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Aaron's change

"Come on Aaron! Kick his ass!"

Donald's ear folded halfway back in embarrassment. "Danny, sit down and stop screaming, the other parents are staring at you."

Daniel smirked down at him. "Aaron wins this fight and he is the state's black belt karate champion. He'll be the youngest ever."

Donald grabbed his brother's arm and pulled him down to the seat. "I know, but screaming won't help him focus."

"Donny, you have to be excited."

"Of course I am, he's fifteen and soon to be a champion. But I just don't see a need scream."

Aaron and his opponent exchanged a few blows, punches and kicks and then Aaron went down. Daniel was on his feet. "That's a foul! Are you blind! That was an illegal move!"

Parents were staring at the two tigers and Donald shook his head, mouthing 'sorry' to them. Most seem amused by Daniel's reaction, rather than annoyed.

"That was a perfectly legal move," Damian stated, seated on the other side of Daniel.

The referee made sure Aaron was okay and the match continued.

Daniel sat. "How do you know it's legal, you've never participated in any tournaments."

"I read the rules."

"Why?"

"I was bored one evening."

Daniel shook his head. "You are weird."

"So you've stated seven hundred eighty-three times since I was six."

"Well, you are."

The match ended, the judges talked among themselves and the victory was awarded to Aaron's opponent, a Shih Tzu from the same dojo.

Daniel tried to stand to yell his opposition to the result, but Donald and Damian both grabbed his arm and forced him to stay seated. The teens bowed and then shook hands.

"If you promise to behave, we can go join him." Donald said.

"Of course I'll behave, I'll even behave nicely."

The two of them went to the floor, where Daniel picked up Aaron in a hug and twirled him. "That was a great match."

"Thanks," his son said once he was back on the ground. "He's really good."

"How's your leg?"

"It's okay. He didn't hit me all that hard, just made me lose my balance, and it was my fault. I misjudged his move and moved into it rather than away."

Donald hugged Aaron. "The other's are going to want to hear all about the fight."

"I'll be happy to tell them, But I'm pretty sure they watched it on the web, it was livecasted." Someone called him. "They're giving the medals." Aaron joined the other participant, and over the next thirty minutes participation awards were handed and then the medals.

Aaron joined them holding his silver medal. "Uncle Damian!" He ran to him and hugged him. "I didn't know you were going to come."

"I wanted to see you fight. Your form is very good."

"Thanks, But Fred was better."

"He doesn't matter. You've improved over last year, and next year you'll be better still."

As they reached the locker room Aaron stopped. "I'll meet you guys at the car. I'll grab a quick shower and change."

The locker was half full with other competitors.

"Great fight, Fred." Aaron unlocked his locker and undressed.

"Thanks. you too. Again, sorry about the kick."

"Don't worry about it, I told you, that was my fault."

"Hey Aaron, who was that tiger with your dads?"

"That was my uncle Damian."

"Man, is he rich or something?"

"Huh?"

"That suit he was wearing, it's a Jorvany. They start at five grand."

Aaron shrugged. "He owns a company." He never said more than that. He wasn't ashamed of his uncle's wealth, but he'd seen too many others treated differently at school just because it was revealed someone in their family was richer than the others. He didn't want any of that treatment.

Aaron grabbed his towel and turned to the shower, only to see Richard Mulan walk toward him with a smirk on his muzzle.

"Did I hear that right? You're rich?" The bear asked.

Aaron sighed and hunched down. "My uncle is rich."

"So that makes you a sad little rich boy?" Richard poked Aaron in the shoulder hard enough to force him back against the locker.

"Leave him alone Mulan." Fred said.

"Or what? You going to beat me up? Your girlfriend here can't defend herself?"

"You're an embarrassment to the dojo. What would sensei say if she saw you acting this way?"

Richard made a show of looking around. "what do you know, she isn't here. Oh, right, this is the guy's locker. I guess I'm safe."

"What do you want Richard?" Aaron asked.

The bear shoved him back. "You're lunch money, what the fuck do you think?"

"I don't carry money, you should know that by now."

Another shove. "You're uncle's here. Go beg some."

"No. Aren't you tired of wasting your time with me?"

Richard got in Aaron's face. "Listen here Orr. I'm the boss here, not you. You don't do what I tell you to and I'm going to fuck you, got that?"

