Stab in the Back
Potential TWs: abuse, manipulation, violence, father/son incest
Pleasant light filled Lucian's room as he roused with a smile playing on his lips. The bed seemed so much softer on that day, he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Except he could - the day before was an absolute victory. Everything turned out to be more or less ideal for him now. Jolting awake with newfound vigor, he opened up his laptop again. The recording was still there. He could hear and see it all - the sex, the conversations, the moaning. He wanted to boast about it.
> Lucian: Guess what Pete. I got it. I did what I told you I would
He debated on sending him the actual video file too, but it was probably unnecessary. Not like his brother deserved it anyways - he had not believed him before. Peter had never believed him, actually. But Lucian proved him wrong. He proved everyone wrong. A notification sound came from his phone.
> Peter: Great. Now what? Who are u sending it to?
Lucian rolled his eyes for a bit before responding.
> Lucian: Bro, relax. I'll find someone to send it to eventually. It's not like there's a time limit to this. Hell maybe I'll collect more evidence and send it all in bulk
> Peter: U just refuse to admit u don't know what to do now
Now Lucian was actually getting angry. Did his brothers have to try and ruin his joy at every moment? It was like they coordinated to make sure he could not stay happy for too long.
> Lucian: Fuck you too. You're just jealous because I have something on him and you don't. You never had and you never will because you lack the balls to do so Pete. You're a pussy
> Peter: If u actually had something on him u would have sent it already. U don't. U just got an absolutely demented idea into ur head and u refuse to let it go
> Lucian: Yeah? At least I'm not demented enough to piss myself at twenty
> Peter: Fuck off
Yeah, that was a low blow. So what? He could fuck right off alongside everyone else. Lucian did it! He did it alone! Without anyone ever believing in him! Everyone else could just fucking fuck the fuck off! And to prove it? He sent a few pictures of the notebook to Peter. Just to show off.
> Lucian: See? I have more than just his sex tape with me. I have him by the balls in a lot of ways
There was a long pause after this message. Peter must have felt really stupid after seeing all of that evidence. Lucian was just about to exit his room, having changed into some bright clothing - as bright as his mood - when his phone chimed up again.
> Peter: How did u get this?
Ha! Suddenly interested, was he now? Who could blame him? It was a heaven-sent find.
> Lucian: Found it in Bruno's room. No doubt it's a diary of sorts. I have more pics but I bet you don't want to see them because they're demented right? Like my whole plan?
> Peter: No Lucian. I mean how did u get to this information? How did u find it in Bruno's room?
> Lucian: The bastard left it on the desk after rushing out to spend time with our beloved baby brother. Dick isn't as careful as he thinks he is
> Peter: Lucian I don't have a good feeling about this. U sure u don't want to come live with me? I know we argue and fight a lot but I'm worried for u
> Lucian: The fuck? Come live with you after unearthing this gold mine? Fat chance bro. I'm not pussying out now
> Peter: I'm serious. Get out of there. Things are going a bit too well for u
What the fuck was that supposed to mean? Oh, so now when Lucian actually reaped the fruits of his effort, it was suspicious? It was worrisome? Truly, what wonderful support he had.
> Lucian: You know what? Fuck off. FUCK OFF. YOU'RE SUCH A BITCH ASS BROTHER. YOU NEVER TAKE MY SIDE. IT'S ALWAYS DANIEL'S. AND NOW YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO UNDERMINE EVERYTHING I DO. MAYBE IF I ACTUALLY HAD A BROTHER WHO BELIEVED IN ME FOR A SINGLE SECOND WE COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING AGAINST BRUNO A LONG TIME AGO. BUT NO. YOU'RE JUST A COWARDLY PUSSY WHO WETS THE BED AND IS GOING TO CROAK FROM SLAVING AWAY AT A RANDOM BOTTOM-FEEDER JOB. YOU'RE GOING TO DIE PISS-POOR IN A HOUSE DANIEL'S DADDY BOUGHT YOU. SUCH A CUNT. I hope your girlfriend finds someone with more backbone. I feel sorry for her being stuck with a wimpy ass loser like you. Good riddance
And block...
Everything was okay. Lucian could live without Peter. Tears stung at the edges of his eyes as he tried to pull them back in - an effort which proved to be futile. His hand had already been on the handle, but he let it fall. Bonelessly, it hung limp at his side. He hiccuped a bit, sniffled too. Now the tears were flowing freely.
His shaking form sat back on the bed. He was trembling. From the crying? From the anger? He didn't know. But he also didn't care. Peter could get bent. What did he need him for anyways? Ever since he moved out, it just wasn't the same. His eyebrows furrowed as fury filled him up again. Why the fuck was he even tearing up? For that pathetic loser? No. Enough. Sadness was not appropriate - he should have been overjoyed!
