Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:47:28 -0800
From: J B <toomuchstake@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Thing About Love

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This story contains sex between people of the same sex, teenagers, and
people of the same relation. This is also known as Incest. If this type of
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these files if caught illegally. Thank you for reading, and enjoy.


				 The Thing
				About Love
				 Jeremiah

I was seven years old, and sitting at a kids table during Thanks Giving.
The first Thanks Giving I could remember. My cousin Bruce was sitting
across from me, and we were the only two kids there. Despite the fact that
the house was crammed with adults. It was nineteen-ninety-seven.

I was nine, and I was at my uncle Bobby's house, and he was taking care of
me. My heart was thudding roughly against my chest as I sat on the couch.
He came out of the kitchen with a glass in his hand.

"Hey, stud!" he said trying to cheer me up. "I know someone who needs hot
chocolate!" he said sitting beside me. "Come on, little guy. Cheer up." he
said slinging an arm around my shoulders. "Here. It has a bendy straw."

"Thanks, uncle Bobby." I mumbled sadly taking the glass.

It felt warm in my grip. My uncle had filled the last three inches of the
glass with whipped cream. Only at his place did I ever experience memories
worth keeping. Only in his hands did I actually get the delicacies of
sweets, and a home cooked meal. I wished so much that I could stay with him
instead of my parents.

"Did they hit you, Jeremy?" he asked seriously as I looked down into my
glass. "Did they lay hands on you?"

"No." I muttered. "It's just, I sort of..." I stopped.

My parents had been fighting. That was my house. In fact, that was my
entire family. But I'll tell you more about that later.

I'd gotten scared that they would eventually see me and take their rage out
on me. My mom and dad constantly fought each other. My dad always said,
though, boys should never be scared. Boys should never ever show any signs
of weakness, or else they're worthless. They're good for nothing. So, how
was I going to tell my uncle that I was scared?

"Your cousin and aunt will be back as soon as they get done grocery
shopping. So, you'll have another kid in the house in a while."

I was eleven, and it was two-thousand-one. The final straw. My mom and dad
had fought so badly, that my uncle Bobby had to be called. He took my mom
and dad to court, and fought then for about two months. Finally winning
over full custody of me. I finally got to stay with my aunt Deidra, and my
uncle Bobby. Not only that, but I got to stay with my cousin, Bruce. He was
older than me by two years, and I loved him very much. He put up with my
side of the family just as much as I did. And I sat with him now, watching
television.


My cousin and I virtually grew up together. I was always at his house,
because my mom and dad were either working, or fighting. So, my aunt Deedie
had raised us both together. We went to the same school until he left for
sixth grade, and I stayed on for another two years. Now, I was fifteen, and
he was seventeen.

My aunt Deedie was a very nice woman. She was plump, and stood at five foot
one. She had long red hair down to her waist, which was nicely naturally
curly. It was the kind of curls that if you brushed them, they quickly
spring back into their original shape. She was very pretty, and didn't wear
makeup. She believed she didn't need it, and my uncle Bobby always said
that she was beautiful. She had a very nice kind baby face, and thin arms
and the hands of a true pianist. She played, too. She was my second
mother. I always went to her and my uncle for anything I needed. Her nice
pale eyes always reassured me.

"What's wrong, son?" she asked looking over at me as I walked in.

"Kenny died, mom." I muttered. I called then mom and dad, because they took
me in as a son. This had been so exciting, because that meant that even
though we didn't have the same mom and dad, for now, Bruce and I were
brothers.

"That episode was pretty messed up." she said as she sighed. "It's all
true, though. Matt and Trey did a very good job of describing stem cell
research."

"How do you know?" I asked sitting down beside her.

"Because, honey, I had cancer." she said smiling back.

"Wait, what?!" I asked nearly passing out. "You had cancer?"

"Yep. Because of my medication, I can no longer have children." she said
smiling.

"So, you won't be able to give Bruce a sister, or a brother?" I asked
sadly.

"No, but he has you." she said simply. "Now, enough about me,
darlin'. Something's bothering you, and it's not Kenny McCormick's death."
she said seriously. "Tell me what happened."

"I can't." I said sadly. "I don't feel well, I guess." I muttered.

"Jeremy, come on, honey. Just tell me what's wrong."

"Really." I lied. "I'm good."

My uncle/dad came walking in with Bruce. He seemed to have just finished
crying. I stood up, and smiled at both of them.

"What the hell!" my mom said sighing. "First Jeremiah, and now you?" she
asked looking at Bruce. "You two must really be having off days."

"Kenny's dead." my cousin said sadly. "Mom, that was fucked up." he
muttered.

"I taped it." my dad said smiling evilly at us.

"Let's watch it again?." I said pointedly to Bruce.

"Right behind yuh." he muttered.

Our parents walked into the kitchen and mom turned back. "If you two are
sad, and mopy, why watch it again?" she asked confused.

"I need closure." I said. It was the first thing that came to mind.

"Closure my ass." my dad muttered laughing.

Bruce and I sat through the whole entire episode again. We both sobbed and
held each other when Eric Cartman sang Heat of the Moment.

"This episode is fucked up." my seventeen year old cousin moaned, as he
held me. "You okay, Jeremy?" he asked as tears fell from his own
face. "Kind of sucks, huh?"

"They should've just ran him over during a street hockey match, or killed
him off in dodge ball again." I sobbed.

"Let's go up stairs." he said standing up with me still in his arms and
pulling me up with him. "Come on, we have a lot to do."

We both walked off and up the stairs. Today had been a strange day. It's
one of those days that goes down hill, and sort of stops because it runs
into something good, then afterward, it goes even more down hill.

"What's wrong, Jeremy?" he asked softly as we sat there doing our homework.

"Nothing." I lied. "I'm just sort of lost."

It was true. I was lost. I felt strange, and I hated feeling this way. I
hated being so screwed up. I hated being gay.

Bruce Goldstein stood at a strong height of five foot seven. He had short
black hair, and the prettiest ice blue eyes. He had high cheek bones, and a
pair of full red lips. Everyone always teased him about that, because he
looked like he had either eaten a really juicy red popsicle, or was wearing
lip gloss. His smile was unique to him, and only him. It always made my
heart melt. He had long strong arms, and a very hard muscular ripped
body. His skin was a very beautiful white. Just like mine. That's why I
always joked with him and claimed to be his brother. He was heavy, and
muscular. But he was light on his feet. He had a very light aura about
him. And his voice. It was a voice that changed like any other human's, as
he grew. Yet, that voice was the one that I'd virtually grown up with. He
was my other half.

I had learned about homosexuality through my uncle Bobby. I could remember
that day clearly. I was the unlucky thirteen year old. Kids on my block
always said that thirteen was unlucky. That it was terrible, and the worst
year of anyone's life. Hell, my life was the worst of my life.

It was a really rainy day, and I remember nothing at all, accept coming
home to Bobby, and running in crying. I had been beaten up badly, I'd been
called names, and I couldn't defend myself, because I had no clue what the
hell those names meant. So, I ran into the house, crying and wishing I
could just go home to God.

"Whoa, kid!" my uncle had said gasping as I ran to him. "What happened? Who
beat you up, Jeremiah?" he asked as he stood up from his place on the
couch.

I just ran to him, and wrapped my arms around him as tight as I could. I
cried for about fifteen minutes before I finally went quiet.

"You all right?" he asked. "Ready to tell me what happened?"

"I don't know." I muttered. "We're peals, right?" I asked searching for his
love.

"Yep." he said smiling. "Through thick and thin, kid. ... What's up?" he
asked.

"You can't tell Bruce, or aunt Deeddie?" I asked confidently.

"No, son." He had said that as he looked into my eyes. That was the first
time he'd said that to me. Called me, son.

So, I told him about how the boys had beaten me up, and called me
names. They had gay bashed me hard, too. With every name in the
book. Faggot, sissy, queermo, and I could go on. I think I did, with him
that night.

"Why, though?" I asked sadly. "Why would someone do that? What the hell are
all those things, anyway? I'm not a sissy. When I was with then," I said
stopping a little to make sure he knew who them, meant. "I didn't cry when
they fought. I got scared, too, but I never showed it. I did what a man's
supposed to do. I was brave. You can't be scared, if you're a man." I said
on the verge of more tears.

"Okay, Jeremiah. First of all, I don't know who filled your head with lies,
and bullshit. A man has the right to be scared. In fact, it makes him even
more of a man. If he gets scared, and is able to face whatever scares him,
then, he's brave. If he gets scared and runs away from his challenges or
troubles, he's a God damned coward." my uncle said bitterly. "You don't
have to be brave all the time, just to be a man. Remember that. A faggot,
or fag, are very derogatory words, for a homosexual man, or boy. This means
it's offensive. So are all those other words you said. They are all very
offensive words to describe that specific group of people."

"Why?" I asked curious. "How do they know what you are? What's a
homosexual?" I asked softly.

"Well, son, it's a man, or woman, who chooses to love the person who's the
same as they are. Just like your aunt and I are together, and married, and
have you and Bruce, two men, or two women can fall in love with each other,
and be a happy couple." he said bluntly. "It's not bad, it's just
different."

"What if I am? I mean, I don't know yet, but what if one day, I am?" I
asked sadly. "How does it go away?"

"Jeremy, it doesn't." he said patiently. "It's your emotions that control
your heart, and mind. And if you do turn out gay, or straight, whatever,
it's okay, either way. I have tons of friends who have wives, and tons of
girlfriends who have husbands. But I also have very strong and very cool
friendships with guys who are gay, and already have partners. There is
nothing wrong with that."

"Why would they single me out?" I asked sadly. "Why?"

"Because you are the stereotypical type of male who boys might think is
gay. Look at your cousin, Bruce. He's muscular, and plays sports. He looks
a lot heavier than you. You have muscle, son, but not as much as him, and
you look lighter. Your face is sort of different from any boy's. Have you
looked in the mirror lately?" he asked. "Here."

