Author's Note:
This is just a quick one-shot I had written a while ago and finally finished. Please enjoy and reviews are much appreciated.
Basic Info: Brax 31, Heath 28, Kyle 23, Casey 19
Brax remained busy at home sorting through the business finances. While Heath was working at his mechanics job and Casey was working at the gym.
It just hit after one o'clock when Brax's phone buzzed.
Taking a glance at his phone, Brax groaned upon seeing the name of one of his employees.
"Kieran, hi; what's the problem?" Brax asked.
"It's your brother, Kyle. He's being taken into the ambulance now."
"What? What the hell happened?!" Brax yelled, now finding himself standing up from his chair at the kitchen table.
"I don't know all the details, but I do know that he was behaving a little funny before he collapsed right here in the restaurant," Kieran explained.
"Thanks for letting me know mate. Is everything alright down at the restaurant?"
"Yes, everything is under control, the busy lunch rush has passed, so you go be with Kyle, and I'll call you if anything changes down here."
Brax hung up the phone and made a grab for his Ute keys.
On his way out the door he called Heath.
"What's up Big Fella?"
"It's Kyle; he's been taken to hospital. I am heading there now. Can you let Casey know?"
"Sure thing, but what happened?"
"I'm not sure, apparently Kyle collapsed," Brax replied.
"I'll meet you at the hospital," Heath replied, with a sense of panic in his tone.
As much as Heath hated to admit his feelings, he had a special bond with Kyle that when his younger brother was hurt, or in trouble, he couldn't help but worry.
Brax finally got into the Ute and drove towards the hospital.
"Can I help you?" Jasmine, the hospital admin nurse asked, as Brax rushed over towards the counter.
"I'm here about my little brother, Kyle Braxton. He was brought in by an ambulance!" Brax exclaimed; leaning against the counter whilst his mind was a whirlwind of worry.
"I'll just check," Jasmine replied and glanced at the computer screen in front of her.
"I can see that Kyle has been transferred to emergency, where he is being treated to now," Jasmine informed.
"Why is Kyle in emergency?" Brax demanded, starting to get frustrated with the lack of news.
"I'm sorry I don't know, but I'm sure as soon as the doctor is finished, they will come and talk to you. Maybe you should just take a seat."
Brax huffed and ran his hands through his hair; he needed to know if his little brother was okay.
Heath barged his way into the hospital main area and saw Brax doing his frustrated stance and approached him.
"What the hell is going on? Where is Kyle?" Heath demanded.
"They can't tell me anything; said he's in emergency," Brax replied, leaving Heath to frown and become just as annoyed as the oldest Braxton.
"Well: I'm not going to stand for no answers!" Heath snapped and made his way over to the counter.
"Oi: what the hell is taking so long? I want to know what's going on with my little brother, Kyle!" Heath yelled.
"Heath, just shut up will you. I told you they know nothing," Brax stated and placed a heavy hand on Heath's chest to push the heated brother away.
Before Heath could fight against Brax further, Doctor Tori Morgan appeared.
"Are you family of Kyle Braxton?" she asked.
Brax and Heath stopped and immediately gave the doctor their full attention.
"What's going on?' Brax asked.
"We've had to work towards stabilising Kyle's glucose levels and minerals because he had developed Hypoglycemia and was moments away from unconsciousness from Hypoglycemic shock, if he did not get here when he did. He is coming around now, and it seems your brother had missed his Insulin dose and that was the reason for his imbalance with his Diabetes and Kyle also informed me that he did not eat at all today since breakfast this morning."
Brax frowned, becoming angrier by the minute hearing about Kyle's actions.
"What does that mean; is he going to be okay?" Heath asked, still not following all the medical jargon when it came to Kyle's Diabetes.
"Yes, the reading was critically low for someone in Kyle's position still in his early stages of his Diabetes, but he will be fine. He's been given a dose of Glucose through an IV to bring the levels up to a normal range and is on some fluids. I would like to keep him here overnight for observation and to make sure his Diabetes remains in check," Tori informed.
Brax nods in understanding.
"How low was his reading?" Brax hated to ask.
Tori sighed.
"Dangerously low; it registered as 2.4," Tori explains, and Brax stands dumbfounded in disbelief, while Heath was still trying to comprehend what she was saying.
"So, Doc, are you saying if Kyle hadn't been treated, he may not have made it?"
"It's a possibility as Hypoglycemic shock can eventually lead to seizures, coma, or death," Tori informs in a quiet tone.
