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artsy0wl · 2 years ago

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My Brother Can’t be Hurt Again (a RaihanxPiers fic)

Experimenting with RaihanxPiers a bit. Wanted to do a fic where Marnie gives her two cents while defending her brother. I have a plan to do something similar with Hop in a RaihanxLeon fic.

Warning: referenced cheating, referenced stalking, implied abuse, mild language

Arms wrapped around Piers as he entered the living room. The scent of sand and cinnamon blended with sweat and cedar wood as Piers huffed. He wasn’t big on Bewear hugs. Especially from a Flygon sized gym leader. But Piers could manage knowing it was one of Raihan’s ways to display affection.

Now just wasn’t the time for one. With the day sporting three challenges, a concert, and Obstagoon freaking out as a storm rolled in, he needed a shower.

“Let me go.” Piers sighed. “I smell like a wet Yamper.”

“I’d say more like a wet Linoone.”

“Whatever the case, I need to freshen up. Unless you want to sleep with Obtsagoon.”

Sarcastically pouting, Raihan released Piers. “Oh, alright.” Grabbing Piers’ wrist, Raihan quickly pulled him in for a kiss. “Enjoy.”

Piers rolled his eyes, groaning. He went for the restroom. Pulling the ties out of his hair, Piers’ hair draping down like a veil was the last thing Raihan saw before the door closed. The sound of the shower running was soothing.

Leaning against the wall, Raihan hummed along to Piers’ singing. Looking at the kitchen, he wondered if he should help clean up. Not that there was much to clean up, save a few dishes.

“You better not hurt him.”

Jumping, Raihan turned to find Marnie a few feet across from him. He wasn't sure how long she had been there, but she was there all the same. Marnie was sneaky, like her brother, just shorter and younger than Piers.

However, that was not what Raihan’s focus fell on. Rather, the comment she made. A confusing, unprompted comment.

“What?” Raihan sighed, tilting his head.

“You better not hurt my brother.” She repeated.

“What a puzzling little thought.” Raihan mused, trying to keep the mood light. “I would never.”

Marnie entered the kitchen, her glare locked onto Raihan. Sitting at the table, she waited for Raihan to join her. Curious, Raihan followed, sitting across from Marnie.

“My brother might be reserved when it comes to relationships, but I won’t.” Marnie stated, folding her arms on the table. “Do you know what it’s like to see your brother so heartbroken because of an ex? I do.”

It was sweet how Marnie was looking out for Piers. He had grown accustom to Piers looking out for Marnie, but until today, he couldn’t say he saw the same from Marnie that often. If at all.

It was curious too. Out of all the things for her to get vocal about, Piers’ dating life was not what Raihan expect Marnie to get hook on first. Him getting hurt was the first thing Raihan thought of. Or perhaps when Piers was helping out with the Dynamaxing shenanigans caused by Sordward and Shielbert. But if she was going to be concerned with her brother dating him, Raihan could address it.

“Why do you think I’ll hurt him?” Raihan leaned forward resting his arms on the table. “I’m glad that you are watching out for Piers, but we’ve been together for a while and you haven’t mentioned anything until now. So why bring this up now?”

He wanted to respect Marnie’s concerns. Her concerns were valid, even if he was just finding out about them now. However, that didn’t mean Raihan didn’t have questions. That he didn’t know why she was mentioning this now.

“His first and only other boyfriend cheated on him with some minor league gym leader.” Marnie winced, face twitching with disgust. “His last girlfriend was a stalker and while things would end amicably, his first girlfriend died in a car crash a few months later.” Speechless, Raihan’s eyes widened as Marnie continued. “He tried to hide it from me, but I always knew.”

As Raihan processed everything Marnie told him, a fiery spark in her grew. Once neutral concern turned to anger and concern. Blue eyes sharpened and froze, focused on her objective.

“You may be a talented gym leader, who’s fun and determined, but can you really expect me to believe that you won’t hurt him like they did? Or that I would let you be the reason he cries himself to sleep?”

A reasonable question. Based on what she told Raihan, he had no reason to doubt her skepticism. Proving it wrong was key if they were to continue cohabitating. For their sake and especially Piers’.

“What can I do to show you that I’m not like them?”

