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Owen laid in his bed with one arm draped over his aching ribs. Everytime he got hurt he couldn't escape the endless lecturing he knew it was coming this time he hoped to hide it. If he wanted to be a great wrestler he had to push himself, bruised ribs were no excuse.
Slowly Owen began to drift off but before he could fall asleep there was a knock at his door, "who is it?" He asked trying to keep the strain out of his voice.
Without answering Bret pushed the door open, of course he would there was little privacy between the two of them. Bret wasn't always the best with words but he could tell when Owen was hurting.
Brets taught expression gave away that Owen had been found out. Even with that realization he decided to play dumb. "Is something wrong, I was trying to sleep" his voice was tense and groggy.
"How're you feeling?," That was Brets way of saying I know you're hurt, idiot, just let me help.
A humorless laugh escaped Owen, "pretty bad," before Bret could reply Owen spoke again "would you like to ... could you help me out." Even with his own brother he got butterflies asking for any kind of assistance or affection.
Bret walked the short distance from the doorway to Owen's bed and sat down, his weight causing the mattress to dip. "Yeah, anything you know that." His deep, warm voice eased Owen's nerves considerably.
"I, um screwed up during a match today could you," Owen shifted so that Bret could see where he was hit, "What should I do?" The pain was making his eyes water but he tried to keep it from being obvious.
Sucking in a breath Bret threaded one hand into Owen's hair to comfort him and set another on his injured chest. "Poor thing," Bret frowned. So badly Bret wanted to lean down and kiss it better, maybe it wouldn't help but he'd like to show Owen he cares. Sometimes he forgot Owen wasn't just his golden haired baby boy anymore. A selfish part of Bret wanted Owen to need him forever, something told him Owen felt the same way.
"How bad is it?" There was fear in Owen's eyes, Bret knew it wasn't because he was hurt he was scared he wouldn't be able to wrestle for a while. Owen was always more afraid of failure than Bret, he thought to be like his older brother he had to be perfect. Not once did he try to correct this way of thinking; Bret was happy someone looked up to him that much. Especially coming from Owen it made Bret feel like he had all the power in the world.
"I can't tell we should go to the doctor tomorrow, if you want to sleep for now you can." Brets voice gave away his concern.
Silence then a shaky sigh, Owen wouldn't cry he just wished he wasn't stupid enough to get hurt. At this rate he'd never be anyone he wasn't naturally talented like Bret there wasn't any prospect for him.
"C'mon don't be like that," Bret leaned a bit closer pulling Owen in. "It'll be fine you'll be feeling better in no time"
Still Owen didn't answer, his guilt hung so heavy in the air Bret felt choked. Or maybe that was just the usual devastation at seeing the boy he loved most hurt.
Owen was so beautiful like this Bret couldn't help himself. He just wanted to fix everything he wanted Owen to have the world. Leaning down he trailed kisses from Owen's belly up to his chest being extra gentle around his bruises. A look of shame crossed Owen's face; Bret wondered how long it'd take his little brother to stop caring. Bret knew from the moment he saw Owen that he wanted to have him in a way that wasn't acceptable by societies standards. If he was being honest there wasn't anything Bret wouldn't do to keep his brother with him.
"Don't make that face," Bret mumbled into Owen's neck. He buried himself deeper into his brother's shoulder, taking in the familiar scent. Owen always smelled sweet and fresh it reminded Bret of all his best memories.
A soft moan escaped Owen's lips, "Don't do this..." It wasn't that Owen was upset about the nature of their love he was afraid Bret would end up moving on and leaving him. So badly he wanted to believe what they had was sustainable. There was no telling with Bret, one night he'd be in Owen's arms saying he never wanted anyone else then he'd bring a woman home to appease their parents. They were already in too deep, Owen couldn't imagine life without Bret by his side.
"I know you don't want me to stop," Brets words were heavy maybe more so than Bret realized.
"...don't leave me," Owen was already being vulnerable revealing his physical injury to Bret, why not go all the way? The pit in his stomach and constant worrying wouldn't cease until he managed to speak to Bret about it.
This made Bret pause, he pulled back to kiss Owen on the lips. It was warm and tender a promise shared between the two of them. "You know I can't."
"Do you think we have a future together," Owen paused, this was something he'd been too afraid to even bring up rejection from Bret would be too much for him to bear. Sometimes he felt like his life revolved around Bret only, Bret raised him, taught him how to love, introduced him to his passions, and made him feel like he deserved everything. Owen didn't mind having someone hold his hand and walk him through life.
"We do, we always have there's never been a time I didn't want to wake up next to you or do your laundry or cook you dinner," Bret cut himself off before he started rambling. He didn't feel dirty for wanting to love Owen, it wasn't his fault his soul mate was his brother. Maybe they were unconventional but so were a lot of people, at least what they have is real and pure.
"I love you forever Bret," Owen nuzzled into Brets broad chest trying to avoid irritating his bruises. It didn't cross his mind how childish be might sound, the way he acted with Bret was different from how he would ever behave with anyone else.
It was moments like these that reminded Bret that nothing had changed, he hadn't failed Owen and he would always be Brets baby brother. Gently Bret shifted to lie beside Owen, wrapping one arm around his belly the other hand tracing circles on his back.