Chapter Text
Zach and Connor grew up like brothers. Their moms met when Zach's family moved in next door. Cindy was newly pregnant with Zach and already had a 6-year-old son, Justin. Lisa, on the other hand, had just found out she was expecting Connor in 7 months despite already having a 1-year-old son named Owen.
Cindy and Lisa quickly bonded over their unexpected but happy pregnancies, vowing to help each other along the way. Their husbands Phil and Mark soon became friends as well and both families only grew closer as the due dates rapidly approached.
Despite having similar due dates, no one had expected Zach and Connor to each arrive on the 1st of August mere minutes apart. Their shared birth date seemed only to reinforce the hope that the boys would grow up as best friends.
Zach and Connor ended up having little choice in the matter as their families were nearly inseparable. They were as comfortable in their own homes as they were in each other's. This closeness was a gift but did occasionally lead to conflict as they would fight like brothers. Luckily both boys were involved in sports which allowed them to form a solid friend group which provided some breathing room. Although Connor and Zach would hang out with friends individually at times, they inevitably found their way back to each other as the primary best friend.
This closeness only grew as the boys entered high school. They were hardly ever apart, and people sometimes mistook them as brothers due to this fact and their somewhat similar appearances. Although both were around the same height and build with brown hair and blue eyes, there were clear differences. These distinctions, although subtle, grew more pronounced as graduation approached.
Connor's features appeared slightly sharper, and he seemed to hold himself with an anxious edge. As if he was folded inwards somehow, apprehensive and protective of what he might be holding inside. His face reflected his uncertainty at times though this only made his face light up even more when he would smile. Often that smile would hide his teeth with his bottom lip pulling up to provide cover. Though this tended only to accentuate the edges of his jawline and cheekbones. Other times, usually because of Zach, Connor's lips couldn't keep that protection up and instead would break open to reveal just how much happiness was waiting within him. And physically, he tended to be leaner and a bit lanky in his build. If his outward image reflected any stereotype, it would be of an emo punk boy in the best possible way.
Zach, on the other hand, had moments where he'd radiate lax bro vibes but only in the lightest sense. Despite their similar builds, Zach's frame was more sturdy and carried an air of confidence in his body and personality. With that, he gave the illusion of being much bigger than Connor at times as his aura filled a room. Equally as handsome as Connor, he was often perceived as the flirt of the two by those that knew them. Zach was quick to laugh, with a wide bright smile and infectious charm, which almost seemed to open Connor and invite him to join Zach's world.
Where Zach would light up the room with his words and energy, Connor could often be seen simply taking Zach in. There was no competition to shine as each brought out the best in the other. While Zach happily basked in the spotlight, Connor preferred to observe quietly from the sidelines. When with the two of them, most would be naturally drawn to look at Zach. But if you focused instead on Connor, you would find his eyes intent on Zach, searching and captivated; and even more appealing somehow in his perception and attentiveness.
These interactions weren't as one sided as they seemed, however. Zach always knew where Connor was at any point, in any room. Zach also knew what would make Connor happy and feel special and thus chose his words and actions accordingly. If Connor was happy, Zach was happy. The two of them together somehow seemed even more complete than either of them apart.
If you asked what each of them meant to the other, they would easily say they were best friends. Best friends. Not brothers. Although they had heard it for years, they would never describe the other as a brother. They couldn't. Neither had ever said it outloud, and they didn't even fully understand it themselves but what they felt could not be described as brothers. Connor and Zach each had brothers, they knew how they felt towards them. Those feelings were not the same as what they felt for each other. This was different.