AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you Braxton54 and Bonnie Sveen Fan for your continual supportive reviews and thank you everyone still reading, following and favouriting.
This chapter contains swearing and physical punishment.
Kyle finishes up in the shower and brings his milk-stained oodie and pyjamas out to place them into the laundry.
"Just put everything in the bucket of water. I've already got it ready for soaking," Brax calls out.
Kyle does so and then joins Heath and Brax back at the table.
Brax has already remade a fresh plate of food for Kyle and popped it in the microwave.
"I said you didn't have to do that," Kyle grumbles and takes his seat at the table again.
"And I said I want you to eat a decent meal; you're a growing teenager," Brax replies; placing the plate down in front of Kyle.
"Eat up, Bubs; I want to get stuck into Bianca's awesome cake she bought," Heath snickers, slapping Kyle gently on the back.
Kyle speeds up his eating in order to make Heath happy.
"Eat normally Kyle, I don't want you having indigestion; Heath can wait," Brax says, smiling as he notices Kyle scoffing his food down quicker than normal.
After finishing his meal Heath places the cake on the table and gets ready to cut three slices when Casey emerges from the bedroom with his plate.
He'd finished his food shortly after Brax left but did not feel ready to come out and apologise to Kyle.
Realising he can't stay in his room all night, Casey finally makes the effort to face reality.
Brax and Heath glance over at Casey as he enters the room.
Kyle hears Casey enter but refuses to glance in his direction, still annoyed by Casey ruining his oodie.
"Put your plate in the sink," Brax instructs.
Casey slowly makes his way past and gives Heath a wide berth to avoid any torment from him before returning back into the living room to make his way back to the bedroom.
"Uh, Casey: have you not got something to say to Kyle?" Brax prompts.
Casey turns back around and stares at the carpet.
"I'm sorry for throwing milk at you," Casey mumbles, unconvincingly.
Kyle shifts in his seat and says nothing.
Brax couldn't understand how they could go from being apologetic and needy to now cutting the silence and tension between them with a knife.
"Very well; go on back to your room," Brax orders.
Casey looks up and takes sight of the cake and his stomach flips; it looks so tasteful, and Casey reflexively licks his lips.
"This cake looks really good; shame you miss out Snoopy," Heath snickers and cuts a slice.
Casey huffs and heads back to the bedroom, slamming the door and flopping on his bed in a sulk.
"Yum, that cake was delicious!" Heath exclaims and licks his lips in joy.
"Yes, I agree it was quite something," Brax replies and collects the three plates with the spoons from the table, putting them in the sink.
"What did you think, Ky?" Heath asks.
"I really liked it; it's a shame Bianca couldn't have enjoyed it too," Kyle replies then looks towards Brax who is still at the sink cleaning up.
"Did you want a hand?" Kyle offers.
Heath pats Kyle on the back.
"I think you've suffered enough tonight to be let off from dish duty," he implies, glancing towards Brax.
"It's fine; there is only a couple of dishes anyway. Why don't you go back to reading for a bit as I'm not faltering on the early bedtime," Brax replies.
"Okay; thanks Brax," Kyle answers and gets up from the table to sit back on the couch with his book.
Heath gets up from the table and stands beside Brax at the sink, slapping the oldest on the back.
"What do you say: you and I enjoy a beer before I tire off to my place?" Heath snickers.
"Sounds like a very doable idea," Brax replies.
"Haha; knew you couldn't resist that offer big fella," Heath chuckles, "I'll grab the beers if you're just about done."
Brax nods and Heath opens the fridge to grab two beers.
Heath hands one to Brax and cracks open his own as he walks into the lounge room; flopping down next to Kyle on the couch, whilst Brax takes the armchair.
Half an hour passes and during that time, Heath has gotten up for a second beer.
He lets out a burp after gulping his second beer.
"Charming as always," Brax comments, sarcastically and rolls his eyes.
Kyle smirks, not looking up from his book.
"Oi: you better be smirking at what's in your book," Heath chuckles and shoves Kyle on the knee.
"Leave him be, Heath," Brax says.
Heath shrugs.
"I better be going anyway. Going to call Bianca and see how she's getting on in the city. Thanks for dinner and the beers," Heath says and stands up from the couch.
"Have a good night, Bubs and behave yourself," Heath says and ruffles Kyle's hair.
Kyle smiles up at Heath.
"Thanks; goodnight."
"See ya Case!" Heath yells.
