Page 5 of The Step Don't
Troy’s using the nickname I’ve earned around the house because of how many times I’ve cosplayed as the Pokémon Trainer during Alpha Theta Mu’s themed parties.
What can I say? It’s a simple costume to throw on, and every time I’ve worn it, I’ve gotten some action.
“To be fair,” Colin tells Troy, “considering you’re in a relationship with your stepbrother, do you really think anyone’s gonna take that seriously coming from you?”
“Yeah, how is your brother’s dick, by the way?” I tease.
Troy’s eyes widen. “Stepdick!” he insists. “Stop it! Fucking truce!”
We all share a laugh.
Troy and his stepbro, Atlas, are out and proud about their relationship, so really, he’s the last person to judge our innocent morning.
“Did Atlas stay overlast night?” I ask.
“Yeah, my A’s tired, so I was gonna grab him some doughnuts and a coffee.”
“Aww, that’s sweet,” Lance says. “Now all the stepbrothers in the house are sleeping together.”
Our housemate Marty’s just rounding the corner, his eyes widening as he spins around, starting back into the hall, since I’m assuming he thought Lance meant all the stepbros in the house were banging.
“Don’t be such a prude, Marty,” Colin says. “Get back in here!”
2
Colin
Me: Do you want to bang for lunch today?
I text Ash as soon as I get out of my Constitutional History class. It’s my only one of the day. He has a short break around this time, and it’s often when he grabs a quick bite to eat. If I have time, I like to join him. Ash can get distracted by his studies, and it’s important to me to make sure he eats and takes care of himself. Not that he can’t do that himself, because he can, but doing this for Ash always makes me feel good.
Ash: Um…I know sometimes you can be the tiniest bit…and I say this in the most loving way possible…clueless…but do I have to remind you that you’re straight? And we’re stepbrothers? Though that one isn’t as big of an obstacle as your sexuality is. Unless waking up with me naked in bed with you the other day has changed things…and if so, we should at least have a conversation before we get to the banging.
Banging?What the fuck is he talking about? He knows I’m straight and seeing his naked ass isn’t anything new to me. We’re cuddly stepbrothers. Usuallyit’s with clothes on, sure, but it doesn’t mean anything.
I scroll up to my message, before chuckling at myself.
Me: Hang. That was supposed to be: do you want tohangfor lunch today?
I’m the worst with typos. He knows this. But that also won’t stop him from giving me shit about it—not that I wouldn’t do the same to him.
Ash: *laughing emoji* Well, just so you know, if you ever change your mind, I’m here. Brothers help each other out with things like that.
I almost stumble over a curb that wasn’t there before, I swear it. Seriously, do they move those things? Or maybe I’m just shit at paying attention.
Me: Brothers help each other out with banging? Did Troy and Atlas start a trend?
Ash: I meant talking about your sexuality, smartass.
Me: Oh…my mistake…so…do you want to bang? Because you know that’s gotta be something we keep using from now on. There’s no way I can ever say hang to you again.
Ash: I’m sure that will help make us look like absolutely normal stepbrothers.
The thing is, we’re not absolutely normal stepbrothers. Troy is my best friend, yeah, but Ash is my person. Literally my brother from another mother…well, and father, but the gist of it is the same. Most people see we’re close—like the waking up naked in bed together—but they don’t realize how truly close Ash and I are. That there’s not a secret between us and hasn’t been almost since the beginning.
Ash: I only have about forty-five minutes before my next class, but you’re a quickie…
What’s a few sexual jokes between brothers? It’s all in good fun.