It wasn't far into the afternoon yet, but the whole house seemed like full of darkness and silence. It was ironic really, when Mattie could vividly hear the grunts, moans, whimpers, and cries of his big brother from inside their room as his back leaned against the hardwood door, with his whole body slumped to the floor while he hugged his knees to his chest, holding a little stuffed turtle in between. The stuffed animal had big eyes, almost as big as his fist and so life-like that it looked as if it can read the soul of anyone who stares into its deep pools of emerald encased in clear crystal with a huge black pupil at the centre. He held the toy by its head, as if covering its ears, not wanting it to hear the pain that Dash was going through. Despite the turtle having no hints of being alive, it knew of the dark secrets among the two brothers. And it knew that it had to keep quiet. Mattie saw his reflection in those lifeless orbs, and he saw the streaks of tears that stained his cheeks.

"Dashu," Mattie whispered, hugging the stuffed turtle more tightly against his chest.

Several minutes later, Dash's cries no longer echoed within the room and Mattie could hear the approaching footsteps behind him from inside. He pushed himself off the floor and stood expectantly in front of the door. He was still hugging the turtle, but this time, only against his gut. He had his eyes glued to the door as he heard the knob turn and the wood creak open to reveal his most hated person in the world.

"Hey, buddy," the man, with his voice sounding so rough, deep and artificially sweet, greeted Mattie as he ruffled the little boy's curls.

Mattie didn't respond. Deep inside, he really felt annoyed at how deceitful the man's voice was. He just furrowed his eyebrows and pouted his lips, hugging his turtle back to his chest. He leaned sideways and peeked into the room, but he didn't see Dash immediately. However, he noticed the light from the bathroom creeping through the gap under the door.

The man left Mattie as he casually headed downstairs like nothing ever happened inside the room just a while ago. Mattie ran inside, closed the bedroom door and put his ear against the bathroom door, gently knocking.

The shower stopped hissing and Mattie could almost hear the faint droplets of water. Almost immediately, the door opened slightly and Mattie could see Dash's ragged figure going back under the showerhead. The little boy pushed the door open and let himself in, his bare feet cold on the tiled floor.

"Dashu," Mattie called out to his brother, just barely above a whisper.

"Hey, Mattie," Dash answered, his back toward his little brother while he just let the water run down his naked body.

Mattie approached his big brother slowly and soon felt the water wet his clothes. He hugged Dash around the waist, his little turtle enjoying the warm water as it was pressed in between both boys. Mattie began to sob and his little hiccups gently rocked Dash's body as the little boy sniffled.

Dash loosened Mattie's hold before turning around and hugging the boy, running his hand over lovely curls. His other hand rubbed his little brother's back as he felt Mattie sob even more against his bare chest. Gently withdrawing from the hug, he held Mattie's chin and looked at his brother's puffy eyes.

"S'okay, Mattie. I'm fine, see?" Dash said, still trying to soothe the little boy.

"But..but," Mattie whimpered. "You're lying, Dashu. You were crying! He hurt you..."

"Ssshh," Dash sounded. "I'm not hurt. He can't hurt me."

Dash tightened his hold on Mattie. He felt sure with what he was saying. As long as Mattie won't get hurt, nothing can hurt him as well. Mattie meant everything to him. And if he ever loses the boy, life might as well be merciful and kill him.

Little did Dash know that Mattie was hurting deep inside from seeing Dash just throw away his life like that. Mattie wanted all of it to stop, but he didn't know how. He was loyal to his big brother and that meant loyalty to their oath of silence. He regretted taking that oath. But he can't do anything to take it back. That's why he was hoping that someone else won't fall trapped by the same oath and just save Dash from that monster...and from himself. And Mattie thought Oli would be that person.

"You're wet," Dash said, brushing Mattie's curls from his slightly damp face.

