AUTHOR'S NOTE: Many thanks to Braxton54, Bonnie Sveen Fan and Guest and Guest for reviewing and everyone else reading and following along!
In response to Guest No.2 - Happy to work on that idea, however it will be added to the spin-off series where it can be expanded on.
The following morning Brax wakes up just after seven, having not really settled enough to get a good sleep and decides to get up.
He fixes his sleeping bag and does a quick check on Casey then sneaks into his bedroom to check on Kyle.
The older teen is still asleep to which Brax is thankful for and decides Kyle needs the rest and takes his alarm clock and switches it off before exiting the room and heading into the kitchen to make himself a much-needed cup of coffee.
Brax sits down with his coffee and a toast bagel with peanut butter and glances over the weekly newspaper.
He is interrupted when he hears a slight knock on the door.
Brax furrows his brow wondering who could be coming around at this time in the morning.
Brax opens the door to reveal Sid.
"Sid, what are you doing here?" Brax asks.
"I just thought I'd pop in on my way to work to see how Casey is going today?"
"He had a pretty rough night last night; he's still sleeping," Brax explains.
"His temperature is still the same and he's getting enough fluids?" Sid asks.
"Yes, and I'm trying to keep on top of his fluids given the vomiting," Brax answers.
Sid gives a sigh.
"If he doesn't settle with his vomiting by this evening give me a call and I'll organise some anti-nausea medication for him."
"Thanks Sid, that would be great."
"I was also wondering about how Kyle was going?"
Brax furrows his brow, confused as to why Sid was asking with such concern over Kyle.
"My main reason for asking this, if you don't mind me saying, but Dex mentioned to me yesterday there was a rumor going around at school about a boy who was the victim of some change room prank and seeing as Kyle went missing before third period yesterday Dex has concerns it might have been Kyle," Sid says in a gentle tone.
Brax nods.
"It wasn't some prank though, Sid; Kyle was seriously bullied to the extent of serious humiliation," Brax says quietly, not wanting Kyle to wake and think of him as breaking his trust by telling.
"Oh my, I didn't want to believe what Dex had said was true about Kyle. How is he coping then?"
"He's having a hard time at the moment which is understandable," Brax replies.
"Yes, well I can always set up a counselling session for him, if you think it will benefit him," Sid offers.
"Thanks Sid, I appreciate the offer, but Kyle has a hard enough time confiding in people about things like this and sometimes I have to pull teeth to get answers, so I think we will manage okay."
"Well let me know if I can help in any way and let Kyle know that Dex is worried about him. He's apparently texted Kyle a few times and he hasn't got an answer."
"I took Kyle's phone and turned it off when he came home yesterday so he could stay off social media in case anything erupted about the incident and it gave him a chance to try and recover," Brax explains, causing Sid to nod in understanding.
"Thanks for coming by and checking Sid and I'll be sure to let Kyle know Dex asked about him."
Sid nods in acknowledgement.
"My pleasure Brax."
Sid goes to leave but then turns back towards Brax with a serious look.
"And Brax? When something this severe happens it's important to keep an eye and observe any changes with appetite, a withdrawn or overly quiet demeanour, or unusual behaviour. I know Kyle has dealt with a lot and isn't a big eater, but certain situations can trigger serious issues," Sid explains quietly, causing Brax to frown.
"I've seen too many kids deteriorate mentally and I wouldn't want that to happen to Kyle or to your family."
Brax didn't know how to take in Sid's concerns as the idea of any of his brothers suffering mentally was something that gave him grave concern.
"Thanks Sid; I'll keep an eye open."
"I best get going; I don't want to be late. Good day, Brax," Sid farewells.
Brax gives Sid a wave and closes the door.
He goes back to reading the newspaper thinking about what Sid said and wonders if Kyle would really fall victim to mental health decline and reminds himself to question Kyle about it later.
It's not until just after ten that he hears movement from the bedroom, with Kyle appearing not long after, still wearing his pyjamas and oodie.
"Morning, kiddo; how are you feeling?" Brax asks.
Kyle gives a nod.
"Better. Why did you let me sleep for so long?"
