Tala parks outside Brooklyn's luxurious house – music and laughter spill out into the evening air. Tyson smiles mischievously as they step out of the car...
THEY ENTER BROOKLYN'S HOUSE TOGETHER, SCANNING THE ROOM – TYSON'S EYES LOCK ONTO HIRO, WHO'S ALREADY GLANCING NERVOUSLY AT HIM. RAY AND KAI ENGAGE IN AN INTENSE CONVERSATION NEARBY, WHILE GARLAND AND CRUSHER ENJOY THE MUSIC.*
Tala notices Tyson's gaze fixed on Hiro and whispers – "Showtime, Husband. Your plan?"
Tyson nods slightly and starts walking towards Hiro, Tala follows closely behind...
TYSON "ACCIDENTALLY" BRUSHES AGAINST HIRO, SLIPPING A SMALL NOTE INTO HIS POCKET – HIRO'S EYES WIDEN SLIGHTLY AS HE FEELS THE PAPER.*
Hiro discreetly pulls out the note, reads the message – his face turns ghostly pale: "'WE KNOW ABOUT BROOKLYN. BEHAVE TONIGHT OR FACE EXPOSURE OF YOUR SECRET CRUSH.'"
HIRO'S GAZE DARTS AROUND THE ROOM, LOCKING ONTO BROOKLYN – WHO'S LAUGHING WITH RAY – THEN BACK TO TYSON, WHO SMILES INNOCENTLY WHILE LEANING INTO TALA. TALA RAISES AN EYEBROW, AMUSED BY HIRO'S OBVIOUS DISTRESS – WHISPERS TO TYSON – "HOOKED INDEED, HUSBAND..."*
Hiro starts glancing nervously at Brooklyn again, then at Tyson and Tala, clearly worried about his secret being exposed. Kai notices Hiro's odd behavior from across the room...
KAI GLANCES AT TYSON AND TALA THEN APPROACHS THEM, HIS EYES NARROWED SLIGHTLY AS HE TAKES IN HIRO'S DISTRESSED EXPRESSION ACROSS THE ROOM – HE LEANS IN, VOICE LOW AND CURIOUS*
"Something's off with Hiro. What just happened here?"
TYSON MAINTAINS A BLANK EXPRESSION, BUT A HINT OF AMUSEMENT DANCES IN HIS EYES – TALA PLACES A PROTECTIVE HAND ON TYSON'S LOWER BACK, WATCHING KAI'S REACTION WHILE TYSON SAYS – "NO IDEA WHAT YOU MEAN, KAI. HIRO JUST LOOKS... CONTEMPLATIVE."*
Kai raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced by Tyson's innocent tone – his gaze flicks between Tyson and Tala, searching for clues... Ray joins the group, unaware of the subtle tension. "What's going on?" Ray asks.
TYSON JUST GIVES A INNOCENT SMILE, WHILE TALA'S SNORT ESCAPES LOUD ENOUGH FOR KAI AND RAY TO HEAR – KAI'S EYEBROW SHOOTS UP FURTHER, AMUSED BY TALA'S REACTION*
Ray looks confused – "What's so funny, Tala?" – but Kai just chuckles low in his throat, guessing something's up...
KAI LEANS IN CLOSER, VOICE LOW AND TEASING – "TYSON'S SMILE PLUS TALA'S SNORT EQUALS SOMETHING HIRO DID. SPILL."*
Tala shakes his head, still grinning – Tyson's innocent act starts to crack, and he bites his lip to suppress a laugh... Hiro watches anxiously across the room.
TYSON'S SOFT LAUGH ESCAPES, AND HE SHAKES HIS HEAD, GIVING UP ON SECRETS – TALA GRINS WIDER, AMUSED BY TYSON'S SURRENDER*
"Hiro's been blackmail material... we knew about his secret crush on Brooklyn," Tyson explains, voice still laced with amusement – Kai and Ray stare, surprised.