Aaron laughed, he knew that was a mistake, but he couldn't help it. Did the bear think that was a threat? Aaron had seen what was in those shorts, and sure, it was a decent size for a seventeen-year-old, but he'd been fucked by bigger. Hell, he was going to be fucked by bigger once he got home.

The bear narrowed his eyes and made fists. He was baring his teeth when the door slammed open and the referee, a tall horse entered.

Richard immediately took a step back. "This isn't over stripes. I'm going to make you pay for laughing at me." He stormed out.

The horse looked from the bear to the tiger and his ears canted questioningly. Aaron shrugged. The horse nodded and turned to his locked.

Aaron leaned back against his and sagged. "Fuck," he whispered.

The Shih Tzu looked at him, worried. "You want me to stick around? Walk out with you? You know he isn't going to forget that."

"I know, but don't worry about it, I'll handle him myself."

"You sure?"

Aaron nodded. He knew the building inside out, it wasn't the first time he'd had to avoid the bear here. He'd studied the blueprints.

Fred waved and left.

Aaron took the quick shower he'd promised his fathers, toweled and got dressed. His gi went in the bag with the rest of the dirty clothes.

He headed back toward the center of the building, instead of the door. Richard would be waiting for him by the main exit, so he was going to use the side one and reach the parking lot by going around the building.

He was halfway to the parking lot when the bear stepped in his way.

"I knew you were going to be a coward."

"Look, Rich, I'm sorry for laughing, I wasn't laughing at you, I swear."

"Right, cause someone I didn't hear just happen to say something funny at that time." The bear swung at him, and Aaron ducked under and moved behind Richard.

The bear was only a green belt, and not a very good one at that, he preferred wrestling. As far as Aaron knew he was only in the class because his father insisted he had to know martial arts. That wrestling wasn't for real men.

But the bear was fast. Aaron hadn't finished straightening up that he was shoved back. "I told you, you're going to pay for laughing at me. I'm going to pound you into the ground."

"Damn it, Rich, I said I was sorry."

The next shove had him trip and fall back over his bag. He rolled and got back up, but he'd heard something break. The only breakable in his bag was his phone. He took a few steps back.

The bear was getting ready to come at him again and Aaron considered turning and running when a voice called out.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes Dad! Just had a misunderstanding."

"You are so fucking lucky, Orr. But don't worry, one of these days I'm going to get you and there isn't going to be anyone around to protect you." He turned and disappeared into the shadows.

"What was that about?" His father asked, putting an arm around his shoulder

"Just a misunderstanding. Nothing serious." He smiled at him and turned.

His other father and Damian were waiting by their car, talking, but his father had them stop before Aaron joined them.

"You okay, son?"

"Yeah dad."

"Who was that?" Damian asked.

"Just a kid from school who's also in my karate class."

His uncle nodded.

"You ready to head home? Your brothers are going to be waiting for you."

"You two go ahead," Damian said.

Aaron's dads paused and looked at each other for a moment.

"He's riding with us, Dam."

"I know, I just want to have a short talk with Aaron."

There was a moment of silence. "We'll be in the car."

Aaron looked expectantly at his uncle, who waited until the doors closed.

"Why did you let him push you around?"

Aaron's ears grew hot and he looked away. "You saw that?"

"I was coming back from my car. Yes, I saw."

Aaron shrugged. "I didn't want to get into a fight."

"Even at a distance I saw how he moved. It wouldn't have been a fight, you would have wiped the floor with him."

"What would that have accomplished? Fighting doesn't fix anything."

"You're a black belt in karate."

"That isn't fighting, that's about self-control, it's an art."

"Some people only understand violence."

"That's bullshit." Aaron immediately bit his lips, knowing he shouldn't be using that kind of language. "Sorry."

"It's alright." His uncle patted him on the shoulder. "You get in the car, before your fathers think I kidnapped you."

"Are you coming to celebrate with us?"

Damian shook his head. "I have work to do."

"It's past seven."

"I have divisions in every time zones, and they all need to be contacted at one time and another. You go have fun with your family. I'll see if we can't find a way to celebrate together at a later date."

"Cool." he hugged his uncle and got in the car.

"Everything okay?" his father asked, starting the car.

