Something else small which inspired me.
"Cal, it's me, I know what you're like."
So many people could and had said that.
There was his mother's, "Oh, I know what you're like," with the smile.
There was his father's, "I know what you're like," with the disapproval.
There was his mate's, "I know what you're like," with the hint.
There was his colleagues's, "I know what you're like," with the frown.
There was his own, "I know what you're like," with something he ignored.
There was his brother's, "I know what you're like," with everything. Everything and anything that could be requited. Ethan covered it all; he was the only one that did.
He was Ethan.
He was his brother.
He was his blood.
He was the only one who could say those words and truly know what they meant.
He was the only one who could say those words and truly know what Cal was feeling.
He was the only one.
The only one who would ever get through to Cal that way.
He was the only one to keep trying.
Also quite short, but hopefully likeable.