Chapter Title: First Love

Series Title: Unlikely Brothers

Ages in this chapter: Tanner (39), Dashen (45), River (15)

POV: Dashen

Chapter Summary: River has feelings for a friend.

"Hey Dash, can I ask an um… private question? Promise you won't tell Tanner?"

Oooo, this was new. River and I sharing personal secrets? I about choked down a laugh at the not-telling-Tanner part though. That was a good one.

"Pup, you can ask me anything you want, but odds are your magic-mind brother will either find out or already knows. But, go ahead. Shoot."

"Did you ever like someone. I mean like like them? A girl?"

"You've got a thing for your friend Corym." I didn't have to guess at that one. The kid had been sending out all sorts of puberty-teen-boy signals for a few months now. At this moment, the current signal was his face turning Sith red contrasting nicely against the vivid blue of his eyes. "It's a little obvious, River. Don't sweat it. And Tanner already knows."

"He does, wait, how… I didn't… um, does everyone know?"

He meant everyone as is in everyone in Colton's crew. I highly doubted it, but I'm sure the big man himself did. Hell, he'd probably had Corym and her family scouted out three times already. It's how he rolled when it came to protecting family like River.

Speaking of, River was antsy. I tried to be helpful.

"Probably not everyone. I'm sure Colton does. He is an expert in all things ladies after all. Wait, why am I telling you that? Okay, forget I said it. It's all good, Pup. You're fifteen. Your hormones are checking all the dots. And besides, Corym is amazing. Have you seen her with a vibro-knife? She could outdo a few of Colton's younger crew. I called her Blade recently, just out of fun. She apparently loved it and has mantled it as her new nickname."

River took an antsy breath. Yeah, the kid had it bad. "She mentioned that and, well, she makes me feel weird. In a good way, I mean. Ugh. I get all anxious and sweaty when I'm around her."

"Part of that is the whole teenager thing. By the way, part of being a fully functional puberty-driven fifteen year old boy is that you want to make sure you bathe as a regular thing. Please do that, okay? Okay. The other part of what you feel is that you found someone who fits you. She does, by the way. Fit you. She even laughs at your stupid jokes. Hell, she even laughs at my stupid jokes!"

"Your jokes are really stupid, Dash."

"Did you just call me a lame big brother? I think you did. Hmm." With a long arm, I reached over to ruffle his dark hair. Teenagers as a general rule hated hair ruffling, so I always make sure I did it. A lot. "Seriously, kid, everything you feel is normal. Hey, do you think she knows that you like like her?"

What? Did I actually just say that? Like like? I needed an age and maturity check.

"Maybe. I don't know. Did you have a girlfriend when you were my age?"

I shook my head. "Well, not like that. I mean at fifteen I was busy wallowing within my broken-souled self after losing Kossi. Before that, no. Too busy looking after him. Of course when he died, I was a crazy mess for a long time. Then raising Tanner. Little brothers kept my romantic life to a minimum, I guess."

"But you like Jayla."

"I do. And have for a long time. She and I are casual though. Nothing ties her down or ever will. Probably neither she nor I were ever destined for one of those traditional family things. Oh, but I did maybe have some weird feelings for a girl when I was younger. Yeah, I did. But one day she beat the crap out of me and although it didn't end the feelings on my end - increased them probably - she wasn't about to entertain me for anything more than a punching bag. I think we were ten or eleven. It was before puberty hit. You though…. Yeah, you want all those happy family things. And trust me, Tanner and I want them for you. Maybe Corym is eventually the one. Maybe not."

To his teenaged credit, the kid took my words to heart. Listening and digesting them.

"How do I find out if she likes me like that? Do I just ask her?"

"If you were Tanner, yes, you be upfront and honest. If you were me, no, you'd dance around the issue for weeks or months. You'd guess a lot. Say stupid things. Irritate her. Drive her crazy. Thankfully, you're more Tanner-like. Maybe he can help you meditate on the issue. I don't think you'd drive her away by admitting your feelings, but if she doesn't reciprocate them, it could get awkward. You have to weigh your current friendship with your need to possibly pursue something more. Oh and by the way, by something more, I don't mean anything physical, so keep your pants on."

