Unravelling Zeke - Ten
Banner by aliensouldream
Title: Ten
Author: Gabi
Fandom: The Faculty
Pairing: Z/C
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Stokes & Stan come to visit.
Disclaimer: I own neither the rights nor the characters. If I did, Mr Tyler would be sporting a lovely new collar. I make no money. I have no money. Don’t sue me.
Note: beta’d by the wonderful Aliensouldream. I lurve you. Thank you xxx
Previous
Epiphany / Party & Boring / Plans / Casa Del Tyler / The Suit / Mom / Hate You / Meet the Connors / New York - Friday / New York - Saturday / New York - Sunday / Texting / The Deal / Complex / Snow / Pictures of You / A Connor Christmas / Missed This / Photogenic / New Years Eve / Trust / Saint Valentine / Spring Break / Calm / Storm / Stages / Whispers / Echoes / Stokely / I Love You / Mercy / Thrift / Messenger / Anticipation / So Talk / Sand / Insomnia / Penance / Signals / Murdock / Pilot / Concert / Midnight / Perspective / Lost / Nightmare / Seventeen / Open / Cosy / Friends & Enemies / Brandon / The Wait
This starts on the same night as The Wait
The loud knock at the door made Zeke tense, but he immediately relaxed. “Get that. I’ll finish up.” he said while pouring coffee.
“K.” Casey gave his buns a quick squeeze on the way out of the kitchen. He smiled at the empty space where the photo of Zeke and his mom used to be. It had found temporary residence in a drawer out of sight.
He opened the door to his two smiling friends; Stokely brandishing videos. He smiled and stepped back to invite them in. “Shoes.” he warned.
“You’re shitting me.” Stokes complained.
“Do you see me wearing shoes?” he asked, wiggling his sock clad toes at her. He kicked at his sneakers that were half buried under the unit in the hall. “Pile ‘em up.”
Stan immediately kicked off his sneakers while his girlfriend grumbled. “Good job I showered before I set off.” She prised off her boots, revealing black socks with bright pink toes.
Casey chuckled. “Come on.” He opened the living room door, stepped through, turned and flung his arms out. “Welcome… to Casa del Tyler!”
Stan stepped through behind a wide-eyed Stokely. Zeke appeared by the kitchen and laughed. “What?” he asked with a bemused smile.
Casey whirled to face him. “I’ve been wanting to do that, ever since that first time you had me round and didn’t do it.”
Zeke laughed. “Fucking geek!”
Casey pulled his tongue out.
“Dude…” Stan started in awe. “You’ve got a nice set up!”
Zeke shrugged. “It’s home.”
“It’s like…” Stokely waved in the air while she tried to think.
“Loft apartment.” Casey volunteered.
“Yeah! It’s classy.”
“Course it is.” Zeke replied. “I did it.”
Stan looked impressed. “You did this?”
“Who the fuck else is gonna do it? My parents? I’m the one that lives in it. You guys want a drink?”
Everyone took the immediate change of subject as a cue to let it go. “Sure.” Stokely said, “What’ve you got?”
“Coke, coffee, juice… I’d offer beer but he’s driving.”
“Coffee sounds great.” Stan said. “Actually… could I use your bathroom?”
“Sure. Upstairs, turn left, it’s the only door that’s open. Leave it open for Stokes.”
“Will do.”
As he disappeared through the door, Stokely placed her videos on the coffee table and followed Casey into the kitchen. “Coffee’s good for me too.”
Zeke pulled another mug from the cupboard and glanced at her. “Is he gonna be cool with us?”
She looked baffled for a second. “Stan? Yeah, why wouldn’t he be?”
Zeke shot a smirking glance at Casey which made the boy chuckle. “He means with us being together. He’s not gonna freak if we’re affectionate or anything?”
“Oh for god’s sake!” she scoffed. “What year is this?”
Zeke grinned as he poured the coffee.
“Seriously, if he was homophobic I wouldn’t be with him.”
“Can’t be too careful. Milk?”
