Techie couldn’t help the visible shiver that went through him at his twin’s featherlight touch. He wanted to reach over and shove the tea into his mouth to avoid this conversation, but… Armitage was worried about him. Howeber hard this subject might be, Techie needed him to know. Wordlessly, he slid his hands to the frayed hem of his favorite yellow t-shirt and lifted it up to expose the deep red welts left by Brendol’s leather belt.
“He was l-less than happy with me yesterday. But today…” He left his stomach exposed and brought his hands up to cover his face. “Today was worse,” he whispered, voice hollow. “He th-thinks I’m disgusting.”
The last part had slipped out on accident, and his eyes widened behind his palms. All Techie could do now was hope Armitage didn’t pursue that specific thread.
Hux let out a visible gasp at the sight, his eyes widening slightly. He wanted to tear their father to peices for daring to touch Techie. Their father had always been one for classic discipline, but it seemed over the years the old bag had widened his definition of what punishment was. Hux touched the welted skin, wincing in sympathy at the sight.
“Oh, Techie.” He murmured, pulling his brother into another hug. He wished he could wash away the pain, make everything right. He wished he hadn’t abandoned his sibling when he needed him most.
He stroked his hand soothingly down techies back, his other hand carded through his brother’s long hair. He wanted to delve further into what happened, but knew he should give Techie some space first.
“It will be ok. Your with me now. How about we get some cream on those wounds?” He offered, hoping the small gesture would bring some comfort.
He held onto Armitage like a lifeline, but finally pulled away from the warm, safe embrace to nod and mumble, “That sounds like a p-plan.”
They’d spent years together sharing small comforts despite a hellish household. All the easy comfort of that intimacy returned as if they’d never been apart, but with a thick undercurrent of… Techie gulped and had to pull away from his brother completely, afraid the trecherous thought would be clear on his face.
Even worse, though the welts burned and ached, he wanted Armitage’s lips on them more than any ointment. Techie was well and truly fucked.
TechieHux 