Taboo

Luke and Joss were constantly observing Zee for the last twenty minutes. He was practically staring at his wrist watch waiting for the last lecture to end. He had already packed his bag on cue to leave the room as soon as the professor ended. 

Joss elbowed Luke asking what the matter was and he shrugged in an I DON'T KNOW. 

They were waiting to ask Zee why he was so impatient today. But they didn't get a chance. 

The bell rang and Zee almost dashed out following his professor. He was running to the parking lot. Somehow Luke and Joss matched his steps and held him against his car. 

"Luke, not at this time. I have to go. Tell the coach I'm sick today. I won't attend the practice. Please." Zee pleaded and this time Joss flickered his fingers on his forehead.

"Ouch. What was that for"? He was frowning, rubbing the red spot.

"That’s exactly my question dude. What is all the hurry for"? Joss inquired. 

"Ohh i forgot to tell you guys. Fletcher is coming home today. Emerson told me about his flight. And I have to run to freshen up and to go pick him up. So would you please care to move away so that i may leave"? Zee explained them and hoped they would understand. 

"Ohhhhh. Someone's brother is coming, Joss. The prince needs to go to his KING of HEART. Oh my”. Luke was being overdramatic and Zee smacked their heads. Cursing them...

It was his fault that he could never stop chatting about his elder brother, Fletcher, all the time. He was surely whipped for his brother. Following his footsteps he was now in the Engineering department, taking lead. He was a football champion for his University just like his brother. He loved music just like Fletcher. He loved reading... Well yes just like his brother Fletcher. 

So Joss and Luke would never miss a chance to tease their bestie. They knew he adored him a lot. 

*******

Emerson Donovan was the eldest one. He was married. Then Fletcher Donovan, two years younger than Emerson. And Zee. He was the youngest of the family. Five years younger than Fletcher. He was the most pampered and most cherished in the family. Especially when Emerson got busy with his practical field, it was Fletcher who dedicated all his time to his precious baby brother. It wasn’t that Emerson didn't love him a lot; he just got busy with his responsibilities.

They were a happy family. Mom Dad Emerson, Fletcher and then Zee living together in the most loving family.

But then... A storm shattered everything they had. The love they shared, their mom dad. 

It was seventeenth birthday of Fletcher. And he surprised his parents, in a hope that they will still love him no matter what, with the fact that he was Gay. 

And he regretted it. 

That was the day he faced the wrath and hatred of his parents who disowned him there and then. 

Only if it wasn't Emerson to declare about his sexuality too. 

Their parents literally threw them out, but Zee couldn't be left behind. In a fear that he may be a disgrace to their ego and family name, they kicked all three of them. 

Emerson, Fletch and Zee had three different apartments to their name. With a handsome amount in their accounts as pocket money. 

Emerson did everything in a day with the help of his friends, rented out two apartments and shifted in his apartment along with his brother. 

He transferred their accounts so that his dad won't freeze them. He had to protect himself and his brothers and to secure their future.

It took days for Fletch to get past the physical and mental abuse he had to suffer. Every slap and every kick reminded him of being a disgrace and a shame. He felt disgusting but it wasn't his fault. He was born this way and he couldn't do anything.

Emerson would not be able to get a hold on how he is doing as he was all busy in arrangements only if he had not came home early ditching the last classes.

He heard Fletch crying out loud in his room. Locked. Emerson panicked. He pleaded with Fletcher to open the door for him but all he could hear was muffled screams. He was screaming how sorry he was. And pleading for mercy. 

And then there was silence. Complete silence. No voice, no cry, no whimper. 

He was rummaging through the drawers to look for the extra keys but failed. He quickly dialed Charles, Fletcher's only friend, to reach him as soon as possible. Fortunate enough, Charles was almost in the neighborhood, he reached to Emerson in no time. 

They both banged the door a few times until it smacked open. They ran to Fletch horrified to see him bathed in blood. His wrist was oozing blood and he was unconsciously lying on the floor. 

Charles quickly called an ambulance while Emerson rushed to pick Zee from his school and they decided to meet at the hospital.

Charles's dad was the surgeon so it didn’t involve police being a suicide case. He attended Fletcher, stitched his wound and put him under observation. 

They were having a serious discussion in his Dad's office. Zee was scared. He was curled up into Emerson, with teary eyes. He was constantly asking Emerson the reason why Fletcher did it. And honestly, Emerson had no answer to it. 

Emerson reached the private room to check on Fletcher. His heart was clenching looking at his most cheerful mischievous brother, lying there clipped in machines. Indicating that he was fine. 

He racked his fingers in Fletcher's silky locks. Zee was exhausted, sleeping on the couch. Charles was off to cafe to buy coffee and dinner for all of them.

Fletcher stirred for a bit and tried to open his swollen eyes, fluttering eyelids to adjust to the lights. He opened to white ceiling, dim lights, and constant beeps. His nose flared to the smell of alcohol and medicines. 

"Hmmm. Waaterrr pleaaasee..." He asked for water in a hoarse croaky voice.

Emerson poured water for him and helped him lift his head a bit to drink. His lips were all dry and he looked all pale. Emerson wasn’t sure how much blood he had lost. 

Charles entered the room and a faint smile touched his lips.

