"Please stop it Heath!" Casey begs as Heath pulls his head out.
Heath pauses for a moment causing Casey to think he's going to think about it but then Heath speaks.
"Na, not yet," he laughs, as he shoves his brother's head back into the toilet and once again flushes.
This goes on for another five minutes with Heath giving his brother some breaks so he can catch his breath.
Eventually Heath decides Casey's had enough and he lets him go.
Casey coughs loudly and shakes his wet hair, feeling utterly disgusted.
"Unless you want your head shoved down a toilet everyday you will keep your mouth shut; got it? And I should hope your little extended wedgie taught you good enough," Heath hisses in Casey's ear.
Casey pauses momentarily then nods his head.
"Good!"
Heath pulls Casey up by his underwear, causing the wedgie to intensify.
Casey shrieks from the pain and his eyes start to well up again; letting out a few tears.
"Heath, p...p...p...please," Casey begs.
Heath ignores Casey's pleas and pulls him along roughly, leading Casey to the main area of the flat where Casey sees Kyle dunked head first into the laundry basket filled with Heath's dirty washing.
His mouth drops, but he still winces as Heath keeps a firm hold on his underwear.
Heath lets go and walks over to his other little brother and pulls him out.
His eyes are filled with tears, also feeling full of disgust.
"Okay nerdy nerd. I can see you hated that; which I one hundred percent expected, so here's the deal: if you tell Brax that I did this to you then you'll get it all the time, sometimes I may even throw you head first into the bin," Heath growls at his little brother.
"Now do we have an understanding?" he adds.
His brother replies by viciously nodding his head.
"Good! Now you can both fix yourselves up from the wedgies I gave you and let that be a lesson to the both of you: I don't mess around!" Heath grins as he picks up the laundry basket and tips all the socks and boxers out.
"Whoops my bad. Pick them up again," he orders, following it up with a laugh.
"Casey: go do the dishes while Kyle re-cleans my laundry."
Heath continues to make Kyle and Casey do meaningless jobs for the rest of the afternoon, keeping an evil eye on them both as he relaxes on the couch relieved.
Kyle glances over at the clock on the kitchen cupboard and it reads four forty-five; not long until Brax was meant to return home and come to his and Casey's rescue.
Casey peers out the window as he hears Brax's Ute drive up the driveway and sighs with relief.
He tosses down his cloth he is using to polish Heath's leather shoes; the ones that Heath hardly ever wore and goes to rush out the door but Heath jumps up and stops him; placing his arm across the frame of the door.
"Where do you think you're going, Snoopy?"
"Brax is home and besides we've done everything for you already as your daily slaves," Casey replies with a somewhat bitter tone.
After all he'd had enough, he was exhausted, he was becoming cold from his wet shirt and hair post the swirly and he was just plain over doing housework.
Kyle glances up from wiping down the kitchen sink and stares in shock; wondering why Casey had just said that to Heath: the same Heath that had spent the day torturing them with disgusting and horrible jobs as punishment.
"What did you say?" Heath growls and grips Casey by the neck of his shirt.
"You heard. You treated us like your own personal slaves, cleaning up your pig-sty filth! I'm surprised the council doesn't come around here asking which way to the tip, because surely they could confuse this place as one! It's a wonder Bianca even wants to go with someone as foul and polluted as you!" Casey bravely sasses; allowing his frustration to take control; he is fed up.
Inside Casey knew he shouldn't have said what he did but he couldn't stop the words from blurting out.
Kyle's eyes go wide as he mentally urges his baby brother to shut up. That was one thing Casey needed to learn was to shut his mouth when it mattered.
Heath moves his hand around behind Casey's neck and grips him tight by the scruff.
"Don't you ever, ever, disrespect me like that again Casey! I am bigger, older and in charge, and you little brother are, as Brax says: a little kid! And you need to know your place!" Heath warns.
Casey scowls and tries to pull away.
"Maybe you need another lesson with the toilet huh, or maybe another wedgie?"
"No Heath please; I'm sorry I said those things, okay? I'm still wet from before and still sore!" Casey protests, as Heath grabs on his shirt again and is dragging him towards the direction of the bathroom.
"No? Well what about we see what nasty tasting things we have in my fridge for you to eat to teach you not to disrespect me with that smart-mouth of yours!" Heath shouts and pulls Casey towards the kitchen.
"Maybe some of those nice gherkins you love," Heath teases.
"I hate gherkins Heath!" Casey begs.
"Or what about some heaped spoons of mustard, or a good squirt of super spicy hot sauce on your tongue to burn away those rude remarks?" Heath threatens.
"No Heath, please. I'm sorry. I won't speak to you like that again," Casey begs and tries to pull away but Heath being far more muscular keeps a tight hold on the young struggling teen.
