AUTHOR'S NOTE: Many thanks to Braxton54 and Bonnie Sveen Fan for your continual amazing reviews. Thank you everyone continuing to read along as well.
Heath wakes up at eight and gets dressed in his gym uniform ready for his shift that starts at ten.
He doesn't hear movement outside his bedroom and upon opening his bedroom door he sees Kyle still fast asleep on the couch.
Heath remains quiet as he walks into the kitchen to make himself some toast and a cup of coffee.
Heath watches as Kyle turns over and he takes sight of Kyle's monkey and instantly becomes enraged again, deciding he needed to have a word with Casey before he went to work.
After finishing his breakfast, Heath approaches Kyle; hating having to wake him up when he was peacefully sleeping, but knew Kyle wasn't one to like sleeping in any way.
Heath gently gives Kyle a nudge awake.
"Hey, Ky: wake up kiddo," Heath prompts.
Kyle stirs and opens his eyes and Heath smiles down at him.
"Looks like you had a good sleep," Heath says, giving Kyle's shoulder a squeeze before standing back up.
Kyle groans and stretches in his bed as Heath decides to make his way next door.
Heath barges into the house and sees Casey making his way into the living room with a basket of fresh clean laundry, ready for folding.
Brax has assigned Casey his chores to do before he is to go into work with him as Brax didn't need to start until eleven that morning, so is currently having a shower.
"Just the brother I want to see," Heath snickers.
Casey furrows his brow, feeling confused.
"Put that down and come here," Heath orders.
"Why?" Casey mutters quietly.
"Just do it!" Heath huffs and raises his voice.
Casey puts down the basket of washing and shuffles a few feet towards Heath; never taking his eyes off the older one.
Growing impatient, Heath storms forward and stands close to Casey; towering over him.
"I heard about your little bullying and blackmailing incident you did to Kyle and how you spoke horribly to him," Heath warns, taking Casey by surprise.
Heath suddenly grabs a firm grip on the neck of Casey's shirt, pulling the teen up close and lifting him into his toes.
"Let me go!" Casey protests, but his protests fall on deaf ears as Heath glares at him.
"No: you're going to listen to me good!" Heath yells, "What is the matter with you? Why in the world would you do such a deceitful thing to Kyle?"
Realising he isn't going to get away from Heath's strong grip, Casey begins to feel nervous from Heath's angry expression.
"I...I...don't know; I was...wasn't thinking. I...I didn't mean..." Casey stutters.
Heath huffs and grips Casey's shirt tighter; interrupting Casey's explanation.
"Don't give me that! You did it because you're a right selfish brat, Casey! How would you like it if your secret or something important to you was threatened to be told or put on display?" Heath shouts.
Casey stares down not answering, already feeling the guilt build up again and with the intimidation and upsetting words by his brother on top of that.
"You wouldn't like it would you?" Heath snaps and gives Casey a jerk.
Casey shakes his head in response, though this is not satisfactory for Heath when after all he is there to teach Casey respect.
"Well?" he prompts.
"No," Casey mumbles.
"What's more, does Kyle ever shove and bully you around?" Heath demands.
"Kyle can't shove anyone around he's too gutless and doesn't have a heart for it, besides I'm taller and stronger," Casey blurts out, without trying to sound mean, just telling the honest truth.
Heath glares down at Casey and tightens his fist on Casey's shirt, pulling him up further on his feet.
"What did you say? A simple no would have sufficed! And you know why Kyle won't do that?"
"I said..."
"What you said sounded like an insult..."
"It wasn't!" Casey tries to defend, nervously.
"You're going to be sixteen later this year and you should be old enough to know when you're told no, it means no or you're going to find yourself in far more trouble when you get out in the real world, or get a girl; heaven forbid you get in criminal trouble from sexual assault from ignoring someone's decision to say no!" Heath says firmly.
"I do and that's completely different! I'd never force anybody like a girl into sex or anything. You're blowing this out of proportion Heath; it was just for a prank," Casey argues, feeling shocked by Heath's statement.
"Uh-ah, you don't get to argue with me, right now, and I don't think I'm blowing anything out of proportion, Case, because this is important and it's not different!" Heath warns, cutting off Casey's protests.
"You know what your actions of ignoring Kyle when he tells you: no, and pushing him against his will, tell me? They tell me that: you, baby brother, need a lesson in learning respect. You seem to forget you are the youngest in this family and that means you will never have any authority or say so in this family, because no-one owes you respect baby brother!" Heath yells and pokes Casey in the chest, making him feel inferior with his comment.