KAI BURSTS OUT LAUGHING – "NO WONDER HE LOOKED LIKE HE'D LOST HIS LAST MARBLE!" – WHILE RAY CHIMES IN, TEASINGLY – "BROOKLYN'S GOING TO KILL HIM... OR POSSIBLY BE FLATTERED?"*
Tala chuckles along with Kai, and Tyson playfully rolls his eyes – across the room, Hiro notices their laughter and conversation ceasing, then restarting with even more vigor... his eyes narrow, guessing correctly they're discussing him. Brooklyn walks over to their group, oblivious... "What's so funny?" Brooklyn asks.
Tyson points at Hiro and says-"Hiro has a crush on you."
BROOKLYN'S EYES WIDE WITH SURPRISE, HE TURNS TO FACE HIRO – WHO'S STANDING THERE, FACE BURNING DEEPLY RED – COMPLETE SILENCE FALLS OVER THE GROUP FOR A MOMENT BEFORE BROOKLYN BURSTS OUT LAUGHING*
"Oh. My. God. Hiro, you're adorable when flustered!" Brooklyn teases – Hiro looks like he wants to melt into the floor... Kai and the others erupt into laughter again. Hiro takes slow steps back, eyes fixed on exit routes... until he trips on his own feet.
TYSON DOUBLES OVER, HOLDING HIS STOMACH IN LAUGHTER – TALA WRAPS AN ARM AROUND HIM, ALSO WIPING TEARS FROM HIS EYES – KAI AND RAY ARE LAUGHING SO HARD THEY'RE LEANING ON EACH OTHER FOR SUPPORT*
Brooklyn's giggles reach hysterical levels, nearly crying from laughter – "THIS IS BETTER THAN ANY MOVIE!" he choked out between gasps...
HIRO, STILL ON THE FLOOR, COVERS HIS FACE WITH HIS HANDS – HIS OWN LAUGHTER STARTS TO ESCAPE, MIXED WITH EMBARRASSMENT – THE ROOM ERUPTS INTO A JOYFUL, TEAR-INDUCING LAUGHTER FEST, WITH EVEN HIRO CRACKING A SMILE THROUGH HIS HUMILIATION*
Just when it seems laughter might consume them all forever, Tyson suddenly gasps out – "Wait... is Hiro crying-laughing with us?!" – and the group laughs EVEN harder.
HIRO APPROACHES TYSON, STILL CHUCKLING, AND TEASINGLY ACCUSES – "WHAT DID YOU DO, TYSON?!" – TYSON MAINTAINS HIS INNOCENT FACE, EYES WIDE WITH FEIGNED SURPRISE*
Tala bites back a laugh at Tyson's expression, clearly amused by his husband's antics...
JUST THEN, BROOKLYN INTERVENES, GENTLY WHACKING HIRO BEHIND THE HEAD BEFORE TURNING TO TYSON WITH A GRATEFUL SMILE – "THANKS, TYSON... I THINK" – TYSON CHUCKLES AND REPLIES – "WELCOME"*
Tyson opens his arms for a hug, and surprisingly, both Brooklyn and Hiro step in – Tyson embraces them tightly, saying – "Take care of each other, okay?"
HIRO AND BROOKLYN EXCHANGE SOFT SMILES, THEN RETURN THE HUG – THEIR EYES LOCK BRIEFLY BEFORE THEY PULL BACK, STILL GRINNING – WITHOUT A WORD, THEY SLIP AWAY TOGETHER INTO A PRIVATE CORNER OF THE ROOM, LEAVING TYSON AND THE OTHERS TO SPECULATE ABOUT THEIR NEWFOUND CONNECTION*
Tala wraps his arm around Tyson's waist, whispering – "Seems your blackmail plan had unexpected romantic consequences, Husband..." Kai and Ray stifle giggles behind them.
TYSON'S LAUGHTER MERGES WITH THE OTHERS AS HE REVEALS THE FINAL PUNCHLINE – HE HOLDS UP HIS PHONE, SCREEN GLISTENING WITH VIDEO RECORDING EVIDENCE – "GOT THE WHOLE HIRO MELTDOWN ON CAMERA!"*
The room ERUPTS into absolute PANDEMONIUM – Kai doubles over, holding his stomach; Ray wipes tears from his eyes; Tala laughs so hard he snorts – Brooklyn and Hiro's distant voices carry over, still unaware of this new development...
