This is a sequel to "Not Exactly a Couple's Costume". Other stories in this series include "Best Friend Squad", "Friend Crush", and "Squad Game Night- Hard Mode." I'd recommend reading "Not Exactly a Couple's Costume" but the others are optional!

Though it wasn't always easy, Wesley "Wasabi" Ginger always made time for his younger brother Khary.

Sure, they had to sneak around a little because their mother didn't want her youngest being perverted by Wasabi's whole "transgender agenda," but they made it work. Fortunately, Khary was a lot more open-minded than Deborah Ginger. Unfortunately, he was also a lot like his brother.

Not trans, per se, but not really cis either. Khary didn't exactly vibe with labels. Wasabi's partner, Rafe, had said that was okay.

Khary was still looking for the words and feelings that fit him, but he'd found his people. At school, he had the drama club, and after school, he had his "squad" of Megan, Juniper, and Hiro.

Any fears Wasabi had about Khary being bffs with a former criminal (Juniper) were alleviated by the fact that he was also bffs with a current superhero (Hiro). Although Khary didn't know that Hiro was a member of Big Hero 6. If he'd known that, he would know that Wasabi was also a member of Big Hero 6.

And if he'd known both of those things, maybe he wouldn't have gone as Wasabi's alter ego "Chop Chop" (Wasabi had not picked the name) for Halloween. Hiro had been a little nervous to be dressed up as any member of Big Hero 6, but he'd been convinced to dress up with his squad.

Wasabi had seen Khary before he went trick-or-treating but he hadn't gotten a chance to catch up with Khary since then, so he didn't know how the group costume had gone.

So when Khary stopped by after play rehearsal the second week of November, Wasabi decided to ask about it.

"How was trick-or-treating with the squad?"

"Megan is the only one who calls it the squad, but it was fun. Like I said, it was mainly me and Hiro the whole time because Megan and Juniper were all over each other all night."

"Well, I'm glad you and Hiro had a good time."

"Yeah, I always like hanging out with him."

"What did people think about your costume?"

"I think some people thought I was the real Chop Chop. Oh! And mom liked it."

Wasabi's mouth fell open in surprise. "Really?"

"Yeah! She said she was glad I had a decent male role model. Y'know. Other than dad."

Wasabi felt conflicted because he knew that those kinds of comments were digs at him and his identity. And yet, she had still seen him and thought of him as a hero and a role model. And a man. Did it really matter that she was looking at his alter ego when she'd said all that?

"Yeah, well, you have a bunch of role models. Damon and I will always have your back."

Their oldest brother Damon lived in a different city so they saw him even more infrequently than they saw each other, but both Wesley and Damon would drop anything for Khary.

"Thanks, Wes. Chop Chop is cool, but you're my role model. Mom just doesn't get that."

"No… And I doubt she ever will. But it's okay, I've got you and Damon, Rafe, and my own "squad." I'll be just fine."

Khary nodded before changing the topic. "You're coming to my play next week, right?"

"I wouldn't miss it. Uh, will, um-"

"Mom won't be there," Khary cut in quickly. "She doesn't really like high school theater."

Wasabi let out a sigh of relief. He could live without Deborah fairly easily, it was much harder when he was forced to live with her. One day he was resolved to get Khary out of their mother's tyrannical grasp, for now, all he could do was be a better role model and hope it was enough.

I have COVID, so you guys are getting not one but TWO new Big Hero 6 fics on the same day. Yes, both of them are about Khary and yes both of them are connected.

In addition to COVID, I have brainrot about my own OCs and so I am just gonna keep posting about them! Go read "Flowers For Algernon" after this one.