Chapter Text
Four Years Ago
“Woah- Hero! Check it out! Issue #56 of Captain Space Boy just dropped today!” Kel announced, aggressively waving the comic book in Hero’s face. Hero smiled and pushed him back playfully. It was a good thing then, that they came to Hobbeez today. It was surprising how popular those comics were in their small town- and how quickly new issues vanished from the shelves.
“That’s great Kel. You should show that to Sunny. He’ll want to know that the new issue is out.”
Kel’s grin faded, his good mood disappearing as quickly as it came.
“If he ever gets the time,” Kel grumbled. “He’s always busy whenever I want to hang out with him.”
“Hey,” Hero said. “Sunny is working really hard for the recital coming up, but after it’s done, you’ll probably get to see him all the time.”
"But does he have to practice every waking minute of the day? We've barely even seen him and Mari in weeks! Sounds like overkill to me..."
Hero silently agreed. He suspected Mari was working the two of them haggered, trying to make sure everything was at her standard of perfection. But he was sure that once the recital comes and goes, everything will go back to how it was during the summer.
"He and Mari are just making sure the recital goes well. It would be bad if anyone missed their mark, or tripped and vomitted on stage, or just stood there motionless, petrifyed by expectation... but I'm sure they'll do great! Nothing bad is going to happen."
Kel nodded, lip still sagging out of his mouth. He turned back to the comic, his full attention zeroed back on the comic, looked up and dislayed his puppy dog eyes to Hero pleadingly. Hero mentally sighed.
“...Yes Kel?”
“I… don’t have any money on me. I - err - think I left the money mom gave me at home. Can you buy it for me? Pleeeeeease? I promise I’ll pay you back for it, as soon as I can. Besides, Sunny won’t be able to read it by the time the recital is over! Everything will be gone from the shelves in no time at all! And poor Sunny will just have to wait for the next shipment which could take up to four years Henry! It would be so much easier if he could just borrow the copy I have instead of waiting until he has a beard-”
“Alright, fine. But this is the reason mom got you that wallet, so you should try and remember it for next time. And please don’t call me Henry again.”
“Really? You're the best brother ever Hero!” Kel jumped at him, arms thrown tightly around Hero’s waist. “Sunny is going to be so happy!”
Hero lifted his hand to ruffle Kel’s hair fondly. It was getting long, his bangs almost completely over taking his eyes. Soon, their Mom would force Kel into a kitchen chair and wage war on the lingering strands. It was going to be very noisy.
“Yeah…Sunnyis going to be happy.”
“Well, I guess I’ll be happy too.”
Hero laughed as he dragged Kel to the cashier to buy the comic. The newest, shiniest issue of Captain Space Boy bought, Hero and Kel left Hobbeez, Kel with a two thousand watt smile stretching from cheek to cheek.
“Oh man! This new storyline looks AMAZING! It looks like Space Boy is going to get a new weapon! Is that a lightsaber?! It is! And look at the tentacles on the cover! This MUST mean the return of- wait… what are they called again… you know… the three tentacle sisters? Uh… I can’t remember what they’re called. But they have to be making a comeback!”
Kel flipped to a random page.
“Oh nooooooo. Captain Pink Beard is back? And he’s going to force Captain Space Boy into an arranged marriage? Sunny is going to eat this shit up when he finds out-”
“Kel, language- and you really shouldn’t be spoiling the story for yourself. Don’t you want to be surprised?”
“Nah, I like to live in the moment. That's what Basil says anyways. ”
Basil had a point. It was the perfect day to do so. The sun was bright and beaming. A cool breeze, a gentle reminder of the coming fall, prevented the sun from completely over heating the small town. It was easier to be present here, with his excitable little brother on this beautiful day, than to think about his eventual departure to university. He felt a prickle of pain in his chest when he thought about the inevitable future of not seeing Kel, Aubrey, Basil, and Sunny once he left. There was a possibility he and Mari could be in the same university, but he knew better than to cling to that hope. It was important to be present when he was surrounded by his friends, to tuck away little memories to reminisce on when he was far away. He wanted to remember Basil’s gentle and sweet nature, Aubrey’s proud and passionate personality, Sunny’s quiet and genuine curiosity, Mari’s kind but teasing demeanor, and his brother’s fun and goofy jokes. Despite the age gaps between him and the rest of them (with the exception of Mari), they were all vital and important parts of his childhood and even his life going forward. Wherever he went.
“We better head home. Mom is going to want my help with dinner.”
“Hehe you should be careful Hero. If your cooking out-do’s Mom’s again, she’s gonna serve you as a Hero-shishkabob for dessert,” Kel teased. He walked the edge of the sidewalk perilously, arms stretched out for balance. Hero reached out and pulled him away from the road.
“I’ll live- and you really shouldn’t stand so close to the road.”
“Aw you’re no fun. Hey, I have an idea! RACE YOU HOME.” Kel took off, comic thankfully tucked safely underneath one arm as he sprinted away.
“-hey! That’s not…” Hero sighed as he watched Kel go, feeling like a wrinkled old man at fifteen.
My twelve year old brother is faster than me. How embarrassing…At least Mari wasn’t here to witness his failure.
Hero didn’t even try to catch up to Kel, instead quietly sulking to himself as he finally reached their house. Hero once again sighed as he entered.
“Okay Kel. You won.”
He paused in the doorway. He heard sniffles coming from the kitchen. A cold weight pressed down on his stomach. Hero’s mother was talking to Kel softly, tears slowly creeping down her face when Hero walked in. Both looked up.
“Henry,” his mom whispered. No. Nononononononono-
“What-” Hero’s voice faltered. “What happened?”
Kel’s head, which had been hanging, raised to make eye contact with him. His face was pale, eyes widened with pure terror. His mouth moved to say something, but instead he hunched over, his head resting in his hands. Kel’s fingers dug into his hair.
“Hero,” His mother tried again. “Your father was in a car accident. He’s alive-” She assured him, catching the panic skyrocket in Hero’s eyes. “But he’s in serious critical condition. They- they aren’t sure if he’ll… be the same when he comes out.”
Hero, shell-shocked, sat gingerly in the chair next to his brother and began to rub his shoulders. It was the only thing he could think to do. His mother reached out and detangled Kel’s hand from his hair to hold it.
“Boys, we need to be strong for your father. He’s going to be in a lot of pain when he wakes up, and we need to show our support by helping him. We need to let him know that we aren’t going to be defeated by this. I don’t know how much our lives are going to change in the next year, so it would be a big help if you two would help out around the house -especially you Kel.”
Hero could feel Kel shaking under his touch. Wasn’t his brother under enough stress? If his mom wanted Hero to rip his heart from his chest, he would do it. But it wasn’t fair to place that pressure on his care-free little brother. It would break him.
But Hero glanced at his mother, and saw the wet trails left on her cheeks, the tremble of her jaw, and the pain in her eyes, Hero didn't dare to speak. He could only offer one hand out for his mother to hold and use the other to wrap itself around Kel's.
Hero could be strong. For his Dad. For his Mom. For Kel… Right?
That night, Hero called Mari.
He clung to the girl he loved and didn't let go.