Bree stood still, one eyebrow quirked, her mouth ajar. Leo, Donald, Douglas, and Tasha were next to her, all expressing the same perplexity.
"Is it just me, or do you guys find this super weird, too?" she asked.
Her other family members just nodded.
"I'm glad Adam and Chase made up, but I didn't expect it to lead to this," Leo commented.
The four of them were by the stairs, looking down on the unfolding scene in the living room. Adam had exited the elevator carrying Chase mere moments ago, and the rest of the Davenports stopped to watch in wonder. Chase's leg would take about seven weeks to heal, and Adam had a fit when Donald told him that. He insisted that he would be helping his younger brother around for the next two months. Adam said that it was high time he started acting like a good older brother, and assisting Chase until the cast came off was – according to him – a good starting place. Chase tried to convince Adam that it wasn't necessary, but the elder boy wouldn't listen; he was relentlessly set on proving his new, mature nature to everyone.
It wasn't that his family didn't believe him; they just didn't think that this was what Adam had in mind. It was sweet that he wanted to do this for Chase, but his way of handling it was a bit much. Despite the fact that a wheelchair and crutches were at Chase's disposal, Adam decided that carrying him everywhere was better. Then again, perhaps everyone should've been grateful that the boys were getting along.
Adam finally reached the couch and very carefully laid Chase down. He grew a large smile, proud to be doing his brother good. "See, Chase? Wasn't that much better than sitting in a confined little wheelchair?"
"Uh… Sure, Adam. Yes. That was… much better; you're right." Secretly, Chase hated all the babying, but he played along for Adam's sake. It touched him that his brother found so much delight in being helpful. Even though he found it excessive, Chase kind of liked the pampered treatment. Adam's heart was in the right place, after all. It really was a kind thing to do.
Adam's smile grew even bigger – if that was possible. "I knew it! So, now that we're up here, can I get you anything?"
Chase shook his head. "No thanks, Adam; I'm fine."
The older boy pouted. "Oh, come on! Don't be shy, Chase. I'll do anything; just name it!"
"You've already done so much, Adam. I appreciate it, but, really, I'm good."
"Well… can I make you more comfortable? The couch doesn't look warm enough. How about a blanket – and a pillow?"
Chase briefly turned to look at his family with a leery expression. Donald knew what he silently asking, so he motioned with his hand for Chase to accept the offer. The teen slumped his shoulders, turning back to face Adam. His older brother's gaze was so pleading. Chase couldn't possibly refuse him – not when Adam so desperately wanted to help.
"You know what, Adam? That sounds great."
Adam perked up again. "Really? Awesome! I'll be right back!"
The bionic strongman raced down the hallway in search of a blanket and pillow. When he was out of sight, the remaining family gathered around the couch.
Bree smirked, looking down at her brother. "He sure is eager. Looks like you've got yourself a personal servant for the next few weeks, Chase."
He sighed tiredly. "The ironic thing is that I didn't even want one. How can I possibly refuse him when he gets so happy after doing something for me?"
"You can't, Chase," Donald replied. "If giving him chores is what makes Adam happy, then you should do this for him."
"Besides, it's not like having a servant at your beckon call is exactly a bad thing. A lot of people would love to have that, Chase – me included," Leo said.
"You guys are right. It's just weird; I don't want to seem demanding. I'm so used to doing things for myself, and I didn't mind it. Being the center of attention is awkward."
Bree chuckled. "Only you could possibly find that to be a problem."
Chase shot his sister a look before Douglas spoke up for the first time. "Count your blessings, Chase. I never could've gotten Donnie to do something like this for me when we were kids. Once, when I was 13, my foot was broken. I asked Donnie to get me a soda from the kitchen, but he refused!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa – back up, Douglas. You left out a very important part of the story. You broke your own foot when you landed wrong after skateboarding off the roof! Why should I have been forced to wait on you when you clearly did something dangerous and stupid?"
"Oh, here we go again! See, kids? This is what I'm talking about. Everything is always my fault!"
Before a fight could ensue, Adam jogged back into the living room. He brought over a huge white blanket – the softest one in the house. That was the blanket that everyone fought for in the winter. The kids often played Rock, Paper, Scissors to see who would get to use it during movie night (even though it was big enough for them all to share.) It was unrealistically cozy and always kept people feeling warm and secure. The other items in Adam's arms were two memory foam pillows. Those were of no particular popularity, but that didn't mean that they weren't heavenly.
Adam first directed his brother to sit up while he placed the pillow behind his back. Then he took the other pillow and propped up his brother's casted leg; he had been told that elevating the limb was good for the healing process. Adam finished by spreading the blanket over Chase, carefully tucking and wrapping to ensure that his brother was extra snug.
"There. How's that Chasey?"
Chase cringed slightly at the nickname, but he tried not to let it show. "This is actually really nice, Adam. Thank you."
"No problem! Now, what's next on the list? Oh – I'll make you something to eat."
"Adam that's not nece-" Adam had already walked into the kitchen before Chase could finish speaking.
"Nonsense, Chase! That's what I'm here for. What would you like?"
Chase sighed. Tasha bent down to whisper near her step-son's ear. "I'll allow him in the kitchen for the sake of helping you, but you know I don't trust Adam – or you – to cook anymore. So, might I suggest something simple – like PB&J?"
The bionic nodded. "Alright, Adam. I'll have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich."
