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No matter how many dates they went on, Hal was always nervous as he got ready. An endless cycle of worrying he’d mess it up for real this time ran through his mind. He’d already changed at least four times when there was a knock at his door. Three sharp raps then two slow, it was Adam. Maybe he had changed five times he thought, as he called out, “Come in!” then buried himself in his closet again. The fondly exasperated sigh from behind him reminded Hal that his bed was a mess of clothes he’d changed out of. He ducked his head as shame and nerves crawled up from his stomach. “I can’t figure out what to wear…” he muttered as he pushed aside one of his anime shirts.
“I can tell.” Adam chuckled softly as he walked over, Hal sighed in defeat as Adam pulled him back. He went willingly as Adam spun him and pulled him into a hug, tucking his head into his older brother’s shoulder. Adam didn’t struggle with this stuff, he was always so steady and sure, just like their moms. Maybe he was too much like his father... Hal couldn’t help the small hitch in his breathing at that thought. Instantly Adam’s hand cupped the back of his head, holding him close. “Talk to me cub, what’s going on?” His voice was soft, that subtle Russian accent that peaked through in his more tender moments as he called Hal cub felt like a blanket wrapped around him. It was easier to speak from the safety of his brother’s arms.
“I just…” Hal frowned as he cut himself off, his hands tangling in the back of Adam’s shirt. He felt like a child again as he felt a pressure building behind his eyes. He couldn’t cry; he had a date, for goodness’ sake. “What if… Dave doesn’t like it?” He asked weakly, his glasses smushed into his face as he pressed closer.
“You could wear a sack and David would love it, you know that.” Adam chuckled as he pat Hal’s hair softly. Hal’s fingers tightening in Adam’s shirt, “Do you want me to pick your outfit for you?” he asked softly, Hal knew that tone. It meant Adam knew there was more to it than just clothes, but he was letting it go, for now. Hal nodded as he hugged Adam tighter for a second before letting go.
“Yeah, I’d like that.” Hal mumbled as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. Adam pressed a kiss to his forehead before he nudged Hal towards his desk. “Thanks Adam.” He added as he sat down.
“No need.” Adam said with a roll of his eyes as he made his way to Hal’s bed. Hal sat on his desk chair and pulled his legs up to hug to his chest as he watched Adam sift through the clothes strewn on the bed. A mix of turtlenecks and jeans all in such plain colours, God he really was boring Hal thought as he worried at his lip.
Adam picked up a dark blue turtleneck sweater with a nod before making his way over to the closet. There he grabbed a pair of jeans and a graphic tee, a shirt that David had gotten Hal on his birthday. One Hal had passed over as not nice enough for a date. Adam held the clothes up between himself and Hal, one eye closing as he assessed the outfit. Then he nodded, like it was that simple. Somehow Adam made it that simple. “Here you go kiddo, he’ll love this. I promise.” Adam said with a cocky grin, assuaging Hal’s concerns before they could even take root. Hal couldn’t help the small smile that took over his lips as he took the clothes from Adam.
“What would I do without you?” He asked, half-jokingly absently hugging the bundle of clothes to his chest. Anyone else would have missed the downwards twitch of Adam’s lips, anyone who wasn’t their family, but Hal knew his brother better than he knew himself. Then it was gone again, replaced by a cheeky grin and a hand in his hair again.
“Take over the world, probably.” Adam joked, his hand that was ruffling Hal’s hair slowed to gently pet it. “I’ll always be here, cub. I promise.” The promise stuck in Hal’s chest and before he could stop himself, he surged forward, clothes tumbling to the floor as he pressed, he hugged Adam tight again. His face smushed into Adam’s stomach, arms wrapped around him like a lifeline. Like he was a child again.
