Forget Me Not
Title: Forget Me Not
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Joe/Nick
Warnings: Blood, drug use, rape, incest.
Disclaimer: This didn't actually happen to The Jonas Brothers.
Summary: Joe Jonas is a 20-year-old prostitute forced to use half his paycheck to pay off the debt that his dead parents' left behind. All he wants is to find Nick, his brother who went missing shortly after the accident that killed their parents 7 years ago. A strange boy suddenly shows up, claiming to be the long lost Nick. Will Joe's search for happiness finally be over? Or does Nick have something to do with the murder of Joe's best client? Somehow, Joe cannot shake off the feeling that this isn't the real Nick Jonas.
Author's Note: This story was inspired by a great many things, including a wonderful manga by Gokurakuin Sakurako.
Joe woke up after an inadequate night’s sleep. He felt hazy and just as tired as when he had laid down. He sat up and perched himself on his elbows. He looked down at his sleeping brother, nearly buried underneath the pillows and blankets.
Joe remembered the day before and realized he couldn’t be angry at Nick for his actions. He loved him too much for that. He tentatively stroked his sleeping face, contented to watch his relaxed and child-like expression, until Nick’s eyes opened.
Joe flinched and took his hand away, holding it to his chest.
“… ‘Morning, brother,” Nick finally said.
“G-good morning,” Joe squeaked out.
Nick looked sadly at Joe’s worried face and tried to make him smile by saying, “Now, Joe… don’t be so frightened. I told you right before we went to sleep that I wouldn’t ever do anything to make you cry.”
Joe didn’t say anything, so Nick leaned up and pecked him on the cheek. “Okay?” he said before giggling and throwing himself against the pillows again like a schoolboy with a crush.
Joe’s cheeks flushed and he tucked his arms in uncomfortably.
On the other side of town, Kevin yawned furiously and stretched his arms behind his back as he walked down the bleak hallway of the hospital. He was following a man in a long white doctor’s coat and he tried to fix his hair which he hadn’t had time to comb that morning before stepping into his office.
“I have the medical records that you requested,” the doctor said when the door was closed. He sat behind his desk and Kevin sat in a chair in front of him. The doctor shuffled and organized his papers.
“I owe you one, Doc,” Kevin said. “You’re a lifesaver for being in this hospital.”
The doctor looked uncomfortable. “Yes, well, let’s try to keep this the last time for things like this, okay? You know we’re not allowed for outsiders, even those as talented as you, to see these files.”
“Okay, okay…” Kevin said sheepishly. He was impatient and wanted to know what the files said.
The doctor opened the file and cleared his throat. “I am sorry to say that Mr. Nick Jonas indeed vanished without a trace seven years ago. There are no records after his age ten of him living or working or going to school anywhere. He was presumed dead after he had gone missing for a long enough time. I assume you and your brother never found out because there was no proper investigation for it.”
Kevin stared in disbelief at the man. “But I’ve seen a boy who calls himself Nick Jonas. Are you saying he’s lying?”
“Let me make this clear: Nick Jonas does not exist anymore. If this man is claiming to be him then he is, indeed, a liar.”
Kevin’s wide eyes soon returned to normal and he slowly turned his head to look out the window.
If Nick died… then who is that “Nick”?
Joe shrugged on his coat and tried to leave the apartment before Nick could realize.
“Where are you going, brother?” Nick asked as he walked in from the bedroom.
Joe flinched and didn’t look at Nick as he said, “I really must go to work now. If I don’t go now, my boss is going to come here to find out where I’ve been.”
“No!” Nick yelled. He ran back into the bedroom and returned with his book bag. “Money? You need money?” He turned over the bag and hundreds of wads of cash fell onto the ground.
Joe stared in awe at the amount of money that was now lying on his carpet.
“There’s about 20 million in there,” Nick said, face determined. “There’s no problem if I just buy you, right?”
Joe’s face became pale and he dropped his purse. “Buy?” he repeated. “Nick, do you know… what I do?”
Nick was now angry. “I can’t stand it anymore! When I think about you being paid off by those ugly old men… it makes me want to throw up.”
Joe stared in horror at his little brother. He backed up against the door and swallowed the agonizing lump in his throat.
“I try to keep you away and yet you still fight to go back! Why? Do you enjoy it? Do you like getting on your knees or spreading your legs for complete strangers?”
“Stop it…” Joe pleaded, clutching his face that was now covered in tears.
“You sell your body just for money…”
“Stop it!” Joe shrieked. He collapsed to his knees and sobbed. “Don’t say any more, please…”
Nick stared, the anger gone from his face, as he saw his brother cowering on the floor.
“I know, okay? I know that I’m dirty… you don’t know how hard it was, surviving off of this job to pay my debt and living by myself… I know I’m not the kind of person who deserves to see you again.”
Nick dropped his head and looked sadly at the sight in front of him. “Lift your face, Joe…” he said, reaching out toward him. “I’m sorry. I said I’d never make you cry.”
He knelt down on the floor beside his brother and hugged him. “I love you. You’re not dirty at all.”
When Joe’s sobs continued, Nick gently lifted his face with his hands and kissed him lightly on the forehead. “From now on I will protect you… so don’t cry anymore.”
Joe’s crying slowed down as he was suddenly lost in his memories. Scenes of him being dragged off to his father’s business partner’s expensive brothel and being raped by several men when he refused to agree to pay off his father’s debt played like a familiar movie in his head. His sobs continued.
“Don’t cry, Joe…” Nick repeated, cradling Joe’s head against his chest, not caring that his shirt would be stained with his tears. “I love you.” Nick lifted Joe’s head and kissed him softly. After a moment he ended the kiss and hugged Joe more tightly. “I love you, I love you, I love you! How many times should I say it? Will you please forgive me?”
Joe finally opened his eyes and let himself be hugged as he stared over Nick’s shoulder. He shivered in pleasure at Nick’s affection and returned the hug tightly. They stayed there, embracing, for a long time before Joe finally said, “For me, you were the only one…”
Joe leaned up and kissed Nick. Nick, surprised, let himself be kissed but kept his eyes open, looking at his older brother. When Joe pulled away, he continued to stare, as Joe slowly unbuttoned his shirt and said, “I lived only for you… I’m yours, Nick. I don’t care if we are brothers; these past seven years have been too much for me. If you want this, then I will gladly give it to you.”
Joe unbuttoned his shirt all the way and let it fall on the ground. “Do whatever you want,” he said as Nick stared at the newly exposed stretch of skin. “I can only give something like this, though…” he added sadly.
Nick silenced him with a kiss.
In Mr. Jost’s office, George, the receptionist, was trembling in front of his desk, avoiding his gaze. “How many days of work exactly has Joe missed?” Mr. Jost demanded.
George looked down, sighing. “Three, sir,” he admitted.
“Three full days? That’s a lot of money,” Mr. Jost said, frowning at the man in front of him. “Haven’t you tried to get a hold of him?” he demanded.
“I’m sorry, I tried calling his house several times, but a stranger’s voice kept answering and hanging up once I said who I was.” George’s voice cracked.
“Hm. Maybe Joe Jonas has found a man. We’ll have to find out. Send someone to get him for me and bring him here, today,” he commanded him.
“Okay, Phil...” George said, scurrying away.
“That’s Mr. Jost,” he mumbled as the door closed.