Chp.) 14 When Brothers Part, Leon's Part
Author's notes: this chapter is part of a split-story where Leon explains the hour between when him and Rues are seperated at the intervention concering his cousins. It's told entirly from the young wolf's point of view so it reveals a lot more about him than from third person. Hope you can really emmerse yourselves inside the head of the rebellous young timber! Enjoy! ~Willace <>
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Chapter 14
When brother's Part
Leon's side
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Leaving me alone the minister usherd my little brother off into the house, returning shortly after with a serious look. I stood, waiting awkwardly, planning on what to do next. Before long my father spoke up, unable to put his face level to mine. "Son, please take a seat. This isn't going to be an easy night for any of us..."
Taking a chair furthest from the group I inhaled sharply. The battle ahead was sure to be a long one. "Alright, what's going on?" I asked, my question pointed to the priest. He was somehow managing to remain perfectly still, tall as a statue, and his face was now empty. Without looking anywhere near my cousin, the doberman Shook his head. "Leon, there are times in life when a male has certain longings, particular temptations come his way." Amazed that the preacher was really going to give me the sex talk I folded my paws together and nodded. For whatever reason I let him continue down this assine direction. "He'll feel the urge mate. It's a healthy and natural thing but as you know there are those who deviate from nature's path. Some young males willfully seek the company of another male to sate his now un-healthy desires. His lust will blind his better judgeme..."
Jumping to a stand, it was all I could do not to shove my fist down his throat. "Don't even go THERE!" I houted, startling the everyone in the room. For a moment my thoughts wondered if Rues might have heard my outburst. For his sake, and my cousins, I lowerd my voice to a normal leavel. Still it was filled with anger. "I've had it up to here (I paused my voice spiking for a moment again) when it comes to hearing about guys being into other guys. I'm not going to just stand by and let you blab your trap about 'how bad gays are!' What makes that worse is the person you're bad-mouthing is standing right there unable to defend himself!" My blood boiled red hot and my ears were burning with anger. Still I had to back off just a little. I was Miles's only support in a room full of nay-sayers. Or so I thought.
"Leon," My uncle Timothy began in a hurt tone. "We've known Miles wasn't straight. It didn't take us that long to figure out he liked the other boys in his middleschool. He and I discussed that a long time ago and we have 'come to terms with it.' That isn't the issue." I shuddered at how my uncle said that the way he did. It only made me sympathise with both of my cousins all the more. "Father Pairre and your parents have come here tonight because..." The elder wolf bite his lip, a tear swelled in his eyes and rolled down his sandy tinted face. "Earlier tonight, they were in the same bed together and Kodie had his muzz...le... on..." He couldn't finish his sentance. As a father, I guess the idea of his boys behaving like lovers was too much to stomach.
Clealry fed up with how no one would accept his side since the incident occured Miles fianlly choose spoke up. "...Look, I'll drop the facade' okay? Kodie is pretty much innocent all this. I dragged him into this a little unwillingly at first. But that doesn't mean I forced him to it. No, this wasn't the first time. Yes, we've gone further. And yes, we always, ALWAYS known it wasn't the best thing to be doing. Despite all that... the way he smiles... He's my little brother, I know, but he's also about the only goddam reason I try to do anything in life. Collage was going be our 'apart time' and we'd hoped things would, ya' know... 'cool down' a little between us then."
The entire room was quiet after hearing my cousin's little speach, but who coould blame them? Truthfully he surprised even me. I never would have guessed in a thousand years that Miles of all wolves would actually bring the relationship to a close because of moral stanards! Still despite his best efforts the crowd didn't really seem to belive what they had heard. "And just what exactly does 'cooling it down' mean?!?" Raged his father while mine also looked on in disgust. I knew that face very well.
Miles didn't really give an answer. He mostly repeated himself while stressing the prhase 'time appart,' trying not to be so blatent about his sex life. Our mothers remained quite why Miles's dad continued to interagate his son. "So just how exactly have you been dragging you brother along in... this manner?" From here my cousin spewed out only single word answers. I could see the tension build as my father, the doberman, and my uncle all rained down on him in dissaproval. Before too long Timothy ran out of questions. Sadly the priest hadn't.