Wiping away the salty droplets from his face, he gave himself a slap - quick, hard, rough, but rousing. Hopefully this would wake him up properly. Lips curling upwards into a smile, he strode out of his room, checking if anyone was in sight.
The kitchen door was open, so no mealtime. The shower wasn't running. The doors to his 'family's' rooms were closed. The living room was also empty. He walked downstairs, concluding that Bruno was most likely at work and Daniel was probably out being a golden boy somewhere.
Didn't matter. This was actually good when he thought about it properly. Despite his silent triumph, he didn't really know what to do next. He had to plan. And he could do so in the shower. Entering his bathroom, he brushed his teeth with a greater pressure than usual. The toothbrush clattered into the cup after he was done.
Ice cold water sprayed onto his exposed skin as he stood under the shower head. This should have helped cool him down, both literally and figuratively. But it didn't. He was still bothered. Oh well, so he was a bit emotional. Nothing new. He could - or rather, he had to - work with this.
And his head was empty when it came to schemes. But maybe he didn't really need those. His impromptu act from yesterday had worked wonders. And look where it got him! Into Bruno's bed. If all it took was a few slimy lies and a batting of eyelashes, this would be easy sailing.
Yeah. He just had to have confidence in himself. He got this far on his own and he would get even further. Stepping out of the shower, all freshened up, he put on the clothes from before and went into his room to grab some ramen packets. He was in the mood and since nobody was at home, he could finally use the kitchen.
Thought maybe Bruno would allow him to use it nonetheless... Maybe not now, but definitely soon. He could feel the cracks in that man. He was getting to him. Finishing his food, he put the bowl into the dishwasher and slammed it shut. It was time to enjoy the house all by himself.
Just like a few days ago, he put his feet up onto the table in the living room and turned on the TV. Fuck, maybe he'd inherit this house if Bruno actually got to like him. Wouldn't be half bad. Though he would probably have to share it with Daniel. Ugh, he'd rather not. Even if Daniel's dad was out of the picture, that little shit would probably stay just as annoying.
Speaking of him, where was he even? There was not a peep of him around the house. No notes or memos either. Maybe he had fallen into a hole somewhere out in the backyard and couldn't get out? Honestly, too good to be true. Yet this entire situation seemed like Deja Vu.
An absent Daniel, Lucian sitting on the couch watching TV, Bruno at work, kitchen used by Lucian on the same day. The only real difference was that this time around, Lucian had not used anything from Bruno's sacred fridge... And of course - the fact that Bruno was apparently warming up to him.
Just as he finished that thought, he heard laughter from outside. Judging by the voices, it was a group of men, all seemingly middle-aged or older. And among them was Bruno's. Fuck, had he really been watching TV for that long? Oh well, it didn't matter. It was high time to continue his act.
---
The door opened, Bruno entering first. While Lucian hadn't recognized the voices before, seeing the faces come in after him made everything clear. It was his 'friends' - his servants, really.
"Danny! I'm home! We have guests!" Bruno's voice echoed through the house.
Yet no response came.
With a quizzically raised eyebrow, Bruno repeated his shout. Still nothing. He turned around to face Lucian, puzzled. Thankfully, Lucian had already put down his feet from the table, or things wouldn't have been pretty.
"Where's my boy?" he asked with an accusatory edge.
"I wouldn't know. Wasn't here when I woke up. No message or anything either." Lucian shrugged.
"And you couldn't have called him to check if he was okay? What if he's in trouble somewhere?" Bruno got angrier.
"He's an adult! I'm sure he knows what he's doing. I'm not his babysitter." Lucian said in his defense.
A silent stare and then a grumble. Bruno stomped up the stairs. He turned around for a brief moment.
"Make yourselves at home. I'll be right back." he said, continuing on his way afterwards.
The three men left behind with Lucian in the living room/entrance hall were shuffling around a bit awkwardly, closing the door behind themselves. The sorry lot were probably lost without their leader, so they weren't really sure how to act around Lucian. Frank spoke up first.
"So, kiddo. How's it going? Is, uh... college? Is college going well for you?" he said tentatively.
Frank Peterson. A police officer and a father of two. He had apparently been 'best buds' with Bruno ever since college. The saddest part of his existence was the fact that he looked like a bootleg ripoff of Bruno. His brown hair was receding way back; his green eyes were a lot duller and sadder than Bruno's; his posture was slightly slumped and his muscles not as well defined. The worst of it all? He prided himself on their similarity. He even tried to dress similar. Lucian remembered him always buying the clothes Bruno bought. Going to the same barber as Bruno did. Everything.
