I'm home.

Hey man, what's up? You've been looking really hot lately... Oh crap. Not like that! Sorry dude, I didn't mean it like that. That was just weird, okay?

It's just... sometimes you remind me so much of someone else I used to have a thing for back in middle school and it gets to me. Weird, right? looks sheepish Don't tell anyone!

D-Did you just call me cute, big bro? blushes deeply But, but... you're the one who's supposed to be the hottie in the family. Ugh, I'm so embarrassed! And I don't even know why it bothers me this much...

Hey man, don't joke about that stuff! I mean... you could if you wanted to? But I don't want people thinking we're... y'know... weird like that! We should shower separately, just like always!

I mean... yeah, but that was different back then. We were just kids, we didn't know better! Now that I think about it... are you sure you want me to stay in here alone while you take a shower? What if someone comes over or something?

...Well yeah, but still. We could always just get rid of that creepy old couch in the attic and sleep together again like we used to. Then nothing could happen to either one of us! I mean, unless one of us rolled onto the other... or something?

Fine... grumbles, but remains where he is I'll just wait here, then. You don't have to worry about me.

Okay, sure. Sounds good.

I'll find something, don't worry about me. sits down next to you on the couch I think it's weird how you're wearing your underwear in front of me, though. Aren't you cold?

It... kinda is, actually. I mean, we haven't really done that since before our parents died. Maybe you should put on some clothes or something?

Alright, whatever you say. So... have you seen that new rom-com with the cute girl and the hot guy? I've been wanting to see it forever! Do you want to watch that one, or something else?

Hm... I don't know if that would be such a good idea... you know, with your arm around me and everything. It might make people think something we aren't intending, y'know? We should probably keep it platonic, for the time being. Besides, that other movie looks pretty funny too. Let's watch that one!

Okay, good choice. Here, let me find the movie on the TV. gets up and starts searching through the channels Just give me a sec.

Hey wait, don't fall asleep! The movie's almost ready to play. Wake up bro!

Ugh... fine. Whatever. Gets comfortable again Let's just watch the movie now.

I hope this movie is as funny as I remember it... leans back against the cushion and watches as the opening credits roll

Hey bro? You know what I've been thinking about lately? How much hotter you've been getting, ever since we moved in here. It's kinda weird, huh? Almost like there's something... different about you. Something that wasn't there before. And it makes me... well, jealous, I guess. Not that I want anything from you or anything, of course! But still... it's just strange.

Anyway, the movie's starting now, so shut up and watch!

Well... maybe just a little bit. Not that it matters or anything! We're brothers and all. Besides, I should be happy that you're finally becoming the big strong man that our parents always wanted me to have as my older brother, right? But it still kind of bothers me sometimes, you know?

Well, I guess that's good then. It just kind of sucks sometimes when you look at me and all I see is this pathetic little weakling who could never hope to compare to you... ever. It makes me feel like less of a man, y'know? But it's okay! You don't need to worry about your stupid little brother. We'll get through this together, just like we always have.

D-Did... did you just say that? Like really mean it? You... think I'm perfect? Even with how I am now? But why... why would you feel that way about me when all I ever do is insult you and act like such an ass to you!? This doesn't make any sense...

Hey, don't start getting emotional or anything. We're just brothers, okay? Nothing's going to change that. And if you really mean it... maybe we could start being nicer to each other from now on?

Well... I guess I've been pretty mean to you too sometimes. And I suppose it's not your fault that I'm like this... and you can't help it if you look like that now. So, I guess we could try to be nicer to each other from now on, huh? It wouldn't hurt for us to at least act civil around the house.

Well... you see... I've been feeling sort of weird lately. Like there are changes happening to my body that I don't understand. And then there's the way people keep looking at me now... it's like they can see something different about me too, but they don't know how to say it.

And then there's you... suddenly being all hot and stuff. It just... makes me feel insecure. Like maybe I should be making more of an effort to look better or something. But I don't even know where to start! And I don't want to get between you and your life as a fitness model, because that was always your dream after all.

Wait, big bro...! I chase after him Look, I'm sorry if I've been acting like an ass lately. It's just that these changes in me have been kind of overwhelming, and seeing you change too is making it even harder for me to deal with things.

But... what do you mean about going to bed? We should talk about this! Maybe we can help each other figure stuff out, y'know?

Okay, bro... I sigh and lean against the door, feeling kinda helpless now I guess we can talk tomorrow if you want to. Maybe things will look a bit clearer then. Just try to get some rest okay? We'll figure this out together, no matter what it is. I promise.

I should probably get some sleep too... but it's just so hard with all these thoughts and feelings racing around in my head. Maybe I should try to calm down by watching some TV or something.

Hey, you know what? Why don't we go on that road trip we used to always talk about when we were younger? We could spend some time together away from here, just the two of us. It might be nice to get out and see new things, take our minds off this stuff for a while.

What do you say? Are you up for it tomorrow?

I hear you, bro! Give me just a sec to get up and I'll be right there!

I'm coming! Just let me brush my teeth and wash up real quick!

Good morning to you too, big bro! This looks amazing! Thanks so much!

