Silence Between Brothers - Sex Stories

Silence Between Brothers

... burned when his brother spoke to him that way, like he was a child.

While Jude worked, Levi had little more to do than read, eat, watch people from the window, and please himself. A heavily stained rag served for cleanup, which Jude dutifully handwashed among the rest of their clothes about every other week. Levi held no illusions that Jude was ignorant of its purpose, but neither of them spoke of it.

Levi pleased himself more than usual before one of their Saturday showers, helping him manage his arousal. Jude did more than graze that night, washing it thoroughly.

Jude hummed, "Must take after Mom's side."

Levi turned to Jude's face, eyes round.

Jude smiled, attention on the task. "Mine looks like Pop's."

Levi's brows lowered.

When had he seen Pop's? Was it true?

Levi's was different in girth and length, superior to his brother in both, one of his few points of pride.

People knew even less about what might be normal or desirable in those days. Levi wondered if one's penis would shrink over time, reversing the trend of youth. Still, when Levi examined the older men, they were either massive as young men or kept that shape and size. Levi basked in the thought that he might always have this over his older brother.

After the bathhouse, Jude's usual engaging demeanor quieted. Single-word answers and grunts displaced the comment comments he'd have on modernism and society.

Levi ached to continue their brief chat in the showers. Why had Jude ...

... washed him more thoroughly than usual? When had he seen Pop naked? Why he didn't he court anyone? And what aroused him in the showers?

"Same study?" Levi stretched his neck for a view of Jude's drawing.

"More or less."

Jude spent any extra he had on pencils and paper, the edge of his hand already shadowed with lead.

"Very nice looking." Levi stared at his brother's forehead, hoping he'd meet his eyes.

Jude scribbled and scratched. "A bit idealized--tryin'--" he rubbed his finger on the paper, smudging the lines. "Tryin' to give him a bit more life."

"Looks pretty alive." Levi adjusted in his chair.

Jude chuckled. "Yeah, most don't draw it like this," He hemmed. "It's just for me. I wouldn't be able to sell it, anyway."

Levi's eyes darted between some random spot and Jude's lowered face.

A quiet filled the room.

Jude squinted at the sketch on the paper. "It's like Michelangelo's David is the line. Anything more is just--" He trailed off.

Levi nodded. "Yeah." He cleared his throat. "But if I had the money, I would buy it."

Finally, Jude met Levi's eyes, his smile quivering between full and guarded. "Hey, uh, yeah--thanks."

***

Jude helped Levi to bed as usual.

Later, Jude declined visiting friends' invitation to go out.

The flickering golden glow of an old kerosene lamp whispered as Levi drifted.

***

Refreshed, Levi blinked and stretched. Scrambled eggs wafted through the quiet apartment. Vision blurred, Levi rubbed his eyes. He ...