Warnings: Slash and Incest
Disclaimer: Brotherly Love and its characters are owned and copyrighted by Touchstone Television.
"Matt, how come you're naked?" Andy asked, staring wide-eyed at his brother.
Joe could hear little Andy's question and was grateful to be in the bathroom. As much as he loved Matt, he wouldn't want to trade places with him at the moment.
Matt grabbed the sheets and clutched them in front of him. "Um...I got sick."
"You puked?" Andy interrupted scrunching up his face.
"Yeah Andy, I puked. I had to take off my clothes and take a shower. I puked all over Joe too. He's in the bathroom cleaning up."
"Then I guess you won't mind if I help myself to your share of birthday cake," Lloyd piped up, clutching the paper plate with foil wrapping close to him.
"No, not at all. Um... excuse me. I need to get dressed."
Matt gathered his clothes that he spotted laying inches away from the sofa and headed back towards the sleeping area. He heard Joe exit the bathroom and prayed he'd heard the ridiculous excuse he came up with.
"Hi Buddy," Joe said, clutching a towel around his waist and gathering his discarded clothes as well.
"Did Matt really puke on you?" Andy asked curiously.
"I'm afraid he really did. It was gross," Joe smiled.
"Maybe he should sleep in one of the beds since he's not feeling well,"Lloyd suggested. "Andy and I can camp outside tonight."
"Cool," Andy beamed.
All the talk of vomiting was making Lloyd lose his appetite and he really wanted that extra piece of cake.
"That's a good idea. Andy, why don't you grab a sleeping bag and I'll be out in a minute to help you set up."
Joe disappeared in the back and mouthed a 'thank you' to his brother for thinking on his feet. Having heard the rest of the conversation, Matt had put on his underwear and tee shirt and scooted into Andy's bed. Joe changed clothes mindful that their story was Matt had gotten sick all over him as well. He helped Lloyd set up so he and Andy could camp out. They arranged an area a few yards away from the trailer. Lloyd made sure to bring one of the coolers out and his portable tv. Andy brought a few snacks and something to drink. After making sure they were squared away, Joe returned to the trailer to see about Matt.
"That was too close," Matt shivered.
"I know. We have to be more careful," Joe agreed.
"Do you think Lloyd believed us?" Matt worried.
"Why wouldn't he. No one in their right mind would think...," Joe trailed off.
"You're right. No one in their right mind would think that brothers would be doing what we do."
"Mattie, I didn't mean it like that."
"It doesn't matter Joe, we both know what we're doing is wrong. It can't last forever."
Matt sighed and rolled over on his side facing away from his brother. Joe slid in beside him and pulled him into his arms.
"You're right Mattie, this can't last forever, but I'm not ready to let you go yet."
Matt turned to face his brother. "Me neither."
They kissed and Joe held the younger boy until he fell asleep. Joe lay awake half the night trying to push away thoughts of he and Matt being apart. As much as he didn't want their relationship to end, deep down he knew that it had to. They'd had close calls before, like when he'd fallen asleep in Matt's room and Claire had come home. He knew to continue the relationship was putting them both at risk of getting caught. Joe thought back to the accident Matt had at his friend's house. It seemed to him like fate was trying to set off warning sirens. Joe being the oldest was beginning to understand that it was his responsibility to do something before things got worse. He slipped out of the bed and across to the vacant one.
"I hope one day you'll forgive me Mattie," he whispered.
The drive home was uneventful. Lloyd drove and Andy was his willing co-pilot. Joe sat quietly at the kitchen table listening to Lloyd's radio. Matt read a book he needed to do an English paper on. The school year was winding down and the following year Matt would be a Junior in high school. Joe wrestled with waiting for Matt to graduate and go away to college before breaking things off or going ahead with the plan that had come to him last night. He knew the longer he delayed the inevitable, the harder it would be for them both. He decided to wait out the rest of Matt's school year before making a final decision. He didn't want his lover's grades to suffer because of a crisis in his personal life.
When they arrived home, Claire had made a huge meal to rival her usual Thanksgiving day fare. Lloyd of course stayed for dinner and after he and Joe went to the garage to assess how much work had piled up while they were gone. All in all, Lou had done a good job. Joe never doubted that she would. That was one of the reasons he'd considered her as he planned for his future.
Once Lloyd left, Joe rejoined Claire, Matt and Andy in the living room for an hour or so before announcing that he was going to bed. Matt looked at him but Joe gave him a quick shake of his head indicating he was to stay put tonight. Joe noted the look of disappointment on his lover's face but he was determined not to do anything to raise suspicion about the nature of their relationship.
That night, Joe tossed and turned in his bed, wondering if he was making the right decision. He knew he had no future in a relationship with is half-brother but when he was with Matt, he felt anything was possible. With his mind made up, he decided that by the end of June he would meet with Claire, Lou and Lloyd. He knew what had to be done.