Mattie stopped crying, but still sniffled when Dash began taking off his clothes. He raised his arms up, allowing his big brother to remove the wet shirt after having placed his little turtle on top of the sink. He felt the shirt go over his head and his curls and saw Dash's smiling eyes after the shirt was totally stripped off him. Dash unbuttoned his shorts and he felt himself giggle and blush when he suddenly felt ticklish. He removed his shorts and took off his underwear as well. Dash smiled sweetly at him and he grinned. He closed his eyes when Dash kissed his forehead, pulling back his hair lightly while his perfect little smile never left his face.

"I love you, Dashu," Mattie said, hugging his big brother again.

"I know, Mattie." Dash could almost smell the sweet scent of Mattie's curls. "I won't let him hurt you."

Both boys were enjoying each other's warmth under the hot water. Despite the pain that Dash felt earlier, he felt content just hugging his little brother. Nothing in the world can ever separate them and Dash felt sure of that. Inside that steamy bathroom was the perfect example of brotherly love despite the darkness that filled the whole house.

Meanwhile, back at Oli's house, the sweet boy was lying naked on his bed, straddled on top by another boy. His mind was elsewhere, well, on Dash for that matter. But his body, his lean, porcelain features were sent to another world under the careful ministrations of his best friend, Gabe.

"You finally talked to him?" Gabe asked, his hands running over Oli's chest and stopping briefly on the boy's nipples. Oli groaned a little, putting a smirk on Gabe's face.

"Ye..yeah," Oli answered, biting his lower lip, squinting his eyes while his mind drifted farther away.

"I don't get you, Oli," Gabe said, looking at his friend while his fingers played with Oli's hard nipples. "He seems like a jerk. And you want to be friends with him?"

"He's not a jerk," Oli immediately countered. "He's cool and fun."

"Whatever you say." Gabe went back to giving Oli butterfly kisses over his chest and down to his torso. He went farther down and stopped briefly near Oli's erection, inhaling the wondrous scent of the 12 year old boy. Gabe just can't get enough of that intoxicating smell.

As much as Oli was enjoying this, he can't help but worry about Dash a little. And he just didn't know why. His heart was skipping several beats, but not because of Gabe's wet tongue poking at his dickhead. Oh, sure, the swirling tongue going under and around his foreskin, spreading out the precum that oozed from his dick felt amazing. But it was so much different when almost all of his attention wasn't on that particular playful tongue.

Gabe licked Oli's length, down to his balls before finally stopping and adjusting himself on the bed. He spread Oli's legs, folding them, revealing Oli's pink and anxious butthole. His dick twitched a couples times from seeing what lays in wait for it. He leaned in once more and began licking around Oli's hole. `This taste...,' Gabe thought, a small smile wrapped around his tongue. His one hand reached over and started rubbing Oli's dick and balls, causing the other boy to writhe once in a while.

Oli closed his eyes, forcing his thoughts back to where he was right now. He groaned in pure bliss, having his hole caressed like that. He was panting, breathing through his mouth. He loved what Gabe was doing to him. And just when he thought he'd start squirting out, Gabe drew back, briefly inserting his tongue through the puckered hole.

Gabe positioned himself closer to Oli, his dick brushing gently against his friend's warm entrance. He looked at Oli's half lidded eyes and saw the boy nod slightly toward him, giving him the go signal. Almost instantly, his raw cut dick went through the little butthole where that warm and familiar feeling wrapped around it. He didn't move just yet. Instead he leaned over Oli and nibbled on the other boy's neck, asking for the second go signal. Oli responded with a moan and by thrusting himself into Gabe's dick. Finally, and very mechanically, Gabe moved in and out of Oli.

"Hah..ah...mmhh..." Oli moaned, grunted and whimpered, his eyes closed and his one arm just above his head. He felt his body rock in rhythm with Gabe's thrusts. He can't see his friend's face, but he knew it was only inches away from his having felt short and hot breaths on his cheeks.