"I figured you needed the rest. Why don't you sit down, and I'll make you a bagel with some avocado and egg and a bowl of fruit," Brax suggests.
"You don't have to do that. I can make my own breakfast," Kyle replies.
"Just take a seat Kyle," Brax orders and begins preparing Kyle's breakfast.
"How is Casey?"
"He's still asleep, he had a rough night too. I should check on him," Brax answers and puts down Kyle's breakfast then leaves towards the boy's bedroom.
Brax walks in to see Casey stirring in the bed and flicking his eyes open.
"You okay, Champ?" Brax whispers.
Casey groans in response.
"Do you think you can stomach something to eat?" Brax asks.
Casey rubs his empty stomach and gives a small nod.
"I'll get you some breakfast," Brax says quietly and runs his hand through Casey's sweaty hair.
Brax returns to the kitchen and pops two pieces of bread in the toaster.
"I meant to tell you Sid popped around this morning to check on Casey and said that Dex has been concerned about you because you left school early yesterday," Brax says, deliberately leaving out the part about Sid asking about Kyle.
Kyle diverts his eyes towards the table.
"I should tell him, but I don't feel like talking to anyone," Kyle mumbles.
"You don't have to. I'm sure Dex will understand, and you can text him when you are ready," Brax informs.
Brax starts spreading vegemite onto Casey's toast.
"What have you decided to do today, kiddo?"
"Um, I'm not sure, maybe watch some movies. Brax, could you maybe watch with me if you aren't too busy?"
"Sure Kyle," Brax replies and gives a yawn, before taking Casey's dry toast to the bedroom.
A while later after Brax has cleaned up after breakfast, he goes to head into the laundry to put Casey's sheets in the wash when Kyle calls out to him from the couch.
"Brax, are you coming to watch with me?" Kyle asks hopefully.
Kyle's voice sounded vulnerable, and Brax didn't have the heart to say he still had work to do before hanging out with Kyle and remembering Sid's advice from the morning Brax didn't want to chance any moment of missing any vital signs in Kyle.
"Be right there," Brax assures and sits beside Kyle on the couch as Kyle selects the first Shrek movie to watch.
Brax gives another yawn as he glances over at Kyle curled up on the couch.
About half an hour into the movie Casey wanders out into the lounge room, catching Brax's attention.
"Casey, what are you doing out of bed?"
"I had to use the bathroom and I heard the sounds from the movie. If you are both watching I want to watch too," Casey whines.
Brax gets up from the couch and approaches Casey, stopping the slightly contagious teen from entering the room further.
"I'm sorry kiddo but you are not well enough to be out of bed. I'll come and spend some time with you a bit later; I promise. Now scoot," Brax orders in a gentle tone.
"But Brax," Casey whines, "Why is Kyle allowed to sit and watch movies and why isn't he at school? Was it something to do with what happened yesterday when he came home early?"
"Just mind your own business Casey, and focus on getting rest," Brax says, holding onto Casey's upper arms.
"I just want to know," Casey mumbles.
"Well Kyle will tell you in his own time and I don't want you pestering him about it, understood?"
Casey huffs quietly and shuffles his feet.
"If you are up, why don't you take a shower and freshen up then head back to bed?" Brax instructs.
Casey sulks but does as he's told and heads back to the bathroom to take a shower.
Brax is about to take his seat back on the couch when there is a knock at the door. Brax goans and opens the door to reveal Marilyn.
"Hi Marilyn, what brings you over?"
"I came by to see if you needed a hand with anything?"
"That's really nice of you Marilyn but I think we are all good today," Brax replies with a yawn.
"Oh my, you look so tired; did you get any rest last night?" she asks the oldest.
"Not really, between Casey being sick all night and Kyle up with a nightmare, I barely slept a wink," Brax confesses.
"Oh, you poor dear; why don't I look after things for a while, while you go and get some sleep," Marilyn offers.
"I couldn't impose that on you," Brax replies.
"Oh nonsense, how are you going to take care of your lovely young brothers if you are not well yourself?" Marilyn states.
Brax sighs defeated.
"Thanks Marilyn, that would be great," Brax responds, tiredly.
Marilyn smiles in return and walks into the house.
