Never be lonely
Nick was in hospital for three days and he had begged and pleaded that Kevin and Joe could stay as well. Their parents couldn't say no, especially when he cried. Joe had laughed whenever their parents had left saying that he was such a good actor and he should quit singing and go back into drama. His hospital days were finally over and he was free to go home, though he had another week of bed rest at home.
Nick was sat on his bed with Joe on one side, Kevin the other and Frankie at the foot of the bed. Ryan had been round with flowers that made Nick sneeze, and chocolates that Joe had eaten. Nick was in and out of sleep as his pain medication wore off, the doctors had said he would feel groggy for a few more weeks.
“You do realise once he's better you both are going to have to have the talk.” Joe said as he watched his little brother sleep.
“I know, I know.” Kevin sighed, truth be told the past few days he had been avoiding his mother as much as his mother had been avoiding him. The only times he saw her was at dinner all the other times was when she brought drinks or food up to Nick. “She's waiting till he's fit for the talk, I'm hoping he can put his acting skills to more use.”
“Maybe you should just have the talk with mum, I mean she seems okay with it, well as okay as she'll ever be with it.” Joe laughed. “As long as dad doesn't find out...”
“So we have to hide in front of dad?” Kevin sighed in frustration. “How can I hide my love for him?”
“By not making out with me in public?” Nick's quiet voice filled the room causing both boys to jump. “What's going on?”
“We're just talking.” Kevin smiled as he ran his fingers through Nick's hair. “How you feeling, baby?”
“Good, better. Though if you want me to pretend I'm in pain forever I can.” Nick smiled.
“No...if you're okay then we should talk to mum.” Kevin smiled.
“Remember when I ran off, and you came and got me and we were at the park, and you told me that if they found out we'd be okay any way. You'd get a flat and I could stay with you...” Nick smiled. “It sounded good.”
“Sounded?” Kevin asked warily.
“Yes, sounded. But now...we can have us still but here with mum knowing and accepting, and she'll still love us, and dad he'll love us too. And when I'm older...when I'm legally allowed to move out...then we'll tell dad...please. I mean...what if they chuck you out and leave me alone?” Nick looked up at Kevin with wide eyes. “What if they make you move away from me? I can't be away from you Kev.”
“Then you wont.” Kevin smiled.
“And Nick...you would never have been alone, though I know it's not the same.” Joe smiled.
“So when we talk to mum.” Kevin started.
“Will you have anything to say?” Nick finished with a smile as he settled himself on top of Kevin.
“About?” Joe grinned.
“A certain blond boy.” Kevin laughed.
“I...no.” Joe shook his head. “I'm not going to tell them something that is so new to me and something I'm not so sure about.”
“I get that.” Kevin smiled.
“You're not going to hurt him are you?” Nick asked.
“No, little man. I like Ryan a lot, but you know...” Joe shrugged.
“I know.” Nick smiled. “So shall we talk to mum?”
“I'll go get her.” Joe smiled. “And then I'm going to Ryan's so you have the room to yourself.” He grinned causing Nick to blush. Joe smiled and then headed downstairs.
“We'll be okay,” Kevin said as he kissed Nick softly.
“I know we will.” Nick smiled. “Just...keep your arms around me?”
“Always.” Kevin smiled.
There was a light knock on the door and Kevin called for his mum to come in, she looked a little hesitant but her lips curled unwillingly into a smile at the site of her two sons. “Nick, how are you feeling?”
“Better, mum. Really, much better.” Nick smiled. She nodded and sat on the bed.
“So...Nick...you and Kevin.” She started a little nervously.
“Yeah mum, me and Kevin.” Nick smiled. “I know it's not right, not in your eyes.” He said slowly, “But for me nothings ever felt so right.”
“I can see how much you love each other,” She said with a smile. “I just...you're brothers.”
“It just makes the love stronger.” Kevin said as he tightened his grip on his brother.
“I love you boys, you're...my life.” Denise smiled sadly. “I've always and will always want you to be happy, and you are I can see that. So I accept you, as much as I don't understand it I accept you.”
“Thanks mum.” Both boys grinned.
“Your father...he wont. He loves you as much as I do but you've got to understand that it goes against everything he believes in.”
“We know, and we're...we'll hide it, for now.” Kevin said.
“Thank you.” Their mum smiled. “Nicky, get some rest.”
“I will,” Nick smiled. “love you mum.”
“Love you too, Nick. And you Kevin.” Kevin smiled at his mum and watched as she walked away.
“I can't believe this,” Nick smiled as he kissed his brothers neck. “We're going to be okay.”
“Yeah, we're going to be okay.” Kevin promised, and he knew it was a promise he was going to keep for the rest of his life.
THE END