He took his wallet out, and showed me a picture. It was me. I was staring
back at us from the little pocket, and smiling. I had blue eyes, but not
ice blue like Bruce. And my hair, which was also black, was cut very short,
and the flat top that Bruce didn't have. My nose had been broken when I was
little, but it didn't notice. I did, but not anyone else. I had thin lips
which I thought looked kind of gross. My mouth was little and sometimes I
wondered how I could fit as much food as I managed. My face was always
pale, and I smiled, but it never extended to my eyes. I think it had
something to do with my permanent discouragement from life.

"Hey!" I gasped. "I sort of look like a girl."

"Kinda." my uncle said laughing. "But we all love you just the same. And
until you're aware of it, I don't think you have to worry about being gay."

"When will I find out?" I asked sadly.

"Oh, son." he said sighing heavily. "It'll hit you. You'll either fall in
love with a girl, or you'll fall in love with a guy." he said
smiling. "You'll know."

"What's it like?" I asked curiously. "Falling in love? Does it hurt?"

"Hell yeah." he muttered. "But only a bit. If you're lucky. The rest of the
time, you feel like you're on top of the world." he observed smiling. "And
the person you fall in love with will be the one you'll want to be with for
the rest of your life."

He was right. It did hit me soon after. When I turned fifteen, I had
already had two girlfriends. They were not super pretty, but they weren't
butt ugly either. They were tolerable, and they all had nice enough
attitudes. I'd broken up with the first one, because she moved away. I had
been relieved at it, but I didn't say that out ld to her. I broke up with
the second one, because I found out she was going out with this other boy
as well. Bruce had already had more girlfriends than I could count, and
each of them in my opinion, were butt ugly. Somehow, they were all bitches,
too. Every one of them. I'd never told him this, but I hated every girl he
ever went out with. Each one of them. Currently, he was dating a girl named
Ashley. She was the bane of my existence. I hated her, so bad. She was
snobby, rude, and looked uglier than any of the girls thus far. She
couldn't even be polite to mom and dad.

"I'm talking to you, you douche bag!" my cousin said slapping my thigh.

"What?" I asked looking up at him.

"Can you please come with me? Mom needs us to go to the store, and I'm not
gonna lug all her shit on the list back by myself." he said smiling at
me. "So, you'll go?"

"No. I have to study." I said yawning. "I was already falling asleep."

"Great." he said pulling me up off the bed. "Let's go."

My cousin, was a very nice kid. Really. He never forced anyone to do what
they didn't want. But he had a very strange gift of being able to figure
out when someone meant no, or when they said no, but truly meant yes. He
also had a very assertive manner. And he made his views on things known to
all.

"I said no." I said laughing as he picked me up.

"Don't worry. You can drive." he said smiling. "You have a permit, right?"

"I'm not driving! Hell no. It's dark!" I said flailing in his arms. "Put me
down, man!"

But he carried me down stairs and out the door. As we went, I started
noticing a lot about Bruce that I never have before. Being in his arms made
me feel peaceful. Content, and happy. Seeing his face made my heart turn to
mush. Feeling him, made me feel strange. He set me down at the door to the
passenger seat, and opened it for me.

"Hurry back, boys!" mom said from the door. "And don't forget anything!
Thanks giving isn't far off." she said smiling.

The car ride to the store was peaceful and warm as it began to rain. I
heard my cousin muttering and cursing under his breath.

"Calling the rain bitch, fuck, shit, won't help it." I said softly.

"I know." he replied smiling. "I just feel better about it, that's
all. Bitch." he whispered as he pulled into the grocery outlet.

"Very mature, Bruce." I said as he turned off the engine.

"I have to get a different car." he growled. "This good for nothing shit is
always turning off in the middle of the street."

"Yeah. But it turns on again when you barely turn the key." I said as we
both sat there.

"Hey, what are we waiting for?" he asked. "Let's get shopping before it
rains even more." he muttered.

For the rest of that week, I felt strange. My life was divided into two
parts. The one with my real abusive sick parents, and the one with my aunt,
uncle, and cousin. My former life seemed to be eons away. Every day,
however, was the same. I'd wake up, and feel so suicidal, because I felt
trapped. I would never be able to love him the way I wanted to. He was my
cousin, and I'd read about homosexuality. This was sinful, and incest. It
was taboo among Catholicism. Not only would Bobby and Deedie disown me, but
Bruce would probably kick the shit out of me if he knew. But once I saw his
face, when we went down to breakfast, or when we spotted each other in the
hall, I'd melt, and feel so incredible. And the rest of my day would go by
without a glitch. Almost as if I was dreaming. Yet, he still had a
girlfriend. I hated her!

"You all right, son?" Bobby asked as we both walked around setting the
table for dinner.

"I'm gay." I muttered looking down.

"Whoa! Really?" he asked smiling. "Glad you found out." he said
grinning. "You already in love?" he asked.

"Yeah." I muttered. "I guess you could say that."

"Does that person light up a place for you when they walk in?" he
asked. "Does your stomach get butterflies when you're near them? Do you
wish you could stay with them for the rest of your life, and never leave
their side?" he asked.

"Pretty much." I said still not looking at him.

"Do you feel like you're floating after you see them, or after he touches
you, even if it's just a tap on the shoulder, or a brush as he walks by?"

"Yeah." I muttered again.

"Good. That's how I feel about your aunt." he said smiling. "I hope God
let's me keep her down here for long. She's a very beautiful woman, and
she's all I know how to love." he said sadly.

"You're sweet." I said laughing.

We both put down the glasses we were holding, and walked towards each
other. He hugged me tightly. I smiled as I hugged him back. I tried to put
a lot of unsaid things into the hug.

"Love you too, son." he said smiling.

"Thanks, dad." I said back.

"Bobby!" my mom yelled from upstairs. "You left your hamster in the bathtub
again!"

"Even if she constantly _rips on me." he said as he let go of me. "She's
the only woman I truly love."

He smiled and I watched him run into the hall and up stairs. Just then, my
cousin came in with Ashley. Whoa. So ugly, I won't even describe it.

"Hey, Jeremiah." she said in her too sweet simper. "How you doin'?"

"Good." I said trying not to yell at her and punch her.

To my surprise, Bruce came over and hugged me. "Hey, dude. How's things?"

"Good." I said metaphorically throwing my soul off to one side so my love
wouldn't show. I stood silent and uncaring as he and I quickly
hugged. "You?" I asked.

"Just here." he said as he and Ashley walked into the kitchen.

"How come you never hug me?" she asked as I walked slowly off into the hall
and up the stairs.

"He's my brother, Ash. Be cool."

"You two aren't really brothers. He's just your cousin." she said
bitterly. "It's because of him that you and I don't go out that much." she
growled. "He needs to get his own car."

Thanks Giving came and as always, it was hell. We had the most screwed up
stereotype of a family. There was my alcoholic mom and dad, who still came
over every year. My grandparents, who both thought differently of the
other. My grandma thought she raised the girls right, and my grandpa
thought she'd done a bad job with my mom. I agreed. People fought, and
drank, and yelled. And not to mention all the other people who were in the
house. My grandma had nine children, four boys and the rest girls,
including Deedie, and my mom. Then, my uncle Bobby's mom, who refused to be
called grandma, so we all just called her ma, or mom. She said she was not
old. Truthfully, she wasn't. She actually looked good.

But this Thanks Giving, there was another addition to our family. Ashley,
the demon from hell! I hated her! She took my spot! She sat with my cousin,
and I was forced to sit with my dad. My real dad.

"Why the hell are you two still together if you hate each other that much?"
I asked as he spilled his guts out to me.

"Well, who knows. It's just the way things are." he muttered. "Yuh know?"

"No." I muttered.

"You made a really good dinner, mom." I said trying to avoid more
conversation with my dad.

"I think the turkey was too salty, and gross." Ashley said bitterly. "You
need to put less salt in the gravy, and less water in your stuffing. And
your ham is really disgusting." she spat.

"Don't!" shouted my cousin bitterly as he stood up. "You know, I've tried
to be nice to you, and tried to make things work, Ashley, but we are so
over!" he shouted.

"Fine." she said bitterly. "I'll see you tomorrow." And with that, she was
gone.

The place was full of talking, and none of it was good. Bobby's mom came
and sat down beside me, and sighed.

"So much for trying." she muttered.

"Stop!" I yelled as I jumped up. "Stop! Can we all please! Either shut up,
or buck up!" I shouted into the silence. "Gaw! Mandy spends all her time
trying to make this delicious dinner for all of us to shove into our
mouths, and you guys spend all your time fighting and bullshittin' each
other. Grandpa, you raised them both differently. You weren't there enough,
and mom turned into a slut, and became a bitter old hag. Grandma, you only
focused on one person, and left aunt Deedie out, and my mom became a
bitch. Dad, you and mom need to either get your shit together, or get
divorced. You guys," I said pointing to the group of aunts and uncles who
were fighting over sports. It was sad. One of the boy's names was Devon,
and he was my age. "For the civil war, the Ducks are gonna win. They played
better than the Beavers this season. And it's only a game. And Shelly, your
makeup looks bad. Devon is right." I said knowing they'd fought about that
as well. "And Bruce, you need to quit picking the butt ugly girls! If
you're gonna have a girlfriend, at least pick a girl who looks like Mandy."
I said looking at Bobby's mom. "Gawd damn, you guys. You are such a bunch
of pansies."

There was silence, but gradually, it became talk again, and there was no
more fighting. I got up and headed over to the food, and got more.

"He dumped that ugly bitch flat." Devon said grinning.

"I don't have to call you uncle, do I?" I asked. "I mean, we're both
sixteen."

"Fuck no. Man, I'm a kid. Ain't my fault your mom had you at fifteen."

"This family is so fucked up." I said as I looked him straight in the eye.

"You got it, brother." he said stretching out his glass of cider. I touched
my glass with his, and we both took a sip. "To the worst family in the
history of families." he toasted.

"Here here." I said as we clinked glasses again.

"Hey, tomorrow's black Friday. Gonna hit the stores?" he asked.

"Yeah. Maybe. Kind of sad that we don't see each other that often, don't
you think?" I asked sadly.

"I know, huh?" he said as we both found a seat.

