Bro sat alone on the far right side of the park bench. The Texas heat beamed down and made his black pants feel as if they were an oven. His face remained emotionless as he slouched only enough to look cool despite the 98 degree temperature beaming down on him. Little Dave sat on the swing kicking his feet and staring at the ground. A small group of children yelled and chased each other on the jungle gym and slides laughing happily.
"I wonder why he doesn't go chill with the other kids" Bro thought but dismissed it because his little guy was probably just too cool for them. Despite putting the thought aside Bro was still concerned for Dave but let no physical grimace or wince. On the other side of the park happy couples cuddled while watching their children play. Bro glanced at his watch quickly. Sailor moon was about to be on and would hate to miss it. For Dave's sake of course. Pushing both hands firmly on his thighs he pushed himself off the bench and smoothly walked up to Dave and held out his hand. Dave looked up and firmly grasped the welcoming gesture and pulled himself up out of the swing. They slowly made their way back to the apartment.
The silence was normal but something in the air tensed and both boys could feel it. Dave sat at the foot of the couch Knees tucked under his chin. Without a word Bro sat down next the boy and assumed the same position.
"We're not like other families." Bro flatly said.
"No… We're not." Dave responded in the same tone.
"We don't have a Mom. We don't have a Dad." Bro tried to say calmly but his voice cracked slightly.
"No. We don't." Dave said coldly.
The words stung Bro. He couldn't provide the things he didn't have himself- He wasn't ready to be a father, much less ready to raise a kid on his own. He felt the weight of the world crushing him as he tried to hold it all so Dave wouldn't feel any of it. He felt the air escaping from his lungs as if punctured by his heart breaking. Tears began welling in his eyes and a scream grew in his chest.
"But…" Dave spoke softly. He rocked his body softly and let it fall over and lean on to Bro. He buried his face in his arm letting tears fall and his shades shift up. "We have each other." The flood gates lifted and tears poured from Bro's eyes and turned and clenched Dave in his arms. Dave wrapped his small arms around Bro's neck and cried with him.
"You take care of me and I'll take care of you." Dave choked out.
"I'll protect you with my life because you give me a reason to have one" Bro sobbed back.
The sat there and cried and ended curled up on the couch with Bro holding Dave in his arms. Dave's head rested on Bro's chest; listening to his soothing heart beat. After a few hours passed Bro scrunched his sore face and felt an odd mixture of refreshment and like complete udder shit. The typical feeling after crying one's self to sleep. Bro looked down at the also awake Dave and they simply stare at one another for a few moments.
"Let's just take what we learned here… and just not bring this up with anyone" Bro broke the silence.
"You can bet on it" Dave agreed.
"Now who wants late night pancake?!"
"Yeah!" Dave sprang up happily.
Bro watched him run into the kitchen and try to get down the flour. A smile crept on to his face as he slowly got up watching the best thing to ever happen to him.
