Archive of Our Own

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MC: 7, Caleb: 10

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"I'm scared," You whispered to your brother. "I don't want to be alone."

Josephine had already gone to bed when the storm started. You could hear the wind whooshing outside, the rain pelting down on the roof, and see the lightning light up the clouded sky as trees swayed harshly. Clinging to Caleb's side you add, "What if a tree falls down?" Picturing wet branches crashing into your room has you whimpering.

"Then I'll keep you safe." His words of support helped, but didn't stop the storm. "Do you want to stay in my room tonight?" You nod. "Alright then, let's go brush your teeth. I'll be right beside you." Lacing his fingers through yours, he led you up the stairs at a slow pace, squeezing with every flash of light.

"Caleb!" Your chest hurts and your breath catches with the scary noises. "It's scary."

"I know, princess." Caleb turned the water on and applied toothpaste to the toothbrush. Handing it to you, he joins you and brushed his teeth as well. It was the fastest brushing of your life, but Caleb didn't call you out on it. "There we go. Your mouth is all clean and those teeth will stay healthy. Isn't that good?"

A shy nod. Your small body tensed at thunder rumbling outside. In the bathroom mirror, you could see the storm from the window behind you. Caleb lowered his voice so you had to lean in close to hear him. "Don't tell Josephine that I didn't make you floss your teeth tonight. Let's just go to bed, okay?"

As if you'd been let on an important mission, you vowed to keep the secret between the two of you. "Okay, I won't tell her."

"Just a few steps, princess." Caleb shut the door behind you. "Do you want one of my shirts or do you want to crawl into bed as you are?"

You thought for a moment.

As if reading your mind, Caleb spoke. "I promise to make sure no scary monsters show up while you're changing."

"Promise?"

"Pinky promise."

He handed you a clean oversized shirt and turned to change into his own pajamas. When he saw you still standing there dressed in day clothes he voiced his confusion.

"If you're looking away, how will you see the monsters?"

He softened. "I'll keep watch."

Knowing his eyes were trained on you, you quickly changed into his top. It was much more comfortable than the dress Josephine had bought you.

Caleb pulled the blankets back and climbed into bed after you, tucking the blankets snugly under your chin. Cuddling into Caleb's side, you closed your eyes so you wouldn't have to see the storm.

"I still feel it, Caleb." Rain and wind couldn't be blocked out by your senses.

"I've got you," He whispered. "When I'm here, the storm can't hurt you."

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MC: 10, Caleb: 13, Zayne: 14

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Tears streamed down your face as you hugged your friend Zayne tightly, arms thrown around his back. "You're gonna keep in touch, right?" You sniffled into his shirt.

Caleb stood behind you. "If he knows what's good for him, he will."

Zayne hesitantly patted your back. "I promise to keep in touch." Looking down at his watch over your clinging form he added, "I need to be in the car in the next five minutes."

"Noooooo…" You tightened your arms around him. "Don't go."

"I'm sorry."

You blinked out more tears and pulled back to look at his face. "Are you sure you can't stay?"

Zayne gave a forced smile. "I said I would keep in touch. Unfortunately, this college is best attended in person."

A whine left your throat. It was so unfair! Sure, Zayne deserved to go to a fancy prestigious college and start working towards his medical degree early (share some brain cells with the class, genius) but that also meant he had to MOVE AWAY.

Your lower lip wobbles. "But we're a trio."

Caleb tugged you back and tilted your face up to look at him. "Pips, you want him to be able to get that fancy degree right?"

"Yeah."

"You want him to use that big scholarship he won?"

"Yeah." Your face fell in understanding.

"Then he's gotta go. Do you really think he can get that same education here? Linkon City is great, but Linkon University isn't exactly an Ivy League school for… what was it again?"

"Cardiac surgery."

"Cardiac surgery."

Zayne reached out and squeezed your hand. "I value your friendship. I'm sorry I have to move away for this, but we'll be back together one day, if you still wish it."

You nod frantically, a fresh wave of tears streaming down your face. "Yes! I do! I'll miss you so much!"

Caleb ruffled your hair. "What she said. We'll miss you, Zayne."

"Wait!" You grabbed Zayne's hand before he could walk away. "Pinky promise me! That way you can never break it."

"Never?"

"Never!" You declared.

Amused, he linked his pinky with yours. "I solemnly swear and pinky promise to keep in touch with the Yizhou siblings. We will forever be a trio and best friends forever. I won't ever forget about the girl who tried to feed me carrots or the boy who helped me when I lost my glasses."

While you're reeling from his speech, Caleb can't help but laugh. "Wow. I think that's the most words we've heard from you all year."

.

That night, you curl up in Caleb's bed. "Do you think I was being selfish?" You mumble into the pillow. Caleb taps your back.

"I can't hear you talkin' into your sheets like that."

"Do you think I was being selfish?" You removed your face from your pillow and hugged it to your chest, looking down with still wet eyes. "I mean, you said so yourself! Zayne got a really big scholarship to a big fancy college and I'm crying because he didn't choose to stay with some childhood strays." Guilt twisted in your chest. "I turned into a sob-fest when we should've been celebrating."

"Hey," Caleb reached out to brush your hair back. "Don't call yourself that. You are way more than some childhood stray. Anyone would be lucky to have you as a friend."

"But I was crying all over his shirt and he didn't even shed a tear!"

"We celebrated plenty when we got the news."

You buried your face back into the pillow. "After throwing a fit about him moving away."

"You know how Zayne is," He brushed you off. "If he's a good friend, he'll make the right decision and keep in touch with you like he promised. Pinky promised, may I add."

You attempt a smile. "Right."

"You aren't selfish, meimei. It's only natural for him to want to prioritize his education."

"But we're his friends." Your voice sounds small.

"I know, Pipsqueak. Do you wanna stay with me tonight?" Opening his arms, you burrow your head into his chest.

"Yes. Thank you, gege."

