A/N: To be honest, I wasn't planning on updating this fic, but? My friend kind of had a mental breakdown when I mentioned that this chapter was done so now I'm updating it because I worry that he might actually travel a state over to beat my door down if I don't. So enjoy this!

Bro gets the feeling that Dave is mad at him. Not that he blames the kid.

After that "talk" when Dave returned home from the park, Bro had kind of just left. He didn't know what Dave was expecting to happen next, but it was likely something that lead to the bedroom. Or just bent over the counter. Bro is flexible.

But instead of taking his brother right then and there as they had both wanted, Bro used every bit of his self-control to pull himself away and go to his room. Because, in all honesty, he didn't trust Dave's answer.

Even assuming that Dave had been 100% honest back there, though, Bro still would have left. He doesn't want to rush into anything. Dave isn't some one-night stand or a toy to enjoy until it breaks. He wants this whole thing to really mean something, as cheesy as it sounds. So, yeah, he left. He's saving it all for another day.

And fuck it all to Hell and back if that isn't hard.

The inner conflict is the worst part, Bro thinks. His urges - the ones he's been suppressing all his life in order to remain stoic and indifferent - have been given freedom, and they want nothing more than to pin Dave to the futon and fuck him until he's crying and begging for Bro to stop because he's cum so many times that it hurts. And that's a really nice sounding idea in it's own right, but Bro won't let himself do it. Logic keeps hitting him upside the head.

Going too rough too soon will scare him off, it says, and Bro agrees. You don't know what he likes. What if he hates you after you rush into something blind, logic points out again, taunting him now, and Bro begrudgingly agrees. What if when he said "yes" he was just doing it because that's the answer you wanted, logic is a smug little fuck as it says this, but again Bro has to agree. They're all valid points, and worth far more than his stupid urges. Those can wait a week or two for him to figure this out.

Dave helps by keeping out of sight, though. Bro hasn't seen him at all in the past five days. He can sense the atmosphere, though. The heavy air around Dave's door. The waves of frustration that keep him from initiating any interactions at all. He can appreciate that Dave is upset, but for what reasons, Bro isn't sure. He could always ask, but he's never been very talkative. Words don't convoy thoughts as well as actions do.

Bro does his best to keep away, too. Not that it's hard. Summer is beginning to wind down, with August and slightly colder weather just around the corner. As such, there's a lot more party goers out for some last minute thrills. It's been almost an explosion of activity, and it's both exhausting and rewarding for Bro. He usually gets more calls than ever this time of year, and this time is no exception. He heads out around five after ordering some takeout for Dave to eat while he's gone, and doesn't get back in until three. It's hard to keep his smuppet site updated with work hours like that, but he figures that he's making enough money working himself to the bone to deny his "fans" for a while.

The plan was working great. He was making money and keeping himself so busy that he only thought about Dave when he wasn't on the move. Bro should really stop thinking about him completely, though. For the moment however, he'll take his victories where he can get them.

Yes, everything was going nicely. He had a routine going and was making connections. But Bro probably should have taken into consideration how stubborn and impatient Dave is.

He gets home later than usual - close to four in the morning - and is greeted by the lights still on and Dave planted securely on the couch. The TV is off, but Bro could probably walk over and touch the screen and find it still warm from use if he really wanted to.

"What're you still doing up?" He asks in an almost disinterested tone, his voice raspy and gruff thanks to a dry throat.

Dave doesn't seem to notice, and upon prompting, sits up straight in his seat to watch Bro move to the kitchen. "Waiting for you." He replies, clearly unhappy. "What took you so long?"

Bro shrugs, grabbing a glass and filling it up with water from the sink. He is, admittedly, enjoying the ting of jealousy in Dave's voice. He probably thought that his big bro is sleeping around, but Bro doesn't think he could do that if he tried. He only seems to want sex anymore when Dave is involved. "Doesn't matter." Bro says dismissively, downing about half the glass before speaking again. "I could have been passed out in an alley. You should be asleep either way." Dave is almost done growing from the looks of things, but that doesn't mean that these last few years of growth are suddenly unimportant. "Thought I set a bedtime for this exact reason."

Scowling, Dave shoots a glare in his direction. "Don't be an ass about it, Bro. You don't care how long I stay up as long as I end up sleeping. Besides." There's a pause. "I think we both know why I'm up."

The glass isn't empty yet, but Bro sets it down in the sink anyway. "Just say what you want to say and don't dance around the subject, Dave." He sighs, his back to his brother as he talks.

Another pause. Dave is really good at those. "Is it something I did?" He asks softly, barely-restrained insecurity in his voice. "That makes you avoid me."

Bro doesn't reply immediately. That was probably the most Dave has ever opened up to him in the last three years. It's… a little overwhelming. He sounded so hurt when he said it, too. As if Bro's supposed rejection stung more than any swipe from a sword.

"Dave- Dave, no." Bro sighs, turning around to face his brother with a frown on his face. "I'm not avoiding you because of anything you did, alright? I'm avoiding you because I don't trust myself around you." He explains, making his way over to the couch slowly.

