Work Text:
Vegas crossed his arms on top of his chest, narrowing his eyes as he was watching Macau, who was again glued to the phone and he shook his head, placing his hands on top of his sides. Pete knitted his eyebrows when he saw Vegas frowning as he was looking at his younger brother and he pressed his lips together. What was wrong now?
Macau looked happy, there was a little grin on his face as he kept on texting someone and it made Pete happy. After everything, it was nice to see Macau acting like a normal teenager. He was happy that he and Vegas were at least able to provide Macau with that - a sense of normal life and then he rubbed the back of his neck, Vegas stepping over to him, again shaking his head.
“He’s always on that thing,” said Vegas and Pete looked over to Macau again and then he looked at his boyfriend.
“You mean texting his friends?”
“Yeah, he looks way too happy,” said Vegas and then he placed his finger upon his lips. Macau was always wearing that smile as of lately and Vegas couldn’t help but to think that Macau was hiding something from him and Pete. “He’s hiding something from us,” said Vegas and Pete rolled his eyes.
“Let him be,” said Pete, but Vegas wasn’t letting it go.
Macau chuckled and then he leaned back against the couch, typing away. He didn’t even notice Pete and Vegas looking at him from the kitchen. Vegas didn’t get it - yes, he was happy that his brother was getting along with his peers at school. Lately, his grades were getting better as well. All of that was well, during the past few weeks, Macau was acting strange.
Always on his phone, texting.
Always wearing that grin when he was texting someone.
Getting over excited when his phone started ringing, locking himself in the room when he would talk on the phone.
And spending a lot of time in the bathroom, getting ready, before leaving for classes.
Vegas couldn’t figure it out, but Pete seemed to know what was happening. All of the signs were there – it seemed that Macau had found someone that he liked at school and Pete was happy for the teen. Vegas, on the other hand, was lost. It was hilarious to Pete.
“What’s with him?” asked Vegas and wrinkled his nose when he heard Macau giggling.
“Oh, come on, isn’t it obvious?” asked Pete and Vegas glanced at him, arching a brow. Pete crossed his arms on top of his chest and he stared at Pete, confused. Pete laughed and then he leaned against the counter, smiling again as he looked over to Macau. “It seems that he found someone that he likes,” said Pete and eyed Vegas, who was slowly piecing together the puzzle.
Macau had someone that he… liked.
Vegas blinked a few times and then it finally clicked. Macau was dating someone?!
“Macau!” said Vegas loudly and Macau snapped back to reality, almost dropping his phone when he heard his brother’s voice and he quickly looked up, flinching when he saw Vegas coming closer to him. He quickly locked his phone and tucked it underneath the pillows of the couch, looking over to the other one. Pete narrowed his eyes.
“Vegas, what are you doing?” asked Pete, hurrying after Vegas.
“Who were you texting?”
Macau’s ears went red and he glanced down.
“My friend… from school.”
“Uh-huh, friend, sure,” said Vegas and he leaned closer to his brother, extending his hand out. “Show me your phone, now,” said Vegas and Macau quickly shook his head.
“No.”
“Vegas, don’t be ridiculous,” said Pete as he was now there next to them.
“Hey, as long as he lives under our roof, he does as we say,” said Vegas and Macau groaned, rolling his eyes and he reached for his phone and handed it to Vegas, glaring at him. Vegas took the phone into his hands and attempted to unlock it, but he couldn’t and he glanced at Macau.
“What? You told me to hand you my phone, not unlock it,” said Macau in his usual manner and Vegas gritted his teeth.
“Alright, Vegas, don’t,” said Pete, taking Macau’s phone away from Vegas’ hand. Just in that moment, Macau’s phone buzzed and Pete’s eyes lowered, smiling when he saw that someone had sent a text to Macau. He didn’t read the text, but he read the name on the screen from whom the text was.
L <3 ,
Was what the screen said and Pete chuckled.
“Here,” said Pete and handed the phone to Macau, who sighed in relief and a shy smile was on his lips when he saw that he had a new text.
“I’ll, um, go to my room now,” said Macau and Vegas narrowed his eyes.
“Why?”
“To do my homework,” lied Macau and before Vegas had the power to stop him, Macau was already running to his room, locking the door and Vegas was fuming.
“We’re not gonna stand for that, are we?” asked Vegas, shaking his head and Pete started laughing. “What? He’s clearly lying to us… hiding things-”
“He’s allowed his own privacy. You know how teenagers are – the more you pry into their privacy, the more they’re gonna push you away,” said Pete and rolled his eyes. “Macau will come to us if he will need help, he’s a smart kid,” said Pete and Vegas felt deflated, but he pulled back.
“ Fine. ”
Pete grinned and shook his head, ruffling Vegas’ hair and the other one glared at him, but once he saw Pete’s smile, his anger disappeared into thin air and he slumped against the couch.
“It’s cute when you worry,” said Pete and Vegas eyed him.
Vegas’ last strand of annoyance was gone when Pete wrapped his arms around his shoulders.
