Chapter 6, my dudes! Thanks for the adventure you've all helped me with over the years! If it wasn't for your comments and support, I think I wouldn't care as much for this fic as I do.
The camping site was reasonably big; Greg didn't feel like he'd be able to walk everywhere, considering it just went on forever. He saw a couple of adults using golf carts to travel around, and he wanted nothing more than to ride one himself. Those things could go fast.
After a while, he had enough of site seeing, starting to head back towards the small house they were renting. Only, Greg didn't seem to remember his way back. He had been so quick to rush out that he didn't take into consideration any of the landmarks that could help him figure out exactly where they were situated. He stood on the side of the path, contemplating whether he wanted just to keep walking around or ask Rodrick if he knew how to get back. Not waiting long, Greg decided to push his pride to the side, ready to open his mouth and ask his older brother where to go when a sudden hand grasping his own stopped him from uttering even a single syllable. He sounded like a deflated balloon.
"It's this way; I can't believe you're lost already." Rodrick's tone was sarcastic and demeaning, not exactly something he wanted to hear but alas he could do nothing about it considering his brother started dragging him to follow. Greg's cheeks blossomed with a slight hue of color, out of embarrassment or shame, who knew, didn't matter much, considering he still felt miserable. He yanked his hand every so often, but Rodrick seemed to have a firm grip, keeping Greg's hand in place in the other's much larger one.
"R-Rodrick, why the hell are you holding my hand!" Gregory stuttered out, voice high, face flushed entirely with blood. Rodrick turned around and saw his face, deciding not to comment on it as he replied.
"I wouldn't want you to get lost again. Just follow your older brother like the good child you are." To emphasize what he said, he tugged on Greg's hand, forcing Greg to walk next to him. Greg just kept spluttering things, complaints, and excuses all along the way. Rodrick humored him, which was more so letting him talk instead of shutting him up.
He could be helpful sometimes, especially when he was in a good mood.
They finally arrived at their lot, everything already taken out and placed in their new home for the next four weeks. Greg pulled at his arm again, and Rodrick finally let him go; Greg glared up at Rodrick before heading inside, Rodrick following close behind.
"Ah, there you two are! How was it? This is a nice place, isn't it? Did you see the lake? It's so big, and they have kayaks and small boats we can go on." Their mother stated enthusiastically, eagerness clearly smacked across her face, hoping that they could all do something as a family. Greg put on a fake enthusiastic smile and nodded, replying that "yes, the camping site was awesome," too big for his taste, but his mom was happy, so that was fine he supposed. He was dreading staying here honestly, especially now that Holly had seemed to show more interest in Rodrick than himself, and Rodrick enabling that attitude. Leave it to his brother to screw things up for him without even really trying.
It was almost time for lunch, so Greg decided to help his parents set up the table, he had nothing better to do, and he still couldn't get the thoughts of Rodrick and Holly out of his head. He was jealous of Rodrick and the fact that Rodrick was getting attention from his crush, and yet he felt even more suspicious of Holly swooning over Rodrick and Rodrick doing nothing about it- heck, he accepted it! Greg shook his head, trying to get rid of those thoughts with no avail. These thoughts were bouncing around in his mind, taunting him, shoving it in his face that he'll never really be good enough.
He was not looking forward to the Campfire later tonight, nope, not one bit.
Rodrick couldn't help but enjoy the way Greg was fussing around as he helped set up the dining table. Snickers escaping him every so often, glancing at Greg who kept stopping in his tracks to think about something. How he couldn't walk and think was a mystery to him, at least it was hilarious to watch.
"I think you need to calm down, or else you'll drop the plate," Rodrick stated offhandedly, finishing with placing the utensils down. Greg simply glared at him, crossing his arms over his chest after he set down the last plate.
"I am calm, Rodrick!" Eyes narrowed at his older brother, nose breathing because that was just what angry people seemed to do. "Maybe you need to stop invading my space." He uttered the last part underneath his breath, but Rodrick still somehow heard. Greg kept fidgeting with the plates on the table, all to have a reason to not look at Rodrick who was clearly still leering at him, a smirk plastered over that tanned skin of his. That stupid, annoying face of his, arms crossed over his chest as his eyes stayed locked onto Greg's jumpy form. Rodrick snorted before looking away, grin still plastered on his face as he started to head back inside to see when they could eat.
There was no reason for Rodrick to overwork his little brother so soon, especially with the Campfire hosted by Holly happening right around the corner. There would be plenty of time to make the other squirm then.
Lunch was relatively uneventful for the most part, a little bit of chit chat with the sound of birds and insects singing in the background. Rodrick was kicking Greg in the shin as their mother talked. The brothers shrugged along, not adding much, which just fueled Susan to give lists of suggestions of things they could all do. His mother was still on a rant when the words Campfire made Greg glare down at his mash potatoes, mood souring, even more, when Rodrick kicked him one last time before speaking.
"We were invited tonight to go spend time with one of Greg's friends around a campfire." Susan stopped and smiled at them, happy that they were experiencing the outdoor life as well as adding to her otherwise long monologue.
"Well that's just great, who is this friend, and do I know them?" The whole table now looked at Greg for his answer, even Manny was turned and boring holes into him as he smashed mashed potato over his face. The slight nudges against his foot from Rodrick weren't helping his situation.
"It's my friend Holly from school. Holly Hills." Greg muttered, pushing his food around.
