Title: Mouse Trap.
Summary: What happens when a game of Cat and Mouse exceeds expectation? Lost in the woods, hungry, cold and your only companion is the Cat, how could anyone possibly stay alive? This vacation has definitely turned into a Mouse Trap.
Rating: M...Definitely M
A/N: So there's really not much I can say apart from saying sorry over and over again. A lot of things has been going on with me physically and mentally, and I have mostly been focusing my time on getting better and working on digital commissions to have some cash. Now, I am not saying that I am back for good for my fics, but I do plan to finish them at some point in time. So thanks again and sorry for all those who have waited. I appreciate you sticking with me up until this part and all of those kind and super amazing reviews. It really warms my heart and lifts my spirits!
Greg had no idea how long he sat there on the shower floor, letting the once boiling water turn itself towards freezing. His skin had long since pruned over as his eyes swelled from all the crying he had done. His shallow breathing was being overrun by the sound of his chattering teeth from the cold of the water still pulsating over his dirty body. Though it was clear to see that the dirtiness he felt was simply the work of his self-loathing mind yelling horrible words at him.
'You're disgusting.' No I'm not…'You let your brother do that to you.' I couldn't do anything, it was happening so fast. 'You're sick, you could have pushed away. You could have done something.' No I couldn't. I couldn't do anything. I was powerless. I'm always helpless against Rodrick. He's much bigger and stronger than-. 'Stop fucking lying. You wanted it, you filthy slut. You loved the attention he was giving you, deep down, you craved him touching you more.' You're wrong. I didn't… I wouldn't. 'Lying to yourself won't do you any good. Admit it. Admit you like Rodrick like that. Admit it-.' Stop. 'Admit it. Admit it. Admit. ADMIT! IT!'
"STOP!" Greg yelled out, hitting his head against the wall, succeeding in getting his loathing thoughts to silence. Only now he had an aching head.
"Gregory, are you okay? Manny needs to use the restroom. You also left your clothes outside the door. Hurry up, breakfast is almost ready." His head whipped in the direction of where his mother's voice was coming from. Bad idea on his part. The blow to his head against the wall and the quickness of his movement jumbled his brain and made his gaze go hazy. An overwhelming feeling of dizziness gripped him from the pit of his stomach and made him squelch nauseously.
"Y-Yah, I'm almost done mom. Just. Give me a few seconds." Greg stammered out, trying to catch his bearings as he stood up on shaky legs and shut the water off in the process. Taking hold of the towel laying on the toilet seat, he quickly wiped at his face to remove any notice of blotchy red eyes before wrapping it around his shoulders and body. Making sure to cover the now blotchy bite mark left by Rodrick, but also making sure to cover everything else in the process. Unlocking the door and stepping out, he glanced down at the clothes indeed laying in front of the door.
"I know it's early out and you're not used to waking up, but forgetting your clothes outside the door is so silly of you." His mother states as she and Manny both made their way into the washroom. Greg quickly took hold of his clothes from the floor and shuffled to the side to let them both in.
Greg slowly looked up towards the bed and saw to his relief, and oddly enough concern that Rodrick was nowhere to be seen. Deciding not to think much on the matter, he started getting dressed as quickly as possible before anyone walked into the room. It of course didn't matter all that much considering only his parents and Manny where here. Though with how frazzled his mind was, he couldn't take any chances. He could only assume that it was Rodrick who picked out his clothes, which was very puzzling to him. It almost seemed like a small type of apology in Rodrick's weird way. Once he was done dressing and tying his shoes, he headed outside to the porch area where his father was setting up their table for breakfast. Rodrick still not in site.
"Where's Rodrick?" He asked his father who had just finished setting down the scrambled eggs.
"I'm not sure champ, he was already gone by the time your mother and I were up. Going to miss this awesome breakfast that I set up, what a shame." Greg groaned inwardly at his father attempt at trying to be cool. He just shrugged it off and dug into the food, Manny and his mother joining them not long after. It was a relatively quiet breakfast with the normal small chatter asking about what he was going to do or how he enjoyed it here so far. His attention was not on the conversation at hand but on where his older brother might be. Was Rodrick actually feeling ashamed about what he had done the previous night? Up until now he had shown no remorse of his actions that he had befallen upon Greg. In fact, Rodrick looked down right pleased with himself after every kiss and the marks he's given him. He nodded his head absentmindedly at whatever his mother was currently saying and instead took his plate back into the house and added it to the small pile of dirty dishes littering inside of the sink.
Greg let out a disgruntled sigh and stalked out of the room. His parents questioned where he was going in such a hurry but he simply smiled and said that he was basically going to go around the camp site again. His parents wished him a good day as he trotted down the steps, making sure not to fall on his clumsy legs. The camp site was still relatively calm and quiet with it still being so early in the morning. Little notice was taken to his surroundings as Greg lost himself to his thoughts once more, the aftermath of what had transpired still fresh on his mind.