Heath huffs, now seething, knowing the severity of the situation; wanting nothing more than to clip his little brother for risking his life.
"Can we go and see him?" Brax asked.
"Sure; come right this way."
Tori walked down the corridor of the hospital with Heath and Brax following in toe.
Kyle looked up as the door opened and in walked Doctor Morgan and his two older brothers who were looking less than impressed.
"I'll give you some space," Tori said and exited the room.
"Are you feeling better?" Brax asked, with a hint of gruffness in his voice.
"Yeah, I guess, just a little tired," Kyle mumbled.
Heath huffed and walked straight up to Kyle and whacked him over the head.
"You stupid idiot!" Heath reprimanded, with a hard scowl on his face.
Kyle frowned and reached up to rub his head.
"Great going, slapping someone in hospital," Kyle smart mouthed, sarcastically, in a low tone.
"That's only a taste of what you're in for, after being so stupid and reckless with your health, Kylie!" Heath stated.
"Stop calling me stupid," Kyle argued to which Heath just whacked him upside the head again, only slightly softer this time.
"Again, seriously? In hospital. Brax can you tell Heath to stop hitting me?" Kyle grumbled.
Brax ran his hands through his hair and then crossed his arms over his chest as he glared at Kyle.
"I can say Heath has the right idea after your stunt you pulled. What the hell were you thinking, Kyle? How could you be so irresponsible and completely oblivious to the signs something was going wrong, not to mention deliberately not taking your Insulin or eating!" Brax yelled.
"I know I should have stopped to do that, but it was so just so busy I forgot, and I didn't want to cause any delays when it was so hectic; I'm sorry," Kyle explained.
"Good to hear, but it doesn't change the fact you should have put yourself first in this situation, and if I'm hearing this right, this is all to do with work then?" Brax implied harshly.
Kyle furrowed his brow at Brax's question and didn't get a chance to explain before Brax continued.
"Well, in that case: I'm suspending you from working at the restaurant until further notice, Kyle," Brax announced sternly.
"What; you can't be serious? You can't do that, Brax!" Kyle protested, feeling overwhelmed with shock.
"That's where you're wrong. I can do that: as your boss, and more importantly as your older brother. You have no say in this, Kyle; what I say goes. You won't be working at the restaurant until I see fit," Brax clarified in a no-nonsense tone.
Kyle sighed and rolled his eyes.
"And you can cut the disrespect, little brother. You bought this on yourself when you jeopardised your health," Brax scolded.
Heath tapped Kyle on the shoulder firmly, gesturing towards Brax to make sure Kyle was listening to every word.
"Fine; what about being short staffed then? How can you run the business with one less person? You know how many shifts I cover at the restaurant because staffing is tight," Kyle tried to reason.
Brax huffed.
"That's my problem, not yours, so I suggest you focus your priorities on managing your Diabetes and being responsible, if you wish to prove to me, you are capable to go back to work," Brax scolded.
Kyle sighed defeated and flopped his head down on his pillow as Heath let out a chuckle.
Kyle thought back on when he was first accepted into the family after being caught spying on Casey's armed robbery bust with their Dad. After watching his Dad be carted away in the ambulance, and Casey being comforted by his other brothers, Kyle's resentment started.
Moments later, Brax and Heath had noticed Kyle looking suspicious and gave chase, only to find when they caught him when Kyle practically collapsed on the sidewalk, he admitted he was their brother.
From there he'd been taken back to the Braxton house where after much harsh interrogation from Heath and Brax was given a chance to be part of the family.
It had taken Kyle a while to see past his blame towards Casey for Danny's death, despite it having been an accident when the gun had shot Danny when Casey braved wrestling it from his hands.
It wasn't until Brax had a quiet talk with Kyle about Danny not caring about anyone but himself after, when a few weeks into Kyle living with his brothers, Brax noticed Kyle's odd behaviour of his excessive thirst, hunger, lack of coordination, and noticed his increasing weight loss and confronted him and forced him to get himself checked and it was only then that Kyle was diagnosed with his Diabetes.
Finally feeling relief for not being weird or a weakling, as his Dad had described him when he'd be showing his symptoms.
As much as Kyle always wished to be part of a family with his brothers, he often wondered if he'd wished too much now having a family that was super overprotective of him.
Kyle's thoughts are interrupted when the door to his room burst open and Casey rushed in.
"Sorry, I had to finish a session at the gym and came as quick as I could; what did I miss?" Casey blurted out and sees Kyle lying in the hospital bed.
Brax turned to Casey to answer the youngest.