"Oh, that girl you like? She's a nice girl, isn't she Frank? Well that is just perfect! I'm so glad you're going to be spending time with her. I hope you both can make fond memories of this place; I know how things tend to go!" Susan beamed at them before continuing to eat; backhanded remark was forgotten, considering Greg wasn't even paying attention due to his embarrassment flaring up.
Was his crush on Holly that noticeable? He stabbed at his food before ramming it into his mouth, chewing down a bit more harshly than he needed to. Greg was just sick of always being in this type of spotlight, and with the look, Rodrick kept sending his way he couldn't help but feel like something terrible was going to happen tonight.
And there was absolutely nothing he could do about it.
Rodrick could tell how uncomfortable Greg was getting, the swell of red dusting his cheeks was a clear indicator as well as how his little brother kept trying to kill his already dead food. His cheeks hurt from how much he was grinning, enjoying how easy it was to annoy Greg and how fun the smaller male made everything with his reactions.
Once everyone had finished with their lunch, their parents started bringing everything inside, Rodrick opting to keep sitting as things got cleaned up around him. It was late afternoon, which would make their dinner happen a little bit later than usual. Stretching his legs before standing, he gave a small look towards Greg, still hiding in his food before walking inside the small house, taking a tour now that he finally had time to scope the place out. The house itself was more extended than spacious, the front door opening into the lounge area with a couch that pulled out into a bed. At the end of the hall, he saw what he assumed was the bedroom their parents would be taking, as well as another smaller room next to them that already had Manny's things placed inside. The kitchen was tucked in a corner with the washroom in a room on the other side, the kick knacks littered around were more offending than decorative, and the rug his feet were on was a dirty mustard yellow.
Seriously, who had decorated this place?
His attention mostly focused on the couch with both Rodrick's and Greg's things placed to the side. Eyes glinting as his teeth showed. He was seriously starting to think that his mother was the most oblivious person he had ever known. He wasn't complaining, of course.
Greg walked passed him so quickly that Rodrick almost didn't realize he was there until a plate was put into the sink clumsily. It didn't take long for Greg to notice what Rodrick was staring at until he saw the single couch. Cue a look of absolute horror that Greg tried oh so very hard not to hide. Turning on his heels, he faced Greg with his arms stuffed into his pockets, a lazy grin stretching across his tan features.
"Looks like we're roomies again." Rodrick flicked his finger onto Greg's forehead, leaving a small red mark in its wake. Greg rubbed at the sore spot, sticking his tongue out childishly, not having the thought capacity to retort with anything else except pettiness.
"Better bring that tongue back in before I bite it." Greg's tongue vanished back into his mouth in record speed, eyes wide in surprise. Not wanting to deal, he scurried away towards the front porch, in the safety net of their parents.
Rodrick had been about ready just to take Greg's face in-between his fingers and smash his lips against his little brother. It was both a frightening and thrilling experience. Terrifying because Greg was his little brother and he hadn't had this sudden urge happen once so vividly and heatedly. Excited, because it was Greg was making him feel these things.
Maybe this trip might be just the thing he needed to figure his shit out. Rodrick was resilient, a real survivalist at the worst of times.
Greg didn't stand a chance against him.
Greg had been sitting on the front porch's steps for the better part of an hour. That was after he hid around his parents to stay remotely away from Rodrick. It was almost like Rodrick was acting like a child, annoying one specific person to try and get the most attention out of them, which was strange when Greg thought more about it. Rodrick even went as far too almost invariably be in his line of vision, almost like his older brother didn't want Greg to forget that he was there, watching everything he was doing. Stranger Danger much. But it would explain the hand holding Rodrick did to drag him back after he got lost.
Greg was happy, mostly considering he wasn't getting beat up as much. It was starting to feel almost like they were actually acting like brothers. Greg felt like he grew enough to finally be able to handle himself around Rodrick, for the most part at least. He still sometimes felt powerless around his older brother, especially with all the touching he was doing. It had been more than usual and that was the part that was confusing him the most. Never sure what Rodrick was really thinking, his intentions, and his plans to apparently make Greg feel like hell. Yah. He didn't forget that part. Despite the explicit threats, he had yet to see Rodrick do anything apart from giving him a few bruises and teasing him, which were things he already did regularly anyways.
Sigh and a groan, a roll of his shoulders as nightfall started to slowly trickle in, the sun taking it's time to set, taunting him. He was knowing full well exactly what he would need to do once nighttime fell all over. Holly. He was excited to see Holly, but at the same time, he was dreading the looks she would be giving his older brother. He hated that Rodrick kept getting everything Greg ever wanted: Rodrick had popularity, a lot of friends and fans, and now he was getting Holly. Getting Holly without even trying because all he had to do was stand there and look attractive.
Greg knew that deep inside; he didn't hate his brother like he might make it look on the outside; truthfully, Greg loved him, Rodrick was still his older brother despite how horrible he was at it. This was why all these new feelings, the touches with how they made his heart jump, the looks that made him drown softly and forget everything around him. Rodrick didn't have to try to get his attention; he already had it.
He was fucked. Even he knew that.
It was time to brace the music and move forward from there. Rodrick might have ideas on what he could do to tear Greg down, but Gregory was starting to form his plans as well.
If Rodrick wanted to fight, then Greg would give him a fight, he won't soon forget.
