Title: USNA
Author: A. Windsor
Pairing/Characters: Callie/Arizona
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: All television shows, movies, books, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. My one semester of law school could allow me to legalese this a little more, but it also tells me it's pretty useless. So please don't sue; it's not mine, I'm just playing!
Series: Thing!verse
Summary: "He is sure of his purpose, which is well-researched and passionately argued to both his mirror and a sworn-to-secrecy Lena. But he is still absolutely terrified." [June 2030]
Author's Note: Everyone's favorite big brother takes center stage. Beta'd by my favorite weirdy reindeer, roughian.
He's discussed ad nauseum it with his Grandpa Robbins (and his misty eyes filled with pride), consulted Owen and Aunt Teddy for second opinions, and even broached the subject with Abuelito, who promised to call in any favors necessary to achieve his goal. He is sure of his purpose, which is well-researched and passionately argued to both his mirror and a sworn-to-secrecy Lena. But he is still absolutely terrified.
He lays the brochures out on the kitchen table and watches their faces run the gamut from confusion to shock to... Absolute refusal.
"No."
"Arizona, let's hear him out..."
"No. Absolutely not."
"Momma! I'm a Robbins. I want to serve. I have to serve!"
"No. No!" she stands, chair scraping on the wood floor. "I don't wanna hear this crap your grandfather has been feeding you. The only thing you have to do is stay alive."
"I want to do this!"
The betrayal that flashes in her eyes before the tears start makes him want to tear up the papers and take it all back. There's nothing in the world worse than making his momma cry. She stares him down, tears on her cheeks, and then twists the knife in further. She looks at him like she doesn't recognize him and walks away.
"Arizona," his madre calls after her uselessly as she disappears into their bedroom. "Okay." She doesn't look too thrilled either about the whole thing, but she keeps her face studiously neutral. "Tell me your plan, Asa."
"Every year, the Academy graduates midshipmen that are commissioned as officers in the United States Marine Corps. I want to be one."
After a long talk that ended with a sighing "I really need to sleep on this, Ace," Asa trudges up the stairs, exhausted. He's met by a sight that breaks his heart. They're all gathered at the top landing, obviously eavesdropping, and they all look so young and vulnerable.
Caroline has her bare knees drawn up to her chest, long locks brushed sloppily over one shoulder. Teo, in faded plaid boxers and a worn Seahawks shirt inherited from Asa (via their sisters), is curled up in Lena's lap, her arms protectively wrapped around his waist. Tiny Dancer's fingers tap a nervous beat against Lena-nena's wrists, and la rubia looks up at Asa with those impossibly blue eyes, cheek pressed to the top of Teo's fuzzy head.
"Are you gonna die, Asa?"
"Teo," Lena reproaches with a maternal cluck, head springing upward.
Teo ducks his head, momentarily chastened, but soon after both Teo and Caroline, their dark eyes wide, are staring at Asa, waiting for a response.
"Of course not, Teo."
"But-" Caroline starts.
"Caroline, lleve al nene a la cama," [Take the little one to bed,] Lena interrupts, gently pushing Teo out of her lap.
"Pero..." [But...]
"Anda," [Go,] Asa backs Lena, gentle but firm. He doesn't want to have this conversation tonight. To soothe the concern on the younger ones' faces, though, he ruffles their hair and quotes their mother: "Turn those frowns upside down. Nothing's gonna happen to me, tontos [sillies]. We're just talking about school."
Caroline and Teo nod, and then she takes their little brother's hand and drags him to his room.
Lena picks herself up off the stair and follows Asa, plopping down in his desk chair.
"Momma's mad," she speaks up as he grabs pajamas.
"Or, quizás más triste que nada." [Maybe more sad than anything.]
Lena takes in her brother's words, foot pushing her back and forth on a swivel.
"Uncle Danny."
"Yep."
"And Mami?"
"Not very happy, but at least she didn't yell and walk away."
Lena nods, biting her lip. "I don't wanna lose you like Momma lost Uncle Danny."
"Leni."
"You can't promise you won't," she says easily, logically.
"That doesn't mean I will."
"If anybody's gonna kill you, it's gonna be me," Lena says, clearing her throat.
"Thank you, Lena."
"I mean, I'm the one that's had to put up with you for fourteen very long years, y'know?"
