Wounded Heart Warrior

Part One

The reaction was instantaneous: dilated pupils, quickened pulse, change in breathing. It meant one thing to Douglas Hammond. It meant his twin brother was still very much in love with Sean Reeves.

Twice Douglas had to physically drag TJ away. Twice he had to stop his twin was swooning.

Douglas watched TJ watch the Republican senator hug his wife. TJ cringed. Douglas reached out a hand to his brother.

Stop it, TJ. Don't do this yourself.

But TJ had been clean the six months they were together and he was so excited when he thought Sean Reeves was going to attend his club opening. Then he didn't show up and TJ had a broken heart again and nearly died again.

The memory filled Douglas with rage. His brother was in love with a man who almost killed him twice. He wanted him dead.

"He looks good, doesn't he?" TJ said. He had not stopped talking about him for ten minutes. Douglas was regretting inviting his brother to the governor's birthday party. But he knew it was a drug free environment and would be good for TJ to get out more.

"No," Douglas replied. He had ignored his wife in favor of making sure TJ didn't get his heartbroken again because someone had to do it and he knew for damn sure he was the one who was going to do it. Anne didn't understand. She really didn't. She said she did, but she would never know how deep his devotion to TJ went.

"I love him, Dougie."

"I know."

Sean walked past the pair of them on his way to the bathroom and TJ got weak in the knees and very excited, something that caused Douglas to roll his eyes. He started to follow him but Douglas held onto him. No.

"Let me talk to him. I need to know why he stood me up."

Because he's an asshole. Douglas dragged TJ to their mother, whispered what was going on then headed to the bathroom himself.

Sean was washing his hands.

"My brother almost died twice because of you."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Wrong thing to say, douchebag.

"So he meant nothing to you?"

"He was some quick fuck to get off. Then he started stalking me. It's not my fault he became obsessed with me."

I hate you.

"He is in love with you."

Sean didn't speak. He tried to leave. Douglas wasn't about to let him. He pinned the senator to a wall. Douglas was not one for physical confrontation and if he was being honest with himself he knew the senator could take him in a fight, but he was running on pure adrenaline.

"Why didn't you come to his club opening?"

"I can't be seen in a nightclub I'm a senator."

"My dad was President of the United States and he went for TJ."

"My wife is looking for me."

"Did you ever love him?"

"Yes."

And Douglas let him leave. He wasn't sure he believed him but he was too mad to care. TJ had broken out of his mom's supervision and found Sean.

They were talking near the bathroom. Douglas waited and listened.

"I hear you've been clean for three months now."

"Yeah. It's been hard. Dougie keeps me in check."

"Are you seeing anyone?"

"No. I'm single. It's probably for the best. A guy would just cause me to use."

Sean put his hand on TJ's arm and Douglas could almost feel the rampant beating of TJ's heart. He felt a slight stirring. TJ's feelings were strong.

"You look great. Really healthy. Look, I am sorry I didn't come to your club opening. Maybe you can reserve me a place there this weekend."

Don't do it. It's a trick.

"Yeah definitely."

Sean left and TJ was elated. It was like he was higher than a kite. His infatuation was a drug and he was intoxicated. TJ could practically fly. Douglas wanted to deflate his brother to keep him grounded and make sure his heart didn't caught up in this again, but judging by the buzz his brother was feeling, he knew it was too late.

"I think we might get back together," said TJ dreamily after Douglas rejoined him. I wouldn't bet on it.

"I'm not putting you back together after you fall apart again." Yes I will. We both know I will.

"He will leave his wife for me. I know it."

TJ was on top of the world for a week. Douglas loved his brother's good mood but not at that cost. He knew the reason why his brother was walking around their mother's house humming show tunes and being sweet to everyone. He never asked Mom and Dad for a thing, he was just happy, and sober.

When Saturday rolled around Douglas cleared his schedule. He needed to be there for TJ. Sean didn't come. Douglas knew he wouldn't. He hadn't the heart to tell TJ. His brother was wrecked. Douglas stuck to him like glue that night. He made sure his brother didn't use. He was filled with uncontrollable rage. His father had people who could easily dispose of Sean Reeve's body and he figured he could get away with it.

He watched his brother go from buzzed a million miles per hour to depressed in .07 seconds. Douglas's heart stopped when he watched his brother shattered a couple of martini glasses. Please don't use. Oh God.

He followed closely, expecting TJ to find his dealer, but instead TJ went upstairs to the VIP lounge; he threw everyone out and sat on a couch to cry.

"No one ever chooses me."

"I did," said Douglas. Instead of being home having sex with Anne and nursing his crush on Susan Berg he was with TJ.

"Why doesn't he love me?"

"He's a Republican. They don't love anyone."

That made TJ laugh.

Douglas ran his fingers through TJ's hair and held him tight. No more. No more of TJ's heart being broken. No more drugs.

He was going to find TJ a nice boyfriend if it kills him. TJ needs someone nice. Someone who will appreciate him. He knew what he needed to do.

"I love him."

"He doesn't deserve it."

Sean Reeves deserved to be ripped apart by wild dogs and if Douglas had his way about it that is exactly what would happen. He held his brother as tears stained his $400 pants. TJ let out a small, choked, sob and Douglas's own heart shattered.

Soon, TJ, you will have a sweet guy to love you. I promise.