“Yeah. One sugar for me, two for Stan.”
Stan returned and joined them in the kitchen as Zeke got the milk. He smirked at the near empty fridge. “You spent all your money doing this place up and left none for food? Wanna borrow some cash?”
Zeke grinned. “Thanks, but your girlfriend’s gonna cough up a ten later.”
She laughed out loud, dug in her pocket and brought out a note, waving it at Zeke. “Only if you earn it, buddy.”
Casey could feel his cheeks heating up as he busied himself with the sugar. He wasn’t convinced he could kiss for an audience, but then again, when Zeke put the effort in he forgot anything else existed.
Zeke distributed the coffee then rooted in the back of the snack cupboard. He resurfaced with two packs of microwave popcorn. Casey’s eyes tracked the packet’s every move. “You hid them well!”
“The only reason I still have ‘em.” He shut the microwave door and set the timer. “So I was thinking. We order pizza now, for when the first film ends. Then watch another while we eat.”
Stan nodded. “I can do that.”
Zeke rooted in a drawer and pulled out a menu, handing it to him. “Go sit, pick a pizza.”
Stan and Stokes made their way to the living room leaving Zeke and Casey behind. Casey wrapped his arms around his boyfriend and smiled. “You ok?”
“I’m good.” Zeke planted a lingering kiss right between his eyes. He smiled blissfully and craned up to snuggle into it.
When the popcorn was ready, he let Casey go to replace the pack, set the microwave and pour the fresh, hot popcorn into a large bowl. “Give ‘em this, I’ll be in with ours in a minute.”
“K.” He surprised Zeke by spinning him back to face him and reaching up for a quick kiss. Then he grinned, picked up the bowl and beamed as he walked back to the living room where Stan and Stokes were sat apart on the couch, looking decidedly chaste. “We’re not your parents, you can snuggle up.” he grinned, handing Stan the bowl.
He took it with a look of uncertainty. “Do you guys want the couch?”
“We always have the couch. You’re guests, relax.”
“Where are you gonna sit?”
Good question. Casey shrugged and temporarily plonked himself down in the armchair.
When Zeke came out with another bowl, he took one look at their guests and shook his head with a smile. “Please tell me you’ve got past the holding hands stage.”
Stokely flipped him off.
He chuckled. “Lie down, spoon, whatever. Get comfy.”
They didn’t look convinced. “On your couch.” Stokely said warily.
“No, on the floor.” he shot back. “Yes, on the couch.” He handed Casey the bowl, stole a seat from another chair and dropped it on the floor by Casey’s feet. He sat on it between Casey’s parted knees and reached back for popcorn. “So what films we got?”
Casey couldn’t resist stroking the back of his neck as Stokes sat forward and put the videos on her knee. “Well…” she grinned, “I couldn’t decide so I got a couple. A little bird tells me, you’re a Depp fan, so… I brought Fear n’ Loathing.”
“Got it.” Zeke said with a mouthful of popcorn.
“Damn. You got Benny n’ Joon?”
“No, what is it?”
“Chick flick.” Stan muttered.
“Shut up!” she hissed. “It’s a ‘Depp at his finest’ comedy.”
“Romantic comedy.” Stan corrected.
“Didn’t I just tell you to shut up?”
Zeke laughed and leant forward. “Hand it over.”
She passed him the case. “He’s beyond cute in that film. Seriously. Watch it just for the eye candy.”
Zeke checked the cover then flipped it to read the back. He then studied the front cover again for a few seconds before handing it, over his shoulder, to Casey. Casey was convinced just from the front cover. “How old was he when this was made?”
“I don’t even care.” Stokes dreamily replied.
Zeke craned his neck back to look at Casey and grinned. “We’re sold, sorry Stan. What else?”
“Yes!” she beamed triumphantly. “I also have ‘There’s Something About Mary.”
“Chick flick.” Stan risked.
She glared at him.
Zeke chuckled. “Seen it. And one chick flick a month is enough.”
