Benjamin Clawhauser gave a little stretch as he got into his apartment. The chubby cheetah continued into his home, listening for any sounds. His ear twitched.
"Barb...!" Benjamin called out. "You here?"
A younger, svelte, fiery-brown-eyed cheetah poked her head out of the kitchen.
"Yeah, Benny, I'm here," Barbara said. Benjamin set his things down on a desk. He smelled spaghetti cooking.
"Everything okay, sis?" Benjamin's normally jovial tone drained slowly as he looked around and read Barbara's despondent expression.
Barbara let out a prolonged sigh, deflating slowly. "No... Terry is in one of his moods today." She slowly stirred the pot of spaghetti. "I haven't been able to get him out of his room all day. So he's missed breakfast and lunch."
"Ugh..." Benjamin frowned.
"I really want to be a nurse someday, Benny," Barbara twisted her mouth; her expression was shifting between sadness and anger, "but how can I help other mammals if I can't even help my own brother?"
"It's- it's okay Barb; I'll try to talk to him," Benjamin offered, holding a paw up weakly.
"...You're so good with him," Barbara sighed. "Sometimes I feel like I should be the police officer and you should be the house cat."
Benjamin had a soft, strained smile. "Maybe he'll get some more courage someday, Barbie, you never know."
Barbara looked at Benjamin with a plaintive, longing expression. "I hope so, Benny."
Benjamin mustered up all of his cheerfulness and walked over to Terrence's room. He tapped gently on the door.
"Go away," the young voice from inside immediately responded.
"You hungry, champ?" Benjamin cheerfully asked. "Barb's got food cooking!"
"I'm not hungry," Terrence claimed resolutely.
"You sure?" Benjamin chirped. "Heard you haven't eaten all day."
"I don't wanna go outside. That's where all the bad stuff happens," Terrence's voice was both indignant and pitiable. Benjamin frowned.
"You don't have to come outside, okay?" Benjamin gently tested the door, which was locked, of course. "How about you let your big brother come in there, huh?"
"No."
"Aww, why not, Terry?" Benjamin's voice turned plaintive. "Look, I just got home from work. I'm still in my police uniform!"
"Ngh..."
"You like my police uniform, right?" Benjamin asked. "C'mon, I know you do...!"
A soft sniffling was heard from beyond the door.
"You know why I became a police officer, right Terry?" Benjamin went on.
"Uh uh..." Terrence admitted.
"It's so I can serve and protect," Benjamin said. "And that goes especially for you and Barbara, okay? I'm your big brother and I'm not gonna let anything bad happen to you, okay?"
"...Mh."
"Plus..." Benjamin's voice twisted to be mischievous. "If you come out, I'll give you a donut...!" Benjamin walked over to his things and retrieved a small donut.
"Benjamin!" Barbara's voice turned stern and she tilted her head. "You'll wreck his appetite!"
Benjamin threw up a shrug and had a guilty, toothy wince.
"Really...? A donut...?" Terrence asked after mulling it over.
"Uh huh," Benjamin said. "You like the raspberry-filled ones, right? Got one right here...!"
The door finally opened after a long pause, and a cheetah half Benjamin's size walked out. He had chocolate brown eyes, a sweater a few sizes too big for him, and glasses.
"Are you sure I can have a donut before dinner...?" Terrence asked, a corner of his mouth threatening to perk up as he looked at his annoyed sister.
"Just this small one," Benjamin stipulated, "and only after a hug, okay?"
Less than a second later, Terrence had glomped onto Benjamin's round form. Benjamin chuckled and rubbed at his back with his free hand.
"There we go, c'mon up," Benjamin scooped him up and into his arm, feeding him the donut.
"Puh, seriously?" Barbara groaned. "He should at least have to use his arms. If he didn't wear that sweater all the time-"
"You know why he wears it..." Benjamin said carefully.
"...Yeah, I know," Barbara said glumly, starting to set out the dinner plates. "Will you please eat with us tonight, Terry? It's important."
"Why's it important?" Terrence didn't look like he believed this.
"Because it's our family time, Terry," Barbara sighed. "The only time we can all come together, okay? It's important for family to stick together." She gently pet Terrence's head. He flinched, but let her.
"Your sister's right, Terry," Benjamin nodded. "Annoying, but right!"
Terrence couldn't help from grinning slightly at this assessment. Barbara rolled her eyes and continued setting up dinner, placing three plates on the table.
"Do you seriously have to play good cop, bad cop with him?" Barbara shook her head as she poured them all some water.
"Well, I am a good cop," Benjamin smiled proudly.
"I guess you are," Barbara admitted with the barest hint of fondness. Terrence seemed to think about his options, but he did sit down and slowly slide his paws out of the sweater. After all three of them were seated, Barbara looked somewhat blank.
"Um, do you want me to say a prayer to Acceleration or something...?" Benjamin asked.
"These days I'd rather pray to someone else," Barbara muttered. "Which of the Celestials is supposed to bring about good fortune?"
"Saren-ditty," Terrence said without hesitation.
"Really?" Benjamin scratched his head. "Why kind of Celestial is that?"
"A bunny," Terrence said quietly. Barbara looked questioningly at him. "Gotta... um... gotta storybook 'bout her."
"Well, you wouldn't believe this, but a bunny of all things just got a job down at the precinct," Benjamin smiled. "A bunny cop! Can you believe that? Maybe it's a good omen, huh?"
"It'd be nice," Barbara grinned, looking at Terrence gently. She sighed in relief as he actually was eating. "Whatcha wanna be when you grow up, Terry?"
"Uh... older?" Terrence looked puzzled.
"Pff, so a comedian, then," Barbara chuckled, but then smiled fondly. "I do hope you grow up to be older, Terry. You've got a lot of promise, and I know things've been bad, but... they can't be bad all the time."
"Uh huh, and your sister and I will be with you to help make you grow up big and strong!" Benjamin flexed his flabby arms.
"...As big as you...?" Terrence wondered innocently.
Barbara slipped into an honest laugh. "Hahaha... definitely a comedian."
"I'll just uh... I'll just refrain from comment," Benjamin said gently. "You don't have to worry when we're around, okay Terry? We'll be here for you whenever you need it."
Terrence seemed somewhat doubtful, but he shrugged and nodded diagonally, poking at his spaghetti. "I guess so."
"How about we listen to some nice uplifting music after dinner, huh Terry?" Clawhauser grinned. "I could put on some Gazelle...!"
Terrence's face scrunched up. "...Do I have to listen to Gazelle?"
Benjamin looked hurt, and Barbara just snickered.