Thanks so much again for all the positive reviews flowing in thick and fast now. They make us feel wonderful and brighten up our day knowing that you enjoy reading our story and look forward to our updates! Is Mike good? Some of you think he is...well, maybe.
We also have to add some extra warnings here - as the story is getting darker...This chapter includes references to: (nearly adult?) consensual sex, child pornography, descriptions and fantasies of child sexual abuse. There's a shocker in store in this chapter for sure, so please don't read if it makes you uncomfortable or may trigger you! Reviews are love – let us have it!
Part 9: Uncle Mikey
Everybody knows that the heroes with the best intentions in the world are tortured souls forced to struggle with their dark sides - the only difference is how dark those are.
Because they know what it is to suffer like the rest of us - that's what made them help in the first place.
What woke him up was the sound of a car approaching from a distance. Merle came awake slowly, reluctantly, not sure where he was but when he felt a weight lying on top of his belly, he cried out and instinctively tried to buck it off. But then he realized that his arm was wrapped around it - and with relief, he looked down at his brother's dark, tussled hair. It seemed that even in his sleep, he'd been protecting Daryl. Although there was no longer any threat, any danger.
Not with Mike.
Yet, he was bitterly reminded of the time when Daryl had said 'Old habits die hard' and now he totally got what he meant.
With a sigh, Merle ran his fingers through those dark chestnut locks one more time, soothing his brother soothed him too and he even thought he glimpsed a small ghost of a smile on his Daryl's split lips in response. He returned it but of course, Daryl had his eyes shut and couldn't see him so he tried to doze off again but the car was coming closer to the house by the second. He sighed and gave up trying to go back to sleep and listened to it stop right outside. Shortly afterwards, he heard the car-door slam then their father's friend's heavy footsteps crunching on the gravel towards the front-door.
He didn't know what made him do it but he tightened his arm about Daryl just as he heard the key turning the lock and the front door open. When he glanced nervously down at the watch on his wrist he saw that they'd both been out of the count for about an hour. Not a good sign.
He knew he needed to sleep but now that Mike was back, he was naturally too wound up because judging by the time he'd been gone, their dad had been home when he decided to drop by and he'd no doubt done what he said he was going to do. Merle had heard the same determination in the large man's footsteps coming back as they'd had when he left and he dreaded what he must have done to their father on Daryl's behalf - he'd been so damn furious. He half-expected him to come barging in with his lips twisted in a smirk and his huge fists dripping with their father's blood but then he told himself that now, he was just being plain stupid.
But Mike didn't. Sure, his chest was puffed out a little in pride at having dealt out some old-style justice that had been a long time coming, but mostly the big man just looked tired and sad.
'At least I taught him a lesson – pick on someone his own damn size in future.' He sighed as he sank heavily into his armchair.
Merle couldn't help wondering who came off worse in the fight – had their Dad been in any state to hit back?
'Wh...What did ya do to him?' He couldn't help stammer out, worried for their father. Especially when he couldn't see any obvious injuries on the other man.
Mike looked up from the patch of carpet he'd been staring at since sitting down, and seemed to notice them properly for the first time and almost did a double-take before he grinned in surprise. Looking at them seemed to cheer him up for some reason.
Instead of answering Merle's question he beamed at them; 'Why, lookee you two. Ya really love him, don't ya?'
Merle blushed furiously and immediately yanked his hands away from his brother like they were burning. He hadn't realized that he was still stroking his hair when Mike came in. Now he kicked himself for looking like a fag, coddling Daryl like that with his arm around him.
But Mike wasn't mocking him apparently as he went on with complete seriousness, 'No need to get all embarrassed jus' because ya care about him, Merle. Daryl's one lucky boy to have a big brother like ya.'
'Yeah, he's so fuckin' lucky. His Dad nearly beat him to death and I couldn't stop it! Fell for that nice father act too, and I've been around that asshole a few years longer - should know him better by now!'
Mike shrugged his shoulders and smiled ruefully.