Marnie’s expression softened, considering the notion. “Love him. Don’t be afraid to show him affection while respecting his space. Listen to him. He’s a simple guy with simple needs. However,” her glare sharpened, “he’s been fighting for so long now that he forgot he can let go.” Blue eyes sharpened. “If you want to prove yourself, let him feel secure. Let him feel like he doesn’t always have to be strong. That he can be vulnerable around you without sacrificing his dignity.”

Marnie’s head tilted as she heard the shower shut off. He’d be in there for a few more minutes. With hair like his, it needed time to dry.

”I just want Piers to be happy.” Marnie sighed. “He doesn’t deserve all of the heartbreak. Or the nights when he cries himself to sleep.”

Hands covered Marnie’s eyes as she let out a pleading sigh and jittery shoulders. It was hard to see her this vulnerable, all the while trying to hold it together for Piers. Despite not having siblings of his own, Raihan understood why she would be so concerned.

”You’re a very good sister.” Raihan commended, lightly tapping her shoulder as he heard motion. “It must be difficult, and I doubt he wants you to worry so much about him.”

Marnie smirked, wiping her eyes. “Of course he does, but these Spikemuth siblings gotta have each other’s back. Whether he likes it or not, I’m gonna protect him.”

Raihan chuckled. “And you’re doing a great job.”

“Gossiping, are we?”

Piers was standing in the doorway, hair draped over his shoulder in a twirled braid. Marnie smirked, getting out of her seat and exiting the kitchen. She flashed Raihan a glare then smiled at Piers as she went to her room. Watching Marnie, Piers wondered what she was scheming.

Using his distracted state to his advantage, Raihan stood up with a smirk. Walking over to him, wrapping an arm around Piers’ shoulders.

“We were bonding over our love for a certain Obstagoon.” Raihan kissed Piers’ forehead.

Piers groaned rolling his eyes. “At least she didn’t bite you. Or call Team Yell.” He shrugged his shoulders. “The last person I dated ran out after she and Liz threatened to release a hoard of angry Stunky on her.” He kissed Raihan, who was concerned, but impressed. “I think she likes you.”

Treating Piers to breakfast at his favorite diner was supposed to be a good time. Raihan was going to take Marnie’s request to heart. He was going to show Piers that he could make him feel safe.

But one trip to the restroom seemed to stop that. Raihan was only gone for a few minutes and knew Piers would be fine. Or so he thought.

Instead, Raihan found Piers’s arm being held by some guy, visibly disturbed. The man in front of him had blond hair, brown eyes, and stood about five centimeters taller than Piers. The smirk on his faced wreaked of annoyance with intent that was not going the way he wanted it to.

“Let me go!” Piers growled.

“I came out all this way to see you,” his grip tightened, “the least you can do is show me some respect and talk to me.”

“You don’t deserve my respect. Not after you cheated on me.”

“You’re still hung up on that? Piers. Babe. That was the old me. I was young and stupid. I’ve learned my lesson and want to start over.”

“Not. Interested.” Piers yanked his arm away from the man. “Besides, I’m seeing someone else.”

“I know. That dumbass gym leader from Hammerlocke. Not that I care.” He shoved Piers against the wall, now seeming to bring attention to himself and Piers as he pinned Piers there. “Only one person can have you. Me. And I ain’t about to let some cocky son of a bitch steal you.”

The man held Pier’s chin as he widely grinned. Eyes flickered as the man leaned closer to Piers. Panic set in faster than a Rapidash as Piers realized what was going on.

“Let me go, you piece of shite.” Piers kneed the man in the stomach, causing him to recoil long enough for him to free his arm. “We. Are. Over. And I am not stooping to your level because you think you own me. Just leave me alone!”

“Why you little…”

A hand raised aggressively as the man retaliated. But before the man could hit Piers, a fist landed squarely on his face, colliding with his cheekbone. Raihan stood between them now, shielding Piers from whatever the man’s next move could be.

“Back off.” Raihan growled.

The man stood up, enraged, ready to fight Raihan. The dragon tamer, meanwhile, stood over him with an equally aggressive smirk. As he took a step forward, Raihan felt a tug on his sleeve. Looking back, Oiers shook his head.

“Just take me home.”

Piers’ glare turned, bitterly looking at the door. And though his face refused to show it, he was shaken. His frame was fidgeting like an anxious Yamper. His frame shrunken like an alarmed Silicobra.

Raihan glared at the man before looking around. Finally noting the crowd, Raihan nodded. He grabbed Piers and got out of the diner.