Casey's eyes start to well and Heath releases his grip on Casey's shirt and grips his upper arms instead.
"Kyle is not just your brother; he's your big brother and if you don't start showing him the same respect you are meant to show Brax and myself, then you baby brother, are going to be in for a very uncomfortable lesson. Do you understand me?" Heath warns.
"Yes, Heath," Casey chokes and lets a few tears fall.
"In fact, you are very lucky Kyle begged me not to give you the good wedgie I had planned for you after how you behaved towards him leading up to the fight and the fight itself, because you can guarantee it would have been one that would have left you crying and needing a new pair of underwear. Then after that to also find out about you being so unbelievably cruel and disrespectful to him. I had full intention of giving you a spanking, despite you already apparently being given one, but you baby brother damn well deserve another one from me for hurting Kyle so despicably!"
Casey scrunches his eyes, letting a few more tears fall as he hangs his head, feeling more ashamed and guiltier than he ever had in his life as well as a little scared of what his older brother was going to do, he didn't want to feel the pain of either.
Heath grabs Casey's chin and pulls his head up to look at him and Heath feels some of the teen's tears on his hand.
"However you are so lucky to not be getting that either, not because I decided against it, because believe me baby brother I'm more than tempted to give you what you deserve for what you've done. It was because, again Kyle begged me not to and seeing as I respect Kyle when he says no, be thankful you are getting let off. So you better have listened good to what I've said," Heath informs.
Casey nods and Heath gently slaps Casey's cheek.
"Good, because I promise you if I hear you treating Kyle like that again, you'll get exactly as I intended, and with the wedgie I'll do it every day until I feel you've learned how to respect him and don't think Brax or anyone else will stop me from giving you what you deserve. Think on that baby brother," Heath says menacingly and releases his hold on Casey.
Heath angrily shakes his head.
"I mean it, Case: don't do it again!" Heath yells and gives Casey a firm clip on the back of the head.
"Ow!" Casey whimpers and starts to really cry, holding his sore spot on his head and feeling miserably.
Heath glares momentarily then storms out, slamming the door.
Casey remains standing in the living room; feeling upset over his confrontation with Heath as Brax makes his way out of the bathroom and glances around, expecting to see Heath as he'd heard the muffled voice of his brother.
"Where's Heath? I thought I heard his voice and yelling?" Brax asks.
Casey doesn't answer, just remains with his back to Brax as he chokes back a sob and discreetly tries to scrub at his eyes.
"Case, what's the matter?" Brax asks.
"Nothing," Casey grumbles.
Unconvinced, Brax prompts again.
"Did something happen?" Casey shakes his head and replies back with the same 'nothing', before storming off towards his bedroom, leaving Brax even more confused.
"Casey!" Brax calls and follows Casey into the bedroom; watching as Casey flops down on his bed in a sulk.
"What happened?" Brax prompts.
"Get out and leave me alone!" Casey snaps and turns away to avoid Brax's gaze so he wouldn't be seen crying.
Brax puts his hands on his hips and stands in front of Casey.
"Don't speak to me like that. I'm not leaving here until you tell me what happened," Brax says in a gentle tone.
"It's nothing, okay, so just drop it," Casey says; his voice cracking.
"It doesn't sound like nothing. Come on Champ: talk to me," Brax encourages and gently rests his hand on Casey's shoulder.
Casey shudders and wipes the back of his hand over his eyes.
"I said sorry and that I didn't mean it," Casey mumbles.
"How do you mean, you're not making sense. What are you sorry for?" Brax asks and takes a seat on Casey's bed.
Casey doesn't answer and remains lying on his side.
"Sit up and tell me what you mean. What does this have to do with Heath being here?" Brax asks softly, giving Casey's arm a gentle shake.
Casey scoots himself up to sit on the bed and stares at the floor and Brax could see Casey has been crying.
"I know what I did was stupid and bad, but it's not fair to be told off when you already gave me a hard time about it," Casey confesses.
"What did Heath do or say to you, Casey?" Brax demands.
Casey wipes his eyes with his hand again.
Brax grabs Casey's chin and turns his head to face him.
"Hey, it's okay; I won't be mad at you if you tell me what happened," Brax comforts.
Casey sighs. "He yelled at me for how I treated Kyle and said I needed to learn respect and my place in the family, saying I'll never have any say because I'm the youngest and he called me a selfish brat and it's true; I am," Casey explains sadly.
Brax shakes his head and huffs.
