Chapter Text
Gabe shut the party down pretty quickly after his brother brushed past him, tears in his eyes and ran up to his room. When the last of the guests were out the door Gabe locked up and went up to Shaun’s room. Not even knocking before entering. He was floored by what he found.
He had seen Shaun through a few breakups before, but nothing like this. He was curled up on top of his sheets, clutching a pillow to his chest, sobbing.
“Shaun,” Gabe said quietly, sitting at the foot of the bed. “Hey man talk to me.”
Shaun shook his head. “I can’t. You’re the one person I can’t...he asked me not to.” Shaun said as he tried to even out his breathing from the crying.
“So it’s true. You and Zach were a thing.” Gabe confirmed. Shaun sat up.
“You can’t say anything. He can’t know that you know.”
“And why the fuck not?” Gabe snapped a little harshly. “He’s my best friend. He thinks he can hook up with my brother and stomp all over his heart and I just don’t get to know?”
Something breaks in Shaun then and his shoulders fall. “He’s afraid. He’s afraid of you. He’s afraid of his sister.”
“Dude I was only gone a few weeks what the fuck did I miss?” Gabe asked, moving up on the bed to sit next to his brother.
“A lot.” Shaun said simply. “I never intended it to go this far. We just saw each other again when I got back and started hanging out. Then one night we got drunk...and I kissed him.”
“Oof fucking bold move.” Gabe said, making sure his brother knew he was listening.
“Yeah, and he freaked out and he iced me out for a minute. Then he was at my door, kissing me again and I gave in and we uh...well.”
“Don’t say it.” Gabe said “Don’t tell me I’m sitting in a bed that you fucked my best friend in.”
That made Shaun smile a little. “Fine I won’t say that.” Gabe chuckled at that.
“Fucking gross I’m going to bleach these clothes later.” The younger man said, shoving his brother’s shoulder a little.
“We spent every day together after that. Before and after work, he had Cody over a few times. We went on a few dates...it was perfect.” Shaun said, getting a far away look in his eye that turned really sad.
“Then what happened?” Gabe prodded. Shaun wiped his eye.
“Uh...well then you came crashing through the door. I had to sneak him out.” Shaun explained. Gabe’s eyes went wide.
“Oh fuck what? That’s why you were being all shady when I showed up?” Gabe asked. Shaun just nodded. “Wait a minute I dove onto this bed like the second I got in here.”
That made Shaun chuckle a little. “Yes you did.”
“Fuck man” Gabe said, getting off the bed and pacing a little. “So what he was afraid to tell me?”
“I mean yeah.” Shaun said with a shrug. “You’re like family to him. Are you honestly okay with me being with your best friend?”
Gabe stopped and eyed his brother carefully. “Fucking or being with?”
Shaun sighed. “I love him.” he answered simply. “And I know he loves me too...but the things he just said. They were cruel.”
Gabe sighed. “Fuck. My best friend and my brother.”
“Well he just broke up with me so you don’t have to worry about it anymore.” Shaun said, feeling the tears start to well up again. Gabe shook his head.
“Hey, no. If it’s because he’s afraid of our friendship ending I’ll just tell him..” Shaun shook his head.
“He’s convinced that us being together will ruin his life. I have a feeling Jeannie isn’t to happy about having a queer brother. I think he’s worried she’ll keep him from Cody.”
Gabe shook his head and put his hands on his hips.
“How much longer are you staying?”
“Uh..my apartment will be ready in a week. But I might skip town early and crash on people couches. He broke up with me.”
“Fuck that. Do you love him?” Gabe snapped.
“Gabe I-”
“Cmon man tell me seriously. Are you in love with him?” Gabe asked. Shaun sighed and nodded.
“Yeah. I love him so much I can’t fucking breathe.”
“Then stay the week. I’ll talk to him in the morning. Stay the week.”
“He’s not coming back if it means he loses Cody. He loves that amazing little kid too much.”
Gabe sighed and came over, grabbing Shaun’s shoulders. “Fucking stay the week. Give him a minute to breathe.”
Shaun stared his brother down for a second then gave up, nodding. “Okay fine. Yeah fine I’ll stay. I’ll wait for him.”