TYSON STARTS PLAYING BACK THE VIDEO – HIRO'S FLUSTERED FACE, BROOKLYN'S LAUGHTER, AND THE GROUP'S COLLECTIVE HYSTERICS FILL THE ROOM AGAIN – EVEN LOUDER THAN BEFORE – TALA MANAGES TO CHOKLE OUT – "YOU'RE DEAD TO HIRO NOW, HUSBAND... WORTH IT?"*
Tyson just grins mischievously and continues playing the video on repeat – Brooklyn and Hiro finally notice the commotion and start walking back over, curiosity etched on their faces...
HIRO'S EYES WIDE WITH PANIC, HE CHARGES TOWARDS TYSON, HANDS GRABBING AT THE AIR – "DELETE THAT! DELETE IT NOW, TYSON! ANYTHING BUT THIS VIDEO SURVIVING!"*
His voice reaches frantic levels, causing Kai and Ray to laugh even harder – they're holding onto each other for support...
BROOKLYN, HOWEVER, WALKS CLOSER TO TYSON, CHUCKLING SOFTLY AS HE WATCHES THE VIDEO OVER TYSON'S SHOULDER – "ACTUALLY, TYSON, THIS IS KIND OF ADORABLE... HIRO'S FACE IS PRICELESS"*
Hiro's frantic expression turns towards Brooklyn – "YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE HELPING ME HERE, NOT ENCOURAGING HIM!" – Tyson just grins mischievously, thumbs hovering over the screen, teasing Hiro further – Tala laughs so hard he's crying. "This is... epic..." he chokes out.
Tyson crossed his arms, a playful pout forming on his lips. "Oh come on, Hiro! I just want to have a little fun. Why won't you let your little brother enjoy himself? (Gasps dramatically) You're such a meanie!" He huffed, his expression a mix of mock indignation and playful mischief.
HIRO'S FACE TURNS BEET RED WITH RAGE AND EMBARRASSMENT AS TYSON DELIVERS THE OVER-THE-TOP PERFORMANCE – HIS EYES WIDE WITH MOCK BETRAYAL, TYSON'S POUT IS THE FINAL STRAW*
Hiro throws his hands up in exasperation – "THAT'S IT, TYSON – YOU'RE USING THE 'CUTE ACT' AGAINST ME?! BROOKLYN, CONTROL YOUR FRIEND!"
BROOKLYN DOUBLES OVER LAUGHING, HOLDING HIS STOMACH – "THIS IS ACTUALLY KIND OF AMAZING... TYSON'S GOT YOU WRAPPED AROUND HIS FINGER, HIRO!" – KAI AND RAY ARE CRYING FROM LAUGHING TOO HARD, TALA'S LAUGHING SO HARD HE'S SNORTING AGAIN*
Hiro turns to the group, pleading – "SOMEONE – ANYONE – DEFEND MY DIGNITY HERE!" – but everyone's too busy laughing to help him. Tyson just keeps pouting, enjoying Hiro's misery.
Hiro's then cries anime tears and say-"Your bad, little brother. Who teases their elder brother that bad."
TYSON'S EYES WIDE WITH MOCK HORROR, HE TAKES A STEP BACK AS HIRO'S ANIME TEARS STREAM DOWN HIS FACE – THE ROOM ERUPTS INTO EVEN LOUDER LAUGHTER*
Brooklyn's laughing so hard he's crying – "THIS IS THE MOST DRAMATIC THING I'VE EVER SEEN, HIRO!" – Kai and Ray are holding their bellies in pain from laughter...
TALA WIPES AWAY HIS OWN TEARS OF LAUGHTER, CHOKING OUT – "I THINK HIRO JUST WON THE AWARD FOR MOST EXTRA REACTION EVER... TYSON, YOU'VE BROKEN HIM!"*
Tyson giggles uncontrollably, then suddenly pretends to be concerned – "Hiro-kun, don't cry! I'll delete the video... maybe..." – Hiro's tears pause momentarily as he glares hopefully at Tyson.
"Ahh now you know how to be respectful. Cheeky brat." While Tyson just continues smiling innocently.