Gabe's hand went to Oli's painful erection with no second thoughts. Both boys were used to sharing their climaxes and the whole ritual seemed almost practiced, though not perfected. He stroked it in tune to his own dick going in and out and in and out, making that sloppy, sultry and sexy sound. His moans seemed to put words into the music that vibrated from both their bodies. And it was mostly just, "Ahh...hah...ngh...uuh...mmhh..."

Both boys were sweating uncontrollably, their breaths shallow and erratic. Soon enough, Gabe felt his dick shudder inside Oli and he stopped stroking the other boy completely. Gabe let out his deepest moan, squinted his eyes as his body stiffened from shooting his cum inside Oli's warm butthole. Oli, feeling himself filled up with his friend's cum, squirted his own as well onto Gabe's chest.

Gabe, slowly let his dick slide out, his cum oozing out as he did so. He moved to lie down beside Oli, facing the boy, smiling widely at him.

"Awesome," he said, looking up at the ceiling.

Oli shuffled closer to Gabe, drawing the other boy into a hug, snuggling up to his chest. He had long forgotten his worry over Dash. He looked at his friend and almost placed a sweet kiss on Gabe's cheek when the boy withdrew from the hug, getting off the bed.

"No kissing," Gabe said, dressing himself up. "My brother taught us none of that."

Oli just stared at Gabe, feeling disappointed somehow. All that touches, kisses over his chest were nothing more than just what the moment stirred. There were no heartstrings involved, only lust and hormones. Despite that saddening thought, Oli can't really blame Gabe. They were taught long ago, back when they were still 10, by Gabe's older brother that sex was only for release, climax, orgasm and relieving stress. Feelings should never get involved and as soon as you came, never stay long enough for cuddles and kisses. Oli objected to the thought, but gladly welcomed the physical ecstasy. So he learned not to mind the emptiness he felt after sex despite being filled by Gabe's cum.

Oli, sprawled naked on his bed, started thinking of Dash again. He wondered if the other boy had an array of emotions aside from anger, loneliness and a slight hint of joyfulness. Gabe had left a while ago, giving Oli the freedom to ponder on what Dash was doing. And of course, he also thought of Mattie and that cute little smile of his. `If Mattie can smile like that, why can't Dash.' Oli thought. He heard his mom call him down for dinner and he reluctantly dressed himself up, well, still thinking a lot about the two, seemingly inseparable brothers.

Back in Dash and Mattie's home, dinner was silently shared among three. Dash sat across from Mattie, with the man from earlier sitting adjacent to him, where fathers usually sit, being the head of the family.

"Eat your vegetables, little buddy," the man said, reaching over the table and ruffling Mattie's hair.

"Take your hands off him," Dash warningly said, his eyes fierce and his grip on his cutlery tight.

"What, Dash? I'm not doing..."

"Hands. Off," Dash repeated and the man finally withdrew his hand, smirking at Dash.

"You sound so brave now, huh. Did you forget you're in my house?" the man said, leaning his elbows on the table.

"I don't care. You ever lay a finger on Mattie and I'll..."

"You'll what? Kill me?" The man straightened his posture, casually picking through his food. "You always sound so brave, Dash. But I never see that from you. All just big talk and you never do anything. Remember that time you told me some shit you're gonna do? You never did any of that, have you? You're a coward."

Dash set his knife and fork down, pushing his chair from the table and standing up, preparing to leave the dining room. He was just about to walk away when he heard the man say something..

"You're lucky I even send both of you to school. You remember that, Dash. It'll do you good to have me as your friend rather than your enemy."

Dash breathed in to calm himself before saying, "You are not my friend, Uncle Dan. Never have been, never will." He left dinner and headed for the bedroom he shared with Mattie.

Dash found himself sitting on his bed, thinking a lot about things. His uncle's voice echoed in his head, `You never did any of that, have you? You're a coward.' He closed his eyes and felt himself tremble with anger and annoyance. He hated admitting to himself that he was a coward. But he knew that was true. He remembered clearly what he told his uncle, back when he was three years younger. Despite his confidence saying those things, he never got to act on them. He was scared and knew that he no longer concerned the boy he set his eyes on. There were a lot of circumstances around the boy and Dash just wasn't in any of them. He sighed and opened his eyes, hearing the door creak open.