Kyle watches on, sympathising for his little brother and unsure of where his confidence came from, Kyle makes an attempt to stick up for Casey.
"Heath, he said he was sorry; just stop, please."
Heath glares over at Kyle and grips his shirt with his free hand.
"You want to challenge who's in charge again too Kyle? That can easily be arranged. Maybe you didn't learn well enough?"
"No Heath, I did," Kyle whimpers.
Heath releases Kyle and returns to dealing with Casey.
Heath firmly shakes his head.
"I can't believe the two of you: making me punish you both; the same way in one day!" Heath exclaims.
Casey gives a quick glance over at Kyle, curious to know what Heath meant.
Just as Heath reaches for the fridge handle, there is a knock at the door from Brax.
"Heath, it's me; why is the door locked?" Brax shouts through the door.
Heath releases Casey and pats down his shirt.
"Saved by the big bro," he whispers and gives Casey a playful slap on the cheek, but enough to make Casey wince.
"Remember what I said you two: no squealing."
Heath rushes over to unlock the door.
"You shouldn't have said those things to Heath; it was out of line," Kyle whispers, with a hint of rebuke.
"He deserved it for being such a jerk about a little prank," Casey grumbles.
"What's the idea of locking the door mate?" Brax asks and walks into the flat.
"Hi kiddos; how was the day?"
"Hi Brax," Kyle and Casey greet, after approaching the door.
Brax eyes his youngest brothers.
"Casey why is your hair and shirt all damp and Kyle you reek. What have you boys been up to?" Brax asks.
Heath slaps them both on the back.
"Both got into the hard work and paid off their dues to me for their little troublesome behaviour from last night. As for this one..."
Heath stops to ruffle Casey's wet hair.
"Tripped over the bucket of water while cleaning the toilet and got himself soaked when the bucket flipped over onto his head and Kyle here; tripped over my clothes on the floor and unfortunately copped the brunt of my soiled attire," Heath explains; ruffling Kyle's hair as well.
"Bunch of clumsy brothers we have here," Heath jokes.
"It wouldn't of course have anything to do with your mess lying around now?" Brax hints.
"Nup; don't know what you're on about," Heath smirks.
Brax sighs and scrunches his nose.
"Well, I think you both require a good shower; you first Kyle: get rid of that stink, then Casey you can go next, but both of you make sure you are cleaned up before dinner. I brought home a beef and vegetable lasagna and will put it in the oven," Brax instructs and gestures behind him with a finger point for Kyle and Casey to go home.
Kyle and Casey were quick to leave.
"I hope you brought lots of that lasagna big fella, because I am starving," Heath announces and claps his hands together.
Brax rolls his eyes.
"Heath, when are you ever going to eat dinner at your own place?"
Heath shrugs.
"Why would I? It's more fun eating at yours. I mean free food and all," Heath laughs.
"Of course it is," Brax groans.
"Look, I hope you didn't work the boys too hard today Heath. You know they are only teens and can tolerate so much; they look exhausted."
"They're fine Brax; don't worry, as you've said: a little hard work never done any harm."
"Yes, well I wish you'd do a bit more and get yourself a few more shifts at the gym, so you could help out with all this food you think is free," Brax comments and walks back over to his place, with Heath following behind.
The two teens spend a good hour and a half between them getting themselves cleaned up.
Kyle scrubs his whole face and body; even the insides of his nostrils, ten times over in the shower, trying to cleanse away any lasting effect of Heath's dirty laundry and the smell that was etched inside his nose from the moment he was dealt the unpleasant punishment.
Once Kyle finishes in the bathroom, Casey hops into the shower immediately after, also being thankful for the warm water now working on his cold body.
While in the shower, Casey brushes his teeth five times to eliminate the taste of the toilet water and gargles with mouthwash.
Once both Kyle and Casey come into the kitchen, they smell the pleasant aroma of the lasagna heating in the oven.
Kyle is grateful to have some other smell filling his nose rather than the stench of his older brother's clothes.
It is only a small aroma as the reminder of Heath's scent would be in his nose for days, no matter how many times he washes his nose.
"About time boys!" Heath cheers.
Kyle and Casey both sit down at the table, next to each other; Kyle sitting to the right of Casey and closest to Heath, who is already tapping his knife and fork on the table desperate for his food.
Brax pulls the lasagna out of the oven and divides it up into four plates and dishes them out on the table.
Heath instantly tucks in, while Kyle and Casey slowly pick at theirs.
"Are you both alright? You have both been quiet since I came home? Is there something wrong with the dinner?" Brax asks Kyle and Casey and gazes in their direction.