“I can’t fucking believe him.” Piers slammed the door behind him. “That arsehole thinks he can just show up acting like he did nothing wrong.” He tossed his jacket on the ground. “Then tries to kiss me thinking it’ll make everything better. Fuck that!”

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Piers tried to recompose himself. He looked at Raihan, who had been pretty quiet for the entire journey home. It made Piers feel guilty seeing as he was letting the incident at the dinner get to him.

“I’m sorry for losing my cool. That was my ex.” Piers folded his arms. “I thought I wouldn't see him again. Prayed I wouldn’t. I… I shouldn’t have let it get that far.”

“It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. I let him get under my skin. I thought I was over him and the torment he put me through. I should have walked away and found you. Not let him corner me like that.”

Tense, Piers walked down the hallway, Raihan not far behind. As Piers entered his room, a fist struck the wall. Though it didn’t leave a dent, it did cause Raihan to jump, rushing over to Piers to make sure he was okay. He inspected the hand, that was now turning red on his knuckles. A defeated sigh escaped him as his free hand covered his face.

Raihan led Piers to the bathroom. Grabbing the first aid kit, he pulled out the bandages. Piers’ hand might not have been bleeding, but Raihan wanted it covered to prevent further damage. Piers, all the while, was quiet, grinding his teeth. He didn’t resist as Raihan had him sit on the counter and worked on his hand.

Remembering what Marnie said earlier that Piers just confirmed, Raihan processed what to do from here. His blood was boiling now that he had a face to the ex. But what made it worse, was how swiftly the man chose to hit Piers. That didn’t feel spontaneous. That felt familiar.

“He didn’t just cheat on you, did he?” Raihan inquired.

Silence. Raihan stood in front of him, leaning forward, as he watched Piers. Black and white hair shook as adrenaline started to subside. Raihan wasn’t going to be forceful, but he wanted to help.

“Piers? Did he beat you?”

Piers, through gritted teeth and aggravated panic, nodded. Backing up slightly, Raihan let out a sympathetic sigh. No wonder Piers was so stressed. Cheating on Piers was already bad, but beating him only made it worse. Raihan wondered if Marnie knew. Though given she never mentioned it, Raihan doubted she did.

Mentally, Raihan was glad that he stepped in. There was no way in hell he would let that happen. Ever again. However, that didn’t matter in the moment. Not when Piers was trying to hold off every emotion in the book.

Adrenaline and rage dissipated as Piers’ frame deflated. His body shook violently now, and tears started trailing. He remained quiet, but tried to hide his face. Raihan gently held Piers’ shoulders.

“Piers… It’s… I’m here.” Patiently, he waited for a response. It didn’t have to be vocal. It could be a nod. A glance. An extended hand. Anything.

“Hold me.” Piers softly requested.

He gently pulled Piers off of the counter and pulled him in for a hug. Raihan’s hand cupped the back of Piers’ head, as his other around Piers’ waist.

“Let it out.”

Piers buried his head in Raihan’s jacket. His arms wrapped his arms around Raihan as he let out a whimper. His legs buckled and gave out, which prompted Raihan to sit down, setting Piers on his lap.

Raihan remained silent, letting Piers get out what he needed to without prodding. His head tilted as he heard footsteps. Light, worried footsteps.

“He’s gonna be okay.” Raihan quietly assured, looking at Marnie with a sympathetic gaze as he tightened his hold slightly. “He had a rough morning.”

Nodding, Marnie disappeared for a moment. She returned with a black and white blanket with red accents. Proceeding to drape it over Piers, Marnie sat beside them, resting her hand on her brother’s back.

“It’s okay.” Marnie whispered. “I’m here, and Raihan’s gonna protect you, yeah. We love you.”

Her hand fell onto her lap as Piers weakly nodded. Glaring at Raihan, Raihan knew Marnie was thanking him. Though he knew he had a ways to go to prove himself, he knew this was a start.

Raihan pulled her into the hug, letting the Spikemuth duo share the embrace as Piers released the beast. Unity and comfort was a dish best served warm and that’s just what they needed. Flicking Piers’s hair, he reflected on the situation. He hated that Piers had to suffer, but he also realized he needed to see it. To see the pain. And now that he did, Raihan knew what to do in order to protect Piers. And he would do everything in his power to keep Piers safe.

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