The Cost Of Love (Bxb, Rape, Abuse)

Suspicion

As they walked out to the car Austin saw Mrs. Steinbach working in her yard. Guilt rushed over him knowing that she had helped him escape just for him to come back. He just hung his head and couldn't make eye contact with her.

Thankfully when they arrived at the hospital the emergency room wasn't busy and they took Austin back soon after they filled out some forms. They gave him dilaudid for his pain, he didn't know what it was but all he knew is that it made him feel like he was floating on a cloud. When the x-rays came back he had a hairline fracture and a few cracked ribs.

"Okay Austin, I'm going to write you a script for the pain. Make sure you follow the directions carefully. You will have to take it easy for the next six weeks until this heals. You don't want to take the risk of re-fracturing your wrist. As for the cracked ribs they will have to heal on their own. I'm going to write up your discharge papers and we can have you on your way shortly." Dr. Matlack informed him.

But Austin was too out of it to really hear anything Dr. Matlack was saying. "Don't worry doctor I'll make sure he follows the instructions and that he takes it easy." Beth offered. "See Austin, aren't you glad that I had you come here."

Austin just stared off at the ceiling. She figured that he was just too out of it to comprehend.

"Well, I guess since they are going to be discharging him soon I'll go and wait in the waiting room." Eric said as he started to head out.

"Okay, once they do discharge him I'll text you so you can bring my car around." Beth said as she handed him the keys.

"Excuse me ma'am, can I see you for a moment." Dr. Matlack asked.

"Sure thing." She replied as she followed him out into the hall.

"I have some concerns about Austin."

"What kind?" She questioned.

"When I was looking at Austin's x-rays I could see that his ribs had been broken once before and there are quite a few bruises that he has. How much do you know about your brother and Austin's personal life?" Dr. Matlack questioned.

"Honestly not a lot anymore. Ever since I moved out to California I haven't seen much of them over the past few years." Beth said as she looked towards Austin's bed.

"I also have great concern that Austin has been sexually assaulted."

Now this was news to Beth. "What?"

"The bruises I saw are on his inner thighs. They are dark and deep which usually comes from someone trying to fight off an attacker and the bruises on his face are not recent ones either. I'm not accusing your bother of anything but something serious happened to Austin recently."

Beth knew that her brother had a very bad temper and it didn't take much to set him off but she didn't think that he would rape his own boyfriend.

"I'll make sure to keep a close watch on him and if I sense anything is wrong I'll let someone know."

"Very good. He's good to go now. We will bring a wheelchair for you to help get him to the door."

"Thank you again doctor."

Once they got Austin in the car, Beth drove over to CVS and waited for Austin's prescription to be filled. The medicine was starting to wear off and Austin could feel the pain starting to come back. Since the pain killer was a narcotic Austin had to go in and sign for it, which proved to be difficult since he was left handed.

"Austin, I'm sure you want to go home and rest but you have to take these pills with food. Do you feel up to getting something to eat?" Beth asked as she helped him back into the back seat.

"It doesn't matter to me."

"Okay, do you have any place in mind that you'd like to go?"

"Uh...not really. You can pick."

"How about the Olive Garden? If I remember that's your favorite place to eat."

"Beth, that place can be costly. We can just swing by Wendy's or something like that." Eric interjected.

"Oh please, it's my treat anyway." Beth said as she waived her hand as to shoe Eric's comment away.

Eric was not happy with the way things were going. The last thing he wanted was Austin to get to comfortable around Beth and let her in on their situation. He was going to make sure that it would remain a secret.

When they arrived at Olive Garden it wasn't too busy and they were able to get a seat right away. After they had ordered Beth noticed a distraught look on Austin's face, and when she asked him if everything was alright he told her that he had to use the bathroom but didn't know how he was going to manage with one good arm. She told him not to be embarrassed and offered for Eric to go and help him. As Eric and Austin entered the bathroom, Eric grabbed Austin by his right arm and ushered him into the farthest stall. Austin protested that he only had to pee.

"I don't give a fuck. I'm not going to have someone walk in here and catch me helping you go to the bathroom!" Eric said as he pushed Austin into the stall and closed the door. "Now what can't you do by yourself."

"I can do almost everything but zip up and button my pants." Austin answered quietly.

"You really are completely pathetic, you know that!"

"I'm sorry." Austin wanted to cry so badly. Eric was doing a great job at making him feel worthless.

"Enough with your stupid 'I'm sorry' crap and let's go. I want to get back to dinner so we can get this night over with." Eric demanded.

"Can you help me with this?" Austin asked as he pulled his underwear back up.

"This is the only fucking time I'm doing this! From now on you better wear sweatpants or something that you can do yourself!" Eric said as he yanked Austin's pants up and buttoned them up.

The rest of dinner went on without any upset but Beth could tell that something was bothering Austin. At first she thought that it was just the medicine kicking in but something deep inside told her that something just wasn't right. She couldn't stop thinking about what doctor Matlack had said that Austin could possibly being abused, physically and sexually. The thought of Austin being hurt in anyway turned her stomach. She was going to figure out exactly what was going on.

On their way home Austin had finally passed out in the back seat due to the medicine. Beth insisted on staying with them while she was here.

"Beth, it's not that serious. I don't think that you need to stay and watch Austin." Eric said sarcastically.

"He has to take it easy and rest so he doesn't hurt himself even more. Besides, you have to work and I don't think it's wise to leave him home alone all day. I won't take no for an answer." She protested.

Eric knew not to try and argue with his sister, he never won anyway. "Fine, if you insist but I still think you're being a little excessive about it."

"I'd rather be safe than sorry. I would feel horrible if something else was to happen to him."

Eric was a little confused by what she said. She had almost made it seem as if she knew something was going on.

Once they arrived back home it took the both of them to help Austin out of the car. He was extremely groggy and could hardly walk by himself. Beth asked if Eric wanted her help getting Austin up to bed but he declined and told her that he could manage. Now that Beth was going to be staying with them he was going to have to play the part as if he still cared about Austin. The thought of it enraged him.

After Eric changed into his bed clothes he started to get Austin undressed and ready for bed. It was a grueling task since Austin was groggy with the medicine.

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The next morning when Austin awoke, he realized that he was in bed with Eric. He had no memory of how he got in the bed. As he lifted the covers to get out of bed, he noticed that he was wearing pajama bottoms and one of Eric's old t-shirts. Slowly he made his way over to the bathroom trying to not make any noise. When Austin came out of the bathroom Eric was up and sitting on the edge of the bed. Austin froze in place; scared of what might happen in the early morning hours knowing that Beth was asleep and wouldn't hear anything if Eric decided to attack him.

"I'm sorry sir. I didn't mean to wake you." Austin held his breath waiting for Eric to lash out at him.

"Whatever Austin. Just go back to bed. I have to get ready for work anyway." Eric said as he walked past Austin to the bathroom.

Austin got back into the bed and had fallen back asleep. He didn't even notice Eric getting ready for work. It wasn't until there was a knocking on the door did he wake up again.