"No Brax, it's great. I guess I'm just not hungry," Kyle replies.
"Casey: what about you?" Brax adds.
Casey stares up at his big brother; desperate to inform him of what went on without his presence, but he catches a glimpse of Heath out of the corner of his eye and pushes the thought from his mind.
"I'm just tired from today, so I guess I don't feel like eating," Casey mumbles; truth be told he still had the thought of toilet water in his mouth.
Brax raises his brow.
"Yes...I heard Heath kept you boys busy. Well if you're not going to eat, clear your plates and head to bed to rest."
"If they won't eat their dinner I will!" Heath announces and reaches over stabbing both pieces of lasagna from both Kyle and Casey's plate.
Kyle and Casey get up from the table and place their now empty dishes in the sink and head off to their room.
"Goodnight kiddos; get a good rest!" Brax calls out and shakes his head at Heath.
"You are unbelievable Heath; you must have a bottomless pit for a stomach."
Heath shrugs and shoves a forkful of food in his mouth.
Meanwhile in the bedroom an hour passes and Kyle and Casey both sit quietly, not uttering a word to one another as they sulk, feeling broken and exhausted from the day's events.
Once Kyle had finally gotten into his shower he'd had time to think and process how this was all because of Casey's idea to get back at Heath and humiliate him with Bianca, but in the end it was him who was just as humiliated.
Kyle glances over at Casey and huffs, before he stands and climbs into his bed.
"I'm going to bed. Maybe tomorrow I won't have to deal with another day like today," Kyle says; a little more harshly than he expects, but it reflects on what he feels inside.
Casey glances up and frowns at his brother's rough tone and also feeling miserable gets on the defense.
"It's not my fault!"
"Didn't say it was," Kyle spits.
Casey huffs and also climbs into his bed, wanting to forget the day.
"You implied it. At least you only had to deal with being face down in Heath's smelly undies and socks!"
"Have you ever tasted toilet water Kyle? I must have washed my mouth and brushed my teeth five times just to get the taste out," Casey complains; feeling certain he was dealt the worst out of the two.
Kyle glares at Casey.
"Yes I have Casey; year seven, during senior muck up day; the year twelve's dunked me so many times, I thought I'd drown; they wouldn't even let me up for air. You weren't there because you were being duck taped to the football posts; not to mention I'm the one that has trouble in PE with being bullied," Kyle answers.
"You didn't have to bring that up. I could have fought them off if I wanted, but I just didn't want," Casey argues in a childish tone.
Kyle sighs and rolls his eyes.
"My point is, swirlies aren't that bad, not compared to Heath's dirty underwear and socks that's far worse than a swirly!" Kyle states; brushing off Casey's childish complaint.
"It was disgusting, and it was too bad!" Casey whines with a hard scowl on his face.
Kyle huffs.
"Heath made sure you had a clean toilet before he dunked you, so it was just water; stop being so immature!" Kyle grumbles.
"I'm not being immature!" Casey yells.
"You got dunked in clean water. I got a face full of his diarrhoea stained boxers!" Kyle snaps.
"Well, sucks to be you," Casey mumbles rudely; he still believes he is worse off.
"You got a swirly, it's not the end of the world, so stop making it out like it is. You're just bitter because you were made to do housework and you hate that because you're lazy!" Kyle snaps in annoyance.
"Yeah, well you're a geek and you're meant to get your head shoved into toilets; I'm not!" Casey snaps back, and rolls over, facing the wall.
"Well thanks a lot Casey; some supportive brother you are. You are so full of yourself!" Kyle sneers and copies his brother, rolling over and facing the opposite direction.
"You just think because you're smarter than me you are better than me!" Casey turns back around and argues at Kyle's back.
"Get real, Casey! I don't think that!"
"Could have fooled me," Casey retorts.
Kyle heaves heavily and spins around again to glare at Casey who is already staring intensely at his brother, so much so that, if daggers could fly out of his eyes and stab Kyle in the back they would.
"You are a fool! Now shut up, I'm trying to sleep!" Kyle yells and angrily slumps back around in his bed.
"Fine: I don't want to interrupt your precious beauty sleep and damage your perfect complexion, but then again: maybe Heath's laundry would have done you some good, and maybe you'll get a pimple like every other teenager, and finally be normal for once!"
Kyle shakes his head and rolls his eyes, not willing to bite from Casey's immature comment. When Casey doesn't hear Kyle fight back, he huffs and attempts to fall asleep.
The next morning Kyle is already awake and still in a sour mood from his fight with Casey the night before when he made his way into the kitchen for breakfast.
"Morning Ky."
"Morning," Kyle grumbles and pops some toast in the toaster.