Adam grinned. "Sounds perfect! Especially since I don't know how to make anything else… Coming right up!"
For the next five minutes, the only activity in the house was Adam buzzing around the kitchen to make a sandwich. In the process, the rest of the family had taken seats in or around the living room. Sure, there were other things they could've done, but no one dared to miss seeing Adam wait on Chase hand and foot.
When the food was ready, Adam brought it to Chase with a goofy smile. Chase accepted it and was about to take a bite when he realized something. Adam was still standing directly next to him, looking intently at his brother while rocking on his heels.
"Can I help you, Adam?"
"Of course, not, Chase! I'm supposed to help you."
Chase quirked an eyebrow. "Well, why are you standing over me like that?"
"I want to make sure you like it – and that you manage to chew properly. We wouldn't want another accident. There will be no more injuries on my watch."
"Adam, I think that at 16 I'm capable of eating a sandwich. Don't worry so much about me."
"It's my job, Chase. In fact, it might be safer if I just fed you myself."
Chase's eyes widened. "No, no, Adam. You don't have to-"
Adam shoved the sandwich into his brother's mouth, effectively cutting off the protest. "Bite," he instructed.
The younger boy tossed a bewildered look at his other family. Bree was watching the encounter attentively, trying desperately to hold back an outburst of laugher; she was unable to hide a smile, though. When she caught Chase's gaze, Bree simply smiled bigger, giving her brother a shrug. The bionic genius rolled his eyes, hesitantly complying with Adam's instruction. Bite, chew, swallow. Bite, chew, swallow. Adam continued to repeat the orders until Chase had finished the whole sandwich.
"Let me get you a glass of milk to wash it down," Adam said, going back into the kitchen.
"Okay, that's it!" Chase fiercely whispered to the other Davenports. "I can't take anymore of this! I appreciate where Adam's coming from, but I have to say something. I can't stand having an older brother that acts like my mom."
"Come on, Chase. Remember that you're doing this for Adam. Can't you hold out a little longer? Or maybe say that you want to be left alone to take a nap; Adam would respect that. Then, you'd get a break from him and some rest," Leo quietly suggested.
Before Chase could respond, Adam came back with a glass of milk nearly filled to the brim. As he made his way to the couch, Adam lost his footing on the rug and almost fell over. Fortunately, he stabilized himself in time. Unfortunately, he accidently spilled the milk all over his younger brother in the process.
Chase's shoulders immediately tensed as the cold liquid splashed on him from the waist down. His mouth flew open before he yelled, "Adam!"
The older boy looked on in extreme remorse. "Oh my goodness, Chase; I'm so sorry! Here, I'll get something to clean it up." Adam ran to the kitchen and picked up the first towel he saw. Coming back, he frantically began to pat down the wet spots on Chase's blanket. In his frenzy, Adam mistakenly grazed his brother's broken leg, causing the younger boy to let out a yelp.
"Ow! Adam, that's my leg!" Chase's hand instinctively flew to the sore limb, gently rubbing it.
The older boy only looked more horrified about his actions. "Sorry Chasey! I didn't mean to do that; it was an accident! I always forget how delicate you are."
Chase sat back, a highly offended look on his face. "Delicate? I'm sorry; did you just call me delicate? I am not delicate, Adam!"
"Well, all I did was brush over your leg with a towel, so you'd have to be delicate for that to cause you pain."
Chase gritted his teeth. "It caused me pain, Adam, because my leg was crushed by a ceiling beam! Who could live through that and not experience pain?"
Adam shrugged. "I probably could."
"You have super strength!" Chase bellowed.
"Exactly. That's why - compared to me - you're delicate!"
Just that quickly, another argument sprung up between the younger Davenport brothers. The rest of the family looked on at the fight, not particularly surprised or amused. Bree leaned over to her adoptive father.
"You don't suppose this will sprout into another everlasting feud, do you?"
Donald shook his head. "No, Bree. I think that this one will blow over pretty soon."
"What makes you say that?"
"I know from personal experience that it can take brothers a while to get things right. They will, though. They always will."
"Why?"
Donald smiled. "Because they're brothers, Bree. They're connected."
"Wait… You're not still talking about the handcuffs, are you?"
"No. Physical handcuffs aren't what keep Adam and Chase together. That wasn't what resolved their fighting." Donald stopped for a moment when the loud bickering suddenly ceased. He looked back at his boys. They seemed to be apologizing – or doing something of that nature. Adam took the wet blanket off his brother and went back into the kitchen, apparently to get paper towels.
The inventor smiled again, much wider and much happier. "The handcuffs were a place-holder, Bree."
"A place-holder for what?"
"A place-holder until the boys realized that they had always been bound by something. That 'something' needed to remind them to get along."
Bree sent her adoptive father a curious look, silently asking him to elaborate.
"They're bound in brotherhood. It's stronger than any pair of handcuffs, and it lasts much longer."
I'm cringing at how cheesy that end was, but... oh well. I was too lazy to fix it xD
So, that officially wraps up this story. It's been a long time coming, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks to everyone for all the support! As one story ends, another begins. That said, I'm in the process of working on another project. It will most likely remain a secret until the day I post it (which won't be anytime soon.) I'm extremely excited about it. In the meantime, I will be sharing more mini-stories with you. Speaking of which, a two-shot of mine will be going up on the archives in a couple days.
Even though this is the end, I'm very happy about what's to come. I hope everyone enjoyed the story, and I will talk to you all again soon! :D