'Worse, Daryl got punished because of somethin' I did!' Merle continued to rage at himself sourly.
'Don't beat yaself up too hard 'cos I reckon your Dad would have done it to him either way, no matter what he thought Daryl did or didn't do. Judging by the state of ya brother, Will had been buildin' up to this for a long, long time -jus' waiting for an excuse to blow. Just like some goddamn volcano on one of them tropical islands ya see on TV or somethin'. So stop blamin' yourself for it, 'sides what's done is done...'
Merle wished he was right but he remembered what Daryl had said about Dad changing for the better, he'd been convinced that he meant it this time and Merle had wanted so hard to believe it. He snorted hard through his nose, unsure how to feel about all of it.
'You really don't think it was my fault?' He looked up at the older man with an expression of almost timid hope.
Mike shook his head. 'Me and 'im had us a little private conversation. Sorted some things out.'
Yet, he didn't seem very happy about it as he mumbled despondently on the chair opposite them, hands dangling uselessly between his spread knees and shook his head again.
Looking at him closely, Merle noticed the man's bleeding, swollen knuckles for the first time. Cuts like that could smart like hell, he knew that from experience after a difficult fight. 'What…what happened?' He asked him again.
'Well, I like to think that I finally got through to him. Maybe he'll think twice in future before he uses someone smaller and weaker than him - someone who can't defend themselves - as his personal punch bag. Most of all, not use his fists on his kid who didn't do nothin' to deserve it.'
'You're tellin' me you…He hurt bad?' Merle asked, trying to fake nonchalance he didn't exactly feel because no matter how bad he got, he couldn't help but feel a stab of fear for their old man. He might be an evil son of a bitch most of the time but he still didn't like the thought of him lying there alone on the floor, bleeding, maybe even in pain and with no-one to check up on him. The neighbors – although a nosy bunch, had learned long ago to stay out of Dixon family business – the price they paid for interfering just wasn't worth the effort. But whenever he or Daryl were in real trouble in the past, the old couple down the road could be counted on to let them in so that they could escape their drunk father.
Mike saw the look on his face. 'Don't worry, he's OK. Nothing he couldn't handle. Jus' gave him a warning, was all.' Then he reached over to open one of the beers that was on the table. Despite Daryl being dead to the world, he flinched in his sleep when he popped it open. Mike noticed and shook his head without asking why, deciding not to pursue it. He shrugged his shoulders: 'I pretty much did to him what he did to Daryl.' He said.
Merle grew pale despite himself and nearly got up off the sofa,dislodging Daryl . 'Then I should go, check up on 'im...'
'No need. Told ya he's OK.'
'But...'
'Why do ya care so much about what I did to him? It's about time he got some payback... I never knew he did it to you too, otherwise I would have done this long ago.'
Merle shrugged his shoulders and looked away. 'Jus' better at hidin' it, I guess...'Sides, he never went this far with me, not when I was Daryl's age anyway.'
Mike snorted in scorn at that. 'Son of a bitch...Best buddy or not, I would have...'
'It don't matter now.' Merle cut him off. 'What's done is done, ain't that what you said?'
Mike grinned back at him, he liked it when the older Dixon boy answered back, turning his own words on him.
Merle knew that smile, Mike had always been one to encourage his smartass side.
He smiled back and looked down at his sleeping brother who only just then had stirred a little to make himself more comfortable. Thinking that he'd passed on his smart mouth to his brother. Not that Merle didn't enjoy watching Daryl try to act cool and imitate him, but it also worried him that he might have given his other not -so-positive traits to him as well. Such as his drink and drug problems or his shitty taste in girls – he knew he'd probably never make a good husband or father. He prayed that Daryl wouldn't be like him when he grew up, would settle down with a nice lady, have a decent job and finally get away from their toxic Dad...Merle would be the awesome uncle that spoiled those kids rotten – letting them eat too much candy at the fair and getting scolded for it by Daryl's wife... Give the boy pony-rides on his back, pushing the girl on the swing back in the yard...they'd be his kids in a way too.
