Hi guys! First thank you guys who are reviewing I love reading your thoughts so much. It also shows me I have people to write for and I'm grateful. Hope you enjoy this little chapter and soon I'll have the next! J
Chapter 4
Michael took a shuttered breath in and pulled away from Linc. He looked down at his brother's bare feet and felt like he wanted to just go to bed. Linc rubbed his little brother's shaved head and kissed his forehead one last time. "Hey buddy, I know this is embarrassing for you, but I need to see the damage." Michael started crying again shaking his head no, and Linc breathed in trying to have patience with his little brother because he knew this was his fault. He tried his best to not lose it on Michael and he was ashamed to admit he lost control earlier. He was just so worried and pissed at Michael's antics, he thought he'd outgrown them.
Yet, as Vee pointed out, Michael was still just a kid who was trying to push boundaries to see what he could get away with. Linc yearned for the days he'd tell Mike to jump, and the kid just would, without questioning it. Linc looked at Vee and she stood up walking towards them, "Hey guys, I think things have calmed down enough that I'll go grab us all dinner. Michael held his head in his hands sobbing that Vee wasn't sure he heard her. She gently rubbed his upper back, "Hey Mike, it'll be okay. Any dinner requests guys?" Her voice was gentle and soothing.
Michael didn't answer and sobs racked his chest as his shoulders shook. Linc knew it was because he was tired and overwhelmed. Vee looked at Lincoln and she smiled a small smile. He nodded his head, and she knew Chinese was Mike's favorite so she left going to grab it. Vee knew they needed time to talk it out, but she was going to stay tonight, because she still needed to give Linc an ear full. Lincoln grabbed Michael bringing him into a hug whispering everything was okay and he wasn't mad at him. Michael calmed down again looking at Linc his eyes were red and swollen from crying. The skin around his nose was raw from wiping it on his shirt.
"Let's go get this over with Mikey before Vee gets back and then you're going to take a shower. You need fresh pajamas, okay?" He started walking them towards the bathroom slowly and Linc felt guilt build inside him as Mike could barely walk. Every time he did, he winced in pain and when they got to the bathroom Linc asked Mike to show him his butt. Michael was rattled and with shaky hands pulled down his boxers in the back exposing his butt. Linc felt like someone sucker-punched him in the gut. Michaels butt was tinged purple all over as a few welts were raised and he thanked God that the skin hadn't broken. Since Michael was embarrassed, he didn't show his upper thighs and Linc grabbed his boxers to tug them lower. Michael knew anytime Linc had to pull down his boxers it meant he was about to get spanked.
"No! Please Linc, I, I would have finished my spanking, I, I would have! Vee stopped it Lincoln! I didn't, please, don't spank me aagain! Please!" He was crying hysterically pulling away from Linc, and Lincoln could feel his heart racing, "Shhh Mike, it's okay, I know and it's okay. I'm not going to spank you again," he cleared his throat, "tonight." Linc knew he promised Mike another spanking for his behavior, and he couldn't go back on his word. He didn't want to start lying to him now and he decided to pull Mike's boxers down to his ankles to inspect the damage.
Michaels sit spots were purple and his upper thighs were beet red with welts. It'd hurt the kid to sit down, but he was going to be okay. There Dad would whip Lincoln so badly that when he walked the welts would burst open and seep out blood. There Dad didn't care, he was cold and Linc never wanted that for Michael. His little brother had suffered enough in those foster homes, he wanted Michael to be happy. A wall of shame hit Linc and when he looked in the mirror, he saw his brother crying his heart out. He looked terrified he'd be punished again, and it felt like a knife to Lincs gut, but then he remembered. He remembered they were in this situation because Mike snuck out and Linc thought maybe Crab came looking for him. That maybe his kid brother was selling drugs on the street corner and had been killed. He remembered that panic, but he took a few deep breaths in.
"Alright Mike, let's put some salve cream on your welts after you shower, calm down you're okay." He tried his best to soothe his brothers' anxiety, "I, I know, I know I messed uhhp. I'm, ah sorry, I am." Michael cried looking in the mirror at Linc. Linc nodded, "I know Mikey, but being sorry after you did something wrong doesn't make it alright. You have to man up and face the consequences." Michael nodded. "After we put the salve on and eat dinner, you will go to bed." Michael felt a scowl forming, "But Linc…" Linc held up his index finger shaking his head no and walked out.
Michael gently closed the door crying, peeling off his shirt and clothes throwing them in the hamper. He wanted to make peace with Linc, he still felt guilty for everything. He turned on the water to lukewarm, scared hot water would reignite the burn on his butt. He looked in the mirror one more time, and if he was being honest, this wasn't the worst whipping he'd ever received. This was the most embarrassing one because Vee walked in and because he was sixteen now. The pressure of the water on his butt made him start to cry a little and he showered quickly. He took the cream out from under the sink and felt mortified but called for Linc through the door. He didn't want to open the door in case Vee came back, and he hadn't heard her.
Linc walked in and nodded at Mike, and they applied the cream. They heard the front door open, and the smell of fresh noodles and soy sauce made Michael's stomach rumble. "Hey guys, I'm back I'll set up everything on the table." Linc patted Michael's shoulder, "Let's eat, and then when you're in bed we will talk this all out. I know it's been a confusing night," Michael's eyes got large, "Just talk?" he sounded like a scared child and Linc hated that he made his brother this way. Linc forced a comforting smile, "Yeah buddy, just talking." Michael pulled up his boxers hissing at the pain and Linc left towards the kitchen so Michael could finish dressing in privacy.
Vee looked up at Linc walking into the kitchen, and he opened the fridge grabbing a beer. "He okay?" She asked fiercely. She had never been as pissed off at Linc as she had been at that moment. Linc leaned back against the white fridge, "Yeah Vee, he's going to be okay. He's tough, ya know?" Vee sighed angrily, "Yeah, Lincoln he is! Because he's been through so much shit! He didn't need you adding onto his already fucked up life." She kept her voice to an angry roar. She didn't want Mike to overhear them. Lincoln scoffed, Vee just had no idea how hard it was to raise a teenager, no matter how mature they were.
They heard the bathroom door open, Vee looked at Linc angry, "We'll talk about this after he gets to sleep. This conversation is not finished, Lincoln Burrows." Linc nodded raising the cool ale beer to his lips gulping it down. As Mike walked in Linc forced a smile, "Hey, you guys ready to eat I'm starving." Mike saw the table set up with his favorite beef dish and fried rice. He saw a pillow on his chair and silently thanked Vee, sitting down and wincing a little. His butt had a lingering burn and sting. There was no tension at the table, and they talked about mundane things, which Mike was grateful for. Vee usually tried to keep the peace, and this was no different. Eventually, dinner was over and Michael profusely thanked Vee for the Chinese food because it had made the night better.
Michael got up and headed to his room there was no need to delay the inevitable. He heard Linc quietly talking to Vee and then he appeared in his doorway. "Let's talk Michael." He shut the door and Michael felt like his heart would explode out of his chest….