Stan grinned at his girlfriend.
She tutted. “Okay, so… I figured you’d want a manly, testosterone fuelled romp so I also brought Leon.”
“Awesome film!” Zeke stated. “But I’ve got it, we watched it the other week.”
“Ooh!” Casey cut in excitedly. “Talking of Gary Oldman… have you seen Fifth Element?”
Their guests looked confused. Zeke looked bewildered. “You haven’t seen it Stokes? I’m shocked and disappointed.”
Casey pushed Zeke forward. “Move.”
While he searched inside the video cupboard, Zeke gave a very brief synopsis, coaxing Stokes with the fact it was a comedy science fiction film, Stan with the fact it had Milla Jojovich in it, then reverted to coaxing Stokes with the Gary Oldman angle.
If she was sold on the sci-fi, she wasn’t sold on Gary Oldman. “Please don’t tell me you think he’s cute. He must be what? Forty?”
“Depp’s not far behind him. And I wouldn’t go so far as cute… but he’s got this… element of danger. Makes him alluring.”
“So bad boys go for bad guys, huh?” She teased. Casey smirked, found the film and handed it to her.
Zeke glanced at Casey. “To a degree. But I’d have fucked him in Leon.”
“No, no, no…” Casey grinned as he resumed his seat behind his boyfriend. He leant forward and draped his arms around Zeke’s neck. “You’d have let him fuck you in Leon.”
“Same diff.” he shrugged with an arrogant smirk. “Fuck’s a fuck.”
Stokely grinned to herself as she read the back of the case. Casey would have paid to have seen what was running through her head in that moment. “I could watch this. Stan?” She offered it to her un-phased boyfriend so he could read the blurb on the back.
Zeke reached for the house phone on the little table between the chair and the couch. “So… Pizza.”
He ordered the pizzas and garlic bread while Casey put the film on and fast-forwarded to the start. They’d all agreed to watch The Fifth Element first and save the eye candy for last. Casey struggled to bite back the million one-liners until after they’d seen it.
Zeke settled back between Casey’s knees, wrapped an arm around his leg and rested his head against it; occasionally, blindly reaching back for a handful of popcorn. Casey smiled contentedly as they all got into the film with Stan and Stokes snuggled together on the couch, chuckling and nuzzling as if they were alone.
He idly scratched at the back of Zeke’s neck and scalp as they watched. About half way through the film Zeke dropped his head back onto the seat as an invite for Casey to bend forward over him and rub their noses together before planting a smiling kiss or two on his lips.
This is how life should be. Good friends, good movies and the freedom to be yourself. He draped his arms around Zeke’s neck and planted a firm kiss on his cheek. “Love you.” he mimed.
Zeke grinned. “I know.” he mimed back.
As he straightened, he caught sight of Stokely smirking intently at the television. He grinned to himself and sank back into the bright, Gautier designed future.
When it was over, he left the credits running for the music. “So?” he asked excitedly. “Verdict?”
Stan stretched. “Pretty cool.” he admitted with a smiling nod. “I could watch that again.”
Zeke tutted. “It’s way better than cool.” He dropped his head back. “Multipass!”
Casey leant over him. “She knows it’s a multi-pass!”
Zeke snickered and stretched. “I need to get up. Coffee.” Casey watched him struggle to get up then take the mugs to the kitchen. “You guys want another?”
There was a resounding ‘yes’ from everyone.
Casey beamed at Stokes. “So? Waddya think?”
“That you two are SO fucking adorable.” she teased.
Casey dropped his head to hide a blushing grin. “Not what I meant!” He could hear Stan laughing. “I’m gonna help Zeke in the kitchen.” He wouldn’t look at them as he passed.
“That’s right,” she called. “grass on me to your boyfriend.”
“Zeke…” he whined as he headed into the kitchen. “She’s picking on me…”
“Actually” Stan corrected, “She’s picking on both of you.”
Zeke grinned and wrapped his arms around him. “No live show for Stokes.” he called. He lowered his voice. “You hiding or helping?”