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MC: 12, Caleb: 15

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You paused outside Caleb's door. Should you to Gran instead? But it was so late, and she was getting old. Pain runs through your lower back. Okay, I get it body! You push the door open carefully. "Gege…" You padded to his bedside. "Are you awake?" The analog clock displayed 3:14AM.

You looked around, thighs feeling sticky with blood. Should you have gone to Gran instead? "Gege?" You tried again. "Caleb?"

The sound of rustled sheets filled the room as he sat up, rubbing his eyes. "What's wrong, meimei? Nightmare?"

Slowly, you shake your head no. Blinking and yawning awake he studies your face. "Hey, what happened? You don't look so good."

Out of nowhere, you start crying. Now very awake, Caleb pulls you onto his bed. "Hey, shhh, come here. What's wrong?"

You just cry harder. "Gege- no- "

His hands immediately dropped. "Meimei?"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Shame fills you. "I feel gross. I don't want to bleed on your bed."

Hesitant, protectiveness wins out and his hands skim over your arms. "Bleed? Meimei, are you hurt? Can you show me where you're in pain? What happened? Who did this to you?" Fear creeps into Caleb's voice.

You shake your head. "No, no. I- "

Insistent, "What is it?"

"I got my period."

"I can't hear you."

"I got my period, okay!?" Caleb stares at you for a moment before breathing a sigh of relief, relaxing his grip. If your outburst bothered him he didn't show it.

"Holy shit, meimei. You scared me. I thought…" Your eyes widen. Caleb rarely swore around you. "You're not gross, Pips. What do you need?"

You try and think. "I don't know."

"Do you have supplies?"

You shake your head. Tampons sound scary. "Pads…? But I don't know if Gran- "

"I'll check the bathroom. I don't care about my sheets, you stay here."

You sit awkwardly on his bed while he leaves to rummage through the bathroom cabinets. He returns with a variety of different pads.

"Do you remember how to use them?" A single nod. "Okay, I'll get you some tea and a snack while you…" He makes a vague gesture to your abdomen. "Take a warm shower to wash the blood off. You can use one of my towels, I just washed them today so don't worry about any Caleb germs. No— don't argue. Towels are meant to be used. That's why I washed em. Tomorrow I'll change your sheets and you can take the day off school."

Heading to the bathroom, you turn the shower out and wince at the first spray of cold air. You stand awkwardly while the water heats up. Stripping down, you look away from the dark red of your underwear. You faintly want to cry again out of sheer embarrassment at the situation. You think you do cry again, but it's hard to tell in the shower. He must've cracked the door at some point because when you get out of the water you can see clean clothes tossed onto the floor. Thank you, gege. Smart gege, realizing you hadn't brought anything to change into. Trying to use a pad felt weird, but you didn't want to bleed even more on your gege's bed. What are you supposed to do with the bloody clothes? You look around before deciding to leave them on floor, a problem for tomorrow. Legs unsteady, you crawl back into Caleb's bed to wait for his return. You only feel worse when he enters the room, wrapping a fluffy blanket around your shoulders and handing you a warm tea.

"This is supposed to help with cramps. I brought some pain medication safe for you to take. Do you want it? Okay, open up." You open your mouth and he drops the tablets onto your tongue and swiftly brings the mug to your lips. "Drink and tilt your head back. If you swallow fast enough — don't choke — it should reduce the bitterness. I brought chocolate to wash away the flavor. Do you want me to rub your shoulders? Come here."

His hands press into the juncture where your shoulders meet the curve of your neck. Melting under his touch, he soothes the tension that had built up there. "I'll have Gran buy you a heating pad tomorrow, I've heard they're beneficial for cramping."

You hear him continue to talk about ways to help you, but the energy spent from crying and waking up covered in blood has you spent.

"I'm ramblin' about nothin', mei. Close your eyes. I'll deal with the phone call in the morning."

Warm in his arms, you drift back into sleep.

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MC: 13, Caleb: 16

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While Gran left the house to run a list of errands you hadn't been paying enough attention to remember, Caleb took the opportunity to sit you down.

"Meimei, I don't want this to be awkward but- "

Oh no. Cold realization washed over you. Standing and rushing towards the door, you started to stutter. "I can hear about this in health class!"

Caleb's EVOL dragged you back. "Nice try. You're gonna hear this from me. Besides, I'm sure I've told you all of this before."

No, no, no. You whine, trying to avoid eye contact. "It's embarrassing."

"Your health isn't embarrassing. Now, what do you remember about healthy relationships?"

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MC: 14, Caleb: 17

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"Hey," Caleb's voice interrupted your conversion. "Who's this?"

You relax when he finally stops next to you, silently assessing the situation. "A classmate."

The boy in front of you lights up, moving his attention off of you. "Hey, you're Caleb right? Her brother."

Caleb adjusts his stance. "Yeah. What about it?"

Too eager, the boy starts, "I wanted to ask her out- "

"She's 14," Caleb interrupted flatly.

The boy stammered. "I'm only a few months older than her."

"Oh?" Caleb leans back on the lockers. "You know her birthday? When was it?"

He lists off a month. Incorrect. "And the day?" Caleb probes.

"Gege," You whisper.

"Meimei, if you ever date someone, them knowing your birthday is the bare minimum."

The boy drops his shoulders. "Okay fine, I don't know the exact date, so what? I'm not trying to be a creep."

"She's too young to date." Caleb crossed his arms.

"I just want to call her my girlfriend and take her to see a movie, okay?" You wince. That phrasing for dating is the least romantic description you've ever heard.

Caleb seems to agree. "And distract her from her studies? She wants to be the best Hunter in Linkon City. The best hunter in the world. What are your aspirations?" The boy falters. "Well?"

You tug at Caleb's arm. "Gege," You hiss, slightly embarrassed. A few people have stopped to stare at the verbal exchange, others more focused on oogling Caleb. "You don't have to be so harsh."

"She's just pretty, man."