"Yeah, Uncle Damian said he's going to see if me and him can celebrate when he has the time."

His fathers exchanged a look before the car moved.

* * * * *

"The victor has arrived!" A chorus screamed, mobbing him as Aaron entered the house.

"I only got silver guys."

His six brothers stopped, looked at each other then as one they shrugged.

"The victor has arrived!" They pulled him to them, then with a yell of surprise Aaron was hauled up by Alex and Aiden, while the others pulled at his clothes.

By the time he was dumped on the couch in the living room he was as naked as they were. Arthur was between his legs before Aaron had time to get over the surprise and sucking his cock hard.

Aaron moaned and leaned back.

"Hey there," Albert said, "don't get too comfortable. The king has to take care of his subjects."

"King? Since when am I a king?"

"Since I decided." Albert grabbed his brother's shoulders and pulled him until he was stretched sideways on the couch. Arthur Lifted Aaron's legs and then proceeded to thrust between his ass cheeks.

Aaron would have commented, but Albert straddled his chest and shoved his cock into his brother's mouth. Aaron chuckled, rolled his eyes and sucked on it. He didn't see who started sucking on his cock, but that's how they spent the rest of the evening. It came to a close by his fathers having sex with him before they all went to bed, they had class in the morning.

* * * * *

Aaron peered out the windshield at the spectacle that was Los Angeles. He couldn't believe he was actually here. The city of angels, the city of movie stars and television studios. The world's capital of entertainment.

When his uncle had asked where he wanted to go for their celebratory trip, Aaron hadn't hesitated. He'd wanted to visit LA ever since he'd come across an expose about how the entertainment industry there was rife with old men promising parts in movies to young men and boys in exchange for sex. He had no interest in being in the movies, but to be able to have sex with older men. Aaron sighed.

"Is it not living up to your expectations?" Damian asked without looking at him.

"I'm just hoping we'll be able to find old men to have sex with."

The older tiger laughed. "Am I not old enough for you?"

The fifteen-year-old leaned against his uncle. "You're family, you don't count."

Damian wrapped an arm around his nephew's shoulder. "You know, that almost sounded like an insult."

"It wasn't. I just meant I don't think you're old at all."

"Then you should have said that. Language is a powerful thing. You can make others do anything you want when used properly, but if you aren't careful, you can cause anger when you aren't prepared to deal with it."

Aaron rubbed a hand on his uncle's chest and stomach. "Can we not turn this into a lesson plan? We're supposed to be here to celebrate." He moved the hand lower until he was rubbing the older tiger's crotch.

"Not while I'm driving Aaron."

Aaron moved the hand to his uncle's thigh and made circles with his finger.

"The dads aren't happy you took me away for the weekend."

"Your fathers can worry needlessly at times."

"They said to be careful."

"That is good advice, if you wish to follow it."

"You don't think I should?"

"Are you always careful when you have a match?"

"Sure, I don't want to get hurt."

"Yes, but I saw you fight. I saw you take risks."

"That isn't the same. Sometimes I have to try something risky and hope I'll surprise my opponent."

"Life is much the same. Sometimes playing it safe is the way to go, others you need to take a chance. Push your limits to find out what you are capable of."

"Oh. I don't think that's what they meant."

"Maybe, but since it isn't exactly what they said, you can choose to interpret it how you want. That's why you need to be careful with how you use language."

"I guess."

Aaron straightened. There'd been a flash of light over the city. "Is that?" before he could finish the question the flash returned, with more and more until it formed a sign 'Welcome to Los Angeles.' He remained for a minute then vanished.

Aaron clapped. "We're here!"

"We are. What do you want to start with?"

"Sex!"

Damian laughed. "Alright. It so happens I know some people. Do you mind if they record it?"

"The dads said no movies. They're worried whoever I have sex with here isn't going to be careful."

"If it makes you more comfortable, I can promise you that I'll see to it none of them are leaked."

Aaron shook his head. "They said no movies."

"Alright, no movies then."

Aaron plastered his face on the window. The place was so different from San Francisco. Everything looked good. Not rich or poor, like some of the neighborhoods back home, but like everything had been planned that way.

"Most of the city is used as a back lot at one time or another," Damian said.

Aaron glared at him. "Can you read my mind?"