Pathetically enough, Daniel still had him beat in the boot-licking competition. And as much as he hated to admit it - Daniel was not nearly as sycophantic as Frank. That man would most likely literally lick Bruno's ass clean just to appease him. Thank him for it afterwards too. Fucking hell, how Lucian hated this brown-nosing loser.
"Don't call him kiddo! He's a proper adult now. Aren't you, Peter?" said Richard.
Richard Samson. Fireman and a hopeless romantic. The amount of times he had come over to cry on Bruno's shoulder was pitiful. He always got together with a random ass woman, and then wailed when she dumped him. What a surprise - the man who was never home couldn't keep a relationship afloat. It was clear what the women saw in him - he was tall, blonde, muscular, clean-shaven and had pearly white teeth. An ideal gigolo type.
Too bad he was dumb as bricks. Lucian had seen that man fail at basic multiplication. He could barely remember his own name, probably. It wasn't hard to see why he liked Bruno so much - being around the brute meant he'd always get orders! That way he wouldn't have to use that pea-sized brain of his.
"That's Lucian, not Peter..." Bob corrected his friend.
Bob Johnson. The visual representation of a loser. Fucking hell, Peter looked healthier than this guy. His hair was long and greasier than a fast-food grill. His breath stunk and his eyes could barely see without those thick-rimmed glasses of his. To top it all off, his spine was more of a spiral than a wave, showing clearly on his emaciated body.
Yet he not only looked worse than Peter, but was more of a pussy as well. Lucian had seen Bob piss his pants from thunder. He cowered behind Bruno's back whenever he got loud at someone. He almost never spoke unless directly spoken to. Being a computer engineer, he probably didn't even leave his house most days.
Lucian's eyes hovered over all of the three men in front of him. He took in the sight of the pathetic lot which he hated so much. He wanted to spit at their feet for even existing in his presence, but he controlled himself. Honestly, his opinion of them was probably soured mainly due to their worship of their boss.
Before any of the men had the chance to say anything more, Bruno was stomping down the stairs again.
"Bad news, you'll have to be here without me for a bit. Danny's taking a walk, so I'll go bring him back. Want you to see him, after all. Brat, you take care of our guests. If you need the restroom, it's right here". he pointed to Lucian's bathroom.
"But that's-" Lucian wanted to protest.
"That's the guest bathroom, correct. Now, I'm off."
Bruno dismissed all of them as he walked into the garage, seemingly in a rush. The slam of doors was all that remained after he left the house - his jeep revving in the background.
The men just stood around, like children abandoned at a daycare, unsure of what to do. They looked at each other, shrugging and eventually settled on the couch around Lucian.
"He's a stand-up guy, isn't he?" Frank said.
Lucian wanted to pop a vein at that comment, but swallowed down his ire instead. He turned around to face him and smiled.
"Oh, for sure. A real Nobel Peace Prize winner that one." he said sarcastically.
"Heh, piss prize." snorted Richard.
Bob fidgeted nearby, seemingly more jumpy and awkward than usual. Probably from the lack of his protector.
"But Frank is right, Pe- sorry, Lucian. He takes care of you even though you aren't his? Gives you the roof over your head? More than my own pops ever did. Hell, he even pays for your tuition. I was lucky to even finish middle school with my grades." Richard continues, nodding sagely.
"Exactly. Honestly, I wish I could be half as good of a father figure as Bruno. He even keeps you on the right path! If only I could say the same about my influence on my kids. Those two bundles of joy don't listen to me at all. But when Bruno comes for a visit? One stern look from him and they're on their best behavior. Honestly, if only I knew his secret..." Frank said wishfully.
Lucian was trying his best to breathe through his anger. It's as if every sentence was engineered to make him mad. He decided to walk away from the sickening atmosphere.
"Would you like something to drink? We have some beer somewhere, but also soda, some mineral water, you name it." he said standing up and walking over to the kitchen.
"Oh, bring me some water!" said Frank.
"I'll have a beer." continued Richard.
"Just a coke for me, please." finished Bob.
Forced into a waiter role by both himself and Bruno, Lucian quickly gathered the drinks requested. He didn't go back though. Oh no, he enjoyed his sweet time alone. Why had Daniel gone out today of all days? If he had been there, Lucian could've easily been up and away, hidden in his own room. Far away from the mind-numbing company.
A knock came onto the kitchen door, before a meek voice sounded from the other side.
"Is everything alright? You've been in there for a while." Bob's voice asked.