Caleb's voice dripped with mockery. "She's just pretty, man," He mimicked. "That's all you can say? That she's pretty? Her looks are what drew you to her? Her body?" Caleb looks the boy up and down as if to say you're not good enough. "Not her talent, skill, mind, hobbies, interests, her looks is what drew her to you?" The judgment is clear in his tone.

The boy shakes his head. "I didn't mean it like that."

"If you didn't mean it, any other word would've come out of your mouth. Do you even know this person?" He turned to you.

You shook your head. "We share a math class… we haven't really talked."

Caleb scoffs. "And too shy to talk to the girl you're interested in? No way are you dating my sister."

"But- "

"She's not interested." His words left no room for disagreement.

Taking your arm, Caleb pulled you away and you began the walk home.

Kicking a rock, you ask, "Is he going to be mad at me? For turning him down?"

Caleb's jaw clenches. "If he gets mad, tell me. I'll take care of it."

Silence.

"I didn't like him back, gege."

"You didn't?"

"No." You both stop at a stoplight. "I don't feel ready to date. I'm too young, like you said." He's quiet for a moment. "Thanks for stepping in, I felt bad turning him down."

"Of course, meimei. What else are brothers for?"

Your cheeks warm. "Right. You don't have to be so mean about it, though!" You nagged as the light turned green. Listening to you ramble on, Caleb's hand didn't leave yours until you reached home.

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MC: 13-15, Caleb: 16-18

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Josephine died of illness when you were 15, but really, she had been on her journey towards death for many years. Five years ago, she started noticing a decline in her health and two years before her end, her symptoms had started progressing to the extent of leaving her exhausted, leaving Caleb to diligently take care of you.

You offered and tried to help where you could, but Caleb only gently nudged you away. "I've got it, Pips, go focus on your schoolwork."

In the beginning, you tried to argue but eventually he grew stern. "Let me take care of this, Pipsqueak. I'm your gege, that's my job, okay?" He gave you that smile that never failed to make your stomach feel weird and when his arms settled onto your shoulders and pushed you towards your room you caved.

Your perfect gege, the dream student, the perfect man, the good boy according to everyone in your life. Teachers fawned over his attentiveness to his studies despite his involvement in unofficially raising you and now taking care of your sickly Gran. Girls and boys around you swooned over his care towards you, whispering among themselves that whoever would be lucky enough to marry him one day would be the luckiest person in the world. The older folks on your street would clap a hand on Caleb's shoulder and call him a good, hardworking boy as he helped around for extra money. Money he would never spend on himself, only on you.

In this way, Caleb had the tendency to spoil you a bit but he claimed it was all for your own good. Passing you a plate of food every meal or prepared snacks at every study break he would say something like, "Time to fuel that brain and body, meimei," or when doing your chores "You have better things to do with your time." He'd kneel down while you worked on difficult homework and softly walk you through the steps until you understood the complex formulas.

When you failed a test, he would go with you to ask the teacher for a retake. After all, you're struggling so much with your Gran in such ill health. I know we had so much time over break, but it only made me think about how little time Gran might have. It made you feel guilty, knowing you weren't struggling much at all. Caleb just pat your head. "You ain't lying, Pips, no need to feel bad."

"I'm sad but I'm not- " You tried to find the right word. "I didn't fail the test because I was too busy or too distraught over Gran, I failed because I spent the week before the test in bed."

"You spent the week in bed because you were feelin' sick with period cramps," He corrected. "That's a plenty good reason to have not studied. You said your head was feeling all fuzzy and you were too tired to lift a pen."

You pressed your lips together and accepted his rebuttal. "You're right."

"You'll do better on the retake, okay? You gotta get a good score if you wanna go to college," He pointed out.

Right. There were prerequisites for the Hunter Association Academy. "In the meantime," Caleb lightened his tone. "You're always free to stay with me."

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MC: 15, Caleb: 18

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Gran dying hurt, but at least Caleb was there to pick up the pieces.

With tears shining on your cheeks he pulled you into his arms and carried you to bed, rubbing your back until you feel into a fitful sleep. He managed all the phone calls, emails, and legal work. No funeral was held. Caleb explained they were expensive and the money was better spent on you. "Gran would've agreed," He said.

It felt like everywhere you looked some trace of her remained. One night, he sat you down on the couch.

Gran used to sit on the couch.

"Hey, gege's got you, cry it out."

"I'm sorry- " You hiccuped. "I don't know why I keep crying."

"She was a major figure in your life."

You sniffed. "She was important to you, too."

"Sure, meimei, but let's focus on you." He shushes you. After a few minutes, you're able to somewhat pull yourself together.

Caleb speaks carefully. "I wanted to ask you something important, but if you're not ready, don't worry."

Ask you something? Important? Don't worry?

Is he going to— ? "Don't leave!" You throw your back arms around him.

"Whoa," He rubbed your back. "I'm not leaving you, meimei. I told you, I'm gonna be taking care of you now. I'm old enough now."

"But—" You think back to the night before. "I hear you arguing on the phone- "

"Don't worry about the legal stuff. You're mine, they won't take you away from me." He sounds sure of himself. "It's my job to handle that."

Calming you down, he drags a thumb over your hand. "I wanted to ask if you'd be okay with… moving. Out of the house. With me. The DAA is in Skyhaven, so it's… far from here." He cringes. "To say the least. But I thought a change of scenery would be good for us. All these reminders of Gran… I don't think it's helping you. And… if not, and I'm wrong, I can attend Linkon university here."

Your heart aches at his tenderness. "Gege… Linkon University doesn't have a program for— "

"I know. I can work on some general studies prerequisites." He smiles.

"But you want to be a pilot."

He shrugs. "I want to take care of you, meimei. I can do that as pilot for sure, but I can also do that as…" He thinks. "A cat sitter."

The thought makes you giggle. "A cat sitter?"

