"What does...gay mean?" Blonde spikes pointed to all directions; body leaned forward, legs spread apart lazily, chest against the edge of the table and arms folded over; soft blue eyes staring at what looked like cereal of different colours and shapes; nimble fingers clasped around a spoon, stirring the concoction. This was Oli in the morning having breakfast. "...hey, mom?"

"Hm?" Dianne turned from the glasses of OJ she was pouring and looked at her son. "...want the serious definition or your mom's?"

"Is there a difference?" Oli asked, lazily glancing toward his mom.

"Yes," she answered and smiled sweetly. "There is if my son is the one asking."

Oli thought for a few seconds before saying, "...the serious definition."

Dianne put down the bottle of OJ and sat beside Oli. She handed her son a glass before clasping her own two hands, assuming business-like posture.

"Gay...," she started. "...is a sexual orientation where a person, especially a male in this case, becomes attracted to another person of the same sex,"

Oli was staring at her mom the whole time. Sexual. Male. Attracted. Those were the only three words that made sense to him. He must've looked really dumbfounded, so his mom giggled at him before holding his hand in hers.

"Your mom's definition?" she asked and Oli just nodded. "...it's when a sweet little boy feels light headed, unsure, shy but really warm inside when he sees another boy who, in his eyes, is the most handsome and perfect person..."

Oli nodded some more while his mind could only picture one person fit for that description. Although that boy wasn't by his side right now, he sure felt warm inside just from thinking so much about him.

"You understand, Oli?" Dianne lovingly held Oli's gaze as she gently rubbed his hand. "...sometimes, that sweet little boy thinks he's falling in love and that may be true..."

"I know what love is!" Oli exclaimed. "...it's you and dad taking care of me even if I'm not your son."

"You are our son," she assured, gripping tightly on Oli's hand and looking seriously and sincerely at the boy. "...nothing can ever change that. Some mothers bear children, others find love in those that are already in the world. Or those children bring her their love. It works both ways."

"Really?" Oli asked, genuinely moved with what his mom told him.

"Yes," she smiled. "Now where were we?"

"...falling in love."

"Oh, yes," she said. "...now when that boy thinks he's falling in love with the other boy, he might sometimes forget some things..."

"What do you mean?" Oli questioned. His mother looked really lovely right now.

"It can be overwhelming sometimes. It goes for everyone and not just our sweet boy. We might think that our world revolves around the other person, or that we don't really need anything else when we have them by our side..." she paused, for dramatic effect, I guess. "...but we shouldn't confine ourselves to just the other person..."

"Huh? You mean, s'okay to go out with one person and be with another at the same time?" Oli asked.

"Not like that, sweetheart," she answered. "...it means that the world is just as real as their love so they shouldn't forget to still feel alive not only for their lover, but also for others that care about them. It's okay to depend on the other person, as long as both still know how to stand on their own feet."

"I think..." Oli mumbled. "...yeah, I understand, mom!"

"I know you would," she said, but she wasn't finished yet. "...why do you want to know what gay means, sweety?"

"Uhm," Oli gulped. Here comes the start of the hard part. "Is it...normal?"

"Normal?" she asked, amused. As far as her teaching career taught her, nothing is ever normal or...what's normal, anyway? "...there's nothing wrong with being gay, if that's what you mean, Oli. Like I said, it's an attraction, an affection, the same kind of love any other person would feel."

So it was the same kind of love, huh? Then there shouldn't be a problem with him being in love with Dash. He wasn't one to go against what he felt, but he was also aware of how those other kids from his school beat the crap out of some kid who they thought looked...gay. And they didn't just stop there. They also beat other kids who were helpless, innocent and did nothing to incite such violence on them. He wasn't afraid of loving Dash. He wasn't afraid of getting punched if he stood for the truth to who he really was. But, he was terrified of the more beatings Dash might receive if those kids knew that they loved each other.

As for his parents, would he still be their son if he was gay? His mom said that he would still be and nothing can change that. But, isn't being gay something? Or is it not that important or too big of a deal to consider before being accepted by his own family?

He knew a long time ago that he was different. He even thought something was wrong with him. But, having Gabe as a friend and going through all those `big boy lessons' taught him that he wasn't alone. That he wasn't the only one that needed fixing. But, did he really need to be fixed? The only thing he was sure of was that he didn't go against what he felt. And that alone told him to just ignore the possibility of being broken.