"Yeah! Just had a bit of trouble finding the drinks. Coming!" Lucian amped up the cheeriness of his voice.
Pushing the door aside after opening it, he brought the bottles over to the table. Like vultures, the men grabbed at their respective beverage, not even thanking him for it. Of course they didn't. But Bob was still acting weird. His jumpiness intensified by the minute.
"Yo, you okay?" Lucian asked him in a hushed whisper, in case he didn't want the others to hear.
Questioning only seemed to make things worse as his face paled and his shivers intensified.
"I'm gonna go to the bathroom." Bob announced suddenly, sprinting away.
The door slammed shut after him, leaving Bruno's other two minions a bit startled. With a shrug or two, they brushed it off and simply went back to talking. But Lucian wasn't satisfied with having no answers. He wanted to know just what was going on.
Not wanting to seem suspicious, he made sure to subtly hover around the door - going in and out of the kitchen a lot, stretching his legs for a bit, leaning against the wall. Minutes passed by and Bob was still gone.
"Wanna go for a smoke?" Richard said to Frank.
A nod. Both of them were off. Good, now Lucian didn't have to pretend not to be sleuthing. Maybe Bob was just having stomach issues, but that didn't seem right... His intuition was telling him to investigate - so he did.
Pressing his ear to the bathroom door, he tried to listen for any indication as to what Bob might be doing. He could hear labored breathing from the other side, some groans too. Quieter, but still loud enough to be perceived. He knocked.
"Everything alright in there?"
"YEAH! Everything is perfectly fine - SHIT. Sorry, just having... some indigestion." stuttered Bob.
A loud clattering of something, porcelain clinging, topped off with a loud 'FUCK'. Yeah, no. Lucian wasn't buying it. He opened the door.
Bob had his pants pooled around his ankles. His underwear was shifted down just enough to reveal the top of his crack and his dick, its average length fully grasped in his hand. The toilet was filled with toilet paper and nestled in it, just out of the reach of the water, was a phone - presumably the computer nerd's. And on the display, clear as day, was a photo of Lucian. He remembered taking it - it was from a month ago, during a trip with some of his friends. But more importantly, the puzzle pieces clicked together as his face contorted in disgust.
"I can explain! I can explain, I swear!" Bob yelped out as he turned around.
Lucian recoiled a bit, covering his eyes with his hands, but stayed. He really wanted to know what the fuck was going on here. Well, not really 'what' - that was quite obvious - more like 'why'.
"Then go ahead, explain."
"Uh, well, you see... Oh, I can't do this anymore. I just think you're hot, okay? I couldn't take it. Being so close to you today..." he exhaled creepily.
Most people would find it weird that Bruno's friend was trying to get together with Lucian. After all, he had to know him from his childhood. Except he didn't. Lucian remembered damned well that Bruno had been too busy to have friends over pre-divorce and after he got enough time for visits - it was already Daniel's golden time. Hell, Lucian and Bob had interacted a total of what, four times? So no, to him he was like a total stranger. Someone Lucian had always observed, but never really acknowledged.
"So you decided to wank off in the bathroom? What kind of logic is that?" Lucian asked, truly surprised.
"Well, uh, I- what else was I supposed to do then?" Bob sweated, his eyes moving from corner to corner.
"I don't know, not jerk off? What do you mean? Were you really that pent-up you couldn't wait until you got home today?" Lucian didn't even sound angry, just truly flabbergasted.
"I almost busted into my pants when you were sitting next to me, so yes." Bob said, wringing at the ends of his shirt.
What was the appropriate reaction here, even? Anger? Revulsion? Fear? Lust? More importantly, what was Lucian supposed to do? Just ignore it and pretend he had never seen anything? Or... or he could use this.
As weird as the situation was, it was another opportune moment he could turn into more ammunition. If he could wrap good old Bobby around his finger, he could maybe get some dirt on Bruno. Then he could rub it into Peter's face later... if he would ever speak with him again.
Why was he even thinking of that bottom-feeder? That loser could keel over for all he cared, he had better things to do. Like actually try and turn his situation around properly, not run away to bum fuck nowhere.
Lucian clicked the door shut behind him as he moved closer to Bob, putting on the same seductive act as for Bruno.
"You know... you don't just have to jerk off. You could have the real deal..." Lucian bit his lip.
Bob gasped at air for a bit, as if trying to find the right words but failing over and over again. Cute and pathetic at the same time. His dick got harder again too. Really eager.
"But... the others! And I don't have a condom or lube or-" Bob started stuttering.
Lucian simply pressed him against the wall, locking him in between his arms. He gave him a kiss to the neck and could hear the groaning come from above. Such an easy to please man.