Casey hears Heath yell but does not answer; continuing to toss his bouncy ball he often uses to play handball with his friends, into the air.
"Humph; sulking as usual," Heath comments, shrugging his shoulders.
"See you mate," Brax farewells.
Heath waves then leaves; shutting the door behind him and walking into his flat.
Brax gets up and locks the front door.
"It's almost time for you to get to bed, Kyle," Brax instructs.
"I've only got five more pages until the end of this chapter. Can't I please just read them?"
Brax raises his brow and sighs.
"Very well, but as soon as that's done, it's bedtime," Brax adds firmly.
Kyle nods and returns to his reading.
Five minutes later, Kyle puts his bookmark into his book and places it back on the coffee table and gets up.
"I'm going to go to bed now; goodnight," Kyle announces.
Brax nods and follows Kyle towards the bedroom.
"Don't think of this as me making sure Kyle. I want to inform Casey of bedtime and make sure there is no quarrelling," Brax informs.
Kyle enters the bedroom with Brax in tow and Casey glances at the both of them, but continues to toss his bouncy ball, only this time throwing harder in an attempt to hit the ceiling in a way to curb his frustration.
"Casey, will you put that away: it's bedtime and I want you both to go straight to sleep without a fuss," Brax instructs and glances at Casey; still concerned over Casey's hostile behaviour.
Casey tosses his bouncy ball hard again, only this time Brax leans over and catches it mid-air.
"I said enough now," he says calmly but firmly and places the ball on the desk.
"You both need a good sleep, ready for another workday tomorrow, so goodnight," Brax informs.
"Goodnight," Kyle answers as he flaps his sheets back.
Casey silently huffs being reminded about dealing with another day of cleaning with Kyle being allowed the easy job of serving customers.
"Goodnight Casey," Brax prompts, trying to loosen up Casey's sulking mood, understanding that the teen is likely still grumpy from getting yelled at.
"Night," Casey grumbles and slowly sits up in a reluctant movement to go to bed.
Brax nods and leaves, shutting the door.
He makes his way back into the kitchen to grab another beer then sits down on the couch, flicking on the TV to a low volume and settling for a comedic talk show.
Meanwhile back in the bedroom, Kyle is about to hop into bed as Casey glares at him and stands up with a huff.
"Surprised you didn't ask Brax to tuck you in," Casey mumbles.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kyle questions; feeling still irritated by his younger brother.
"Well, it makes sense; being a crybaby and all," Casey sneers.
Kyle scowls at Casey.
"I'm not listening to you, especially after what you did so why don't you just shut up and save your breath?" Kyle argues back, quickly turning his back to Casey again.
"Oh, you'd like that wouldn't you? Favourite nerdy Kylie having all the peace and quiet he likes," Casey snaps.
"You're so immature!" Kyle argues, turning back around to glare at his younger brother.
"Says the one who cries over spilt milk," Casey argues back and gives Kyle a shove in the chest.
"Don't shove me!" Kyle snaps.
"Why what are you going to do: dob on me like the baby you are who needs Brax to fight his battles?" Casey snaps.
"Yeah, maybe; that way maybe you can stop being so annoying!" Kyle yells.
"You're the annoying one: getting off easy at the restaurant and being some freak goodie, but then again it's probably because you're a weak baby!" Casey yells and shoves Kyle again.
"Stop calling me that, Casey!" Kyle shouts.
Brax hears some muffled shouting coming from his brother's bedroom and stands up ready to walk down the hall to investigate.
Casey lunges at Kyle hard and falls down on top of him onto the ground, pinning Kyle's arms down above his head.
"Not so tough now, are you?" Casey teases.
"Get off me, Casey!" Kyle yells and struggles under Casey's hold, kicking his legs out at the youngest.
"No; why should I? This is your fault for getting me in trouble and getting to do better things than me! It's not fair!" Casey yells and lightly punches Kyle in the jaw.
"Ow: I didn't; that's your own stupid fault and I can't help that I'm more polite than you!" Kyle yells and manages to get one of his arms free from Casey's hold and immediately hits out at Casey in defence.
Casey lets his temper get the better of him and he punches Kyle hard in the arm several times, causing Kyle to yell out and attempt to fight back.
Having heard the loud bang and shouts getting louder, Brax rushes towards the bedroom and bursts open the door, to see Kyle struggling to hit Casey and Casey punching out at Kyle.
"Stop it right now!" Brax yells.