He grew calmer and stared ahead without seeing while he enjoyed this daydream. Until he snapped back to the here and now, realising that his mind had drifted away from him again. It seemed difficult for him to focus properly this evening and who could blame him? He didn't want to be stuck in this fucked-up reality where his little brother constantly got hurt just because of their father- a monster who couldn't control his goddam temper.
He shifted in his seat and sat upright, he knew he had to deal with everything, and form a plan to keep Daryl safe. He was no fool, it hadn't escaped him that Mike was leaving out specific details of what had actually gone down at home. However, Merle suspected that it was more bravado than anything else because he looked pretty shaken up himself. But that was no surprise, he'd just beaten the crap out his best friend who'd he'd known almost his whole life.
'You OK? He clocked you too, didn't he?' Unconsciously, Merle's arm went back around his sleeping brother as he spoke and Mike raised his eyebrows at this but didn't comment.
'Nah, maybe a couple of times. He took me off guard when I was trying to get my point across to him.'
'Yeah, he don't go down easy, does he? Did he say anythin'?' Merle asked hopefully.
Mike shook his head: 'Nothin' except he jus' kept sayin' that he only meant to toughen him up and teach him some respect.'
'Fuckin' bastard. He didn't even say he was sorry, did he, huh?'
'Nope. Did you really expect him to? You know how stubborn your Dad is...and proud as hell with it. But he got as good as he gave to ya little brother, so hopefully he won't do it again. 'Bout time someone gave him a taste of his own medicine.'
'Yeah, we can live in hope.' But he didn't sound convinced, not even to his own ears.
'Look, you must be tired. Daryl' ain't gonna wake up anytime soon...You can both take my bed.'
'But...' Merle began to protest but Mike cut him off.
'I'll stay on the sofa, I'll be asleep before ya know it. I'm beat.'
'We're all right.'
'I didn't ask if you were all right, Merle. I know you ain't and neither is he. I said I want you to take your little brother with you and have my bed.' With that, he went to pick up Daryl but Merle shook his head.
'I can manage.' He told him, lifting Daryl up in his arms as he stood up and slinging his limp body over his shoulder in a fireman's lift.
Mike shook his head and smiled at this show of devotion. Of course, he knew that Merle was feeling guilty for what happened and that had a lot to do with his protectiveness but he certainly did genuinely love his baby brother. Anyone could see that. It really was no wonder that he was so protective with a father like that and he hoped that it was the last time that he would have to teach his best friend a lesson about fighting fair.
After all, a real man didn't pick on those weaker than him.
Merle took Daryl up to bed, meanwhile Mike kept an ear out until he heard the door to his bedroom shut and the bed creak a little under both their weight. Letting them have his bed had felt like the right thing to do, but it wasn't the only reason why he'd insisted. He wasn't planning on sleeping anytime soon despite what he told Merle and when he heard all noise cease from the bedroom, he went to his tiny study and bolted the door fast behind him. He wanted to make absolutely sure that he wouldn't be disturbed.
He took a deep swig of the beer he'd brought in with him and got the photos out, telling himself that he wasn't hurting any of them by merely looking. He had some videos too that he kept under lock and key in the safe-box hidden in the wall... He was eager to watch them but he didn't risk it, not with the boys under the same roof.
As he undid his belt and opened up his flies, he hesitated, full of doubt all of sudden. Some of them were not much older than Daryl...and that thought made his stomach turn.
With a shrug, he leaned back and began to touch himself. Slowly at first, then faster as he flipped the album to his favorite pic and the urge to moan became more and more urgent. When lost in the sheer pleasure of it and his own fantasies, he was finally forced to do his best to stifle any sounds coming from his mouth. But it was practically impossible to do and he ended up biting down on his own belt when he came harder than he ever had this way before and couldn't keep his moans in.
At least he was satisfied for now and he breathed hard as the familiar guilt started to creep back up on him. He knew in some ways that he was worse than his son-beating best friend but it didn't stop him from indulging in his own secret pleasures but chased the guilt away like he usually did, telling himself that it wasn't him hurting those boys.
