Flash Fiction Friday prompt: A Greater Horror. 684 words

'Well, someone has to do it, and it's not going to be me.'

Scott stared at his brother. Virgil was the most amenable of his brothers, the one always ready to help out. But the words had come out before Scott had had the chance to say anything, all the while Virgil was playing arpeggios on his piano.

Was it true what their youngest brothers said about them? Did they really have the ability to read each other's minds? He shook himself. He was being ridiculous.

The battle wasn't over yet.

John's amused holographic smirk was floating from the emitter on the piano, but as Scott opened his mouth to comment, the smirk disappeared and a frown replaced it.

'It's not going to be me either! EOS, lock the elevator and Three down now!' and he promptly disappeared.

Virgil chuckled, never faltering in his playing. Scott clenched his teeth. Sometimes he wondered why he had so many annoying little brothers.

'If you continue to clench your teeth like that you'll shatter them.' It was a lightly made comment, and again it brought him up short. How did he know? 'I can hear you grinding them over my playing!' Ok. This was beyond a joke now.

'Come on, Virgil,' he wheedled. 'I've got so much paperwork to catch up on.'

The playing carried on.

'Sorry, big bro, but this is your area of expertise.'

Scott sighed deeply. He wasn't sure why he was arguing the point. He probably would end up doing it, but there was a matter of…of pride at stake. He was the big bro. Surely that counted for something?

He had one more trick up his sleeve.

'I'll play you for it.'

'Oh? Play what?'

'Rock-Paper-Scissors. Three tries and the loser has to do it.'

Virgil stopped playing and contemplated. He could simply say no, secure in the knowledge that Scott wouldn't force him to do it. But…Rock-Paper-Scissors was a serious offer, meaning his brother was desperate. Virgil didn't blame him. He turned to face Scott.

'Make it Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock and you've got a deal.'

'Done!'

Virgil lost the first round.

Alan sauntered in, took one look at his brothers, at the concentration on their faces as they shook their fists, and beat a hasty retreat. He didn't want to know what they were playing for, he just knew if they were playing that game then the stakes were high and he didn't want to be dragged into it.

Scott lost the second round.

One all, and everything to play for. Neither noticed John reappear, amused smirk back on his face now that he knew he couldn't be asked to do it.

They shook fists and opened them.

And Virgil crowed.

Scott's shoulders slumped.

'Best of five?' he asked hopefully, but Virgil clapped him on his back and pushed him towards the door.

'Good luck, oh fearless leader of mine,' he called after Scott. He didn't miss Scott's answering gesture and roared with laughter.

How best to tackle this job? That was what was on his mind now that it was clear he had to do it. How to do it safely…Aha! Lightbulb.

He made his way down to the hangar and grabbed a decon suit, not caring what anyone else would say if they saw him in the villa wearing it.

Scott waited until he was at the door before climbing into the suit. Immediately, all he could hear was his raspy breathing through the filter mask, and John chuckling in the comm. He had no doubt that John was recording this for his little brothers delight, but if they thought he was going to do this without protection, then they were nuts.

'Right. I'm going in.'

He opened the door and cringed at the sight as he stepped over the threshold. He held his breath against the smell before he remembered the suit wouldn't let the smell through, and he expelled a noisy breath.

He took in the view with wide eyes and mounting revulsion.

There really was no greater horror than his little brother's bedroom after ten days of quarantine.