at me looking in pure shock.

"Izzy? It's okay. I'll go. I can always talk to Mr. Carson in school. He's always confining in me, so I guess it's his turn." I gave a nervous smile before wiping at my eyes and nodding at him.

"If you go out that door you might never get your chance." I stopped and turned to my brother.

"You're right. That's why I can't be here. Because I've already lost it." He shook his head and stood up.

"One more thing before you go," I glanced at him while he turned around and grabbed something.

"Don't forget about it." I looked down at the slip of paper.

"It's okay to have emotion.

It's okay to break down.

It's okay to look for help.

So take your chances and go after it."

I laughed and fell down to the floor, my knees feeling weak. "I forgot what that's like you know. I remember how it feels and how to do it, but I left it alone for so long that I can't feel it anymore." I stared at the ground as feet approached me.

"Bray?" I looked up to my best friend.

"I'm in love with you, Chace." He suddenly looked at me before shaking his head.

"Don't joke around. Let's get you home. You look like you've had a long day." I shook my head before laughing again and looked over at Izzy.

"See? He thinks I'm joking. He wants to take me home and take care of me but he won't let me admit it. Well it's not some joke. It's the truth!" I looked down at the piece of paper and squeezed it as Chace stopped trying to help me up.

"Come on Brayson. You can't love me. You're obsessed with girls." I laughed even harder. My sides started to hurt and my throat became scratchy making my voice horst.

"I did that to try and forget about it! I smoked pot and banged girls but nothing worked! I couldn't do it. I could never forget about you!" He sat down in front of me and took my face into his hands.

"Say it again."

"I can't forget about you?"

"No the other thing."

"I love you?"

"I love you too." He leaned in and pecked my lips. I stared at him for a moment before I looked up to Izzy.

"He just said and did that, right? I'm not dreaming?" He nodded.

"See I told you that you could do it." I laughed and set my forehead against his.

"Can I have the keys now?" I sat up and looked over to him. He raised an eyebrow before pulling out a set of keys and sliding two off.

"Don't break anything and sanitize any surface you touch." I laughed as he tossed them at us. "Go knock yourselves out." I grinned and stood up. I helped Chace stand before I grabbed ahold of his hand.

"Shall we?" He laughed and nodded.

Maybe good can come from emotions.