Charlie sat on his bed, hearing his mum rattle around in the kitchen. At 12, he was consumed with the complexities of pre-teen life. That girl who always passed him too close in the hall, giving him those eyes that made his heart melt and wearing short little skirts, that boy who Charlie couldn't help staring at in his math class... his brother, always causing trouble and blaming things on Charlie... quite frankly, it simply exhausted him. He rolled over, looking at his guitar. Sometimes, that seemed like his only friend and companion. He winced as he lay too hard on the bruise on his arm, given to him by a big hulking arse the day before.... oh, teenage life.

Liam turned around once more in his warm cozy bed. Last night had been long, too long actually for a 15 year old. And especially too much beer. He knew his mother would freak out again on him nut his eyes were still too heavy, he wouldn't get out of his bed.

Charlie got up, finally. He dragged himself into the kitchen, where his mum pulled him to her and kissed him on the forehead. "What's for breakie?" He mumbled, though he didn't really care. He didn't normally eat breakfast anyways; it was just a routine he'd gotten into over the years. He wondered if Liam ever got in last night.

Though he was about to wake up, he didn't want to get out of his room, all day. Well at least until Wayne would come over to pick him up for another night out. Not leaving his room, having it closed, was the best way to avoid fights with his mother.

Charlie grabbed an orange and went back into the hall, quietly going into his brother's room. "Li? You awake yet?" He said quietly, going to sit on a stool in the middle of the room.

Liam turned to face the wall. "Naw, I'm not awake. Piss off." He pulled his blanket over his head. "What d'you want? Tell me breakfast's ready? I'm not gonna eat anything. And I'm not leaving that place."

Charlie sighed deeply, before murmuring "Ok" quietly and putting the orange on the bedside table before slipping back out of the room. He couldn't practice guitar today, that’s for sure. So instead he wandered over to his piano, and began playing a soft tune. It'd probably still annoy Liam, but it'd be less annoying than a guitar at least. Also, his mum's face looked less stressed when he played piano. He suspected she liked it more than the guitar.

"Bastard!" Liam yelled and threw a shoe at his door. He pulled the blanket tighter over his ears and tried to figure out how to kill his baby brother. Though actually, he didn't really want to kill him; maybe rather his mum because of all the admiration for Charlie and hate for him.

Charlie heard his brother's yell, and went silent. Even that wouldn't do today. His brother must have drank a lot last night. Sulking, he went past his mum in the kitchen again, grabbing a book off the table and went outside. Slowly, he climbed a tree just outside of his and Liam's windows, and sat there, begining to read. He hummed softly to himself, tunes that he made up by himself. He couldn't concentrate on the book though, instead letting his eyes drift to Liam's window repeatedly.

Liam finally let go off his blanket. Charlie had stopped. Why would he do that? Only a loving brother would do so, not one that wanted to get on your nerves. Liam turned onto his stomach, dropping his hard onto the pillow. He was often too harsh, but secretly Charlie was the most important person in his life, though Liam wouldn't show that off.

Charlie often mused as to why Liam had chosen this life for himself. It didn't seem to be very rewarding, if he woke with a headache every day and always angered the parents to the point of screaming matches that lasted hours long. It didn't seem very fun. He couldn't understand why his brother did it every night.

Finally his bladder was making him get up at last. Liam slipped out of his room for the bathroom. Returning he saw Charlie sit outside his window, up in the tree. He slipped back in his bed, pretending not having noticed him and fished under his bed for his latest Playboy.

Charlie shifted, putting the book down on a branch before hooking his legs over another branch and hanging down backwards from the back of his knees. He swung there for a few moments, listening to the sound of the wind in the trees and his mum in the kitchen.

It wasn't long until Liam's hand slid inside his pyjama pants. Starting by squeezing his balls he was soon wanking his cock. He didn't care if Charlie watched or not, maybe he was even already down the tree again. But if he did he would have loved to know his thoughts.

Charlie heard strange noises coming from his brother's room, and tried to listen to what he was saying. It was almost unintelligable. Charlie's brow furrowed. He continued to swing by his legs, despite the loss of circulation to his feet, getting more and more curious.

Liam didn't really try to stay quiet. Because, if Charlie should still be out there, this was what he wanted, get him curious. And his mum wouldn't bother him, he had locked the door after returning from the bathroom.