HIRO'S FACE STILL RED FROM TEARS AND LAUGHTER, HE SHAKES HIS HEAD AT TYSON'S INNOCENT SMILE – A SMALL CHUCKLE ESCAPES DESPITE HIMSELF*
"Stop smiling like that... it won't save you from deleting that video immediately," Hiro says, trying to maintain a stern tone but failing miserably...
TYSON JUST NODS EXAGGERATEDLY, STILL SMILING – "RIGHT AWAY, HIRO-KUN... *pauses dramatically*... AFTER YOU SAY 'TYSON IS THE BEST'" – THE ROOM ERUPTS INTO LAUGHTER ONCE MORE, BROOKLYN FALLING OVER ONTO KAI*
Hiro facepalms, laughing – "Never. Going. To. Happen." – but his smile suggests otherwise.
Tyson gasps then starts crying dramatically in Tala's chest while saying-"Ni-san doesn't loves me anymore."
TALA BURSTS OUT LAUGHING AND WRAPS HIS ARMS TIGHTLY AROUND TYSON, HOLDING HIM CLOSESSLY AGAINST HIS CHEST – HIRO'S FACE TURNS BRIGHT RED AGAIN, THIS TIME FROM SHEER EXASPERATION AND AMUSEMENT*
"No, no, no – THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT, TYSON! STOP CRYING dramatic TEARS ALL OVER TALA!" Hiro rushes over, laughing helplessly...
BROOKLYN AND KAI ARE ROLLING ON THE FLOOR, HOLDING THEIR STOMACHS – RAY'S LAUGHING SO HARD HE'S SNORTING – TALA WHISPERS INTO TYSON'S HAIR, STILL CHUCKLING – "You're enjoying this way too much, Husband..."*
Hiro gently pries Tyson loose from Tala's embrace, then mock-glared – "Say it. 'Tyson is dramatic.'" – but then surprisingly adds – "But also know Ni-san loves you ridiculously much." Tyson's dramatic tears halt instantly.
He smiles back at hiro and says-"I love you too, ni-san." Then they hug.
HIRO'S FACE SOFTENS INTO A WARM SMILE AS HE WRAPS HIS ARMS TIGHTLY AROUND TYSON – THE TWO SHARE A HEARTFELT HUG, FILLED WITH BROTHERLY LOVE*
The room falls silent for a moment, witnessing the tender reunion – then erupts into collective "awwws" and happy tears...
TALA SMILES DEEPLY, EYES SHINING WITH HAPPINESS FOR THE BROTHERS – BROOKLYN LEANS INTO KAI, WHISPERING – "This is the sweetest thing I've ever seen..." – KAI NODS VIGOROUSLY, STILL GRINNING*
Hiro pulls back slightly, looks at Tyson's face, then glances at his phone still clutched in Tyson's hand – bursts out laughing again – "Now, about that video deletion...?" Tyson giggles.
Tyson nods and deletes the video then shows Hiro the deleted screen.
HIRO EXHALES DRAMATICALLY IN RELIEF, THEN GRINS AT TYSON – "MY DIGINTY IS SAVED... THANKS, BROTHER" – HE RUFFLES TYSON'S HAIR AFFECTIONATELY*
The group applauds lightly, amused by the brotherly love – Tala walks over, wraps his arms around Tyson from behind, and whispers – "Looks like crisis averted, Husband. Time for food? Brooklyn's mom ordered pizza..." Brooklyn nods enthusiastically – "Yeah, it arrived while you guys were dramatic!"
The group heads to Brooklyn's dining area, filled with laughter and chatter – Tyson leans into Tala, Hiro walks beside Brooklyn, and Kai/Ray bring up the rear, still grinning...
AS THEY GATHER AROUND THE PIZZA SPREAD, BROOKLYN RAISES HIS HAND FOR A TOAST – "TO HIRO'S DRAMATIC TEARS, TYSON'S MISCHIEF, AND FRIENDS WHO ENJOY BOTH!" – THEY ALL CHEER AND CLINK SLICES TOGETHER BEFORE DIGGING IN*
To be continued