"No, but I can read your body. I can tell you're curious about why the building look like they do, perfectly in their spots, like they were put there with an agenda. Well, they were. This part of the city belongs to Universal studio. This neighborhood is probably used in their contemporary movies."

"So everyone living here is an actor?"

"No, but when they bought their houses, the contract came with a clause that says they can be used as extras. And once in a while one of them is discovered and becomes a star. You think you'd like that?"

The young tiger shook his head. "I don't want everyone watching what I do. Then they'd find out about us and we'd all get into loads of troubles."

"True. So what do you want to do with your life?"

Aaron shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe start an old-men's home."

"Do you really think that's the best you can do?"

"I like helping people, and then I can have sex with those who want to."

His uncle didn't reply.

They crossed to a neighborhood where the houses looked like they belonged in an older century, even the road was different, cobbled instead of paved. After that the houses looked futuristic, all white and shiny, somewhat sterile, but the cars were normal, colorful, as were the people. So Aaron figured the people didn't have to fit the look.

The commercial areas looked much the same as those in San Francisco, large building mixing with strip malls where anything legal could be had. Aaron had a favorite place he went to after class. It was an indoor mall where a lot of older men shopped, and he liked to hang out in the bathroom, and offer relief to them.

After a while, the constant change became monotonous and Aaron sat back in the seat. Traffic moved better than he expected. The dads never stopped complaining about San Francisco traffic, and LA was supposed to be worse.

The car came to a stop at a gate and a guard left her booth. Damian handed her a card, which she ran on her phone, then let them in. The houses there reminded Aaron of his own neighborhood. Large houses, but much more colorful, to the point some of them looked kind of bad.

Damian turned into a driveway that led to a large, but more sedate, house. Two stories, white and gray bricks, marble columns. Aaron thought it was meant to look like something from continental times. At least he thought the pictures his history teacher had shown looked like this.

The car stopped at the bottom of steps leading to the double door entrance and they opened before the engine was shut down. A Bull in his sixties in a black and white suit hurried down the steps. Aaron licked his lips, he looked good. He hoped he was the one Damian said he knew.

"Damian, it's such a pleasure to see you again."

"George." The tiger shook the offered hand. "You're looking good."

"Well, you can thank my plastic surgeon for that. She's a magician. If she didn't charge so damn much, I'd get her to do all my actors." He glanced at Aaron as he exited the car, then his eyes widened. "Is that him?"

"It is. Aaron, this is George Rommel. He's an executive for Lion Key Production. George, this is my nephew Aaron Orr."

The bull took a tentative step closer. "Dear God, you are so beautiful."

Aaron smiled. "Thanks, you too."

The bull blushed. "Ahh, yes, well...." He reached for Aaron, then stopped. He looked to Damian. "Are you sure this is fine? I mean, I know what you said, but the others are here and-"

"Other?" Aaron asked.

"Err, yeah."

"How many?"

"Well, seven, plus me."

"And they're your age?"

"Michael and Vincent are in their seventies but-"

"Aaron," Damian called, stopping Aaron halfway to the house's door. "You are George's guest, maybe you should see to him first?" He smiled at the bull. "I think that should put your worries to rest."

The bull nodded.

"But there is one thing. Aaron doesn't want any recordings made."

"Really?"

The young tiger opened his mouth, the closed it, settling on nodding.

"I won't record anything then, I promise."

Damian took hold of the bull's arm. "Make sure no one records anything. I will hold you accountable if I ever discover my nephew was recorded here. Am I making myself clear?"

Even Aaron shivered at the coldness of his uncle's voice.

"Of Course Damian. I'd never dream to endanger our business relationship."

The tiger nodded. "Aaron, unless you call me, I'll be back tomorrow after lunch to pick you up."

"I get to spend the day and night here?" Wonder lit the fifteen-year old's face.

"Yes, try not to send any of them to an early grave due to exhaustion."

Aaron grinned. "I'll do my best." He took the bull's hand and lead him back inside where he couldn't wait to be introduced to the other men.

* * * * *

Aaron had a goofy grin on his face as Damian drove them away from the house.

"Had a good time?"

"Oh yeah. It was amazing. They were hesitant at first, like they couldn't believe I was there, or that they were afraid I might break. Even after I took George's cock out and sucked him off it took them a while to actually get into it. It wasn't like I expected."