Charlie couldn't exactly see Liam. There was a curtain in front of the window, so he couldn't see through that, but before long, he knew what his brother was up to. It hit him like a hammer. So much, in fact, that he forgot to hold on to the tree. Charlie dropped like a stone in shock, falling a good 10 feet before crashing to the bottom with a loud thud and a cry.

Liam was far too close to care about that cry coming from his brother. He would look for him later. Maybe. If he decided to get up at all. Some more strokes and he came, crying out himself.

Charlie rolled over, clutching his leg and wrist. Nothing felt broken, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt. He sat back against the tree, gasping for breath. He didn't need his mum. He wouldn't call for her. He'd just sit until the pain eased and then walk back inside for some ice. Stupid horny Liam.

Liam put his arms under his head, smirking, regaining breath. He wondered if Charlie was hurt badly, but, well, deserved the baby right for hanging out before his window.

Charlie sat there, looking up into the tree. How was he supposed to get his book back? The pain hit him hard when he tried to stand, so he plopped back down, glaring the defiant tree down. "Wanker." He mumbled.

Liam got curious. He got up and went to the window, drawing back the curtain, opening the window. "Hey baby! Had a nice tree climbing, huh?" He asked his brother who sat on the ground, looking ridiculous.

"Shut up, you sodding wanker, I fell and I can't get up!" Charlie yelled back, irritation at his brother growing by the minute. It was his fault Charlie was down here, and now Liam was teasing him. Charlie let his middle finger fly.

Liam laughed. "Uh oh! You better don't do that, I could tell mum you're not a bit better than your bro!" Liam grinned at him teasing.

Charlie snickered cruelly. "You know she wouldn't believe that. She'd probably ground you for saying it too." Charlie knew he could always win on that subject.

Liam hit his head on the window frame. Sodding little fucker. "Hey," Liam looked at the tree, discovering Charlie's book, "is that tree reading lately?"

"Yeah, it just graduated to chapter books, you wanker." Charlie said, trying to stand again and gasping in pain. He wouldn't show Liam weakness though, so he tried climbing the tree again.

Liam grimaced, feeling Charlie's pain. "Don't, Charlie! Wait, I'll get it." He offered, already starting to climb out his window.

"Fuck you, I've got it." His wrist hurt like fuck, and his ankle burned, but he wouldn't give up. He was going to get that stupid thing. He pulled himself onto the branch he had fallen from, breathing hard. But he pulled a evil face and grinned down at his brother, picking up the book in his hand.

"You suck, baby. You should learn to let others work for you." Liam said climbing back inside. What are you going to tell mum about those bruises, huh?" he asked, leaning casually on the sill.

"Why, so I can become a lazy sod like you?" He looked down at the distance and it seemed to grow beneath him. Shit, how was he supposed to get down? "As for the bruises, they're just part of my collection. She won't even notice." He said casually.

"Yep, so you can become as annoying as I am." Liam stuck out his tongue at his brother. He stepped back from the window, about to close it. "Have fun getting down again." he smirked then closed the window and sat back on his bed, turning on his stereo.

"Sodding wanker..." Charlie mumbled contemplating this carefully. Usually he would just jump from a certain point, but that didn't seem to be feasible here. It would hurt too much. He cursed. He'd have to get Liam's help. Angrily, he grabbed a piece of bark off the tree and threw it with all his strength at his brother's window.

Liam grinned madly and began to laugh. He stood up and went back. "Midget, you want something?" he cried through the closed window.

"Fucker! Help me down or I'll tell mum where you were last night!" He wouldn't actually do it, as that would be totally cheap and unfair, but he liked to see Liam sweat a little.

Liam opened the window again. "You want to blackmail me? Oh come on, how will you tell her if you're stuck up that tree?" Liam teased back.

Charlie smiled evilly. "She'll be twice as mad when she hears you’re the reason I fell in the first place. And now you won't even help me from increasing my injuries. Yup, she might even send you to rehab..." He trailed off, giving it an airy and punctuated sense.

"I hate you! I so fucking hate you!" Liam swore while climbing up the sill. "Okay, can you get down to that branch there?" he asked pointing at a branch bit lower from the one Charlie was on.

Charlie nodded, moving down slowly. He stopped, tossing his book to the ground and almost hitting Liam with it. He bit his lip to stop his laugh, then moved down to where Liam directed.

Liam took hold of the window frame and leaned over to Charlie. "Okay now give me your hand. Trust me, will you? I'm going to pull you in." He knew it worked, he had done that with his ex girlfriend his mum mustn't have known about, but he wasn't sure if it wouldn't hurt Charlie with his sore ankle and wrist or whatever he had hurt.