"You are in no way a selfish brat; you hear me? You just make some wrong choices," Brax assures.
Casey sniffs and wipes his eyes.
Brax rubs Casey's shoulder comfortingly.
"Did Heath do anything else?" Brax asks.
Casey thinks about explaining how Heath threatened him but decides against it, feeling too guilty.
"Just the yelling and he hit me over the head before he left," Casey mumbles.
Brax huffs, "Why does he have to stick his nose into everything? I'm going to have a talk with him and straighten this out!"
Brax stands up from the bed.
"But he's right," Casey admits.
"He may be right about you needing to be respectful but that does not give him a reason to be harsh with you when I had already dealt with the situation. Listen: why don't you stay in here for a while and calm down, then go and finish your chores before we go into work," Brax explains.
"I want to apologise to Kyle," Casey says.
"I know you do kiddo, but we can do that after work today. Just relax for now and I'll be back after I have a word to Heath," Brax replies and gives Casey's shoulder a squeeze, however Casey reaches over for a hug, to which Brax reciprocates; comforting the youngest.
"I'll be back soon," Brax tells after a minute, allowing Casey to pull away and wipe his eyes.
Brax smiles then leaves, while Casey watches his big brother.
Kyle alerts as Heath storms back into the flat.
He is folding up his blanket and quilt and looks towards his older brother who appears angry and frazzled.
"Are you alright? Where did you go?" Kyle asks.
"I went next door to have a word with our baby brother," Heath replies in a short tone.
Kyle tosses down his quilt and blanket and approaches Heath.
"Heath: I didn't want you doing that! Please tell me you didn't hurt him like you said," Kyle panics, feeling slightly concerned for his little brother.
"Relax; he only got a little clip on the head and a very stern talking to," Heath replies.
Kyle scowls at Heath, not impressed.
"Don't look at me like that, Bubs. Casey needed to know treating you the way he did would not be tolerated," Heath explains.
Kyle sighs then startles when the door to the flat bursts open, revealing their angry big brother.
Brax immediately storms up to Heath.
"Where's the fire?" Heath jokes.
Brax ignores him and gives him a hard shove, causing Heath to stumble backwards into the sink.
"Calm down, big fella; sheesh," Heath exclaims.
"Don't tell me to calm down, Heath; you're an idiot! Did you deliberately yell at Casey and reprimand him over what he did to Kyle?" Brax demands.
Heath shrugs.
"The kid needs to learn," Heath explains.
"And he is! He's already been punished and lectured for his actions and he doesn't need a reminder from you!" Brax yells.
Kyle watches as Brax tells Heath off.
"Clearly he did."
"Shut up; and what's this about telling him he has no say in anything?"
"I never said it like that. I meant he had to be respectful and I pulled him up on it; reminded him of his place. You can't say he hasn't needed that lately," Heath informs.
Brax shakes his head.
"That may be so, but the point is: you don't go like a bull at a gate and have a go at him without consulting me first, that way him being reprimanded for the same thing doesn't happen again!" Brax shouts.
"Are you done having a go at me for standing up for Kyle?" Heath snaps.
"This isn't about that," Brax grumbles.
The two eldest see Kyle shift awkwardly in his spot.
He is feeling overwhelmed over them fighting because of him and what happened with him and Casey.
Brax softens as he turns to face Kyle.
"Hey, Ky; are you okay?"
"Yeah, but please stop fighting," Kyle requests.
Brax glares at Heath.
"Just leave Casey alone," he tells him sternly.
"Have a good day, Kyle; I'll see you later," Brax says gruffly and storms out of the flat; slamming the door.
Heath waves Kyle over and wraps his arm around him when Kyle approaches.
"I wish you didn't go and yell at Casey, now Brax is mad and you are fighting," Kyle mumbles.
"Forget it, Bubs. I wouldn't have changed what I did and I stand by my reasoning: Casey needed to be pulled into line. This has nothing to do with you so I don't want you worrying," Heath says and hugs Kyle.
"But it is about me," Kyle mumbles.
After a brief moment of Heath hugging Kyle, he pulls away.
"Why don't you get yourself some breakfast?" Heath says, smiling.
Kyle smiles in return and grabs some bread to put in the toaster.
After he finishes breakfast, Kyle grabs a fresh towel and goes for a shower.
Heath grabs the juice container from the fridge and takes a gulp from the bottle, still feeling annoyed at being scolded by Brax over his decision to confront Casey.
Heath is about to take a second gulp when his phone rings.