His gaze stayed firmly etched onto the washroom's door, feelings of misery and anger battling hard inside his heart. Why had he done that? Why didn't he stop? Why couldn't he stop?
Rodrick knew why of course, he'd known for a very long time. It wasn't new to him that he felt something much deeper and stronger than what he should feel for Greg. No. For his little brother. The fact of the matter was that his feelings were finally materializing in the physical aspect and he was a slave to his own passion. Both a blessing and a curse. It had just felt so right at the time, and Greg, despite his earlier protests, had seemed to get pretty into it around the end. Kicking the small rocks in front of him, an exaggerated sigh left his lips as he kept his face cast downwards towards the ground. His thoughts were in a mess with everything that had happened and all his feelings were still in a jumble.
Rodrick had made the turn around the block of the camp site a few times. He did not have anywhere to go in mind except for wanting a nice breeze to calm him down. Far off he heard the sound of rapid footsteps crunch down on the rickety wood before stumbling into the hard rubble of the rocky road. Glancing upwards in front of him, he saw the flash of red shirt and beige shorts in the distance coming out of the current home they were residing in. A small smile broke his grim face as he noticed his brother wear the clothes he had picked out for him that morning. It was a testament to the fact he might have screwed up but Greg was still giving him a chance to make things better. He was not going to let this opportunity run away from him, not this time. Greg was his, and he didn't care what anyone thought. He would just have to find a way to show Greg that he was the only one he ever needed or wanted in the end
His pace quickened towards the younger sibling who seemed to not have taken any notice of him. Rodrick scoffed at that, Greg was always so easily oblivious to the things surrounding him. As much as he wanted to knock some sense into him, it worked out perfectly for him as he sprung behind Greg and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. He felt the smaller boy tense up beneath his arm, a small sound of surprise escaping him, no louder than a mouse.
Greg turned his head towards Rodrick, and he saw the younger boy immediately scrunch his face up in distress. Not liking this one bit, Rodrick furrowed his eyebrows together and using his hand he poked the side of Greg's left cheek before grinning. Without a second thought, he gripped around Greg tighter and brought his head down. Rodrick carefully fisted his hand in Greg's hair and started ruffling it all around, messing up what was once nicely brushed wet hair.
"W-what are you doing! R-Rodrick! Stop!" Gregory whined out, struggling against Rodrick's hold and trying to push his hand off of his head. Rodrick just rolled his eyes and changed tactics, going instead towards Greg's sides and tickling him without mercy. It seemed like Greg was dying because in an instant, Rodrick had found Greg fall down to the ground like dead weight and gasping for air in his fit of silent laughter. He followed Greg to the floor, the tickling not subsiding. The faces Greg was making as well as the silent gasps of air and laughter was bringing him immense joy at the moment. Rodrick started noticing that Greg seemed to be having a little bit too much trouble catching his breath as he kept wiggling around, he stopped.
Plopping himself down on his ass, Rodrick sighed. Taking his hand, he softly brushed the sweat from his brow as he looked Greg over while the boy tried regaining his breath. His face was as red as a cherry tomato and his chest heaved up and down viciously with the intent of feeding his lungs with the air it had been deprived of. Rodrick took this time to really assess Greg over. Through the years, his little brother had always been a little thorn in his side. He honestly was the definition of an annoying little brother. Though as the other kept growing, Rodrick had really started to see the boy grow more mature in his own way. Not only in mind but as well in body. It's what had made him start becoming more drawn to the other boy, but it was also what was making him more mean and physical.
Rodrick was scared of these feelings as well as the lust that kept feeding into him. He knew it wasn't right. Oh boy did he know. Though despite it all he didn't care, because in his own bizarre way he cared about the teenager. Which is why what he said next was simply because he wanted Greg to not be afraid of him anymore, at least not as much. He still liked the small semblance of control he had after all.
"Look…Greg." Rodrick said, looking anywhere but at Greg. He should hit himself for how shy he was being. Closing his eyes and taking a small breath to recuperate himself, he opened them once more and stared at his brother's face. Greg had propped himself up on his elbows, looking at Rodrick with a guarded yet skeptical look.
"I'm sorry for what happened. I got carried away with my joke and yah…Sorry."
Greg would have felt floored if he wasn't already laying down on the ground and still trying to calm his racing heart. But the initial shock of Rodrick apologizing to him was still there and very much real. Greg could do nothing but blink slowly in utter astonishment at the turn of events that were currently occurring. Never in his life would he had imagined Rodrick to apologize to him, not even when they were younger had the oldest ever felt regretful for theorizing and hitting him.