Charlie hesitated. This did not look safe at all. He felt very very unsafe, to be exact. He gave Liam a very worried look.

"Don't be scared. I know it'll work! It might not be nice for you because of your fall earlier, but it still will work. Come on Charlie, trust me!"

Charlie took a deep breath and grabbed onto Liam as tightly as he could. Still didn't feel safe. He closed his eyes, waiting for his next directions

Liam held Charlie as tight as he could and lightly started to pull him. "Jump." Liam said and pulled Charlie over harder.

"Jump where???" Charlie asked fretfully, letting himself be pulled. He opened his eyes and jumped to his brother. He closed his eyes again before he landed.

Liam grabbed Charlie tight and let himself fall backwards back into his room before they'd fall out of the window. He grimaced and sharply sucked in breath when he landed on his back. It hurt like hell, but at least Charlie had landed soft being still held tight in his arms.

Charlie let loose a small, "ow." as his foot hit the window frame and the side of the bed, but quickly recovered, sitting up on top of his brother's prone form. "Thanks Liam."

"Don't mention it." Liam replied - rather hissed from clenching his teeth because of the pain. "And fucking get off of me!" He nearly cried out looking at Charlie sitting on him. That sight made him feel pretty uneasy.

"But it makes me feel so big and strong!" Charlie said, laughing. He wriggled around on top of his brother. The look in Liam's eyes unsettled him a bit.

"What's that going to be?" Liam asked. ""Come on Charlie, get off." Liam hated fags and so this really scared him; especially since his lower parts didn't seem to be as scared as he.

Charlie moved up to sit more on Liam's chest, leaning down to growl in Liam's face. He wasn't going to move until his brother shoved him. "What're you gonna do about it?"

"I'm going to kill you!" Liam joked and shifted and turned them over so Charlie was the one on the ground and he was on top. "So? Do you like that?" He asked his brother before starting to tickle him.

Charlie writhed underneath his brother. He squealed, subconsciously arching his hips up as he laughed. He tried to get away from him, but nothing doing.

"Stop it! Fucking stop it Charlie!" Liam screamed, jumping up all of a sudden, turning around so he wouldn't have to look at his little brother. "Get out!" He said in a lower voice - forgetting that he had locked the door - and dropped onto his bed.

Charlie went dead silent, sensing a tension he could cut with a knife. He stood up slowly, backing out of the room. He fiddled with the lock for a few minutes, still looking at his brother warily, before retreating out the door. Closing it, he leaned against it. What the fuck?

Liam was near to crying, damned near! But he wouldn't, no way would he! Crying wasn't for cool guys and he was a cool guy, right? And for the hell of it, Charlie was a little, innocent 12-year old boy, so what the fuck had him scared that much? Liam felt unbelievable dirty. And sick! He ran out of his room, heading for the bathroom, nearly knocking off Charlie, still against his door.

Charlie was abruptly shoved out of the way, and he went back to the kitchen with his mum. He didn't say anything, but answered the phone when it rang. It was him. That boy that made him feel all tingly... what should he say? He shakily invited him over, so they could 'hang out'.

Liam was still kneeling in front of the loo. His stomach and throat felt tight, he was gagging, but he couldn't throw up. Fuck! Just because he wouldn't have breakfast and because the day before he had refused dinner. Damned. He hit the toilet seat with his flat palm and sat back on the floor.

Charlie nervously flitted around the room, awaiting his friend's arrival. He limped back outside to get his book, hoping his mum didn't notice his walk wasn't normal, then sat on the front steps and read. Liam confused the fuck out of him. So did Will, for that matter. He couldn't help how he felt about him, even if he was a guy. He had a bad feeling that this would be highly frowned upon in church.

Liam made it to get on his feet again. He starred at his reflection in the mirror. What a disgusting guy! "Fuck you!" he screamed at his reflection, before he went into the tub to take a shower, finally.

Charlie looked up to see Will coming down the street. His heart flipped. He really wanted to run up and hug him for some strange reason. But that would look really dumb. So he just sat and waited until they were face to face, then cooly lead Will inside. "Mum, we'll be in my room." He said, pushing his friend playfully ahead of him.