"I know you already confessed to having carnal desires with your sibling, but how did this start?" Miles was getting more pissed off by the minute. I could see it in his eyes. "Okay, get one thing straight. I ADMITTED to LOVING my little brother like he wasn't family. Not saying that means I love him less 'cause I really do like him; more than any other guys I've been with. So yeah, that's how it started. He came up to my room one night and we..." There was a long pause and I could tell he didn't want to include all the details. "We hung out like anyother night. Except when we went to bed things got complicated. We pushed some lines to get there but I don't regret it, not at all." Like so many times before in his life Miles left the room speechless. He told me briefly how his brother and him became a pair but this was an even further watered-down version. Yet mentioning that you got your kid brother high before you had sex with him wouldn't exaclty be the smartest move either. So just like most things in life, full-faced honest wasn't the best policy.
Clearing his throat MY father decieded to speak up agian. " Dear would you like to step outside for a moment, hun? Tim, we're going to be just a moment." I didn't like this, not one bit. They probably expected me to come with them but I shot the idea down with a stern shake of my head. "Can't leave my friend, I just got here 'bout ten minutes ago and it doesn't feel like anything's been resolved yet." They took my kiss-off but I knew there would be consequneces later. As a whole the room watched my parents leave and then the remaining canines drew there attention back to my cousin. He still stood there arms crossed defiantly and the fur on his neck bristled. "So what now?" He sneered to the remaining company, well with the exclusion of me.
We sat for a small while, the reamining adults attacked him with a baradge of questions about what this would do to his future. They asked if he had anything planned beyond collage, if they would pick up where they left off, so to speak. Miles obviously denied it but they still pesterd him all the more. None of it seemed to be getting anywhere so I made it a point to add my two-cents when-ever the oppertunity arrived. Still despite whatever loaded question they drummed up Miles and I were quick to soften it. Jack taught me that one. Never,ever answer how they wanted you too. It would only strengthen their idea that they're right. For once during the course of the night I had to smile, at least on the inside. Who would have thought school would turn out to actually benifit my abilit to defend incest?
Another tiny spurt of minutes were burnt away arguing just how unnatural this was. Normally I never questioned the feelings because they did seem one hundred percent natural to me. My polished sand-shaded cousin might not have thought it to be that way though. For a moment his voice became cracky, wavering just a hint. He made a quick recovery a minute or two later when he mentioned that being gay was how he was born. Therefore it wasn't such a leap to think finding his brother was attractive. In a way it sounded like he had just chalked it up to simple vanity, hinting on how much he liked his own features and that Kodie's happened to be really similar. But then the conversation took an ugly turn.
His mom asked if he was seeing any other guys and I blushed. Sure Miles was openly gay to his parents and frineds but I wouldn't ever be comfortable discussing my sexual exploits with my mother, even if it wasn't with Rues. My thoughts then falshed to him, wondering how that little dragon and Kodie were holding together just across the house. In the quiet of the moment I could have sworn I heard a chorus of their laughter muffled by the walls. That'd be like the little pup, I thought. Happieness even in the dire circumstances. It couldn't be that hard for that dope to cheer Kodie up. My little cousin alway did have a huge friggin' crush on my dear adopted brother.
"No, it's just been Kodie and me for a the past while. Besides you know I haven't spoken to Matt in ages." Retorted my cousin to his mother, braking me from my thoughts. "Okay than what about Julie?" It took a few minutes but I connect the dots. My aunt was aking about Kodie's old fling. Some little kittien who was his cover-up or maybe he really did like her. It was hard to tell if Kodie really played both sides of the field. I kind of got that feeling about him but he just seemed so queeny at times. "Well I don't know, why don't you drag her here and make this eve more awkward for me?" He snapped back sharply. Obviously my relatives nor the preist appricated his snide remark. In all honesty I thought he proved a valid point. "There's no need for this aggresion Miles. Please, remeber that having you abashed or ashamed isn't what we hoped for." Then what did they expect I thought and Miles asked the very same thing outloud. "Your parents and I want to over-come this and help life seem normal once more."
