AUTHOR'S NOTE: Many thanks to everyone still continuing to read and to Braxton54 and Bonnie Sveen Fan for your reviews.
Brax begins to get ready to head to work for the night; much to Kyle and Casey's displeasure, just after having dinner.
"Why do you have to work tonight?" Kyle quietly asks.
"Thursday's can be a big night with bookings and I have to be there, but Heath will be here to look after you boys," Brax explains.
Kyle and Casey groan and Brax frowns.
"Now, what's with the groaning boys?"
"You know how Heath has been with us lately; he has it in for us," Casey explains.
"You can't leave us alone with him, please Brax," Kyle adds.
"Why can't you stay home?" Casey asks.
"We could have another movie night like last time," Kyle continues.
Both teens were bombarding Brax with questions and suggestions; bouncing off each other and giving Brax no chance to butt in.
Brax finally puts his hands up to stop Kyle and Casey from speaking further.
"As much as I enjoy spending time with you both, I really have to work tonight," Brax explains.
"Well work from home," Casey says with a pout.
Kyle shakes his head at Casey's comment; sometimes his little brother just didn't see the sense in things.
Brax sighs and glances at the youngest, placing his hands on his hips.
"Casey, be reasonable: that is not practical."
"Brax, we are not safe here with Heath," Kyle pleads.
"Look at all the pranks he's done," Casey adds.
"If I know Heath, he only does one prank then it gets old. You two are blowing this out of proportion," Brax tells them.
"Yeah, but then he has another one. Please Brax," Casey argues.
Brax just shakes his head.
"Boys stop this nonsense now. Heath is looking after you tonight. Now I've heard enough," Brax affirms.
Giving one last attempt of persuasion Casey goes all out.
Casey flops to his knees and grabs hold of Brax's arm and shakes it as he begs.
"Please Brax, why can't you let us stay in the back room on the couch like we used to? You have to let us, please Brax," Casey pleads.
Not getting anything but an unimpressed glare from his big brother, Casey takes it up a notch and starts fake crying.
Kyle stands wide eyed, staring at Casey's behaviour.
Brax heavily sighs.
"Casey, get up and let go of my arm now," Brax says sternly.
Casey stops and stands up, letting go of Brax.
"Do not whine; you are not a baby and you know that kind of behaviour does not work with me," Brax continues in the same stern tone and holds Casey by the chin.
"You boys cannot come with me because I am not finishing until midnight and you both have school tomorrow; now enough of this. I mean it."
"What if we don't have school, like have the day off then would you let us?" Casey presses.
Brax frowns and Kyle shakes his head; he didn't want to have a day off when he had some of his favourite subjects on.
"No! And you know very well not to ask for days off school without a viable reason," Brax says frankly.
"But this is viable," Casey begs.
Brax huffs now getting irritated by his brother's pleading.
"Enough! This is ridiculous boys. Heath is your big brother and he cares about you and I do not want to hear another word about it!" Brax snaps.
"But Brax," Kyle starts, only to receive a glare from Brax.
"Kyle, what did I say?"
Kyle averts his gaze down.
"Heath will be looking after you both tonight and I want you both to behave, am I clear?" Brax says and eyes both Kyle and Casey.
The two teens nod.
"I expect you both to have your teeth brushed, cleaned up, and in bed by ten and I will make sure Heath knows that. Understood?"
"Yes Brax," they both mumble unhappily.
"Can I study?" Kyle asks quietly.
"Yes, you may, just be in bed on time," Brax tells Kyle with a proud smile.
"Shoot, I'm going to be late," Brax announces and pulls both his brothers towards him and gives them both a kiss on the head.
"Be good kiddos. It won't be that bad; you'll see."
Heath walks into the house and Brax pulls away from Kyle and Casey.
"You two ready for a fun night with big brother Heath?" Heath smiles and Kyle and Casey exchange worried looks.
Brax grabs his keys and points to them.
"Remember what I said. I'll see you later, and boys, I'll see you in the morning," Brax says and leaves.
Heath pulls both his brothers into a rough hug.
"So what are we doing tonight, little brothers?"
"I'm going to study," Kyle mutters.
"Always, being a good little nerd, Kylie," Heath laughs.
"I was going to watch a movie," Casey says.
Heath releases his brothers.
Kyle heads to the bedroom and Casey flops on the couch and switches the TV on.
Heath smirks; he had the perfect opportunity for another prank.
Heath grabs what he needs and heads to the bathroom.