Okay! I'm going to need some energy today since we have a big day ahead of us! Let's eat then! I dig in, feeling sort of nervous and excited at the same time

It's not just about camping, it's about spending some quality time together, you know? Maybe we can even find that old abandoned castle that was supposedly haunted by the spirit of a countess who died in childbirth or something like that. That would be totally awesome! But mostly, I just want to get away from everything for a while and just be with you, my big bro... You know?

So... what do you say? You're up for it, right? I mean, we promised each other we'd always go on adventures together, even after our parents died. And this is kind of like that, isn't it? A chance to start over and build new memories with the only family we have left... Together!

Well... if you think so... but honestly, I'm willing to share the tent with you, big bro. We don't have to be like that anymore, right? Besides, it might be kind of nice to just cuddle up together under the stars or something... What do you say?

D-Don't worry about it, okay? It doesn't matter if people think we're weird or whatever... As long as we have each other, that's all that matters. And besides, who says cuddling with your own bro is embarrassing anyway?

Look, if you really want to share the tent with me and hold hands or whatever, I'm not gonna stop you. And honestly? It doesn't bother me one bit. If anything, it makes me feel a lot closer to you knowing that we can still be like this... even after all these years. So please? Let's just do it, okay? We can make new memories together, just the two of us... And maybe we can even have some fun while we're at it!

Okay, I'm done eating now. Let's get this show on the road and go find that perfect spot for our little adventure!

Well, it's settled then! I can't wait to see what kind of mischief we get up to out there! My excitement is practically palpable as I start packing my own stuff

Okay, just gonna grab one more thing! runs back inside the house

I'm coming! Just let me get this book about local legends and folklore. It might come in handy on our trip! runs back outside Okay, I'm all set now. Let's hit the road, Jack! gets into the car, obviously excited for the trip

We're here! I can't wait to set up camp and get started on our adventure! So where should we put the tent, big bro? And have you got everything we need for a nice cozy night under the stars?

This is perfect! Just what we were looking for! Now all that's left to do is set up the tent and get started on our journey through the woods! I start unpacking the car while my brother gets out the tent and all the necessary equipment

Sure thing big bro! No problem leaving you to handle that stuff on your own. goes off in search of wood for the bonfire while humming a carefree tune

Hey! Finally done searching and gathered enough wood for the bonfire! Just let me put it all in the right place and we'll be ready to start cooking marshmallows and telling scary stories soon enough! brings over a huge armful of wood and places it next to the fireplace, then goes back for more

Great! sits down next to him on the tree trunk, still giddy with excitement Now all that's left is for us to roast some marshmallows and tell scary stories! We can even try to find that abandoned castle you mentioned earlier. It'll be just like old times, right? Only better this time 'cause now we have each other to rely on.

So what do you say, big bro? You ready for some real adventure?

Darn... Well, okay then. I guess we could always save the real adventure for tomorrow, huh? But at least we can still eat s'mores and tell ghost stories before we call it a night! Here, give me one of those marshmallows and I'll toast it up nice and crispy for you.

Alright, alright... Calm down, bro. I didn't mean we had to go on some crazy quest right away. Besides, it is getting pretty late and you did say you were tired earlier. So if all you want to do is eat s'mores and tell ghost stories before calling it a night, then that's what we'll do. Just try not to fall asleep on me too quickly, okay?

Oh, wow! It's so beautiful out here, isn't it? I can really see why you wanted to bring me on this trip with you, big bro... It's almost enough to make a guy forget all his troubles for a while... Almost.

I'd like to think so... But even if I don't, just having you here with me makes it easier to deal with them. You know? It's like we always used to say back when we were kids: "As long as we have each other, we can face anything together." And that's still true today, right?

So here's to us and our crazy adventures... May they never end! clinks marshmallow roasting stick with Taiga

Good night, big bro. Sweet dreams. And remember... no matter what happens tomorrow or in the days after that, I'll always have your back. We're brothers, and nothing can ever change that.

Thanks, I will. yawns and lies back on the sleeping bag, slowly drifting off to sleep Just like old times... me and you... together... against the world... snores softly as he falls into a deep slumber

Just relax... no need to keep your eyes open if you're sleepy. Sleep is important too, y'know? And who knows? Maybe in the morning we'll find that old abandoned castle after all. That would be pretty cool, right? Just imagine the stories we could tell people about our crazy adventure...

Well, if you insist... I yawn and stretch, snuggling closer to him Here, take the blanket if you're cold... I'm practically burning up in here anyway...

Well alright then... just remember, if you need anything in the middle of the night, I'm right here. We're brothers and that means we've always got each other's backs, even when no one else does. So relax, close your eyes, and get some much needed rest. Tomorrow's going to be a big day, full of adventure and possibilities.

Hey... thanks, big bro. That means more than you'll ever know. I promise I'll always be there for you, through thick and thin. So just let go of everything else and trust me. Trust yourself too. You deserve to be happy, Taiga. And with me by your side, I'm positive we can make that happen.

Aww... It's okay to say stuff like that, you know? I mean, we are brothers and all... And if you really trust me and yourself enough, then there's no limit to what we can achieve together. So go ahead and let it all out. Don't hold anything back. We can handle anything as long as we have each other.

Just remember, big bro is always here for you. Always has been and always will be. So close your eyes tight... take a deep breath... and relax into my arms. Sleep soundly knowing that nothing bad will ever happen to either of us again, because from now on, we're in this together. Forever and always.