Note: Check this part first and the labels before reading, it’s not meant to fulfill a fantasy and actually it’s me dealing with my life as innocent as possible.
The curtains were down and the room was lit with some of Ace’s favorite candles and in the middle of the room my shameless brother was trying to polish his toenails.
“You just have pink and black? they don’t match too well.”
I stared at my own brother voiceless with my jaws dropped open while Ace was still struggling to stand on his own feet and close his zip I undid earlier. Gosh this guy has peeped into the most private parts of my house and was still giving me that innocent look I guess sometimes I have too. I blinked a few times and re-started my brain before saying anything, actually I opened my mouth but nothing came out cos I wasn’t sure I wanted to say obscenities (that is pretty useless with those words being mostly related to the family and whatever I said would for sure insult my own family!) or I wanted to ignore him. At last I managed to call Z’s full name and tell him to get out at once. He gave me an unpleasant look before mentioning I had a gorgeous husband and I looked sexier when angry.
I blew the candles to save the remaining parts, noticing some of ‘em were the ones that meant something to Ace cos as long as I knew him they were somewhere near him.
“I’m so sorry.” Just thinking about what my brother did and the possibility of damaging some of Ace’s precious memorials, I was sure just a simple apology wont be enough.
“Easy, love. They were just candles, made to be burned.” he ran his fingers through the curves of my hair before embracing me tight. Little drops of tears glued our faces as I tried to kiss him. W spent the next 5 to 10 minutes doing nothing than sitting on the bed and holding hands, each thinking of a very different thing.
“Fine?” he asked at last. “Yes, you?” I asked staring at his blue eyes that looked grayer than ever.
“I think you dont have to ask him anymore, so give him time to come out on his own terms.” He smiled sweetly reminding me of the coming days I’d miss him.
“Judging him at the first fright? not really like you. Honestly I can give him time to pack and get outta my house, this kid is crossing all the lines. Everyone knows every couple has their own private things, why should we be any different?” I felt hot with anger, I did try to respect those lines at least though I usually cross ‘em without noticing, there is a huge difference between doing something intentionally and unintentionally.
“Shush, throw him outta your part of house, this house is mine too and I want my brother-in-law to stay. Don’t act like K, you weren’t Mr. perfect when you were his age.” he paused to pull me closer, his lips almost touching mine. “You are perfect now.”
It was one of those passionate kisses without any tongue fight when you dont wanna let go till you’re outta breath.
I took a deep breath before welcoming the intruder, I knew he’d been standing there for a while just looking at his brother but I’m not the kinda guy to stop such kisses cos someone is watching us, I don’t even do it cos of baby girl and that’s the reason sister-in-law taught her the word “gay” that she uses too random some people thought/think she had a very homophobic dad and I even got a few lectures on homosexuality and its nature. Am I really homophobic?
“Come here Z, we gotta talk.” I patted a place on the bed, showing him where to sit.
“Sorry.” was all he said as he managed to sit right between me and Ace like baby girl who always wants a middle ground when she joins her daddies for a night.
Me and Ace moved a bit to give him more space, I really didn’t want to sandwich my own brother.
I opened my mouth a few times to ask him the question then I thought I might freak him out, I really had no experience asking my brother if he was gay. I had asked a few guys about their sexuality but that was for other purposes. For the first time I was hell mad at myself for never trying to know my little bro. if we were closer, he would have told me right? How was he supposed to come out to his brother if he were gay? I simply asked my granny to out me to my family and I don’t remember how I came out to her, it was like she knew it. This was different. What if he was just curious, com’on lots of straight guys color their hair and nails and lots of gays don’t like it.
“So what’s up Z?” I heard Ace coming to rescue me.
I felt Z curved to a ball and whimpered a few times as he tried to grab my hand with no success so I moved my hand closer and held his right hand as Ace went for his other hand. I even felt Ace’s other hand brushed against the hand I put behind Z.
“I think I might be …” Z bit his lip and swallowed some air loudly.
“You might be what?” I shouted at him or at least it was too loud for a simple chat and I felt Ace’s nails dug into my free hand so I repeated my question with the nicest tone I had right then.
“I might be like you.” Z said and ran out of the room. I think I looked as shocked as Ace that means we both looked too silly and too funny. I was waiting for that answer and I was still shocked. So was he out now? he didn’t even say the word. “Like you” Ace pointed his finger at me and burst in laughter.
