Brothers By Design

Kane woke early, as he always did. After a quick trip to the bathroom he donned the new wrist and ankle weights and headed out for his morning run. Up until six months ago he would have been with his father. But then, he cut off the thought. He’d already wallowed in self-pity. It was time to move on. That’s what his father would want. Besides, he had Devin to take care of–he didn’t have the luxury of feeling sorry for himself.

He would circle the block once before heading in. Devin would be up soon, and he wanted to shower before dealing with him. Get himself grounded and relaxed. Or at least not covered in sweat. There was a lot they had to work on; they’d made a start, but it was nowhere near enough. It was early enough he expected he’d be back before Shyla got up. As styled and stiff as she was, it probably took her a long time to get ready in the morning.

The house looked even more imposing in the dawn than it had the other late afternoon. Kane paused to look at it before going in. While large, it didn’t seem welcoming or friendly. There was no feeling of “home” to it. Of course, he’d only lived there a day–maybe it would feel more like his home when he’d been there awhile.

He entered and went straight to his room for clothes, managing to avoid running into Albert or any of the other servants. He’d decided the servants were spies for Shyla–why else would they show up after he’d got the best of her? The run hadn’t been enough to warrant a shower, but he wanted to stick to his routine as much as he could. It would give him a chance to finish calming and centering. In the dark he fumbled for clothes, not wanting to wake Devin.

“Kane?” Devin said, his voice alert and hesitant.

So much for letting the other boy sleep. Kane shook his head; why should it surprise him Devin was a light sleeper? If the kid thought his entire reason for being was to be hurt, being a light sleeper was a matter of safety.

“Yeah. Getting clothes. You don’t gotta get up yet–I woke early.” It was important to let him know there was no danger because Kane was up and about in the dark.

“…You left…”

“Morning run. Look, I’m gonna turn on a lamp so I can see.” They both blinked at the sudden brightness. “How long have you been awake?”

“…Since you got up…”

“So how come you didn’t say anything?” He’d tried to be quiet, but he should have realized Devin would notice anyway. Should have realized others would have tried to sneak up on the little boy. He looked over at the still-occupied bed; Devin was on his back, eyes closed, biting his lower lip.

“Devin. How come you didn’t say anything?”

“I…thought you…wanted to be…alone.”

The hesitating way it was said told him it was a lie. With a frown, clothes in hand, he crossed the room. He didn’t want Devin lying to him. Lying was a dangerous trend he wasn’t going to allow to get started.

“Bullshit.” Devin flinched at the fierce voice so close to the bed. “You thought I was leaving, didn’t you? That I decided to let them have you after all. Didn’t you?”

Devin nodded faintly. Kane cursed, touched the nearest pale cheek. They hadn’t gotten as far as he’d thought. Not if Devin thought he was going to leave. Light blue eyes flew open, of course wide with fear. Kane took a second before he spoke, wanting to be sure Devin was listening, wanting to be sure he said the right thing. He had to be careful. Devin wouldn’t be used to trusting people.

“I run every morning, and usually before bed. I’m not gonna leave you, not the way you thought. I told you, I’m gonna protect you. I won’t let them hurt you.”

Devin stared at him and licked his lips. Kane didn’t move, waiting. His father had taught him that. The more frightened a creature, the longer and harder the fight for trust. And the stronger the trust was when finally won.

“I’m…I’m your boy?”

Kane grinned, still not what he was hoping for, but better than he’d feared.

“Yup, you’re my boy. I fought Shyla for you, didn’t I?” Devin nodded, still watching him. He didn’t want Devin to be his boy. It sounded way weird, but whatever worked for now. “Now I’m gonna get my shower. You hungry?”

Another nod, bottom lip once more being chewed on. Kane waited.

“Ma…may I….use the…the…”

“You gotta use the toilet?” Devin nodded. “You don’t have to ask for stuff like that,” Kane said. “Go when you need to, all right?”

“Yes, Kane.”

Kane muttered another curse. Asking for permission to go to the toilet? What would’ve happened if he’d said no?

Devin was washing his face with his good hand when Kane entered the bathroom. Kane told him to wait in the bedroom; after his shower they’d go downstairs for breakfast. Devin agreed and disappeared, shutting the door.

Kane lingered under the hot spray, turning all the things he knew of the current situation over in his head. What troubled him most was why. He couldn’t figure any reason for what was happening, but there had to be one. There had to be. Nobody went into Foster and got servants, a huge house, a mental for a new parent…and there should have been two adults, not only Shyla. Something was major off. Something he’d have to figure out later.

Getting Devin to trust him was the main thing for now. Get the other boy healed and healthy and standing up for himself. He’d done it before, with a couple of feral cats. He still had the scars to show for it too. He could do it again. He was even pretty sure Devin wouldn’t try to scratch or bite him. He grinned as he got dressed, picturing the tiny, terrified boy attacking him.

Devin stood next to his bed, neatly made. When he saw Kane he smiled ever-so-slightly and relaxed. Kane smiled back. Another chance to praise the little boy.

“You make the beds? They look good. All right, time to get you dressed. Let’s see…”

He went to the closet, picked out an outfit. At the dresser he got socks and an undershirt, which also went on the bed. He looked it over and nodded. It would look good. A bit big, but not horribly so.

He stood in front of Devin and began undoing the buttons on the pajama top. Devin didn’t move or speak. Kane felt a flash of annoyance, the urge to shake the small boy until he reacted, but pushed it away.

“Won’t hurt you, Devi,” he said, as much to himself as to his companion. “Won’t hurt my good boy.”