"Yeah. For cats that love to eat fish. You'd be hounding to the shower whenever I come home. You stink of fish, Caleb! Don't come back until you smell like my gege!"

Fully laughing now, you picture it. "Gege! I wouldn't do that!"

"You wouldn't?"

"No! Because…" You thought about moving. What would you miss the most? All the places that remind you of Caleb. The playground where he would push you on the swing. The sidewalk you walked together on. The grocery store you were used to. You then considered the pitying looks everyone gave you since Gran's death, from the people in your neighborhood to the staff at your high school. "What about school?"

"We'll get you some time off to process. The system will understand." I'll make them understand. "Only if you are okay with us moving."

"Us? You're not just going to leave me somewhere?"

His hands grip your arms tight. "Never, meimei. Never."

"Then, I… I am. I think I am okay with moving."

.

Moving was a big decision to make. Between the various responsibilities and paperwork to get in order, it took another few months to finish sorting everything out. And in that time you were able to convince Caleb that yes, please, you really are okay with such a major life shift. Eventually he did cave.

"I'm gonna put this place up for rent, in case you ever want to return here," He explained as he packed away the various things you both owned together. "Gran had some savings and I bought a place for us in Skyhaven. It's just outside the city so you don't have to worry about traffic noise or bright nights." The little home you had shared for the past 9 years felt wildly different from Skyhaven's culture and you were thankful he wasn't moving you into the heart of the city. "Do you think I'll make any new friends?"

"If you don't, you'll always have me."

.

Awe filled you at the sight of the house Caleb bought. It looked… home-y. Comfortable. Clean. "Surprise. I hope it's good enough?" He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'll need to fix up a few things, but it's sturdy."

Your jaw drops. "Sturdy? It's perfect, gege." Seeing a flower garden on the property you light up, "We own this?"

"We own this."

The house was empty, but it already felt better than the place in Linkon. It reminded you too much of Gran. This? This was new. A fresh start.

Caleb helped the movers haul the boxes of things and put together new furniture for the house. All the while, you stood off the side, not sure what to do.

"You can start puttin' your things away. I've got all of this covered, okay?"

You nodded and took your stuff to your room. The first furniture Caleb put together was your bed and dresser, as well as a desk. Unpacking the little pieces of Linkon made you think of Gran again, but seeing them in a new space reminded you of the environment change.

Caleb whistled in approval. "Looking good in here!"

You jumped up. "Do you need help with anything else?"

He shrugged. "We can handle it if you'd rather rest."

Yeah, but… "This is our new home though. I want to be able to help."

Something in his expression cracked. "Our home. Right."

"… It is our home, right gege?"

A smile spread across his face. It was the happiest you've seen him since Gran's death. "Yeah, Pipsqueak, it is ours. If you want to help decorate our home, the box in my room has our collection of books."

You immediately scampered to the room beside yours. "Careful with the model planes!"

Caleb! "That was ONE time!"

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MC: 16, Caleb: 19

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It had been several years since Zayne left your life at 13 years old to pursue his medical education. Zayne kept his promise to keep in touch, but as you'd grown older his letters grew shorter in length and the frequency between communications grew farther and farther apart.

Caleb takes the letter from your outstretched hand. You force a smile. "Do you think he'll answer this time?"

This time, you had written and asked him for his number or really any method of contact to keep in touch another way. The letters were cute, but not efficient, you explained in colorful stationary. Maybe the reason for his distance had to do with the time it took to physically write out and send letter. All Zayne would have to do is reply with his number or social media handle, and then it would be easy to keep in touch again!

Caleb put the letter into his bag to drop by the post office on his way to class. "I hope he does, Pips."

.

Zayne never returned your letter.

You waited for weeks but no response arrived back. You'd checked the mail multiple times for day to the point Caleb had told you he would lock you in the house if you went out to the mailbox again.

"Maybe it got lost in the mail."

Caleb disagreed. "We got the return address printed clearly. If it didn't make it to Zayne, it would've been returned to us."

You wring your hands together. "Did he really ghost me, gege?"

Caleb has a strange look on his face when he sits down next to you. "What are you asking, Pipsqueak?"

"I mean…" You think back to the summers with the reserved teenager. "I know he was… himself… but he promised to keep in touch. Pinky promised! We had never heard him say such sentimental things… I thought he meant them. I thought we could finally all hang out again, before— " You sniff. "Before he graduates and gets busy, again. Were we not friends?" Teary eyes meet Caleb's. "Is that stupid degree more important than us?"

"Oh, Pips."

Caleb draws you into a hug while you break down into sobs. "I know we aren't even that close anymore but it hurts!"

"I know, Pips. I've got you. Cry it out."

"I miss him."

"Hey," He rested his chin on your hair. "Screw him, okay? To leave behind a friend like you? We don't need him."

"…I don't need him."

"With friends like him who needs enemies."

The words bounce around your head. Your tummy hurts and a headache is rapidly forming at the sharp ache of the friendship breakup. "Gege's got you," Caleb comforted. "Lay down and I'll grab you some crystallized ginger for your stomach."

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MC: 17, Caleb: 20

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Caleb handed you a package.

You turn it over a few times, unsure what it could be. "I didn't order anything? Are you sure this didn't get delivered to the wrong house?"

"It didn't." He was grinning. Gege… is this going to be a prank? "Are you sure?" You narrow your eyes as at his relaxed stance.

Opening the package, you see it's an expensive jewelry piece you'd been eyeing. A necklace with a beautiful apple charm. It had gone out of stock a month ago and the creator had shared they would be discontinuing the product due to material expenses. There were other apple necklaces, and other cheaper options, but none had the same design as this.

Your jaw drops.

"Surprise! You wanted this, right?"

"I- " You stammer. "I mean, yes, but Caleb..." The shining pendant sparkles. "This is expensive."

He shrugs as if you'd just pointed out the sky is blue. "We can afford it."

Can we? We just bought a house!