"They weren't good?"

"Oh they were great, but from what I read I expected them to be sleazier. Those stories made it sound like all the old men who make movies only want to force boys to do their sexual biddings. They were really respectful of me. It was nice. I would have enjoyed sleazy men too, but this was better."

"They aren't part of the men you read about in those exposes. George and his friends know that society considers what they want is wrong, and they never force any of the young men into it. It's why I let him know about you. I knew they would treat you properly. It's also why they wanted to record the sex they had. Until they can find someone else willing, the memory of you will be the only thing they have."

"Is that the business you have with them? Finding boys?"

Damian laughed. "No, I fund some of their productions, Lion Key also has a contract with one of my studios. You're the only boy I brought to them."

"Can I see them again?"

"That'll be up to you and your fathers."

"I hope so. I wish I had men like that back home."

"You have older men there, don't you?"

"Yeah, but most aren't really comfortable having sex with me. They want it, but like you said. People think it's wrong, so they constantly worry about being caught." Aaron shrugged.

"Don't worry, as you get older, that will stop."

"Where are we going now?"

"I thought you might like to see LA's cultural district. Unless all that cum you ate filled you up, we can grab lunch, then walk around and see the sights. Unfortunately we won't have enough time to go to one of the amusement parks."

"That's okay I've been on plenty of rides already." Aaron grinned.

Damian grinned back.

Aaron spent the drive telling his uncle what he and the old men had done. The positions they'd tried, how amazed they had been with his stamina. How one of them had cried while holding him. Not fucking him, just holding him. He'd been a lion, and had asked to come visit him in San Francisco. Aaron had wanted to say yes, but he couldn't. He'd have to check with the Dads first.

He'd only gone through half of what he'd done in the evening and the night when Damian pulled into a parking structure. The area was quiet, and looked oriental. Damian pointed further down the street as colorful windows and banners as their destination.

Only a block away from the car Damian's phone rang. He checked his and shook his head. "Aaron, I have to take this, it's work. I don't know how long it's going to take. The restaurant is called The Rainbow Coy. Why don't you grab us a table, I'll be there as soon as I've dealt with this." Damian put the phone to his ear and moved away. "Yes? No, no, it's alright, I know you wouldn't have called if this wasn't important."

Aaron headed down the street, looking at the storefront seeing fruits and vegetables, books, knick-knacks, and tourist trinkets. Every store had the name in English as well as a script he thought was Chinese. He'd learned a few words of Chinese, because one of his classmates had immigrated from China, but not enough to read it. And the words he knew wouldn't help him here, unless he was looking to have sex.

"Hey, look at that. A Tourist," someone said with a Chinese accent.

Aaron looked at who had spoken, and a thin Akita leading a group of six in his direction. Two were huskies, one a Siamese cat, another a Samoyed, then a spaniel and one he couldn't place. He was a dog, but had a sort of mane and long furred gloves, but the rest of his fur was really short, almost to the skin.

"Hi," Aaron responded, smiling.

"Oh, and he's polite too. What's your name tourist?"

"Aaron, what's yours?"

"I'm the boss around here Aaron."

"Ah, okay. Well this is a nice place."

One of the others snickered.

"Oh you think so?"

"Yeah, It's my first time here. I like it."

"And do you know how we manage to keep our neighborhood so nice?"

Aaron shook his head.

"Well, Tourist, we charge a toll. Everyone who comes through here has to pay to help make it better. So pull out your wallet."

Aaron looked the way he'd come, but his uncle wasn't visible. He stepped away from the Akita. "Look, I'm not going to give you money."

"Yes you are. Everyone pays the toll. Don't think that just because you're from out of town you get a pass."

Aaron raised his hands. "I don't want any trouble. I'll just head back." He edged toward the parking, but the Samoyed stepped in his way. His long white fur shifting in the breeze. "Come on guys, I'm just fifteen."

"We don't care how old you are," the white dog said, his voice deep. "Just how much money is in your wallet."

"I don't have anything," Aaron said, trying to keep his voice from raising into a whine. He was certainly not going to whine here.

"Right, because kids like you with your hundred dollar jeans and thousand dollar jacket never carry money on them."