"Kyle here took it upon himself to risk his health…"
"And his life," Heath interrupted.
"He didn't take his Insulin like he was supposed to, and ended up here with Hypo," Brax replied harshly as Heath followed it up with a slight flick to Kyle's head.
Kyle huffed; how many times did his big brothers have to reprimand him for a little mistake?
Casey raised his brow and approached Kyle in the bed.
"How are you feeling now?" he asked.
"Been better. I guess you're going to chew my ear off as well? Kyle groaned.
"Being in hospital is no laughing matter, Kyle. You better be taking this seriously, otherwise I will make sure that you do," Brax scolded.
"I said I was sorry; how many more times do I have to say it?" Kyle moaned.
"Until you understand your health is worth it!" Heath added sternly.
Casey secretly rolled his eyes and sympathised with Kyle, for he'd been on the receiving end of his big brother's lectures and telling offs too many times and it was never pretty.
Tori re-entered the room.
"Sorry to interrupt but I want to check Kyle's stats again," she said and took another sample of Kyle's blood.
"What's his reading now?" Brax asked.
"It has improved but it's still low at 3.6. I will give another dose of the Glucose and monitor Kyle closely overnight and offer something to eat," Tori explained.
Brax nodded in agreement while Heath called out.
"He can stay in here for as long as it takes for him to get some sense."
Kyle quietly huffed and Casey gave him a small sympathetic smile.
"I don't want to discharge him until his glucose is in normal range and his vitals are all clear, but I suggest that Kyle has regular glucose and Insulin dose checks to maintain a good level and limit this happening again," Tori explained.
"Don't worry I'll be making sure he takes better care of his levels," Brax assured firmly.
Tori smiled and then left the room again.
Becoming frustrated, Kyle spoke up.
"Can you both stop treating me like a child?" Heath scoffed and Brax shook his head.
"I'm not treating you like a child, Kyle. I'm treating you like my brother who didn't act responsibly and ended up in hospital with critical symptoms," Brax reprimanded.
Kyle looked away, concluding it was no use arguing.
"I'm going to get a coffee from the cafeteria. I think I need it given what you put us through Kyle," Brax announced.
"I'll join you. Don't do anything reckless now," Heath added and followed Brax out of the room.
"Finally, some peace," Kyle moaned quietly.
"Right, I guess you've had it rough. I know the feeling," Casey commented with a chuckle.
Kyle huffed.
"It's not like I did it deliberately. It just got too busy at the restaurant, and I got carried away with serving, let alone not wanting to let Brax down. However, neither of them seems to understand that," Kyle explained.
Casey nodded in understanding knowing no matter what the reason was, if either Heath or Brax deemed something unacceptable, no amount of justifying or arguing made any difference.
"You'll get used to not being able to step out of line with those two; kind of like me," Casey comforted.
"I don't know and besides you've had more practice, living with them your whole life," Kyle replied.
"I guess, but I also know Brax doesn't stay mad for too long. He just cares and is a big softie; he just doesn't want to admit it, so don't tell him I said that," Casey comforted, with a chuckle, which caused Kyle to finally smile.
"And Heath, well, he's Heath…He's not bright enough to hold a grudge," Casey joked, causing Kyle to snigger.
"Definitely don't tell him I said that either," Casey added with a little hint of panic in his voice.
Kyle smiled and shook his head.
"You're secret's safe with me. I guess we have to stick together being the two youngest," Kyle said.
"Totally agree with you, bro," Casey agreed with a smile, "Anyway, I better get going home, I'm still sweaty from the gym so need to take a shower."
Kyle nodded as Casey stood up from the seat beside Kyle's bed.
"Thanks for coming to visit me and not berating me like Heath and Brax," Kyle said.
"Don't mention it. See you later," Casey replied and began to walk towards the door but stopped at the end of Kyle's bed and turned back to face his brother.
"Can I bring you in anything?" Casey asked.
"Yeah, maybe a magazine and some ear plugs, so I don't have to listen to Brax and Heath's lectures all night," Kyle moaned and gave a little snicker.
Casey laughed, "I'll bring in the mag, but I doubt the ear plugs would help."
Casey smiled one last time at Kyle, who reciprocated the smile before Casey exited the room.
Brax and Heath were on their way back to the room with their coffees in hand and Brax had a sandwich in his other hand, as Casey walked away from Kyle's room.
"Has he finished whining like a baby in there?" Heath commented.
Casey shrugged.
"He made a mistake, for what he thought were the right reasons; it's not like either of you haven't done that," Casey retorted.