I talked with Devon almost the whole rest of the time. We ripped on our
family, and ripped on each other. Around two in the morning, I think I was
on my twelfth piece of pie, Mandy came and sat with me and Devon.

"I hate being here, for only one reason. It's really hard to get around
with all of you, and I can't avoid bumping into anyone." she said as she
folded her cane in her lap.

"That's why you should keep your eyes open, you old hag." I said taking her
cane and setting it on the couch behind me. I dominated her, and without
caring what she said threw myself into her lap. I laid down and closed my
eyes.

"How many doctors did your mom try to get you to when you were born,
grandma?" Devon asked.

"I don't know who this grandma chick you're talking to is. But my mom took
me to every doctor she could think of. It was no use. The measles hit me
pretty hard when I was in her stomach."

"Gross." I muttered. "Can we talk about the stork, please." I said
laughing.

"You're a big boy, Jeremiah." she said slapping me gently across the
stomach.

"That's not his face, Mandy. If you want, I'll tell you where it is, and
you can slap him again."

"I could choke him if I wanted to." she said wrapping her fingers gently
around my neck. "I don't need to see to know where every single one of all
your body parts are. That goes and you too, Devon."

Devon and I both laughed as we sat there with her. She was actually a very
cool lady.

Surprisingly, we all made it to the four o'clock sails that morning, and no
one seemed to be tired at all. We made it to the Woodburn mall, and managed
to get in and buy some pretty cool clothing, and cheap stuff. It was fun
cramming our entire family into two little cars. Bobby's big mini van,
which held the grownups, and my cousin's car, which held everyone
twenty-five and under. Accept Bobby's mother, who road with us, because we
flipped a coin for her.

"You all right, Jeremy?" Bruce asked as he and I slid our bags under the
seat and headed off again. Shelly and Mandy were sitting in the front,
Shelly was driving.

"I think it hit me that I'm tired." I said laughing.

We ended up going all the way to Lincoln City, and shopping even there. The
result of that was, that getting back to Washington took a long time. So,
the ride back, I got to sit with Bruce again, and this time, he took his
jacket off, and wrapped an arm around me. He covered me with one hand, and
soon, I was sleeping. We got home about ten in the morning.

The rest of the day, the whole family slept. Thankfully, the fire was lit,
and everyone just plopped down wherever they could, and slept. No one moved
that day for long, because we were all too tired. It was only eight in the
evening when things started up again.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to get up." Mandy said from somewhere in
the room.

"Just make sure you tell us if you want to go home." Devon muttered from
somewhere else.

"Who wants food?" she asked.

Within seconds the whole place was alive again with people scattering and
heading for the kitchen.

Thanks Giving came, and went. Now, came Christmas. In my opinion the most
commercialized holiday of the year. I hated it! And once again, another
excuse for the family to get together. Damn, I hate this family.

"What are you doing?" I heard a voice say from the cell phone in my
brother's hand. He was sitting right beside me, and I could hear Ashley's
voice all the way over here.

"Watching TV." he said bitterly.

"Okay. The fighting's over. You can come get me, I'm at mom's."

"No, Ashley. We are through. We are done." he said standing up. Not before
I heard the next words.

"Come get me, right now, dammit!" she yelled.

He came back five minutes later still on the phone. "I'm sorry too." he
said smiling. "Bye."

"Aw." I cooed. "How cute. You two are back together." I said smiling. Say
that you're not, Bruce. Say you left her for good.

"No, Jeremy. It's over between us." he said sighing. "She's a bitch."

"I always said that. You always pick the uglier than hell girls. To top it
all off, you pick the girls with the attitude." I muttered.

"Oh well. It was all a scam, anyway." he said as he laid down on the other
couch. "I'm gay."

The announcement came to me as a shock, and I didn't know what to say. I
guess my body reacted on its own, because I didn't stay silent for long at
all. But I was nevertheless shocked.

"Really? Then why all the girlfriends?" I asked seriously.

"Just to not piss anyone off." he said sighing. "I thought you guys would
hate me if I told you. And honestly, Jeremiah, you're such a big part of my
life, that I wouldn't wanna ruin any friendship or bond I have with you."

You didn't ruin it, you dick! You made it a lot better! Now I knew, there
was a chance for this to happen for me. Maybe.

"Well, you could at least pick the attractive girls." mom said as she came
walking into the living room.

"Aw! Aw, shit!" he moaned. "What did you hear?"

"Everything." my mom said grinning. "No one would be pissed off. You know?"
she said smiling. "It's not like it's sinful."

Yet somehow, it was. It was a sin, and was looked down up on in the
Catholic religion. And even more so, was incest. So, why was it that I was
having all these feelings? Why was it that I found myself so in love with
my own cousin?

It was the first Saturday in December, and my brother was sitting on the
desk trying to do his homework. It looked like it wasn't working. He stared
at the same spot on the page for about six minutes until I tapped him on
the back.

"What?" he asked. "Need help with something? Does it require me to move?
Cuz I'll do it if it means not doing this mess." he volunteered smiling.

"No." I said laughing. "Mom and dad said if you wanna go see a movie." I
said sighing. "Take a break, man."

So, we all piled into the car, and left. I was sitting in the back with my
cousin who looked like he needed that break.

We ended up going to see a zombie movie. Well, no. It was a werewolf movie,
Blood and Chocolates. It was about a teenage girl who was a werewolf and
fell in love with a human. It was so lame, I ended up falling asleep.

                  Bruce My little brother ended up falling asleep during
the movie. My dad was beside me, and mom was looking on beside him. Jeremy
had crashed on my shoulder.

"Have you told him anything?" my dad asked curiously.

"No, dad. I can't do it." I muttered as I gently lifted him up a little.

"What are you doing?" my dad gasped. "Don't wake the pour kid up. He hasn't
been sleeping very good."

For the past three months, every night he woke up he'd wake up in the next
room screaming and crying. Once he fell off his bed, pour dude. I gently
lifted him up into my arms and laid him across me. If only no one was here!
I could lean down and kiss him. Or somehow make him see how much I loved
him.

"I can't tell him either. I'm too much of a coward." my dad muttered.

We all sat through the rest of the movie quietly. I stopped paying
attention to it, and paid more attention to the gorgeous boy lying in my
arms. I smiled down at him and ran my fingers through his hair. When mom
and dad were turned away, I leaned down and gently kissed his cheek. I let
out a sigh, and tears filled my eyes.

"Jeremy!" I muttered. "I love you so much."

There was only two scenes in the movie left, and I was still holding a
sleeping Jeremy. Suddenly, he jumped, and woke up. I stared at him.

"Hey!" he whispered. "Let go of me, you little fucker!" he whispered
laughing. "Damn!"

"You're the one who fell asleep on me, you little douche." I said laughing.

                  Jeremy I awoke, and felt myself lying on someone. I kept
my eyes closed, and waited. I felt his gentle hands running through my
hair, and caressing my face. I willed myself not to get a boner as I lay
there with Bruce. He was so warm, and so strong. I suddenly jumped up, not
being able to take it anymore.

"Hey! Let go of me, you little fucker! Damn!" I muttered as I got back into
my seat.

"You're the one who fell asleep on me, you little douche." he muttered back
gently punching me in the arm.

"Boys! Get down stairs!" my mom was yelling as I lay on my bed wishing I
could have my dream come true.

"Why?" Bruce shouted from the next room.

"Because I told you to!" dad yelled.

I jumped up and ran into the hall and down the stairs. Mom and dad were
sitting on the couch, looking very uncomfortable. Bruce came up behind me,
and we both sat down across from them.

"Boys, you're both done with school today, right?" my mom asked
sighing. "And you don't go back until January?"

"Yeah. Why?" Bruce asked concerned.

"Mom and I need to go to California for a bit. It's for our job. And we
would take you with us, but we can't. My boss is on my ass about this, and
I can't have distractions. So, this means, we won't be back until the
twenty-second." my dad muttered. "What would you boys like to do? Stay
here? Or have mom and I take you to Mandy?"

"Here." I said without question. "I can't really be over there, no
offense. It's hard enough being here, and having nightmares. What if I get
in trouble over there?"

"But what if you get in trouble over here?" dad said sighing. "Then what?"

"I can take care of him, dad." Bruce said snickering evilly. "We wouldn't
want him to be embarrassed with Mandy, now, would we?" he asked laughing.

"Okay." my mom said sighing. "That takes care of that. You two have
two-thousand dollars in the stash under the plant. For emergencies!" she
yelled as soon as she saw our faces.

"For food, and emergencies. And if neither of you can cook, they you eat
out." my dad said sighing.

"I can cook." I said grinning. "Heaven forbid we eat pizza the whole time."

"Okay. The plane arrives at ten forty, so, we have to leave. You two,
_please." my mom groaned. "_Be _careful. For the love of God, please. Don't
get yourselves into trouble. Okay?"

"Don't worry, mom." Bruce said smiling. "We're better than that."

We both said goodbye, and Bruce drove them off to the airport. They both
had cell phones, so it wasn't that bad. Right?

"Jeremy!" shouted a voice from far off. "Wake up! You're dreaming! Wake up,
kid!"

I opened my eyes, and saw my cousin standing over me. "Dude, what the hell
is up with you?" he asked.

"Nothing!" I said a little rudely. "I mean, nothing." I muttered. "I think
I ate too much pie."

He made sure I was okay, and left the room. I suddenly found myself unable
to stop the flow of tears as they soaked my pillow. Why the hell was my
family so screwed up? Why was _I so screw up?

"Breakfast, Bruce!" I yelled as I put a plate of bacon and eggs on the
table.

My cousin came sliding down the banister. He ran into the hall and skidded
into the kitchen. He only had a pair of shorts on. I willed my cock to stay
flacid as I saw his rippling muscles and white cream colored skin.

"Thanks." he said as he sat down. "Thank you."

We both sat down and started eating. I had no clue what to do or
say. Thankfully, he broke the silence.

"What's on the agenda for today?" he asked.

"Not much really." I said sadly. "Our lives, this town, everything's dead."