Now, when he was about to ask his mom, he felt convinced that he was broken. What if his parents rejected him? They'd throw him out, right? That's what people did with broken stuff. Throw `em out and find replacement. Another Oliver who could run the track, play Little League, score some hoops or even a touchdown and a goal without noticing how beautifully carved those leg muscles were on the next boy at the starting line, or how cute the pitcher looked like when he was about to throw that curveball with his tongue curled out at the corner of his mouth and his cap tipped to one side, or how the point guard smiles at his fans after making that shoot, or how intimately close a football tackle would be or how attractive those other boys were when playing soccer barefoot and wearing short or even loose shorts. Not to mention the hot displays inside the locker room or while taking showers. Surely, that new Oliver would drool over cheerleaders. Not like the Oliver that he was right now.

"Mom?" Oli asked and he felt his mom gently squeeze his hand. He felt a large lump in his throat and anxiety and fear in his heart. Still, he needed to ask the question and see if he was indeed broken. "What if...I'm gay?"

"If you are," she paused again. "...then be proud. And we'll be proud of you as well. Not many people can see and accept who they truly are. And those that do accept themselves sometimes find it hard to be truly seen by others. We don't want you getting confused, sweetheart. We only want you to be happy for who you truly are."

Sweet! Oli thought. But he wasn't smiling. His mom was. He felt his heart lighten and the lump in his throat gone. Now, the other question.

"And what if I'm in love?"

"...then cherish that boy," she lovingly said. "Make him feel safe, loved, taken care of and needed. You know what to do. Like how you took care of those wounded birds we found in our yard when you were little, remember?"

Oli giggled at the memory. It was all true and not made-up, unlike the rest of it up `til he was over six years old. "I...uh...thanks, mom. I really, really love you."

"I love you, too, sweetheart," she said as she stood up and went to kiss Oli's forehead, brushing away the few strands that fell on the boy's sparkling eyes. "Now go and get Dash and Mattie. You don't wanna be late, do you?"

"Okay, mom!" Oli exclaimed, bouncing of his chair and rushing out the kitchen.

"Remember, sweety," her mom called out. "...be yourself, and stand up for who you are!"

"I will!" Oli's faint voice answered back. His hurried steps were loud on the stairs.

"You think I should talk to him?" Alex asked, walking into the kitchen dressed casually and wrapping his arms around his wife.

"You're not against our son being gay, are you," Dianne asked.

"No, darling," he answered. "I just want him to be safe. Nobody knows teenage hormones better than I do and with you speaking to him about love..."

"Don't worry too much," his wife hastily said. "...he's a smart boy and I know he'll ask you if he needs to. And don't you think it's a little awkward for him when you talk to him about condoms and safe sex? Remember what you told me when your dad gave you that talk?"

Alex just chuckled and proceeded to get his coffee. His wife was almost always right about things. And that's why he loved her so much. Oli, fortunately, had that same trait she had.

~*~*~*~

Going back a little through time, when Oli first went down to see if breakfast was already served (wearing boxers and a loose shirt, of course), a little and intimate talk was shared between the two brothers up in Oli's room. They awoke a few minutes after Oli went down.

"Dashu?" Mattie murmured, holding the blanket up to his chin.

"Hm?" Dash sounded. He was staring at the ceiling with his arms under his head. The blanket only covered his tummy down to his feet.

Mattie turned and lay on his side, looking at Dash. "Am I...weird?"

Dash immediately gazed toward his little brother and gestured for him to move closer. "Why do you say that?"

Mattie, with Dash's arm over his shoulder, shrugged and said, "I dunno...I just..."

"Tell me," Dash whispered, brushing away the curls that hid Mattie's doubtful eyes.

"Remember what Oli said about liking?" the little boy asked silently. Dash nodded and waited for him to continue. He sighed and closed his eyes briefly before saying, "I...what if I like you, Dashu?"

Oh no. No. No. No. Dash's mind went on. First, Mattie kissed him yesterday. Now, the boy was asking a much more difficult question. And it really didn't help that Mattie could pull off those damn puppy eyes. Even how his thin pink lips pouted and his button nose tinted with pink.

"Is that bad," Mattie asked, his voice trembling. "Am I...bad, Dashu?"

"Mattie...," Dash whispered, holding his little brother closer to him. "...you're not bad...you're the sweetest little brother I can ever have..."

"...but...that's the problem!" Mattie whined. "...we're brothers...and I..."

"Ssshhh," Dash put his finger against Mattie's lips and wiped away the few tears that started to fall. "...I think I know...what you feel, Mattie."

"...what?" the little boy mumbled miserably.