Brax glared at Casey with a hard eyebrow raise.
"Do you care to repeat that?" Brax warned.
Casey widened his eyes and swallowed, sensing Brax's unimpressed tone and not wanting to push his big brother, especially if he was already irate, Casey quickly changed the subject for a fast exit.
"No..oo, and on that note, it's my cue to go home," Casey replied with a nervous chuckle.
Brax huffed in response.
"I should think so," he replied.
"Quit while you're ahead, Case," Heath laughed and with his free hand reached over and gave his baby brother a flick on the head.
Casey quickly ducked away with a chuckle as Brax remained glaring.
"Let me know if anything changes," Casey said.
"Will do," Brax replied.
Casey left the hospital, while Heath and Brax walked back towards Kyle's room.
"You should go home too mate, considering you worked all morning," Brax said just before the two oldest were to re-enter Kyle's room.
"Nah, no way. If you're staying then so am I," Heath replied strongly.
"Very well," Brax answered and opened the door to Kyle's room.
"You both don't have to stay," Kyle said, upon seeing his too oldest brothers.
"Ha! In your dreams, Kyle; we aren't going anywhere, so you better get used to the company," Heath said with a chuckle and took a seat beside Kyle's bed.
"Well, I'm going to be fine. It's not like the doctors are going to let my condition get out of control," Kyle mumbled.
"We're not leaving Kyle. Here I got you a sandwich from the cafeteria," Brax said and tossed the sandwich on Kyle's bed.
"Eat up little bro," Heath snickered and patted Kyle on the cheek.
Kyle sighed and opened his sandwich, taking small bites and finally finishing the sandwich in silence.
"If you're finished you should get some rest," Brax said as he moved from his leaning position against the wall to place his empty coffee cup in the bin near Kyle's bed.
Kyle wanted to smart back that he'd been resting ever since he'd been brought in but decided not to antagonise his brothers.
Heath and Brax took turns in resting in the chair next to Kyle's bed and later in the evening Casey popped back in with some magazines for Kyle to read.
The following morning Tori checked Kyle's stats and Glucose level and was pleased to have Kyle's levels back to a normal range of 5.5.
"I am satisfied Kyle's levels have risen to an acceptable level, so if all stays well, he can be discharged this evening," Tori announced, "However might I suggest that Kyle maintains good physical activity, as well as a good balance of rest and maintain a healthy diet."
"Did you hear that, Kyle: you need to be physically active, that means some, one on one with me doing some gym exercises," Heath stated with a smirk as he gently elbow Kyle in the arm.
Kyle rolls his eyes.
"Why can't Casey help me with that if I have to work out at the gym?" Kyle demanded, not wanting to be under Heath's watchful eye, knowing his brother would pester him too much and be too over the top.
"Pfft, Casey doesn't know nothing," Heath replied.
"He owns the gym," Kyle answered in a smart tone; fighting back the urge to correct his brother on his improper English.
"Correction: Brax owns the gym for him. So have a think, little brother what you'd like me to help you with when you are all good and out of here," Heath said.
"I'll come and check on Kyle later," Tori called out, interrupting Kyle's displeased thoughts of Heath's plans.
Moments later, Heath's phone buzzed in his pocket.
"Urgh, it's work," Heath grumbled.
"Is there a problem?" Brax asked.
"Who knows, I've got bigger priorities," Heath replied, but his phone just kept ringing.
"Maybe you should just answer it?" Brax suggested.
Heath huffed and answered his phone.
Heath grumbled when he hung up.
"They want me to go in and help out."
"You shouldn't take off work just for me; I'm fine," Kyle piped up.
"It's fine mate; I got things here," Brax reassured.
"Fine. I'll see you both later. Think on our training sessions, Kyle," Heath said and left the hospital.
Brax flopped into the chair, replacing Heath's place.
Later in the evening Tori gave Kyle the all clear to go home and after getting dressed, Brax took him home.
"I hope you learned something important from this, Kyle," Brax commented.
"More than ever," Kyle groaned.
They are greeted by Casey at the house, then again by Heath when he comes back from his work.
As the days went on, at every moment, Kyle was pestered about his Insulin dosing, his levels and how he was feeling; being on constant watch like a hawk from both Brax and Heath.
It wasn't until a full week had passed that Heath took Kyle to the gym for his physical activity exercises.
"Okay now, Kyle, I want you to run on the treadmill at a fast pace to get your heart pumping as a warm-up exercise," Heath instructed.
Casey watched on as Heath continued to instruct Kyle to complete various gym equipment exercises, much to his displeasure after a while.