Despite our plea not to go over to her place and stay the couple weeks
there, Bruce and I decided to go over and visit Mandy. Mandy had given
birth to Bobby, and afterward, her ex-husband had left her with almost
nothing. But she got on excellently. She was the owner of a Thai
restaurant, and did well. Best of all, she was her own boss, so, she didn't
have to go into work every day. It was amazing.

"It's my two favorite boys." she said when I knocked shyly on the
door. "Come on, now! Don't be shy, this is your house. Don't be strangers."
she said reaching out and pulling me and my cousin both in with her.

"How you guys holdin' up?" she asked closing and locking the door.

"Fine. Why'd you lock it?" I asked still shy.

"Me and my boys don't need anyone burstin' in without knocking. Do we,
Brucey?" she asked as she hugged my cousin tightly. "I've got such handsome
little boys." she said revolving in my direction and coming over to me.

We both hugged each other, and she smiled at me. I felt my eyes water, and
burn. Before I could stop them, the tears started to stream.

"Hey, now!" Mandy said gently as she held me. "No need to cry, my love. No
need for that, now, child." she said smiling. "You two go sit down, and
I'll get us all some snacks. I gotta say, you two surprised me."

"Grandma--" Bruce started up.

"Who are you talkin' to, darlin'"" Mandy cut in. "It's only us three in the
house."

"Mandy, we just ate." he said blushing. "You don't need--"

"You two are going to be wasted away by the end and your lives. You need to
put more fat on those bones." she said disappearing into the kitchen. "I
got a call from your mom and dad, Bruce. Did they call you guys to say they
made it okay?"

"Yeah!" Bruce said as he gently led me to the couch. "They said they'd be
back as soon as they could. Hope they don't come back with a law suit on
their hands. I heard dad was having trouble at his company."

As they talked, Bruce wrapped his arms around my shoulders and held me
tightly. I still couldn't get the silent tears to stop streaming from my
eyes. I was confused. I felt so unwelcomed in every crowd of people I hung
out with. How come it was supposed to be that I had to turn out gay? And
why did I desire something I couldn't have? Why? Even if he was gay, incest
was probably far from his mind.

"Here, kids. I made these cookies this morning, just for such an
occasion. You guys tell me if they're good, or if they need to be trashed."

"Mom, your food is always good." I said as I let go of my cousin. "Trust
me."

"Speaking of trust." she said as we all took a cookie.

"Whoa." Bruce muttered. "They're still warm. Sweet."

"What's up with you picking the ugliest, rudest girls in the bunch,
ma'boy?" my grandma said.

I almost choked on my cookie. She was hitting every angle right on the
head.

"I don't know. I guess I just don't have very good taste." my cousin said
smiling. "Trust me, though. I'm done."

We spent a whole four hours with her. We talked, and watched television,
and me and Mandy played a really dirty game of cards. There was competition
between us, and we threw really dirty insults back and forth. They hurt
like hell.

"You two should stay for dinner." Mandy said as we hugged her. "I get the
feeling you'll all just be eating pizza for the whole time."

"Actually, today's burgers." I said smiling. "Home made, though. I got 'em
all ready to go."

"Wanna go with us?" Bruce asked as we stood with her.

"No, dear. Your uncle Rich is coming over to fix my bathtub." she said
sighing. "Call me if you guys need anything though. Okay?"

We rode off in silence. Something wasn't right, and I couldn't quite tell
if both of us were pissed at something, or what. When we got home, we both
went to our rooms, and didn't really do much. I don't know if we were
avoiding each other, or what. I made my way down to the kitchen at around
seven, and got the meal started. When he came down, his eyes were really
red.

"Dude! What happened?" I asked looking at his face.

"Nothing, why?" he asked as he sat down. "You look tired."

"You look like you just cried." I observed.

"I slept." he said calmly.

We ate our food in silence again, and avoided each other's eyes. Bruce
seemed to be on the verge of speaking several times, but he always stopped
himself. I washed the dishes that were used, and we both threw away the
paper cups, plates and napkins. I retreated first, and left to my room. I
had no clue how long I lay on my bed, just watching the clouds shift,
before it finally started to rain. I felt sick. There was a knock on my
door.

"It's open." I said dully.

The door opened, and he came walking in. He closed it gently, and walked
over to my desk chair. I turned back to window gazing as he sat down.

"Jeremy?" he said softly. "You okay?"

"Yeah." I said truthfully. "I just feel lazy. Why?"

"Well, you just look strange." he said sighing. "Like you're about to die."

"Naw. I'm just tired." I said closing my eyes.

"Hey, we're buds, right?" he asked softly.

"Yeah. Course we are."

"I mean, no matter what happens, no matter what I told you, you'd try not
to let it ruin our bond, right?" he asked softly.

"Right." I said smartly. "What's going on?" I asked sitting up and paying
closer attention.

"I guess, a lot." he said softly. "I don't know where to start, really."

"Well, with the simplest part, I guess." I said calmly. "From the
beginning, if there is one."

"Jeremy," he said softly. "I'm so incredibly, deeply, head over heels in
love." he said softly. "And if I didn't tell someone, I was gonna be
screwed." he said in a whisper.

Why the hell do you have to tell me? I hate you! I hate you so
badly. "Whoa. Congratulations." I said smiling at him as bravely as I
could. "How do you know?" I asked grinning. "You were in love with Ashley,
too."

"No, remember? I told you, I'm gay."

                   Bruce "Oh, right." he said still looking
unaffected. "How do you know?" he asked curiously.

"I can't stop thinking about this person." I said as my eyes filled with
tears and my face went red. "They're all I see. It's like, I'm
surrounded. Sometimes, it's okay, because I feel like I could do
anything. What would you do?" I asked softly.

He looked like he was about to punch me in the face. But only for five
seconds. He managed to straighten up and smile again. "Tell him, then. I'm
sure he'd really get a kick out of that one. And before you do, make sure
you have nothing to lose." he said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go
take a shower." he said standing up.

"Jeremy," I said standing up to. "You didn't help me here." I said angrily.

"What do you want me to say, Bruce?" he asked grinning at me. "Tell him how
you feel. Make sure you really are in love, though, because I don't wanna
see you get hurt. You're my best friend, and I--" he stopped. "Just forget
it."

He was off. He bolted through the door before I could stop him, and into
the bathroom. I was screwed. Or was I? As I heard him moving around next
door, I sneakily went through his desk. I found a comic strip. But hidden
inside was a gay porn mag. I hit gold! Jackpot!

                  Jeremy I slammed the door, and got undressed as quickly
as I could. I jumped into the shower, turned it on, and let the water
stream on to me. I hated him. I hated him so much. I wanted to kill him. I
wanted nothing more than to die. Couldn't he just have told someone else?
Whoever he was in love with, he could've just told them. A mixture of
shower water and tears streamed down my face as I quietly mourned his
loss. Okay, he hadn't really died. But I couldn't believe it. He had broken
my heart, and he didn't even know he did it. I stayed in the shower fifteen
minutes after I'd already finished. I really didn't want to go back. What
if he was still in there? Damn him to hell.

I got out and dried off quickly. I jumped back into my boxers and jeans,
and dried the rest of the water off with my shirt. Without putting it on, I
walked off and went to my room. Bruce was lying on my bed. It's not like I
could kick him out, or anything. It's not like I could ask him what the
hell he was doing here.

"You look bad." he commented. "You okay?"

"I must've eaten too much." I said smiling. "But I'm good." I said smiling.

"Jeremy?" he said softly.

Oh boy. Here it comes. He's about to ask me some other deep question that I
won't be able to handle as well as I did the other ones. I could see it in
his face, and hear it in his voice. "Yeah?" I asked turning my back on him.

"Jeremy--" He sounded like he was really struggling. "You can't let little
things, or big things ruin our friendship, because it's not worth it." he
said boldly. "No matter what."

"Yeah, we already said yes." I said calmly. "We'll always be friends." I
said wishing I could kill him.

"But I don't want to be friends, Jeremy. I love you." he said softly.

"I know, Bruce." I said smartly. "We'll always be like brothers."

"No, Jeremy! I love you! Like a lover. I want to laugh with you, be with
you, cry with you, everything."

I froze in mid pose. I was about to reach over and grab a shirt from the
pile in my closet. My blood boiled, and I just didn't know what to do. Did
he really just say that?

"Jeremy?" he whispered. "You're not saying anything."

"I don't really know." I said softly. "What to say."

"Fine." he said as tears filled his eyes and he stood up to leave.

I walked over to the door and closed it blocking his way. I walked over to
him and pushed him on to the bed. Breathing fast, we both sat there staring
at each other. I suddenly wrapped my arms around his shoulders, and kissed
him. My lips pressed roughly against his full beautiful lips. My grip
tightened on his body as we both held each other tightly. Both of us seemed
to be taken over by this powerful lust. We sat there for what seemed to be
hours exploring the other's mouth. It was amazing. I pulled away and broke
our kiss.

"Bruce." I whispered softly into his ear. "I want you."

We both stood up, and he quickly undressed. I pulled off my jeans, and my
boxers. We both gasped as we looked at each other for the first time.

He was tall, thin, and beautiful. His skin was just like mine. A very
beautiful light white color that looked so gorgeous on him. His cock was
standing at full attention as we both stood there. I looked into his ice
blue eyes, and moaned. We both wrapped our arms around each other and fell
on to the bed.

"Bruce." I gasped. "Bruce."

He let go of me, and flipped himself around so that my dick was soon in his
mouth. I took his in my own mouth, and sucked for dear life. I was
surrounded by the scent of clean shampoo, and perfume. My cousin's scent. I
was surrounded by him. I could feel the power and gentleness of his love as
he sucked me. I focused on him as well, trying to show him how much I've
missed him. He was finally mine. This was my dream come true. I was in
hell. I was lost in the eternal flames of an incestuous relationship. Not
only was I gay, but I was loving my cousin. I was doomed. But I didn't
really care. I was in hell, I was in heaven, I was everywhere. It didn't
matter. He's the only one that truly matters to me. Bruce. My cousin,
Bruce.