“Can I ask you something?” asked Macau a week or so later. Vegas wasn’t home, so Macau took that as an opportunity to ask Pete for help with something that he wasn’t really-
Pete, who was reading a book, slowly closed the book and glanced up at Macau, who looked a bit nervous and Pete slowly nodded. It wasn’t really out of the ordinary, Macau usually seeked out to him when he needed help with something, so Pete was more than happy to help.
“Sure, what’s up?”
Macau was silent for a few moments and then he took a deep breath.
“First you must promise you won’t tell big bro what I’m about to ask you, okay?” asked Macau slowly and Pete chuckled because he was slowly getting the idea what was really going on. Still, he nodded and then he leaned back against the couch, signing Macau to sit next to him and he gave him a little nod.
“Sure, I can keep a secret,” said Pete. “But if it’s something serious, then you have to tell Vegas as well,” he was quick to say because he wasn’t going to keep a serious secret from Vegas.
“It’s… not,” said Macau. “Well, it is, but it isn’t,” said Macau.
“Alright, what’s the problem?”
Macau was silent for a few more moments until he finally decided to speak up.
“How,” started Macau. Sure, he was tough and loud, but when it came to something as serious as this- “How do you ask someone out?’’ asked Macau and Pete grinned all the way up to his ears because his hunch was correct and then he hummed along.
“You wanna ask someone out, Macau?”
“It’s just a hypothetical question,” said Macau and Pete arched his brow. Macau glanced down and then he rolled his eyes. “Fine, yes, I wanna ask someone out,” said Macau and Pete laughed when he saw Macau. He was just like Vegas when he was out of his comfort zone, it was cute.
“Aw, so you have someone you like,” cooed Pete and Macau narrowed his eyes. Was Pete going to help him or not?
“Yes,” said Macau and then a shy smile spread across his lips.
“Who is it?” asked Pete and then chuckled when he saw the hesitant look on Macau’s face. “Oh come on, I won’t tell Vegas. I’ll keep it as a secret for now,” said Pete and Macau smiled. “So, come on, who is it?” he asked.
Macau felt warmth in his chest when he would think about the person.
“It’s my classmate,” said Macau.
“Uh-huh?”
“His name is Leo,” carried on Macau, slowly opening up to Pete more. It was something new that he was working on. It was nice to talk to Pete about personal things. Pete was good at listening, he was always paying attention and he was always giving him helpful advices, so he hoped that this time around he would be also able to help him because he had tried everything to get it across that he was interested romantically , but his friend-
“Oh,” said Pete and Macau rolled his eyes.
“And he’s really cute and kind,” said Macau, clasping his hands together, nervously twisting on his thumb and Pete smiled. “Too dense, though,” he said and sighed.
“Dense?”
“Yeah… I tried showing him that I’m interested in him in… that way, but he’s just not getting it,” groaned Macau and Pete smiled.
“Well, have you tried telling him directly?”
Macau looked like a deer, caught in the headlights.
“No!”
“You should.”
“I can’t,” said Macau.
“What’s the worst that can happen?” asked Pete and Macau pressed his lips together.
“He can reject me,’’ whined Macau and Pete sighed and nodded.
“I know how it feels, but sometimes it’s worth taking the chance. And even if he does reject you - at least you’ll know. It’s better than pining away forever,” said Pete and Macau glanced at him.
“You make it sound so easy,” said Macau and Pete gave him a little nod.
“You should tell him how you feel,” said Pete. “I don’t see a reason why he would reject you. You’re smart and kind,” said Pete, trying to give some confidence back to Macau. He never lacked it, up until now.
“True,” said Macau. “And I’m cute.”
“That’s the spirit,” said Pete and chuckled when he saw the wide smile on Macau’s lips.
Macau nodded and thanked Pete - just like he knew it, Pete always knew what to say.
“Best day ever!” came running Macau a few days later as he came from school.
Vegas arched his brow and he looked over at Pete.
“What’s with you?” asked Vegas and Macau happily grinned, proudly tipping his head back and then he placed his hands on top of his sides.
“Something good happened in school?” asked Pete and Vegas narrowed his eyes. The way that Pete asked that – it was as if he knew something… Vegas pressed his lips together and Macau nodded, stepping over to Pete.
“I listened to your advice,” said Macau and grinned happily.
“And, and?”
“I’m dating the hottest guy in school,” said Macau happily and Vegas’ mouth hung open as he looked at Pete, then he looked over to Macau, who was proudly strutting around the living room. “I did as you said,” said Pete and Vegas’ eye twitched. “And it turns out - he liked me all this time, too!”
“See, what did I tell you?” asked Pete.
“You gave Macau dating advice?” asked Vegas.
“Yep.”
“And you didn’t tell me?” asked Vegas.
Pete shrugged.
“It was a secret,” said Pete and Vegas grumbled under his breath. He wasn’t against Macau dating, but he was against the fact that Macau and Pete were keeping things away from him. “Ah, don’t be annoyed, Vegas,” said Pete and Vegas scowled at him.
