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Story: Men of Fort Dale

“That’s why?” Gabriel continued, still trying to get a word in edgewise.

Oscar wasn’t deterred, however. “And despite all my love for you and how much I want you to love me and continue to be my brother, I’m not going to back down from this. I’m in love withTroy, and I’m going to continue to be with him no matter what. So say what you’re going to say, freak out if you have to, but I’m not going to continue letting my life get torn apart because I’m too scared to speak the truth.”

And there it was, everything he hadn’t realized he’d been feeling under all the fear and worry. That fear had dictated his life, and too many choices had been affected by his paranoia. Gabriel knew the truth, the one great fear Oscar had, but he’d found an even greater fear among it all, losing Troy.

And that wasn’t going to happen, not if he could help it. So he would face his brother and wait defiantly, albeit with stuttering breath, for Gabriel to say something. His brother continued to stare at him with a dumbfounded expression. Oscar wasn’t sure if the man was gearing up for another diatribe or if he was just overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information Oscar had thrown at him.

“Well?” Oscar asked, his nerves getting the best of him.

Gabriel shook his head. “You’re an idiot.”

TROY

Troy was torn between absolute fury and worry as he heard Gabriel’s first words since Oscar had gone on his tirade. At the same time, his heart swelled beyond belief with love for Oscar, proud of him for finally having taken a stand. It might not have been the circumstances Troy would have chosen for Oscar to face, but he was indescribably thrilled at how Oscar had done it.

He should have known it would require Oscar to face it directly, fighting a threat staring him in the face. Troy reached out, squeezing Oscar’s arm, letting him know he was there.

“What?” Oscar demanded.

“I said you’re an idiot,” Gabriel repeated.

Troy’s irritation grew too strong for him to keep his peace. “Seriously? That’s all you have to say? Your brother just laid everything out for you, told you he’s suffered for keeping this a secret, and all you can do is call him an idiot?”

Oscar looked over his shoulder. “Troy?—”

Troy shook his head. “No, absolutely the fuck not. I’m not going to stand here and pretend like you haven’t gone through hell and back in your life because you didn’t want people to know you’re gay. Well, I’m sorry it came out this way, but I’m not sorryhe knows. And considering how hard this has been for you, how freaked out you’ve been, he owes you a lot more than an insult.”

Gabriel’s eyes, shaped and colored so much like his younger brother’s, were filled with wry amusement. “Well, it’s nice to know my brother is dating someone who can go toe to toe with him. I bet you’re not afraid to give him shit.”

Troy blinked in confusion. “I...well, yeah?”

Gabriel shook his head. “I didn’t call my brother an idiot because he’s gay or because he’s dating you.”

“Then why am I being insulted?” Oscar asked, sounding torn between annoyance and confusion.

Gabriel stood up, and Troy realized the man was a few inches shorter than Oscar. “I called you an idiot because you thought it was necessary to keep this to yourself for so goddamn long.”

Oscar’s emotion turned to confusion. “Huh?”

“First of all, I’m your goddamn older brother, and I’ll love you no matter the fuck what. Second of all, when the hell have I given you any idea that I would give a shit where you stick your dick or who you share your bed with? Third of all…” Gabriel continued, punctuating his final point with a smack on the side of Oscar’s head.

“Ow! What the fuck, Gabriel!” Oscar protested, rubbing the offending spot.

“You’re an idiot,” Gabriel repeated.

“Fuck you. You were the one acting like you were pissed off,” Oscar snarled.

Gabriel frowned. “Iampissed off, Oscar, especially after hearing more of the story. I’m pissed that you thought you needed to keep this from me, and I’m doubly pissed because you went through some stupid martyr quest over it. I hate that you kept this a secret, and I’m worried about what I did that made you think you needed to. Fuck’s sake, Oscar, I help people makepeace with who they are for a living. Why would that suddenly stop with you, my goddamn brother?”

Oscar looked to Troy, who shrugged helplessly. “Sorry, babe, but I’m not going to be much help here.”

He’d been expecting more of a tirade, maybe some things being thrown. From how badly Oscar had feared Gabriel knowing about them, Troy had anticipated an absolute disaster. From the visible confusion on Oscar’s face, though, it looked like Troy wasn’t the only one lost as to what to say or do now it looked like Gabriel was perfectly fine with the news.

Oscar blinked. “Uh, I mean...what the hell am I supposed to say here?”

“You’re supposed to say you’re sorry for keeping this from me while admitting you’re an idiot and then introduce me to the guy who somehow managed to rope my brother and tie him down,” Gabriel offered.

Oscar’s mouth flapped uselessly for a moment until he found his voice. “I’m sorry, Gabriel. I never thought you would, but I should have. So, I’m sorry I didn’t trust you enough.”

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