Disclaimer: This is fanfiction based off of the Malcolm in the Middle TV series; I do not own the series' plot-lines or characters, nor do I intend to make money from them. (See the first chapter for a more detailed disclaimer)

Later the next evening, Dewey questioned Reese. "Reese, would you make me a cake?" Dewey was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, when he suddenly interrupted Reese from his "homework" – i.e. doodling land-squids with pornographic tentacles and uuziis.

"What?" Reese asked, distracted.

"A cake. You made Malcolm one."

"Sure. You like the flavor of arsenic?"

But Dewey ignored his sarcasm and continued. "You also learned to dance from him."

Reese remembered - it took him a few moments to shake those 'memories' away, to think of something other than his brother's perky ass and his grasp on his waist. Memories successfully shaken, Reese turned his attention to Dewey's question and suspiciously light tone.

"So?" Reese countered guardedly.

"And I couldn't help but notice that when you're not ignoring him, you're being nice to him. You. Being nice."

"I can be nice," Reese said, injured.

"Oh," Dewey continued, apparently changing topics. "How was the dance, anyway? Did you impress whoever?

Reese kept quiet, not trusting himself. His brain kept flashing between thoughts of holding Malcolm close and beating the voice out of Dewey.

"I mean you did go, right?"

Again quiet. He gritted his teeth. He really wanted to choose 'violence' but his brothers had long since learned how to retaliate. And if Dewey knew anything…

Then Dewey sat up straight, and squarely faced Reese. "I know."

"…No you don't." Reese denied.

"I know why you can't look Malcolm in the face; I know you why you're jealous of Stevie; I know what you wouldn't tell Mom and Dad; and I know what's in that journal you burned.

"Shit!" How?! Reese had to restrain himself. Through clenched teeth he threatened his brother. "Dewey, if you open your mouth I swear-"

"Yeah," Dewey interrupted, "but if you even touch me then I'll open my mouth."

Reese clenched and unclenched his fists, and closed his eyes, hoping to get rid of the whole problem. But no; Dewey was still there, smirking slightly.

Reese sighed. "What do you want?" he offered.

"Aw, what makes you think I want something? I'm only looking out for you, making sure you don't get hurt or in trouble! Er…more trouble. I dunno what you're gonna tell Mom and Dad."

"I'm not gonna say nothing! What's wrong with you?"

"Well it's not going to go away."

"Fuck You!"

"Reese," Dewey stood up. "I'm here for you. If you need to vent, or you need support when you tell-"

"Fuck you!" Reese repeated. He couldn't believe where this conversation was going!

"I love you Reese. I'm here for you." And Dewey wrapped his arms around him with a tight hug – leaving Reese speechless. In shock. Reality clearly had left town a while ago. "I mean, you know, not the same way you love Malcolm, Dewey confirmed.

And for a second, Reese felt a choice: to trust Dewey and accept his offer, or – and his gut helped him decide – to push him away. Aggressively.

Dewey landed harmlessly on the bed, just blinked at him.

"Fuck you," Reese said once again. His throat felt tight though.

"Well, I really could do with some cake," Dewey suggested. And, after a moment's hesitation, Reese gave a relieved nod. Yes, cake he could do. Blackmail he could handle. He made his way to the kitchen.

This Dewey he could understand. Dewey 'knew,' but he could punish Dewey, but if he punished Dewey than Dewey had no reason to keep quiet; as long as Dewey's requests were simple, then Reese wouldn't even complain. It was worth it.

Reese went about the next few hours preparing a rather standard cake – sans-arsenic.

*Episode References: None, directly. But I'd like to remind you that Dewey IS quite intelligent, which I think is best shown in Season 5, Episode 18 (Malcolm helps Dewey 'fail' an IQ test).

Author's Note:

...Okay, I was impressed with getting two chapters out again on the same day, but this one is particularly small. Still, I like it - hope you do too. Thank you for reading and, for those that leave reviews, DOUBLE-thank you!

Aren't I generous?

The next chapter, like the 'dance' chapter from before, requires a bit more editing than most other chapters...hopefully the wait won't be too long.

Possible next chapter title: Reese's Big Brother to the Rescue!