He places the container on the counter and answers; all frustrations fading when he hears the voice of his girlfriend.
"Hi Babe," Heath greets, "As much as I want to spend every minute with you, tonight might be a bit difficult. You see Kyle's hanging at my place for a few days, so I'll have to get back to you, Babe. I don't want to make him feel unwelcome. Love you, Bee."
Heath smiles as he speaks with Bianca, but he concludes Kyle has to come first.
Heath places his phone down on the counter as Kyle emerges from the bathroom.
"Good shower, little bro?" Kyle nods.
"Who were you talking to?" Kyle asks, having eyed Heath placing his phone down and having heard his muffled voice from the bathroom.
"Just Bianca," Heath replies.
"Oh, how is she?" Kyle asks.
"Good. She wanted to come over tonight but I told her I'd have to think about it because I didn't want to put you out with her being here," Heath replies.
"Don't let me being here stop you from hanging out with Bianca," Kyle says, watching Heath's face light up.
"You mean you are okay with her coming over tonight?" Heath clarifies.
"Sure, it'll be nice, besides it's your flat so it's your decision."
Heath smiles, "Just making sure, and it doesn't mean I'll ignore you; you know that right?"
"Yeah; would you like me to cook something? I mean I was just going to read today whilst you went to work," Kyle offers.
"That sounds wonderful, Ky. How about making...you know what? Anything you make is nice," Heath answers, second guessing his request.
"I'll let Bianca know we're on," Heath adds, smiling and picks up his phone to text Bianca: 'Come over at six.'
Heath glances at his watch and sees it's almost time for him to head off to work.
"You sure you're going to be okay here today by yourself? I'll be back just after three," Heath informs.
Kyle nods, "I'll just organise something for dinner, though there isn't anything in your cupboards for anything special."
"Point taken; here is fifty bucks that should cover any ingredients you need. You okay to get across town and back?" Heath asks as he hands Kyle a fifty dollar note from his wallet.
"Yeah I think so."
"Shoot, I better get going. I'll see you this afternoon!" Heath announces.
"Have a good day at work," Kyle says as Heath grabs his Ute keys and heads out the door.
Kyle sighs as he notices the open juice container on the counter, knowing Heath's bad habits too well.
Kyle recaps the juice and puts it back in the fridge.
Just after twelve, Kyle heads into town to buy the groceries for dinner, whilst walking down the aisles he spots Zeke and Damien in the potato chip aisle laughing.
Not wanting to be dealing with any confrontation, Kyle hurries to gather the rest of his items and rushes to the checkout.
When he arrives back at the flat, Kyle puts the groceries away and then sits down on the couch to read for a while.
When the time reaches two o'clock, Kyle puts his book down and makes a start on preparing the dinner and dessert, first working to prepare the vegetables for steaming: beans, cauliflower, carrot, and broccoli, then moving on to cutting the mushrooms and chicken that would be going in his Carbonara sauce.
Once all the dinner ingredients are ready, Kyle begins working on the dessert and just places it in the oven as Heath walks through the door.
"Hey, Bubs; wow it smells good in here!" Heath announces and goes to take a peek at the dinner pots on the stove.
"What are you making here?"
"Chicken and mushroom Carbonara with steamed vegetables," Kyle says, "And I'm also baking a lemon meringue pie."
"My you have been a busy boy. Given all this, how much of my fifty dollars is left?" Heath jokes.
Kyle looks away awkwardly.
"I'm sorry, I spent most of it. There is a couple of dollars left on the counter," Kyle explains quietly.
Heath locates the money and slips it into his shorts pocket.
"I just really wanted to make a nice meal and dessert for tonight," Kyle justifies.
"Relax; I'm only joking. Hey: it looks cleaner in here," Heath states, pulling Kyle in for a comforting side hug.
"Ye...ah, I vacuumed the flat too. I figured you deserved it after letting me stay, and I kind of felt it needed doing," Kyle says timidly.
"You saying: I have a messy flat?" Heath asks rhetorically while laughing.
"No...I..." Kyle starts.
"Well, I'm thankful and I'm sure Bianca will be impressed by the cleanliness and wonderful dinner," Heath states with praise.
Kyle smiles and Heath gives him a gentle squeezing hug.
"I'm going to hop in the shower. I'll leave you to it, Bubs," Heath says and kisses the top of Kyle's head before rushing off to the bathroom.
Kyle takes the pie out of the oven and rests it on the bench. He quickly washes up before Heath starts in the shower then rests back on the couch reading some more of his book.