Somewhere along the way, Milton found that both he and Philip grew up. There were days where he didn't feel any different than he had as a child, and then there were days much like this one that he knew life was different, and that he was indeed different, whether he felt it or not.
Milton grew into a fairly happy human being; now at the age of seventeen, he felt like he was slowly finding his place in the world. Well, whatever place that was left for Milton, that is. He would never fully belong.. not like Philip did.. but he was making progress and beginning to talk to other people, even if he couldn't really say he had an abundance of friends. He had gotten close to a quiet, shy boy named Sandy, who shared his passion for science. He felt he could be himself around Sandy without risking ridicule, and Sandy was a kind soul that rarely received the treatment he deserved. Milton did get bullied at school, but it paled in comparison to what poor Sandy experienced.

One day that would forever stand out in Milton's mind, was the day Sandy burst into tears when he was over at Milton's house studying and Philip came in and went upstairs to his room. Milton still lived with Philip and his parents, and imagined he would until he graduated college and found a place of his own. Philip's parents encouraged him to stay for as long as he needed to.. while they always seemed to push Philip to get a job as soon as possible. Whenever Philip asked why it was important for Milton to stay and not for him to, they always had the same reply that was never satisfactory. "Milton is not cut out for the world like you are, dear. He needs more time.. you know you have the world in the palm of your hands."

After Sandy began to cry and tremble, Milton asked him what was wrong, but he shook his head, with his hands on his temples. He grabbed his books, stuffed them into his bag, and headed for the door, wiping at his eyes and glancing up the stairs uncomfortably. Milton walked over and stood between him and the door. "Sandy... you're not... afraid of Philip are you?"
They heard footsteps from upstairs and Sandy began to break into hysterics. He began to sob and even jump up and down because he was so desperate to leave. "P..P..Please move, Milton! I have to go! PLEASE!"

Sandy began to hyperventilate and Milton moved aside to let him leave, but he felt as though everything was moving very slowly around him. As though he were under the effects of a powerful drug.. nothing made sense... not Sandy's behavior, or the fact that Philip was what invoked it.
Philip had changed, and apparently he was planning to go out. No doubt with his new girlfriend, Jessica. He came down the stairs, two at a time, and jumped over the last two, landing right in front of Milton and causing him to shriek with surprise.
Milton straightened himself up and cleared his throat, determined to get to the bottom of things.

"Philip.. Sandy just left.."
he threw his head back and laughed, "Yeah, I thought I smelled a rat.."
"He's not a rat.."
"Oh? Well then explain to me why he told Jessica I cheated on my test last week?"
Milton had no answer for this. Sandy tutored Jessica every once in a while, and it was no secret to Milton that Sandy had a huge crush on Jessica, and had for a very long time. Why had he told her this? It didn't make sense. Perhaps Sandy merely wanted Jessica to doubt Philip in hopes that it would drive a wedge between them. Or perhaps it was innocent.. and he didn't mean any harm. Sandy was not a simple person that you could read after spending a respectable amount of time with. He was complex, and while he had a reason for everything he did.. those reasons were rarely simple or easily understood.

"...What did you and your gang do to him?"
Philip smiled and waved a hand, as if to say, 'it doesn't matter'.. but to Milton, it did matter. Sandy was one of the only people who truly cared for Milton, and he felt responsible for him.. regardless of what strength he had or didn't have.
Milton dared to narrow his eyes and step closer to Philip, his body language defensive and almost taunting.
"What.. did you do to him, Philip?"
This time, Philip didn't laugh. Instead, he looked away for a moment before lunging at Milton and knocking him back against the door. Despite Milton's punches and kicks, Philip was stronger, and he landed a good punch to his nose, causing it to bleed, and his eyes to water. He froze when Philip put his hands around his throat tightly. His mouth opened and he began to gasp for air.

Between gasps, he managed to force out in a faint voice, "You're...nothing... but a big.. bully... just... like... my father..."
Philip leaned in closer so that he could look Milton in the eye, and his gaze was deadly.. it made Milton feel strange.. not threatened, but as if Philip meant to truly hurt him far worse than he already had.

"What gives you the right? eh? You came here after the fire... and my life went to hell.. all my parents ever cared about was you. That's all they still care about... and you dare get in my face over that little rat bastard? Who do you think you are, Milton? I've done nothing but protect you.. and you betray me over him?!"
Milton winced at every word, and struggled harder for each precious breath of air.
"I...haven't... betrayed you... I..." He began to choke out the words and paw at Philip's hands in a desperate attempt to free himself from their death grip, "I...I'm... on.. your side..."
With tear filled eyes, Milton looked back at Philip and something in his face struck him and brought him back to reality. "I...love you... my... brother..."

Philip let Milton go immediately and blinked several times. With each blink, it seemed that he was more himself.
He stumbled backwards and sat down on the bottom steps of the staircase.
Milton rubbed his neck and for a few moments, neither of them said a word; the only sound was the sound of Milton breathing heavily.

"I'm sorry.." Philip whispered.
Their eyes met and Milton couldn't look at him for too long without averting his gaze to the floor.
"...I... It's okay..."
"..You forgive me, right? You know I love ya, right?"
"...Right.."
Philip stood to his feet and embraced Milton in an awkward hug, which he was reluctant to accept.
"You're not afraid of me... are you?" Philip whispered into his ear.
He closed his eyes, "No..I...trust you.."
Philip smiled and gave him a playful punch on his shoulder before walking off into the kitchen.

Milton had just seen a side of Philip that he did not know existed... and if he was completely honest with himself.. he would say that yes...

He was very afraid.