Here’s the Lasko/his listener one I made!
@annahxredaxted here you go!!
Thank you to @meepisindahouse for beta reading! <333
Kody is their little brother but they don’t know what he did, till Lasko tells them-
“Hon, you know I love you but you've to at least try, I cant keep doing this,” They said exasperated.
Their brother was sitting on their couch once again, venting about how people at his school were targeting him and even getting him kicked out of his dorm.
“I did! It's not my fault everything is against me!”
“I know bud, but this keeps happening, you know you have at least some part to play. You always blame the people around you for everything, so it makes sense why they don't like you. I'm not saying it's ok for them to get you kicked out, but you could at least try to be more pleasant and not as back-stabby.”
“Stop siding with them! The shit they accuse me of is total bullshit! I'm nothing but nice to these people and then they get their friends to target me! I had nothing to do with these other people!”
They sighed, “Look I know, but my neighbors are getting really fed up with you showing up randomly and making a bunch of noise. If they report me again it's going to start being an actual problem that can get me kicked out of here. I don't mind you staying here, hell, it's nice to see you, but it can't keep happening this way, /please/.”
Their brother sighed, rolled his eyes, and fell back onto the couch, “Ya ya, whatever. Your neighbors suck.”
“Thank you Kodes, Now I have to run out for some food. Any requests?”
“Mmm, I don't care. You can't just make something?”
“Tomorrow I can, but I’m having dinner with my boyfriend tonight so I'm just going to grab something for you.”
Once again their brother groned, “Can't you just tell your boy-toy that you can’t see him tonight?”
“Don't call him that. I actually really like him Kodes, I think this one’s gonna last.”
Defending their romantic relationships from their brother's scrutiny wasn't new. He was always annoyed whenever they got with someone. The two were always close growing up and Kody always hated when they went out with guys. There were quite a few relationships that ended poorly because Kody got in the way.
“Ya ya whatever, I doubt it. I just wish you would hang out with me and not with some guy who's probably gonna dump you.”
They sighed, “I'm gonna go to the store, I'll be back soon.”
“See ya,”
They grab their keys and head out.
Shopping didn't take long, but well they did they thought about how much their little brother had changed over the years. He used to be so sweet, but something happened after they had moved out. The next time they saw Kody was when he got into D.A.M.N, after they had become a teacher. They had tried to meet up with him multiple times before then but he never seemed interested.
When he started at D.A.M.N. he ignored them for months, they tried to talk with him but he always had some things to do, which was fair enough. He was grown up now and had classes. But at some point something had happened and he ended up getting expelled. He asked them not to do anything about it, but he did crash at their place for a while after it happened. They were ready to try to fight for him, but he practically begged them not to, saying that he didn't want their career to suffer. So they didn't, they just helped him get into a new place and get back on his feet.
As they walked back up to their apartment they saw a familiar face, “Lasko?”
Lasko turned, “Oh! H-hey, I was just on- on my way to pick y-you up.”
“Oh is it time already? I'm sorry, I went out to get some stuff for my brother.”
“Your br-brother? I didn't know you had one? Does he live with y-you?”
“No, he's just staying with me for a few days. I'm excited for our date tonight! Just let me drop this stuff off and put on something a bit nicer, ya?”
“Y-Ya that's totally fine!”
The two of them walked back to their apartment door.
“Do you want to come in? I'll be quick,”
“Ya, s-sure!”
They let themselves and Lasko in, “Kodes I’m back! Laskos here, so be nice!” They drop the bags off on the tables and see a scribbled note.
“Went out
Be back to eat”
They sigh, “Sorry Lasko, it looks like my brother went out so you'll have to wait to meet him,”
“Oh! That's alright! I’ll j-just sit on the couch till you're ready,” Lasko smiled and went to sit.
As they got ready, Lasko looked around. There wasn't much on the walls, but there were some framed pictures. Curiosity got the best of him so he started to look closer. He got up and smiled at his lover's happy face in the pictures.
There was one where they were holding their little brother when they were kids, they were both so cute. It was labeled “Kodes and me<3”. However as he looked, one of the pictures made him stop, his blood running cold. He could feel the air around him tighten in his anger. The picture was labeled just like the other. “Kodes and me<3” It was Kody. The same Kody who had hurt Freelancer, the same one who had led people to their deaths by being a dick during The Inversion. He was… their brother….
He didn't realize how much time had passed until their hand touched his shoulder, he jumped and turned around.
“Lasko? Are you alright?”
“Kody’s your brother?”
“Mhm, Do you know him? This doesn't feel like a good thing.. Did he say something to you too? I know he's not the best sometimes but I didn't think he knew you?” The worried laced their voice, they had no idea. They couldn't have any idea, they were so sweet, there was no way they would care for him if they knew. But how could they not??
