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Alan fumed as he pawed at his artistic brother’s most prized possession, harshly tapping the ivory and jet black keys every now and then. He had sat there for a good hour now, questioning what she could possibly see in that guy.
Stealing a glance at the clock that rested next to his father’s desk, he ran a hand over his worn face. Now was hardly the time to remain angry; he was far too tired for that. Instead, he stood from the stool, hot burning anger and jealousy slowly cooling off. He sent a silent apology in the direction of Virgil’s room, hoping he hadn’t damaged the piano. The last thing he needed was to stoke the second eldest’s fury.
Not a lot of things touched Virgil, but when they did, the whole villa, from the lab all the way to the bedrooms, felt it. And one of those things was breaking the piano. Well, that and waking up before noon.
Sighing, he headed for his room, careful not to wake anyone. He went about his usual bedtime routine, pretending everything was normal. But it wasn’t. Not in his mind, where the anger threatened to burn anew. Sleep wouldn’t come to him like this.
Pulling on slippers and a robe, he crossed the hall to perhaps the only person who could help calm the fire. Just as he was about to knock, he hesitated, then shook himself. Scott wouldn’t mind. He rapped the wood.
A grunt answered him, and the movement coming from inside the room told him his eldest brother was answering his SOS. Alan waited as the door opened, a slight look of guilt on his face as Scott’s tired face peered round the door. The youngest rubbed his arm. Why was he feeling so nervous? His train of thought that was heading for a steep cliff was interrupted when Scott spoke gently.
“Alan? What’s wrong?” Scott looked expectantly at the blond, wondering what was going on. The nervous man in front of him was a far cry from his courageous little brother who could shoot an alligator at close range or fly straight toward the sun to save someone he didn’t know.
“I-I can’t sleep.” Alan paused before continuing. Scott made a mental note of the emotion behind his eyes. “Can I talk to you about something? I need to get it off my chest.”
If it were at all possible, Scott’s gaze softened even more, now fully in big brother mode. “Sure thing, Allie.” He affirmed, grabbing his robe. “Do you wanna go somewhere else to talk about it?”
Alan, thinking about how long this might take and realising that it may attract attention from a very grumpy Virgil, Gordon or even Jeff, nodded. “How about the pool?”
“Okay. Let’s go.” Leading the way, Scott made his way down to the still water, Alan right behind him.
The waves that lapped against the sand down by the beach had a calming effect, and both brothers sat on a nearby deckchair, looking out towards the ocean. They suddenly had a whole new appreciation for the favoured world of their aquanaut brother.
They sat there in silence for a good few minutes before the elder turned to the younger. “So, what did you want to talk about?”
Alan struggled to find the words, but he managed it. “I-it’s about… well, Eddie Houseman.”
“Oh?”
“And Tin-Tin.”
“Oh.”
The blond looked at his big brother, anger burning anew. “I don’t understand what she sees in that guy, Scott!” The fury slowly turned into tears, and he closed his eyes to hide it. But Scott did notice. He always did. And just like he also always did, Alan felt a strong but comforting arm around his shoulder, gently massaging all the hurt away. Alan leaned into the contact, tears now tenfold. “And now I’m going to lose her to him! It’s clear who she wants, and it’s not me…” That last part came out just a bit quieter.
The one-sided hug tightened, both arms now enfolding him as he let it all out. “Oh, Allie. You’re not going to lose her, baby brother.”
A sniffle could be heard under the mess of blond hair against his chest. “R-really? Are you sure, Scotty?”
Alan felt fingers run through his sun-kissed locks. “Of course I’m sure, Al. Tin-Tin adores you. She loves you and only you.” Scott chuckled. “Eddie did try to weasel his way into her heart, but she kicked him to the curb pretty quickly. I saw it happen. It was pretty funny, she is not someone you want to mess with, but I digress. Her heart is with you kiddo, and I have a feeling it will stay there for as long as you both live.”
Scott felt the hug being returned, and he squeezed even tighter. “Thanks Scotty.” Alan’s smile was back, and Scott inwardly cheered. “Can you do one more thing, for me, please?”
“Sure thing, kiddo.”
“Could you sing me a lullaby, please? The one from when we were kids?”
It was only a few years ago, but it still felt like an eternity had taken place since the last time the eldest had sang to any of the others. It had started after their mother’s unfortunate passing, when their father was too far stuck in his own grief to give them the attention they needed and they fended mostly for themselves. The five brothers would huddle together on Scott’s bed, and he would sing the same lullaby their mother had always used to frighten the terrors of the night.
Those moments were rare now they were grown, but they still happened every now and then. Now appeared to be one such time.
Scott seemed taken aback at the request, but smiled at his brother. “Sure thing.” Alan looked out to the sea as his brother sang, the waves adding so much to the melody.
A gentle breeze on Hush-a-bye Mountain,
Slowly blows over Lullaby Bay.
It fills the sails of boats that are waiting.
Waiting to sail your worries away.
It isn’t far to Hush-a-bye Mountain,
And your boat waits down by the key.
The winds of night so softly are sighing.
Soon they will blow your troubles to sea.
So close your eyes on Hush-a-bye Mountain.
Wave goodbye to cares of the day.
And watch your boat from Hush-a-bye Mountain,
Sail far away,
To Lullaby Bay.
Alan had dropped off to sleep around the second verse, prompting a gentle chuckle from Scott as he gently picked his brother up, intending on bringing him back to the villa, hopefully without waking him or anyone else up.
He spun slowly back towards the path, Alan still clinging to him in his sleep. The eldest Tracy brother was stopped in his tracks when he saw the entire family blocking the steps to the lounge. Even John’s face was visible on his father’s wrist communicator. All of them had very soppy looks on their faces, and Scott flushed in embarrassment. He would have buried his face in his hands if he wasn’t carrying Alan.
“How much did you hear?” He kept his voice low, and was grateful the others were willing to do the same.
John’s grin widened. “The whole thing.”
Gordon ran a hand through ginger hair. “Our doors aren’t soundproofed.”
He heard Virgil’s barely concealed mutter of, “They should be.”
Another thought crossed his mind. “Eddie and Tin-Tin didn’t hear, did they?”
Jeff shook his head. “No. Both fast asleep.” The father of five had a smile that mirrored his space-bound son’s. “Haven’t heard you sing for a while.”
“You’ve heard me sing to comfort rescue victims before, Dad.”
The older man nodded. “To comfort victims, yes. But to comfort family, no.” He thought of something else. “And Christmas Carolling or your mini-concerts with Virgil don’t count…”
Scott chuckled as he made for the steps, his brothers and father turning with him.
“All you guys have to do is ask, you know…”