He knocked softly on the door, his steps light as he entered the room. "Can I come in?"

"No."

He walked closer to the figure hidden beneath the sheets. Curled up, trying to become smaller.

"Go away, Hunter." Blake swiped his hand in the empty space, where he thought his older brother stood. He laid face down his bed. Tired and upset. Covers pulled over his head. Only his arm visible.

"Going to tell me what happened?" Hunter asked, barley missing being hit by Blake's stray hand. He was standing by the bed, arms at his side. Staring down at his younger brother.

"You already know what happened because you were there." Blake turned over on his back, removing the blanket and revealing his head. "I saw you."

"Oh..." Hunter released a small sigh. Reaching for his brother's hand now beneath the blanket. "I'm sorry." His voice a mixture of regret but nothing close to satisfaction.

"Nothing to be sorry for." The sheets rustled as Blake sat up, his back against the headboard. Making room for the other to sit on the bed. Still holding on to Hunter's hand. "It wasn't your fault. At least you didn't outright lie to me."

Yet, Hunter knew he did lie to his brother. Was lying to his brother. And it may not have been blatant, but his omission of the truth was no better than Shane lying. Because Hunter still wasn't telling his brother everything.

But it's always been like that.

Because Blake never wanted to ask, Hunter never had to tell. It was ironic considering the depth of their relationship. Something Hunter treasured. How close they were. How comfortable they were with each other.

Until Shane came in between them.

"Even though you were still mad at me…I just didn't think-"

"Want to rub it in my face that you were right?"

"No, I-"

"Are you happy, Hunter? Because you were, you know?" Blake let go of Hunter's hand. His own now resting on his shoulder. "You were right."

Hunter wrapped an arm around him, letting Blake rest his head on Hunter's shoulder. His mind now off Shane. Simply offering comfort to the person beside him.

"Remember when you were eight?"

Blake buried his face in the crook of Hunter's neck. "Hunter, I'm not in the mood for one of-"

"No, hear me out, okay?"

"Whatever." Blake snorted, closing his eyes. Smothering a large yawn in Hunter's shirt.

"But you were eight. And you had to stay with sensei by yourself because I had to go to the store."

"Dude, you can stop now."

"And the whole hour I was gone, sensei said you kept crying and crying…"

"Why are you brining this up?"

"Your nose was runny and your eyes were red. I could hear you from outside the dojo. Screaming my name."

Blake lifted his head, his gaze on Hunter. "Yeah, yeah. And I stopped when I saw you. What does that have to do with anything?"

"It doesn't." He smiled at Blake's confused expression. Remembering an eight year old Blake running to him. Picking up his little brother. Reaching out for the happiness in that moment. "I just thought it was funny."

Blake pushed off his brother, giving him a little shove. "Ha, ha. Very funny." Though Blake couldn't help the small smile that escaped.

"It made you laugh, didn't it?"

"Yeah…It did." Blake looked down at his hands. Now grasping the comforter. "But I still don't feel better...Because I can't decide what to do about Shane."

"Oh…"

"I mean…Hunter, I think-."

"You're not trying to say sorry, are you?" Truthfully, Hunter blamed everything on Shane. Not that he held much like for Shane in the first place.

It was petty and Hunter knew it. But it was also easier. It made things simpler. Less complicated. Rather than having to deal with the fact his brother had developed a close relationship with someone else.

Someone he didn't particularly like.

Because for the longest time, it had been just Hunter and Blake.

However, there was a good reason for it. They grew up alone. Depending only on each other. They already tried letting people in. But it just didn't work.

And Hunter didn't want Blake to suffer for it, again.

"Because you didn't make him lie." Hunter continued softly, resting his head on top of Blake's hair. The dark strands tickling his face.

"Yeah…I – It's me. I should have just told you about us…You know? Stopped this whole thing from happening."

Even if Blake couldn't see it, Hunter kept his facial expression neutral. He did wish Blake had told him earlier. Maybe that's what bothered him. Because Blake didn't want to tell him.

And the fact that Shane was the one who pushed.

It wasn't supposed to be that way.

"And this whole thing with Shane…It's breaking us up, isn't it?" Blake sighed heavily, biting his bottom lip. "It's my fault."

"You know what's funny." Hunter smiled into Blake's hair. His mind drifting as he closed his eyes.

"What?" Blake asked, interested to know the cause of Hunter's soft laughter.

"You can't do anything wrong in my eyes."

"That's just…"

"Stupid…I know." Hunter shook his head, moving to look down at Blake. "But it's…" Because you're my little brother. You'll always be my little brother. And I don't know how to explain it without getting too sappy.

"It's what?" Blake looked at Hunter from hooded eyes, clouded with sleep. His voice a mere whisper.

"It's because I do…Is that okay?"

"You're such a dork, Hunter." Blake snorted into his shoulder. "I can't believe you said that, man."

Hunter returned the jibe with a cheeky grin. Teeth showing and eyes shining. Only Blake would bring out this side of him. When he was happy, Hunter was happy. And he wouldn't change it for the world.

Even if it meant that Shane came into the picture. Hunter knew he had been giving him a hard time. Pushing him to do wrong in Blake's eyes. Waiting for Shane to make a mistake.

He also knew that it wasn't necessarily one-sided. Or two-sided for that matter. He, Shane, and – even though he didn't want to admit it – Blake each played a part in this. And if he and Blake let it overcome them, it would break them up.

But Blake did seem happy with Shane.

Blake's happiness was his own, right?

Hunter was debating the logic of his own thoughts.

Moreover, Hunter didn't want Blake to think he had to break things off with Shane to keep their relationship as brothers. Hunter didn't want to put Blake in that position. So maybe it was worth it to give Shane a chance. To see where the three of them could go from there.

Because as much dislike as Hunter held for Shane, it couldn't compare to how much he loved his little brother.

Now if only Shane would feel the same way and how Blake will fit into that picture.

And thanks for reading and Sreym for reviewing. Because I honestly got sidetracked...Again. But only two more chapters to go.