When Eli jumped on him, Jonas wrapped his arms tightly around Eli. "You've been doing so good, baby brother. So brave."

"I hate it Jo. I hate them. I hate that school."

"I'm so sorry, baby brother. I shouldn't have left you alone... Don't go back. We can figure it out." Jonas said and held him tight.

Eli looked up with red eyes with a little bit of hope and optimism but shook his head. "You know he won't allow that. It will just cause more trouble for you."

"Fuck trouble. If he tries to stop me, I will hit him back." Jonas growled.

Eli hugged him again and took a deep breath. "No. We have a plan right now. We wait until you're 18."

Eli held out his phone and showed that while he pretended he wasn't interested or affected by his father hitting Jonas, he was actually recording it. He saved it to the large cloud file that housed the countless other videos. In fact, Eli took it as far to plant cameras at school to prove the bullying that Jonas had to endure, which is how he got the video of Jay cutting him.

"That's four months, and frankly I'm not comfortable with waiting that long anymore, especially if that bastard is back." He looked ashamed. "And with my violent history, I can't even guarantee custody, Eli. But if they won't let me become a guardian, then I'll ask Chuck."

"You're asking Chuck to take in two teenage kids. We can't do that." Eli said sadly.

"Don't underestimate that man's heart. Let me talk to him, baby brother."

Eli sighed, tears finally streaming down his face. "The legal battle alone is daunting. Is it worth it?"

Jonas crushed him in his hug, but quickly let go when Eli let out a whimper. Jonas let out a depressed sigh and instead wiped the tears from his face. "I would burn this world down for you, so fuck a legal battle. Besides, I already have the best lawyer looking into this for us. So don't go. Stay here. We'll keep you safe."

Hugh smiled a little hearing this, knowing his dad was helping Jonas and his brother.

Eli shook his head. "You already handled it and got his aggression out. I'm the prefect son who defended him in a viral video. Believe me, I'm safe right now."

Jonas picked up his chin and examined his lip that split he say yesterday. "Is this safe? He used to keep all of his hits to the body, never the face."

"This is nothing." Eli said, trying to shrug away the grip on his chin.

"This is everything! He reached his boiling point and you kept quiet about it! How many times has he hit you and I don't know about?" His voice was shaking and frantic. "You were supposed to tell me."

"Tell you? So you can come in, make a scene and get the piss kicked out of you? You never fight back. You never defend yourself. You just take it so we can just hit the reset button and wait on pins and needles for the next time. You think I like seeing that? What if he doesn't let you out?" Eli said roughly.

Jonas restrained a shudder. "I don't care if you like it or not. It's necessary. I never wanted this for you." Jonas huffed while pointing at his split cheek.

"I don't want this for you either. That's why I never told you he came home. Let me help carry the load, Jo. For once, let me take some of the weight."

Jonas sighed and kissed the top of his head. "No, baby brother. I got strong so I can handle it for both of us. You shouldn't bear any of this. Your place in this world isn't to be weighted down with bullshit. You are meant to soar."

Eli rubbed his nose a little, knowing how this conversation always ended. Jonas reached up and pretended to straighten something invisible on the top of Eli's head making him laugh. "Still straightening my crown?" Eli asked with a wry smile.

It was something he used to do when they were young. Jonas would always call him his little prince. When Eli was feeling down, Jonas would straighten his imaginary crown and tell him to hold his head high so it doesn't slip again. It used to work as a charm and would stop him from crying, but now it was a nostalgic gesture.

"Whenever you need it, baby brother. Do not lower your chin one bit, stand proud, and straighten your crown."

Eli snorted. "You're so fucking cheesy."

"Watch your language!" Jonas scolded, which got plenty of laughs around the room. Jonas was the one with the worst mouth.

Eli grinned but then grimaced. "You look like shit."

Jonas frowned. "Did you not see how many people I fought today?"

He laughed. "Everyone did. You guys were really cool." His eyes caught Hugh walking up with a cloth filled with ice. He gently placed it on Jonas' face and held it there while he examined the other wounds. Jonas gave him a warm smile.

Eli gave them a suspicious look. "You're Hugh, the Mad Dog."

"The one and only." He winked at Eli, making him blush a little.

"Thanks for coming to watch me play that night in the cafe... and for your help yesterday."

