***Milo's POV***

Every time Neko comes home it feels like the best time in my life. Neko is home, my home. His arms cage me in comfort. His constant fawning and affection make me feel safe and loved.

Today he has to go home. Neko will be home and my world will return to the devastation it always is when he is absent. I love my brother so fucking much. I hope he does steal me one day. That will make all of the shit I go thru worth it.

I wake up to my big brother staring intently at me. A wide grin stretches across his face and I nuzzle my nose into his bare chest. His heart beat thumps against my ear and I hum in happiness.

"Good morning Koala." Neko whispers as his hands play with my brown strands.

"Good morning Batman." I smile. He's my hero. I always called him that as a child.

Neko smirks and picks up the chain of his dog tags that hangs around my neck. He pulls them off our heads and flips them so I can see them. Two tags hang from each chain. The one he carries has his Name, Blood Type and Religion. The other has a Koala. My set has an identical tag to his, but my second one has the Batman symbol etched onto it. I smile and kiss his cheek.

"Thank you. I love you so much." I whisper.

"I love you Milo. I swear I do." Neko confirms with a soft kiss on my cheek.

I smile brighter as I lay in the comfort of my brother's arms.

All too soon, our time comes to an end. I see Neko off to the airport with my parents. He kisses my forehead and holds me tightly before he walks away towards his terminal. I whimper as he walks away. The goodbyes are always so hard. I miss him already.

I turn towards my guardians. Their faces are filled with malice. I hold my new iPhone 11 in my front pocket of the hoodie Neko left me with. It's his army hoodie. It smells just like him.

I sigh as his scent fills my nose with the comfort of my brother.

Neko spent all week with me. He bought me new clothes, shoes and my new phone. He made sure I knew that he was in my contacts twice. His name is under Batman and ICE (In Case of Emergency). He said that any authority would dial ICE first. It's a universal code among emergency responders.

Neko loves me so much. He will never understand how much I love him. Maybe one day I can prove how much he is worth to me.

I climb into the back of my mom and dad's car and we take the ride back to the house. As soon as we get there, I feel Dad's hand clamp down hard on my shoulder. I feel the panic rise in my chest and immediately I start to breathe in sharply.

"What did you tell him, asshole?" Dad grits out.

"N-Nothingg." I stutter.

"Oh yeah, so why would he set up groceries to get delivered you ungrateful slut." Mom sneers.

"I'm a virgin." I whisper. I'm not a slut. I'm saving myself for someone special.

I guess they heard me because mom's hand comes down hard across my right cheek. I don't make a sound. That's what she wants. I blink the tears from my eyes and breathe thru the stinging sensation that is radiating thru my cheek.

"He doesn't care about you." Mom laughs.

"No one does. You don't deserve to be loved." Dad says as he shakes me hard and pushes me into the porch. I fall but, catch myself on my palms.

It's not that big of a deal. They will do worse. This is the usual warm up.

I slowly walk into the house with my head down so they don't find a reason to punish me.

Once I get to my room, I work hard to hide the new stuff that Neko bought me. Most of it I put in my gym bag. I will carry it to school. My two friends usually carry my new stuff to their houses so I can use it without my parents knowing.

Natalie is my best girl friend and Max is my best guy friend. Okay they are my only two friends. But, that isn't important.

My parents hardly want me to go to school, let alone hangout with Natalie and Max. That doesn't stop my friends from inviting me. They always hope that one day I will say yes. That hadn't happened yet. Maybe one day.

I really don't want to be too close to either one of them. They are my friends but, I'm scared that they will figure out both of my secrets. My parents don't want me and I am gay.

I'm not ashamed of both of those things. I love who I am. But, they may not accept me. Neko may not accept me. I have to keep my secrets hidden. That way I don't lose the three people I truly care about in my life. The only people I care about.

Mom calls me down for dinner and I quietly take my place at the table. I look down at my meal and notice that we are having Peanut Sauce over Chicken stir fry. It smells mouthwatering. I won't be able to eat it. I have an allergy to peanuts. They know this.

I sigh as I bring the water in my glass to my lips. I hate them. I hate them so much.

"Eat your damn food you brat." Dad barks.

"I can't." I whisper.

I wait for it. It's coming.

My head falls back as Dad's knuckles collide with my left cheek. I knew it was coming. I'm not shocked. I don't know why they can't just love me. I'm a good kid. I really am. I never get in trouble for things I actually do.

"I said eat." Dad yells in my face.

"I'm allergic to peanuts." I yell back.