"...you're growing up," Dash said, smiling sweetly at him. Oh, how he wished that his mom and dad were here right now to answer Mattie's questions. It was sometimes so difficult being the only one that his little brother looked up to. But...

"...but." Mattie was confused. So what if he was growing up? He knew that a long time ago. He even got taller and was able to reach the cupboard at their house now.

"I know this can be confusing," Dash told him. "...but it's normal. So it's not weird at all..."

"...that I like you?" Mattie was still not getting his answer. Maybe he should've asked Oli.

"Listen. What Oli told you about liking," Dash said. "Do you really know what that means?"

"Uhm," Mattie narrowed his eyes and bit his lip. "I think so. It means...like love, right?"

"And you know what love means?" Dash asked.

"It means..."

And, entered the blonde beast. "Get up, you two!" Oli shouted as he pounced on the mattress, kneeling beside Mattie.

"...What the?" Dash mumbled. He saw the surprised look on Mattie's face, but, somehow, he was glad Oli interrupted their little talk.

"C'mon, Mattie!" Oli pulled the blanket off the little kid and pulled him up from under his flabby arms.

Mattie felt really disappointed that Oli interrupted his talk with Dash. But, god help him and his ticklishness. He was giggling in no time. However, he kept glancing toward Dash and saw the relieved look on his brother's face. He still had no clothes on which made him notice how his pecker got hard when he remembered Oli was holding him. He blushed and smiled shyly at the older boy.

"Is there a fire?" Dash sarcastically asked. He removed the blanket over his body and revealed his clad self. Yep, sometime in the middle of the night, he slipped on his underwear `coz he really didn't want to feel cold down there.

"We're having breakfast then my mom will take us somewhere fun," Oli gleefully replied.

"Really?" Mattie exclaimed. He didn't mind being naked in front of his two big brothers.

"Yep!" Oli said. "We're playing laser tag!"

"Laser tag?" Dash asked.

"Awesome!" Mattie yelled, bouncing on the mattress.

And so, the dining room was, in no time at all, filled with very eager conversation between Oli and Mattie with Dash only offering a few words every now and then. With breakfast finally over, the prospect of once again bathing together with a childhood best friend entered Oli's mind.

"I'm taking a bath," Oli said, grinning widely. He saw Dash's eyes widen in dreadful realization and Mattie's lips curve into an innocent smile. He added, "...who's joining me?"

Bubbles. Bubbles everywhere. No, they weren't kids, but bubbles! And who knew that Oli's hair could ever be tamed by bubbles? Well, he didn't know that himself. In fact, it's been a long time since he took a bath in the tub. Ever since he went past the age of eight, the shower had always been his first choice.

"You look funny, Oli!" Mattie was laughing real hard and causing lots more bubbles as he moved a lot.

"What do I look like?" Oli asked, shaping his hair into one giant horn that pointed forward.

"A unicorn!" Mattie answered excitedly.

"I'm a rhino!" Oli corrected, giggling a bit.

"...a unicorn!" Mattie insited.

"Hurry up, Oli!" Dash called from outside the bathroom, knocking hard on the door. "Your mom's already dressed up."

"I'm not coming out `til you join us!" Oli answered back.

"I've showered already," Dash said. "...okaaay, so I'll just play laser tag on my own..."

Mattie quickly gave Oli an urgent look which made the two boys rinse up in no time. So, goodbye to all those bubbles...for now.

~*~*~*~

Cases, cases and more unsolved cases. That was Alex's life. Outside the office and the court room, he was an amazing father, if not the most. In his life, three things mattered the most – his family, his work and his car. So, you can almost always see him in either three places – his home, his garage and his office.

Right now, since school holidays didn't include his work, he was slumped on his office chair and reading through one of his client's file. Yet another...difficult case. He didn't want anyone aside from his client to know the specific details whatnot so just leave him be.

"I can't take this anymore," a colleague of his who's in the same law firm said as he entered.

Alex looked up and asked, "What Frank?"

"My client. Kenneth Briz? You remember him?" Frank asked.

"No. Should I?" Alex questioned and Frank just shrugged.

"See, he got locked up some years ago. Killed his wife apparently. Didn't plead guilty, but all evidence pointed to him," Frank said.

"And?" Alex asked. He didn't have much time to listen to this, but he was tired from reading his own client's file anyway.

"A witness comes out. Says that he's innocent and now the investigation has been reopened," Frank said as he went to look out Alex's office window.

"So what's so bad about it?" Alex asked.

"Nothing," Frank told him, looking at him once more. "...more court appearance for me. And you know how much I hate presenting my case to that grumpy judge we have."