Too focused on his emotions, Casey doesn't stop hitting Kyle as the older teen tries to protect himself.
"You know what you are: you're not even a human-being; you're a big fucking loser!" Casey shouts.
Shocked by Casey's continual behaviour and vulgar language, Brax grabs a hold of Casey around the waist and yanks him off of Kyle.
Casey immediately struggles in the restraint; flapping his arms about to try and get loose from the tight grip Brax has around his waist.
"Get the fuck off of me!" Casey yells and fights against his big brother further.
Reeling with anger, Brax loosens his hold just enough to grab Casey's arms and hold them against his body in a vice-like grip.
"Stop it and calm yourself down: right now! And be mindful of who you are talking to!" Brax seethes, giving Casey a firm squeeze in his arms.
Kyle glances up at his brothers, feeling in shock and surprise.
It takes Casey a few seconds to realise what is going on and what he's done as he glances down at Kyle on the floor and relaxes against Brax's hold; realising he is tightly restrained, and it is no use fighting.
"I'm going to release you and you had better not make a move; do you understand me?" Brax warns and jerks Casey in his arms.
Casey breathes heavily and nods; realising his actions now meant he was in very big trouble.
Brax relaxes his hold and Casey stares down at the floor feeling ashamed and scared.
After giving a hard warning glare towards Casey, Brax turns his attention towards Kyle.
"Are you alright Kyle?"
"I guess; I'm just sore," Kyle mumbles as tears well in his eyes as Casey's hurtful words of 'not human' and 'loser' run through his head.
Not fully convinced, Brax huffs.
"What in the world was going on here?" he demands.
Kyle glares up at Casey and not caring if the youngest got in trouble for he is too hurt to care, so answers.
"He started it by calling me a baby and shoving me as soon as you left," Kyle informs.
Casey shifts angrily on his spot.
"He was arguing too," Casey mumbles.
"Is that all you have to say for yourself?" Brax demands.
Casey shrugs in response as he continues to stare at the floor, knowing there is no point in justifying his actions to his big brother, despite his guilt and shame.
He took his frustrations and temper out on Kyle as always and it got out of hand and there was nothing that he could do to stop his big brother from being beyond furious.
"Very well, come with me; we need to have a serious discussion on your atrocious behaviour and language," Brax says harshly and grips Casey's upper arm tight.
"In the meantime, Kyle: get up and tidy yourself up for bed," Brax adds gruffly and drags Casey out of the bedroom.
Casey's stomach does flip flops, as Brax drags him away from the bedroom.
"You've been warned about swearing before; haven't you? And what's more, only a few days ago you were reprimanded about the use of bad language and here you are again, only using words far worse, not to mention daring to swear at me!" Brax scolds.
"What did I warn you I'd do the other day if you swore again; huh?" Brax demands, "Not to mention saying such a hurtful thing to Kyle!"
Brax drags Casey into the bathroom and the young teen panics.
"I didn't mean what I said; it just slipped out," Casey stammers as Brax lets go of Casey's arm, after pushing him to lean against the sink to face him.
Casey watches his big brother closely as he opens up one of the vanity drawers, pulling out a bar of soap.
"Brax, what are you doing?" Casey asks with a quiver in his voice as he becomes more scared.
"What do you think I'm doing? I warned you if you ever swore again, I would wash your mouth out and that's exactly what you are going to get for using such disgraceful profanity!" Brax yells.
Casey withdraws further against the vanity; wondering if he has any hope in making a run for it, but then concludes Brax would easily catch him and he would be in even more trouble.
"I'm really sorry," Casey whimpers.
"Glad to hear it, but I'm not the only one you need to apologise to. Once we are finished here you will apologise to Kyle for not only saying nasty things and swearing at him but for fighting with him as well," Brax says, remaining stern.
Brax rinses the soap under the tap to make it sudsy.
"Open your mouth," Brax orders.
Casey stares up at his big brother with scared eyes and his eyes well with tears as he refuses to comply.
"Casey, do not make this harder than it has to be. Now open your mouth," Brax repeats sternly.
"Please. I'm so sorry," Casey mumbles; barely opening his lips.
Brax moves the soap towards Casey's mouth and the youngest whimpers.
"Apologising alone is not going to get you out of your punishment, now open," Brax warns.
A few tears slip from Casey's eyes as he reluctantly opens his mouth barely.
Brax pushes the bar of soap far enough that it won't fall out.
"Bite down and hold that in your mouth for two minutes: one for swearing at Kyle and one for swearing at me," Brax instructs.