Casey grumbled. “Both if I have to.”
Zeke looked up and smirked. Casey turned to see Stokely leaning on the edge of the counter. She smiled coyly. “You know I love you guys, right?”
Zeke pulled Casey a little closer. “Cos we have something you want.”
She dug out the ten and waved it. “You don’t want this?”
“Oh, please…” Zeke teased. “You wanna watch way more than I want that ten.”
“Even trade, I call it.”
Casey mumbled. “Prostitution, I call it.”
Zeke laughed at him. “So you’re not gonna love me long time?”
He snorted. “Later, baby.” Mischievous eyes bore down on him. He barely managed to utter “Oh shit.” before Zeke caught his lips in a kiss. Not a proper kiss. Just a quick peck on the lips.
He was left slightly stunned as Zeke straightened and held out his hand with a smirk. “Pay up.”
“Yeah, right!” she scoffed. “Got change for a nickel?”
“Tough customer!” he mocked. “Okay…”
Zeke’s eyes got within an inch of his own when he felt strong hands grip the seat of his jeans and hoist him up onto edge of the counter. His stomach fluttered; a mixture of nerves and anticipation as Zeke once again closed the gap. His new height made it easier, he didn’t feel quite so small and overwhelmed this time. He reached out to cradle Zeke’s slender neck with both hands as Zeke’s fingers slid up his jaw, beneath his ears and lifted his chin for the kiss.
The contact was soft, warm and affectionate. Little presses against his mouth, each lasting a little longer than the last until he felt the moist heat of tongue slip between his lips. Casey eagerly granted him access, letting their tongues caress and tease each other. He focused solely on the sensations between them, losing himself in a slow passionate kiss.
Zeke’s fingers snaked through his hair as the passion heated a few degrees. Casey whimpered and wrapped his legs around Zeke’s waist when he was pulled tight against his body. The kiss deepened, growing more ardent as their bodies pressed tightly together, each soaking up the body heat of the other.
Casey was getting hard. He was getting hard and he did not fucking care. He blindly tugged at the soft material of Zeke’s t-shirt, lifting it just high enough to get his fingers to the hot pliant flesh beneath. Zeke responded by snaking a hand down Casey’s stomach to slide his hand between their groins and excruciatingly slowly rub his erection through his jeans.
Instinctively, Casey used his heels to pull Zeke’s groin forward to maximise the friction. The hand in his hair tightened and he swore he could feel the vibrations of a silent growl in Zeke’s throat. Then just like that, Zeke pulled back a fraction to break the kiss, grinned, then planted one last firm kiss on his tingling lips.
The room came back into existence and both boys turned with their heads pressed together to the breathless girl at the end of the counter. She let out a long calming breath as she fanned herself with the note. She held it up then slapped it on the counter-top with a wink. Grinning, she turned on her heels and sauntered back into the living room.
Zeke erupted into a giggling fit.
“I don’t see what’s so funny.” Casey said quietly. “I’ve gotta go back in there with a hard-on.”
It didn’t help.
“Was it worth the ten bucks?” They heard Stan ask.
“And then some.” his girlfriend replied. “Come here.”
They looked at each other and snorted. “Someone’s getting laid tonight.” Casey grinned.
“Yeah, you.” Zeke punctuated it with a quick kiss.
“You not gonna finish me off now?”
“Nope.” he smirked. “Gonna finish these drinks.”
“Fucking sadist!”
Zeke snorted and pulled Casey off the counter. “Help me, it’ll be quicker.”
At that point the door knocked. “Yey for pizza!” Stokely cried. “I’ll get it.”
When the coffee was made and the boys had adjusted themselves so as not to look obvious they carried the mugs back into the living room where a large pizza box and garlic bread awaited them. “How much do I owe ya?” Zeke asked, handing over a mug.
“Ten.” Stokes smirked. As Zeke dug into his pocket for the ten that she’d just donated, she stopped him. “This one’s on me. You boys looked hungry!”