Three days later and still with no news of Dad, Merle left Daryl in Mike's care while he went off to take care of some 'business', so he said. They didn't ask him what but the truth was he had to just get out of there, now that he knew that Daryl was being taken good care of. Still, it was 'business' in a way, his own 'personal' business and after he'd done it, maybe he would try to make a buck or two. He didn't like Mike paying for everything for him and his brother.
He got in his truck that was parked next to Mike's car and tried his luck at Sandy's first. She wasn't in and Merle sighed with disappointment.
He sat in the car awhile, wondering who to try next. His libido had been raging ever since Mike had insisted that they share his bed while he took the sofa for the fourth night in a row. Not that Merle wasn't grateful to have a soft bed to sleep in, and usually he didn't mind sharing with Daryl even though he would never ever admit it. But he'd been horny as hell lately. He'd soon given up though on any thoughts of self-relief because naturally doing his business so close to a sleeping Daryl had just felt wrong.
He briefly considered Carla, but not for long. She still hated his guts, if only he could remember what he 'd said to her. Probably he'd called her something degrading right after screwing her brains out, with his characteristic charm. Chicks always dug that, he thought with a mocking smile. It must have just slipped out and he'd been too high at the time to notice, usually ending up with him saying exactly what was on his mind and what he really thought about her. Merle chuckled to himself at that, in the bedroom department, he really was a master.
Who lived closest from here? He turned the car around when who'd be available – who always nearly was, dawned on him.
Melanie had been a lot lower down on his list when he'd been looking for somewhere to take Daryl because she was already married. Luckily, she was in, and apparently alone. Merle could tell that her husband wasn't home when his flashy SUV was nowhere to be seen on the driveway, making him smile from ear to ear.
She opened her door to him in her negligee. The brunette's figure was fantastic – slim where it mattered most but curvy in all the right places with a big bust and yeah, she was a few years older than him – 23 or 25. So what? She was still one foxy lady and he could tell by the thinly-disguised lust in her eyes that she was bored and as horny as he was.
Merle looked around nervously. For some reason even though he told himself he shouldn't care, she weren't his, he didn't like her flaunting herself to the whole neighborhood like that. Worse - drawing attention to him as well as to herself. So, without a word, he pushed her inside, drawing a giggle from her at being so rudely manhandled.
'Someone might see ya!' He gripped her by the top of her arms and gave her a small shove further in the hallway before he kicked the door shut behind them.
'So? Maybe I wanted them too.' She paused, eyeing him approvingly, licking her lips. 'Or did ya think I was jus' savin' myself all for you, you arrogant boy?' She smiled then, taunting him, flashing her white, pointy, perfect teeth.
He didn't take the bait. 'He at work?' He demanded abruptly instead, feeling himself get hard at the sight of her flat stomach and long, slender legs.
She nodded. 'I'm all yours, baby.' She went up to him and wound her arms around his neck and kissed him while he breathed in her expensive perfume. Her husband (he never asked for his name- didn't care) did relatively well for himself, worked as a manager at the local bank and their place was nice. Plus, there was no kids around to spoil their fun.
He growled and kissed her back, letting his teeth just graze lightly over her skin. She arched her back and moaned, wrapped her legs around his hips. He considered taking her against the wall, that would be something they hadn't done yet.
'Missed ya...' She breathed and gasped when he started to roughly unbutton her blouse, his fingers clumsy in his need.
He didn't answer. Truth was, he didn't care for her and he knew that he was just a welcome distraction to her too.
He hitched her skirt right up to her hips and hurriedly started to undo his belt but she stopped him, with one hand on his arm.
'No, not here.'
'Why not?' He murmured while he nuzzled her neck seductively.
'I want to do it in our bed.' She announced.
He stopped and stared at her, mouth hanging slack in surprise. This was something new. Was she pissed at hubby for some reason? All the better for him!