Adam wrapped his free arm around Hal’s shoulders; the other hand stayed in his hair and petted softly. Hal knew he was being ridiculous; he was far too old to be clinging to his brother like a toddler, but he couldn’t help it. He really didn’t know what he would do without Adam and Joy. If they hadn’t taken him and his mum in, Hal wasn’t sure how bad things would have been. The mere thought of his father having gotten a hold of them again still sent shivers down Hal’s spine and made him want to throw up. A soft rumbling against his cheek drew Hal from that train of thought. Adam was humming softly. A soft tune that Hal knew well. It was a Russian lullaby. Hal nuzzled his cheek into Adam’s stomach and whispered, “Thank you.” before pulling back from the hug.
Adam looked down at Hal with eyes that always saw too much and still, he smiled softly as he petted Hal’s cheek softly, rough fingertips wiping away the few tears that had fallen without Hal realizing. “You don’t need to thank me Hal, you’re my brother. I love you.” He spoke in that soft tone he reserved for the family as he took Hal’s glasses to clean them for him.
“I love you too Adam.” Hal said as he rubbed at his own face to make sure his face was dry. Then took a moment to breathe, to try and calm down. By the time Adam handed his glasses back over, Hal was calm enough he didn’t feel like he would spiral again. “I should probably call Dave…” he muttered, chewing at his bottom lip. He wanted to see his boyfriend, but he was a mess and he was certainly late for their date now. “Think he’ll be mad if I cancel?” Hal asked quietly, peering up at Adam as he drew in on himself again.
“You know he won’t.” Adam said with a look of fond exasperation before he added “He is downstairs though-“ Hal gasped at that knowledge, panic rising in his throat again. He was going to be mad, he was going to leave him-
Adam caught Hal’s face in his hands, scarred flesh pressed against his cheeks and grounded him. “Breath cub. In and out, that’s it.” Adam swiped his thumb back and forth to create a rhythm for Hal to follow. “He was excited, so he was early, okay?” Adam explained as he kept petting Hal’s cheeks gently. “I can go tell him to leave if that’s what you want but I don’t think it is, is it?” Slowly Hal shook his head, he didn’t want David to leave. What if he didn’t come back? “Okay.”
“I gotta…” Hal started, he wasn’t remotely presentable and now he needed to wash his face as well. He wanted to stand up but his legs weren’t cooperating.
“You don’t gotta do anything.” Adam said soft but firm as he let go of Hal’s cheeks to take his hands instead. “Do you want David to come up or do you want to go down to him?” Hal chewed at his lip at the question, he didn’t know. If David came up and saw the mess, would he leave… but downstairs wasn’t exactly a date, everyone was home today. “We could put on a movie and have a family night.” It was a simple suggestion, Adam always made things simple. How did he make things so simple? Hal nodded slightly as the idea wormed its way into his mind.
It wasn’t simple. Adam, guarded and protective Adamska, was including David in the family. Adam who had gotten into fights to protect Hal considered David part of the family. Hal looked up at his brother to see the fond smile on his face. The softness in his icy eyes. The way he looked at Hal like he was precious. “Family night sounds good.” Hal finally said, his breath coming out easier now. Hal gently squeezed Adam’s hands before letting go. “I’ll get changed and be down in a few.” Adam eyed him for a second as if deciding if he was okay to be left alone before he nodded.
Adam leant down to press a soft kiss to the crown of Hal’s head. “I’ll go get snacks ready.” He said as he stood back up, pulling his gloves back out to slip them on before he left the room. Phone in hand to ping the family group chat for a movie night. Hal smiled as he heard doors opening after his own phone went off from the direction of their mum’s offices. He really had the best family, and he didn’t know what he would do without them.
He was glad he would never have to find out Hal thought as he got dressed in the clothes Adam picked out for him. Then he went downstairs.
There on a blanket spread on the floor with a bowl of popcorn beside him was David. Adam was curled up in an armchair like a cat and on the sofa beside him was their mums, Joy and Amanda. David looked up as Hal entered the room, his eyes widening for a second before a smile spread over his lips. “Hey.” It was one word, just one word but with that simple word Hal knew.
Hal knew everything was going to be alright after all.