"I can afford it, pips. It's a gift." He reached out to pat your hair. "You don't have to pay me back." An easy smile.

"How's you know I wanted this?" You wrack your mind, trying to remember bringing this up to him. You can't imagine asking for such an expensive small item.

Caleb waved his hand to illustrate a while ago. "You told me about, remember?" You shook your head. "Silly girl. Is your memory already failing you?"

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MC: 17, Caleb: 20

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When you wake up, you find clothing has been laid out for you. It perfectly complimented the necklace Caleb gifted you.

Dressed, upon entering the kitchen he commented, "Comfortable?"

"...Yes, actually."

"I knew you'd like it." He takes your hand and leads you to the table. "Breakfast is almost ready."

He pulls the pan off the heat and plates up eggs, bacon, and buttered toast. Your favorite. Pushing a glass of orange juice towards you, he turns around. "Did you sleep well?"

"I slept well." Caleb pulls out a pre-blended smoothie from the refrigerator. He always made sure to prep them when you were watering the flowers in the garden, knowing the noise bothered you. A protein bar is snatched from the cabinet before he returns to the table.

Settling across from you, he opens it. "I'm glad. Rest is important for young people."

"Caleb, you're only three years older than me."

"Caleb, you're only three years older than me," He repeated sarcastically. "Which means you're three years younger than me." He takes a bite of the protein bar. You make out the words Lemon Bar on the packaging. "Aren't you going to eat?"

"Uh, yeah." It tastes good, as always.

Swallowing the last of the meal you smile. "Thank you, Caleb."

"You aren't wearing your necklace. I thought your outfit would look good with it."

So you did organize my clothes. You wipe your hands on a napkin. "I don't want to lose it."

"You're just around the house. If you lose it, I'll find it," He said reassuringly confident.

You have to ask before losing your own confidence. "So you went through my closet last night?" You try and say casually. It comes out more accusing than anything.

Caleb puts his smoothie down. "Don't say it like that, Pips. It wasn't anythin' gross. I just wanted to make your morning easier."

Easier.

You flip the word around your brain. "Yeah but…" The thought of your brother going through your clothes makes you feel weird. "Does it not… bother you?"

"Why would it?"

"Helping your sister with her clothes… when she's almost an adult…" You let the implication hang in the air.

Caleb doesn't see it the same way. "I don't see the problem, meimei. What's the issue?"

Your mouth opens. Closes. "Nevermind, it's fine. Thank you."

When you try and take the plate to the sink, his EVOL pulls it from your hands. "I'll take care of it. Go brush your teeth and put on the necklace, m'kay?"

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MC: 18, Caleb: 21

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You spun around. "What do you think?" You show off your outfit to Caleb. You had gotten all dressed up to celebrate your 18th birthday. Finally an adult. "Does it look good enough? You didn't tell me where we were going."

"You always look good, regardless of what you wear." His eyes respectively ran over your frame. "I like the necklace."

"I know, thank you, gege."

He scolds you with no real bite. "Is that sarcasm I hear?"

"Is that sarcasm I hear?"

"Hmm." He reaches out to rotate the necklace clasp to the back. "I only point out the necklace because it looks good on you, not to guilt trip you," He amended. Adjusting his suit jacket he held out his arm, "Are you ready to go?"

"Um…" You think for a moment. "Let me just grab my purse!"

The drive to the restaurant takes an hour. "I can see why you scheduled the dinner when you did." You tried to lean over to see the GPS's destination but his EVOL keeps you planted in your seat.

"It is far but it's worth it." Parking, he gets out first and opens your car door. Holding out his hand, he helps you get out. When your leg brushes the car you quickly turn your head and let out a sign of relief.

"You're always grazing the car and getting covered in dirt, so I took some preventative measures and made sure the car was washed," Caleb explains as you walk towards the restaurant. Your eyes are wide as you take it in.

The restaurant screamed wealthy. Carpeted but clean floors, dark walls, chandelier lighting.

"Reservation for Yizhou?"

"Welcome! Happy birthday and graduation," The greeter steps back and a waiter steps forward, gesturing for you both to follow. When you almost stumble over your shoes, Caleb's EVOL silently stabilizes you.

"Thanks."

"What was that?"

"Um, nothing!" That's embarrassing…

Reaching your table, you take in the already prepared table. Your name is written on a name card in clean calligraphy. Wow. Caleb gestures for you to sit first before taking his spot across from you.

"We're so happy to have you," The waiter says. "Would you like me to grab drinks and then you both can look over the menu?"

'That sounds lovely, thank you." Caleb rattles off your drink order and his own.

When the waiter turns to you, you nod in confirmation. "He got it right."

"Smart man. I'll be right back."

Opening the menu, you freeze at the prices. "Hey," Caleb's voice was gentle. "Don't look at those. It's your 18th birthday, you graduated, it's time to celebrate you. Let me spoil you, meimei."

What else can you do but nod? "Okay, gege."

In all honesty, the menu is a bit overwhelming. Everything looks simultaneously good and confusing. You're not sure what's good and what isn't. Sensing over overwhelm over the options, Caleb reaches over and plucks the menu from your hands.

"I can order for us. Do you trust my taste?"

Do I trust your taste? "Of course! You're the cook in our house."

Satisfied, Caleb confidently went through the order when the waiter returned. "And can you space it out so the appetizers come first and then the entrees?"

"Of course, sir, don't worry about it. You make a beautiful couple, if I may say so." Flustered, you can only nod as they continue. "I wish my boyfriend would take me here, but alas."

"Yeah, Caleb is…" Perfect? Accommodating? Kind? "He's the best."

When the waiter is away from the table, Caleb can't resist joking with you. "Caleb is the best? I didn't realize I'd gained another grudge. What unknown transgression did I commit this time?"

"Gege, you did nothing wrong."

"I know, Pips. Just let me play with you a bit."

Dinner was unsurprisingly delicious, but you can't help but whisper, "I like your cooking better," when staff is out of earshot.