Then he thought about it – crossing that line that she never let him before lent his eyes a glint of excitement as he followed her up the stairs. He didn't even wait for her to reach the top, just swept her shrieking up in his arms and dragged her up them before he kicked the door open to the forbidden bedroom and threw her on the bed. She screamed in surprise when he did that.
She looked up at him and laughed before he jumped on top of her and started smothering her body with kisses, paying particular attention to her large breasts. Then he practically tore off her expensive clothes and tossed them to the floor not that she was complaining. Her lacy scarlet panties soon followed suit before he kissed her down her body and his skilful tongue did its work between her thighs until she cried out and shoved him off her.
He lay there looking up at her questioningly and she nodded. She never said no to him and with relief that he was going to be able to satisfy himself – his balls felt as big and tight as watermelons before he started to push in. Merle didn't complain, the sex was hot and going without for a while made it even hotter.
When it was all over, she tried to snuggle up to him, making him frown in irritation. 'Hold me, jus' a little while.' She wheedled, clinging to his arm. 'Pleeze.'
'Sorry darlin', I gotta go.' He was already getting out the bed and sitting on the edge, pulling on his clothes. Having got what he wanted – no, needed – he corrected himself, there was no point hanging around. Besides, his baby brother needed him more than this slut did and he needed to start paying their way, they couldn't go on sponging off Mike forever after all.
'Ya were jus' usin' me?' She emphasized every word with a hard slap on his back to let him know exactly what she thought about this.
He just shrugged and laughed at her before he got up, fully-dressed. Duh. Didn't the stupid bimbo know that Dixons didn't cuddle? They never had before so why the fuck did she ask him to this time?
'Ya one cold bastard, ya know that?' She screamed and threw one of her stylish red stilettoes at him. The pointy heel nearly blinded him but luckily bounced harmlessly off his temple instead.
His smile died quickly at this attack, along with his laughter - the close call finally made him lose his temper.
'You fuckin' bitch!' He yelled at her, rubbing his head. 'That could have gone in my eye!'
'Good! I was aimin' for it, you asshole!'
He gave her the finger without even looking at her before he raced down the stairs. He could still hear her screaming but he wasn't listening.
'And don't come back!' Now she was yelling at him from the top window, the top half of her body shrouded in the white bedsheet but he ignored her as he started the engine. Still, he did feel a sliver of regret – that chick had been one fine piece of ass. Truth be told, the fact that she was quite a lot older than him aroused him like nothing else could.
He shrugged his shoulders - he knew he wouldn't have any trouble finding a substitute for little, hot, crazy Melanie.
He whistled cheerfully as he began to drive away, not sparing her a second glance even though he could hear her still yelling threats and insults behind him until her house was out of sight. Merle started to chuckle again and rub his aching temple where the stiletto had hit. He did love feisty women, honest to God he did and the whole drama made him forget about making money for their keep.
When he got back to Mike's, he found the two of them on the sofa. He had his arm around Daryl while they watched cartoons on TV, the scene making Merle frown.
'Need a drink.' Was all he said before he headed for the small kitchen.
'Get me one too, will ya?' Their host called after him. Merle hissed in annoyance even as he did as he was asked. To be honest, he was getting sick of being here, he badly wanted his own space. He knew how much he needed it when he was even growing tired of being cooped up with his baby brother. It took quite a lot for that to happen, but then again, he wasn't usually stuck with him for days on end.
Merle had his own life – he'd do his own thing like go out drinking, get laid or earn money or all three in various order. What usually drove him out of the house was when it was just him and Daryl and the kid was in teasing little brother mode. Transforming a boy who normally worshipped the very ground his big brother walked on to an insufferable little rugrat who went out of his way to annoy him. Merle couldn't help but smile though, what did he expect? The kid had learned from the best after all.
But he wasn't very well going to call up their father and beg to come home just because he was feeling trapped and things were getting too intense between all three of them. He knew if he didn't get a real break though, things were going to blow up between him and Mike real soon and he didn't want to seem ungrateful.
