"This is my brother…I apologize in advance."

Claire sighed as she finished tidying up her apartment. She was nervous which bothered her. She was trying to be better about things but some events still brought on the nerves.

"Geeze Clairy you're really shaking in your heels aren't you?"

"One, I'm not wearing heels and two, I don't know what you'll do! So excuse me if I'm nervous!"

The person who spoke, a young man a few years older than her winced, crossing his arms.

"Oh that's a real nice way to treat your big brother."

Claire gave a frustrated sigh. "Paul, I'm sorry, you know I'm still adjusting here!"

He held up a hand. "No worries. So, this is a friend, a boyfriend or-"

"W-Well um…" She fidgeted with her hands a little. "Sort of… Kind of… Dating… He was my doctor at first…"

Paul raised an eyebrow. "Your doctor?"

"My doctor-Stop giving me that look!" She shoved him a little. He smirked, shoving her back.

"Oh Clairy I know that look. You're head over heels. I knew it! My baby sister found herself a man-Oh gosh…" The Blunt's were pale naturally. If it was possible Paul lost a few shades of pigment in his face as it hit him. "Oh gosh… YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND!"

Claire put a hand to her head. "Why am I even having this conversation with you? Why am I introducing him to you first!?"

"Because you love me best?"

"... Something." Claire sighed heading to the kitchen. "Just… Be on your best behavior okay?"

"Claire. I'm 27. I think I can behave myself."

"Remember prom?"

Both siblings cringed. "Oh that was not my best moment…"

"Yeah. Scared off a perfectly nice guy!"

Paul rolled his eyes. "You say nice, I say any guy who sees you in a dress be it that little black number you were wearing a few weeks ago when I last saw you, or a prom dress I don't really care. He's goin' down!"

"... Paul. I'm wearing my best clothes here. You act like an idiot I won't feed you."

"Noted~"

Claire shook her head. Please let this day go well. Please. Please. Please.

And she's nervous… Alright I'll be good… For awhile… Paul shook his head going to his sister tipping her chin up. "Hey… I'm just kidding around with you… Not gonna be a jerk if he makes you happy or anything like that. I promise Claire."

She nodded sighing in relief. "Good… Thanks bro… Sorry I'm kind of going nutty on you… I really like him…"

".. You gonna tell him?"

"Oh gosh no. Not yet! Too soon!"

"Claire!"

Claire was about to respond when there was a knock at the door. Instead she nudged her brother out of the way. "I'll get you later."

"Love you too sis~"

I'm probably going to be hitting him upside the head by the end of this day… I just know it…

She took a deep breath before opening the door. "H-Hey…"

Hank smiled warmly, he offered her a bouquet of roses. "Hey… Thanks for having me over."

She blushed a bit taking them. "A-Anytime. Come in."

Hank nodded, coming in, shedding his jacket.

"So, what's the plan today?"

"Thought we could stay in, have lunch…. And there was someone I wanted you to meet…" Claire replied shutting the door behind him before she lowered her voice. "I'm just going to go on record apologizing for whatever comes out of their mouth."

"Hm? Oh… Well… Okay."

She nodded as a young man who resembled her stepped out of the kitchen. "Ah, I see she's already playing up the Demon Man personality."

Claire rolled her eyes but gave her sibling a small smirk. "I only tell the truth. Hank… This is my older brother… Paul. Paul, this is Hank…"

Paul nodded, holding out a hand. "Nice to meet'cha, heard you were the one who fixed my sister up… Thank you for that."

Hank nodded. "You're welcome." Hank shook his hand. "Nice to meet you Paul."

"Hope you've been good to her besides just healing her up…" Paul gave a smirk. "Or I might have to fix that."

"PAUL!" Claire glared.

Hank got a confused look. "Hm?"

"I'm just gonna say it. She's my little sister, I've been trying to keep her safe since the day she was born. You break her heart and we're gonna have a problem… Long as that doesn't happen I'll stay nice and nothing bad happens." Paul explained as Claire gave him another look.

"And I'm going to remind my dear brother I'm an adult and can take care of myself."

"Clairey. Doesn't change how I feel."

She gave Hank a look of: "See?"

Hank chuckled. "It's alright. You're not the only one who with siblings"

"That so? Brothers or sisters?"

"Older brother." Hank smiled. "His name is Windlifter."

"Niiice." Paul smiled. "Very cool name."

"I didn't know you were a sibling too." Claire giggled. "Small world isn't it?"