He blushed again. Wow, red was not his color. I grinned big.

"Dash!"

"Yeah, you are defiantly more Tanner-like. Come on, kid, just teasing. It's my prerogative as your really-really-older brother. But seriously, when you do get to that point, which won't be until you are a hell of a lot older, we'll talk. Or you can talk to Fen. Being a healer, she's got all the ins and outs of the workings of the human body."

There went the red face again. This kid was too easy. I was enjoying this way too much.

"Come on, Dash! I don't need to know about that stuff right now, I just want to see if she likes me."

"I know, I know." I wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Talk to Tanner. Have him zone out with you. You know that whole trust-your-feelings snore-fest stuff you guys have going on. You're getting better with the magic thing. It might help lead you in the right direction."

"I will. Thanks. I do like this feeling though. About Corym. I mean it's weird and strange and makes me all fuzzy inside, but it's nice. How will I know if she's the one?"

"First of all, slow your engine there, kid. In time, you'll know. Trust your gut. Trust your head. They can sometimes lead you better than the heart when it comes to love and all that mushy stuff."

—-

Again to his credit, River took this challenge head on. He got with Tanner that evening and they sat together for two full hours of mediation and breathing. Boring. Of course they also practiced a few Force exercises which included hurling things at their oldest of brothers. River didn't quite have the power (and probably never would), that Tanner had. Tanner himself was limited, not anything like what a full fledged Jedi's power. But he was rather talented and abled. A best guess and Tanner suggested River might have ability to move things, throw things… you know, all the exercises that I would be the target for. Good times! Or not.

Anyway, whatever he had, he had. Our little brother loved to learn as much as he could in order to better understand the Force and all that Tanner could do. The main talent he currently held, was lifting lightweight objects and floating them around the room, which he did after their meditation session, just to annoy me.

I solved that problem by putting him in a headlock and threatening to spill the beans to Corym if he didn't stop harassing me with random floating objects. I'd never do that of course, but he was fifteen. Fifteen year olds were rather gullible when it came to their would be love lives.

—-

"I'm gonna ask her." River blurted out after we'd sat down to dinner together. One of the few nights recently that all three of us had a evening free. "I meditated like you said, Dash. Tanner helped me know how to focus to where I could lean on the magic for guidance. But said I would have to have the courage to know if it was the right path to try."

"Good for you, Pup. Just be prepared."

"I know. I will. But, Dash, I really like Corym. She gets me. I even told her my past."

That was news. We'd told him it was okay to share that information about his two years as a kid slave, but was up to him as to when and where to do it. And to just be careful with it.

"And she didn't pity me or treat me any differently. She even shared some private stuff from her past. I told her the honest truth about those two years, that is was part of me… and she didn't even flinch."

Good to hear. The girl was raised right. I wondered about their other close friend though. The friendship-trio wasn't complete without River, Corym and their Pantoran pal, Z'varis, aka Zee. Being that third wheel could be tough in a close bond like what the three of them shared. I brought it up.

"What about your friend Zee? If Corym likes you as you like her, maybe he feels like the odd man out?"

River nodded his head and said quickly, "I thought about that."

Of course he did. He was so very much like Tanner in so many ways.

"Zee is Pantoran. He's bound to share his future with another Pantoran. It's their way. They don't cross when it comes to deeper relationships."

"Did Tanner put those words into your puberty brain?" I joshed.

"Well, no, kinda, maybe. Puberty brain?"

"It's what you have, all flustered and flushed. Look, you're turning red again. Eat your dinner before your mushy love-brain makes you forget how to eat."

From across the table, Tanner threw a puffed-bread roll at my head. Yeah, I deserved that one.

"I didn't put those words into his head, you idiot." Tanner said to me. "I lead him to a point in the Force where his brain could decide how to go forward with Corym. She's a great person, last thing he needs to do it lose her as a friend. But he can't go on acting like a drooling fool around her either."