This earns him a curious look. "Don't trust yourself? With what?" Dave asks, and Bro can appreciate what he means. Usually, the only thing Bro can trust is himself. This is… really odd for him.

The only thing separating him and Dave now is the back of the couch, but it's still the closest Bro has been to him in days. Dave smells like his girly apple-cinnamon shampoo and faintly of Bro's rarely-used cologne, like he's trying to impress someone. He can't be mad at the kid. Not when it's so clearly working.

"Are you sure you want that answer, Dave?" Bro asks quietly, brushing his fingertips along his little brother's jawline. He used to do that when Dave was sleeping but, surprisingly, Bro hasn't watched Dave sleep since this whole thing began. Trust is a fragile thing, and Bro doesn't have the luxury to give himself the benefit of the doubt. "It's not an easy thing to accept. It's taken me years."

He watches the gears in Dave's head turn, until finally - slowly - he nods. "Yeah. I'm sure." And there's a good chance he already knows. But knowing isn't really the same as hearing Bro say it.

There's a moment's pause between them. Dave, waiting for the answer to the question he had solved a while ago, and Bro unsure how to reply. Words aren't his thing. But for Dave, he can try. What does he have to lose by this point, after all? His hand slowly traces up Dave's jaw, caressing the skin silently as he works higher and higher until he reaches the earpiece of Dave's shades. He lifts them off without resistance, setting them carefully on the side table next to the futon. Bro removes his own shades next, blinking to adjust to the light before he refocuses on Dave.

"God damn, did I miss those eyes…" He breathes without really realizing it, tilting Dave's chin up to get a better look. Maybe Bro should ban shades in the house. It's been years since he's seen Dave's ruby reds without his own pointed shades blocking the view, and they're far more stunning that he remembers. Bro doesn't like to toss compliments around, but words like "beautiful" seem to undermine how truly spectacular Dave's eyes are. There's a word for them somewhere. Maybe Bro will figure it out one day.

Dave is clearly uncomfortable with being so open, but he doesn't try to reach for his shades or complain about the brightness of the room. Probably because Bro isn't wearing shades either, and fair is fair.

"It's clear to me," Bro begins carefully, clearing his throat and earning himself Dave's full attention, "that you have no idea how much I want you."

He frowns a little in confusion, staring up at Bro. "I-" Dave cuts himself off and tries again. "What?"

But Bro isn't really paying attention to Dave anymore. He's started talking, and he's going to change his mind about it if he doesn't keep going. "Actually, forget what I just said. It's gone beyond want. Dave, I need you." He sounds so vulnerable when he says it that way that Bro visibly cringes, but he pushes on anyway. "Is that what you wanted to hear, Dave? Because here's the truth: I need you. Right now. We could cuddle or some stupid shit like that, or you could bend over the counter and let me show you something you've never experienced before. There are so many things I could do to you. With you. And it's going to be hard in more ways than one. If you let me, we couldn't go back. A brotherly relationship would pretty much be out the window. I'd get put in jail if the wrong people found out, and you'd be put in foster care, but I'm done caring."

Bro pulls back suddenly, his jaw tight and expression flat. He shouldn't have said all that. Dave is quiet, just staring up at him with a look akin to shock. Fuck. He messed up big time, didn't he? He came on too strong, and now Dave is going to be overwhelmed and probably say no. Fantastic.

"Uh, Dave, listen. I-" He starts to explain himself, maybe backtrack a little and pretend that Dave isn't the center of his world and thus regain some of his dignity, but he's cut off before he can.

Dave is a surprisingly good kisser. Now that he is actually kissing back, of course.

Closing his eyes, Bro wraps his arms around Dave's small waist, pulling him up the rest of the way until he's perched on the back of the futon. He's willing to do nothing except kiss Dave for hours. His lips feel perfect against Bro's, soft and a little thin and dry, but he doesn't care. Dave's arms are around his neck, his slender fingers fiddling with the bit of blonde hair sticking out from under Bro's cap. Pianist fingers, his little brother has. They would be perfect fiddling with something else-

The couch is in the way, Bro decides. So he pulls Dave off of it entirely, the kid's legs going around his waist as he clings on for dear life. As if Bro is going to just drop him now. Kissing Dave is weird and a little awkward. Neither of them is entirely sure what they're doing, or if the kiss should be hard or sweet. Bro cups the back of Dave's head, leaning forward just a little to press him against the futon and the kiss settles in between the two extremes, deep but not desperate.

It's satisfying in ways Bro had never pictured, while also somehow managing to not be nearly enough. His grip on Dave's hips tightens, causing his brother to let out this little noise that he wants to hear more of. It's absolutely beautiful.

"Bro, we really shouldn't." Dave mutters as he pulls out of the kiss, biting his lip nervously. "It's getting late, and…" He trails off, unable to continue once he realizes that there's no good reason for them to stop.