"Is Case up yet?" Brax asks.
"Nope and I really don't care," Kyle grumbles again.
Brax furrows his brow and approaches the disgruntled older teen, making a grab for his arm.
"Kyle?"
"What?" Kyle spins around and yells.
"Oi: you watch who you're talking to, Kyle," Brax scolds and firmly points his finger at the teen.
Kyle sets his gaze onto the top of the cupboard.
"Sorry Brax; I didn't mean to," Kyle replies in a dejected tone.
Brax rests his hand on Kyle's back.
"When you've made your breakfast, we are going to sit down and have a chat," Brax says softly.
Kyle nods and takes his toast out of the toaster and proceeds to butter it with vegemite.
Brax watches his younger brother closely, trying to decipher what could be bothering Kyle: another exam? Anxiety over bullies?
Brax makes himself a coffee and is about to sit down next to Kyle when Casey trudges into the kitchen with his hair all disheveled.
"Morning Case," Brax greets.
Casey responds with a grunt and grabs himself a bowl and pours in some cereal.
Kyle and Casey glare at each other as Casey takes a seat at the table.
"Alright, what's the matter with you two?" Brax asks.
"Nothing," Casey grumbles.
Brax sighs and continues to observe his teenage brothers. The tension and silence between the two could literally be cut with a knife and Brax had seen enough.
"That's it! I want to know what happened and I want to know now!" Brax demands and eyes both his brothers.
Casey keeps his head in his cereal bowl, while Kyle slows his toast munching.
"Kyle you were short with me and Casey, I got nothing but grumbles from you," Brax clarifies.
Kyle sighs; he hadn't stopped thinking about his harsh words from last night.
"We had a fight last night," Kyle explains quietly.
"You two rarely fight; what brought this on?"
Kyle and Casey refuse to answer.
"Kyle; Casey: now," Brax sternly glances between the two teens.
Kyle sighs again and begins to feel guiltier.
"We were both frustrated from having to help out Heath all day yesterday," Kyle explains.
"Yeah, okay, but you both knew that was part of your punishment, so why did you have to fight with each other?"
Brax sits down at the table with his coffee and gives his full attention to Kyle and Casey.
"Boys, we will sit here until this is sorted and you know how long I can wait, so I better get some answers and some apologies between you two," Brax states firmly.
"Kyle accused me and said it was my fault. Said I was lazy and immature and just sulky because I had to help do housework," Casey mumbles.
Brax eyes Kyle sternly.
"Kyle, you know that wasn't nice to say those things and it was just as much your fault for going along with the prank as it was Casey's for being the initiator," Brax informs.
"I know," Kyle sighs and shifts nervously in his seat.
Brax turns his attention onto Casey.
"Casey, did you say anything nasty to Kyle during the fight?"
Casey avoids Brax's gaze and stares at the remnants of floating cereal in milk in his bowl.
"I said he was a geek and that because he was smarter than me he thought he was better and made a remark about his complexion and I guess I might have just been mean," Casey mutters.
Brax sighs, "Well it sounds like you are both at fault. Casey you shouldn't have been mean to Kyle and said those things about his personality and Kyle, I know you are only older than Casey by a few months but he is your little brother and name calling and blaming is not acceptable."
Kyle nods in understanding and swallows his lump of guilt inside him; he was so horrible to Casey.
Casey gently shifts his head in agreement but is too guilty to look up at his brother.
Kyle gets up and being the more responsible teen, walks over to Casey.
"I'm really sorry for everything I said. It was mean and you don't deserve it," Kyle apologises and hugs Casey.
"I'm sorry Muscles," Kyle continues.
Casey instantly hugs Kyle back.
"I'm sorry too, for how I acted and what I said; you don't act like you are better than me, you're a great brother, Einstein."
Brax smiles at his brothers and their use of their childhood nicknames for each other.
After a few minutes of hugging the teens pull apart, but Kyle still remains with his hands on Casey's shoulders in a semi-hug.
"We all good now, boys?" Brax asks.
Kyle and Casey smile.
"Yeah we're good," Kyle replies.
Casey just nods in response.
"I'm glad that's settled then," Brax states and stands up, tossing his coffee cup in the sink and walking past both his brothers and rubbing both of their hair affectionately.
"Why don't you two go and spend the day at the beach or something?" Brax suggests.
"Aren't we kind of grounded?" Casey asks.
Brax shakes his head.
"I only said no electronics, so go and enjoy yourselves," Brax smiles.
"Thanks Brax."
"Yeah thanks," Kyle adds.
Casey makes a move and Kyle is quick to follow and the two teens say goodbye to Brax and make their way outside for the short walk to the beach, with their arms around each other's shoulders.