"Yeah, good luck with that," Alex told him as he set his folder down, looking out his window as well.

"You sure you can't remember him?" Frank asked. Alex just shrugged so he continued. "...we were in the same court that day he got sentenced. You had a pending case, I think. You looked really tired then, but you managed to buy some kids who were waiting outside the court room a couple of sodas and Twinkies. They were his kids."

Alex quickly looked at Frank, his eyebrows furrowed as he squinted his eyes. "...who's the new suspect now?"

Frank made his way toward the door and just before leaving, said, "...his brother. We're only waiting for a warrant before we can have him arrested."

~*~*~*~

Yet another time for stealth mode. Oli, Dash and Mattie were among several kids engaged in an invisibility match. It was every man for himself. Well, except for the three.

"Dash, cover my right flank," Oli whispered. "Mattie, cover left."

"Roger that," Mattie whispered back.

"And you, Oli?" Dash asked.

"I'll take point," Oli whispered once more. "...Admiral, this is Commander Oliver Smith. We've hit enemy home world. It seems they have good hearing for communication frequencies. Going radio silent, over."

Dash looked at Oli questioningly and the other boy just told him to keep quiet. So the three of them crept silently behind every barrel or any obstacle they came upon as they hunted for their targets.

"Why can't we just wait for `em to come out?" Dash asked.

"I'm not a camper," Oli told him.

"Commander," Mattie cut in. "I see a lone target ahead."

"That's 9 o'clock of my direction," Oli said as he turned to look that way and indeed saw someone's back toward them, peeking through a tube. "...a camper."

And that was their first kill; well, Mattie's first kill. As time passed, running, hiding, crouching, whispering, shooting and being shot at were all the trio did. They were having such a blast that they didn't even care a few friendly fires. Except for one.

"You hit me!" Dash shouted at Oli.

"That's for not taking a bath with me," Oli said with a grin.

Dash blushed and tagged Oli as well. Oli didn't mind the return fire. He was just glad that he was very much able to make Dash blush `coz the other boy looked really cute with a flushed face.

Soon, their game of laser tag ended and they decided to have some snacks. Sodas and Twinkies afterwards, Oli called her mom to pick them up. Dash still needed to show his plan to Oli and Mattie. Yes, even his little brother wasn't aware of what he had in mind.

~*~*~*~

Uuugh. His head hurt. His throat felt dry. His eyes can't even focus on his own hand. He didn't even have enough strength to push himself off the couch. Just how long did he sleep? The last thing he remembered was...

"...little piece of shit," Dan grumbled. "I'll beat them both for this..."

He looked toward the clock. 10am. He needed to get off his ass and see someone. It was that time of the month again. He had to see his brother. He visited only once a month `coz he didn't like being surrounded by prison bars and hard eyes on him. But he did promise his brother two things. One, he would visit. And two, he would take care of his kids.

"Hn," he scoffed as he laboured to get off the couch. "...fuckin kids."

"Dash!" he shouted. "...get your ass down here or else!"

There was no response. And the house was unusually quiet. Wait. The boys must be in school. Yes. That's it. He'd punish them when they'd get home. Right now, he needed a shower before he drove off to see the brother he once loved so much.

~*~*~*~

"No! Like this," Oli pointed out as he folded one edge of the paper toward another while he lay on his tummy on the same mattress they woke up on earlier.

"You got it all wrong," Dash told him. He was kneeling on the floor with his body bent over the edge of the mattress. He was folding his own piece of paper.

"How `bout this?" Mattie asked them, holding his own handicraft. The kid sat beside Oli.

Oli and Dash looked at Mattie's craft wide-eyed. It was Oli who grinned first, reaching toward Mattie's hand, asking for his little piece of creation.

"Finally!" Oli exclaimed, inspecting the thing in his hands. The wings were folded right, the head and tail at the right angle and it didn't have any crumpled corners. "I told you to fold it like this, Dash!"

"If we were making a paper plane, I would've followed what you said," Dash said and Oli just poked a tongue at him.

"Kei showed it to me," Mattie admitted.

"Who's that?" Oli asked as he handed Dash the paper bird.

"My best friend at school. He's from Japan," Mattie told him, smiling widely.

"No wonder," Dash said. "...origami is Japanese after all."

"He told me a story about folding a crane," Mattie said which got the two boys' attention. It was finally his time to be the storyteller. He felt really proud then.

"What was it?" Oli asked. Somehow, he had the feeling that he knew the story already, but he wasn't going to take away Mattie's joy, seeing how the little boy looked so eager to tell the story.