Stan merely rolled his eyes. “She’ll be selling tickets for the next one.”
“I’d make a fucking fortune!” she commented before taking a huge bite out of a slice of pizza.
“We’re hot commodities, Zeke n’ me.” Casey agreed.
“I’ll take your word for it.” Stan said, reaching for a slice of his own.
Conversation ended as all mouths preoccupied themselves with pizza. “Film.” Stokes managed between mouthfuls.
Zeke took his slice to the video, ejected The Fifth Element and put it back in its case, then teased open Benny & Joon’s case with one hand. He slipped it into the machine and turned back to the chair that Casey was sat in. “Move.”
“What?”
“Move. I spent the last hour and a half going numb on the floor. I get the chair.”
“Oh, you’re so fucking chivalrous!” Casey grumbled, getting up.
Zeke slid into the seat, pushed himself right back, parted his knees and patted the space between. Casey shrugged and squeezed himself into place, never pausing the assault on his pizza.
As the film started, they all settled to watch, silently munching through the last of the food. When done eating they all got comfy. Stan and Stokely eventually shuffling to lie, spooning on the couch and Casey leaning back against Zeke’s chest with two arms wrapped around his waist.
Nobody said a word, too wrapped up in the whimsical tale and the Depp-candy. Casey was relaxed, smiley and content, his smile spreading every time Zeke dipped to kiss his hair. When the credits rolled Zeke was the first to speak. “That’s how I’m making toast from now on!”
Casey could just picture it. “Do you even know where the ironing board is?” he mocked. He got a dig in the ribs for his efforts.
“See, I told you it was an awesome film.” Stokely beamed. “How cute was that?”
“I couldn’t even fuck that.”
Everyone turned to stare at Zeke.
“What? There are levels of innocence even I’m not willing to corrupt.”
“Erm…” Casey scoffed, “How about ‘total’?”
“Yes, Mr Just-fuckin-cuff-me-already, you’re totally innocent.”
Casey broke into chuckles, hiding his face behind his hands. “That was after you corrupt me!”
Zeke hugged him hard. “Are you blushing?”
“Fuck off!” he hissed behind his hands.
Zeke squeezed him tight and kissed his neck. “You guys want another drink?”
Stan shook his head. “We gotta shoot soon. It’ll be gone ten when I get home.”
“Can I use your bathroom before we go?” Stokely asked.
“Knock yourself out.”
“I left the door open for you.” Stan said to her.
She smirked, “You’re such a gentleman.” and gave him a quick kiss before struggling up off the couch. “That is one comfy couch.”
“Yep. I could live on that thing.” Casey agreed. He figured it best to tidy the boxes away now, rather than leave it and have their guests feel the need to clean up after themselves. He got up, collected the pizza boxes and took them into the kitchen to dump in the trash later.
When he got back Zeke and Stan were enthusiastically discussing the qualities of Milla Jojovich. He left them to it and carried out the mugs. He returned just as Stokely reappeared. “Just out of curiosity…” she said to Zeke as she flopped next to Stan on the couch. “How long have you known?”
He frowned. “Known what?” Casey sat on the arm of the chair beside him.
“That you dig guys. When did you know?”
“When did you know?” he replied.
“I dunno.” she shrugged, “Long as I can remember.”
“Stan, what about you?”
“I don’t do guys.” he said with a sarcastic smile.
Zeke grinned. “How long have you liked girls.”
“I’ve always liked girls.” he remarked with an air of defensiveness.
He shrugged. “Same here. I’ve always liked both. Didn’t have a word for it though. Not ‘til I was eight.”
“Always?” Stan asked.
“Yeah. I figured it was normal, ya know? At that age it wasn’t so much a sexual thing but it was there. I liked both. Figured everyone did, until I was about six. Then some kids called someone a fag. I’m like “What’s a fag?” They all thought it was hilarious that I didn’t know. So they told me it was a guy who fucks other guys and I could tell by the way they said it that there was no way in hell I was ever admitting I liked guys to anyone. Ever.”