“Oh I know him.” He could hear his own voice, he was angry. He stopped, took a deep breath, and looked at them.
“Do you not know why he was expelled from D.A.M.N?” He was quiet, he had to be.
They shook their head, “No, he asked me not to get involved, that it wasn't worth it. So I just figured he did something stupid and pissed the wrong people off…Did…Did he do something?”
“He was the one who hurt Freelancer.”
Everything stopped, their eyes widened as they processed what that meant. They had talked to Freelancer quite a bit. They had told them about the bad experiences with another student, but never said his name. The kid had bridged with them without them knowing what it meant, then continued to harass them. It only stopped when the kid was expelled and that only happened because their friends had convinced them to take action and helped along the way. That…that couldn't have been their baby brother. He was a jerk sure, but he wouldn't do that….He couldn't.
“It…it was him? Are you sure?? 100%?!”
Lasko nodded.
Their eyes began to water, completely overwhelmed, they sat on the floor. Lasko dropped with them, holding their hands tightly.
‘’I…I'm so sorry, I…I knew he was causing his own problems but I never imagined he could do something like that…”
“I know, it's not your fault.”
They shook their head, “What- What do I do? I- he’s my baby brother but..but he..I can’t..”
“I know, take a deep breath. I know this is hard.”
“I…can't, I can't have him here..I can't support him like this…He..he's really terrible isn't he? He really is a bad person isn't he??” They broke down into sobs, clutching onto Lasko.
He rubbed their back as they sobbed, they kept repeating that same question, “He really is a bad person now isn't he? Oh god he is, it really was him.”
After some time they pulled back, their breathing still heavy and their cheeks tear stained.
“What..what do I do?” They sounded so lost. “He, he can't stay here, I won't let him but how…how do I tell him to leave? It feels like I can't just kick him out…he's…he's my baby brother but…I can't…how do I…”
Lasko took a deep breath, “I know it's hard, I-I know it's hard to cut off family. You don't have to do this by yourself. I can call Freelancer and Gavin ask if Gavin can come help. I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping get Kody out. D-Damien and Hux too.”
“God, I have to tell Freelancer, don't I? I have to tell them he's my brother-”
“Hay,” Lasko’s soft voice cut through the impending second breakdown, “Freelancer won't blame you, they know you. They will not blame you, you didn't know and were just helping your brother. You know now and you're not trying to defend what he did. It's going to be ok.”
They nodded, “Can…can we call Freelancer? I don't think I'll be able to kick him out by myself…”
“Of course.”
One call later the two of them were on their way to Freelancer’s apartment. It wasn't a long drive but it felt like it. They were too emotional to drive so Lasko did, during the drive he held their hand and kept telling them it would be ok, but it didn't feel like it.
Once they reached the apartment Gavin let the two in instantly, his usual playfulness missing. The three went into the living room where Freelancer was sitting with several cups of tea.
“Hey, there you are,” Freelancer's voice was soft, they got up and hugged them.
“I'm so so sorry, I didn't know-” They held Freelancer tight and they could feel the tears start to resurface.
“No no no, it's alright. It's not your fault.” Freelancer lightly swayed the two of them, “You didn't know, you were just caring for your family, I can't and won't ever blame you for that. His actions are his own, never yours.”
“He hurt you..”
“He did, I didn't deserve what he did. But he does deserve what happened to him and he doesn't deserve someone as sweet as you as a sibling.”
“I'm so sorry.. I..I didn't know what to do..”
Freelancer pulled back, taking their hand and led them to sit on the couch. They handed them a cup of hot tea, “I know, I can't say I know what to do either, I've never been in a situation like this before.”
“I don't want him near me, I love him because he's my brother, but…but my baby brother wouldn't do something like this. I don't know what happened, I don't know why he turned out like this…’’
“I can understand that, I can't relate to having someone who I care for turn out to be like how Kody is. I'm so sorry that you have to go through this too. I might not understand the care you have for him, but you can vent to me about it, I know this is hard.”
“I can't ask you for that! He violated you, I can't vent to you about-”
“Let me stop you there,” Freelancer interrupted, “You're not asking, I'm telling you and offering you to. I know what he did to me. It took me a long time to come to terms with it and well, I am still affected by what he did. That doesn't change that you are a friend of mine. He hurt you too by doing all of this. I might not be the person to tell how kind and sweet he used to be in a dream like way you can't talk to me about how this has hurt you too. Without my friends, Lasko, Damien, Hux, and Gavin, I wouldn't have recovered. Some of those conversions were about how Kody wronged them, or how they were upset about how he hurt me. And those helped, it was another perspective. I don't ever plan to forgive him and I never want people to try to defend him to me. You ranting to me isn't you defending him, it's just giving me another reason to never forgive him. He hurt another one of my friends.”