He had no idea what to say in this type of situation, and because of that all he could muster up was a weak ok as he finally got up from the gravel floor, not once glancing at Rodrick. When he finally had his thoughts in order and set his mind, he twirled around and faced Rodrick who was still sitting on the ground. Looking miserable by his downcast expression and for a split second Greg wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around his brother to try and comfort him. With the thought rampaging around his head one second it was easy to let it go the next. He was still very upset with Rodrick and he wouldn't give him the chance to make fun of him and his feminine side.
Sighing out, he let his hand outstretch itself before him in front of his older brother, wondering what he would do next. Take the hand and admit that he was in the wrong to his core or get up on his own and show to Greg that he did not need him in his life at all. Whatever the other chose Greg would follow. He was done playing around and letting the other have his way with him. Greg was old enough to make his own decisions as well as take care of himself. He was done with this, and he was making it clear to Rodrick with his determined stance and determination in his eyes.
Chocolate coloured eyes met dark bronze, time seeming to stand still as Rodrick rummaged through his thoughts, eye flitting itself between Greg's face and his outstretched hand. He was trying to come to the right decision, the one Greg wanted, the one that would fix things as best as they could. Without skipping a beat, large calloused hands grasped smaller delicate ones. Greg's chest squeezed from the warmth he felt when Rodrick took his hand, relief flooding his face as the action showed him that Rodrick was indeed sorry for everything that had happened this trip and was trying to make it right between them.
Smiling bright, tension all gone, Greg pulled him up so that they were now standing face to face. He had trouble understanding the intense gaze he was receiving from his older sibling. With everything that had transpired he has a small grasp of what it might mean. Not fully understanding his own feelings on the matter at hand he decided to just let it be for now. Greg's inner turmoil in his head was going crazy with thoughts on various things, but having to be the bigger man this time he turned his gaze away. Trying to turn his body around so he could start walking towards their summer home, a small squeak escaped him as he realized their hands were still firmly grasped together. He had completely forgotten it, having it feel like it was the most natural thing in the world which in return scared him a lot. Though having his new found confidence in himself he didn't let it betray his outer appearance. Greg glanced up at Rodrick with a questioning look, wondering why the other was still firmly grasping his smaller hand in his larger one and continued to stare at him.
"Are you going to let go of my hand anytime soon?" Gregory uttered out, the sass coming out shocking both himself and Rodrick. The eldest just blinked his eyes rapidly in astonishment, taken aback by the abruptness and accusation of Greg's voice as well as just noticing their hands. Rodrick grinned, laughter emanating itself from his lips before he dragged Greg closer to him, enveloping him in a one armed hug, holding him firmly to his chest. Greg yelping at the sudden movement, taken by surprised as his face was carelessly squished against the other.
They both simply stood there, one of Greg's hand still being held by Rodrick while the other was resting on the taller boy's hip. He was softly patting in acknowledgement and comfort as Rodrick gave him a hug, or at least, a semblance of one. Rodrick had done a complete 180, but he couldn't say that he hated it. It felt safe, much more normal in standards of brothers showing one another affection. Definitely more so than how it was before, though he shouldn't be thinking of that anymore. Not when Rodrick was trying for once to make things right between them.
Greg started wiggling around, becoming flustered and shy by the amount of attention he was receiving from Rodrick. It's not that he wasn't use to physical contact, getting plenty of that cause of Rowley and his other friends and family. And the attention his older brother had given him through this trip, though it was more forced and bad, this was different. It was more sweet and caring. It was something so new to him, so strange and different to receive from his older brother. He wanted for Rodrick to let go yet the other side of him wanted to stay here forever. His internal battle was fiercely battling one another for what he wanted, the right and wrong of it all. The dos and don'ts of what should be done in order to not become a blimp on what society thought was wrong but as well as wanting to keep going forward with whatever was happening. Because the way his stomach was fluttering and the warmth he felt being surrounded by Rodrick just felt…so right to him.
Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, Greg stopped moving around and trying to get out. He closed his eyes and breathed out a small whimper, inner turmoil still strong and wearing him out. He stopped fighting it, he stopped trying to resist and instead let the comfort of Rodrick and his arms envelop him in the embrace he always craved from his older brother. His fingers grasped Rodrick's hand more firmly as he felt himself drown in the hold, holding his head under the others chin as he breathed in and out to calm his racing heart and cool his heating face.
"Hey, Rodrick, it's surprising to see you up so early! Greg always tells us stories how you sleep your days away. What are you doing her-" Holly said as she sprung from behind Rodrick. She stopped in front of them, her eyes going wide as she noticed the position they were both in. Greg gasped and bounced out of Rodrick's arms, embarrassed that he was found out in such a position like that. Even though it shouldn't mean anything considering they were brothers, and brothers can give each other hugs and such…Right?
"Holly! Haha-ha…how are you doing? What brings you out…and such?" He asked, failing miserably at trying to stay calm and normal. He was fidgeting everywhere, bouncing from on foot to the other. Keeping his eyes on Holly's face to show that he was attentive.