"He said that if you fold 1000 cranes, your wish comes true," Mattie told them. Well, that was a really short story. But a story is a story.

"1000?" Oli asked. Yeah, he definitely heard this story before. "...and only one wish? Is it even worth the effort?"

"Yes," Dash spoke quietly. A thousand origami cranes sounded a lot, but if it did grant one wish... Seeing Oli give him an almost surprised look, he took back what he initially meant and said, "...is it even worth it?

Oli noticed the little bit of hopefulness in Dash's voice. "A thousand seems a lot, but we already made one, right? Only 999 more to go!"

Dash smiled at Oli's enthusiasm. The boy was right. It can't be that hard to reach a thousand. And with three of them doing it, it would all be a piece of cake. He returned the crane to Mattie and unfolded his own unfinished origami. He asked his brother which way to fold and all that and soon, they had their second crane. Now if Oli would just listen to him and fold his paper the right way.

"I told you, this way and fold it right here," Dash instructed, guiding Oli's nimble fingers `til the final pull to open the wings.

Then it dawned on Oli and Dash how both their hands were warm in each other's with Dash's hand gently grasping Oli's. The two boys fell silent, their eyes both on their hands. Surely, they've held hands before, right? Did they? Well, this felt...right and...awkward? No, not awkward. Maybe just a little bit embarrassing.

"997 more to go," Oli whispered. His mind thought of how many more they needed. He decided not to learn how to do the origami. Instead, he'd let Dash guide his hands. He wondered if he could somehow measure love by counting down the cranes they were to make. Maybe he could.

"Fold your own..." Dash said, removing his hand from Oli's.

"But..."

Dash sighed and just got another piece of paper, handed it to Oli and showed – guided – the boy again. He didn't mind the warmth they shared. Somehow, even with only their hands in contact with each other, it felt almost as euphoric as when their naked bodies wrapped around each other.

Mattie was happily folding his third crane, only glancing once in a while toward his two big brothers. They looked like love birds in his eyes. And listening to them, he thought they were being kinda...sappy. Only a kiss was missing and he would've said, "Get a room, you two!"

"Boys! Lunch is ready," Oli's mom called out and a chorus of `Coming' made its way back to her.

~*~*~*~

"How is he?" A tired, old voice asked.

"He's fine. Got an A- on his math test and told me he's going to pitch for their school next season," Dan answered. He didn't like being in this place. Those cold hard stares bothered him so much.

As expected, which had always been for the past two years or so, his brother stopped asking about his older son. Dan told him long ago that the older boy started acting gay around the house and even at school. His brother had long since lost interest in that boy's affairs...much less his life.

"You haven't changed," Dan told him, half smiling, and half smirking.

And that was true. His brother remained the same. Although he looked older and that wasn't because of age alone, his whole demeanour didn't change. In fact, he had changed only once in his life. And that was back when he was much younger...a teenager of sorts. Dan can vividly remember how his and his brother's life changed back then. It was because of a simple confession, much like how a brother confides to another. But the consequence was a whole lot worse than Dan expected.

Dan had told him that he was gay. He was hoping that his older brother - the brother he loved so much - would accept him and would still be his hero and best friend. However, he was met by a cold shoulder. His brother started ignoring him which, to him, was more painful than actually being beaten for it. He felt like the world took away everything he believed in. Without his big brother, he had no one to look up to and have his back when he needed it most. Sure, they still had their father back then, but the old man was the ultimate homophobe he had ever known. He was terrified of being completely thrown out of the family, but couldn't stand the claustrophobic feelings he felt while closeted. However, the only one he actually turned and came out to treated him a lot worse. The only thing he was thankful for was that his brother never told on him. It remained their secret - one veiled by agonizing silence - up until he couldn't stand it no more.

After he had gotten out of university, he was surprised that his brother finally heard his plea to once again have a talk. He had tried so many times to talk to his brother and failed just as many. Now was his only and last chance. He hopped on the first flight he could get and rushed to see the brother he loved so much. It had been eight years since he came out to him. Eight painful years and he still hasn't learned his lesson. He knew he was gay. He wanted his brother to see that and understand.

"You're not gay, Danny." That was his brother's greeting as he arrived at their house. There were no hugs, handshakes or even just a single congratulation from him.

His brother got married to a beautiful woman and they were expecting their first born. The ultrasound showed a boy. The couple were very excited about the news.

"I wanted you to come here because our son needs a godfather to look out for him and bring him up like any man should," his brother said. "Unless there's nothing wrong with you, I can't trust my son in your care."