They nodded, “Thank you,” They sniffled and Freelancer placed their hand on their arm.
“I just don't understand how he could have turned out like this.. He used to be so sweet, I knew he changed and that that change wasn't good but I never thought he would do something like this.”
“We never expect the people we care about to be monsters,” Gavin said, he was standing behind the couch, his hand on his lover's shoulder, “It's hard to accept that sometimes they are.”
Freelancer nodded, “What do you want to do? I know you said you don't want him in your place anymore, but there are a few ways we can go about that.”
“I…I honestly don't know. I don't think I can just kick him out by myself. I don't want him there, but…”
“I understand don't worry, you don't have to explain yourself to us. Do you want Damien and Huxly to be there with you and Gavin? That way you're not alone? I would offer to go, but I don't want to be anywhere near him.”
They nodded, laughing breathlessly, “Ya, I get that. I don't want you to go anywhere near him either. I want to tell him to get out myself, having the others there would be nice. I don't think he will react well though, I don't want anyone getting hurt-”
“Oh trust me, Aquafina won't hurt any of us. He's learned that lesson. If he tries anything he won't get far.” Gavin said. His smile was slightly disconcerting. ‘:3’
They nodded, “Can you guys explain it to the others, I don't think I can explain it again..”
“Of course, Gavin and I will do that, you and Lasko can sit here while we call, ok? If you need something to eat feel free to rummage, ok? And all the tea is open for you.”
Lasko took Freelancer's place once they got up, “How are you doing?”
“Not good, honestly,” They laughed, though there was no humor in it. “It doesn't feel like I'm drowning at the moment, but this is so much to accept. It's a whole another layer that it's so easy to believe all of it… I think that's the worst part of it all. How easily I can believe Kody did all this..”
They let Lasko hold them. They both just sat there for a while.
After a while Freelancer and Gaivn walked back in, “The others are on their way. They were grabbing food so they grabbed some for all of us as well, Hux said food might help.”
“Hux is so sweet..”
“He really is.”
“Freelancer?”
“Ya?”
“Thank you, I know this has to be hard for you. I'm sorry for making you think about him all over again. But thank you for helping me.”
Freelancer smiled, “Of course. This is hard, but I mean hey, at least we have one more thing we can gossip about as if it wasn’t heavily traumatizing now?”
They laughed, caught completely off guard.
Over the next ten minutes the four of them talked lightly. They weren't ignoring what was going on, but more giving them a chance to calm down before having to do the hardest thing they needed to do.
Huxly and Damien arrived and Huxly immediately asked if they wanted a hug, they accepted. His hug felt safe and they stayed there for a while Damien handed out food. Once all of them settled down Lasko and Freelancer explained a bit more to the other two. They both listened intently.
They also immediately agreed to help get Kody out. The room heated up a few degrees even as Lasko explained.
“I want to talk to him…I want to tell him to get out,” They said. That was the only thing they were completely sure of.
“Ok, so we obviously want a game plan going in, Kody definitely isn't going to be happy. I wouldn't put it past him to try to get violent. Especially if he thinks you're alone.” Damien was logical and it helped them feel safe.
“If you want to be the one to tell him, I completely respect that, but I don't want to run the chance that he'll hurt you,” Huxly said. “Maybe we can wait out of sight until he tries something?”
“That still puts them in danger though,” Damein said.
“I mean..can..can you be in the room with me, Lasko? I know it's a lot to ask. I'm not worried about Kody really trying to hurt me but that's because I don't think he would. So that's based on an idealized version of him. I don't want to be alone in a room with him..”
“O-of course! I- I understand why you don't.”
“Ok. So here's the plan so far, Me, Hux and Gavin will be off the side, out of sight. Lasko will be in the room with you as you confront him and if he gets aggressive the three of us will step in and get him out and make it clear you don't want him to come crawling back. Freelancer are you going to stay here then?’’
“Ya, I’ll stay here and make sure all the wards and such are ready for when you guys come back.”
“What do you mean?” They asked, They were leaning against Lasko on the couch.
“Well, you're not going to stay at your place /obviously/. Kody is the type to try shit so once he assumes the others are gone, he's going to try to pull something. So we won't give him the chance. The best way to combat that is for everyone or at least most of us to stay here tonight. We have wards already set up against Kody, so even if he tries to follow you guys on the way back he won't be able to even come close. Plus I know it's not good to be alone after a bunch of stuff goes down.”
“I- Thank you..that..that means alot to me…I would really like that actually.”
Freelancer smiled, “Of course, you're our friend. We aren't going to let you go through this alone.”