See? Told you Tanner knew about River's mushy girl-love feelings. He was right too, even if he did sound like me when he said it.

"It makes sense." Was my response. "Hey, Riv, maybe challenge her to a blade duel before you tell her."

"Dash, seriously." Tanner said. "Stop talking."

In all my maturity, I stuck my tongue out at my little brother.

River chimed in. "I'm not very good with a knife. Well, weapons in general. I can write her a love poem? I'm excellent at writing."

"You are and no, don't do that. That's just embarrassing." I had to save the kid from that at least. "On form, you've got a hell of away with words, Pup."

He did. He was a a natural story teller, as long as the words were written and not verbal. As a regular thing, he'd written short stories with coordinating art work and had all types of ideas for future projects. Those books he'd gotten when we'd first taken him on at age six… they were about adventure and friendship. Those old paper-bound books, that series, Ridge Ember and his Magic Fathier. River read them once a year like clockwork. He even pledged to create his own fictional magical adventure series one day. The kid had a knack for the written word.

But verbally, a fifteen year old boy trying to tell a girl he likes her - that was just diarrhea of the mouth waiting to happen. Not to mention it was painful to watch.

"Written word is one thing. Actually talking to a girl about things other than just every day stuff, it's tough."

"I'll go slow, Dash. I swear it. I won't embarrass you." Yeah, he smiled at me and I couldn't resist that damn little brother face. Never could.

—-

The big moment came several days later. Zee had a prior obligation with his family, so minus the third member of their tight trio, River invited Corym to dinner at the house. For a brief moment, he had toyed with the idea of taking her to the Cafe for a bite, but decided against it when I mentioned the nearby eyes and ears if things went sideways.

Corym Grazer was a picture in fitness. She wasn't beautiful by standard definition, but she was lean, angled and light on her toes. Her seventeen year old face seemed confident, curious and yet with a bit of the same love-struck look River had been showing off recently. Eyes of steely-gray reflected brightly to counter her short-cut dark brown hair. River mentioned that she kept her hair short to keep the knives from getting caught up in the strands during practice with her father. Made sense to me. I'd be the first to admit that longer hair was a pesky annoyance at times. So, yeah, add smart and logical to her description as well.

Tanner agreed to make the pair special dinner, even tossing together one of Corym's favorites, bantha bacon. Damn. No wonder River liked liked this girl. She had a thing for bacon. He had a thing for bacon. What guy couldn't love a girl who had a thing for bacon?

They ate - well, inhaled really. Not sure which one had the bigger appetite.

Corym was just about two years older than River. It kinda mattered now, but didn't really in the end. After sucking down bantha bacon, River excused them from the table and out to the terrace. The late evening sun was warming the chilly air barely enough for them to be comfortable outside.

Tanner and me watched from the main room. We couldn't hear, but actions often times spoke louder than that pesky diarrhea of the mouth.

"I like her, Dash." Tanner said about Corym. "We've seen how true a friend she is to River. And I feel this positive air about her. She's right for him They've got a lot in common too. Well, except for the blade thing. Are we sure she's fully human? The speed with which she flips those knives in her hands is insane. Both the vibro and the steel versions. Never seen anything like it."

"It's a family trait. I asked her. Her father is wicked with blades of all types. She was a natural. Look," I pointed out the window. "Wait… he gave her something. Did he get her a gift? I don't remember that being part of the plan. Did I miss something?"

"Big brother, you always miss everything. He carved her one of those Fathier creatures. You know, from the Ridge Ember books."

"Oh right. The Fathier thing again. Big ears, long legs, weirdly awkward and cute. Kinda like River." I laughed out loud at my own joke. Tanner scowled at me. Eh, no fun. "Since when can he carve things?"

"Well, he tried. His first effort looked like a swamp troll. That wasn't much good."

"You helped him, didn't you?" I frowned at Tanner. "You and your damn magic. Figures."