Was there anything wrong with him? Was there anything wrong with being different from what his brother wanted for him to be? He had lived a painful life with his brother turning deaf and mute toward him. Even as he grew up, he remained trapped in that closet. It had become his lifeline. He wanted to come out so many times, but couldn't find the courage after the person he admired the most turned him down. Now, as much as he still wanted freedom, he couldn't even find the closet he buried a long time ago.

"I...I'll think about it," he told his brother. Truthfully, he didn't want to be a godfather if that meant denying himself of that freedom...of that truth he craved so much. His brother was clearly blinded by prejudice to even consider reasoning with him.

A few weeks later, the baby boy came out healthy and handsome for a little guy. Dan was invited to see his nephew and that's when he made the decision to be the boy's godfather. He no longer sought that freedom. He no longer searched for that closet. Right in front of him was an angel, smiling while asleep. His heart melted and he knew that he would love the boy so much. His brother had been overjoyed and the hero he once thought he lost wore his cape again, proud and dignified. That was also the first time they hugged since forever.

"Kennie," Dan grumbled and his brother just looked at him blankly. "I'll be back next month. I'll try bringing Matthew with me..."

Kennie's eyes turned hard steel and his fist tightened on the table. "No. He...he should never know. He'll hate me."

"He'll understand," Dan argued. "He's a smart boy..."

"NO!" Kennie shouted which got the attention of the attending guard. "He'd think I killed his mother! How do you suppose he'll listen to me?!"

"...I understand," Dan said, feeling his heart tighten, but he felt no pain. "I'll be back next month..."

And Dan left Kennie knowing just how much his brother wanted to be alone. And since he still had some...things to do at home, he didn't even bother getting lunch.

~*~*~*~

"Mattie, is it..." Dash whispered to his little brother. "...is it okay if I take a shower with Oli...alone?"

Mattie's eyes widened and he almost sprayed juice out his nose when he heard Dash's question. He looked at his big brother while Dash was guiltily rubbing his back. He glanced at Oli who was helping his mom with the dishes by their sink.

"Yep!" Mattie exclaimed which made Oli look at both Dash and him. The two brothers just exchanged glances before Mattie smiled innocently at Oli and Dash stood up to clean his plate as well.

So when Oli told Dash and Mattie that they would play some video games upstairs, he didn't expect to see a blushing Dash waiting for him by his bedroom door. He raised an eyebrow at this and Dash just seemed to blush some more.

"O-oli," Dash stuttered and Oli just eyed him curiously. He gulped before mumbling the last few words, "...take a shower with me."

"Huh? Take what? A shovel?" Oli asked which made Dash look at him sternly with his face still flushed.

"Dashu wants to shower with you," Mattie spoke in behalf of his big brother. The little kid appeared beside Dash all of sudden.

Oli didn't know what came first – his smile or his blush. But, he felt something rise up as fast inside his pants. He yelled, "...c'mon!"

Without more delays, Oli led Dash inside their bathroom. The tub was to the far side of the room facing the door while the shower was somewhere at the centre of the adjacent wall. Oli began taking off his clothes, leaving his boxers on for a while, and placed them in the laundry basket. He waited for Dash to take off his clothes, too.

As much as Dash wanted this, he wasn't that ready yet to let Oli run his hands freely over his bruises and scars. They weren't painful, but seeing Oli look at him apologetically made him wince at the memories each bruise and scar held. Still, he wanted to share this shower with Oli. No, he needed this shower. This was the only place he could think of to have Oli all to himself without Mattie asking them lots of questions. And he needed to speak with Oli.

Oli made his way toward the shower, finally removing his boxers. He slid the glass door open, turned the water on and waited for Dash to join him. He could already see the steam forming at the corners of the glass walls.

Dash, having removed the last bit of his clothing which was his shirt, made his way toward the shower. This was already his second shower for today, but this one should probably give him reason to clean up real good afterwards.

Oli smiled, feeling Dash's presence behind him. He turned around and was met by the most angelic eyes he had ever seen. He didn't bother looking down beyond Dash's collar bone. He didn't want to see those injuries. He just wanted to make them go away somehow. And what better way to do it than by hugging. Dash's skin was really soft against his and the boy's damp curls felt ticklish on his ears as he rested his head on Dash's shoulder.

"Thank you..." Oli mumbled.

Dash wrapped his arms around Oli as well. The blonde boy was a couple inches shorter than him so it was easy for his nose to smell how sweet Oli's damp hair was. He felt peaceful right now. It was like everything except Oli was being washed away. He didn't care much. This was all he ever needed aside from his little brother.