In reply, Bro raises an eyebrow. Dave has stopped messing with his hair, instead dipping his finger tips down the back of Bro's shirt to trace the top of his spine. "I think we both know that the last thing we should do is stop." He responds, his voice taking on a ragged tone.

Dave knits his brows together in confusion, opening his mouth to say something, but Bro cuts him off before he can. The second kiss is much more frantic than the last. Their hips press flush together, both of them scrambling to be closer, and- Bro lets out an embarrassingly needy moan, his eyes widening in surprise. Fuck. He hadn't noticed that Dave wasn't wearing any pants. It got worse though, his boxers replaced with tight shorts that he couldn't remember ever seeing the kid wear. If he had, then he would have initiated something far sooner.

It doesn't help that Dave looks just as surprised as Bro - like he hadn't been expecting a reaction like that from some shorts. His eyes spark with confidence, and this time, Bro is the one who gets cut off as Dave resumes the kiss. He grips his guardian's face firmly in his hands, parting his mouth, and it takes Bro just a moment to realize what Dave is going for here.

He still thinks that the couch is a piece of shit and they should burn it, but it serves a nice purpose when Bro decides that standing while doing this just doesn't work for him. Bro moves his hands from the small of Dave's back to grip his ass, drawing this needy little whimper from him that only reaffirms the need to press Dave against something. The futon works just fine for this function, even if Bro has to waste precious time by walking around it.

Dave grunts softly when he's dropped onto the plush setting, but he doesn't get so much as the time to think about complaining before Bro is hovering above him. He likes the way Dave's pupils dilate at the change of position, lust and the darkened apartment making them almost completely block out the red of his irises. "Bro…" He murmurs, licking his lips either subconsciously or on purpose. Either way, it makes it just a little harder to be patient as heat pulses though Bro's body. "Are we going to…" He trails off, wrapping his hands around his brother's neck. Dave didn't finish his trail of thought, but Bro doesn't need him to.

"No." He says, shaking his head despite the way every inch of him wants to say yes and take his little brother here and now. "I…" Bro swallows thickly, brushing Dave's bangs out of his eyes. He makes a mental note to give his brother a haircut sometime soon. "I want to do it when the moment is right." The words come out more sure than Bro actually feels. "And that is not on the couch at four in the morning after I've been out all night." He says, and it's much easier this time.

There's a beat, and for a moment, Bro worries that Dave is going to be upset. He shifts a little, looking confused but… hopeful. "So, this is, like…" He pauses, searching for the right words, "a… real relationship you're after?"

Now it's Bro's turn to be confused. "Wha-? Of course it is, Dave. If all I wanted was sex, don't you think there would be easier ways to get it?" Was that what had been bothering Dave this whole time? Bro wasn't sure whether or not he should be insulted and take it personally. Maybe it was partly his fault. Certainly, he could be more open and affectionate. It had always just been… easier to retreat behind the safety of his walls, though.

For a long minute, there's silence. Dave stares, seeming unable to process that his older brother might actually have feelings. "I… would like that." He breathed. "A relationship would be… great." He let out a short laugh, cutting through the tension as he pulled Bro back down on top of him. The third kiss was soft and light, both of them trying to pour years and years worth of affection into a single gesture. It wasn't going to work, but that didn't keep them from trying.

The words "I love you" would suit the moment greatly, but Bro didn't say it. There was a better moment. Right now, he traced his fingertips down Dave's thighs, the boy shivering beneath him as he stopped at Dave's knee, rubbing little circles in his skin. This was long overdue. He just needed to kiss Dave, needed to feel his warmth and just make him feel loved. That was part of his job as a parent, wasn't it? And he had been seriously slacking in that department.

Slowly, the lust dripped from the moment, and they both forgot their libido in favor of much more tender feelings. It was… quite the pleasant change. Bro decided that he liked it. He wanted to do this for hours.

A yawn broke the kiss though, Dave tilting his head to the side to try and pretend that he wasn't tired. "Sorry." He murmurs, and tries to lean back up and continue. Bro stops him though, pushing himself up and putting a solid hand on Dave's chest to keep him down.

"No dice, kid." Bro shakes his head. "It's-" he glances at the clock, "shit, five in the fucking morning? Never spent that much time just kissin'. Regardless-" He climbs off of Dave, standing up and stretching until his back pops almost painfully and he winces. "It's bed time. It was a while ago, so c'mon. Bed. You're tired."

Dave looks like he wanted to argue for a moment, then he pauses and considers something. "Will you stay with me?" He asks, so quiet that Bro isn't sure for a moment if he actually spoke.

Another pause. Why did they have to be so awkward when it came to the topic of affection? "Well, I mean, sure. If you want." Bro says honestly. "You've… never asked before."

This causes Dave to turn a faint shade of red, and he shrugs a little. "You've never seemed open to the idea before." He hesitates. "I… guess we're changing things, huh?" He has an odd look on his face - like he can't believe that this isn't all some huge joke.

Bro can't help but smile. "Yeah. I guess we are."

A/N: Technically, I could end here but that same friend I mentioned from before wants a sex scene so guess who's going to keep this story going?