Hi guys! First of all I would like to apologise for the massive delay in updating, I literally haven't had any free time to work on my writing. But I have finally managed to finish this and I am currently working on my other stories.

Thank you to everyone who left a review, I really appreciate it!

Also, I have some prompts that I hope to do but I am still open to hearing some more so please feel free to leave a prompt!

Thay - Thanks for your review, I'm really sorry about the late reply. I'm glad you liked seeing that side of Casey, it was fun to write. Thanks for your support it means a lot and I hope you continue enjoying these one-shots

I hope you enjoy this one-shot and please leave a review with your thoughts!

Braxtons and Barretts - a prompt from FrankElza who wanted something with the Barrett brothers - I hope this is what you expected and again, sorry for the long wait!

The three Braxtons brothers had spent most of the day at their safe haven, the beach, just surfing, laughing and being free.

It was the one place where the three of them were free, when they were in the water, where they could just forget about the fact that their abusive father was in jail, that their gambling addicted mother was rarely home and that they were known to the police, partially due to the fact that Brax was the leader of the notorious surfing gang, the River Boys, which Heath was also a member of. However, twelve year old Casey wasn't a member, his brothers had denied him that opportunity, wanting him to focus on his school work instead and have better opportunities than them. Though, despite the fact that Casey wasn't an official member, he still spent a lot of time around the River Boys, just because his older brothers were there.

Over the course of the day, after starting with a large group consisting of most of the River Boys, the numbers have decreased slowly, leaving only the three Braxtons to say goodbye to Sam and Brody, the youngest members of the gang.

"Brax, we can still stay though can't we?" Twelve year old Casey asked his brother after Sam and Brody had gone.

"Yeah sure mate," Brax agreed. He, along with the others, found the beach a calming place to be and he was in no rush to go home.

"C'mon Case, race you to the water," Heath called out as he sprinted ahead.

Casey ran behind his brother, shouting, "You cheated!"

Brax stood back, watching the two of them run to the water. It felt like just yesterday Heath was Casey's age, time went by so fast. He was grateful for his brothers, sure they hadn't had the best start in life but at least they had each other.

He glanced around the beach when he spotted two familiar figures – Andy and Josh Barrett. Andy was a few years younger than Heath and Josh and Casey were very close in age, only a year or two between them.

Danny Braxton and Johnny Barrett had been best friends, thick as thieves; they had always done jobs together from a very young age right to their last job, armed robbery, which led to both of them currently carrying out their sentences in high security prisons.

The Braxtons and Barretts had met before on a number of occasions, always in some connection to their fathers though.

As Brax looked at the two of them, Andy in particular, he was reminded of himself. He had had to bear the responsibility of looking after his brothers from a young age due to their parents, who never put their children first. They spent more money on drink than they did on their own children.

Brax averted his eyes back to the water, where Heath was teasing Casey in a friendly manner, the two of them laughing. He looked back to the Barrett brothers before making his way over to them.

"Andy, Josh, how are you guys?" Brax greeted with a nod as he came close.

The fifteen year old looked up in surprise and replied, "Yeah not too bad, how are you and your brothers doing?"

"Yeah, things have been quieter since Dad's gone. Not that I'm complaining. What you boys up to then?"

"Nothing much," Andy shrugged, "Just wanted to get out for a bit. Even since Dad's got locked up, mum's been a bit… y'know."

Brax nodded; he had seen Debbie Barrett from a distance just a few days ago, her hair wild as she shouted to the neighbours who were looking at her. It was evident that since her husband's arrest, she had just seemed to have given up all together and that she was dependent of the alcohol.

Brax noticed Josh shift from foot to foot awkwardly during his exchange with Andy so he asked him, "Do you want an ice cream mate?"

Josh looked up at his brother for permission who gave a small nod in response.

"Here you go," Brax said as he handed Josh some money out of his wallet, "You get something for yourself and Casey."

"Thank you," Josh said as he took the money from Brax.

"Andy you want anything?" Brax asked as he looked at the older Barrett.

"No I'm alright thanks," he responded.

Josh asked Brax, "Don't you want anything?"

"Nah I'm good thanks mate," Brax smiled as he patted Josh's shoulder, before he ran off with the money clenched tightly in his fist.

"You didn't have to do that you know," Andy said as he slightly changed his stance so that he could still see Josh.

"I know," Brax replied, the small change in Andy's position not gone unnoticed, "But I wanted to."

"Thanks."

Brax turned around instinctively when he heard Heath and Casey coming towards them.

"Guys, you remember Andy right?" Brax said.

"Yeah Johnny Barrett's kid," Heath nodded in recognition.

"And that's his brother Josh," Brax continued as Josh approached them with two ice creams.

"Thanks Brax," Josh grinned as he handed the change back to him.

"I think this is for you," Josh shyly handed one over to Casey who thanked both Brax and Josh.

"Oi," Heath exclaimed, "Where's mine?"

Casey and Brax both laughed at their brother, if food was involved you could bet Heath wanted some.

"You can have some of mine Heath," Casey offered.

"Listen," Brax said to Andy, turning his attention away from his brothers, "Why don't you and Josh come over?"

"Nah it's fine, we'd better get home, get something to eat."

"We're ordering pizza tonight, aren't we Brax?" Casey added.

"Yeah we are," Brax agreed, "And you two can join us."

Josh was looking at Andy with eager eyes so Andy looked at the eldest Braxton before accepting his offer.

"Casey! Josh!" Brax called from the living room where he was watching TV with Heath and Andy, "Pizza's here!"

"Wash your hands mate," Brax reminded Casey who had been playing in his room with Josh.

"Why doesn't Heath have to?" Casey complained as he watched his brother quickly consume his first slice.

"Because a bit of germs won't do me any hard," Heath grinned," It's good for your immune system and all that."

"Wow, you actually learnt something from school," Brax responded, "And there was me thinking you spent all your time answering back to the teachers."

Andy and Heath then began to talk about Mangrove High and the teachers there.

"Just wash your hands Case," Brax told his younger brother, "Look, Josh has."

Sighing, Casey also washed his hands, not wanting to be shown up in front of Josh.

The two Barretts and three Braxtons didn't waste any time, and soon the pizza had finished and the five boys had full stomachs, which was something they didn't take for granted.

A while later, whilst playing with Casey's action figures, Josh started yawning.

Andy stood up and said, "C'mon mate, we'd better go."

"Thanks guys, we appreciate you calling us over," Andy told the Braxtons.

"Anytime mate," Brax said, "You know you two are always welcome here."

"Will Josh come and play again?" Casey questioned as his new friend was getting ready to leave.

"Yeah, can we Andy?" Josh exclaimed, despite his tired state.

"You guys can come over anytime," Brax added.

"Yeah, makes a change from seeing these two's faces all the time," Heath grinned.

"Sure," Andy agreed, "Thanks again, see you later."

"Bye," Josh said to the brothers before leaving for home.

Brax empathised with the brothers, especially since he was reminded of himself when looking at Andy. Also, it was nice for Casey to have someone his age to play with and for someone Heath's age to hang around with. He just hoped that Andy would take them up on their offer and that they would see a lot more of the Barrett brothers, especially since the two of them didn't really have anyone else.

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