“You’re keeping things away from me now as well, huh?”
“Aw, you know it’s not like that,” said Pete and wrapped his arms around Vegas’ neck, smiling at him and Vegas couldn’t stay annoyed when he had Pete looking at him like that. “I just told him how to ask someone out, that’s all.”
Vegas huffed and he glanced at Macau, who was now waltzing around the kitchen, announcing that he would be the one making dinner that day. He was on cloud nine.
“And who’s the kid that he asked out?” asked Vegas.
Pete finally told Vegas what he knew about the boy that Macau asked out, smiling as he was talking, Vegas slowly loosening up and as he looked at his brother again, he smiled. Vegas was happy for Macau, who promised not to keep things away from his brother again as well.
Hopefully.
“But what do we even know about this Leo guy?” asked Vegas, his foot tapping against the floor.
“Vegas, they’re only going to the cinema,” said Pete and Vegas looked at him.
Soon, Macau was going out on his first date and just as Pete thought that Vegas managed to chill out, he was back to being overprotective, laughing along and he crossed his arms on top of his chest. Macau had told them pretty much everything about Leo - he was on top of the class with his grades, he used to be Macau’s tutor with the things that he was struggling with and he was always there for Macau. He sounded nice.
“I know, I know,” said Vegas and then he sighed. ”Macau looks happy since they’ve gotten together, huh?”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you,” said Pete with a smile. “And his grades have gotten better thanks to him.”
“Still - the kid needs to know that there will be consequences if he dares to hurt Macau,” said Vegas and Pete glanced at him and then he nodded.
“Trust me, if he tries to hurt Macau, he will have to deal with both of us,” said Pete and Vegas chuckled. Pete was just as protective over Macau as Vegas was. “We shouldn’t only focus on the bad though, right?” asked Pete and placed his hand on top of Vegas’, who slowly nodded and linked their fingers together, giving his hand a little squeeze.
“I know, you’re right,” said Vegas and Pete smiled.
“There, so we should be happy for Macau,” said Pete.
“I am,” said Vegas and looked around. “Where is he? Still getting ready for the date?” he asked and Pete nodded. “It’s been two hours already,” said Vegas and started laughing because it was hilarious. Pete shrugged.
“It’s his first date, so it makes sense,” said Pete and Vegas hummed along.
Ten minutes later, the doorbell rang and there was a yelp coming from the bathroom.
“ Shit, I’m not ready yet! ”
Pete stood up and walked over to the door, letting the other teen inside. Since Macau was still getting ready, Pete invited Leo into the living room, so that he could wait there for Macau to join him. Vegas wasn’t really saying much when he saw the other teen stepping inside, but he kept his eyes on him, sitting on the couch, playing with his knife, which made the teen a bit nervous.
Pete rolled his eyes, took the pocket knife away from Vegas and put it away.
“Macau will be soon ready,” said Pete and smiled at the other one. He really looked like a good kid.
“It’s okay, I don’t mind waiting,” said the other one and Pete gave him a little nod, offering him a drink, which Leo decided to accept. While Pete was in the kitchen, Vegas leaned closer to the other one, who was now nervously smiling at him and Vegas narrowed his eyes.
“You must be… Macau’s older brother?” asked Leo and Vegas nodded.
“Yes,” said Vegas.
“Nice to meet you, he told me a lot of things about you,” said Leo.
“So you two are going to the cinema?”
“Yes.”
“What will you be watching?”
Leo gulped… was this an interrogation?
“Just a comedy movie,” said Leo.
“Ah, good, good,” said Vegas and then he glanced over to Pete, who was already coming back with a glass of drink. “You better treat my brother right,” said Vegas and Leo quickly nodded.
“I will,” said Leo. “I really like him.”
Vegas was prepared to say something else, but he was satisfied with that answer and he smiled.
“Good.”
Pete had a smile on his face as well when he returned back to the living room and soon after, Macau was done as well, finally ready. He froze up when he saw Leo in the company of Pete and Vegas, but he soon found out that he didn’t have anything to worry about. It seemed that Leo and Vegas found some common ground and interest – motorbikes, as that was what the two of them were talking about by the time that he came out of the bathroom.
Vegas was pleasantly surprised with the kid – perhaps he wasn’t so bad, but he was keeping his guard up for the time being!
Vegas huffed when it was only him and Pete at their place and then he looked over to Pete, who was curiously looking at him. “The kid’s alright,” was what he finally decided on.
“I told you - you have nothing to worry about,” said Pete and Vegas chewed on his lower lip. It was hard letting his guard down, he was used to being surrounded by the people who were always after him and his brother. But, he was slowly learning that not all people were like that.
Of course, Pete was special – but perhaps there were others out there that could be kind to them.
So, yes, Vegas was genuinely happy for his brother and he held onto Pete’s hand as he hummed along.
It was okay if he lowered his guard just a little bit.