Huh. This was strange. His heart wasn't beating fast anymore when he was around Holly, he didn't feel shy or embarrassed. If anything he felt more embarrassed at the fact that he didn't even pay attention to his surroundings when he was with Rodrick and couldn't even hear her running towards them like she had from the looks of her quick breathing. Greg quirked his head to the side when Holly didn't lift her gaze to look him in the eyes. She wasn't saying anything and just kept looking between the both of them. He followed her gaze and gasped, shocked that they were still holding hands. Pulling away abruptly, he waved them sporadically in front of himself, explaining in quick successions the situation she suddenly found them in.
"Oh no! This isn't what it looks like! Rodrick was just…comforting me because I ran out after having a bad nightmare. Yah! That's it! The hand holding is just something our mom did when we were upset and would help calm us down. Yup, that's exactly it. Hehe…he" He felt the sweat dripping down the back of his scalp, rolling downwards, slinking down his spine and giving him a small chill. All he wanted to do at the moment was go hide underneath a rock and hope that everything could just rewind itself to when things were much more simpler.
"Oh…I see!" Holly exclaimed, her furrowed brows suddenly turning upside down into one of realization, a small smile befalling on her face once more as she nodded her head in understanding. She wrapped her hands behind her as she rocked back and forth, glancing at both of them without a care in the world. Very different from what the two brothers were experiencing, still experiencing at that.
"Well since you're here, Rodrick, I was wondering if you'd like to go on a walk with me, maybe. Get to know one another?" Holly asked, cheeks reddening with the smallest pink colour. If it was any other day, Greg would go on an inward tangent over how adorable she was at the moment. As well as be annoyed at how she was ignoring him, even though she wasn't doing it on purpose. She has always had a bit of a crush on his older brother, she had told him so a one point. But for now, nothing. He didn't feel anything for Holly anymore and he kept racking his mind wondering why it was that way now. His beating heart, sweaty palms and small frown on his face was actually directed at Holly for the first time ever. It was directed at her because despite him knowing about her crush, he didn't want her anywhere near Rodrick or try to spend time with him. Rodrick and he were finally starting to get on a good not and he didn't want to lose that.
He couldn't do anything about it thought, if Rodrick wanted to go then who he to stop him. He was only his brother, and as his brother he should be supportive in whatever way he could. Fisting his hands in his pocket and slouching his shoulders, he turned on his heels, started heading the other way, far away from them so that they could have their privacy.
"Thanks for the invite, but I'll pass. This kid-" he heard Rodrick say as he felt a finger brush against his neck, sending a rush of chills down his spine before it hooked into his shirt, drawing him back towards the place he had previously. Greg squawked out in protest, grabbing hold of the offending appendage currently dragging him back towards where he didn't want to be. So awkward.
"-Was just telling me how our family wanted to spend some time together out on the lake. Sorry." Rodrick finally stated with a large smile on his face, showing off his teeth. Greg blinked his eyes in confusion at what was currently occurring. Was Rodrick actually blowing Holly off, one of the prettiest girls in their town?
"Oh…is that so Greg?" Holly's gaze turned towards the younger brother, confusing and somewhat hurt overflowing from her blue eyes. Greg felt bad for the smallest fraction, but it was quickly being overshadowed by the huge swell of happiness at the fact Rodrick would rather spend time with him.
"Um…Yah we are." Gred mumbled out, awkwardly trying to smile at Holly. It seemed to have worked because she only nodded and smiled once more at the both of the before heading off back to her house.
"Alright, maybe some other time then. You know where I'm staying, don't be afraid to drop by Rodrick! By Greg, see you later. Have fun with your family." She waved at the both of them before turning her back to the duo. Greg scratched the back of his head in confusion, turning his head towards Rodrick who still had his finger hooked in his shirt.
"Why did you say no?" He asked, questionably. He wanted to know Rodrick's reasoning behind his decision.
"No reason really, I just felt like with everything that happened, I need to work harder to make things better. Plus, Holly isn't my type. She's one of your good friends, wouldn't want to damage anything. She seems like a nice girl too. I'm not always an asshole after all. I have my good sides…sometimes." Rodrick uttered out. Greg only hummed at his response before nodding, seeming to like the answer.
"Alright, if that's how it is. Then none asshole of a brother, what are we going to do with our day. You're not actually planning on having all of us spend time together…right?" He glanced at his older brother, swatting at his hand so that it would stop hooking his shirt. Rodrick did nothing but shrug, walking towards their house, fully expecting Greg to follow. He pouted for a few, hatting how Rodrick was right about one thing. He was going to follow. He would follow Rodrick anywhere and it was due to that fact that scared him a little.
What had he gotten himself into this time.
To Be Continue