"You lie all the time about allergies. You're just a picky eater. Fuck you. You don't want to eat then just sit there and stare." Mom screams at me.

I shrug and glance longingly at the meal I can't have.

When I am finally allowed to get up from the table, I clear the plates. I throw away the food on my plate and grab gloves to wash the dishes. If the peanut sauce comes in contact with my skin, I can go into anaphylaxis. They will probably just let me die.

After I clean up, I start towards the stairs. The journey is cut short by a hand wrapping around my throat. I stare up into the angry eyes of my father. He slams me into the wall by the staircase. My head makes contact with the wall in a deafening thud. My fingers try to pry his thick fingers off my neck as my feet dangle in the air.

I gasp as I fight for breath.

"I hate you. I fucking hate you. It should have been you. My princess should be here. I never wanted you. I fucking wish you would die." My dad screams as he tightens his hold. The veins in his head pulse loudly against his sweating skin.

I kick my feet softly as my fight wanes. When he finally releases me I fall harshly to the ground and my head slams on our tile floor. My world goes dark as spots flitter into my sight.

<<<<<<<<

I come to as the sun blares brightly thru the windows of our dining room. I choke as I try to swallow. My throat hurts and it feels like I was choked. Probably because I was. I slowly get up and crawl up the stairs.

I take a shower and look in my closet for my new clothes. My head pounds and my face hurts. Mom and dad will already be at work.
I get dressed in my t-shirt and jeans. I slip on my new converse. I grab Neko's hoodie and slip it over my head. Our dog tags rest against my heart. I press my hand to my chest and thank god for Neko.

I take the two mile walk to the school. The air is cold and steals my breath. I take two puffs from my inhaler half way thru my journey. My chest aches. Sucking in the medicine burns my damaged wind pipe. Dad really has a strong grip.

I slip in my new Dre Beats ear buds and turn on my playlist. Neko downloaded Spotify and gave me access to his account. Really I'm listening to Neko's playlist.

I listen to Sam Smith - To Die For. I guess Spotify has access to new music. I listen to the words and my heart aches with longing. I feel this song too damn hard. Tears slip thru my swollen eyes as I lift my head and continue my walk.

I look at the school parking lot. I fix my fake smile onto my bruised face. Another day of hell, lucky me. I head to my locker and am met with the concerned faces of my two friends.

"Wanna talk about it?" Natalie asks as her arms wrap around me.

I shake my head into her shoulder while Max wraps his arms around my middle, his head falling onto my back.

"You know that we aren't stupid right?" Max whispers. I nod my head as tears fall freely.

"We will never judge you Bean." Nat whispers.

I break away from their hug and pass my bag to Max.

"Neko came home." Max smiles. He knows those moments are the ones I breathe for.

"Yeah. He told me I can come live with him when I graduate." I say as I smile remembering his perfect offer.

"I can't wait for you to go. I will miss you. But, your life fucking sucks dude. You deserve happiness." Max explains. His arm drapes over my shoulder and I drop my head on his shoulder.

"Maybe this weekend you can come over, for a sleep over." Max offers.

"I can try." I shrug.

"I will come too." Nat promises.

"I will ask." I promise my two friends.

What's the worst that can happen? I get beat on. That will happen anyways.

I make my way into class and slip down into my seat. I lower my head and focus on the reading assignment on the board. I hate Literature. I can't comprehend the words. I have dyslexia. They process funky. My grade in this class is awful.

"Mr. Evans, please read the paragraph on page 91." Mr. Connor states out loud.

I give him a look that screams Please no. He smiles and shakes his head in encouragement.

I stare for far too long and Mr. Connor sighs.

"Mr. Evans please see me before you leave." Mr. Connor announces and I shrug.

I guess I could just explain the issue. What will it hurt?

After class, I wait in my seat. The class empties and Mr. Connor walks to my desk.

"Are you shy?" He asks.

"No Sir. I'm dyslexic." I quietly whisper.

"Why didn't you say anything? Son, there is nothing to be ashamed of. I apologize for putting you in an uncomfortable position." Mr. Connor speaks softly.

"You didn't know." I shrug.

"Well now that I do, let me work with you. I can give you the text on audio. Will that work?" Mr. Connor suggests.

I nod my head and grin. But, Mr. Connor grabs my hoodie and pulls down the neck line.

"Milo? What happened?" His eyes are big and he looks genuinely terrified.

"Um, bullies. At home. I mean. Neighbors kids. You know. Rough housing. I gotta go." I ramble as I run out of the classroom.

Fuck! If someone figures it out, all hell will break loose at home. I tie my hoodie close to my neck and walk to my next class.