AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you Braxton54 and Bonnie Sveen Fan for reviewing and everyone else following and reading.
It's now Sunday morning, two weeks later and Brax is waiting for both teens to walk into the dining room for their breakfast.
While waiting he cleans away his own breakfast dishes.
Brax is looking out at the mildly warm weather outside the kitchen window when he hears the shuffling of his brothers' feet.
"Morning boys; did you both sleep okay?" Brax greets.
"Morning Brax and yes I slept great," Kyle replies; he is already dressed and ready for the day.
Casey, still wearing his pyjamas, grumbles out a 'morning' before adding how he could do with more sleep.
Brax chuckles, "You always say you could do with more sleep, Case."
Casey groans and Brax continues, "Listen, I want to talk to you both about something so after you both grab some breakfast, we can all sit down for a chat," he explains.
Kyle instantly frowns, feeling a little nervous wondering what it was that he or Casey had done wrong.
Casey on the other hand is more worried about curbing his starving stomach and grabs the box of cereal and pours himself a bowl.
"Did we do something wrong?" Kyle asks.
Brax chuckles.
"No, it's nothing bad, so it's no reason to worry," Brax assures.
Feeling a little relieved, Kyle pours his own bowl of cereal and chops up a banana to add before returning to the table to sit beside Casey.
Kyle and Casey quickly finish their breakfast.
"So, what did you want to talk to us about?" Casey asks, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"Well, remember how I said that you both were to be getting your own rooms? I've decided it would be a good time to start planning some ideas for that," Brax explains.
Both Kyle and Casey's eyes widened with surprise, not expecting this to be what their big brother wanted to tell them.
"Casey you will remain in the room you are in now and Kyle I'll fix up the spare room so that will be your new room," Brax informs.
Kyle eventually smiles, lavishing in the idea of his own room, having space to put more of his books and Lego and most importantly not having to deal with Casey's constant mess.
As much as Kyle did love Casey's company he couldn't help being frustrated at times with Casey's lack of cleanliness in their bedroom.
Casey however frowns at the idea.
"What's wrong with the way we are now?" Casey asks with a slight grumble in his tone, not having taken Brax seriously the first time he told them.
Brax smirks and shakes his head.
"Nothing, but as you boys are maturing you need your own spaces and it's important to have a break from each other once in a while," Brax explains.
Casey folds his arms in a sulk.
"Look Casey: I know you're not fond of being alone, but my decision has been made and you'll see that in time you will learn to enjoy your free space, and you can make the room how you want with furniture, paint and other decor; you too Kyle. However, one condition I have in making the room your own does not mean rubbish and clothes all over the floor," Brax implies, gazing over at Casey.
Casey relaxes and leans back on the table.
"So does that mean I can have blue walls like the waves and put up surfing and video game posters, and have somewhere to hang my surfing accessories?" Casey asks.
"If that's what you want," Brax says with a nod.
Kyle is already off on a daydream planning how his new room would look: the walls would be a pale purple and have his desk near the window, maybe get a bigger bookcase and decorate the room with science and music paraphernalia.
"What are your thoughts on this change, Kyle? You haven't voiced your opinion yet," Brax says, interrupting Kyle's thoughts.
"I think it's great!" Kyle beams a little too enthusiastically, causing Casey to shift in his chair and scowl.
"Not that I don't like sharing with you Case, but if I can have more space to study, read, build Lego, and play my music without you complaining how you don't like it or it crowds your part of the room," Kyle explains softly and rests a comforting hand on top of Casey's.
"Does this mean we will be able to have more friends stay over because we'll have more room?" Casey asks.
"Yes, I'll be upgrading your single beds to a queen bed so you will both have more room, and they will have trundle beds underneath for the situation of friends staying over or if you both wish to stay in each other's rooms on occasion," Brax informs.
"Sounds like an awesome idea," Kyle says and smiles at Casey, trying to cheer up his younger brother.
"Yeah, I guess," Casey replies.
"Now, I do have some set restrictions, that like any rule I expect to be abided by," Brax explains.
"When you are to have girls over, I expect the bedroom door to be open and unlike your friends there will be limited times they can sleepover. Now I know there may be times you both wish to engage in sexual activity and that's okay, however I expect you both to remain safe and respectful and if in any way you or your girl feel uncomfortable, I don't want you going ahead."
Both boy's faces turn red with embarrassment.
"I also want you both to remain open with me about any thoughts of engaging in sexual activity, so I know you are being safe and thinking maturely, as well if you have any concerns," Brax continues.
Both Casey and Kyle shift awkwardly in their seats.
Kyle knew Brax was referring more to him and Ashley after their date they'd had at Angelo's and although hadn't made it official it was still on the cards.