"No, Oli," he said. "I should be the one thanking you..."

"But I'm really happy right now," Oli insisted, holding tighter onto Dash. "...and it makes me feel grateful."

"Oli..." Dash whispered before he was interrupted by Oli's fingers on his lips, hushing him completely.

Having taken his arms off around Dash, Oli looked longingly into hazelnut eyes as his face inched closer toward Dash's. Those same beautiful eyes disappeared as he closed his own when he finally felt those soft hearty lips on his.

Oli bit hard on Dash's lips, parting them and inserting his tongue into that warm mouth. He felt Dash's arms lower down his back and settle on his butt, pressing into it gently. He could only moan into Dash's delicious mouth. And, oh, that playful tongue that refused to be toppled over.

Dash felt disappointed when Oli left one last nibble on his lips before trailing down to his chest. He even lost hold of Oli's butt when the boy stepped back a bit. He still wanted to taste Oli so much, but he won't stop that wet tongue on his chest from moving downward. He felt Oli's hands run down his arms before carefully and gently settling on top of his chest.

"I...I won't hurt you, Dash," Oli mumbled as he left vertical kisses on Dash's torso.

Oli then moved his tongue into Dash's navel, nibbling on it and even sucking out some water that dripped steadily over their bodies. His eyes were still closed, not wanting to see those painful reminders of Dash's life. Instead, he let his hands roam Dash's chest, nipples and abdomen. With every pinch, pull and squeeze, he remained tender.

"Aaaahhh," Dash moaned lowly, finding himself lean on the glass wall as his one hand settled on Oli's shoulder and the other ran through blonde hair. He couldn't make Oli's whole outline as the steam clouded over beautifully curved neck and porcelain back. And...aaaahhhhh!

Oli smiled from hearing Dash's surprised whimper. He'd admit on being rather quick to poke his tongue at that hard member, not even bothering to pull the foreskin back a bit. The tip showed anyway. Having incited Dash, he finally wrapped one hand `round the boy's erection. He proceeded to stroking while he place three kisses on the raw head. Each kiss was rather special, longing and came with a sloppy sound. After those kisses, he swallowed the head and eventually quickened his pace. He knew where to place his tongue, time his strokes and how to play with those slowly tightening balls to make Dash's knees weak. He felt the other boy's weight just from the arm on his shoulder.

"A-aaaahhh!" Dash stuttered as he moaned. He hated how needy he sounded like, but Oli made him feel so good and it didn't hurt a bit. Feeling his knees get weaker and his toes curl on the tiled floor, he cried, "Oooooolllliii!"

This wasn't a cry in pain. This was a cry of pure pleasure, bliss and...love. The gentleness of it all just showed what Dash meant to Oli. He took good care of Dash, cherished him with every kiss and nibble, made him feel safe even with those few painful secrets exposed and undoubtedly loved him. He quickened his strokes in tune to his mouth on the glans.

Oli couldn't decide which was warmer. The water that washed over them or Dash's cum in his mouth. He knew how to swallow. He learned a lot from...his former best friend's brother.

Dash was still panting as his back slid down the glass wall and he finally came face to face with Oli amidst the mist that surrounded them. The other boy was smiling so sweetly at him and all he could do was return it with his own little smile.

"Let me...suck you," Dash offered, but Oli wordlessly declined as he helped Dash up and wrap him in another embrace.

"That was for last night," Oli said. "...I'm just so happy we could take a bath together again."

Dash felt bad for not letting Oli cum. But the other boy just held him so tight that he couldn't even dare to fight back. Instead, he thought it was time to tell Oli his plan.

"Oli, I'm gonna tell you something," Dash said, gently pushing Oli away but close enough so that he could see those perfectly indigo eyes. "...don't tell Mattie, okay?"

"Why?" Oli asked. Why would Dash want to keep a secret from his little brother? Wait. So Dash invited him for a shower so that he could keep this talk only between them, didn't he?

"It's...complicated," Dash admitted. And it really was. Now, to explain it to Oli. "Y'know what happened to my...Mattie's...our mom and dad?"

Oli nodded and said, "...they died in an accident, right?"

"No." Dash's voice was cold and so were his eyes. "My...our dad...killed mom."

Dash didn't feel like crying. He has cried a lot ever since he and Mattie lost their parents. And now, crying just seemed like a waste of time.

"Dash...did this...I...I'm sorry." How should Oli react to that? Dash's blank expression just left him without the right words to say.