He checked the bandages and bruises, pushing everything else away. It was going to take a long time for the worst to heal and fade–longer even than the cast would be on, for some of it. But they would heal. He had to focus on that, getting Devin well again. Anything else would wait.

Once Devin was dressed Kane brushed his hair before declaring him ready. He gave two chewable vitamins to the smaller boy, took one himself, and led the way downstairs for breakfast. They were again served by Albert and the cook. Devin ate an egg and drank his milk. Kane watched him take a bite of his bacon, looking as if he were already overly full but determined to keep eating.

“Don’t force yourself. Just because it’s on your plate doesn’t mean you have to eat it. Stop when you’re full.”

“Yes, Kane.” The almost whispered words were full of relief.

“Are you finished, young sir?” Albert frowned at the plate, glancing at the shrinking Devin. “You have hardly…”

“He’s full,” Kane interrupted, tone final. “He eats more and he’ll get sick.” He saw Albert’s mouth tighten. “Can I talk to you a minute, Albert? Alone.”

He could show Albert what was going on. He needed more people on his side. “Devin, would you go get the green photo album out of my desk, please?”

Devin nodded and scampered away. Kane glared at Sherry. After a moment, so did Albert. She huffed and stormed out. Kane returned to his breakfast, his mind racing.

“Thanks,” he said when Devin returned with the book. “Why don’t you go practice with the basketball? I’ll be out in a minute.” Kane held the book out to Albert, hoping he wasn’t making a mistake. “Check this out.”

Albert took the book suspiciously, then opened it. His breath caught, but he said nothing as he looked at the pictures and read what was written. Kane kept eating, trying to figure a new place to hide the album. It wouldn’t be safe in the desk now; too many people knew that’s where it’d been. Finally the older man handed the album back, a look of disgust on his features. Kane knew he was going to need help; hopefully Albert was the right choice.

“I don’t figure he can eat much right now,” Kane said. “After I get hold of all the records I’ll know for sure, but if he’s messed up that bad on the outside, there’s bound to be internal damage as well. So I figure if he eats a little now, a little in a few hours, and a few hours after that…”

Albert was nodding. Good. He’d made the right choice in an ally, at least on the food front.

“I will make sure there are snacks always on hand.”

“Most of them healthy, all right? He says he’s used to eating scraps, so I’m betting it hasn’t been too much good stuff. Pudding, yogurt, fruit, lots of milk and vegetables. What?” He was uncomfortable with the look Albert was giving him.

“I was thinking that you are an admirable young man. Young Devin is indeed fortunate to have been paired with you.”

“Paired with me? What’s that mean? What do you know?”

“Nothing, nothing.”

Albert knew what was going on, all right. He knew, and he’d tell. One way or another. Yeah, he’d picked the right person. Albert had information he needed and now, after what he’d seen had happened to Devin, the man’s guard was down enough to give him what he demanded.

“Tell me already, will you? I’m going to find out, one way or another, and I’d rather not hurt you to do it.”

Albert was silent a moment, then checked the doors to make sure no one was listening. When he spoke, his voice was very low.

“Social experiment. Two troubled boys, one a known thug, and one with a history of abuse. House them together; put the abused one in danger, see if the thug will attempt to protect the weaker child. If so, both will hopefully benefit and break the cycle to become productive citizens.”

Kane considered this. It made a weird kind of sense, considering everything that’d happened. Fit in with some of the stuff his father had believed before he’d vanished. Some of the trends he’d noticed in the news, but had kept quiet about. He didn’t want to be considered paranoid like his dad. He nodded. All right, he was a guinea pig for the Governments. Knowing helped, even if it didn’t change much. He looked at Albert again, eyes narrowing.

“Can you get me Devin’s records? All of them? I need to know what I’m working with.”

“I will have them for you by dinner,” Albert said with a slight bow. “Your own, as well. Is there anything else you require?”

Kane considered the question. There were a lot of things he required or desired. But he didn’t want to put Albert into danger. Not this soon. Not until he’d gotten everything from the man he could.

“Nah. I better do everything else on my own. I wouldn’t wanna compromise the integrity of the experiment too much.” He grinned and slid out of the booth. “Thanks, Albert.”

“At your service, young master.”

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In a small, nondescript office inside a small, nondescript building, another meeting was being held. All four participants held minor, nondescript positions within their Governments. The type that are often overlooked as being too low in status to be in charge of anything of importance. This left them uniquely qualified to perform several experiments between their Governments that may or may not have been official.

An hour after Kane’s discussion with Albert, a conference was being held between representatives of four different Governments. They were primary on the experiment, having control over all information. Discussion of how the various groupings were doing turned to MM#17.

“The story has been given and accepted. It is sooner than anticipated, but this is thought to be a good sign. Now that Kane knows he has been chosen to protect Devin for Government reasons, will he continue to do so?”

“Unknown. They have responded well to the subliminals so far. Kane has referred to Devin several times as his within the introductory forty-eight hours, and shook off the suggestion of harming him. Devin has responded quickly and well to Kane’s offers of protection, already placing trust in him. Remarkably fast given his history and the information he was given about Kane.”

Several more minutes were spent discussing the situation. Kane and Devin were not the only pre-teens involved in the experiment. They had gotten further along than most of the other groups, but there was still a long way to go.

While it was obvious Kane was suspicious about the housing situation, he was not making an issue of it. The home, like all the homes the experimental children were sent to, was owned by the Governments specifically for use during experiments. The “servants” were employees of the various involved Governments specially selected for the ongoing experiment. Once the experiment ended, the boys, Shyla, and all of the “servants” would be returned to their appropriate housing blocks. The house would be closed until it was again needed.

“It goes well. Let us continue.”

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