Even though Casey kind of felt left out with Kyle having a girlfriend and thought a girl in his year, Ruby, was hot, he was just as horrified by the idea of sex as much as Kyle.
Sure, he often said to Romeo he'd be up for it, but in reality, it was a tough front; inside the concept scared him.
"That won't be happening. I'd much rather hang out with the guys and play video games than with some girl making out," Casey states in a macho tone, causing Brax to raise his brow sceptically.
"I don't think I'm ready for that either, besides Ashley is only fifteen and we're not even official," Kyle stutters, his cheeks still burning red.
"Whether you feel ready or not or don't think it will happen is not the point. I just want you both to understand my rules over it and know that you are technically both still kids, so I don't want you rushing into anything because of pressures," Brax informs in all seriousness.
"When is this going to happen?" Kyle asks, changing the subject.
"I was thinking we could start on it over the next few weeks but not make a final move until after your School Certificate exams in October," Brax replies.
"So does that mean if I have my own room by October, I can have a big party for my sixteenth in November?" Casey asks hopefully.
"I don't want you trashing your new room with an out-of-control teenage party. If you want a party for your sixteenth, we will arrange it outside," Brax informs.
"When I'm not studying for the School Certificate, can I help fix my room up?" Kyle asks.
"Of course, you can; in fact, I encourage it, however in both your room now and the spare room there are some holes and areas that need patching up from when you boys either had deliberate or accidental incidents," Brax chuckles.
Casey and Kyle shift in their seats and glance at each other, sharing a smile, both realising what Brax is referring to with an incident that happened when they were playing in the spare room as kids and broke a hole in the wall.
"Brax, do you think I could please get a bigger bookcase than my four-foot one now and even a really big desk, like two metres long so I can not only study but have plenty of space to store my Lego and work?" Kyle requests.
"Is that all you ever think about: studying?" Casey states and rolls his eyes then rests his head on his hand.
"That's quite specific, Ky," Brax chuckles, causing Kyle to blush.
"But I'm sure that can be arranged," Brax assures, "Any specifics for you, Case?"
Casey shrugs.
"Just somewhere I can store my surfing things I guess."
"Well leave it with me boys," Brax says and gets up, taking Kyle and Casey's dishes to the sink.
Moments later the front door opens, and Heath walks in.
"Morning all," he greets.
"Morning, Heath," Kyle greets.
"Hey mate," Brax adds.
Casey grunts, his head now on the table, wanting to go back to sleep.
Heath chuckles and ruffles both Kyle and Casey's hair.
"Someone sounds grumpy this morning; got out on the wrong side of the bed, Case? And you Kyle, nice and alert, ready for another day of reading I presume?" Heath jokes.
Kyle fixes his hair, while Casey just groans and moves away.
"I wasn't grumpy until you showed up," Casey replies cheekily.
"Watch the cheek baby brother," Heath warns playfully.
"What were we discussing? I heard talking before I came in," Heath asks as he grabs an apple from the fruit bowl.
Brax rolls his eyes at Heath eating their food again.
"I was saying that I'm going to start converting the spare room into Kyle's new bedroom," Brax explains.
"Ooh, finally your own room, Bubs. You can invite that little chick of yours over for some good times," Heath snickers.
Kyle's cheeks burn even redder from embarrassment and Brax gives Heath an unimpressed glare.
"Can everyone stop saying Ashley is my girlfriend and making fun of me; it's embarrassing. We've only been on one date!" Kyle exclaims in a quiet tone.
"I'm sorry, Bubs; I don't mean anything by it," Heath laughs and runs his hand over Kyle's hair.
"It can't be helped Kyle. It's a big thing, you having a female friend, whether she is classed as a girlfriend or not yet. I mean it's lovely for you to have that after everything with being outcast with school and with you being so shy all the time. This might be a good confidence booster for you," Brax says.
Kyle shifts awkwardly and rolls his eyes; concluding there was no getting away from his two big brother's comments on having a girl interested in him.
"Well sounds like exciting changes ahead anyway," Heath says.
"Yes, and this is the part in which I need your help in moving furniture in both Kyle and Casey's rooms and to help build the desk and cupboard for Kyle's room," Brax informs.
"I didn't expect you to build them, I just wanted something bigger," Kyle pipes up.
"How else do you expect those specifics to be accomplished?" Brax asks, "Besides it will just mean they would be extra special."
Kyle smiles, "Thanks, I'd appreciate that."
"Sounds good big fella; count me in. I'd love to help my little brother's out."
Heath ruffles both Kyle and Casey's hair again.
"Do you have to do that?" Casey grumbles, taking the words right out of Kyle's mouth as the older teen fixes his hair again.