"Dashu," Mattie whispered, approaching his brother.

"Come here, Mattie," he said, gesturing for his brother to sit on his lap.

"Why can't we just run away?" Mattie asked, his curious eyes on Dash as he leaned into his big brother's chest.

"It's not that simple. We have nowhere to go and I don't want both of us to end up in the streets. I don't want that for you, Mattie," Dash answered, resting his chin on Mattie's curls while his hand rubbed against the little boy's thighs.

"We can go to Oli's. He won't mind, I'm sure," Mattie said.

"We can't. Besides, he should never know anything, `kay?" Dash said, gently pushing Mattie off his lap and letting him sit beside him on the bed. "We should get to sleep. We still have school tomorrow."

Mattie nodded and crawled to his side of the bed and under the covers. Dash smiled at him, knowing what Mattie had in mind. The little boy just grinned innocently and waited for Dash to lie down beside him.

"What story do you want me to read?" Dash asked.

"Make up anything, Dashu," Mattie pleaded.

"I'm not a storyteller," Dash said, propping himself up on his pillow and running his hand through Mattie's hair. "But, I'll try."

"Well, there was this boy who seemed so sure of himself," Dash started. "But he was nothing more than just a six year old. You see, he had a friend back then. Well, his best friend. But somewhere along the way, when they were growing up, the boy lost him."

"What happened?" Mattie asked.

"The world just works that way. You find someone and the next thing you know, you lost him. But this boy didn't believe in any of that. He was devastated, `course, but he was determined to get his friend back. But...when he was almost nine years old, he finally knew what it meant to lose someone so important."

"I don't like this story, Dashu," Mattie interrupted.

"I told you I'm not really good at telling stories," Dash said. "So, want me to read a book instead?"

Mattie nodded his head gently and settled for the story of a little boy from another planet, looking for friends in distant space while leaving his rose behind, trapped inside a glass. He pictured himself as this little boy, but instead of befriending a fox, he found company in the sincere eyes of a turtle. He soon felt himself falling asleep, his stuffed turtle tucked beside him with its big, big eyes.

The following day at school, Oli was eagerly sitting on his desk, waiting for Dash to walk in for their first period. He missed the boy and can hardly contain the excitement when Dash finally arrived. He stood up and called to his friend, running to greet him.

"Dash!"

"Oli," Dash simply said.

"How's Mattie? I miss the little guy," Oli said, almost bouncing up and down in front of his friend.

"He's fine. He has lots of friends at his school to keep him company," Dash answered, making his way toward his desk.

"How `bout you come over to my house later?" Oli offered as he took his seat.

"I can't. My...mom and dad are taking both of us out to dinner later. And we need to be home before then," Dash answered.

"How `bout I come over to your house, then?" Oli asked, hope gleaming in his eyes.

"No, Oli. We're friends in school, right? Isn't that enough for you?" Dash asked.

"No, Dash. I want to know you more personally." Oli shifted his chair closer to Dash.

"You can ask me anything you want. But you can't get me to let you over at my house," Dash bitterly said.

"Why?" Oli inquired and he was really desperate to know.

"Just because, Oli." Dash was relieved when their teacher finally walked in, but soon dreaded her announcing a fucking pop quiz.

By lunch time, Dash was sitting by himself again at a table near the entrance to the cafeteria. Oli, on the other hand, wanted him to sit with his friends. But Dash was clear with his intent otherwise. Still, he wasn't expecting Oli to come over to his table and stand beside him.

"I told you, Oli. I'm not sitting with you." His fierce eyes were set on Oli again.

"I'm not sitting, see? You can eat your lunch and I'll just stand here, `kay?" Oli retorted, his wide smile brightening up his face.