Three hours later, my cousin shot his sixth load down my greedy throat, and
I did the same thing. Finally, we both pulled away. He was quick, and in a
flash I was in his arms again. He smiled at me, and I at him.

"I love you so much." I whispered. "I'm so glad you told me."

"Me too." he said softly.

My lips touched his beautiful ones again, and once more, we were lost in a
deep kiss. He was shaking, and gasping in my arms as we both lay there.

"Jeremy," he said pulling away just enough to be able to speak. Our lips
were still touching slightly as he did this. "I want you. I need you! I
want to take you. To make love to you, Jeremy." he whispered. "Please."

I nearly started crying. Actually, I kind of did get tears in my eyes. I
didn't expect him to say that and use such beautiful speech. I expected
something more like, "I wanna fuck you, Jeremy. Let's have sex."

"Jeremy?" he asked gently still kissing me.

"I'm yours." I whispered through our lips. "I'm yours, Bruce. Take me. Love
me, Bruce. I'm yours."

"Forever?" he asked softly.

"Until we die." I whispered.

Bruce gently turned me over, and I lay back against the pillows. I spread
my legs wide, and he guided his hard cock straight to my hole. Since we'd
already been blowing each other, his cock was still covered in my spit. It
was lubricated enough to be able to easily slide into my awaiting ass. He
brought his hips to meet mine, and soon, we were one. My heart was pounding
inside me, as we lay there, Bruce stroking in and out with marvelous
skill. He was really good. He never broke our kiss. With each stroke, his
lips never once left mine. It was perfect. He reached down with his
remaining strength, and started jacking me off. The feelings were too
much. His tongue in my mouth, dick in my ass, and his hand stimulating my
dick, was just too much. I moaned into him as my seed shot. My ass gripped
him like a vise, and he let out a moan as he shot into me. He still didn't
break our kiss. When we both came down from the orgasm, he gently wrapped
his arms around my shoulders. He was still lying on me, and still inside
me, but I didn't care. He could still there the rest of his life if he
pleased.

"Jeremy?" he said softly. "There's something I have to tell you."

My heart froze as I saw his face. He was probably going to say that we were
nothing more than fooling around, and that this wasn't real. I waited.

"I'm not your cousin." he said softly.

"What?" I gasped.

"I'm not your real cousin." he said softly. "Aunt Deedie adopter me when I
was born. She could never have kids of her own, because of her
cancer. She's infertile." he said softly. "I'm your brother."

I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to act. I felt strange. Did
this change anything?

"So you wait to fuck me, before you tell me?" I asked stunned.

"Jeremiah, that doesn't change a thing. I still love you as much, if not
more than I did before I told you. We grew up together, Jeremy. I love you
so much. I would die for you." Bruce said the last sentence in a soft
pleading whisper. In his eyes there was such sweetness, such adoration, it
was amazing.

"You don't care, that this is incest, and that it's totally illegal?" I
asked softly.

"Don't forget the possible jail sentence if I'm caught. You are sixteen. I
am eighteen." he said softly. "Remember the day we first saw that South
Park episode where Kenny dies when he gets cancer? Dad took me aside that
day, and told me. I just couldn't tell you, because I thought I'd confuse
you. I couldn't tell you how much I loved you, because I thought it was
perverted, and sinful. You have to understand." he said softly. "I would do
anything for you." he whispered. "Jeremiah, do something!" he begged. "Say
something."

I pulled his head down and met my lips with his again. I kissed him as
passionately as I could. He was mine. Mine for good. For the rest of our
lives.

"I love you." he said softly through our kiss. "I love you so much. You're
the best friend I've ever had, and I risked everything to tell you how I
feel."

"And I'm so glad you did, Bruce. I love you too." I whispered. "Don't ever
leave me. Please."

"Let's go to sleep." he whispered softly. "It's late, and watching you
sleep is just about the most beautiful thing in the world." he said
smiling.

"What are you talking about?" I asked confused.

"Every night for the past while, whenever you have nightmares, either mom,
me, or dad, will go wake you up. And after you fall back to sleep again, I
would sneak in here, and watch you sleep. I almost wish I was a vampire, so
that I could stay awake with you all night. Just to watch you. You look so
beautiful. Anyway, I'd watch you, and listen to you breathe, and almost
want to wake you and kiss you."

"Do it, Bruce." I pleaded. "Kiss me."

His lips met mine again. He was amazing. I felt so secure with him. I loved
him so much. My older brother by two years.

"Let's sleep, Jeremy. I will stay with you." he said softly.

"You promise?" I asked softly. "I'll wake, and you'll be with me?"

"Yes, Jeremy, love." He gently kissed me again, and pulled out of me. He
touched my face with his gentle hand, and kissed me again.

                   Bruce I gently laid him back down, and got up. I slid
into a clean pair of boxers, and a clean pair of shorts. I tossed him a
pile of clean clothing too, and he changed into them. I watched him lay
down, and I gently tucked him in. I laid down beside him and closed my
eyes. He began to shake gently beside me. His breathing got faster.

"What's wrong, little brother?" I asked gently.

"I, I, I want you to lay with me!" he pleaded. "Please! I want you to lay
with me!"

"I am with you." I said softly reaching out my hands and cupping his
face. "I'm here."

"No!" he sobbed. "Lay with me, Bruce! Lay with me! Hold me! Don't leave
me."

I stood up, and pulled the covers off of him. I gently climbed in with him,
and pulled the blankets around us.

"Good night, love." I said softly. "Sleep tight. Please, try."

He was soon sleeping gently in my arms. His breathing becoming deep and
slow, and soft. I smiled. It was a smile that would probably never leave my
face. I had my prize. I had what I always wanted. My love. My brother. I
had my soul mate. But it was useless. Even with my presence, he still had
something hidden deep within him. He still had something plaguing
him. Something I didn't and couldn't find. Because he suddenly started
moaning. He started thrashing, and shaking, and yelling. I gently shook
him, I tried as hard as I could, to wake him up. I tried.

"Jeremy! Jeremiah! Wake up, Jeremiah! Wake up!" I yelled. "Wake up!"

I shook him so hard we almost fell into the ground. I shook him as hard as
I could. His eyes finally opened, and he stopped completely. We both
stared, and sat silently. He stared, and laid back down.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly.

"Yeah. Fine. Just fine."

I gently laid down and wrapped my arms around him again. Like a child, he
snuggled up to me, searching for my love, reassurance, a place to belong. I
gently touched his hair with my finger tips, and smiled.

"I love you, baby." I whispered. "I love you."

"Stay with me." he pleaded. "Stay with me, Bruce."

We both fell asleep silently that night. The full moon was shining on my
little brother so hypnotically. It made him look so small, and helpless. My
lover.

                  Jeremy I awoke the next day to find myself lying in my
bed. I didn't want to open my eyes. Was it a dream? Did I really experience
that much pleasure at my brother's hands? Was he my brother, or my cousin?
And where was he now? I reached out for him, and my hand landed on his
granite chest. I smiled as I lay there with my eyes still closed.

"You awake, baby brother?" he whispered. "You awake?"

"Yeah." I replied softly. "I'm kind of afraid to open my eyes." I said
smiling.

"It's not a dream, Jeremy." he said softly. "I can't live without you."

I opened my eyes and hugged him. He smiled as he hugged me to him.

"Your scent is the cure to all my problems." he said smiling. "Even before
I told you how I felt. Being with you has always been so amazing. And now,
we're closer than before." he said softly. "Would you like food?"

"No." I said truthfully. "I just want to lay here. Like this."

When I woke next, it was already ten fifteen. Bruce was still lying with
me, and again I felt like not moving. But I did.

                  Bruce Jeremy and I went down to the kitchen, and made
breakfast. He forbade me from going near anything though, but I showed him
I could actually cook. Mom and dad called that day to ask how we
were. Afterward, Jeremy and I were struck with absolutely no clue what to
do.

"Bruce?" he asked as we both cleaned up our mess and put the dishes to
dry. "I have to ask you." he said trailing off.

"Anything." I said as I walked over and turned on the dish washer.

"Will you move in with me?" he asked blushing. "I mean, your bed's just a
cheap twin. We both know I have the bigger room. So, let's give that one to
mom and dad, and you and I..." He stopped, and smiled at me.

"It's all up to you, love." I said content. I was happy with what I had,
but I'd love more.

The thing about love, it's strange. It hurts like hell if not done
properly. Something I found out before I told Jeremy the truth. And I hated
it. I hated it very badly. But I knew that he shouldn't have to give up his
own life, just to pleasure me, or be with me. I didn't want to completely
take over his life. He looked different. A little happier than before. His
smile actually extended to his beautiful eyes, and he lit up so perfectly.

"Jeremy, I hurt like hell over the past eon until I finally told you how I
felt. I finally discovered what it's like to be without you. Now, I would
like to be with you for the rest of my life. No matter what." I said
smiling and kissing him deeply. A low moan escaped his lips.

"Please, Bruce." he whispered.

"I will." I said smiling at him.

We visited Mandy a couple more times before my parents came
home. Surprisingly, the time passed by very smoothly, and quickly. And
soon, my mom and dad had arrived. Since my declaration to my brother, he
and I rarely separated. So, he and I both went to pick mom and dad up
together. When we found them, we quickly reclaimed their bags, and were off
again. Jeremy and I slid into the back seat with the bags, and mom was
driving as we left. It didn't take long to get back home. When we did, dad
pulled me aside.

"Did you tell him?" he asked gently.

"Yes." I said smiling at him. "I did."

"How did he take it?" he asked smartly.

"He still can't believe it. Neither can I for that matter." I muttered.

"Wanna go back?" he asked. "They hinted it."

"No. We have no place but here. Besides, Deidra's happy with what she has,
and I think it gives her hope for tomorrow. Maybe you both need us around
as much as we need you." I said sighing.

"You know, Bruce, you're a very astute eighteen year old. Since you've been
able to talk, you always surprise me with what you say." he said
sighing. "Anyway, are you two in love." he asked confidently.

"Is it that obvious?" I asked smiling. "Really?"

