I text Ryder to make sure he knows I'm okay. He says he knew so I don't sweat it. Xander must've told him.

I cuddle closer to Charlie and hum contently. I'm so glad he's back in my life again. I can't imagine what I'd do if he'd... if he'd succeeded. I never would have forgiven myself.

Charlie opens his eyes sleepily and pokes me. "Psst, Ethan, Ethan, baby, good morning, but psssst."

I smile immediately. "Good morning, baby."

Charlie blushes. "I need help going to the bathroom."

"Okay, what do you need me to do?" I ask, ready to do anything he needs me to.

"I need help standing up right now and getting around." He looks away awkwardly. "I can take care of myself mostly. I might want help washing my hand..."

"Okay." I nod and stand up, holding my arm out to him. "You can lean on me or I can carry you. Whichever you prefer."

He stands up and almost falls, the IV almost coming down with him.

"Shit," I catch him. "Carry it is then." I put him back down on the bed so I can get a better hold before picking him back up bridal style and walking him towards the bathroom.

Charlie brings the IV along and then looks at the toilet. "I can do this... I can do this..."

I open the lid with my foot and he hikes his hospital gown up. I put him down on the toilet and adjust the IV so it isn't in the way.

"I don't wanna pee sitting down. Ethan—"

"Okay, I got you." I help him back up to his feet, my arms wrapped around his torso to keep him steady while he leans against my chest.

"Close your eyes and cover your ears." Charlie stutters.

"Okay, baby." I do as he says, closing my eyes and leaning down so I can cover my ears while still holding him.

He moves his head against me to signal that he's done before reaching to flush the toilet and almost slipping. Charlie curses and looks about ready to kick the toilet.

I open my eyes and uncover my ears. "It's okay, Charlie, you'll be back on your feet in no time." I reach over and flush the toilet. "It's better I do this than a nurse, right?"

"They're used to doing this and they aren't my boyfriend who is helping me pee like I'm getting potty trained again." He frowns. "I don't want you to see my penis like this. He doesn't like this attention."

"I really don't mind, Charlie, and I know you're fully capable. Just let me help you. If I ever get hurt, I'll let you do that same for me." I help him shuffle over to the sink.

"I wasn't there for you when you got hurt though." He squeezes soap into his hand before looking at me in the mirror, silently asking me to wash his hand with mine.

"And I wasn't there when you were hurting. But we're past that now and we'll always be here for each other." I promise and put soap on my own hands before silently washing his, keeping my expression neutral as his bandage comes into view.

Charlie tries to subtly move his arm out of view, but it causes the IV to roll and I can see his eye twitch slightly. He's been hiding his whole left arm since I got here. It's always under the blankets and whenever he does anything, he pretends the arm is basically chopped off and has no use anymore. Charlie sighs after I dry our hands and turns to bury his face in my neck, unable to walk back to the bed.

I lower his gown, pick him back up, and carry him back to bed. "I still love you."

"I love you t—"

An obnoxious knock sounds at the door. "Charlie, I hope you're decent, because I'm coming in in three, two, one, hello!" Xander opens the door with a bag in his hands, Ryder behind him with my backpack in his hands.

"Ryder!" My eyes widen and I set Charlie down before climbing back into bed with him. "Hey, guys."

"Hey-o." Xander climbs into bed and curls up into his brother, pulling out Charlie's journal to give to him and pulling out some sour candy which Charlie eyes with interest.

Ryder comes in slower until he's standing by the bed. "Hi." He says shyly to Charlie. "I'm Ryder, Ethan's brother."

Charlie smiles. "I've heard a lot about you. I hope Xander has been treating you better. I'm sorry if I kinda left him a little frantic."

"It's okay, he's been nice." Ryder blushes and I raise my eyebrows.

"Nice, eh?"

Xander just feeds Charlie a little bit of candy, minding his own business. Charlie giggles.

Ryder crosses his arms, his lips pulling into a wicked smirk. "What about you, Ethan? I didn't know you two were this close. He must be the roommate, you know, the one you stole a shirt from."

