Disclaimer: I don't own Thunderbirds.

Prompt from justactsupernatural: "Forehead Kisses" with Alan and anyone

His brothers were physically affectionate. Well, most of them were, although even John had been known to give out or accept touches every so often. Alan grew up knowing that, more often than not in physical contact with one of his many big brothers - four was a lot, but Alan wouldn't have any less, even if they could get a little overbearing sometimes.

Hugs were the norm, whether they be a quick squeeze around the shoulders or a full crushing embrace, but kisses interspersed the affection reasonably frequently. Cheeks for cheeky occasions, when they were being obnoxious in their affection. Top of the head or temples for when I love you couldn't be vocalised, brothers burying themselves in each other's immaculately-styled hair because transmitting those silent words was more important than a hairstyle.

Forehead kisses were reassurance. A promise that things would be okay - because they would make sure they could be okay, no matter what the world threw their way.

Normally, Alan was on the receiving end of them. Being the youngest, with four sometimes-overbearing overprotective big brothers, that was hardly a surprise.

Scott was the most common, big brother dishing out affection at the drop of a hat. All Alan had to do was be a little lethargic, a little less than a hundred percent, and he'd be all over him, carrying him to bed and leaving him there with a soft kiss to his forehead and a murmured rest up, Allie.

Virgil was second, often following the theme and dropping them on him when he was ill or injured, after all the treatment was done and there was nothing left for him to do except stay in bed and pretend he wasn't a little upset at being stuck there. Again. Virgil's strong, warm kisses helped more than he admitted.

Gordon tended to play partner in crime more than big brother - Alan appreciated that; three big brothers was normally enough - but he was still a big brother, and it shone through sometimes. The days when Alan wanted to be strong, when the last thing he needed was Scott or Virgil - or even John - breezing in and worrying over him were the days Gordon would sidle in and eye him up. How Gordon knew when Alan needed him to be the big brother rather than the partner in crime, he didn't know, but he did and it was in the secrecy of their rooms, away from the eldest three, that Gordon would cup his his head in his hands and promise it's gonna be okay, Alan, with a little peck.

John was rare. Rare with hugs, and even rarer with kisses, but not non-existent. He had to be there in person - of course - and Scott and Virgil had to be otherwise distracted, but once in a blue moon it was John there with the soft touches and the promises. With Gordon it happened in the secrecy of their rooms, but with John it was with the secrecy of outside, the stars their only witness.

Between the four of them, Alan's big brothers distributed them frequently, but sometimes, Alan returned the favour. His brothers were only human, too, and they needed their own reassurances. Just because Alan was the youngest, didn't mean he couldn't dish it out himself.

Gordon was the hydrofoil, freaking out when he couldn't move and tears streaking down his face when it all bubbled up. They tried to shield Alan from that, but there was only so much they could do and Alan refused to be kept from his brother. He might never have seen Gordon at his absolute lowest points, but he saw him low and when it got too much, Alan leant over slowly, gently, returned all the reassurance Gordon had ever given him.

Virgil was when the world got too much for his soft-hearted brother and Alan found him sitting out on the cliffs, staring out at the ocean with tears in his eyes and despair at whatever had gone wrong that day tipping him over the edge. The bear of the family didn't try to push him away, often pulling him tightly for one of his famous hugs, but Alan could tell when it was for his brother's benefit rather than his own. When he was finally released, he'd lean up and press a kiss to his brother's brow in return, getting a watery smile for the action.

John was scarce, affection always on his terms, which meant Alan was often left at a loss at how to comfort him when he retreated into himself and tried to shut out the world. But he had a secret weapon, and that was space. Whether it be Thunderbird Three or Thunderbird Five, gravity wasn't around and that meant he could float up at eye level with his tall, tall, brother, and edge towards him in increments that just weren't possible on Earth. Then he'd wait, watching John closely for a reaction. They were always subtle, one way or the other, and sometimes John retreated so Alan would stop. But sometimes, sometimes, John gave him a little pleading look, and he'd close the gap for just a moment. Brief and fleeting, but enough to coax the smallest twitch of a thankful smile before John went back to whatever he was doing.

Scott was hard to pin down. Tall, with gravity working against Alan this time, biggest brother pulled up shields and defences and promised he was fine, Alan, don't worry. Worming his way past those barriers was tough, Scott's instincts to always protect him from the bad things stubborn and not easily defeated, but Alan had the Tracy Stubbornness, too. He'd catch him at the desk, staring at a hologram but not seeing it, and sneak over until he was close enough to wrap his arms around Scott's shoulders, holding him in place long enough to press a firm kiss to his forehead - a reassurance but also a reminder that just because he was the youngest didn't mean he couldn't look out for his brothers just like the rest of them. It got flipped around quickly - Scott's reaction always to regain control and at the very least ruffle his hair reassuringly, promising he was fine - but for just a moment, Alan could help his biggest brother.

There were other occasions as well, sleeping brothers, injured brothers, and then Dad was back and there were more kisses pressed to his forehead from a father who had missed half his life and still struggled to see how much he'd grown. Alan hadn't managed to return those yet, but Dad was home now. There would be plenty of time.

All the reassuring kisses promising it'll be okay eight years ago had finally been proven right.

If this feels familiar, it's probably because this used to be in my collection fic Behind The Scenes. I recently reorganised that collection and came to the decision to post anything 1000+ words independently, so some chapters have been removed from that and will be going up as individual works over the coming weeks.

Thanks for reading!
Tsari