Aaron looked at what he was wearing and realized that wearing his better clothes might not have been a good idea. Uncle Damian had told him to dress nice, and while he hadn't kept his clothes on very long at George's house they had made an impression. Now they were making another impression, but not one that wouldn't lead to anything pleasurable, by the expression on the other's faces.

He made a quick evaluation of the situation. "Okay." He reached for his pocket and stopped as the seven reached for bulges that Aaron realized were knives. "Guys, you told me to get my wallet. That's what I'm doing."

"You better not try anything."

Much slower, Aaron reached for the wallet in his jacket and handed it to the Akita, who snatched it out of his hand. The others cheered and moved away. Aaron wondered if they'd at least give him his Student ID back if he asked.

The Akita froze. "Is this a joke?" He looked up from the wallet and glared at Aaron. The tiger noticed that there was no money in his wallet.

The Dads had given him two hundred for the weekend as spending money, and he'd added three hundred of his own allowance money to that because he'd figured he and his uncle were going to live it large while in LA. It had still been there when they'd stop for ice cream on the way down. Aaron had insisted on paying for both of them.

Had one of the men at George's place taken it? They wouldn't have, they were rich. Then where had it gone?

"Well?"

"I-I don't know. That's where I put it."

The Akita threw the wallet as Aaron. He caught it and looked inside. His credit card was also missing. The dads were going to be pissed with him for losing that.

When he looked up the dog was in his face. "How about you stop screwing about and hand me your money before I decide to screw you over."

"I swear, I don't have anymore." He hadn't even bothered taking the change the clerk handed back from the ice cream. He'd felt so adult when he'd told him to keep the change. Now he wished he'd taken it, he could have appeased his tormentor with it.

He saw the fist, blocked in by reflex, but his wallet went flying, then pushed the Akita away, quickly moving to put some distance between him and all of them.

"Oh, that's how it's going to be?" the Akita said. "Fen, Wong, why don't you show the tourist what happens to those who make trouble here."

The Huskies grinned and moved to flank Aaron. He stepped back to keep them before him. "Guys, I don't want to fight. Come on, I'm just a kid."

"Ohh, he's just a kid." One of the Huskies said, his voice high, and Aaron realized he was actually a she.

"Like any of us is grown up," the other said. This one sounded like a guy. He swung at Aaron, who dodged, deflected the girl's punch and pushed her back. The dads had raised him to respect women, but Sensei had taught that once someone attacked, gender no longer mattered. But damn it, he didn't want to fight.

He blocked, dodge and parried their punches and swipes. There went the stereotype, they were of Chinese descent and didn't know martial art, and he did. Still, even an unskilled fighter could get lucky and get through a trained one every so often.

Aaron grunted as a fist impacted his stomach. It hurt, but Sensei had taught everyone in the class to take a punch. He saw the punch coming at his face and blocked it. With an exasperated cry he struck back, fingers curled in to keep his claws out of the fight. He hit her under the arm. A blow to incapacitate her more than cause lasting damage. She staggered back her arm limp

"You son of a bitch!" The other husky jumped him. Aaron caught his arm and pulled on him then turned and forced him to continue past him. When he straightened the husky was losing his balance and falling down. He saw a fist come at him, a flash of light. He dodged then screamed as pain like he'd never known shot up his leg. He fell to the ground holding it and crying. Through the tears he saw his hands were covered with red.

He tried to curl up, expected blows, but they didn't come. There was a scuffle around him. Feet running away. When he forced himself to look up, his uncle.

"Un-Un-Uncle, they-"

Damian shushed him. "It's okay, they're gone."

Aaron looked around, and indeed it was only the two of them. Why hadn't anyone called the police? Or come to his help?

"Aaron, I need you to get on your back. I need to examine your leg."

The young tiger shook his head. He was terrified of seeing the damage that had been done to him.

"Aaron, I can't help you like this." Damian pushed his nephew onto his back and Aaron screamed has he straightened his leg. He continued whimpering while Damian examined his leg. "Okay, the knife missed the femoral artery, you're going to be fine Aaron."

Aaron nodded, although he didn't feel fine.

Damian took off his jacket, then his shirt, which he ripped. Aaron gasped, his pain forgotten as he watched his uncle destroy a two thousand dollar shirt.

