Close Enough to Start a War

Chapter 1:

Cal and Ethan had spent the last 6 months sharing a flat. It hadn't really been a problem at all, they both worked full time so didn't spend too much time in the flat and life had been going quite smoothly. This was until Cal, who did have a habit of bringing the odd woman back every so often, had gotten himself a long term girlfriend. Wanting time alone with his new girlfriend Taylor was proving difficult, he didn't want to keep going to hers but it was difficult to fully relax with her when he knew Ethan was there so had spent the last few weeks bribing his little brother to stay out, even so far to book him a week in a different country.

"No Cal, I just want to go home and relax tonight." Ethan told his annoyed looking brother as they walked through the ED door together.

"Come on, you were home last night!" Cal moaned.

"Funny that. It is my flat remember." Ethan reminded him as they stopped beside reception.

Cal rolled his eyes at him before walking into the staffroom like a child in a strop.

"Trouble?" Connie walked over, her heels causing her to tower over the younger doctor.

"Just Cal acting like a spoilt teenager who can't get him own way. Again." Ethan spoke as he watched his brother in the staffroom, he had took something out of his locker and was looking at him. Ethan soon looked back up at his boss and straightened up.

"As long as you don't let your domestic get in the way of your work Doctor Hardy." She warned him before striding off.

"Yes Mrs Beauchamp." He nodded and waited till she had got away before he went to the staffroom.

"What's that?" He asked Cal who was stood with his scrub top in his hand still.

"Nothing." Cal spoke and placed the small box in his locker before pulling his top over his white tshirt.

"What you hiding?" Ethan asked again reaching over and grabbing it not failing to notice it was a ring box he opened it.

"Hey." Cal frowned and took it back. "It's for Taylor."

Ethan looked at Cal with a confused expression. "For Taylor? That think must have cost a fair bit Cal. You've only known Taylor for a few weeks."

Cal shrugged. "I was thinking about asking her to marry me."

"Marry you!?" Ethan repeated shocked. "For god sake Cal, don't you think you're going a bit quick!?"

"I love her Ethan." He told him. "I've never loved a girl before. Not really."

Ethan shook his head disapprovingly. "You could have spent your money on something more important."

"Like what?" He frowned

"A deposit on a flat for a start!" Ethan told him.

"I thought our arrangement was ok?" Cal asked. "We've been doing just fine sharing and besides. Its two bedrooms."

"You assumed it was ok Cal. You muscled your way back into my life just last year and now you're living with me and bribing me to stay out the way." Ethan ranted.

"So you want me out then?" Cal nodded at him and slid the ring into his pocket. "You're unbelievable."

Cal spoke and left the staffroom before Ethan had the chance to respond. Truth was Ethan enjoyed having Cal around, what he didn't enjoy was feeling like a guest in his own home. Him and Cal done nothing but argue since Taylor came on the scene and now Cal was planning to propose brought the prospect of him actually settling down and chances are his and his brother's relationship was about to go down-hill. Very quickly.