"Emerson, wake up Zee and have dinner. I will take care of Fletch till then." 

Emerson nodded and smiled a bit and left to wake up Zee. 

"Emery… How’s Fletcher"? Zee asked about Fletch as soon as he woke up. Emerson pointed to the bed where Fletch was awake, talking to Charles. Zee ran to Fletcher who opened his arms to hold him tightly.

"Fletch. Why did you do that? You know how scared we were. How dare you? You don’t love us huh"? Zee was wailing in his chest. Fletch couldn’t hold his tears back. 

"I'm sorry Zee. I won’t do anything like this ever. I promise". He tried to soothe him. 

He was really ashamed of himself. He couldn't look at Emerson. He knew he had disappointed him. 

"I am sorry Emery. I am sorry Charles. I was just... I felt I am a piece of shit that no one wants. Am sorry Emery”. Fletcher held Emerson's hands for apology and he simply hugged him. Few tears passed down his eyes and he held his baby brothers tightly. 

He wasn’t angry, or disappointed. He was scared. What if he had not came home early. He could have lost him. And this thought was enough to crumble his heart into pieces. 

That was the last day they cried. The last day they felt weak. The last step they put on their dead souls. They emerged and rose. They excelled in their fields. And by chance and hard work, they ended up being Engineers. Same field. 

*******

Emerson was their biggest strength. He worked hard. Study and start a small workshop for auto robotics, with the help of three friends. They spent days and nights together working sweat. 

It was the time when Fletcher was in the last semester of his Master’s program. He had invested in Giles chain of Hospitals, dealing with surgical instruments and medical supplies, dealing in hardware. 

He gave all his time to Zee. The center of his attention, so far. He made sure Zee had everything he wanted. He was properly fed, clothed and well taken care of. 

It was a fine dinner time, when Emerson introduced them to his boyfriend. He was cute, shy and a friendly person, once he opened up.

He was more or less the same age as Zee. They became friends easily. But he was nervous of Fletcher. 

Emerson had already told him that Fletcher was a bit possessive of his brothers. So now he was sitting, nervously biting his lips, fidgeting with his fingers. Looking at Fletcher if he approved him or not. 

Emerson was constantly glaring at Fletcher to stop teasing his boyfriend, but Fletcher was ignoring all his signals. He was taking all the time enjoying the flustered boy sitting by his brother's side. He could easily see they both whipped each other. 

He could catch the occasional glances between the two, while Zee was trying to suppress his laughter. Fletcher was surely a tease.

"Hmmm. Alex eh. What you do, Alex"? He slid back in his chair, crossing his arms on his chest. 

"I… uhmm... Am studying medicine. Third year". He replied shakily in the beginning but got his confidence back as soon as Emerson held his hand. 

Fletcher clucked his tongue. 

"The Doctor fell in love with an Engineer. Seems like someone likes to be screwed". He commented trying to sound intimidating and he succeeded when a clear red spread on the said boy's face and ears.

"Cut the shit Fletch. You are making him nervous". Emerson growled and this time Fletcher busted out into laughter. 

Alex was looking at him with wide eyes. Emerson pressed his hand assuring him that his brother is mentally normal and he was just teasing them. 

"Oh my God, Emery. Your boyfriend is so cute. Look Zee he is blushing so hard. It's going to be so fun dear Brother in Law". He was holding his stomach trying to tone down his laugh accompanied by Zee.

Alex blushed profusely as Fletcher called him Brother in Law. He hid his face in Emerson’s shoulder. And Zee whistled loud. 

Fletcher and Zee smacked their hands together for a high five. Emerson was happy. He knew his brothers would approve of his love life, but he still wanted to have their opinions too.

"So where are the rings"? Fletch asked Emerson as he fished out a box. 

He got down on one Knee, sitting on the floor, facing a surprised Alex. 

"Well Alex. I know it’s early. You have been my boyfriend for like three months. And that's more than enough for us to decide if we want to spend our life together or not. I don't want to pressure you to get married now, no matter how much I want, but I respect your studies. 

So I promise I will not bring up the topic till you finish your studies, or at least till you are ready to be my lawful husband. 

But… Would you at least tell me if you do want to be my husband or not? Because honestly I can’t live without you now. You may choose to live with us, or in your Condo. But i would love to see you in our home, living with us. 

So Alex Jefferson, would you please do me the honor of marrying me"? Fletch and Zee were gapping at their so called stoic and stern eldest brother Emerson Donovan all cheesy and cheekily proposing his boyfriend in front of them, waiting for Alex to reply. 

"Will you"? Emerson repeated his question and Alex just fell to his level and hid his face in the crook of his neck. He was happy and shy. 

"Ye... yes Emerson Donovan. I will marry you". He replied and Fletch and Zee cheered for them as they exchanged rings. 

"WITH ALL THE AUTHORITY I HOLD, BEING YOUR BROTHER. I, FLETCHE DONOVAN, ANNOUNCE YOU, EMERSON DONOVAN and ALEX JEFFERSON AS LAWFUL FIANCÉ. YOU MAY KISS YOUR FIANCÈ''. Fletcher announced clearing his throat, holding a bottle as Mic. 

And as if any more crimson was left for Alex, he helplessly snuggled into a happy, laughing Emerson.

********

Tabby