"You stole my shirt?!" Charlie scoffs.

I blush wildly. "I-I just needed something of yours... something that smelled like you to comfort me. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry. I—" His eyes widen from his near slip up and Xander shoves more candy in his mouth to hide it.

"Why does his shirt comfort you?" Ryder asks. He's playing confused, but something in his eyes tells me he's already guessed at what's going on.

"Ryder," I place my hand on his shoulder. "There's something I need to tell you."

"No shit."

"Ry! I throw my head back, pretending to be exasperated.

"Your brother fucked me and then we became roommates and now he's my boyfriend," Charlie says.

I lightly smack his shoulder. "You didn't need to say it so crudely!"

Ryder smiles. "So you're not straight?"

"I'm bisexual." I announce proudly. "I like all bodies, no matter what their gender may be."

Ryder smiles ecstatically and jumps on me, knocking me down with a hug. "That's awesome, Ethan! I'm so proud of you!"

Xander smiles at my brother and Charlie whispers something in his ear before the younger punches his brother and then Charlie promptly punches him back.

I manage to sit back up with Ryder now in my lap. "This bed is not big enough for the four of us."

"Then sit in Charlie's lap and Ryder can sit in mine." Xander smirks.

I narrow my eyes, pulling Ryder against my chest. "Settle down, hot shot."

"It's a little too late for that," Charlie mumbles, pulling his brother into his lap instead.

"What's that mean?" I raise my eyebrows and Ryder punches me.

"I can take care of myself, Ethan." He gives me a look that I can instantly interpret. "I'm not your classic dumb little sister."

I let him go.

"Ry, you okay?" Xander asks. "Wanna go by the food court and get some ice cream?"

"I'm good, but I'd like some." He brightens up.

"If you're going, you better bring me some." I tell them.

"Chocolate?" Xander asks. "Chocolate for you too, Charlie?"

"I'll steal some of Ethan's."

"Get me a big portion since he's snack snatching." I smirk.

"He can't hold much food, but okay, I'll take that excuse." Xander winks and grabs Ryder's hand before disappearing.

Charlie shakes his head. "You and Ry okay?"

"We're good." I play with his hair. "He doesn't want me getting over protective."

"Yeah. Especially considering he sucked face with Xander."

"He did what?!"

"He made out with my brother last night. Xander asked me about it because he said it got heated and he got a little scared because he didn't know what to do and Ry has a pair of wandering hands." Charlie giggles. "He didn't want to touch something wrong, so he asked me about it and I told him to not touch anything private without permission since like that'd be weird to tell him exactly what to do and because Ry is y'know..."

I pull my hair. "Charlie, Ryder's never kissed anyone in his life! That was his first."

"It was Xander's first boy. It's fiiiine." Charlie pats my leg.

"And it got heated? Ryder got heated?" I shake my head. "I am not prepared for him to be wild. I'm wild. That's my job. He's the good kid."

"He's still good."

"I know." I chuckle. "It's just... now I've got two siblings to cover for."

"What has Kaisley done?"

"Generic middle class rebellion." I wave it off. "Plus she likes to disappear in the middle of the night."

"I used to do that a lot. Xander does it sometimes. Rarely though, since I'm not there for him to sneak away from now. He just leaves and does some sketchy shit before coming home." Charlie shrugs. "He's protective, so he wouldn't ever bring Ryder along, no matter how much he may beg."

"I'm not the poster boy for good behavior so I can't judge." I shrug. "I just hope your brother doesn't break Ryder's heart. That could get messy."

"Xander doesn't do too well with breakups and he was in a long relationship he just got out of. It was with some girl that's the kid of someone our parents work with. Xander didn't know how to breakup with her until he got Ryder to help him catch her cheating." Charlie shrugs again and puts the candy away for when he feels up to eating it.

"Just make sure he's not using Ry."

"What?"

"If he wants Ryder for sex, he doesn't get to have him." I state strongly. "I'm not letting Ryder's first time so be some one and done shit."