"Hello, Darling," she greets Kyle.
"Hi Marilyn; how are you?"
"I'm fine, Darling. What are you watching?"
"The Shrek movies," Kyle replies.
"Are you right if I go get some shut eye in?" Brax asks and squeezes Kyle's shoulder.
Feeling guilty for being the cause of his brother being so tired, Kyle gives a nod.
Brax goes towards his bedroom and pops into Casey's bedroom and sees Casey finish putting on his clean pyjamas and drying his wet hair.
"How are you feeling?"
"Okay I guess," Casey mumbles.
"I'm just popping into my room to grab some shut-eye, but Marilyn is here if you need anything," Brax informs.
Casey nods and goes back to sitting in his bed.
Marilyn checks around in the kitchen and surrounding areas to see if anything needs cleaning then pops out into the laundry and sees a pile of sheets laying in the basket.
She puts the sheets in the wash then returns to the lounge room.
"Do you mind if I sit down with you and give you a bit of company?" she asks Kyle.
"No, that's okay," Kyle replies.
Marilyn sits beside Kyle and the two continue to watch the movie.
Once the first movie finally finishes, Kyle sets up the TV for the second part.
"How about I make you some lunch before the next one?" Marilyn suggests and gets up.
"I guess," Kyle mumbles.
Marilyn makes Kyle a bowl of yoghurt and some crackers and cheese.
"Thanks," Kyle replies as Marilyn puts the food on the table.
"I'm going to go check on your brother."
Marilyn approaches Casey's room and gives a gentle knock.
"Darling, are you decent?" she calls.
After hearing Casey's groan Marilyn enters and sees Casey flicking through a surfing magazine.
"Would you like something for lunch?" Marilyn asks.
"Um, yeah; I am kind of hungry, even though my stomach still feels weird," Casey replies.
"I'll get you something light then."
Marilyn leaves and goes back in the kitchen, making Casey a sandwich with some vegemite and a few pieces of fruit.
"Call me if you need anything," she says as she returns to the bedroom and gives Casey his lunch.
Casey nods and starts eating his food straight away.
Marilyn sits back down next to Kyle and mid-way into the movie, Brax walks back out into the lounge room feeling more refreshed than before now that he'd had a few hours of sleep.
"Oh, hello Brax; how did you sleep?" Marilyn asks as she notices Brax enter.
"Much better thanks, Marilyn," Brax answers, rubbing his hand through his scruffy bed hair.
"I put those sheets that were ready to wash on and they are currently in the dryer," Marilyn informs.
Having forgotten about the sheets Brax smiles, grateful for Marilyn's assistance.
"Thank you."
"Now I better get going so I can get organised for my evening shift," Marilyn announces, smiling.
Brax nods and Kyle glances around.
"Thanks for watching movies with me and making my lunch," Kyle says softly.
"My pleasure, Darling," Marilyn responds with a smile.
Brax farewells Marilyn and closes the door once she leaves.
"Are you all good?" Brax asks Kyle.
"I'm sorry for keeping you up all night and making you tired," Kyle confesses.
"It wasn't your fault, kiddo, so forget it; yeah?" Brax says and ruffles Kyle's hair.
"I might go spend some time with Casey; if you are okay?" Brax asks to which Kyle nods.
Brax goes into the bedroom, and both decide to have a game of 'Go Fish'.
After a couple of turns in which Casey wins one over Brax, Casey begins to feel nauseous again and puts his cards down on the blanket.
"You okay, Casey?" Brax asks.
"I think I need my bucket," Casey says and holds out his hand.
Brax grabs the bucket and hands it to Casey who within seconds vomits into the bucket, following it up with some spitting.
Brax rubs Casey's back in comfort.
"I've been good so far today. It's not fair I'm still feeling so rotten and it's like anything I eat is going to end up back out of my mouth," Casey whines.
"Give it a few more days, Case; here have a drink of water," Brax comforts and hands Casey the glass of water while taking the bucket away.
"How about we pack away the cards for now. We can always play again later, but I think you should get a bit more rest and I need to get a start on dinner," Brax says and smiles at Casey as he gets up from his seat and places the cards down on the desk before leaving.