"Don't be," Dash told him, his eyes returning to those sincere brown. "...it was a long time ago and I don't really care `bout him much."

"Does Mattie know?" Oli asked. Somehow, he knew otherwise.

"Don't tell him, Oli..." Dash pleaded. "He...he loved our dad so much...I don't want him to live his life hating..."

Yes. Dash kept it a secret from Mattie what their dad did to their mom. He didn't want the kid's, who was six year old then, world to fall apart because of some tragic and cruel thing that their dad did. Being the older brother, he was the first one that his uncle told to. It was during the first court hearing. Dash stayed at home with Mattie, soothing the boy from what was a seemingly elaborate cover-up story he made. "They died in an accident," he said that time. He wanted to protect his brother from the harsh reality.

"Ssshh," Oli hushed. Dash wasn't crying, but he sounded really sad.

"If it was up to me, I'd prefer they died in an accident..." Dash said. "...don't tell Mattie...please..."

"I won't," Oli assured him, holding the sides of his face and rubbing his thumb on fair cheeks. "...but, what does this have to do with your plan?"

"I'm going to him," Dash said flatly. Before Oli could protest or question, he continued, "...I...I want him to admit everything he did...to plead guilty."

"What do you mean?" Oli asked. This didn't sound like a plan to save himself from his uncle.

"He never pleaded guilty, Oli!" Dash unintentionally pounded on the glass wall to hi side. "...everything pointed to him and he said he didn't do it!"

Dash remembered that fateful day. He sat outside the court room with Mattie. Custody hearing, he explained to his little brother. But he knew that it was the day his father got the verdict. He even remembered getting a soda and Twinkie from an odd stranger. Just when his uncle went out the court room to take them home, he heard the heavy words "NOT GUILTY" echo from inside. The voice was faint, but he knew it was his father. He looked at Mattie who happily ate his own Twinkie and felt the need to take care of him press harder on him.

"How is that s'posed to stop your uncle?" Oli demanded.

"It's not..." Dash admitted. He didn't want to stop his uncle just yet. He needed to find out more about his dad...more about the past. "I still have to ask my...dad a question. When I get my answer, I'll start putting my plan together."

Oli wanted to know more about what Dash had in mind, but it seemed that the other boy had finished the conversation already. Dash was reaching for the liquid soap, lathering himself from his chest downward. Oli offered to wash him and the boy silently let him. It seemed that Dash was really deep in thought even though they were sharing a steamy shower just minutes after his orgasmic euphoria. How could someone keep calm and collected like that? If Dash was indeed calm.

~*~*~*~

Just before turning the corner, Dan pulled over and spied on the two persons knocking on the front door of his house. Something wasn't right. They didn't look like from social services. They were too out of place in the neighbourhood. From the distance he was at, he wasn't sure if both men wore the same clothes or some uniform. There were no other people around which seemed odd. And no other cars nearby. Gripping hard on the steering wheel, he backed up, made a quick U-turn and set for somewhere else.

"...those little...fuckin...kids...Aarrrrghh!" He pounded on the steering wheel which made him pull over just as quickly.

He was breathing heavily and his head started to hurt. He needed to calm himself down and think of something. But all he could think of was punishing Dash and even Mattie to make `em learn for real this time.

Breathing in, he remembered that he heard from the radio earlier that it was a school holiday. Those two boys should be out here somewhere. He just needed to look.

Several blocks down, several more turns and lots of roaming around, Dan finally pulled to a slow stop as his lips curved into a wicked smile. He unlocked the door, grabbed something from one of his car's drawers and followed through his new plan.

~*~*~*~

"Mom, have you seen Mattie?" Oli asked as he plucked out the earphone from her mother's left ear.

"Oliver!" Dianne snapped jokingly at him. She smiled before saying, "What do you want, sweetheart?"

"Mattie's not in my room," Oli stated. "You seen him?"

Dianne remembered the little kid asking if he could shoot some hoops outside and she told him it was okay. He told Oli and the boy was immediately racing toward their backdoor.

"Dash!" Oli shouted as he found the other boy kneeling on the ground and seemingly unmoving. Somehow he started getting worried. "...Dash?"

"Mattie..." Dash mumbled as he crumpled the origami crane in his hands. He found the poor thing beside an oddly placed basketball. Immediately, he knew something was wrong.

"Boys!" Dianne called out to the two, entering through the open wooden gate that connected the front- and backyard. She had gotten a distressing call from her husband, but seeing Oli and Dash fazed, she knew the call came way too late. Her husband just had to deal with a couple of arraignments and only remembered to call just now.