Warning: This story depicts incest between two brothers.
Disclaimer: Brotherly Love is owned and copyrighted by Witt-Thomas Productions, Warner Bros and Disney
Claire had an uneasy feeling since the morning the boys left. She couldn't put her finger on it but she had a bad feeling about the trip Matt and Joe were taking. Still, she didn't want to deprive Matt of a relationship with his older brother. The loss of his father a year earlier had changed eldest son. He was more introverted than ever before. She saw the change Joe brought out in him and was glad for it. Matt smiled more, especially when Joe was around. Her stepson was so charismatic and full of energy that it was contagious. Business had picked up since Joe arrived on the scene. He was a real people person and his looks brought plenty of female customers to the shop. Claire even thought it was responsible for bringing some of their male clients back too.
She chuckled as she prepared to make lunch for her and Andy. Joe was a super macho guy. She was sure he'd be put off by her implying that he was a magnet for guys. That was when the phone rang and all her musings turned to panic. Matt was hurt in a fall and lay unconscious in a hospital. She ran down to the garage where Lou and Lloyd were already working. Lloyd agreed to keep an eye on Andy and get one of his mechanic buddies to help out for the day. Lou decided to drive Claire to the hospital where Joe had called from. She determined that Claire was in no condition to drive.
Jim had managed to calm Joe down long enough to call Claire. They still had no word on how severe Matt's injuries were. Joe paced the waiting area looking up frantically every time a doctor or nurse came through.
"I'm going back there," Joe insisted.
Jim grabbed his arm and pulled his friend into a semi deserted corridor.
"No your not. Give the doctors room to work Joe. You'll only be in the way."
"But what if he wakes up and I'm not there?"
"The nurse said they'd call you if ...when he wakes up. Claire is on her way and you need to calm down and be strong for her."
Joe knew his friend was right. He had to pull himself together for Claire's sake. He just felt so guilty about his relationship with Matt. He felt Matt was being punished for something he initiated. It wasn't fair. He would have given anything at that moment to trade places with his lover.
"Joseph Roman?" A short blond woman called out from the waiting room area.
Joe raced around the corner back to where the woman stood. Jim followed quickly behind him.
"I'm Joe Roman."
"I'm Dr. Roberta Cantu."
"How's my brother doc?"
"Your brother suffered what we call a grade 3 concussion. He's awake now, but he'll experience some memory loss, especially about events that happened prior to the injury."
"A grade three concussion? Is that bad?" Joe's face went pale as he received the news.
"Not necessarily. A grade three concussion involves a loss of consciousness longer than five minutes or post-traumatic amnesia that lasts longer than 24 hours. Since this was your brother's first head injury of this nature, there will be periods of confussion, incoherent thought and some lack of coordination. I'm writing a prescription for Tylenol and he should rest at least for a week. If persistent nausea or vomiting occur, he should be taken to the emergency room immediately.
"Will he suffer any long term effects?" Jim asked, seeing the blanched expression on Joe's face.
"People who suffer a head injury may suffer from poor memory and concentration, headache, fatigue and dizziness for weeks or months. We refer to this as post- concussion syndrome. It's perfectly normal," Dr. Cantu explained.
"Can I see him," Joe pleaded.
Dr. Cantu smiled and nodded. "He's in exam room three."
"I'll wait here for Claire and fill her in," Jim offered.
"Thanks. She has short blond hair, she's slim...just look for a frantic blond calling for Matt," Joe said smiling for the first time since Matt's accident.
Jim nodded. "Go, I'll wait for her and update David on what's going on."
Joe walked briskly through the emergency room doors and wandered around the various areas until he found exam room three. It was more like a cubby hole with a curtain pulled around it for privacy. Matt was awake and stared blankly at him for a moment before a sparkle of recognition gleamed in his eyes. Joe let out a sharp breath and sat on the corner of the bed. Gently brushing his hair from his eys, he leaned in briefly and kissed him.
"How ya feeling Mattie?"
"Like I've been beaten in the head with a baseball bat. What happened?"
"Apparently you slipped and fell in the bathtub while cleaning it," Joe answered caressing the teen's face. "You have a concussion, but the doctor says you'll be alright."
Joe watched his young lover as he struggled to comprehend what Joe was saying to him.
"I don't remember falling."
"Don't worry about it. The doctor said that's normal. I was afraid you wouldn't remember me," Joe spoke in hushed tones.
"How could I forget you?" Matt asked, pulling his brother closer to him.
"Easy," Joe teased, "you need your rest."
"Does mom know what happened?" Matt asked concerned.
"I called her. She's on her way here now."
"Joe, was I...when I fell...we weren't"
Joe put a finger to his brother's lips, "We were both clean and dressed. I was making lunch and you were cleaning the shower."