Nearly choking I coughed violently and Miles stomped his hind-paw loudly. "Life DID seem normal! How are you not getting that? Kodie and me were happy, he was doing well in school, and were getting along just fine!" The bronzy wolf had his tail rigid and his paws enphasised ever word he said. Given just how ticked off he was I tried to bide my time instead of providing him some friendly cover. When he got this way it was always better to let him vent. It was eating him up that neither the pious doberman or his parents would take the hint. He wanted to draw their attention as far away from his brother as possible. He and I saw it their eyes though. It was inevitable.
Father Parrie sucked his breath in, trying to maintain the illusion that he was cool, calm, and in control. "Okay Miles let me ask you something might be personally upsetting. You said that you were aggressive," he paused and Miles's paws curled to fists. "...to a degree. But also made mention that Kodie really didn't put resistance towards 'it.' Should we be having this talk with him too? By how it sounds now he was more than a willing particapant; isn't that right?" Miles had no choice but to admit Kodie was just as guilty or to turn himself into the moster who took advatage of his brother's affections.
"Godammit!" He sceamed back infurated. The entire world knew Miles had a very, very short temper. When he was ever confronted he'd come back fighting with all he had, fangs and claws bared. Mustering up all the fury in his body Miles marched up to him. "Are you deaf or just Shit-brick stupid? I FUCKED him! Get your facts straight you stupid dog, you've been ignoring everything I said this entire night. You know what that feels like? To have every thing you say completly forgotten or thrown back in your face as you twist it, making it fit how you want it to sound?!" I sat motionless watching my cousin explode all his hate and compiled anger at Father Parrie. It was like he had stored this massive loathing towards the world for years and then finally fired it upon his advesary of the hour. No one had prepared for this level of connfiratation. The priest even fell back, his face looked terrified as if he was afraid Miles would literally attack him. "Buddy," I said softly and walked over to his side, offering a tender paw to lead him back to where he was. His parents were also out of their seats and ready to brake it up. Luckily I got there first.
Tempares softened and we resumed our 'appointed' spots in the room. Miles dug both paws into his pockets and I put my back against the chair. Understandingly upset, Father Parrie stood in the recoil for a moment. Sadly the doberman's question lingered in the air like a big bright balloon. It was impposible not notice it, immpossible not to return to it. I couldn't have that happening though, neither could Miles or kodie.
"Sorry but this is totally rediclous. I've been up since this yesterday morning sometime and we've dragged this out for nearly an hour now. I need to smoke." He explained leaning the arch of his back to the wall. "Will you guys just get it over with? I really don't see why we need this charade' to be carried out any longer. To you I screwed up, big time. Aren't ya' suppose to do the parent thing and have me punished or something? Anything but this would be a flipping joy." Sarcasim was rich in his voice and he gave half a glance to me. In a hurry I racked my brain for some advice. Some tiny little thought that would, on the surface, seem like I wasn't taking his side but that he would know was an easy outlet. All the things I knew though kept getting in the way. He was an adult. Eighteen maybe but still legally the one resposible. So that would only turn this into a bigger witch-hunt should I mention that he was old enough to make his choices and Kodie was young enough to make mistakes. I couldn't use the collage fallback Miles had earilier to his advatage either. That would simply make them wonder what would happen afterwards, once he graduated. No that only served to keep the attention on Kodie. My own life expierance was a total bust too. I had nothing to take from school which could help, spare a few tricks of the trade I had learned from Jack. But I already used up all of those trying to lessen the blow of humility.
'That's it!' I exclaimed silently. Jack was the answer. Well maybe more the way to the answer. During our last little session he mentioned a facility for sexually troubled teens, the place where Theo had been shipped off to. Miles was eighteen but it still would work, I could feel it in my veins. All I'd have to do is make one mention of the place, one well place suggestion and just like that my cousin would have a cozy little bump out of this battle and to a safer haven. Now Jack did say it wasn't just a walk in the park. But Miles was always a strong one since he was a cub. On the surface it would seem like he was seeking help to 'right a terrible wrong' all the while beimg able to take life where he wanted to. That and it was certainly better than being legally labeled a rapist, pedophile, and enemy to his family. All I had to do now was plant the idea with perfect timing.