"It's just cloth," Damian said at the expression. "Right now it's more useful as a bandage then covering me." He made strips from most of it, and folded the rest into a pad and laid them on Aaron's chest. "Now, I'm going to pull the knife out. It is going to hurt. If you want to scream, do so, you won't bother anyone. Are you ready?"

Aaron shook his head.

"Aaron, I can't leave the knife there."

"I don't want to feel any more pain," the fifteen-year-old sobbed.

"I know, but this is the quickest way to make it stop. Do you understand?"

Aaron nodded.

"Say it Aaron."

"I understand," he sobbed.

"Good. Are you ready?"

Aaron closed his eye tight and nodded.

He screamed, then again as something pressed on the wound.

"I told them no weapons," Damian whispered, then metal clattered on the sidewalk.

Aaron opened his eyes and watched his uncle use the strips of his shirt to tie the pad in place. It was already turning red at the center. While he worked, the words he'd said nagged at Aaron, but he couldn't think right now, there was still too much pain.

"There," Damian said, having wrapped the last of the strips around the leg and bandage.

Aaron chuckled, there to be over an inch of silk tied to his leg. A two thousand dollar bandage. He began crying, and his uncle held him. When it passed, he noticed his leg felt mostly numb.

Damian helped him to stand. "Let's get out of here."

Aaron nodded.

'I told them no weapons,' the words came back.

'I told them....'

Aaron stopped moving. Damian pulled gently and when Aaron didn't follow he stopped and turned.

"You set this up," the young tiger said, his voice hollow.

Damian studied his face for a moment. "You needed to learn that there are times when-"

His fist moved faster than Aaron thought possible.

Damian held his jaw as he staggered back. He pulled his hand away and there was blood on it.

Aaron growled, fist clenched.

Damian locked eyes with his nephew. "I deserved this one, but do not strike me again Aaron. You will not like what will happen if you do." After a moment when Aaron didn't do anything Damian stepped closer.

Aaron shoved him away hard. "How could you do that to me!"

"You let people push you around Aaron. You're stronger than them, but you still let them treat you like your nothing."

"I'm family! You're not supposed to hurt us! You promised!" Aaron felt the tears fall down his face. The pain he felt didn't come from his leg. His uncle had done this to him.

"I apologize, Aaron. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen."

Aaron growled, "And that's supposed to make it better?" He'd hoped to see worry or fear in his uncle's eyes, but that wasn't there. His steel gray eyes didn't show a damn thing. Couldn't the man at least show concern for what he'd caused?

"No Aaron, it isn't. I can't undo what happened. I miscalculated, and I am sorry. Now, let's get back to the car so I can take you to a doctor. You need to get your leg looked at."

"No."

"Aaron, you need to be reasonable."

"Fuck you and what I need to do. You hurt me!"

Damian reached for his nephew.

"You touch me and I'm going to beat the crap out of you and to hell with the consequences."

Damian locked eyes with him, then pulled his hand away.

"Do you have any idea what you did to me, uncle?"

"I do."

Aaron searched that impassive face. "No, you don't. You didn't miscalculate. You betrayed me. You think we don't know what you do to other people? We don't talk about it, but we know. We know! But we're safe from that. You promise Grandpa you'd never hurt one of us."

Damian didn't say anything.

"You're a monster."

"I know."

"Doesn't that disgust you?"

"No."

"Well, it disgusts me." Aaron turned and limped away.

"Aaron, where do you think you're going?"

"Away from you. Don't come after me, because if I have to I am going to kill you." Aaron knew he meant it. He was so angry with his uncle he didn't think he could control himself if he forced the situation. Rationally he knew he couldn't beat his uncle.

He'd caught his uncle sparring with Sensei at one time, and he'd easily defeated her. The dads had talked about how Damian had almost been killed when he was a teen, and that after that he'd learned all sort of fighting styles.

But if Damian came after him, Aaron would still try to kill him. Even if the only result possible was his own death, because Aaron was certain now that promise or not, if it came down to it, Damian wouldn't let himself lose the fight.

He limped until he was in a neighborhood that looked so perfectly normal it made him sick. He found a dark place between a house and a garage, sat down and cried for a long time. When he was done, he took out his phone and called home.

* * * * *

Aaron was okay.

He told himself that every day. He was okay. He'd put what had happened behind him and had moved on.