“What’s funny ugly boy?” I managed to ask after laughing a while myself. I think it’s another kind of reaction when you are shocked.
“Nothing, nothing really. Now we gotta find him a husband.”
-”Jerkass, he said he might, that means nothing. Let’s go and talk to him, I bet it took him all the guts he had to say so.”
I ran downstairs followed by Ace and stood behind Z’s door so Ace knocked.
“Yes?” Came a hoarse voice.
“We want to come in.” I said as I tried the doorknob, it was locked.
“Wait, I’m coming.” Z said and in a seconds we heard the door unlocked.
I think it runs in the family, we all look like total mess and hell funny when we’re mentally fucked. I tried not to laugh but I saw Ace’s lips curve to a smile before he succeeded to turn it to some concerned looks.
” Let’s be honest Z. Is your gf still a virgin?” I needed to know everything and I usually ask things straight.
Z blushed obviously ” I think so, we broke up.” I was concerned about my brother but that girl was very special. Her dad was really worried about the guy his daughter chose as boyfriend and he didn’t let Z get too close to her before her 18th birthday. Heaven knows how many times I talked to him just to convince him my brother meant her no harm and he didn’t need to protect his daughter this much. At least I knew they didn’t have sex and his father wouldnt come to haunt me if my brother is a queer.
“You’re not gonna tell K,right? I wanna stay here, I will work and pay you. please let me stay.” I could see the terrified look in his eyes.
“Don’t worry for now, your secret is safe as long as you ask but K is your brother too and he’s not as bad as you think, he just wants to protect you, alright?” I wasnt much sure about what I was saying, K did care but he proved me at times that he was no fan of same-sex relationships.
“For the staying part…” I put my arm round Ace and pulled him close “I have no objection but it’s not all my house so you need his permission too.”
“It’s fine by me as long as you behave.” Ace said sweetly and well I already knew the answer but I had to show Z how things worked.
“One more thing”
“what?”
” You cant stay here for too long cos you have to go back to school and this town is not that gay-friendly and not really good for a young guy like you, the winters are long and you cant do much, you’ll be bored soon and you cant count on the flights to runaway when it starts snowing.”
“Ok.” Z smiled shyly and that was the boy I knew, so much like the little annoying brother except this guy was a man now.
I stepped out and pulled Ace with me.
“we have business to take care of so don’t bug us for at least an hour, then we can talk if you like.” I wanted to be there for him but he didn’t look like willing enough to talk besides he had asked some of the questions and he could find some answers on the internet, Ace was going away and I needed to refresh a few things before he was gone.
“Wait.” Ace stopped me in the middle.
“Sorry to ask this cos it’s your brother’s job and he didn’t ask. Ever been with a guy?” apparently Ace wanted to ask like the nosy brother.
“Not more than flirting.” Z was an obvious red. Silly this guy was so shameless to look inside everywhere and now he was blushing at a simple question.
“we can take care of our business later, I’m gonna make some coffee so we can talk a bit.” Ace said as he left for the kitchen.
“Hey I don’t want coffee, I want tea.” I ran after him cos I didn’t want to be left with my gay brother.
*****
It’s almost a day now since he almost came out and I’m happy he chose me and happier he is in a good place and he has enough time to clear his mind, understand himself, love himself and become ready to look for his guy. Yet I’m not happy he finds it hot whenever me and Ace do things (simply touch and kiss, nothing more, what have you thought?).
I can feel happy for a while, not because he is gay, just because he was brave enough to let go of his girlfriend, I know she was hurt but I’m sure she can find someone a lot better than Z, she was so dammed beautiful even a pervert homosexual like Ace notices.
I don’t wanna push him to say or do things and I want him to move with his own pace; Ace is right, he is young and still there is the possibility of being just curious or thinking it’s cool to be gay so he has a month or two to think and sort things out. At least he has me and Ace whenever he has any question and well I think it’s pretty good to have someone from your family to chat. I didn’t have that option and though m granny is really cool and understanding we are from different generations and she could never really understand me or help me when dating guys.
I dunno if I am doing the right thing or not but I want to keep his secret until he is ready. There is nothing worse than outting someone when they need time to stay in their closet a little longer.
I’m sorry if you are bored, writing things down helps me clear my mind and give things a second thought.