Casey shifts uncomfortably as he tastes the horrible soft soap coating his teeth and his mouth.
Brax keeps a close eye on his watch to monitor the two minutes.
To Casey it is the longest two minutes of his life and feels like forever.
Trying to ignore the taste becomes harder as tears fall from Casey's eyes at a faster rate.
"I am very disappointed in you. You know how much I hate swearing and do not tolerate it," Brax reprimands sternly.
Casey hangs his head and whimpers, shaking his head in discomfort as the taste is becoming unbearable now.
Brax checks his watch and sees that the time is up.
Brax takes the soap out and puts it in the sink.
Casey coughs and gags as the taste lingers in his mouth.
"Don't you ever, ever speak to me that way again, let alone anyone in this family!" Brax scolds and points firmly at Casey.
Casey nods as tears fall down his face.
"Can I brush my teeth to get the taste out?" he asks quietly as he reaches for his toothbrush, just wanting the horrible taste gone.
Brax stops him and grabs his hand.
"No, you may not. You can have one quick rinse of water but that is all. I want you to remember how it feels to have a soap taste in your mouth to make sure you think twice about swearing again; whether it slips out or not," Brax replies sternly.
Casey whimpers but takes the small cup of water Brax offers and swirls it around his mouth as much as possible before he spits into the sink but soon realises it makes no difference in the taste inside his mouth; in fact, it even feels like it made it sudsier.
Casey sulks feeling utterly miserable.
Brax folds his arms over his chest and glares at his teen brother.
"Now let's have a talk. Tell me Casey: how do you think Kyle feels after what you said to him, huh? Would you like something like that said to you?" Brax demands.
Casey shakes his head and stares at the ground.
"You know I expect verbal answers when I'm speaking to you; so, do you?" Brax raises his voice again.
"No," Casey mumbles.
"And what about attacking him like that; especially after I gave you a warning because of your behaviour at dinner? Is that fair?"
"No Brax," Casey mumbles again.
"No, it's not and I shouldn't have to supervise you all the time Casey in the off chance you decide to offend or attack a member of this family! I understand sibling rivalry and you have trouble controlling your temper, but you will not say hurtful things or attack Kyle because you are having a bad day!" Brax yells.
"It wasn't because I was having a bad day," Casey mumbles.
"I beg your pardon. I don't care what the reason was; we stick together as a family; you know that!" Brax scolds.
Casey nods his head and continues to cry.
"What else did I warn you just days ago if I caught you swearing, and I think given your behaviour tonight you've been asking for it?" Brax demands.
Casey doesn't answer and reflexively moves close to the vanity again and places his hands behind him to protect himself.
Brax immediately grabs Casey's left arm and pulls him away from the vanity and pushes his remaining arm out of the way before landing a quick, firm smack to each side of his backside that he feels clearly through his pyjamas.
Casey yelps and cries harder as he not only feels miserable and guilty, but the two smacks now left an unpleasant sting, that although would disappear in less than ten minutes would leave the young teen feeling mighty sorry for himself for the rest of the night.
Brax grabs Casey's chin; tears falling freely onto his hand as he forces Casey's gaze.
"Count yourself very lucky I decided to be lenient with you! If you ever repeat such behaviour like this again or use unacceptable language, I won't hesitate in doing as I originally promised; am I clear?" Brax yells.
Casey nods silently as he sobs, and Brax immediately pulls him in for a tight hug; scratching his head for comfort.
"I'm so sorry," Casey mumbles into Brax's chest.
"Calm down: it's alright. As long as you understand the consequences for your actions and understand I don't muck around when it comes to bad language and situations that hurt someone in the family. I don't raise you to behave that way Casey, or to be so disrespectful," Brax responds and Casey nods against Brax's chest, agreeing with his big brother, and feeling guilty for what he did to Kyle.
"I don't mean to," Casey sobs.
"Sometimes we don't mean to do things, but it doesn't stop the hurt those things cause people; does it?" Brax asks calmly.
Casey shakes his head.
"I love you and I'm sorry for everything," Casey mumbles.
"I love you too, kiddo, and enough apologising to me; save that for Kyle," Brax replies.
Brax comforts Casey for a few more minutes, then pulls him away from him.
"It's time you get to bed," Brax instructs, resting his hands over the sides of Casey's face and gently wiping a few tears with his fingers.
He then grabs Casey by the arm, pulling him back towards his bedroom.