Matt let out a sigh of relief. It was frustrating for him not to remember what happened, but he remembered Joe and knew whatever happened, Joe would have protected him.
"I'm looking for exam room three."
Both boys separated as they heard the panicked voice of Claire Roman. Seconds later the curtain was pulled back and a rather frazzled looking Claire lurched forward to the bed and lavished kisses to her son.
"Mom," Matt protested.
"Easy Claire, he has a concussion and a bad headache."
"Oh my poor baby, I'm so sorry. What happened Joe?" She asked in an accusatory manner.
"Mom, I fell. It wasn't Joe's fault," Matt said tersely.
"I didn't say it was. It's just that your Joe's friend said you probably wouldn't remember what happened."
"I don't. Joe filled me in."
Claire was angry with Joe even though Matt's accident had been just that. She felt uneasy but seeing how adamant Matt was to defend his brother, she dropped the subject.
"Well young man, you're going to need plenty of rest so first thing in the morning we head home and you're not to lift a finger for at least a week."
Claire kissed her son on the forehead and then left to speak with the doctor handling his case.
"I think she's angry with me," Joe said sheepishly. "I don't blame her."
"It wasn't your fault Joe," Matt said reaching for his brother's hand.
Like a magnet, Joe was drawn to the offered hand at sat once again at his lover's bedside. Caressing the younger boy's cheek he whispered, "I'll make this up to you. I promise."
"Joe you don't.."
Matt found himself silenced with a passionate but brief kiss.
"I want to," Joe said softly before risking one more kiss. "I'm going to look after you when we get home. I'll wait on you hand and foot."
A mischievous grin played across Matt's lips. "I'll take you up on that offer."
Approaching footsteps caused the two to break apart again.
Dr. Cantu signed Matt's release and Claire whisked Matt away. Lou and Joe had spoken briefly. She like Jim had been concerned that Matt's accident may have caught them in a compromising position. When Claire was ready Lou had driven her and Matt back home leaving Joe to return with Jim and David to pack up their things and head home himself.
"Some romantic weekend," Joe thought as he silently packed up first his and then Matt's bag.
Jim and David had tried to persuade Joe to stay but Joe was adamant about being by Matt's side during his recovery. Jim decided that at some point he would visit the Romans and have a long talk with Joe about the path he was headed on. Right now he thought it best to stay out of Joe's way and let him tend to his brother.
By the time Joe reached home, Matt was safely tucked away in bed. He had to practically beg Claire for the privilege of just peeking in on him. He only stayed for a few moments and didn't dare try to kiss his sleeping beauty for fear Claire would be hovering nearby.
"You look exhausted," Claire said. It was the first sympathetic words she uttered to him since Matt's accident. "I'm sorry I was so cross with you. I know none of this was your fault. It must have been terrible for you finding him like that."
Joe could feel his skin go cold just thinking about seeing his lover's almost lifeless form sprawled out. He was sure he would have nightmares about for days to come.
"It was terrible," Joe said honestly. "I'm just glad he's okay."
Claire walked over to the visibly shaken young man and took his hands in hers.
"I'm just glad he wasn't alone when it happened. I'm glad you were there."
They hugged briefly before Claire ordered Joe to get some rest. All the tension of the day was taking its toll on him. She didn't have to tell him twice. He went to his room just above the garage, showered and climbed into bed without bothering to dress. He didn't wake until he heard Lloyd and Lou doing there usual bickering. He washed up quickly and dressed. He wanted to check on Matt before he joined the two at the garage.
The first thing he spotted was a note on the table. He picked it up and read it as he fumbled for a cup to pour some coffee left over from Claire's breakfast.
Joe,
Went to drop Andy off at school, then stopping by Matt's school
to let them know he'll be out for the week. Please check on him and
make him breakfast if he's hungry.
Thanks,
Claire
Joe took his cup and walked to Matt's room, opening the door carefully so as not to wake him if was still asleep. He was greeted with a big smile. He was glad to see Matt was awaked.
"Good morning sunshine," Joe smiled.
"Morning. I was wondering when you were going to come see me."
"You know I couldn't start my day without seeing you."
Joe sat on the side of the bed and leaned down to give Matt a morning kiss.
"You hungry?" Joe asked.
"Not really,"
"You feeling nauseous?" Joe asked slightly worried.
"No, I just don't have an appetite."
"Mattie, you have to eat something."
"Are you channeling my mother?" Matt teased.
Joe relaxed a little and smoothed his hand against the younger boy's cheek.
"I guess I am," he chuckled.
Seeing the concern in his brother's eyes, Matt decided to appease him and have something.
"I could go for some tea and toast."
"Your wish is my command," Joe said before sprinting out the door to fill the boys order.
Matt already was feeling better and devising other wishes that his beautiful genie could fill.