"Yep. I could always do this instead," Heath teases and slightly licks his hand and rubs it on Casey's cheek, causing Casey to sit up in disgust.
"Yuck: Heath!" Casey shrieks.
Kyle flinches fearing he would be next, but nothing comes.
Heath laughs at Casey's reaction and Kyle's startled movements and as much as he promised not to pull pranks or harsh jokes on them, he couldn't resist a little teasing.
"Instead of complaining Casey, why don't you go and get dressed," Brax suggests.
Casey huffs and quickly gets up to leave as Heath begins wandering around happily.
"You're in a cheerful mood today; what's the occasion?" Brax asks.
"Well, I'm glad you asked because I wanted to make an announcement that I'm planning on asking Bianca to move in with me," Heath says with a wide beaming smile on his face.
Kyle stares at Heath in shock, while Brax smiles at his elated brother.
"Congratulations mate; that's great news!" Brax praises.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm happy for you if it makes you happy, but that seems like a big commitment, seeing as you and Bianca haven't been dating that long," Kyle says timidly.
"It's love, Bubs. Bianca and I belong together and taking the next step in living together will prove that. Who knows you might know the feeling of true love soon with that girl of yours," Heath replies, causing Kyle to become embarrassed again.
Heath laughs over Kyle becoming embarrassed again and gives him a mild and quick wet willy, to which Kyle moans and rubs his ear.
"Anyway, I'm going to ask her this coming Saturday night at dinner," Heath informs proudly.
"Make sure you order an aphrodisiac," Casey mumbles cheekily as he walks back into the dining room, having heard the tail end of Heath's news.
"What? I'll give you something far from an aphrodisiac if you don't mind your cheek," Heath teases.
"I was just making a suggestion to help sweeten the deal," Casey defends.
"Well, I don't need your kind of suggestions," Heath replies.
"What's wrong with my suggestions? I have another one: don't forget to take condoms in case the news leads to excitement," Casey jokes and gives Kyle a nudge to follow suit.
Knowing Heath is in a joking mood, Kyle joins in.
"You can borrow some of my small ones," he timidly offers.
Heath scowls.
"You two are cruising for a bruising," Heath teases in a warning tone.
"Boys don't start this again," Brax warns.
"We're not doing anything," Casey defends.
"We're just trying to help," Kyle adds.
Brax raises his brow not believing his brothers' jokes for a second but notices the glisten in Heath's eye.
"Well, in that case why don't I return the favour and help you two," Heath teases.
Kyle and Casey make a dash for it and Heath instantly grabs them both in a tackle and holds them firmly, one under each of his arms.
He manages to mess up both of their hair.
"Aah Heath stop!" Casey yells.
"Cut it out, please," Kyle gasps.
"I will when I'm ready," Heath laughs, "Don't you two ever forget that you Kyle will always be my adorkable little brother and you Case, my bratty baby brother and no matter what, I can always take you down a peg or two if I have to."
"Okay we get it," Kyle gasps, laughing slightly.
Casey manages to pull out of Heath's grasp and quickly retreats behind Brax.
"I'm not saving you Case, you should know not to tease Heath," Brax says.
Heath releases his hold on Kyle but is quick to pick the older teen up and flip him over his shoulder to which Kyle lets out a shriek.
"I'm sorry, please put me down. I just had breakfast," Kyle pleads.
"No, I think I'll keep you this way for a while," Heath chuckles.
Casey is so distracted watching Kyle that he doesn't notice Brax moving away until he is quickly lifted off his feet and upside down over the eldest's shoulder.
"Hey, Brax; no fair! I didn't do anything, put me down!" Casey yells, but Brax just chuckles.
"I think we should all go out and celebrate your big plans as a family," Brax suggests, ignoring Casey's protests.
"That's the best idea yet," Heath replies.
Both older boys laugh and carry the two youngest, still over their shoulders towards the door.
It's not until they make it down the driveway towards Brax's Ute that both Brax and Heath place Kyle and Casey down.
Both teens gasp from the blood rush but then chuckle and smile at each other.
"Okay everyone in," Brax orders.
"So, any idea on where we're going?" Heath asks.
"I was thinking we could make a day of it and go to the Blacktown zone and bowling then have an all you can eat buffet at the Bankstown Star Buffet," Brax suggests.
"Sounds great big fella," Heath states and cheerfully rubs his hands together in eagerness.
"Does that sound good to you both?" Brax asks Kyle and Casey in the back seat.
"Yeah, that sounds awesome!" Casey says, excitedly.
"It'll be nice having a family day together, though it would be nice to go for a walk in the park there too," Kyle adds.
Casey rolls his eyes over Kyle's suggestion.
"Done deal then," Brax replies and begins driving off to the destinations.