Chapter Title: Drive You Crazy

Series Title: Unlikely Brothers

Ages in this chapter: Tanner (10) Dashen (16)

Chapter Summary: A conversation about little brothers.


"Dash, do you think Kossi and I would have gotten along?"

Out of the blue. Typical Tanner.

"Gotten along? You would have teamed up as best friends to drive me to insanity."

"But you said he was a good brother."

"He was. The best. Still drove me crazy though. It's what little brothers do."

"I drive you crazy?"

"At times. You're just much more subtle about it. Sneaky too. You know what you do."

"Well..."

"Uh huh. See?"

"But little brothers are supposed to drive big brothers crazy, aren't they? I didn't have brothers at Jedi Temple. No actual blood family, although Master Ayden was certainly my family. So, I need practice at this."

"Mouse, you are a natural at the brother thing. You and Kossi together? I may not have survived that."

"But it would've been nice."

I grinned, knowing my eyes were sparkling at the thought of those two. Together. Double the everything. The hope. The joy. The pure unstained love.

"Yeah. It would've been nice. Having my two favorite people in the galaxy with me. In my life at the same time."

"You still have him, Dash. In a way. And you'll always have me."

"And you're a pretty good kid."

"Except when I'm driving you crazy."

"Eh, even when you are driving me crazy. I'd much rather have that than the empty I had after Kossi died. So, yeah keep it up."

"A little more practice and I'll be an expert! Just wait until I'm older."

"That's a threat, isn't it?"

"Mmmm. Maybe."

"Plucky little brat."

"Mmmm. Maybe."

There is was, that famous Tanner giggle. Undiluted. Genuine. Real.

"Yup, you and Kossi would've been the death of me. Without a doubt."

"I would have loved to have known him."

"I would've loved that too, Mouse. Kidding aside, you two are alike in so many ways. If you only knew."

"I'd like to know. You can share stories if you want, Dash. Listening is what I do best."

"It is. And I want nothing more than to share as much with you as I can. Some stories though, they're still too personal, too close. Last thing I want to do is start down the path of a happy memory and up a bawling mess on the couch. That's not the best example of a big brother."

"No, but it's the honest one."

"Huh." I said. "Kossi woulda said the same thing." In fact, I could hear Kossi's voice in my head. He always wanted me to be me. That bit of wisdom coming from a little kid with less than eight years under his belt. Of course, that little kid was probably the wisest person I'd ever known.

Tanner though, he was pretty damned close to the same. He leaned over the kissed my head.

"Well, one day you'll share what you can and I'll be there to listen. We can laugh when it's funny and I can hug you when it's sad. I do enjoy a good hug."

"You and Kossi both. I'd be smothered to death with the both of you around."

"Smothered to death by little bother hugs is a good way to go, Dash."

"Giving the various death options, this is true. I've got a ton of stories. We'll get to them in time."

"I'd like that. Until then, I'll try not to drive you too crazy."

"Uh huh. Sure."

"Well, maybe just a little bit."

"We'll see. You better get off to school. Be safe. Always watch your back. See you tonight for dinner."

A quick hug.

"Okay. Love you, Dash!"

"Love you back, Mouse."


END