“Kids are pricks.” Stokely spat.
“Yeah, but I kept hearing about gays after that. Everything was either gay or straight. No in between, no grey area, no both. It was one or the other. So then I’m thinking I’m a complete freak and I must be the only one. ‘Til I go on vacation.”
Stan looked concerned, obviously thinking the worst. “What happened?”
Yeah, Casey thought, what did happen? He hadn’t been told this story.
“We’re at some fast food joint in Disney World that’s got tables outside. My dad tells me to wait at the table while he gets our order. So I’m sitting there and I spot a couple of guys on the table next to ours and I spot that they’re holding hands under the table. So me, curious eight year old that I am, go right up to them and blurt out “Are you gay?” Didn’t go down well.”
Everyone laughed.
“So one of ’em goes And what’s it to you? and the other one’s like Leave him alone, he’s just curious. Yes, sugar, we’re gay. So I’m trying to think how to word it… I’m concentrating. You like guys… And the nice one confirms it. So then I ask Is there a word for someone who likes guys and girls? And the mean one goes, Bi.
I get all defensive, right? I was only asking! They laugh at me and explain he didn’t mean goodbye, he meant bisexual. And they must have seen the look on my face. Like this huge relief that I wasn’t the only one, cos if there’s a word for it, it exists. I thank them and go back to my own table before my dad comes out. I hear the nice one say Well there’s one less confused kid in the world. And the other goes, In my opinion all bi’s are confused. Make your fuckin’ mind up!”
Casey laughed along with the rest of them. “So how long ‘til you acted on it?” Stokely asked.
“Fifteen.”
“Fifteen?” She cried.
Zeke shrugged distractedly. “Damaged.”
She cocked her head, cautiously absorbing what he meant and quietened her voice. “But fifteen? How old was the other guy?”
“Forty-seven.”
Her jaw dropped in horror.
Zeke burst out laughing and nudged Casey. “Man, where’s your fuckin’ camera?” He calmed and grinned at her. “Eighteen. And yes, he was careful. Mom.”
She narrowed her eyes at him.
“You didn’t know, did you?” Stan asked Casey.
“Not until he flirted, no.”
“He turned you gay?” she grinned.
“No!” he said quickly, squirming at their previous argument. “It was there, I just didn’t find a guy that pushed the right buttons before. He wasn’t the cause, he was the catalyst.”
“And now you’re together and you’re so pink and fluffy precious!” Stokely teased.
It was Zeke’s turn to narrow his eyes. “Take her home before I knock her out.”
Stan chuckled. “You’ve outstayed your welcome, love. We better shoot.”
“Aww.” she whined with a grin, “I’m having too much fun.”
“If you leave before you open your mouth again,” Stan suggested, “they might just invite us back.”
She giggled and leant against him. “Come on then, let’s go.”
They all said their goodbyes at the door, Zeke bumping knuckles with Stan then hugging Stokely. “We’ve got to do this again.” she said when Casey’s turn for a hug.
“I got some shit to sort out, but if we’re free at weekend we could do somethin’.” Zeke offered.
“Bowling?” Stan suggested.
Zeke gave him a flat look. “Rented shoes…”
Stokely giggled at him. “You’re so lame. Think of something. We’ll do it.”
“Yes ma’am.” he saluted with a wink.
They waited in the doorway as the couple got in Stan’s car, waving as they drove off. “Well that was fun.” Casey smiled as he shut the door.
Zeke locked it. “Yeah, it was. I needed that.”
Casey regarded him. “You know what we were talking about, before?”
Zeke nodded once.
“Does your dad know you’re bi?”
“Not that I’m aware of.” he said, heading towards the kitchen. “I certainly never told him. And it was the whole sexuality thing that got me hit in the first place.”
Casey couldn’t wrap his head around that. “How, if he didn’t know?”
Zeke flicked the coffee machine back on. “One more coffee before I take you upstairs and do lewd things to your intimates.”