They took a deep breath, “Let's do this. I want to get this over with.”
The others nodded.
Everyone except Gavin and Freelancer got into Lasko’s car. Gavin decided to rift ahead to make sure Kody wasn’t back yet. Damien drove this time.
“Hay dude, are you sure you wanna do it this way? This shit’s hard.” Hux asked.
They took a deep breath, “Yes. He's my brother, I have to be the one to do it. It will be hard but having someone else do it will make him think it wasn't my choice. If I need you guys I'll say so, don't worry. Just knowing you guys are there makes me feel safer..”
Hux smiled and patted their shoulder.
Once they got to the apartment building Gavin met them at the door.
“I'll text Kody to come back and you guys can just go into my room, it's a pretty small place so it's not far from the living room and you guys should be able to hear everything. Lasko if you want to be in sight you can be on the couch, if not the hall should work, He won't see you at first I don't think.”
“Ill s-sit with you. I don't w-want you do this al-alone.”
“Thank you Lasko,” They took his hand and pulled him into a tight hug.
Ten minutes later, Kody said he was on his way and the guys got into place, Lasko and them taking their seats on the couch.
Once Kody opened the door and walked in, he didn't immediately notice Lasko. “Finally you’re back, I didn't think your stupid date would be so long. What the hell were you even doi-” He stopped completely once he saw Lasko on the couch.
“Why the hell are you here?! Get away from them!” He yelled.
Kody yelling immediately caught them off guard, but they stood, “Don't talk to him like that. I know what you did, Kody.”
“I didn't do shit! Whatever bullshit he is telling you is a lie!”
“I know he's telling the truth, Kody. I want you out.”
“You barely know him and you're going to believe just anything that comes out of his mouth over me?! I’m your brother for fuck’s sake!”
“Kody you bridged with someone who didn't want that!”
“They said they did! I didn't do anything wrong!”
“They didn't know what that meant! You can't just say that and make it alright! What else have you done?? What else did you do and then come crawling to me for help when you got punished for it?! What the hell Kody?! I knew you were getting bad, but I never thought you would do something like this!”
‘You’re my sibling, you're supposed to support me! This is just that dumb fucking Freelancer trying to ruin my life even more!”
“Get out, Kody.”
Kody laughed, “You're not actually making me leave.”
“Out.”
“I'm your brother, I have nowhere else to go! Do you really want me out on the street??”
“You'll figure something out, I'm sure. But even if you don't it's what you had coming for pulling all of this shit.”
“I'm not going anywhere.’’
“Guys.”
Kody looked confused for a split second until Gavin appeared right in front of him. He stumbled backwards. Domain and Huxy came out into the living room, Lasko now standing and holding his lover.
Kody immediately tried to attack but was immediately shut down by Gavin. “I don't think that's a good idea.” He said coldly.
“Oh?! So the Freelancer really is collecting everything they can?!! They're just as bad as what you are!” Kody spat.
Despite knowing this could happen they still held tightly to Lasko’s arm.
It didn't take long after that. The three others got Kody out and definitely made sure Kody knew they didn't want him back. They were pretty sure Hux had to stop Damien from punching him more than once.
Once Kody was out he banged on the door for a bit, but Gavin soon let them know he had stormed off.
They all spent some time in the living room, it wasn't long until they started to cry in Lasko’s arms. Gavin and Huxly were kind enough to go and get a bag ready for them. Well Lasko told them which clothes to grab and some other items.
After a while they were able to calm down, Damien and Lasko sitting with them as they breathed. Once Gavin and Huxly had gotten two bags ready for them they all went back out to Lasko’s car, Gavin deciding to rift ahead to let Freelancer know it was over. Lasko grabbed their blanket and wrapped them up in it.
They made it back to Freelancer’s without any problems which was nice. The four of them were mostly quiet, but once they got back to Freelancer’s the mood seemed to switch.
“Do you need quiet or noise? Either one is alright. If you want to try and just process everything it's alright, or if you want to relax for a bit and try to have some fun to get your mind off it. We've got Mario Kart and a bunch of other things we can all play.”
“Can…Can you guys play? I don't think I can focus on controls but I love watching you guys play.”
“Ya of course! Now, what do you want for food? Snacks? Drinks?”
They laughed lightly.
That's how they ended up sitting in between Lasko and Freelancer on the couch. Listening and laughing as the others played and yelled at each other. The day was hard and painful. That pain wouldn't go away fast but they had people who truly cared for them, and maybe that would be enough.
“Thank you,” They whispered to Freelancer once again.
Freelancer smiled and threw their arm around them, “Don't worry about it, Now you sure you don't want a turn? I bet you'll crush these losers.”
“Hay!”
They laughed and took the controller, “I'll try once I guess.”
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