"Just leave it to me. Don't worry about those things. You know you want this, right?" Lucian purred.
He turned around and grabbed the sink with one hand. His second hand joined soon after, but not before shifting his pants down alongside his underwear. His ass was now fully aired.
"C'mon, tiger. Come get it." he wiggled it a bit.
It's as if a switch got triggered in Bob's brain. So hesitant before, yet now he was practically pushing himself into the asshole presented to him already. Lucian's hips were grabbed as his back entrance got penetrated in one go. The lack of foreplay ran in friend groups, Lucian could see.
Thankfully, Bob was a lot easier to manage than that battering ram of Bruno's. His technique was also... well, non-existent. Almost like it was his first time. Maybe it really was. Not that Lucian gave much of a fuck. He could feel the pistoning come from behind, making sure to time his groans and moans with the thrusts.
He tried imagining his ex-hookup again. Oh, his beautiful face, those fingers, that skilled movement, oh... Nope, he couldn't do it. Bob was just way too bad at whatever he was doing back there. So Lucian simply braced himself and continued to fake his own enjoyment, staring off at a random spot on the tiled wall.
Luckily for him, Bob was not a person who lasted long. With a loud shout, he immediately started panting as Lucian felt his insides fill up. Ugh, he'd have to clean those out before he tried to do something with Bruno. What a pain.
"Bobby, everything alright?" said Richard, who burst into the bathroom.
Seeing the scene before him, his eyes simply widened, mouth grasping at words just like Bob's did. Honestly, while Lucian was putting out for Bruno's entourage, he could as well continue.
"Everything's peachy over here. I was just showing Bob over here a good time, wanna join?" he offered, completely unabashed.
This did not make the words come out of Richard any more, but his crotch was bulging somewhat suspiciously. Lucian smiled. How easy they were to manipulate. Truly animals that could only think with their nether regions.
"But... I can't... I shouldn't... Bruno wouldn't be happy if he found out... And I'm not really one for casual sex..." Richard started excusing himself similarly to Bob before.
"Oh, please. He'll never know. I won't tell him, will you? And I know how long you must have been suffering without a girlfriend. Some nice pussy to fuck, right? Just use me. I promise I'm just as good. Come on, just one time." Lucian tried to seduce.
And it seemed to work. Not letting himself be asked for too long, Richard positioned himself behind the young man. A flash of hesitation crossed his face, but was soon shrugged off.
"Just... just once." he whispered, seemingly to himself.
Bob watched from the side - cock still dangling freely in the air - as Richard entered Lucian this time around. He was a bit longer and thicker than Bob, but not by much. His technique was a lot better though. Who would've guessed - the more experienced man had more experience. Maybe Lucian could get off this time. But just as he was getting into the fantasy, Richard was already panting and busting. That was quick... a bit embarrassingly quick.
With a loud plop, the appendage was removed from him, as the results of their little tryst spilled onto the floor. Lucian sighed. He'd have to clean that up later. Just like himself. To truly confirm Murphy's law, a throat was cleared from the bathroom entrance. Richard forgot to close the door. Of course he did, that shit for brains.
"And what is this, if I dare ask?" asked Frank.
Great. Another one from the bunch. It's almost as if they had coordinated this. Lucian sighed, thinking of how to get out of this situation now. Oh well, he'd just have to seduce him too. But Frank was married, fuck.
"We just-" Richard started answering.
"I want in." Frank said, unzipping his pants immediately.
Well, that was... easy. Lucian couldn't help but smile. Of course Bruno was friends with a cheater - true scum flocking around scum. Without even asking, Frank positioned himself behind Lucian, giving him only one questioning look - the replacement for the obvious question.
"Yeah, you can go at it. But won't your wife mind?" Lucian asked as he took his position again.
"What she won't know won't hurt her." Frank said, bottoming out afterwards.
He was definitely the loudest out of the three, yet also the smallest. He couldn't shut up - moaning, whimpering, growling. And not even in the sexy way. It was like listening to a dying cat. Lucian just had to accept he wasn't going to get off with these three. He'd have to jerk off later. Or maybe he could ask Bruno for a nice handjob. Would that man oblige under the correct circumstances? Questions upon questions.
Frank was spewing a lot of cringey and corny one-liners, like he was the star of a vintage porno. Most of them went in one ear and out the other. Lucian couldn't be bothered to interact with such tasteless fucking and dirty talk. How were they all so much worse than Bruno? Bruno, the cruel and rough brute, the anathema of romance and intimacy. An embarrassment, every single one of them.
