InsaneJournal

Things That Go Hump in the Night
"No, Mom, you gatta believe me."

"Pickles, you're keeping your father up. He has work in the morning."

"I'll sleep on the couch."

"You have a full sized bed, Pickles. You can share with your brother tonight. The paint fumes are no good for him."

"You made me sleep in my bed when we painted my room."

"Jest go back to bed, Pickles. Your brother is just moving around in his sleep."

"Movin' around, my foot! He had his hand in my pants!"

"Pickles! You shouldn't say things like that! Your brother loves you. Show a little respect!"

"Loves my cack, apparently! I can't go back, Mom."

"Pickles, don't you make me get up and take you back into the room myself."

There's a knock at the door. Pickles freezes, wondering how much of that Seth heard. Seth opens the door softly, doing his best to look sleepy and disoriented. "Oh, there you are. I was worried about you, bro."

"See? He loves you. Go back to bed."

"But Mom—!"

"Do as she says," Calvert says from his side of the bed, which is still mostly in the dark.

Molly turns the lamp off. "Night, boys. See you in the morning."

The only light is the light from the hallway. Pickles opens his mouth to protest one last time, but Calvert's voice sounds again. "Don't be an idiot."

Pickles hangs his head, but when Seth chuckles, he lifts it again, glaring defiantly at him. He leads the way back to the room, rolling his eyes when Seth whispers to their parents that he loves them.

Pickles fingers the drawstring of his pajama pants, trying to decide if he wants to take them off again. He decides to leave them on, given present circumstances. Who cares if he gets hot during the night?

"Don' you wanna take those off, bro?"

"Nat really." Pickles finds a hair tie and pulls his long hair back for bed. His mom hates his hair so long. That's why he kept it that way at first. Now he actually likes the length. He's proud of the color of his hair. Seth didn't get the red hair, just Pickles. One thing their mom gave Pickles that she couldn't give to Seth. It's like a victory.

"Well, I'm takin' mine off."

Pickles looks over as Seth starts to take his pajama pants off, and flinches. "Dood! What'd you do with your...you know, your underwear?"

"I won't need it." Seth smirks. "Hope you're hungry."

Pickles's stomach feels like it just dropped out.