"You're gay?"
Jesse nodded solemnly.
Reyes smiled warmly "Oh Jesse, that's okay." Mr Reyes soothed.
"No it's not...Everyones getting hurt because of it." Jesse's voice caught with the threat of a sob.
"That's not true." Reyes places a hand on Jesse shoulder.
"Yes it is!" Jesse cried. "This douche I play football caught us and now he's blackmailing me and my... boyfriend." Jesse paused as if Reyes was still was unaware of his sexuality. "And if I tell anyone at the school I'll be taken off the football team and I'll lose my scholarship..." his hand shook uncontrollably finally telling someone how he felt made all his emotions come up at once.
"I hate it! I feel like an ass because Hanzo's getting most of it!"
Mr Reyes smiled faded. "What's he doing?"
"He's pushing him around making him do his homework, he beat him up the first time really bad." Jesse grabbed his hair in frustration. "I'm the one that deserved it! Not him."
"Neither if you deserved to be treated like that."
Jesse huffed. "I guess."
"No. Listen to me Jesse, it doesn't matter what people think do or say. You have to treat yourself with respect, otherwise people will use you. They will see how vulnerable you are and they will step all over you."
Reyes knelt down in front of him.
" I know I'm not your real father... but I intend to raise you as if I were. I need you to know you are worth just as much as everyone else is."
Jesse's bottom lip quivered hand still shaking. "I thought-" he chocked back a sob. "I thought you might kick me out because-" he breathed through his sobs. " cause I'm ya know." He looked at his Reyes in the eye. "I was so scared." He admitted.
"Come here." Reyes asked as his stood up his body groaning as he did.
Jesse stood up only to me almost knocked back by the giant embrace Reyes gave.
"I will never ever make you leave."
"Okay." Jesse grabbed his sweatshirt tighter.
That night Jesse unpacked the first box he'd ever unpacked since being a foster kid. He started with one. He was still afraid to trust but he was getting closer.
Jesse woke up in the middle of the night to his phone blaring loudly. He groaned not fully awake covering his eyes from the bright light that now illuminated the room. He hid his head under the blanket ignoring the phone call. It stopped only to go off again a minute later. Frustrated he fumbled for his phone swiping the green button to accept the call.
"Hello?"
"J-Jesse p-please h-help me." Hanzo's voice sobbed through the phone.
"Hanzo?" Jesse shouted already getting out of the bed. He stumbled over his blanket still wrapped around his legs crashing into his TV stand. So much for being quiet.
"Are you hurt? What's going on?"
"No I'm not hurt... my brother is." Just then the door opened me Reyes stood the hallway light making his body look menacing.
"I need to go." Jesse covered the receiver with his thumb.
"Why?" Reyes voice was a mix between tired and concern but not anger.
"Something happened to Hanzo.. I think it was Dereks doing." Jesse admitted.
"Jesse?" Hanzo's voice quivered.
"I'm right here, I'm on my way are you at home? "
"No..."
Hanzo knelt in the dirt next to his unresponsive brother. It was dark and it was freezing cold out side. With nothing but the moonlight to see. Genuine didn't look good, and that was with minimal vision. Hanzo has already put his sweater over top of him to keep him warm. He clutched his arms together trying to get his teeth to stop chattering.
In his hands a note he had discovered on top of Genji, it was addressed to Hanzo himself.
I know what you did. You think you can get rid of me that easily. I'll be back soon enough. -D
P.S Dont bother calling the cops unless you never want to see him again.
The bright lights from Jesse truck blinded Hanzo for a moment. He looked to his brother his face covered in gashes and blood caked with dirt.
Jesse got out of the car followed by a Tall man, he looked authoritative and threatening.
"This is my foster dad, don't worry he's here to help." Jesse guestsded to the man kneeling in front of Genji checking for a pulse.
Hanzo just nodded his teeth chattering in sync .
"Jesus you must be freezing! Jesse took his coat off and wrapped it around his shoulders.
"Why didn't you call an ambulance?" Reyes questioned.
"I can't afford it. Plus dad would be furious if he found out. Which he would." Hanzo looked at his brother. "He wouldn't even care that his own son could die you know?" Tears welled up in his eyes which he angrily wiped away.
"How'd you get here I don't see your car?"
"I ran, Genji had the car today. I don't know where it is."
"What are you holding?" Jesse asked noticing the paper in Hanzo's hand.
"Derek left a note...guess he found out what he tried to do... this is all my fault Jesse." Hanzo shook his head. "I did this to my brother... my little brother.
"Hey, Listen to me this is not your fault." Jesse looked him in the eye. "We're gonna get Derek okay? He's going to pay for everything he's done to you." Hanzo nodded.
Reyes gingerly lifted up Genji's back off the ground. "Jesse can you help me get him in the backseat." Jesse released his hold on Hanzo's shoulders picking up Genji's feet.
They managed to get him in the back despite the lack of room. Fortunately Jesses truck was able to convert the front into a three seater. Which meant Hanzo would be wedged in the middle.
Jesse sat in the passengers seat holding Hanzo's hand. He looked between the two nervously.
"It's okay. I told him bout us, tonight actually." Jesse whispered.
"You did?"
"Yeah, he's supportive which is... great. I kind of feel like an idiot for not getting it off my chest sooner."
"Don't feel like an idiot." Reyes lectured.
Jesse gave him an unimpressed look.
"What? I can hear everything, I'm literally right beside you two."
"So what does that mean? For us then?"Hanzo chewed his lip.
"I'm not ready I come out to the entire world yet... but if it means this thing with Derek ends then... I don't care. I'm sorry I was so selfish before I-" Jesses mouth hung open ready to spew an apology but Hanzo cut him off.
"I am scared too. I get it. I didn't think this was going to happen. He messes with me? Fine. But now he's gone after my brother I cannot ignore that."
"Right now Hanzo you need to focus on being there for your brother. Derek will get his karma eventually but right now he needs you don't forget that."
"Yes sir."
"Call me Gabe kid I'm not that old."