Caleb's cheeks turn red. "Meimei, come on. I'm hardly even considered an advanced cook compared to these people. They've gone through culinary school and are accomplished chefs."

"Hmmm," You hum. "Maybe you just have the secret ingredient?"

"What's that?"

"Love."

As the night dies down, you relax into the booth seat. "I'm so full, you do spoil me. Pancakes for breakfast, my favorite restaurant for lunch, and this place for dinner?"

Caleb twirled the chopstick in his hand. "Do you see why I encouraged you to take home leftovers?"

"Yes, gege is always right."

He raised his glass to you. "I can toast to that."

You giggle and raise your own. "To gege always being right, even when meimei is an adult."

When the check comes, you look away to avoid feeling guilty. "Stop that, Pipsqueak. I'm the one who ordered everything. No need to feel bad."

"Would Gran be proud?"

Caleb put the pen down after signing his name. "Pips, Gran would be so proud. You've done so well."

Free dessert was given to celebrate and you feel a bit (a lot) like a stuffed apple pie by the end of the night. Even with the professional atmosphere of the venue, you decide to wait to give your own gift later. It feels too personal to give in the public eye.

After settling in at home you pull out the small box and fiddle with the tag. The tag reads:

To Gege

Love, Meimei

You jump when Caleb's face appears over your shoulder. I wasn't ready! "What do you have there?"

"Um..," You shyly hold the box out, unable to hide it any longer. "For you."

An incredulous expression covers Caleb's features. "Meimei, did you forget whose birthday it is?"

"This is a gift for me, too."

He raises an eyebrow. "This is too small to be a cookbook."

"Do you want me to take it back?"

Scoffing, he shakes his head. "Nah, let me see what you've been hiding from me these past few weeks."

You break into sputters. "Wait- you- huh- what? Why did you look so shocked if you knew— ?"

He smirks. "You can't hide anything from me, Pips. Besides, I saw you bought something with my card on the statement this month."

What?!

"But you never said anything!"

"Duh. I didn't look at it very long to avoid ruinin' your surprise."

Reeling, you sit on the edge of your bed. "I'll surprise you one day…"

"I can act shocked next time, if it makes you feel better."

He joins you. Picking up the tag, he smiles when reading the words. "I love you too, meimei." Opening the box you see the moment your gift registers.

"It's a necklace! Like the one you got me, but uh, different. Do you want me to put it on you?"

Caleb lifts it up. A necklace with the pendants of a dog tag reading When U Come Back with an apple charm. "It's supposed to reference my apple charm." You hold up your own necklace. "See?"

"Yeah, I see." He drags his finger over the engraved writing. "Is this your handwriting?"

You nod. "It is. I wanted you to have it because, well… you're always busy and you leave the house way more than me for your classes and to go shopping or… whatever else you do," You stumble over your words. "So the necklace is like a little piece of me and a reminder of home. When you come back, see? Well, of course you can see it but— "

"Meimei," he cuts off your ramblings. "Would you like to do the honors?" He holds out the necklace. Holding your breath, you take it. Undoing the clasp you hook it around his neck and fasten it together.

It drops and settles right at his collarbone. "Do you like it?" Please like it. Please.

"I love it, meimei." He pressed you into a firm hug. "How's this a gift for yourself?"

"Well," Your voice is muffled. "When you're wearing that, you can't forget about me, and you'll always come home."

"Silly goose. You are my home, meimei. And I will always come back to you."

🍎🌓🍏

MC: 18, Caleb: 21

🍎🌓🍏

"Gege!" You run into his room, only to flush seeing him still getting dressed. His chest is on full display with dripping hair as he had been rummaging around his closet for a shirt.

"Sorry!" You squeak, squeezing your eyes shut. "I can come back."

"Don't be silly, pipsqueak. What's got you all worked up sending you runnin' to my room at… 9am? Aren't you usually in bed still?"

"I got up early today."

"I can see that, unlike you. Open those eyes, Pips. Nothing you haven't seen before."

You didn't look like that the last time I saw you like this.

You open your eyes. Caleb is now standing in front of you— dressed, thankfully, though you have a full view of his strong arms as he's toweling his hair dry.

"Well? What made you run all the way here?"

"You're right next door to me," You point out dryly.

"Yeah, but you were in the kitchen."

You wave him off. "My professors emailed me, I ended up in the online courses!" You had very purposefully signed up for in person classes, trying to be brave. You needed to start spreading your wings if you were to be the amazing hunter you wanted to be. Despite knowing that, you had been… anxious to say the least, to actually start doing things alone, for real without Caleb by your side.

As if remembering the same thing, Caleb turned off the light and walked to the kitchen with a hand on your lower back. "I'll make us breakfast. What's the problem?"

"Well…" You try and explain. "I didn't sign up for them. I thought I would be going in person."

"Do you want to go in person?" Not really. Reading your expression, Caleb turned and dropped butter into a heated pan. It sizzled under his words. "Then take your first semester online. You're already used to it after finishing up grade school online." He lifted the pan to swirl the pad of butter around. "A lot has happened in the past year, no one is gonna be upset with you for taking a little extra time at home." Cracking two eggs, he poured in a little water and covered it, letting the steam cook the food. "I'll feel safer knowing you're at home, if I'm being honest."

Oh.

You smile. "Okay, gege," The knot in your stomach relaxes. "I can stay home another semester."

"Maybe take the summer off, honestly," Caleb half teased. "Spend some time with gege before sinking into studies again."

🍎🌓🍏

MC: 19, Caleb: 22

🍎🌓🍏

"Caleb…" You shift nervously. He looks up from the new plane model he'd been putting together.

"Whatcha doing just standing there, meimei?" He gestures you over. "Come sit down."

You shuffle into the room nervously and sit down across from him, biting your lip.

"Hey, what are you doing so far away? Do you not love me anymore?"

"What? No!" Quickly standing you plop down at his side, hugging his arm. "Don't say that. Of course I love you."