Frank's release joined the others inside of Lucian as the final dick was pulled out of him. Finally. The position was getting tiring - his legs beginning to cramp up. He straightened his back and pulled up his pants. The other men were also going back to their original apparel again.
Their expressions told Lucian everything he needed to know: Bob's face was distant, yet oddly euphoric. He was most likely still happy over losing his, alleged, virginity. Richard, on the other hand, looked deeply uncomfortable. That man was looking into the ground, a mix of shame and repulsion visible to anyone who cared to look. Frank? Just a satisfied smile. Like he had done this before. Probably did, that cheating bastard. Oh well, not his business how all of them were dealing with it.
He was about to address the situation - strike up a deal or ask for some information - when the door to the garage clicked open. The speed at which the men scrambled out of the door was record-worthy. In less than three seconds they were out in the living room again, shutting the door to the bathroom firmly. Lucian stood there, stunned. He was a bit angry, but more than that, he was impressed. They wanted to suck Bruno's figurative dick so bad, they had no shame or limits at all.
---
Earlier the same day...
Daniel was walking on the uneven pavement, his head low, eyes fixed on the ground. Yeah, he was out for long at this point. He didn't particularly care. Not that he wanted to be home either way. His entire situation reminded him of when he was younger. When all he had wanted was to run away and not look back. To cut all contact and go live in some other place, with a different family - one that did not have problems like his. But no, he had opted to stay. To fight for his most beloved people with all that he knew - kindness. He couldn't have abandoned his brothers. And what if he could have turned dad back to how he had been before? And in a way, he did... but exclusively in regards to Daniel.
It frustrated him to no end. Yes, his life at home was a lot easier than it was for his brothers. But... but what if he deserved it? His thinking had gone through a lot of changes and developments over the past days, and yet he remained as confused as ever. On one had, he wanted to feel entitled to dad and reap the fruits of his intense effort. The hours he spent enduring the pain, holding back the tears just to not upset father. The meticulous changes he did to his schedule every single time, just to match dad's new work times. After putting in all this energy and initiative, maybe he did deserve being the preferred son. Maybe dad was right in liking him... but that reasoning felt flawed.
First of all, it was never his brothers' faults that made dad stop liking them. And, after all, the only reason why father even liked Daniel was because of their shared blood. He couldn't dare make claims with a flimsy backing like that. And, secondly, there was the whole Lucian thing. If he did confront Bruno and asked him to cut relations with his brother... what if Lucian got hurt in the process? He had already gone through enough, Daniel didn't want to pile on more... And yet, the alternative was also unthinkable.
If he were to ignore what was happening - to let Lucian do what he wanted... he would feel miserable. It was a feeling of... unfairness. Like if Daniel was being scammed and lied to. Like if there was something deeply unjust about the entire situation. Like if Daniel was growing more and more... jealous. Yes, he had to confront that feeling inside of him - jealousy. Scathing, venomous and omnipresent. The pit in his stomach whenever he heard the two of them go at it, mixed with the nausea whenever he imagined them together...
So what was he supposed to do? On one hand, he felt extremely bad for Lucian and wanted to help him in any way he could, but on the other hand he wanted Bruno for himself, especially after how - frankly put - horrid Lucian had been since he had arrived. Which path was the correct one? Which route to choose? What branch to follow?
This confusion and indecisiveness lead to one ultimate feeling to overshadow them all - anxiety. Daniel feared what the future held for him. Before? It was easy. He had had a bit of a read on both his father and brothers, so he had known what to expect. He had known what to plan for and what to worry about. But this? This was completely unprecedented. More than that - nonsensical. Why did the two of them fornicate? Did Lucian pull some strings? Did Bruno abuse him into it? Was it mutual or one-sided? He didn't know. He couldn't read Lucian anymore to tell if he had ever lied about something he said. And he didn't have the balls to ask his dad...
But his dad did still love him... he had to. Otherwise, he wouldn't have called to check in on where Daniel was. Dad cared... That was precisely the reason why the youngest son would walk back. He would come back to be there - face whatever would await him. But... it was hard. New tears started flowing on his already moist cheeks. The red pathways on his skin renewed by salty warmth.
Maybe this was all too much. Unsettling possibilities and outcomes flooded his mind... He could always ask Peter to prepare a bed for him. Crash there for a few days... or forever. Depending on how long it would take for the affair to peter out.
Just as he was in the depths of his wallowing and ruminating, a car horn blared into his ears from afar. That was dad's jeep.
Quickly Daniel wiped the remaining droplets from his cheeks, taking his water bottle and splashing some liquid on his face - both to reduce any swelling and to excuse the wetness. Would that even be enough? He attached it back to his hip, the wrapper of his eaten lunch sounding from the neighboring pocket. The jeep came close and opened its window.