Tanner grinned, plain brown eyes beaming. "I wanted him to have every shot at this. You and me, we never really had that shot. You for various traumatizing reasons and me because I was trying hard to hold tight to most of my Jedi values. River wants a family life more than anything. Corym could be that. I don't know, I get a sense that maybe they were destined for each other."

I'd learned long ago never to completely rule out Tanner's feelings. No, he wasn't always correct, but he had his moments. Funny thing though, I had those same exact feelings about River and Corym. And I had no magic to speak of.

But destiny? Well, that pure look of joy that came over Corym's face when she caressed the Fathier carving in her hands, yup, that was a special look.

Could they be destined? Perhaps.

After that, there were smiles and nods and talking and at the very last, a brief moment of hand holding.

"Success!" I said out loud, though I'd meant for it to be in my head. Whoops.

Tanner laughed. Finally! He laughed at one of my jokes. Victory! I celebrated until he gave me that you're-an-idiot look that I knew so well. I brought it down a notch as the newly minted pair of girlfriend-boyfriend came back into the house.

Two young faces covered in stupid silly grins. Seeing them, Tanner and me, our faces did the same.

"I have to get home for my studies, can I get a ride?" Corym said to us, her gray eyes holding onto the joy of the last few minutes. Not an excuse to escape, no she actually had legit deadlines she kept while finishing out her final year of school. Family driven and self driven.

Tanner offered immediately, knowing that River would want to share his excitement the second she was out of the house. He also knew that when it came to non-magic stuff, he tended to flock to me first.

"Bye River. Thanks for the evening." The girl's eyes floated down toward the Fathier carving cradled in her hands. "I love this. See you tomorrow before school?"

"Definitely. Have a good…um… see um… ah"

Yup, lost for words already. I pounded him on his back. "A good night. Right, Pup?"

"Yeah, right. Have a good night, Corym. See you tomorrow."

Young faces flushed and Tanner walked the girl from our house. River about fell over flat on his back in relief and anxiousness and joy and every other emotion that was exciting.

"Dash, she likes me. I mean, like that. She does. Really. I'm um… ah… I don't know what to do now. What do I do? How do I feel? How to I act?"

I waved my hands in circles. "Well, get this out of your system now, so that's an idea. You feel what you feel, kid, and go with it. She likes you. You like her. Nice carving by the way."

"Thanks." He said proudly.

"Just go with the flow, Pup. Just remember that she's your friend before anything else. You want to hang onto that. Good friends, I mean the true honest-to-stars good friends, they're hard to come by and harder to keep. Follow your brain right now. Not the heart. Give that a little time. And definitely don't listen to anything below the waist."

"Dash!"

Yeah, I just had to make his face flash bright red one more time. It was too much fun not to do it.

"Yeah, yeah. We'll have that talk another time. Enjoy life, River. That's what you should do. Enjoy every ounce that you can because you never know what twist and turns lie ahead. If Corym is the one for you, you'll know eventually. If she's not, then you'll have your heart broken. Tanner and me though, we've got a feeling. Time will tell."

"I like that you tell me the truth. That you both do. This is new and weird and fun, but I know it's not all easy. I have a couple of big brothers to help me along the way though, and they've got my best interest at heart. I'm pretty lucky."

"Yeah, us too." I gave my youngest of little brothers a quick hug and then pushed him toward his room. "Corym had studies, I know you do too. Hop to it, kid."

"I will."

"And no goofy doodling about teenage crushes and things. School comes first. Always. But I'll let Tanner lecture you on that one."

Was that a giggle I heard? River had been a giggler when he was younger, but at fifteen? Huh.

Stars, I loved that sound.

He moved to his room, I'm certain his head was filled with so many emotions he couldn't compute or organize them all, but he'd focus and do his studies and he'd be ready for school tomorrow. River knew the rules. I was grateful that Corym's family seemed to have similar ones. A solid family on both sides of the fence.

We'd see what happened further down the path. But for one of the few times in my life, I saw good things ahead.

I'd tried so hard to give all my brothers the best life they could ever have.

I think that River might end up having the best one yet.

END