My father and mother returned from outside and only then did I relize how long we had been here. A full hour had passed since Rues and I split. If I was going to do this I needed to spread the word. And fast. "Look, I'm going to step outside with Miles rrreeeeaaalll quick. He'll have a smoke, calm down a bit too and then we can find some way to put this to rest." I told the group and gave a wink to my cousin. Through some miracle my parients nor my uncle and aunt agreed that was best. We stood up and I rested my thumb in my front pocket secretly feeling for my phone. Knowing Rues had his, this plan ws now as good as gold.
When the front door latched behind me I gave a light punch to Miles's arm. "Dude I just saved your pelt!" He was two seconds from telling me to shove it someplace but I stopped him to explain. "Okay, skipping over the shit part I got you a solid ticket outta' this." Arms folded he didn't let me continue. "Let's move other there, before you blab the plan Leon. It's where I smoke at anyway." So we took a stroll down the driveway to the mailbox and opened a car, taking out a pack of cigarettes. He lit one, sat down on the curb and and looked back up to me. I had been frantically texting Jack, pleading for his help and that 'yote gave me the perfect amount of info for what we needed. "Great! Okay, okay. We're close, so I'll tell you this. Kind of a nessicary evil anyhow. I... was raped and had to go to therapy just a bit ago." He looked at me in bewilderment, like I was rabid or stricken with lunacy.
"Let me go on," I spat out to him and he rolled his eyes, muttering something about this being a 'fucking crazy-ass shit story.' I paid him no mind. "I clean flipped out on everybody basically earning a name for myself. I wass given this wierd coyote therapist named Jack..." As I filled him in I started to compose a message hasitly to send to Rues. Waiting to see how this related to his dilema Miles took another drag. "So one day Jack says to me, 'Leon you have to confront your past' or some line like that. Obviously he was right but that's not the point. Don't worry dude I'm on your side here. This isn't me trolling you. I mean it's not like I'm in the position to do that!" I laughed and pressed the send button on my phone. Rues was sure to get some good new for Kodie any second.
"Long story short, that prick Theo wasn't sent to jail but to some rehab center. Now he was my age but your technically an adult and Jack says if you admit yourself you get a ton more freedom and can leave with out ANY legal reprocussions at all. Nothing that would even show up should you, I don't know try to apply for collage anywhere in the world. That and he knows half the staff so it's like you'd be constantly given the chance to screw around doing whatever you want."
Miles was actually wagging his tail by the end of my ranting. "Okay but what's the down-side?" He asked and I let my excited tail droop just an inch or so. "Well, see by proticol, you wouldn't be allowed to talk to Kodie rof two months without an offical..." I paused looking at Jack's message for a reminder. "Without and I stress that this is his words, 'some suit keeping an eye on you.' But don't worry he assured that theirs ways around that. I mean damn, Rues and I went at in his office. He left before you get any creep ideas and totally gave us the okay to. It was amazing sex at that." My phone pinged again and I showed my cousin the screen.
-We're in. Kodie says I <3 Miley lol- read the display and we shared a storm of laughter. "Okay, let's take it back down to being depressed and angry. We need to get back in there. You're still social pariah number one at this point so just follow me lead." I could tell that the arrogent canine wasn't too pleased with my instructions but humility wasn't his stong point. "Tch, fine. Lets go." Trudging back inside Miles did his best to look regretfull and rubbed at his eyes until they were blood-shot. "Good looks like you've been crying." I commented very quietly. Opening the door I bravely usherd him inside, looking just as sad and remorseful. "Guys, we had a talk and I think I know who can help. As you know I've been a victim of misplaced sexual desires. I've overcome my past with the help of my therapist and friend, Jack. So, given this being a time of trouble in my cousin's life I thought it might be best if we shared the common ground between us and seek his assitance. What do you say?"