"Bruce, I haven't seen you this happy ever." he said gently. "You look
whole, Bruce. And Jeremy, well, he looks okay with life for the first time
ever." he said smiling.

"Are you okay with that?" I asked boldly.

"Yeah. It's totally fine." he said gently. "I knew you two would end up
like this. And if you didn't, well, I was going to see to it you did. You
two are made for each other. Just like your aunt and I."

"Stop." I said shortly. "You two are more than that, Bobby." I said
truthfully. "You're like parents to us. I don't know how I can thank you
enough." I said sighing.

"Don't leave so soon, boy." he said with tears in his eyes. "It helps to
see you two running around the house. Sort of puts Deedie at easy. I think
she really wanted kids. But you two are just about enough." he said smiling
at me. "You two are very extraordinary."

We both walked around the hood of the car, and hugged. Both of us smiled as
we stood there. I gently wiped a tear from his face, and smiled.

"Hey, this means, we can double date." he joked snaring at me.

"Go home, dad." I said pushing him off. "Go home."

                  Jeremy My mom and I walked up stairs with her bags. It
was silent for a bit, but when we got to her room, she gently closed the
door behind her. She motioned for me to sit down.

"How was your couple weeks without us." she asked gently. "Anything new?"

"If you wanna know if he told me, just ask." I said softly. "He did."

I saw tears form in her pretty pale eyes. "Crazy, huh?" she asked through a
broken voice.

"No. It's incredible." I said smiling. "Really amazing. I'm glad I found
out." I said smiling.

"Did he tell you why?" she asked again trying not to cry.

"Yes, he did. And if you'll think about it hard enough, you told me, too, a
while back." I said looking into her saddened face.

"I just hoped he would sort of skip the whole part and just tell you the
first part." she said smiling. "Anyway, what do you think?" she asked.

"I think you two are very amazing people. Look how my mom turned out?" I
muttered. "But you, you're different. You're strong, and tough, and you
keep going. I love that about you. I'm glad you took care of me all this
time." I said truthfully.

"Wanna go back?" she asked.

"Absolutely, not." I said smiling. "I want to be here, with you, and uncle
Bobby. As far as I'm concerned, you can go ahead and keep us."

"I think your brother wants to go back." she said sighing. "Or at least,
move out. And if he does, you are welcome to follow him." she said
grimacing a little bit.

"Naw. Bruce will stay ought." I said smartly. "He knows where his loyalties
lay. And I do, as well. You've always been a great mother to both of us." I
confessed. "Even before you took me in through the court system."

"Jeremiah?" she asked. "Are you in love?"

"Yes." I said without hesitation. "I'm guessing it looks obvious?"

"You move with him. When you two sit together, or across from each other,
it's like you two are magnets. You move with the slightest shift. Almost as
if you're willing to follow him wherever he goes." she said smiling. "I'm
sure you two are made for each other. Look at you."

"I really hope that doesn't bother you." I muttered. "I'm so sorry if--"

"Jeremiah," she said cutting in. "You've made Bruce so happy. I see it in
his face, in his attitude. He's so happy. You look so much better this
way." she said smiling. "It's in all our best interests if you two stay
with each other." she said smiling. "He would surely kill himself if you
left."

"I don't know how, but I have never felt this way before." I said
truthfully.

"Well, I've always trusted your decision making skills. I trust your
judgment. So, if this is what you want, then, by all means, son. It's okay
with me, and I'm quite sure it's okay with Bobby."

We both hugged, and I wiped a few stray tears from her face. She looked so
sad, now.

"I always pretended you two were really mine." she said smiling. "Even just
for a bit. I always dreamed of having children of my own."

"And you do, Deidra." I said still holding her tightly. "Bruce and I are so
much your children." I said smiling. "You took very wonderfully good care
of us. We're not going anywhere."

We both walked down stairs just as Bruce and my uncle came walking in. It
was sort of raining out there, and the bags they carried were wet. Bruce
put down Bobby's bag, and came and kissed me gently. Bobby and Deedie both
smiled.

"You'll still be my boys." she said smiling. "No matter how grown you get."

"Good." said Bruce. "Because here's what I was thinking. I made a very big
wish list...." We all headed to the kitchen as he rambled on about his wish
list.

It was soon Christmas time. As Bobby always held the Thanks Giving feast at
our place, Mandy always took it up on herself to hold the Christmas feast
at her place. No one else had houses as big as ours, and even if they did,
no one else volunteered. So, we all got ready to go, with only a day left
until we would be headed over there. Time went fast, and soon, Bruce and I
were lying in bed that night. He'd been bugging me about it for the last
week. Bobby and Deedie had arrived two days ago.

"So," he said as he covered the thick blankets over us. "What would you
like for Christmas?" he asked.

"Nothing." I said for the billionth time. "Nothing at all."

He let out a soft laugh that sent shivers down my spine, and he wrapped his
arms around me gently. "Yes, you do." he said bringing his lips to mine
again. "Tell me." he whispered barely pulling away so I could speak.

I couldn't. I was frozen. I could hardly breathe. He started to laugh.

"Breathe, Jeremy." he said shaking me a little and pulling completely away
from me. "Breathe."

I took in a deep breath, and held it trying to clear my head of the fog. "I
don't want anything." I said softly. "Really."

"Are you sure?" he asked smiling. "Because if I get you something, and you
don't like it?"

"Don't." I said softly. "I already have my Christmas gift. ... You."

"Nonsense. I'm getting you something. If it kills me." he said grinning at
me.

"No." I muttered. "Just promise me you'll stay with me. No matter what."

"I will." he said smiling. "Always."

"Take me!" I pleaded as my cock throbbed. "Take me, Bruce! Make love to
me." I pleaded.

He and I jumped out of bed, and quickly undressed. I lay down again, and
gave myself to him once more. He drew his lips with mine, and swallowed my
tongue as he gently enter my ass. I'd already become accustomed to him, so,
it was easy for him to enter me. He gently let out a soft moan as he fucked
me. He didn't break the kiss. His love was all I needed, and I really
appreciated him. He reached down, and started slowly jacking me off. I
moaned as I met each of his strokes. I could feel him sweetly, slowly,
gently, bringing me to a mind blowing orgasm which I could only experience
at his hands. I couldn't even do myself justice when I jacked off by
myself. Suddenly, he kissed me deeper, and held me tighter as his speed
increased. Soon, I was moaning as my seed shot all over us both, and his
shot into my tight ass.

"Mmmmmm!" I groaned. "Mmmmmm!"

I don't really remember what happened afterward, but I fell asleep in his
arms, with him still inside me.

I had time to do a little bit of last minute Christmas shopping. I managed
to get a few presents, but only worried about getting the most elegant
one. I entered a Freddie's jewelry shop, and by coincidence, found just the
right person to assist me. He was tall, and wore a neatly pressed suit. I
smiled as he came walking over to me. The shop was actually crowded with
men and women about my dad's age.

"How can I help you?" the man asked curtly. "Do you already know what you
want?"

"Not really. I'm kind of new at this." I said as my face exploded into a
blush.

"Don't worry. We'll help you out. Come with me, and I'll show you something
that may interest you."

In the end, it was a silver band that interested me. It didn't have
anything to it, it was just a thin band of silver that looked amazing. I
asked how much it was, and it wasn't too bad.

"Let me tell you, he won't be disappointed." the sales man said as he rang
me up. "It's very plain, but it says a lot to the holder."

At around four in the afternoon, we all piled into Bruce's car, and headed
off to Mandy's place. It was Bruce and I in the back seat, and mom and dad
up in the front. Mom was driving. Dad complaining about how she never does
anything around the place, and it's time for her to assume the driving for
a bit.

It was crowded over there. People greeting each other after a long time of
not being seen. But come on, it was only a month, since Thanks
Giving. Devon came up to me, and slapped my shoulder gently.

"How you doin' man?" he asked. "You'll never guess what happened to me?"

"Fine." I said smiling. "You got a girlfriend?"

"Hell yeah! But it's different. We're no Bruce and Ashley." he said
smiling. "Wanna meet her?"

I walked with Devon to a little spot away from the crowd. Mandy was sitting
with a very pretty girl about her height, and both of them were
laughing. She had very pretty black hair. Her hair was braided into lots of
smaller braids that looked like they only took a dozen strands of hair
each. She had very pretty beads strung through them, and she looked very
nice. She wore a set of gold bangles on her left hand, and a very nice
necklace, which seemed to be made from the same very clear beads in her
hair. She was wearing a red shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and a nice denim
jacket. She stood up and walked over to us. She shook my hand with a thin
black hand of hers. That's how you know he's straight.

"Hi, I'm Jeremy." I said smiling.

"Oh! Hi." she said smiling back. "You're Bruce's brother? I just met
him. He's very nice."

"This is my girlfriend, Penelope." he said smiling. "Isn't she the most
beautiful girl on the planet?" he asked misty eyed.

"She sure is." I said smiling and making her blush.

"Stop, Devon." she said laughing.

"It's true. If you love someone, you gotta show 'em off." Mandy said
smiling.

"Welcome to the family." I said grinning. "You'll have a blast."

The party was just like the Thanks Giving parties. Accept there was more
singing, and laughing. It was Christmas. I swear I saw my real mom and dad
kiss under a garland and missile toe. But I think I was just seeing
things. I'd stuffed myself completely, and actually had a good time. It was
one in the morning when I felt a thin arm wind itself around my waist. I
looked to my left, and Bruce towered beside me. He smiled.

"Mom and dad said they're going to stay a bit! Shelly said she'd bring them
back!" he said through the music. Mom was playing the piano, and everyone
else was singing. "Lets go!" he said pressing his gentle lips on my ear so
I could hear him clearly.

I was frozen and couldn't really speak. He just had the effect on me, and I
didn't know when it was gonna wear off. I just nodded. So, he withdrew
gently from me, and I followed him off. We both said bye to everyone who we
ran into, and walked off. He opened the door for me, and I walked out into
the cold snowy front. I heard the door close behind me, and the noise
instantly snapped off. We both walked off, but not before Bruce gently
slipped his arm around my waist again. He stopped walking, and so did I.

