Anonymous Eyes

Bro cracked an eye open when he heard Dave in the kitchen, turning away from the door to curl up even tighter, hoping to pass out as soon as possible.

Dave made a mug of cider and huddled at the counter to drink it.

Bro laid there for a long time but never fell asleep. Maybe it was because he knew Dave was up and about.

Dave moved around the kitchen looking for something to eat that he didn't have to spend more than five minutes cooking.

Bro turned over towards the door and looked at the crack underneath, seeing the light, knowing Dave was still up. The thought of getting up to try talking to him again just made him feel sick to his stomach.

Dave finally settled for making a sandwich, going out of his way to make a mess that he knew Bro would have to clean up later, especially if he wanted to have John back over since Dave was using peanut putter.

Bro groaned and started rubbing at his face before he got up to his feet and walked to the door, listening before opening the door to look out at him.

Dave didn't notice the door open, too intently focused on his sandwich and cider.

When he saw the mess on the counter, specifically what he saw what the mess was, he frowned heavily. He stepped out and walked into the kitchen. "You know you're going to clean that."

Dave purposely ignored him, taking a bite out of his sandwich.

"Listen, being upset about this whole ordeal is one thing. Creating a health hazard is another." Bro snapped. "Stop being a prick and clean it up."

Dave dumped his dirty knife in the sink, getting more peanut butter on the edge, though it was unclear if it was intentional or not. He grabbed his mug and went to push past Bro into the living room, to go back to his own room where he could lock the door again.

Before Dave could step foot out of the kitchen, he was pinned to the wall, an arm held hostage behind his back. Bro's weight was pressed against him with no chance of escape without hurting his arm. "We gonna play this game, Dave? Are we really going to go down this fucking road?"

Dave didn't even bother fighting, dropping his mug and what was left of his sandwich instead. "Let me go" he stated quietly, almost threateningly.

"Why do you have to be like this, huh? Are you really going this far? You know what could happen if that touches him, Dave." Bro responded with a deep frown. "Why can't you stop running from it?"

"Good!" Dave snapped. "Then fucking have him touch it!" He tried to rip his arm away from Bro, hissing at the pain.

"Are you really that low that you would put your best fucking friend in the hospital??" Bro snapped.

"I don't have a best fucking friend anymore!" Dave yelled. "And I don't have a fucking brother either!"

That did it. Bro's hands dropped to his sides as he felt gravity increase on him, his heart pounding in his chest. "....Dave." He managed to choke out.

Dave pushed away from the wall and bolted for his room, slamming and locking the door.

Bro just stood there for a good while, the pounding in his chest making him dizzy. After a few minutes, he got to cleaning the kitchen, making sure everything was spotless. Only then did he slip into his room and curl up in a tight ball in bed, squeezing his eyes shut to force himself to sleep.

Dave threw things around for a good hour before he finally laid down to go to sleep.

Bro finally fell asleep, but he knew it wasn't going to be a good one. He kept waking up every hour, only to turn over and clutch Cal to his chest.

Dave didn't go to school. He got up when he should have, but he'd been in his room packing his things.

Bro was still in bed, blankly staring at the wall.