"It really is." Hank got a bit of a nostalgic look. "Haven't seen him in awhile."

Claire brought an arm around him. "Where does he live?"

Hank brought an arm around her. "He's camped up at a national park. He's part of a fire and rescue team."

"Guess saving lives runs in the family… That's amazing."

"Firefighter and a doctor… Alright, color me impressed." Paul looked to Claire. "So far got my approval."

Claire sighed in relief. "Thank you… So… Shall we?"

Hank nodded. "We shall."

"Right."

Paul slinked off to the back a little as he watched Claire and Hank work together. He was rather surprised instead of just sitting back the man was actually helping her cook the meal.

Not lazy either… Good. Last thing she needs is someone like our old man.

Soon enough they were seated comfortably in the living room, eating away at fried rice and some meat balls.

"Ah it's been forever since I've had homemade meatballs. Nicely done, Claire." Paul said between bites.

Claire nodded. "Hank helped a lot in improving them so, yeah."

Hank smiled. "Still has your touch though."

Claire smiled. "Thanks, Hank. But it was a team effort."

"Wouldn't have it any other way." Hank lowered his head a little, nuzzling her.

She nuzzled him back sighing happily.

Alright don't twitch… Come on Paul keep quiet… But GAH CLAIRE! COME ON!

Hank pulled back, giving a nod to Paul.

"I'm glad you like the meal."

He nodded back. "Y-Yeah it's really good. You cook really well… Glad my sister has someone to share her love of it with… Just one of her passions next to her writing."

Claire gave a sheepish look. Still trying to get published…

"Yeah, she works hard." Hank smiled. "And she gets better and better every time."

Claire smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder a bit. "I do my best. Gotta keep at it to get somewhere."

"That's right." Hank brought an arm around her. "And you'll get there."

Claire smiled leaning into him. "Thanks Hank… Means a lot…"

"Anytime Claire…" Hank rested his head against hers a little.

She sighed happily closing her eyes.

Paul smiled keeping quiet taking in the sight.

Alright… I think this guy's won… She's really happy right now… That's all I want for her… And now that he has… I can ask this… Hehehe….

"So… When are you two crazy kids getting married?"

Hank turned a little red.

"H-Huh?!"

Claire turned bright red. "PAUL!"

"Was just asking sis! I mean I thought you'd want that-"

"Stop talking before I throw you out of that window!"

"It's an honest question!"

Hank was just silent as he watched the two banter. He never got this flustered but… If there was one thing he hadn't exactly done yet… It was confess his feelings to the girl.

Would Claire… want that though… is the question.

Claire and Paul had gone to giving each other a stare. "So… Clairey… You wanna share something?"

"Paaaaauuul… Thin… Ice…" I-I'm not ready…. I… What if he doesn't want that from me…?

The young man gave a shrug before he stood up. "Well… I'm gonna take a moment to get a bit of fresh air… Excuse me." He walked out as Claire let out a sigh.

"This is what I've dealt with since I was a teenager…. I'm sorry about him…"

"I-It's okay Claire…" Hank took her hands in his. "Really."

Claire gave him a grateful look. "T-Thanks…"

Hank nodded, bringing her a little closer. "Anything for you Claire…"

She leaned into him. "Hank…"

Hank brought his arms around her, lifting her up a little so their eyes met.

"Claire… I've been meaning to tell you something."

"Shoot." She smiled. "You can tell me anything…"

Hank gazed into her eyes a bit before closing the distance between them, kissing her.

Claire's eyes widened a bit in surprise before they closed as she returned the kiss. He… He really does care… He cares about me like this…

He pulled back gently, touching his forehead to hers.

"I love you Claire… so much."

She sighed happily nuzzling him a little.

"I love you too Hank… So… So very much…"

Hank kept her close, sitting down with her.

"We'll take it as slow as you like."

Claire smiled keeping close to him. "I appreciate that… I trust you Hank."

Hank smiled, leaning back with her. "I'm honored."

"Oh Hank…" She laid her head over his heart. "You're always so good to me…"

"I want to see you happy Claire… you've been through enough…"

"I feel happy whenever I'm with you. You've shown me what it's like to live again… To love.."

Hank stroked her back. "And I'm glad to be able to watch you shine."

Claire relaxed into him, closing her eyes. "My hero."

Hank smiled softly, resting his head against hers.

Paul peaked inside, smiling at the sight.

There we go…