"Look up." he said softly.

I looked up, and hanging from a part of the front door, was a garland of
the magical plant. I gasped. Before I could do anything, Bruce gently
turned me to face him, and drew his lips to mine. I froze as he kissed
me. It was the most incredible thing ever. My arms wrapped gently around
his waist, and he smiled as he pulled away. His bottom lip still touched
mine as he spoke.

"Jeremiah?" he whispered. "I love you so much. You are so beautiful to me."

He gave me a long kiss before he picked me up, and carried me to the
car. He opened my door, and gently set me down. I heard the door close, and
soon, he was sitting beside me on the driver's seat. I turned to see him
dig the set of keys out of his pocket. He turned on the engine, and was
off.

"Talk to me, Jeremy." he said smiling. "Are you doing okay?"

"I'm fine. Hey," I said laughing as I saw his speedometer. "You're like
going thirty miles over the speed limit."

"Oh well." he said smiling. "I don't see any other cars here."

"Bruce, a cop car's right behind us." I said looking both ways.

"So, watch." he said smiling.

He gently eased up on the gas and the car slowly brought itself back down
to eighty-five miles per hour. But it was too late. The cop motioned for my
brother to pull over, and Bruce did without question. He turned off his
engine, and opened his door. The lady came around to his side of the car,
and glared at him.

"Are you aware that you were speeding?" she asked him bitterly.

"No, ma'am." he said looking calmly into her face. "I was not speeding. As
a matter of fact, I was trying not to speed, because of the snowy roads."
he said flashing her a dazzling smile.

"I," she stopped. "I think I just pulled over the wrong car." she
whispered. "I'm sorry, Mr.--"

"Beamer." he said pulling out his wallet. "Bruce Beamer at your service."

"Sorry, Mr. Beamer. I think I let my target get away." she mumbled going
red. "So sorry for bothering you." she said backing away.

I watched as she closed his door, and walked off back to her car. How the
hell had he just done that? What the hell was wrong with this boy? Was he
even real? We both made it back home in about twenty-five minutes. Which is
strange, because it took my dad about an hour and a half when we came here
for Thanks Giving last year, and mom took that long this year when we drove
over to Mandy's. Somehow, even though my brother sped up and broke about
fifteen laws that night, no one managed to get him into trouble.

"What did you say your name was again?" I asked looking at him. "Because
the Beamers and Goldsteins always get in trouble. Our real mom and dad have
had more speeding tickets than the whole family put together. And Bobby and
Deedie have gotten into police trouble more than once."

He was laughed and flashed me that sweet smile, and was gone. He came
around to my side, and opened the door. He reached around me, and took off
my belt, and pulled me into his arms again. He slammed his car door with
his foot as he carried me off and into the house.

"I know what I want for Christmas." he said gently as he locked the front
door and carried me up stairs.

"What?" I asked almost unable to hold his gaze.

"Take me, Jeremiah. Make love to me. Take me as if it was the last time in
your life." he pleaded gently. "As if you'll never see me again."

I don't even remember getting undressed. One minute I was nodding as he
requested this, and the next, we were both lying on the bed making love. My
hard throbbing prick was madly kissing his prostate as we lay there. His
lips strongly and magically locked with mine. I couldn't believe I was
here. And yet, I've been here many times before in the last couple weeks or
so. I moaned as I plowed in and out of him. I felt the orgasm building up,
and suddenly, he shot all over me, and I was shooting into his ass as his
ass gripped my hard prick. Without meaning to, my fingers wrapper tightly
around his hair, and we both moaned as the orgasm finally hit. I yelled his
name into his mouth as we both lay there completely over taken. When we
both came down from the orgasm, I let go of him, and he started laughing.

"I'm so sorry!" I gasped. "I, I didn't know."

"Didn't know what, baby?" he asked gently. "You didn't hurt me."

"But your hair?" I gasped looking at my hands which had a couple black
hairs in them. "I am so sorry, Bruce."

"No." he said covering my mouth with his hand. "No, love. You aren't. I
didn't feel anything. Honestly. Jeremiah, you just had a real orgasm." he
said softly. "And you don't know how proud I am to know that it was me that
made you feel that good. That was real, Jeremy." he said smiling. "You
didn't hurt me at all."

He took his hand away from my mouth, and gently coaxed me to lower my
head. I gasped as our lips locked once more. Bruce was amazing.

We both reluctantly pulled apart, and changed into clean clothing. He
walked over to the closet, and took something out from the backpack that
lay in the bottom. He came over to me, and smiled. It was a tiny gift
wrapped box. I saw his neat copper plate writing staring up at me. My name
was written on the wrapping. I didn't want to mess up the wrapping, but in
the end, Bruce took it from me, and ripped it open.

"Hey!" I gasped.

"You can have a different gift later, stud." he said laughing. "I'll
autograph your shirt, if you like my hand writing that much." he said
smiling.

I opened the box, and looked inside. It was a dazzlingly bright gold
band. I gasped. I looked up at him, and smiled. Oh, wow. He picked it out
and it's box, and gently reached for my left hand. He gently slipped it
on. It was thin, and showed nicely against my skin. Not too noticeable that
it was automatically out there, but it did show. If you looked close
enough.

"I love you with all my heart and soul." he swore softly. "I would never do
anything intentionally to hurt you. I just had to let you know."

"Thank you." I said smiling. "It's a very special gift." I
whispered. "Thanks, Bruce."

I gently took the empty box, and set it up on top of one of the computer
speakers. I quickly reached into a drawer and pulled out his silver
band. He laughed as he took the box and gently unwrapped it. He opened it,
and smiled his crooked goofy, "you shouldn't have" smile. I mimicked his
actions and quickly dug the band out of his box. I gently took his left
hand in my right, and slipped it on. He smiled.

"Bruce." was all I could say.

We returned back to school the following January. Bruce was to graduate
that year, leaving me alone for two years, since I was only a
Sophomore. But the new year brought with it a new class schedule, and we
both found we had identical classes.

"Why do you have all my classes?" I asked as I looked at his
schedule. "Dude, this is strange. What the hell." I gasped.

"I need an extra elective to graduate." he said pointing to his Drawing
class. "I never completed my last English credit." he explained pointing to
his English 201 class. "I have to complete my Psychology sequence." he
added pointing to his Psychology 204 class. "I need to make up the
Chemistry class." he said pointing at his paper again. "And we have two
releases each day." he added pointing again to his paper. "Is that enough
for yuh, babe?"

"It's just, some of these are Junior classes." I muttered. "Dude."

The day went by so strangely. I only had two classes before I had lunch,
and the release. I had my English class, and my Psychology class. It was
the weirdest day of my life.

"Hello, students. Some of you have had me for previous English classes. I
see you're back again, Bruce. Others of you, I'll be meeting for the first
time. I assume you didn't do too well on your last paper, Jeremy. I'd like
a full clean research paper this term. You've got about twenty weeks to do
it." he said smiling. "I will expect a paper from each and every one of you
by the end of this term. This paper will depend on your grade at the
end. It was drop you two full grades if you do not turn it in." There were
moans from the class. "I have also set up a seating chart for you, because
I will not be taking any bullshit." he said to everyone's bitterness. "So,
as I call your names, please relocate to your respective seats."

I felt strange. I was about to be separated from my brother, who was right
behind me. Not long after, he called our names. Since we were both Beamers.

"Bruce Beamer!" he said pointing to a seat at the very back, against a wall
beside one in the corner of the classroom. "Jeremiah Beamer." he said
pointing to the next seat right beside his. I froze and couldn't move. He
gave me a gentle steer, and we both walked to our seats. It took him about
ten minutes to get the rest of the students into their seating places.

"Okay, boys and girls! For the next fifty minutes, or however long we have,
we will be reviewing two plays. Hamlet, and my very favorite, Romeo and
Juliet. Both very wonderful plays written by?" he asked pointing at Bruce.

"Accomplished play write, William Shakespeare." my brother answered
smoothly.

"Correct! Now--"

And he was off. I didn't take in one single word. I was listened, raptly,
paying more attention to my brother, who was sitting to my right, staring
right at the instructor. He seemed to be able to pay full attention to him,
but I couldn't. My memory took me to a place only my brother and I had ever
gone before. I smiled to myself as I felt the echo of those emotions. My
hell. My perfect hell. For that is what it was. If incest, was a sin, then,
that was my perfect untouched piece of hell.

"So, remember that it's due on Thursday!" he boomed as everyone got
up. "See you guys later!"

I was forced upward by my brother's hand. He gently pulled me up, and
grabbed my bag. He steered me out of the room, and we both headed off to
Psychology.

"Do you even know what the instructor told us to do?" he asked as we both
sat down at a table in the back, on a couple of stools.

"Not really." I muttered laughing. "Did he say anything about me?"

"He actually congratulated you. You looked really interested in what he had
to say. By the way, we have homework." he said as the lady came walking
in. "We're supposed to watch the old version of Romeo and Juliet." he said
smiling.

"Fuckin' shit." I groaned. "I hate watching plays."

"Something tells me," he said slipping an arm around me. "We're gonna have
a blast watching this one. Well, almost." he added sighing. "The ending
sucks."

"My name is Lavender. Miss Donavan. You may call me either one." she said
writing her name on the board. "I wrote my name because you are expected to
head your papers completely." she said strictly. "Because you are almost in
college. And you need to start acting like college students. I will be
making a seating chart--" The whole class booed. "To which you will all be
following. Starting with Bruce and Jeremiah Beamer." she said. "You two
will be in the back row, two corner stools." she said strictly. "Celia
and--"

Everyone started moving around as she called names. Relief flooded through
me as we both made our way to the back. He took the seat on the right,
again, and once more I was hidden in the corner of the room. The room was
so crowded, he and I were only able to move our stools so far until we hit
the back wall. There were four to a table, and so, a couple was sitting
right beside him. No sooner had they sat down, then, the boy to his right
slid a little closer to his girlfriend, and whispered into her ear. They
both laughed, and he gently stroked her face. Bruce nudged him, and they
both cackled. They leaned into each other, and whispered. Bruce and him
both laughed hysterically, and turned back.

