I woke up a few hours later; I rose and looked to my right, to see Rory snoring softly. I gently stroked his brown hair from his eyes; he twitched as I took my hand away. He's even cuter when he's asleep.

"Mmm, Dean," he muttered in his sleep and I smiled. I then heard the front door close and a voice curse. It was a voice I'd hoped to never hear again, my 19-year-old brother, Neil. Neil disappeared a year ago after breaking out of rehab, of which he was in for drug addiction. Mom kicked him out, but he'd promised that he'd be back. I've been dreading the day he did.

"Anyone home?" he yelled. Rory jerked awake, mumbling. I spun around and put a finger to my lips.

"Rory, don't make a sound," I said softly. He nodded and slid back under the covers. I put on a shirt and slipped out my door and walked downstairs into the kitchen, where Neil was rummaging through the refrigerator.

"Hi, Neil," I said casually. He turned and gave me his infamous lopsided smile.

"Hey, Dean, how the hell are ya?" Neil got me in a headlock; he knows I hate being touched. "Where's Mom?"

I broke free of his hold and rubbed my neck. "She's working the night shift," I explained.

"Still doing burlesque?" he asked.

"No, she's bartending now," I replied.

"Well, at least she's working," he shrugged as he found a soda and popped it open.

I nodded; I was worried about Rory, hoping Neil wouldn't find him. Neil was the first person I came out and I ended up regretting it; he told everyone. The day after I told him, I was beaten up at school. When I came home, Mom acted as if nothing happened. She revealed later that she already knew. I became an outcast, being the only openly gay kid in school. All the torment I endured made me the no-nonsense cynic I am today.

"You still gay?" Neil asked, taking a cigarette from his shirt pocket.

"Yeah, and?" I leaned against the counter, ready for the spiel of taunts.

"Have you ever been with a girl, Dean?" he asked; smoke billowing from his mouth.

"No and I honestly don't care to," I replied, waving the smoke from my face.

"You should try it, it's awesome. I was with a girl yesterday, she had the nicest tits I ever did see," Neil said and I rolled my eyes. He's an attention whore, so if I don't give him his share of the "spotlight", he'll hit me like he usually does.

"Dean?" I heard Rory in the hall; I turned to see him fully clothed and his backpack on.

"Hey, buddy, you want a ride?" I asked, trying to escape Neil.

"Hey, Dean, is this your boyfriend?" Neil teased; I saw Rory blush.

"In fact, Neil," I was feeling a little righteous, "he is. Rory, honey, this is my brother, Neil. Neil, this is Rory, my boyfriend." The two shook hands, I was surprised; typically Neil would be spouting out some inane gay joke.

"Come on, Rory, let's get you home," I said, taking Rory's hand and leading him out the door.

"Your brother seems nice," he remarked as we walked to my car.

"You don't know what he's really like," I muttered.

As I pulled up in front of Rory's apartment complex, he unbuckled, turned, and kissed me. I returned the kiss gently.

"I love you, Dean Easton," he whispered.

"I love you too, Rory Flanagan," I whispered back. We came apart from the kiss and he got out of the car. "I'll pick you up tomorrow, okay?" I called. He nodded and went inside.