"Right: now Kyle, I want you to spend fifteen minutes on the bike, while I go and get you an electrolyte drink," Heath instructed and slapped Kyle on the back as they moved towards the bike.
Kyle rolled his eyes.
"Heath, I think I've had enough," Kyle groaned.
"Pfft, doc said you are to be physically active, so that's what you have to do. Besides the bike exercises will be your last for the day," Heath replied and wandered off.
Casey took the opportunity to approach Kyle who was beginning to look a little exhausted as he started his bike exercise, for he wasn't particularly fit to be working out at the gym so much; compared to the rest of his brothers.
"He giving you a hard time?" Casey asked.
"You could say that. I'm just not as cut out for all this gym activity. I'd much rather be just walking along the beach for exercise, but you know what it's like, there is no arguing with Heath or Brax when they think something is the best," Kyle groaned as he cycled on the bike.
Casey nodded in agreement.
"Take it from me, Kyle: it sometimes sucks being the younger brother, but also it has it's advantages in the sense that Heath or Brax would do anything for you," Casey said with a smile.
"Yeah, I know. It's just sometimes anything for me isn't always what I agree on," Kyle replied with an exhausted chuckle.
Casey chuckled in response briefly before Heath finally returned with a drink in hand.
"Stop distracting Kyle, Case; get back to work," Heath ordered.
Casey scowled at Heath and huffed.
"You can't tell me to get back to work, Heath; you are not the boss," Casey retorted.
Heath scoffed. "You keep telling yourself that, Baby bro. I am the boss of you because I'm older, so bugger off will you, and let Kyle finish his important exercises," Heath replied, authoritatively and gave Casey a push on his back to get him moving.
Casey huffed and rolled his eyes, wandering off towards the office to finish his next gym class session plan.
"Now where were we? Only five more minutes, Kyle," Heath announced.
"You know Heath, over working me with exercise probably isn't the best for my Glucose levels," Kyle said and finally finished his set on the bike and took his drink from Heath.
"Don't underestimate that I know what's good for you. Remember I'm older than you too, so what I say goes; so, stop your whining," Heath stated and flicked Kyle lightly on the head.
Kyle takes a sip of his drink and rolls his eyes; there was no reasoning with his older brothers, and he wondered why he bothers to try at all.
It was a month since his hospital incident and despite beginning to get bored out of his mind at home and not working and there was just so much of his guitar playing, he could do.
After several failed attempts of nagging Brax to let him back at work, Brax finally relented and told Kyle he could go back to work with restrictions: he was only to work part time and Brax would remain at the restaurant, either working or just keeping an eye on Kyle, both much to Kyle's hate; having his big brother practically babysitting him.
Brax approached Kyle at the bar.
"Okay Kyle, time for a break and to check your Glucose levels," Brax said.
Two of the other workers glanced in Kyle's direction, along with a few customers, causing Kyle's face to slightly blush with embarrassment.
"Can you please talk a little quieter, Brax?" Kyle requested softly.
Brax glanced at Kyle blankly and brushed off his request.
"I told you he's no threat. I mean he needs the boss, aka his brother to hold his hand," one chuckled quietly, but is easily overheard by Kyle and Brax.
Brax glared hard at his workers, while Kyle turned away and avoided everyone's glances at all cost.
"Don't you two have work to do? I'm not paying you to gossip; get back to it if you still want to keep your jobs," Brax ordered.
The two workers rushed off towards the kitchen to get out of Brax's way.
Brax watched as Kyle checked his levels and Brax ordered Kyle to sit down and got him some lunch before allowing him to continue his shift at work.
"This isn't going to be for forever, Kyle," Brax assured, as Kyle went back behind the bar.
"I just want you to remain okay; you do understand, right?" Brax asked.
"Yeah, I know you are just looking out for me and as much as it can sometimes be too much, I do appreciate it; having a family who cares for me like you all do," Kyle replied.
Brax smiled.
"You're not going soft on me now, are you?' he chuckled.
"You're already soft," Kyle joked, remembering Casey's comment from when he was in hospital.
"Watch it; don't push your luck, Kyle," Brax warned with a smirk and leaned over the bar to gently shove Kyle in the shoulder before sitting back down.
"Casey said it too," Kyle defended, cleaning out one of the glasses with a towel.
"Hmmm, really? Well, remind me to pull him up on that later," Brax said with an unimpressed look on his face.
"Get back to work, Kyle," Brax ordered with a smile.
Kyle reciprocated the smile and returned to his work.