"What?" I asked gently touching his thigh.

"He says this is the absolute gold mine. There are over fifty kids here,
and the room is crowded. The two dudes in front of us are even taller than
me. So," he said as he turned slightly towards me. "She wouldn't notice, if
I did this." he said drawing his lips to mine. He gently kissed me, and
smiled. "No one would notice." he said sweetly.

"Or care, for that matter." the boy next to him said snickering. "Those
four in front of us are so fucking tall."

The class went on as the other one did. I seemed to be getting picked on
over here a lot more, though.

"I'm waiting." the lady said looking at me. "Which animal did Pavlov use in
his experiments?" she asked.

Bruce placed his lips on my ear. "Dogs." he breathed.

"Dogs." I said grinning at her. "He used dogs in his experiments."

"Correct. And since you seem to be having a fit of laughter, Bruce? Can you
tell me exactly how these experience took place?"

I couldn't keep my eyes off him as he rattled on about Pavlov. The boy
beside him leaned in behind him and whispered to me.

"This is great. The best class ever."

The day was incredible. No sooner had we sat down, then the bell rang, and
we were off. As we walked down the halls, for the first time today, I
caught sight of people staring. They weren't staring at me, they were
staring at my brother. I heard a pair of girls cackling and giggling as I
walked by.

"Beamer? How come he looks so handsome all of a sudden?"

"I don't know. You suppose he'd like to take us both to the prom?"

"Polease, girl! He probably already has a prom date. I should've asked him
to Sadie Hawkins."

"Hell no. I saw him first. Wanna go talk to them?"

"Who's the boy with him?"

"Sophomore Jeremiah Beamer. I think it's his little brother."

"Aw! How sweet. Probably so he won't get bullied by the big crowd."

The girls were blocked from my view as a big burly guy came over to us. He
reached out and my brother caught his hand in a high five.

"Jackson!" he said as they both burst into laughter. "You were gonna get a
haircut, dude."

"Naw. Mom wouldn't budge. And I ain't goin' to a salon. My mom charges six
bucks a doo, and the salons take triples. Which your brother?" he asked.

"Yeah. Jeremy, this is Scott. YOU might know his sister, Julie?" he asked.

The memory of a very pretty girl flashed into my mind. I smiled and
nodded. "I took her to Snow Ball my freshman year." I said smiling. "She's
really sweet."

"Yeah? Here she comes." the boy said as a pixie like girl came walking up
to him. He laughed and picked her up in his arms. "Hey sis. Remember these
two punks?" he asked flinging her our way.

"Hey! Jeremy!" she said struggling to get down. "This is embarrassing. Put
me down, Scott!" she said flailing as he held her. "He's not normally like
this!" she moaned. "Put me down!"

She was gently set down beside me as all four of us made our way out of the
school building. Julie took my hand so as not to be separated as we trailed
behind the two guys in front of us.

"Let me see!" she said taking my schedule in my hand. "Ooo! We have drawing
together!" she squealed. "Yay!"

"You serious?" I asked as excitement bubbled in me. "Cool. Hey, I didn't
know he was your brother."

"Yeah. All my life. So, how's your cousin?" she asked pointing at Bruce.

So, as we made our way through the overcrowded school, me and Julie
talked. I told her what I knew, and she seemed to be flooding over with joy
for me. We lost my brother and Scott about half way through our walk, and I
almost felt like calling him frantically to see where he was. But I kept my
eyes on Julie, and she held steady to my hand. So, we talked as we made our
way out. We bumped into about six people we both knew, who held us up a
little but we made it out in the end. My brother and Scot were sitting by
the flag pole, solemn faces. They looked like they were talking about
something serious. Both of them had their heads together, and were talking
in low voices.

"I'm so glad to see you, Jeremy. You actually grew a little." she said
softly as we both sat down across from our siblings on the brick wall.

"You didn't." I said smiling. "You still need to eat more."

"Fast metabolism. Kind of sad." she said smiling. "Let's see how long it
takes these morons to notice that we're back."

We all said goodbye, and walked our separate ways. I listened as Julie and
Scot both left, talking to each other as if they hadn't seen each other in
a long time. Bruce was walking slowly beside me as we headed for the car. I
didn't hear a ring, or a buzz that indicated a vibrating cell phone. But
before I knew it, he had it to his ear, and was talking.

"Yeah? ... Really short. ... No, it's fine. ... Home. ... No, don't even
worry about it. I know. ... Oh, I know. Don't worry. ... Sadly. ... So
special. I wish you knew the half of it. ... A little bit more. Okay,
bye. I love you, too. Thanks. See yuh. I'll tell him. Bye."

"Mom says hi." he said as he opened my door.

"You know, I can get my own doors." I said as he watched me climb in.

"I'm a gentleman. What can I say." he said smiling. "Sorry for caring."

I laughed as I closed the door, and put on my belt. I was half way through,
when he suddenly appeared in the driver's seat. He pulled the door closed
as he turned on the engine.

"Block Buster, here we come." he said smiling. "Hurray."

Two hours later we were both sitting on the couch, and my brother had the
remote control in his hand. I really hated watching movies for homework
assignments. It took all the fun out of the movie, completely.

"If I fall asleep..." I said sighing.

"If you fall asleep, you'll just have to watch it again." he said smiling
at me. "And I would only be too glad to watch it with you."

"How can you stand this? I mean, it takes people from that time era two
minutes just to say hi." I moaned. "They can't just say hi, they have to
add in all this junketh." I said sighing. "The only reason you're watching
this with me, is because it's homework. And you're a geek."

"Shakespeare, ... has always been a fascination of mine." he said smiling.

"Yeah. I know." I said knowing full well that he had all of Romeo's line's
memorized. He had had to play his part in a play his Sophomore year.

The movie turned out to be interesting. Especially because Bruce found it
funny to sit beside me, and whisper every line that Romeo said as he
flirted with and courted Juliet. I couldn't help paying closer attention.

By the end, I was moved as I watched Juliet mourn the loss of her lover. I
looked over at my brother, who had tightened his grip on me, and saw tears
streaming down his face as he wept openly. I smiled at him, and turned just
in time to see her fall to her death, after having had some of the
poison. I sighed without being able to stop my own eyes from filling with
tears. It wasn't half bad.

"You should've warned me." my mom said making us both jump.

She was standing with her car keys in her hand. Tears were in her eyes as
well. "You _really, should've warned me."

"It's over, anyway." Bruce said letting go of me and standing up.

I stood as well, and hugged my mom. "And Bobby?" I asked sadly.

"Still at the office. I came to get his palm pilot software." she said
sighing. "He said you knew which one it was, Bruce."

They were both off. I was left to ponder the play I'd just watched. And
suddenly, everything was clear. Whether or not it was a sin, I did love my
brother. And if it was wrong, then, it had to be. If there really was a
God, and he hadn't taken any action to stop what was happening between
Bruce and I, then, I took it to mean it really didn't matter. I was too
busy thinking about this, that I came back to my senses when the door was
closing and I just only caught a flash of my mom's face. Bruce sat beside
me, and hugged me.

"You're really quiet today. Not just in right now, either." he said gently
as he pressed a burning cheek to mine.

"Why are you always so hot?" I asked wincing as he did this. "All the
time."

"I'm not sure. Mom always asks me that." he said smiling. "Anyway, what's
wrong, my Jeremy?" he asked soothingly.

"Nothing. I was just thinking." I said leaning back against him. "That's
all."

"About?" he asked looking me in the eyes.

"Don't!" I said trying to look away. "You fuck with my mind when you do
that. I can't keep anything to myself." I muttered looking down at my
palms.

"I'm sorry." he said softly. "I guess that's just who I am."

"Bruce," I said trying to find the right words. I looked up, and he was
still staring. I found myself gazing into his ice blue eyes, and unable to
stop myself from saying the next words. "I wish I'd never met you! Or even
come to be with you. You are so strange sometimes, it makes me wonder if
you really care about me."

He laughed. I guess the shock inside me showed on my face, because he
laughed even more.

"Why are you laughing?" I asked as anger shot through me. "This isn't
funny, Bruce."

"I know." he said simply. "But I find it really funny."

"Which part do you find most funny? The fact that you wormed those words
out of me, or the fact that I just basically said I hated you?"

"Both." he said smiling. "I think I know what this is about. And sometimes
I wonder too." he said smiling and trying to get me to lean back. But I
didn't. I shifted and moved away from him a little. "Look, Jeremy. I don't
know why things happen the way they do." he said looking once more into my
eyes. "But I do love you. If this is about all those girls, and the police
lady that I managed to worm our way out of, I'm not sure why. My dad says
it's something about my stare. And maybe it is."

"It's about way more than that." I said as I tried to look away. "I wish I
hadn't fallen in love with you. I mean, this is wrong, Bruce. It's illegal,
it's wrong, and I'm sure we'll both be in trouble soon. Not only that, but
I know I'm gonna be the one to get hurt."

"Oh, Jeremy. If it's about how sinful this is, I already knew from the
moment I first started to understand life that I was gonna go to hell. If
there is any. So, I really couldn't care less. As far as you getting
hurt. ... I'm not gonna sit here and tell you that everyday will be like
haven. What I can tell you, is that I love you so much. I would never
intentionally hurt you. Where is this conversation going?" he asked
gently. "Come here, Jeremy." he whispered still looking me in the face.

I tried so hard to get up, but my arms and legs were frozen. Move, Jeremy,
move! I told myself as I tried to move. He still didn't turn away from
me. I found myself moving, but not the way I wanted to. I flung myself into
his arms as if he was a long lost lover, or something. And my lips drew to
his, and I kissed him. I lost myself in that magical wonderful kiss, and we
both sat on the couch for what seemed like hours. Him running his gentle
hands through my hair, and caressing part of my face. Me, lying in his arms
with my eyes closed, kissing him, and melting into the pleasure that was
him.

"I love you so much." I said without being able to stop myself. "Bruce! I
love you. I can't say it enough."

"I love you, too, Jeremiah." he said kissing me again. "Always."