"Forever?"

"Forever, gege, come on." You look down, embarrassed to ask your question. "I, um…"

Caleb hums. "Just think about your question, m'kay?"

Leaning against him, while his body feels relaxed you can't help but feel like he's just waiting for you to speak and every moment is letting him down.

"I can hear those gears turnin'. You can come to me with anything. Don't you trust me?"

You nod. "I trust you, gege, I just don't want you to be mad…"

Putting the plane model parts down, he turns all his focus on you.

"Meimei, what's wrong?"

Before you can lose nerve, you speak as quickly as possible. "I-don't-want-to-hurt-your-feelings-but-do-you-think-I-should-move-out?"

Caleb blinks. "Okay, mei. A little slower so gege can understand."

Avoiding eye contact, you repeat yourself. "I don't want to hurt your feelings, but do you think I should move out?"

His face fell and your stomach sinks. This is the the exact oppposite of what you wanted to happen. I didn't mean it like that!

"You want to move out?"

"No, I don't!" You grasp his arm. "I don't want to move out. I don't want to leave you." It hits you then just how true those words are. "But I know it's taxing to take care of me, and I'm an adult now— "

"What?" He sounded shocked. "Taxing? I love taking care of you. There's no issue there. And just because you're an adult doesn't mean you have to leave. Family…" His fingers traced up your arm. "I know it's been difficult, but you don't have to be alone."

His words sink into your heart like an arrow. "Without you, I don't have anyone else either. So don't feel pressured to leave. You as my family will always be important. Job or no job, school or no school, able bodied or not able bodied, eighteen or eighty, I will always be here for you." He tilts the necklace you gifted him towards you. "And I will always come back to your side."

🍎🌓🍏

MC: 19, Caleb: 22

🍎🌓🍏

"Meimei, where are you going?" Caleb called. You shifted your purse higher into your shoulder, fiddling with the car keys.

"Just to the store."

"Why, do you need something?" His voice sounded closer. "I can grab it for you."

You shift nervously. "It's just a few items. I'll be quick."

"You sound all worried." Caleb walked toward you. "What are you hiding from me, Pips? New recipe you wanna try out?" He reached in front of you and put his hand on the door handle. "No alcohol until you're 21," He teased.

You pouted. "I know, gege! That's not what I'm doing!" Your face scrunches up. "I'm not interested in alcohol anyway. Simone said it tastes gross."

His expression changed from concern into an unsettled frown and you realize you just earned yourself a lecture over dinner later. "Them what's got you so worked up?"

A shrug. "Nothing, you're overthinking this."

He laughed. "Right. I'm the one overthinking." He tapped your forehead. "Not like your brain is going through all the ways this little outing can go wrong. Car accident, crazy person at the grocery store, traffic…"

You laugh with him, but the words burrow into your mind. "Traffic is normal, gege, you told me that."

"Still," He swiped the keys out of your hands. "I can come with you. Just in case anything does happen, your gege will be here to save the day."

You frown at his beaming smile. "But you're working." Your mind flashes towards the calender on the wall. "You have a big exam coming up!"

He shrugged, clearly not concerned. "I'm just reviewin' what I already know, you know that."

He pulled your purse from you via EVOL.

"Hey!"

"I can carry this. Let me drive." Opening the door, you follow him out. His EVOL shuts and locks it behind you. As always, Caleb beats you to the passenger door, holding it open for you.

You sigh. "Can't I at least drive?"

"Nope!" His lips pop around the word. "It's gege's job to drive."

You sigh but can't complain, climbing in.

.

At the store, Caleb was as usual far better than you at gauging the ripeness of fruits and vegetables. No matter how many times he tried to explain how to tell the difference, you never got the technique down.

"This is ripe."

"It might be ripe, but it has a higher risk of being sour." He takes the apple from your hand and puts it back. "This one is ripe and more likely to be sweet.:

You groan. "How are you so good at this?"

"Practice." He bags them up and places them in the cart. "Let's move to the next section of our grocery list."

Trailing beside him you point out, "How can I get better if you're always shopping for me?"

"I guess you'll just have to rely on me forever," He teased, messing up your hair.

Growling, you quickly try and fix it. "Caleb! Don't make my hair all static-y!"

"Ooh, Caleb? You must be really mad."

You followed after him. "Yeah," You continued the bit. "I am."

"Golden boy in the doghouse?" You turned to see a man walking towards you. Without thinking, you step back and look at Caleb.

"Woah, we're classmates. Did Caleb not tell you about me?"

Classmates? You shook your head. "I hear a lot of "the guy who" and "the girl who" and "that person who has" if he talks about the DAA."

"I'm Gideon," He introduced himself. "We share classes together."

Caleb sighed, keeping his tone light. "And now we share you harassing me at the grocery store."

"Harassing? Pointing out the truth. What exactly did you do to warrant the use of your name? When my girlfriend uses my name, I know I've fucked up."

You flush. "Oh- oh."

He looks between the two of you. "What?"

What are you supposed to say? Oh, actually I'm his sister. Adopted though! Gran died and he's kind of my guardian now? Not in a dad way I mean, he's only three years older than me. But don't feel bad, people have thought we're a couple before!

Better to let Caleb explain. "No way you actually have a girlfriend," Caleb deflected. "The girl who yells IDIOT at you isn't doing out of love."

"Dude, we went on a date, it's her love language."

"It's your life."

"So…" Gideon didn't drop the topic. "Who is this, then?"

Caleb put his arm around your shoulders. "Meimei. My most important person."

Gideon nodded slowly. "O-kay… and we've never heard about her because…?"

Caleb bit his tongue. "I don't talk about many personal things in class, her included."

"But she's your most important person."

"Gideon, you know our classmates. Do you think I want them talking dirty about my little sister?" His protective tone makes you feel warm.

"Gee man, sorry. Just weird you never even mentioned her to me, your best friend."

