Moment of truth. I slept like a baby when I finished this... I hope you enjoy. =)

"YOU WANNA PLAY HOUSE? PLAY HOUSE! BUT YOU AIN'T IN MY GANG!" Billy smirked at him, standing over Joey like a mountain. "YOU CAN GO SCREW YOUR RICH WHORE…" He raised his hand and Joey saw the fist of red, blood dripping from between his brother's fingers. Joey watched in horror as the drops turned into strands of hair, weaving through Billy's knuckles. They led to her scalp, his Danielle. Danny screamed, digging her nails into the older brother's arm while she struggled to escape and Joey tried to reach out for her but he couldn't move. He opened his mouth to protest, beg, anything, but nothing escaped his lips. He was frozen and mute, witnessing his worst fear: the choice.

"…OR YOU CAN BE A MAN." Billy finally finished, yanking Danny's head up so she dangled inches from his face. He purred into her ear, making her tears fall faster. His brother's free hand moved up her neck, fingering the sensitive skin while he murmured words to her in his deepest voice. Joey writhed inside, wishing with all his might to break free. Billy's steely blue eyes suddenly flashed up to Joey's and he snarled.

"You can't have both." His hand disappeared from her throat and disappeared behind his back, withdrawing his .45. Joey's mind screamed in horror and Danielle mirrored him, crying hysterically and calling his name.

Joey shot up in bed, panting and sweating. He covered his face with his hands and let out a breath. His palm touched his bruise and he hissed, remembering his injured cheek as he lowered his arms.

Bodie's second room was small and barely held the double bed he'd crammed inside. The walls were covered in faded wallpaper that probably hadn't been changed in thirty years. It peeled in several places, leaving yellow spots where the aged paste remained. A single window was in the corner, casting a little light into the room through dirty glass.

Joey saw Billy and didn't move. His brother was sitting on the edge of the mattress, looking out the window with a cigarette in his fingers. He was wearing dark jeans and a black hoodie, something Joey hadn't seen him wear since he was an errand boy years ago. The hood sat in the middle of his back and his tattoos peaked up his neck. Billy was hunched over with his elbows on his knees, letting his cigarette burn down steadily. Joey shifted, wishing he could think of something to say.

"When you were four, Bones put me in the hospital." Joey felt his heart jump at Billy's voice; it was deep and gravelly. He didn't turn to face him as he continued; this conversation was going to be hard enough.

"I'd gotten held up on a run, got my shit stolen." Billy snorted. "Guy had a fuckin' knife." Joey nodded silently. He'd never really heard many stories about Billy's childhood, he avoided most of his memories.

"I got home and fuckin' Bones…" He trailed off, taking a drag. Joey shivered at the agony it must have taken for the memory to still shake Billy.

"You were real little, playin' in the mud or some shit." He exhaled, the smoke hitting the light from the window. "You heard me and came inside, fuckin' stood there." Billy shook his head and ran a hand over his scalp. "Started cryin' and Bones got this face." Joey frowned, wishing he could remember for himself.

"He looked at you, then me and he fuckin' told me…" Billy wiped the back of his hand across his nose, letting out a dry laugh. "…told me when I had sons I'd understand." Joey lowered his eyes.

"I hate that bastard." Billy added, growling with emphasis. He finally turned his head and Joey saw the red in his eyes. His brother looked angry, tired, and above all else, sad. His eyes focused on Joey's left cheek and he snarled, looking away.

"Didn't stop me from bein' just like 'im." Joey just sat and the two faced the far wall, neither speaking for several minutes. Billy finished his cigarette and rose to grind it into an ashtray on the nightstand. He hovered to Joey's left, refusing to look at him. Billy's jaw flexed and he turned to leave the room.

"She was in the back." Billy stopped in the doorway, putting a hand on the frame. Joey stood up and walked around the bed, standing near the window. The only source of light in the room was like a confessional booth, helping the darkest of men to speak freely. Billy turned his head to glance sideways back at his brother, waiting.

"My first carjacking and there's this chick in the backseat." Billy's face fell and he rotated his body, facing Joey in the door. He didn't speak and Joey pulled out a cigarette, his nerves getting the best of him as he chose his words.

"She almost kicked the snot out of me." He laughed as he lit the tip. "Ended up having to body tackle her in the back." Billy let out a soft snort and Joey grinned out the window. "Some idiot pulled up and I thought I was done. Figured a cop would drag my ass in and I'd be spendin' five years starin' at cement." He took a drag and thought about Danny's heartbeat when she'd been pinned under his chest.

"We were so buzzed. Laying on each other in the dark." Billy leaned in the frame, a small smirk on his face. Joey exhaled and the smoke bounced off the glass, rolling up to the ceiling. "Before I could figure out what happened…" He shook his head and snorted. Billy hissed a laugh out of his nose and Joey glanced back at him.

"Best sex I've ever had." He murmured and looked back at the window. Billy let a little more grin through his lips. Joey took another drag and stared, thinking about how good they'd been from the very beginning. The chemistry was perfect and they just clicked.

"It's like when Bag got off X." Billy just listened while Joey elaborated. "He had to have it, every night. Needed it more than sleep or water or anything. Went crazy if he didn't."

"Bag quit." Billy replied. Joey exhaled and faced his brother, squaring his shoulders.

"I'm not." Billy stared at him, reading him with dark eyes. Joey took a drag and let it fill his lungs, calming his nerves. "If I gotta rob liquor stores and run errands the rest of my life, fine. But I'm not quittin' something that good."

Billy stood up and crossed the room while Joey held his breath. He'd made his choice. His brother stopped inches away from him, close enough that Joey could see his bloodshot eyes. A hand rose and clapped on the back of Joey's neck.

Relief spread through his limbs like a tidal wave, cleansing him of fear and dread. Billy leaned in and they touched foreheads. This was the most intimate embrace his brother had and Joey smiled.

"She doesn't come here." Joey nodded. "She stays there." He nodded again, taking his brother's orders as a blessing. Billy pulled away, taking hold of Joey's shoulders.

"You and me, kid. We're blood." Joey curtly nodded, understanding the underlying meaning of his words. I love you. Billy took a breath. "You don't cross that." I come first, always. Billy squeezed his shoulders, his eyes softening. I'm sorry.

"Yeah." Joey murmured and Billy wrapped an arm around him, walking out into the hall.

It wasn't exactly poetic, but apologies never are. The Darley brothers had a bond that was sealed in blood and fear. They'd grown up needing the other to survive, depending on the companionship to meet the next day. In Billy's mind, Danny had threatened that bond, sending him into a flurry of rage-masked fear. Joey understood his brother's vulnerability now. He couldn't play second fiddle, he couldn't watch his brother leave him for something better. Billy still depended on Joey, needed him in order to derive any meaning from his angry, hallow life. He needed that crying boy to run to his aid; he always would.

Did I succeed?

Btw, I turned on anonymous reviews, so if you're reading this without an account, I'd love to hear what you think. =)

All my love to my beautiful faithful. Words cannot express my thanks.