My Brother's Best Friend - LGBT, boyXman

34

Matt looked tired when we got home.

David and I had converted half of the living room into a bedroom for him to stay in, knowing he likely wouldn’t have the strength to climb the stairs after a couple more sessions of chemotherapy.

We’d angled the TV so that he could see it from his bed, and put a small bookcase beside the bed. We’d stocked it with books for him to read if ever he didn’t want to watch the TV.

“You didn’t have to do this,” Matt said when we arrived home, hiding a yawn behind his hand.

“Shut up.”

David helped him through to his new bedroom while I went through to the kitchen and put the kettle on.

I made David and I a mug of tea each, and got Matt a glass of water. Matt was half-asleep when I went through to the living room.

David had put on a football match, and was bringing Matt up to speed on the league games he’d missed while he was in Germany.

“I can’t believe they won,” Matt groaned in the direction of the TV. “They suck.”

“I agree,” David said.

I saw the signs of a heated debate beginning, and quickly handed David his tea.

“Don’t tire him out,” I muttered.

“Can I tire you out instead?” David asked innocently.

I frowned at him.

“Not in front of Matt,” I hissed. “He needs rest.”

“He’s seen it all before,” David murmured, reaching up and pulling me down onto his lap.

He wrapped his arms around me and squeezed me affectionately.

“He’s done it all before.” He kissed my ear. “Well, not with a bloke. But you get the picture.”

He muffled my protests with a soft kiss. He nuzzled my neck affectionately.

“Jerk,” I muttered. “You can’t keep kissing me to make me forget what I’m saying.”

“I can for as long as it works.” He smirked wickedly at me.

“Jerk.” I repeated.

He cuddled me closer.

We watched the football match with Matt, who drifted in and out of sleep.

At dinnertime, David and I ate quickly, before I forced Matt to eat a small portion.

“You need to eat while you can.” I chided him firmly.

He rolled his eyes but let me help him eat.

As I was putting plates in the dishwasher, David came up behind me and pulled me into his arms.

He kissed the back of my neck gently.

“You okay?” He asked me gently.

“Yeah. It’s just… hard,” I murmured. “He’s always been so healthy. Now he looks so small and… fragile.”

“I know. But, they’re optimistic. The nurse gave me loads of information to give to his doctors. He shouldn’t need too much chemo. The surgery got most of the tumour. Obviously, he’ll need regular check-ups for the next few years, but he’s doing very well.”

“Thank you, Doctor Mason.” I tugged a lock of his fringe affectionately.

“I’m trying to make you feel better, Spud.” David flicked my hand away.

“I know. And you did.” I leant up and kissed him.

“He’ll be fine,” David whispered in my ear.

And, God, I prayed that he was right.