Caleb waved him off. "Yeah, yeah. Good luck with your not-girlfriend."

"Hey!"

Pushing the cart away, you feel his EVOL put weight on your back, urging you to follow. Catching up quickly you muttered, "Thanks, gege."

"Mmhmm. Don't worry about it."

After a few minutes you asked, "So that was your best friend?"

Adding rice to the cart Caleb affirmed Gideon's words. "I guess. Closest thing to a best friend, outside of you."

You smile. "Good. I'm the only one allowed to be your best best friend."

He smiled back. "That's right. Just ignore what he said, okay? Just a bunch of bro talk, I have to keep up with it to get through the DAA."

What does that mean?! "Gege— "

"Don't worry your pretty little head, I see you trying to put pieces together. Don't overthink what's not there." He dropped one of your favorite treats into the cart. "Wasn't this easier with me?"

As he bags the groceries after paying he smiles at the older lady who scanned the items.

"He's a keeper, miss."

"Nah," He pressed a quick kiss to your forehead. "I'm the one who lucked out."

🍎🌓🍏

MC: 19, Caleb: 22

🍎🌓🍏

"Ta-da~ " Caleb sits down next to you. "Tell me if this is any better than what I made last week."

He watches you eagerly when you take a bite. Your eyes light up. "Gege, this tastes amazing! What did you do differently?"

You begin to swallow more bites as he talks. "I switched up the cooking method from the stove top to the air fryer, and then let it simmer in a crock pot for— hey, slow down." His hand reaches out and closes around your wrist. "Good. Swallow. Take a sip of water. I don't want you getting a stomach ache from my cooking."

Shame curdled in your gut. "Sorry, gege."

"No need to be sorry, I just don't want you getting sick. Didn't you hear me?"

You nod but your cheeks feel hot regardless. As Caleb starts eating, you mentally try and prepare.

"So this Simone. She drinks?"

"She drank once," You tried to explain. "On a dare. She spit it out and called it disgusting. She tells that story to everyone to discourage drinking."

Despite your words, you could tell Caleb wasn't impressed. "I'm not sure that's the kind of girl you wanna be friends with, meimei. I worry about you."

"I know, gege." You push your food around the plate. "She's Tara's friend, not mine." As soon as the words leave your mouth, you internally wince. Did you just throw your classmate under the bus? Sure, you weren't particularly close with Simone, but for all her spunk she was a supportive girl's girl.

"Tara makes friends like that?"

You drop your chopsticks. "That's not what I said, gege!"

"Woah." He put his own down. "Don't raise your voice at me."

"Sorry, gege." You take a deep breath, not sure where the flash of anger came from. "I just… I don't think Tara is like that."

You take a sip of water, chest feeling tight. "She wouldn't put me in danger," You attempt, realizing what Caleb really wants to avoid is you getting into a dangerous situation and ending up hurt.

He only shakes his head. "Maybe she wouldn't get you hurt on purpose, but if she can't put her boundaries down who knows who else she lets into her life? Do you know any of her other friends?" You shake your head no. "Do you think there's a reason for that?"

Your mouth goes dry. "No…? I assumed she didn't have any other friends."

Caleb sighs and takes your hands. "Meimei, Pips… how many times have you actually met this girl?"

You think. "We talk a few times during the week."

"Meet them in person."

"Uh…" You try to remember the last time you went out. You had been planning to hang out with her more, but Caleb always had an event he was excited to bring you to on the same day of all her free times. "A few times?"

"You can't even remember the number?" He drops his hands and leans back. "That's why I'm worried about these girls, Pipsqueak. You can't really know them when a majority of your interactions have been online. You don't know what they're hiding. If you got hurt or worse- " Caleb's voice raises, but he catches himself and pauses. "If you got hurt or worse," his voice is softer now, "I don't know what I'd do with myself."

Understanding now, you nod. "I get it now, gege. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, Pips, how many times do I have to tell you?"

"Sorry! I mean- "

He cuts you off with one of those smiles of his. "Relax. I know you don't like being lectured by your gege, but I just want to keep you safe," He stressed.

"I understand now, gege." When you take another bite, the flavor tastes good again. "Thank you for helping me understand. I think… I didn't realize how bad it sounded until you spelled it out like that."

He tucked your hair behind your ear before it could catch your food. "Anytime, Pipsqueak. Now, your next exam is in two weeks, are you going to start studying?"

You groan, lighthearted this time. "Gege! No!"

"Your GPA!"

🍎🌓🍏

MC: 20, Caleb: 23

🍎🌓🍏

When you walk into your room, you're surprised to box waiting for you on your floor.

"Gege!" You call. "What's this?"

"Open it!"

'That doesn't answer my question!"

No response. Dropping to your knees, you can see Caleb had already opened the box for you knowing how much you struggle with ripping the tape off without chipping your nails. Flipping it open, you're shocked to see the entire collection of your favorite body and hair care line sitting there.

When you turn around, Caleb is leaning in the doorway.

You practically tackle him. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" You press yourself against him. "Best gege ever!"

"Ha," He pets your hair. "I'm glad you're happy."

"I am!" You smile widely at him. "I was just running out of shampoo too, it's great timing." You roll your shoulders. "You're like… magical."

"Magical?" You can see him resisting a laugh. "What do you mean?"

"You always know when I need something! You're the best big brother ever."

Caleb rolled his eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah, I'm the best brother today and the worst brother tomorrow."

Pushing him gently, you disagree. "Don't say that! You're always good to me, taking care of me, letting me live here— "

"We talked about that. You'll always have a home with me."

"Buying me things. What's next?"

"A ring."

You almost don't hear him. "Did I hear you say a ring?"

"No. Why… do you want one?" He reached out to wrap a hand around your finger. "I'll have to guess your ring size."

You brush him off with a smile. "You're so funny, gege. I'm going to go put this stuff away, okay?"

"Yeah." He watched you turn back. "So funny."