"Danny! Finally found you. Come now, hop on. We're going home. The gang wants to see you!" dad said cheerfully as he gestured to the other side.
With only a grin as a response, Daniel quickly walked over to the passenger's side, getting into the car and trying to lay low as much as he could.
"You know, they are really excited to see you, champ. Been talking about you nonstop. We can't let them down, can we now?" he laughed.
"Yeah, I guess we can't. I'm excited to see them too." Daniel said, fibbing a bit.
While he didn't mind them per se, they were a strange bunch. Not necessarily in a bad way... well, maybe except for Frank. Bob had always been a bit cowardly, while Richard was more on the simpler side. Frank, meanwhile, was a notorious liar. But they had always treated him well. Probably because of Bruno, if he really thought about it.
"I'm glad to hear that. But before we get back, tell me one thing. Okay, sport? Whose neck do I need to snap?" Bruno said calmly.
"Huh?"
Daniel was taken aback by that question. What did dad mean? He could only watch as the houses passed by the car window, his mouth trying to formulate a response - unsuccessfully.
"You know what I mean, Danny. Don't try to play dumb with me. I can see the tear stains on your cheeks and the little red puffs around your eyes. And don't even get me started on how sad your tone is. I can tell, you know? Your dad's an observant man. Now, tell me, whom do I need to pay a visit to?" dad's cadence remained even.
"It's nothing, dad... I just got a bit sad, you know? It happens. Nothing you need to worry about." Daniel tried to dismiss it.
"Don't give me the cold shoulder here, son. This isn't nothing. Is it about what we talked on the range? That person you're afraid of losing? Well, if you want my advice, get rid of them. You deserve only the best. Whatever they provided for you, I can too. You need a listening ear? I can be that. You need someone to help or advise you? I can be that too. Money? Hobbies? Hanging out? I can help with all of that. So please, don't worry about it too much." father said in his warm voice again.
What a joke. Here his dad was trying to replace a theoretical person, when all along it was him whom Daniel was afraid of losing. It was all so ironic. Yes, Daniel was well aware his dad could provide all of those things listed... but when would be the end of that? When would he hop onto the Lucian train and start prioritizing him instead? Why did dad not tell him anything about the sex? Why did his own father and his brother have secrets he wasn't in on. What if they planned this for a long time now... what if Bruno was just pretending to be close to Daniel to then pull the rug from under him? And then the two of them would laugh as Daniel would be left all alone and abandoned. Was he getting too paranoid?
"I'll be fine, dad. Don't worry about it, please. Just drop it." Daniel struggled out of himself.
"Drop it? Danny, you're hurting real bad. It's been a while since I've seen you this hurt. I can't just let it go. What kind of dad would I be?" Bruno said.
What kind of dad? The dad who FUCKED his son's half-brother!? The dad who sneaked behind everyone's back to POUND some mediocre ass!? Who pretended everything is fine while his DICK was secretly getting wet under the same roof!? THIS DAD! Daniel was livid like he hadn't been in a long time.
"JUST DROP IT." he practically sobbed out with a piercing shrill.
He looked away, not wanting to let his tears show again. Was dad angry? Was he sad? Hurt? Daniel didn't know. He didn't hear the man respond and was too scared to look and see his expression for himself. So, instead, he found a corner to stare into and pressed his eyes shut.
The car ride somehow felt like an eternity and yet also like only a brief moment. But here they were - home. Under the roof of the garage. The engine stilled as the two men remained inside. Both quiet. As if waiting for the other to make the first move.
Bruno was the one to break the inaction. He pressed himself against Daniel's back as he put his arms around his torso, embracing him.
"I'm sorry, Danny. I didn't mean to hurt you. Come back inside whenever you're ready, okay? Even if it takes hours. I'll tell them to wait or leave. Don't feel rushed, okay?" Bruno whispered into the quiet.
And then he left... he simply left. The car door got slammed shut and muffled footsteps echoed throughout the garage. The light from inside the house shone into the darkness, before disappearing again. Daniel was alone...
It would have been best to get used to it. After all, maybe this feeling would be his companion for a long time to come now. Replaced by his who-... promiscuous big brother. Maybe he should spread his legs too. That could have been the easiest way. But no, what if they were waiting for just that? He didn't know anymore. Nothing made sense to him.
To face the music sooner, rather than later. That would be the easiest option, even if not the most comfortable one. Not regarding the affair, but the visit. He grabbed the keys out of the ignition and locked the door after he got out. Hesitating only a bit, he entered the house again.
The light blinded him for a good few seconds, the contrast to the garage darkness was stark. He followed the chattering voices into the living room.