I knew my parents would instantly agree because they had been checking in with Jack; who informed them I made 'great progress.' My aunt and uncle were another story. Fortunalty my heart-felt speech must have gave them hope that their son might still be who they wanted him to be. Timothy cleared his throat and and looked to Father Parrie. With a solem nod stood silently and then my uncle looked back at his son. "Can we trust you want to make this change in your life for the better?" he asked and Miles pushed his acting abilities to the surface. "I just as ready to move past this as you guys are. Having thing back the way beofre all this I took things too far is the only thing I want now. I'm ready to make the choices to get there." A few of our family memebers started to cry and I knew we had skated by unscathed. "Alright then. I'll called the admistration tomorrow. Together we'll do the right thing." Turnig to my father, my Uncle Tim sighed. You guys have been a big help brother. But can I ask one last favor; will you guys allow Kodie to spend the next couple night at your house until this is all settled into place?" The both agreed that would be best and I laughed at the idea. Already I had a way this.
"Okay, well Rues and I are gonn' head home now, get some sleep. I'll help Kodie pack a bag of clothes too." With all the flawless fashion of a proffesional I turned to Miles and Smiled convincing for the crowd. "We'll be there anytime you need, buddy. I know Rues might not understand the situation but we'll be happy to help in any way. Good luck." With that he smiled back at me and I made a path for my little brother. Once I was out of view I strolled past Kodie's room and slipped into Miles's instead. They'd take his phone for sure so I left mine under his pillow. Sneaking back out I jolted down the hall to Kodie's door and swung it open, my face filled with pride. "Alright guys, mission accomplished. Grab some stuff Kodie because for a few nights they have you crashing at my place. Rues, much love and you're the best side-kick boyfriend a guy can have. Let's get this show on the Road!"
The two of them looked like they were about to explode with happiness. I watched as the pilled some bathroom items into a luggae case and then argued briefly over what to wear. Naturally I tried to speed the process up, but the results weren't what I was hoping for. None the less they finished in good time. From there they blabbed about his game station and then Kodie looked over to me with an expecting face."Will I be able to say goodbye or is everybody still out there?"
One should have figured he'd want to squeeze in one last goodbye. As much as I wanted to back the idea with every fiber of my being I had to dissuade it. "He kind of took all of the blame for you, Kodie. It was a really big risk to take so that's not such a hot idea." Given the circumstance I was pretty sure I had done the right thing. Besides I had the brillant idea of planting my phone in my older cousin's room. After giving a moment for Rues to prepare his acting we left, my little dragon lover closing the door behind us. Step by step the three of us moved as a line of heads, keeping Kodie in the middle. Each time I glanced back he had his eyes to the floor. It felt tormenting to have to do things like this, persuading him not to say anything to his brother for the time being.
When we reached the living room our Uncle Tim was thanking the revrend for coming over. "I'm glad me and my bro could come over tonight," I sighed convincingly. My face then turned towards Miles, my eyes looking straight across my muzzle line a run-way for a plane. "Take it easy buddy, I know you'll rest well tonight when your head hits the pillow." I could afford a little wink with everbody looking at him and not me. He wasn't so dense not to figure out what I mean, afterall he was trying to get into collage, wasn't he? I chuckled silently at the very notion of how immaculte this monuver was. Then I urged Rues and Kodie out the door leaving me a chance to flash the number '3' with my fingers. "That alarm is going to be calling very soon!" I huffed out through my grin. Miles nodded peicing it all together and I pushed the door closed between us.
"Perfection," I announced once more taking the lead role once more. Kodie and my brother shot each other a confused look and I assured them they'd be filled in on the ride home. "Don't worry about a thing," I said closing the car's doors for each of them and then getting in my ride too. "As long as you can hold out until the morning, you'll get that chance to say those 'goodnights,' I promise." I put my paw to the pedal, threw it in reversed and back out. Driving down the road my thoughts now turned to my brother. My eyes watered a little; With him next to me there truely wasn't anything that could stop us. No force in heaven or hell could make me forget just how much I loved him; my little brother, my dearest lover.