Dash just sighed, still feeling a bit irritated at his friend. But he welcomed the intrusion anyway. And his sandwich tasted a lot better when someone was beside him, well standing beside him.

"Sit," Dash said. Well, he more likely demanded.

Oli's smile just got bigger and he didn't mind that Dash ordered him like some dog or something. He was just glad to finally be sharing lunch with his friend. He took out his sandwich and OJ and started digging his way through.

"See? I told you! He's obsessed with him," Gabe, who sat at their usual table, told Anthony.

"He's just being friendly, dude. And, are you jealous?" Anthony asked.

"Me? Jealous?" Gabe scoffed. "That Dash boy can have him for as long as he wants. I don't care."

"Oookay," Anthony said, still eying his friend curiously. He can almost see that fire in Gabe's eyes as he looked over to where Oli and Dash sat. And that tight pressed lip only made it more obvious that Gabe didn't like for Oli to be there.

As soon as lunch was over and the last period as well, Dash found Oli's arm around his shoulders quite...annoying. Sure, Oli's body felt warm against his side, but Dash didn't want any of that sort. He just wanted, needed to get home as fast as he can. Oli left his two best friends a while back, saying that he wanted to convince Dash to hang out with them. But here he was, dead set on accompanying Dash home.

"Let go, Oli," Dash said, squirming out of Oli's hold. "I've to go home."

"Let me just walk with you!" Oli barely shouted, not wanting to go home yet.

"How many times do I have to say no?" Dash shouted at Oli.

"As many as you want. You're not getting rid of me!" Oli tried to drape his arms over Dash's shoulders again, but Dash simply sidestepped him.

"Damn it, Oli! I can walk myself home. And do you want me to never talk to you again?" Dash threatened.

Oli just shrugged what Dash said before answering, "I'll just get you to talk to me again."

Dash stormed off, almost wanting to just run for it. Oli was still by his side, grinning at him. By the time they reached the sidewalk, Oli felt something hit the side of his head. He rubbed it in annoyance and looked from where it was thrown. He wanted to shout at the person, but his eyes widened in surprise seeing Mattie behind some bush. He almost blurted out to Dash, but saw Mattie put a finger to his lips, shaking his head `no' and Oli just looked at him questioningly.

"Go home, Oli," Dash said, his back toward Oli.

"Yeah...sure," Oli absentmindedly agreed, curious as well with what Mattie had in mind.

Dash didn't expect Oli to relent so easily, but he took that chance for an escape. He didn't look back when he started pacing toward his house. Turning around the corner, he looked back to make sure Oli wasn't sneaking up behind him. He didn't see the other boy, so he started on his way home again.

Oli and Mattie was walking toward the nearby playground with Mattie leading both of them. Oli still had his eyes on the little boy and he wondered what he was really up to. And why didn't he want Dash to find out anything about him going to their school.

"What's up, Mattie?" Oli finally asked.

"I'll tell you in a bit, `kay? C'mon Oli, we have to hurry." Mattie ran off with Oli right behind him. He soon found a lone swing set and sat on one, waiting for Oli to sit on the other.

"What is it?" Oli asked again.

Mattie gently rocked himself on the swing, his little feet barely touching the ground. His head hung low, but he managed to look at Oli from the corner of his eyes.

"Dashu needs help," Mattie muttered.

"Help? Is he in trouble?" Oli felt some sort of urgency and almost wanted to start looking for Dash.

"No, Oli. Just listen to me," Mattie pleaded, his round eyes on Oli this time.

"Tell me. Is he in trouble?" Oli urged for an answer.

"There's...there's something he's not telling you, Oli," Mattie admitted. The swing he was on was still.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not s'posed to tell you, but...I just love him Oli...I love him so much," Mattie almost cried.

"Mattie..." Oli whispered.

"He's hurting, Oli!" Mattie blurted out, feeling his eyes wet with tears. "He's hurting `coz of me!"