"If he wanted Ry for sex, he would've done it last night at the sleepover." Charlie glares at me. "Xander's better than me. He wouldn't do that."

I rest my hand on his arm. I didn't want to upset him. "I wasn't accusing him, just warning. I like Xander a lot, he seems like a good kid. I just need to make sure. You understand, right?"

"I trust your judgement on Ryder."

I hang my head. "I'm sorry Charlie, it's just sensitive, especially because Ry is trans."

"I know. I'm sorry. It's just, he's my little brother and I swear, he's perfect. He'll do right by Ryder. Xander judges based on character. Ryder being trans won't change a thing."

"Good." I peck his lips. "I trust you."

"Good. Let Ryder make his own decisions. He's a big boy, and based on his hair, he seems to make good decisions." Charlie giggles.

"I know he's a big boy." I ruffle his hair. "Don't worry. I know how to let him go, he just needs to remind me sometimes."

Charlie grabs my shirt and pulls me on top of him, bringing his lips to mine. He tastes like the toothpaste he always uses and his lips are slightly chapped, but addictive all the same. It's not rough, but it's still highly stimulating and has my nerves tingling. He opens his mouth, asking me to enter.

I do eagerly, bringing my hands to his neck, softly caressing his skin as we kiss. It feels so good to feel his lips on mine and I can't wait until I can feel the rest of his body with mine. I explore with my tongue, occasionally tangling with his as I pull him closer and kiss him deeper.

"Can you two like not fuck right now?" Xander asks.

I pull back, flushed, and rest my head against Charlie's chest. "Sorry guys."

"You should be." Ryder says with a tone that says he's rolling his eyes.

Charlie scoffs. "Like you two don't do it."

I peek out and chuckle when I see Ryder blushing.

"Ours doesn't lead to sex, Mr. Slut." Xander places a hand on his hip, holding his ice cream in the other.

"Xander, don't slut shame meeee. Love meeeeeeeee," Charlie whines.

"All I do is love you. Your boyfriend might get jealous in a weird way."

"Nah, I'm glad Charlie has such a good relationship with his brother." I smile. "And he's only a slut for me now."

"Mhmm. Just Ethan's slut."

"You're gonna creep out Ryyyyyyy."

"I can handle it." Ryder coughs. "I've, uh, caught Ethan before."

I blush. "You promised you'd never speak of it!"

"With who?" Charlie asks.

Ryder shrugs.

"It was just some chick, a cheerleader I think." I tell him.

"I've caught Charlie too." Xander hums, grabbing an ice cream out of Ryder's hand and handing it to me so I can share with Charlie before Xander sits on the couch, patting next to him as a suggestion.

Ryder sits next to him, eating his own ice cream. "It sucks. And Ethan likes it loud."

"Okay, that's enough!" I call, stuffing my face.

Charlie just watches me before Xander chuckles.

"Yeah, Charlie is pretty loud. When I was sneaking into the house one time, Charlie was getting throat fucked by Mich—"

"Ethan has a big dick," Charlie splutters.

I turn to him. "Just tell the world then." I chuckle before raising a suggestive eyebrow and mouthing, "Throat fucked?"

Charlie nods, looking away.

"That will be discussed at a later date." I whisper and pull back.

"So, are we all gonna pull out our junk and compare or are we done talking about this?" Ryder asks, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"Keep your privates private." Xander ruffles Ryder's hair.

"Good." He huffs.

"Yeah. We haven't even gone on a date yet. Who are we? Our brothers?" Xander laughs.

"A d-date?" Ryder blushes and tucks his hair behind his ear. "You never asked me."

"Do you want to go on a date with me, my gay princess?" Xander asks, smiling.

"A pet name?" Charlie laughs.

Ryder smiles. "Yes, I do."

"Next week sound good? Saturday or Friday?" Xander asks and Charlie cuddles into me.

"Saturday, so we have longer." Ryder pushes some of Xander's hair out of his face.

Xander's green eyes light up and he rests his head against my brother, eating his ice cream contently.

Ryder grins happily and leans back, relaxing. I smile at the two, happy for them. Xander really does seem like a good kid and if he makes Ryder happy, then I'm happy.