Selecting Casey's normal toothpaste out of his toothpaste and Kyle's sensitive toothpaste container, Heath got to work making his changes.
Once he's finished with Casey's toothpaste, Heath returns to the kitchen and starts his prank on Kyle.
He grabs a handful of Oreos and carefully pulls one apart and scraps the inside out, replacing it with his desired flavour.
Heath smiles and carries the plate of biscuits out.
"Case, don't forget to brush your teeth," Heath reminds Casey, knowing the youngest had a tendency to forget.
"I'll do it in ten minutes," Casey replies, not taking his eyes off his movie.
"Make sure you do my little Snoopy. I'd hate to inform Brax you didn't do as he asked," Heath informs sternly.
"I won't forget," Casey answers, rolling his eyes.
Heath continues toward the bedroom to give Kyle his peace offering.
Kyle is studying his Math notes and listening to music.
He has a huge Math test coming up on Monday and since he excelled so much in year 10 Maths he has been put up to year 12 Maths.
He is so engaged in his studying that he doesn't even notice his brother sneaking up behind him.
"Hey: nerdy nerd," Heath says, as he takes off his brother's headphones.
Kyle jumps to his feet in fear, he couldn't take anymore of Heath's pranks, and wished Brax had listened to them.
"Please Heath, I'm begging you. No more pranks! Honestly I'd prefer a wedgie. Just stop it please," Kyle begs.
"Really little brother you want a wedgie? I'll definitely keep that in mind," Heath smirks at his little brother.
"Heath please, I'm serious. I've had enough," Kyle pleads again; he just wants to relax and study and forget about the threat of being pranked around every corner.
Heath smiles at Kyle.
"Look, I've taken these pranks too far. I'm sorry Kyle. Look: here is a peace offering. I brought you some Oreos to eat while you're studying," Heath says as he hands a plateful of Oreos to his brother.
Kyle eyes them suspicious; something must be wrong with them.
"There's nothing wrong with them Kyle, here I'll show you."
Heath smiles as he picks up an Oreo and takes a bite.
"See they're fine, now happy studying nerd," Heath smirks as he gives his brother a wet willy.
Kyle groans in distaste; his brother just couldn't let him be.
Kyle walks back over to his desk and continues to study, eating Oreo after Oreo. He picks up the next Oreo and puts the whole thing in his mouth only to immediately gag at the taste in his mouth; it is mixed with a sense of bitter, tangy, and crumbly chocolate biscuit.
He looks around for the bin that he usually leaves by his desk, but it isn't there.
He stands up and races out his bedroom door planning to spit it out in the bathroom sink but is grabbed around the waist.
"Awww, don't you like my peace offering? I'm hurt, Bubs!" Heath says howling with laughter as he covers his brother's mouth with his hand.
"Now swallow!" he orders.
Kyle tosses and turns in his arms struggling to get out, but he's so light that Heath just lifts him up so his legs are left swinging in midair.
"I said swallow or I won't let you go," Heath threatens.
Kyle sighs in defeat and swallows and gags on the horrible taste.
Heath lets his little brother go and he crumples to the floor.
"So: how about that wedgie, nerd?" Heath laughs.
Kyle's face drops in horror, why did he say that? He starts to scramble away but Heath grabs the back of his hoodie and yanks him back.
"Not so fast, nerdy nerd," Heath laughs.
"Please Heath, no! I'm begging you!" Kyle pleads, as Heath grips onto his underwear and pulls up the slightest bit; enough to be uncomfortable but not enough to hurt yet.
"You ready little bro?" Heath whispers in Kyle's ear with a smirk on his face.
Kyle freezes and prepares himself for pain when Casey charges out of the bathroom and runs through the hallway.
Upon hearing the fuss Casey is making with his incoherent complaining and stomping, Heath wanted to experience his baby brother's displeasing ordeal, so let go of Kyle's underwear; shoving Kyle away so he lands face down on the floor.
"It's your lucky day my nerdy little bro," Heath laughs and kneels down to roughly ruffle Kyle's hair.
Kyle sighs with relief and attempts to move when Heath gives him a quick, light slap to his butt.
"Don't go anywhere," he says and runs to the doorway to see Casey looking flustered.
When Casey spots Heath he charges towards him.
"Issss nummm," Casey moans.
"I didn't quite get what you said there, Case," Heath laughs.
"Numm, yoouf, toooofpasst," Casey replies, and points to his mouth, as he tries to move his mouth constantly in an attempt to feel his lips and gums.