Oli stood up and kneeled in front of Mattie. He placed his hand on the little boy's knees and wiped the tears off his little angelic face. "Sshhh. It's alright, Mattie. Just tell me everything."

"His..." Mattie sniffled. "Our uncle's touching him. I can hear him cry every day and I just want it to stop!"

"Why didn't he tell me this?" Oli was really worried now.

"He doesn't want anyone to know," Mattie mumbled.

"But this is serious, Mattie! We should tell..."

"NO!" Mattie shouted, his eyes forced shut as the tears streaked down his face. "I know him, Oli. And I know what he'll feel when everyone finds out."

"But we have to do something! You can tell your mom and dad. I'll even go with you," Oli said, rubbing his hand on Mattie's back.

"We...we don't have any. Dashu said they died in an accident long ago," Mattie said, saddened by the fact.

"I'm...sorry, Mattie," Oli said, hugging the little boy and just letting him sob on his shirt. "I'll tell my dad and have him..."

"Please, Oli. Don't tell anyone. Just help him out. He...needs a friend," Mattie begged.

"You're his little bro. And his best friend, Mattie. I'm his friend, too. And it's not your fault he's hurting," Oli said, still trying to get Mattie to stop crying.

"But it is my fault," Mattie said, staring deep into Oli's sincere eyes. "He wants to protect me. We don't have anywhere to go if our uncle goes to jail."

"We don't have any choice, Mattie. You can live with me. My mom and dad won't mind and we can get Dash to safety," Oli still tried persuading Mattie.

"No...Just talk to him and let him tell you everything. I don't want him to hate me." Mattie still sniffled quite a lot and Oli can just barely make out anything he said.

"Why would he hate you?" Oli asked.

"He made me swear not to tell anyone. But I can't take it anymore."

"He won't hate you, Mattie. He loves you so much." Oli kissed Mattie's forehead. "And y'know what?"

"What?"

"I like him, too. I like him a lot," Oli admitted. He felt Mattie sob even more and hug him so tight that he almost fell back. "Ssshhh. I promise I won't tell anyone. I'll get him talking and convince him to tell the truth to my dad. He'll know what to do."

A gentle breeze passed by the playground, lifting the leaves scattered on the ground and stirring dust into the air. Oli hugged Mattie to let the little boy know that he's safe and secure from the world. Mattie felt relieved that Oli understood his plea. He didn't know what to do any more than just ask Oli for help. Despite putting his loyalty to his brother on the line, he felt hopeful that Dash would understand the risk he's gone through. He didn't want his brother to hate him, but if Dash ended up doing so, he won't mind as long as Dash didn't hurt anymore.

Mattie went home a little while after that with Oli coming with him just until the last corner turn toward their house. He said `thank you' again and looked up at Oli saying, "Promise me you won't take the same oath, Oli."

"I promise. And...keep him safe, Mattie. I'll do what I can to help him," Oli said, ruffling the little boy's curls, receiving a sweet and sincere smile from Mattie.

Back at their house, Oli found a sticky note on their fridge saying, `Out for a bit. Be back before dinner. Pizza on the counter. Love, mom.' Oli smiled and found the perfect opportunity to learn how to get Dash talking. He rushed upstairs, grabbing a slice of pepperoni pizza and a can of soda from the fridge, and found himself inside his parent's bedroom. He went toward a desk and opened the drawers, searching for his father's files. As it was, his dad was a lawyer. And he hoped to find any file on how lawyers get someone talking and eventually extracting the truth from within carefully designed words and lies. Maybe he'd do the same thing to Dash.

As he was rummaging through piles and stacks of papers, Oli's eyes widened at a folder bearing two typewritten words. He opened it and read everything that was on paper and he felt his heart racing and his face almost turning pale as his lips trembled. His eyes mostly lingered on the words written on the first page. Adoption Papers. And just somewhere on the file was his name, `Oliver W. Smith'.