I turn around in Charlie's lap so I can watch them, my back against his chest. I pull his arm around my waist and lean back against him.

Charlie kisses the top of my head and sneaks his hand under my shirt so he can feel skin. "You're a good brother, Ethan," he whispers.

"Thank you." I relax due to his touch. "So are you."

"Thank you..." He buries his face in my neck.

Charlie's little brother coos. "How cute."

"You shut it." I glare at him playfully.

"Make me." Xander smirks, grabbing my brother's hand and interlacing them.

My boyfriend starts kissing my neck. "You're cute."

Ryder blushes and I relax against Charlie, my eyes fluttering closed. "Fine."

"So when are you moving back in with Charlie?" Xander asks. "The same time Charlie does or would you like us to drop your belongings off? Right now Momo is in Charlie's old room because I can't sleep with her in mine. So if you could stop by the house to get her when it's time, that'd be fantastic."

Charlie's head shots up. "Are you taking proper care of Momo?"

Xander smiles. "Of course."

I smile and look up at Charlie. "I'd like to move back in as soon as possible, if you're comfortable with that."

"There was a possibility that you wouldn't?" He frowns.

"Only if you didn't want me."

"I want you," he mumbles, biting my shoulder before whispering, "I need you."

"I need you too." I kiss him. "You guys can take my stuff over."

"Is it true that you draw pornographic content of my brother?" Xander asks suddenly.

I raise my eyebrows and Ryder giggles. "Excuse me?"

"Ry said you draw pornographic content of yourself and a model who is actually my brother. Care to explain?"

"It's not porn, I wouldn't draw that without his permission. Just, like, kissing."

"Or him laying naked in a bed." Ryder adds.

"He's seen that one! And it only shows his back. There's no dick!"

"So you've never drawn anything of you two having sex hidden away somewhere?" Xander quirks an eyebrow and Charlie hides in my neck.

"N-No!"

"Charlie, do you think he's lying?"

"M-Maybe..."

"Babe!" I kiss his head. "Would you be mad if I did?"

"Not mad..." Charlie looks away. "Maybe a little embarrassed and... flattered."

I rub his uninjured arm. "Well, I don't have any now," I lean in so I can whisper. "But I would love to make some in the future if you're interested."

"You're saying I did all that dress up and there aren't drawings?" Charlie asks, his face red.

"Dress up?!" Xander covers his ears.

I chuckle and peck Charlie's lips. "I'll get started right away, Captain."

He giggles and kisses me back. "I can't wait to come home."

"Me too. I've really missed it."

"Soon, hopefully. I have a psychiatrist now and you're here, so hopefully not too much longer."

"I'm happy to wait." I kiss his hand.

"I'm so shocked." Ryder mumbles. "I didn't know you had a heart."

"Oh, shut up, you little shit." I grab a pen off the bedside table and throw it at Ryder.

Xander catches it before it hits my brother and hits me right on the forehead. "You could've stabbed his eye out."

Charlie giggles.

Ryder stares at Xander in awe and I huff. "It's not a throwing knife, would've just bounced off 'im. Nice catch, though."

"Thanks." He smirks.

"Did you play any sports in high school?" Charlie asks.

"Nah, I was a loner." I shrug. "I tried baseball freshman year, the games were fun, but my teammates were dicks. Especially the captain, man I did everything I could to impress him, but I was never good enough."

"You totally had a crush on him." Ryder smirks and I knit my eyebrows.

"I did?"

"I can do better, I promise, how about you come to my place and help me practice." Ryder mocks.

Charlie's eyes widen.

I think back on my past and slowly nod. "I think you're right. How the fuck did I not know?"

"Haha, Charlie thought he was your first. Loser, he's older than you." Xander sticks his tongue out.

"I-I did n-not!"

"Charlie is my first." I squeeze his hand. "My first boy kiss, my first boyfriend, my first—" I pause, smirking, letting them fill in the blanks.

"Nah, that's no biggie to Charlie." Xander laughs.