Kyle looks up at his younger brother, wondering what had happened to him.
"Heff, notth funmee," Casey moans with a deep scowl on his face, as Heath continues to laugh.
He is rested up against the door frame to the boy's bedroom with his arms crossed.
"I beg to differ, baby bro. Here I was thinking that putting numbing gel in your toothpaste would make you stop with your whining for a while.
"Shusch uff; notth funmee!" Casey huffs and gives his foot a stomp.
"Howwff log tis larsps?" Casey whines; his mouth still tingling.
Heath sighs and places his hands on the distressed teen's shoulders.
"Now let me think: did you say how long it lasts or how logs blasts? I wish you'd make sense. I thought you'd grown out of the baby talk," Heath teases and pats Casey on the cheek.
Casey angrily slaps Heath's hand away and pulls away from his hold and pouts.
"Okay, I can assume you asked how long it lasts, so I'll tell you. You can be free from that wonderful tingly, numb feeling in, oh, one or two hours," Heath informs.
Casey slumps his shoulders in defeat.
Kyle's eyes widened upon hearing Casey's predicament, here he is wishing to not taste anything after his horrible Oreo cookie, and there his little brother stood, unable to taste anything.
Heath snickers and looks at his watch; giving it a tap.
"Well, look at that: it's almost nine-thirty and that means time for getting ready for bed," Heath announces and glances back to Kyle who is still resting on the floor on his stomach and propped up by his elbow.
"You can get up now, Bubs and get your teeth brushed. You don't have to worry about that Case, I already know you have your teeth brushed," Heath snickers.
Casey gives Heath a frown.
Kyle pulls himself up from the floor and makes his way towards the door and hesitantly sneaks past Heath.
"Don't worry Bubs; I didn't mess with your toothpaste!" Heath calls out as Kyle slips into the bathroom.
Casey humphs, and storms into his bedroom, deliberately bumping into his older brother and knocking his strong muscles.
Heath grabs Casey by the arm.
"Hey, don't be so sour-faced; come and give me a smile baby brother. Oh that's right, I forgot your mouth is numb," Heath laughs and releases his hold on Casey's arm.
"Get in your pyjamas, like a good little boy," Heath instructs; giving Casey's hair a ruffle before leaving to check on Kyle.
Kyle spits out his toothpaste a second time and is about to use the mouthwash when Heath appears at the door. Kyle's heart skips a beat, wondering what Heath was up to now.
"Almost done? I want you to pack away your nerdy study books and get in your pyjamas too," Heath tells Kyle firmly.
Kyle rinses and gives a nod.
Heath moves out of the way to let Kyle out of the bathroom and gives it ten minutes for Kyle to get dressed before he walks back to the boy's room and after knocking briefly, opens the door.
Casey is sitting on top of his bed with his legs crossed and Kyle is busy putting his school books away and tidying his desk.
Heath approaches the desk and slaps Kyle on the back, causing the timid teen to slightly flinch.
Heath grabs the plate that had the Oreos with his other hand and turns to leave.
"Well, I think it's been a fun night babysitting you two, but both of you into bed now," Heath orders, ending with an authoritative tone.
Kyle finishes packing away his books and hops into his bed, not wanting any reason for Heath to hassle him again.
Casey reluctantly gets into his bed, still feeling grumpy and angry about not feeling his mouth.
"Lights out in five; goodnight my little baby brothers," Heath says.
"Wef notth babbeese," Casey grumbles; annoyed at being referred to as a baby.
"Don't let the bed bugs bite," Heath adds and closes the door to Kyle and Casey's room.
Casey rolls his eyes and points towards where Heath was and Kyle smiles.
"I get you; more like Heath bugs. Hey; you okay?" Kyle asks.
Casey shrugs and mumbles, "still numph," and touches his lips and twinkles his fingers to indicate tingling.
"Well I copped a tartare flavoured Oreo. I don't think I'll be eating them again for a while," Kyle explains and shuffles himself into his bed and pulls his covers up.
"Night, Case."
"Nife," Casey mumbles and settles himself into his own bed.
They turn the light off and go to sleep.
Heath puts the plate in the sink and gets himself comfortable on the couch, smirking to himself over his little brother's misfortunes. He makes a mental note to himself to give Kyle a wedgie a little later since he wanted one so bad, but then he would be done with his pranks; his little brothers had learnt their lesson and they had finally been punished enough.