"There he is! The man, the legend, the one and only. Daniel!" Richard's voice resounded theatrically.
He didn't even see the men yet, but they must've known he was coming. Maybe dad told them. Not that it mattered. Daniel simply plastered a polite smile onto his face and greeted back.
"Hello Richie. Long time no see."
"You tell me, superstar! How have you been? Tell us all about college." Richard said, patting a free spot on the couch right next to him.
"Hi, Danny. Here, I got this for you. Thought you might like it." intervened Frank, before Daniel could even respond.
In the police officer's outstretched hand was a stamp. Rare and foreign, a perfect fit for his collection. Normally, Daniel would've been ecstatic over a gift like this. But today was just not the day for joy...
He still took it and gave his best rehearsed surprised reaction. Pocketing it, he replied.
"Thanks, Frankie! I didn't have this one yet."
"My pleasure, Danny. Ask me for anything and I'll bring it to you." Frank reassured him.
"How are you liking your new computer, by the way? I made sure to guide your dad to a really good one and even preinstalled a lot of stuff for you on there. Is it good? Any problems?" Bob chimed up.
"Ah, yes, I've noticed it is very fast and so easy to use! Thanks, Bobby. You know just what I need." Daniel said, the recital never ending.
It was always like this. All three of them would compete to see who could make Daniel the happiest. This wasn't even close to the biggest stunts they had pulled. Like the signed football from one of the most highly valued players globally. Or the acceptance letter to his college of choice without even having to take entrance exams. All masked as simple 'presents'. While Bruno definitely had his fingers in a lot of those, they were still a force to be reckoned with.
But Daniel just couldn't deal with them today. Not with all that was happening around him. He gave them his most apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, but I'm feeling a bit under the weather. I'd love to stay and chat, but I don't think that'd be much too wise. I hope we can catch up properly someday! Sorry." he said before immediately rushing off to the stairs.
He didn't even register their responses - couldn't. He was too focused on avoiding looking at his dad sitting among them. If he had seen his father's expression, or even acknowledged his presence, he would've started bawling again. He really didn't want that.
"Pst, c'mere for a sec." whispered a voice from the side.
Daniel nearly jumped out of his skin as he looked in the voice's direction, panicked. It was Lucian, gesturing from his room. What was this about? Was it some sort of cruelty again? But honestly... what did he even have to lose? He followed his brother into the cramped living space.
Lucian flopped onto his bed, stomach hitting the sheets. Daniel could hear something slosh around somewhere, but didn't care enough to actually think about it. His brother quickly reached for his phone and opened up the gallery. Then he picked a photo of some sort of book. Daniel read...
...and how he regretted reading. What was that? That was dad's handwriting for sure... but what was that depraved admission? Those fantasies were all way too... 'extreme' was putting it lightly. What was he reading?
"This is all your daddy wants to do to me. It's a bit much, isn't it? But oh well, we have time. You know what he said to me yesterday? That he imagined how good my dick would look like jumping up and down. He really can't live without this ass anymore." Lucian said as he slapped his own backside, the sloshing resounding again.
"What... what do you mean? Why are you even showing me this? What's your goal here, Lucian?" Daniel said, desperation slowly growing in his voice.
"I just want to make sure you know what's happening around you. It's a bit unfair of Bruno to keep you in the dark like that. Oh, but just so you know, you might be getting company on that pedestal of yours. I have good reason to believe that he's slowly starting to like me. You know, like actually care about me. Who would've thought that possible!? Here, want to see the proof?" Lucian swiped to a different photo, but Daniel looked away.
"I'm good... I believe you..." Daniel admitted.
And he did. He truly did. It was as if his fears were getting confirmed. But that was okay... there wasn't much he could do about it now. He was simply no match for Lucian... and definitely no match for dad... All he could do was simply... resign. That was the easiest way to go about things. That way, he wouldn't feel so hurt. No more jealousy, or anxiety, or sympathy... He'd just feel numb.
"Oh, and by the way, Bruno's friends like me too. They got a taste as well. Wanna see?" Lucian asked as he excitedly started pulling at his trousers.
Daniel simply walked away. He didn't look back, didn't respond. Just walked to his room, eyes misty again. He swallowed down the grief. Maybe Bruno's friends would like Lucian more... so what? They could get him a signed ball. Or a college acceptance. Daniel didn't care. He didn't... He closed the door behind himself, not caring enough to shower or change or even brush his teeth. He could skip dinner. Dad was an adult perfectly capable of cooking. He just collapsed onto the bed and let his dull, aching heart carry him into a dreamless slumber.