"Lena..."
"I have your back, okay? You had mine."
She refers to the most recent round of Robbins-Torres family drama, surrounding her coming out. No one was really all that surprised, and in retrospect, the fuss looks tame in comparison to the drama Asa has brought down up on this house. He knows it's different: he has a choice in a way Lena never did, and he could easily avoid this if he gives up his dream. But brave little Lena finally telling their parents about the process of discovery she'd been on had brought an entirely different set of tears to their momma's eyes.
"Just," Lena continues, pausing and planting her feet firmly. She quirks her lips, as if considering her words, and then nods, affirming their rightness. "Just be sure, Asa."
Momma and Mami have gone to work, which means Asa is once again in charge; it's the burden of being the eldest. Teo is off at science camp for the day, and the girls are all excited to be picked up by Ally Shepherd, recently home after her first year of college. He's heard it is supposed to be a full day of manicures and shopping.
Lena is on the phone with Katie Shepherd, bubbling about whatever they are going to be doing. He shakes his head; of course his sister and his girlfriend are extremely close, because Lena can never do anything to be easier on her big brother.
Caroline is on the couch beside him, looking at Lena a little funny, which draws his attention away from the book in his hand. Her words make him focus solely on her, because the way she says them is enough to break any big brother's heart.
"Asa, am I pretty?" she sighs.
"What? Of course you are," he says automatically. "Cari, what are you talking about?"
"But I'm not Lena pretty. People don't look at me like they look at Lena."
He looks over at Lena, in her tiny jean shorts and thin t-shirt, with the blonde, blonde hair and the bright blue eyes and the wide, easy smile. She was always a skinny little kid, but recently she started to fill out to a womanlier, if still athletic, figure. At fourteen, she's at the tail end of her awkward growth spurt phase, and he's just started having to threaten to beat up all of his friends at school that look at her not at all fraternally. He looks back at Caroline, eleven and pre-growth spurt, awkward and a little chubby. She's not just younger and maybe a little less naturally sociable: she's simply not built like their sister, and never will be.
"Caroline Grace. You are beautiful, but right now you're still just a kid."
She makes a face, but Asa presses on.
"One day all the boys will stare at you just like they stare at Lena."
"'Snot fair. She doesn't even like boys."
Asa laughs and tugs on one of Caroline's braids, which earns him a Cari death scowl.
"Ya se, hermanita. Pero, te prometo que eres muy guapa." [I know, little sister. But, I promise that you're very pretty.]
"You're my brother; you have to say that."
Asa throws his book down and grabs her into a headlock.
"Then why did you ask me, hm?"
There's a honk outside in the driveway, and Asa, Cari still trapped and fighting, turns to Lena.
"Were you on the phone with Katie while they were driving over here?"
Lena shrugs and clicks off her phone. "Yes. Now can I have the hermanita, please? We've got places to be."
Asa releases Caroline, who pops up with a huff, hurrying to straighten out her braids.
"Not cool, Asa," she calls over her shoulder, but the soft smile she passes him belies her pre-teen angst.
Lena moves to follow her, but Asa catches her wrist. She meets his eyes with a questioning gaze.
"What's up?"
"Be gentle with her today, okay?"
"With Caroline?" Lena asks, clearly confused.
He nods. "She asked me if she's pretty."
"Of course she's pretty! She's Care Bear. She's adorable."
"She doesn't want to be adorable. She's eleven now."
"She's a baby."
"Definitely don't call her a baby."
"Okay."
"Just... if she tries on a pretty dress, tell her she's pretty in it."
"Okay," Lena nods once, mission accepted. "Any other orders? Should I pick up a pretty dress for you?"
"None of my colors are in season."
Lena laughs as they head out to the waiting SUV. After the customary greetings, Lena hops into the backseat beside Caroline and Susie Sloan, and Asa watches as his sisters' hands thread together automatically. He doesn't understand girls; just this morning Lena and Caroline were screaming about shared bathroom time and couldn't stand to be on the same floor of the house. Now they're cuddling and giggling in the backseat.
Asa leans into the open front passenger window, noting how much he loves summer when he notices the short skirt Katie is wearing.
"Hi."
"Hey," Asa smiles.
"Ugh, goo-goo eyes. Still?" Ally asks, fingers drumming on the steering wheel. "Hi, Asa."