Liam felt slightly better after he had a shower. His stomach was still awkward but he didn't feel that dirty anymore, whether inside or outside. He felt sorry. It hadn't been Charlie's fault that he'd freaked out, had it? It was his own fault and he couldn't even explain what it had actually been. He would have to go apologize, let Charlie know he hadn't meant to scream at him. And maybe try - because try was all he could do - what happened.

They sat on Charlie's bed, laughing and joking. Will got up after a minute, and started looking over all of the various instruments Charlie had in his room, running his fingers over the small guitar and amp, the cheap keyboard and the drum set, before sitting back on the bed. He commented on them, and asked if Charlie played all of them. "Yeah, pretty much. The keyboard is just for in here, I have a piano in the front room." Will was very close, and Charlie found himself very aware of every bit of him.

Liam went to the kitchen, getting some bread and peanut butter and coke, before he returned to his room. He ignored his mum who once again started about him being too lazy, sleeping too much, being some real pain in the ass - well, she wouldn't actually use those words, but that's what she meant. He went into his room, knowing that ignoring her talking to him would make her yell at him. But only through the closed door, he would get really aggressive if she came into his room.

Charlie saw that Will also noticed their proximity. He didn't seem to mind though. Instead he just edged closer. Charlie had no idea what was going on. Everything spiraled out of his control as Will leaned in, pressing his lips softly to Charlie's. Light filled Charlie's head, and a warm bubbling welled in his stomach. It was like he'd never felt happier.

Liam made his hair and got dressed while eating his sandwich. When he was done - and sure his mum was back to her work instead of standing before his door - he locked his door and went to his wardrobe. In the best hidden spot of it he fumbled for his old, kind of worn out, cigarettes package in which he stored his joints. Having found it, he climbed out of his window into the tree, sat on a strong branch - facing the garden, not the house - and lit a joint.

Will and Charlie separated, staring at each other. There was tension in the air, both of them realizing that they had just done something that couldn't be undone. But Charlie was still feeling good. He smiled shyly, moving closer to Will. Will paused momentarily before smiling back, taking Charlie's hand and kissing him again.

Liam leaned back against the trunk. He was bored. His life consisted of sleeping and going out lately, but the time between those two actions was far too boring. Or far too stressful, regarding his fights with his mum. He needed something to do.

Charlie had never really kissed anyone before, but Will apparently had. He showed (in his own way) Charlie what to do. Charlie caught on quickly, and they laughed and giggled in their explorations. No words needed to be said. Charlie just got enough sense to get up and lock the door before returning to his new... well, whatever you'd call it.

If he'd asked his mum what to do, she'd say something like study, mown the lawn, find work, or other "extreme-fun" stuff. If he'd asked Charlie, he'd say learn some instrument. So, no sense in asking the family. Or wait... Actually, why not learn some instrument? It couldn't be that bad, right? And he loved to listen to music, why not make it too?

Charlie and Will lay on the bed, giggling about school stuff and holding hands, only shyly meeting each other’s gazes every few minutes. Charlie smelled smoke, and Will pointed it out, but he knew it was just Liam, smoking. "It’s my brother. He's a complete slacker. Just sits around and smokes and drinks. Still, I love him, even if he is kinda an arse." Will laughed and crawled closer, holding Charlie's smaller form.

Liam still had to apologize to Charlie. He would do that after this spliff, and then he would combine that with asking Charlie to teach him. Maybe that'd even affirm his apology.

"Do you want anything to drink?" Charlie said. He snuck out of the room, grabbing two cokes and some grapes before running back into the room. He didn't lock it again. He popped the cokes and set them on his bedside table, setting the grapes on the table. "Want me to play you something?" He grabbed the guitar and played one or two Beatles songs under Will's admiring eye. Then he put the instrument down again, jumped on the bed, and kissed Will softly.

Liam's joint was done, but he stayed on his branch, listening to Charlie playing on the guitar. He loved to listen to his brother's guitar play. He also loved his piano play, but he couldn't stand it if he played when he was far too sleepy still and had a bad hangover. Maybe he'd better apology for his rude behavior this morning too. When Charlie had finished, he climbed back into his room.

They tussled harmlessly for a moment, laughing. Will breathed in, saying in one long breath how amazed he was at Charlie's musical abilities and so forth, but Charlie for once didn't want to hear it. He just kissed Will again.

Liam snuck out of his room and flit next door before his mum could tell him to leave his little brother alone. He opened the door without knocking. "Hey Baby Brother, I have to talk to you." He said before looking at Charlie and turning around on his heels leaving the room again. What the Fuck?