When he'd explained to the dad who'd answered, he hadn't thought to ask whom it was, that he'd been mugged and lost his wallet and money and was hurt, their first question was where was Damian. He could tell by the tone that it wasn't concern for their brother, but that he had supposed to have been looking after Aaron.

The only answer he gave was "not here." No matter how much they pushed, he didn't say anything else. He wasn't sure why he did it. It wasn't to protect his uncle, he knew that. He thought it was partially because he was ashamed he'd let it happened. The dads had been worried about Aaron going with Damian alone. But he'd been so sure he and his uncle would have a good time, and mostly it had been.

But now, he was okay.

They'd bought him a plane ticket and called the airport directly for them to send a car to pick him up. He didn't know how they'd convince the airline, but no one asked for ID at any point. Which was a good thing, he'd forgotten to pick up his wallet before walking away.

The two of them had been at the airport and hadn't said or asked anything. They'd hugged him and he'd hugged them back, crying again. After that they took him to their doctor.

That evening, Damian showed up. Aaron knew because even with the soundproofing throughout the house, the screaming reached his room. His brothers tried to comfort him, but for the first time in their lives, he shut the door and locked it. He didn't want their comfort. He wanted to pound his uncle into a wall until all that was left was a bloody mess.

But now Aaron was okay.

His uncle had been banned from the house, and the next morning Aaron had found his wallet on the table. When he'd picked it up he'd been surprised, and confused to see his credit card and money was in it. Then the rage came back as he realized what had happened.

But now, three months later, Aaron was okay. He hadn't seen his uncle and that was good, because even thinking about him still made him almost angrier than he could control.

But at least he was okay, he repeated to himself as he walked away from the school. The others had been concerned when he'd again refused to ride the minivan with them. Adam had managed to get a driver's license days after their fifteenth birthday and the Dads hadn't argued when he'd taken the minivan and became the designated driver. Adam had been obsessed with driving for almost as long as he'd been having sex, so no matter who he'd had to suck off to get the license, he knew how to drive.

Aaron still wanted his solitude. It was an hour to walk home, that was an hour with him and his thoughts and nothing else. He could go over what Damian had done to him, how he might have seen it coming, how he should have known about it the moment his uncle suggested the trip, just the two of them.

But mostly, it let him be alone with his anger.

The tackle wasn't expected.

The two of them fell to the ground and Aaron rolled back to his feet. They were in an alley, far enough from either end that unless one of them screamed no one you notice what happened in it.

Richard took longer and when he was standing he dusted himself. "I told you I wasn't going to forget about it. Now we're going to settle the score."

"Too bad," Aaron said, walking past him. "I'm not in the mood."

The bear grabbed him by the arm and shoved him against the wall. "You think I give a damn what mood you're in? You laughed at me. No one does that and walks away."

Aaron shoved the bear away. "I laughed at you because you're a fucking joke. You act all tough when in reality you're just a little kid terrified of his daddy."

"Don't you dare disrespected my dad."

"Disrespect? Your father's a drunk with delusions he ever was important. Why the fuck are you trying to live with to what he wants for you? You hate martial arts."

"Shut the fuck up, or I'm going to break that pretty muzzle of yours."

"I would so love to see you try," Aaron replied, terrified to realize he meant it. Before he could try to stop the bear, he was lunging at him. Aaron blocked, telling himself he'd do that until Richard was exhausted, then he'd walk away.

He blocked the next strike, and slammed his fist in the bear's gut. There was a lot of padding there. Other than putting him off balance he didn't do much damage, but Aaron only needed an opportunity and while the bear regained his footing the tiger moved in close and punched him in the face.

Aaron tried to stop. He didn't want to hurt Richard, or anyone else. But his fists kept striking, even when the bear fell back on the ground. Aaron straddled him and just kept on hitting him. A growl the only sound escaping from his mouth.

When he finally managed to pull himself away it was like his body was a train going in the opposite direction. He was still growling and wanting to hit the bear, or anyone else.

Richard pulled himself away from the tiger, fear in his eyes.

Aaron locked eyes with him. "Don't ever bother me again, or I won't be this nice." He couldn't recognize his own voice. As the bear got up and ran off the tiger looked at his hands; his bloody hands.

He wasn't okay.

And Aaron was afraid that he would never be okay again.