Casey chuckled, but he still wanted an answer.
Zeke glanced at him and straightened against the counter while he waited for the coffee. “There was a group of kids that used to hang around near the store. They’d give me shit every time I had to go in. Wasn’t much I could do about it, they were older than me, ten or eleven, whatever. This one day I couldn’t fucking hack it, man, I was close to crying.
“They just laughed, like Waddya gonna do? Go home and tell your dad? Tell him! He’s a fag! I took serious fucking offence to that. I was livid, man. I mean, for one, I took it personally cos I liked boys and two, I knew my dad wasn’t gay. Back then, my dad was like my hero, ya know? He looked after me, we were close. They had no fuckin’ right calling him names. So yeah… I was pissed. Couldn’t fight ‘em cos there’s three of them and they’re older, but I knew where one of ‘em lived. So I went straight round there and put his windows through with rocks.”
Casey didn’t know quite how to respond to that. “Go on.” he coaxed as Zeke poured the coffee.
“His dad came out and so of course I got marched home. As soon as the guy left I knew I was in fuckin’ trouble, man. I thought I was pissed. My dad fucking exploded. Don’t you EVER do anything like that, EVER again! I couldn’t fucking understand it. They’d called him a fag. They deserved it. But no. He just fuckin’ ranted at me that I was in the wrong.
“And I’m like But why? I was defending him, ya know? How am I in the wrong? And all I got was Cos it’s wrong! So I’m getting seriously wound up at this point cos my world’s tipped upside down and my hero’s screaming at me for defending him, so I ask again. Why? He just… he just lost patience. He wanted the argument over so he comes out with the classic Because I said so!
“I spit back that Because I said so’s not a valid reason. Next thing I know I’m on the floor with my hand over my mouth and blood running through my fingers.” He hugged his mug, looking ahead. “I didn’t dare ask why.”
Casey could feel the weight of horror on his chest. His stomach sank. “Jesus.”
“I get it now, ya know? If he’d have explained it back then I’d have got it. It must have cost a fortune to replace those windows and that’s why it was wrong. I made it worse for him, but I was eight! You don’t think about shit like that.” He sighed. “So yeah… that’s how it started.”
“Did you even try to tell your mom?”
“No. Like I said she didn’t come back for vacation that year, so he took me to Disney World. By the time I saw her again, he’d fallen over himself to apologise and make it up to me. We got on great on vacation so we were buddies again. She was pissed at him for going without her, but he was just as pissed that she wasn’t around. He was snickering at her, little biting comments, so of course I was doing the same thing. He made it us against her.”
“So… He turned you against each other?”
“Yeah, her against me with his lies, me against her for being absent then yelling at me when she came home, about whatever it was he’d lied to her about. And he’d defend me against her, like Leave him, he’s okay, I’ve dealt with it, so she thought he was on my side. By the time I knew the violence wasn’t a one off deal I knew she wouldn’t listen to me, let alone believe me. I was completely isolated.”
Casey could feel his blood begin to boil. “He planned all that? Manipulative fucker!”
Zeke just shrugged. “Nah, I think he was just scared of being caught, he was protecting himself.”
Isolate an abused eight year old from his own mother to protect yourself? Casey hit boiling point. “Don’t make fucking excuses for him! He doesn’t deserve your protection OR your guilt!” His fists balled tightly by his sides and he was beginning to shake with rage.
“Don’t get mad.” Zeke said softly.
“What?” he asked incredulously. “He-”
“Case! Please…” he pleaded, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. Please don’t get mad.”
“I’m… I’m… I’m more than mad!”
“Please… I’ve had a good night, I don’t wanna spoil it.” He moved to hold and calm him. “Come to bed.” He placed his lips on Casey’s forehead. “I’ll take your mind off it. Kiss it better.”
Something churned in Casey’s gut. “This isn’t something you can kiss better.”
“I know.” he said in that warm soft voice. He looked down with that mischievous glint in his eyes. “But I can give it a damn good try.”