"Hey, Ally."
"Hi, Asa!"
Asa startles at the unexpected voice and leans in further, finally noticing Grey Sloan in the back seat of the SUV.
"Getting a mani-pedi, Baby Grey? How manly of you."
"Masculinity is a construct, Asa," his thirteen-year-old godbrother calls up to him, obviously parroting his beloved Lena, who beams and offers him a high five.
"Do you even know what half those words meant?" Asa teases, directing it at both of them.
Grey looks a little confused, so Asa just says: "Ask Ally."
"Are you sure you don't want to come? There's room next to Grey," Katie offers as he returns his full concentration to his girlfriend.
"He and his books will have much more fun here," Lena promises.
Asa has to admit to that one.
"Have fun. Stay out of trouble, hermanitas."
He calls into the back of the car, but his smiling attention is solely on Katie.
"Oh, just kiss already so we can get out of here," Ally groans playfully.
Katie blushes at her sister's ribbing, but leans forward to give him a quick kiss anyway.
"Have fun. Get pretty," he says to the whole car as he pulls away.
"We already are," Grey calls forward, earning a laugh from the rest of the car.
Asa shakes his head and backs up so Ally can throw the car into reverse. He taps the hood and waves as they back away. Katie grants him a soft grin through the windshield that summons an immediate answering smile on his face. That girl's gonna be the death of him.
In the afternoon, Asa picks Teo up from his science camp the next day to take him to his dance lesson.
Teo is waiting, surrounded by a bunch of other boys. Nicky Altman-Tate is conspicuously absent; though usually attached at the hip, Teo and Nicholas chose different weeks for their school's science camp, since Nicky is visiting his grandparents for the week. The absence of the much taller Nicky allows the other boys to gang up on Asa's little brother.
They look to be a little older, but Teo's always been just a bit small for his age, so they could be peers. As Asa gets closer, he notices the frown on Teo's face and the way he is looking anywhere but at the other children.
"What's the matter, Twinkle Toes?" one of them asks. "He's just asking you about your girl lessons. Do you wear a tutu?"
Another boy, this one definitely a few years older, says: "It's not his fault. He only has moms; he doesn't know how to be a boy."
Teo still studiously ignores them, adjusting his backpack. The very tone would've had Caroline, their firebrand, swinging, and not much more would've elicited the same response from Asa himself. Teo, however, takes more after Lena; while both can throw a good punch, they tend more naturally to turning the other cheek.
"Hey, little brother," Asa speaks up, stressing the relationship. The other boys turn to look at him and are appropriately scared of the tall, increasingly muscled teenager currently staring them down, unimpressed. "You ready to go?"
"Sure, Asa," Teo says, brushing past the biggest of the boys as if he isn't even there.
Asa gives a little shooing gesture to the assembled bullies, and they scatter.
"They're dumb, Teo. No les debes escuchar." [You shouldn't listen to them.]
"Ya se," [I know,] Teo shrugs, but his usual omnipresent grin is still missing.
Asa takes his brother's backpack from him as they check out with the counselor and then head to the car.
"What's wrong, hermanito?"
Teo pauses and sighs.
"Who's gonna make 'em stop doing that when you're gone?" he asks, foot tapping a nervous rhythm, never-still hands shoved in his pockets to keep them from distracting.
"Caroline," Asa teases, half-smile in place. "She's better at it anyway."
Teo rolls his eyes. "She's my sister."
"Watch how you say that. She can kick your butt, and you're getting big enough that I won't stop her," Asa elbows his little ribs, trying to get a smile. The boy still just looks concerned. "Teo, that would be the same if I went to the Naval Academy or just went to any other college. I can't stay forever."
"But I don't want you to go."
"It's in two years. You'll be ten and sick of me."
Teo gives him an unamused glare, crossing his arms over his chest.
"No te preocupes," [Don't worry,] Asa says gently. "Which dance do you have today?"
There. A smile. Works every time.
"Wednesdays are ballet y tap. ¿Quedarás? ¿Me mirarás? [Will you stay? Will you watch me?]"
Asa thinks it over as he opens the back door for Teo to climb in.
"Yeah. If I can bring a book."
"Okay," Teo beams. "What are we gonna listen to?"
tbc