Hugh nodded. "Anything for Jo and his family... Well, the family that matters."

Jonas smiled again and turned his attention back to Eli, letting Hugh hold the ice to his face. "Alright, we only have about 10 minutes now. Time for the breakdown. How are classes?"

"Everyone sucks at that school and the classes are too easy. I have a 3.7 GPA."

Jonas smirked. "Not bad. Doesn't beat my old 3.9 GPA."

Eli flipped him off. "Showoff. You?"

"Not bad. Hugh gives me a run for my money when it comes to grades. Any boyfriends yet?"

Eli rolled his eyes. "You think I can come out of the closet with that school and our horrible homophobic father?"

A small excited gasp was heard at the back of the kitchen. Travis was staring at Eli with wide and adorable eyes. Eli noticed the noise and saw Travis with a red face. Eli grinned and winked towards him. "But I have noticed someone quite beautiful that's worth the risk. He's been on my mind lately."

Jonas looked between the two. "I might allow it." But his voice came out a as a growl which made Travis jump and Hugh cracked up.

Eli gave Travis another wink and turned back to Jonas. "Girlfriends for you?"

Jonas laughed. "Really? At an all boys school?"

"Well, Emilia was never with Lukas technically, and she seemed to become level headed. You always had a good time with her."

Jonas winced a little because Hugh was a little heavy handed with the ice when Eli brought up Emilia.

Jonas gave Hugh a look and curled his lips slightly. "Emilia was a waste of time."

"I see... well, do you have a boyfriend then?" He giving a sly look, watching the interaction between the two closely.

Jonas paused and ran his hand through his hair. "Well..."

Hugh glared at him. "You're seriously hesitating on that answer?"

"I'm not hesitating. I know what I want to answer, but I don't want to assume." Jonas said quietly.

Hugh sighed. "Idiot." He leaned forward and kissed Jonas lightly on the lips. Jonas pulled Hugh closer, deepening the kiss, and devoured Hugh's lips. Hugh surprised himself when he let out a small moan, which made him pull back with red ears.

Hugh coughed, trying to lessen the building blush. "Does that tell you want I want, idiot?"

Jonas laughed and brushed his fingers through Hugh's silver hair. "Eli, officially meet my boyfriend, Hugh."

A scream ripped across the dorm and Travis came running up and hugged both of them. They both groaned and started to complain about their bruises. The other Kings snickered, already aware of how their relationship while Jaiden was joking about how it was nice to finally have answers.

Eli and Jonas talked a bit about fighting and Eli's piano concerts and Jonas jotted down the times and places for his next shows. Not only Jonas commited to go to the ones he knew he could sneak into, but the other guys in the room wanted to tag along.

Jonas and Eli both looked at the clock with dread because their time together was too short. Eli patted Jonas on the shoulder and approached the blonde boy. Eli smirked, looking similar to Jonas. He held out his hand. Travis gave him a curious look.

"Your phone, beautiful." Eli said with a smile.

Travis's breath hitched and fished out his phone and handed it over. Eli typed in his number and then called his own phone.

Eli place a finger under Travis's chin and brought his face closer and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. "I didn't think a sinner like me would be able to step into heaven, but here you are proving me wrong. Thanks, angel."

Travis was wide eyed. "Oh my god." He whispered with a deep blush.

Eli turned back an gave Jonas a hug. "My 15 minutes are up."

Jonas held on. "Just stay."

But Eli pulled away. "Father leaves soon anyway. Focus on the storm that's coming from St. Vincent's and don't you dare hold back because of me."

"Eli..."

"Jo, you know the depths that St. Vincent's will reach. They don't have anything reining them in and you cannot afford to be careless, not even for a second. I can handle father for now. If you trust me on this, I will let you talk to Chuck."

Jonas sighed and gave in.

As Eli reached the door, he paused. "I didn't tell you about the random hits because they were not bad, Jo. But he has never locked me in that place, so at least be comforted in that."

Jonas smiled weakly. "Alright, baby brother. I will trust you. Please be safe."

"You too, Jo." Eli turned his back and disappeared from view.

It took every ounce of effort to not race and pull him back into the dorms. That was his kid brother, the boy he was raising for over ten years now. Seeing him walk back to the Spencers threatened to break his heart into pieces.