The next day, there was still nothing from Dad – not that they were expecting an apology but it was strange that he hadn't even called. Merle wondered again if he should go back home and just check that he was OK but after a lot of debating with himself, he decided not to again. Actually, he would rather die than show himself weak by letting their father get to him or hint that he cared a dime about him. After all, the bastard deserved a little pain after everything he'd done to Daryl, including scarring up his body for life.
So, that night, Merle went out and left them to it – his cabin fever back was again in full force. He desperately needed to spend time chilling out and feeling like an adult again and he planned to go for some beers with his buddies at Marty's. He asked Mike if it was OK and he agreed but seemed to deliberately mock him when he ran his fingers through Daryl's hair just like he'd done himself very recently. But then Daryl had been hurt and scared – he'd had good reason. But what was Mike's? Merle looked away then – something about this made him uneasy but he couldn't explain it and he knew if he didn't get out of there, he was going to say or do something he'd regret later. Besides, he was probably seeing things that wasn't there. Making something innocent into something more sinister, like Mike deliberately provoking him for no reason.
He shrugged his shoulders. The man had been nothing but kind and generous to them after all and he put down to his sheer need of getting the fuck out of there as the reason for his unfounded paranoia.
'I'll be back before midnight.' He promised before he left, actually meaning it when he said it.
'Fine.' The man smiled, this time putting his hands on Daryl's shoulders, Mike didn't need to reach very far to do it either. His brother was hanging close to him as usual. Acting more and more like Mike's little shadow the longer they stayed there. Merle averted his eyes again and went straight out of the door without looking back.
But when he wasn't back by 1am, Mike shook his head and made his way upstairs. Although really, what had he expected?
'Ain't gonna wait up for him no more.' He muttered, feeling his eyes burning with tiredness. He understood that Merle felt trapped here and even as much as he loved Daryl, he needed time out...The company of a kid, all though Daryl was funny and sweet, wasn't the same. Even though Daryl was used to foul language and didn't shy away from using it himself, they felt like that they had to watch what they said. Then there was the stuff they couldn't discuss with him there.
Might as well spend the night in my own bed, looks like he ain't comin' back anytime soon, he mumbled to himself, even then not sure exactly what he had in mind. Jus' gonna sleep is all, he promised himself, pushing the videos out of mind. Especially the boy who was almost a split double of Daryl in 2 or 3 years. Deliberately not thinking how expertly he pleasured the adult man with his experienced mouth, or the fact of how much it had turned him on when he'd seen the resemblance.
He made his way slowly up to his bedroom where the sleeping boy lay, looking forward to waking up in the morning without an aching back for once. He'd seen Merle looking at him funny, frowning at him and Daryl when they were together lately but he put it down to the boy feeling cooped up. Watching him was like watching a powerful thoroughbred stallion straining at his bit, tossing his mane and prancing around impatiently, waiting for the race to start. The kid had too much energy but he was 16 after all – almost an adult and Mike didn't blame him for wanting time out sometimes.
Mike on the other hand didn't mind staying at home with Daryl – far from it, in fact was his last coherent thought before he drifted off beside him. He hadn't woken up, Merle said he never did when he went off to Dreamland and apparently that was true.
Yet, about five hours later, he woke up in his familiar bedroom and forgot for a moment that he wasn't sleeping alone. It came to him when he could hear, not least feel him puffing out small and peaceful breaths close to his ear. He glanced down at the boy then, and it didn't take long before a smile tugged at his lips.
'How could he hurt you? How could anyone?' Mike whispered, sure that he wouldn't hear. 'Ya look jus' like a little angel that fell from heaven.' He lay a quick peck on his mouth. 'You really do.'
It was true - Daryl was deeply asleep and looked relaxed and so happy, like nothing in the world could ever trouble him. Basically just like a child his age should look. But then he moved and Mike froze when one of Daryl's legs wedged themselves innocently between his. He thought nothing more of it until Daryl shifted again. He was obviously trying to make himself more comfortable and pushed his knee slightly higher in his sleep. When it rubbed against Mike's groin, the man couldn't hold back a surprised gasp before he went cold all over.
