¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It hurts. Especially when Caleb thinks of how sweet she used to be with him. She used to love his attention, his affection. Would come up to him after she was done showering because she liked how he dries and combs her hair. Would always message him any recipes she finds online, not so subtly asking if he could make it for her. And of course he would. He was her number one chef, number one big brother. He thinks how she'd always find an excuse to cuddle up with him, or how she has a habit of biting his arm when she was frustrated or annoyed with him. Not that he minds it at all. All those little habits now gone, his day much more empty than before.

So what happened to his dear baby sister for her to suddenly be so distant and cold to him? He tries to think back on what he might've done, anything that made her upset without him knowing. He tracks and notes everything and anything when it comes to her. That's what a good big brother does, after all.

He tracks her period, makes sure she would have everything she needs without her needing to ask. He keeps track of her friends, just to make sure they were all good people. He can't have a rotten apple corrupting his dear baby sister, no no. He already made sure any rotten ones would be distanced away from her, because she deserved the best of friends, even if he considered himself to be the bestest. He tries hard to think. Has he been too busy that he ended up ignoring her? No, can't be. He does his best to spend as much time with her whenever he could. And when he does have more work, he'd make sure to let her know, and he'd make up for it when he was free.

Has he been overbearing? Not that he finds that his behaviour would ever be too much, but maybe she finds his daily texts to be annoying now? Or maybe he made a comment on something that she found to be hurtful? No, he doesn't think so. She's really bad at hiding her distaste, so he'd know if she was upset from his words.

Maybe... She was now interested in someone else? He quickly shook that thought away. He keeps track of everyone she knows, all her friends, coworkers, acquaintances, even those she disliked. He would catch anything before she even noticed.

So what was it? Caleb just couldn't figure it out, and he was getting more and more frustrated with every day his baby sister would look away from him.

He was still in his uniform when he got home one night. Long day at work, but he still picked up some of her favourite apple pie from the bakery she loves. Even if he doubts she'd eat it. Their fridge was getting full of all the uneaten treats he made and bought. But still, he's a good big brother, so he buys them anyway in the off chance she wants them.

He finds her in the kitchen, up on one of the counter as she tried to reach for something on the top shelf. He might have accidentally made it a habit to keep most of her favourites on the top shelf, just out of reach from her. It's not out of malice or anything, it's just that he was the one who would often buy groceries, and he'd forget about the height difference between them when he goes to store it. It didn't use to be such an issue, considering she'd just call for him with a huff, and he'd use his Evol to get it down. Or he'd just grab it for her. Or he'd pick her up instead, making her whine as she demands to be put down. But with how she has been acting, it must've been more annoying now to grab any of her usual snacks without calling for him.

With a sigh, he gets both her and her snack down. But before she could run off with her snack, he snatched it up, holding it up out of reach from her. He just wants to know why she's been so cold to him, that's all. Tell him, and he'll give her the snacks. He'll even plate the apple pie, put some ice cream on top with a drizzle of caramel, just the way she likes it.

It's nothing, she would say, yet her eyes were anywhere but on his. Maybe it was just because he's had a stressful day at work, that he accidentally used his Colonel voice, instead of his big brother voice when he tells her to stop avoiding him. He sees how that voice, that tone, made her jump, just a little.

He should apologise. Give her the snacks and let her go back to her room. He's not the only one stressed out or anything. He should be a good big brother, give her some space.

Sighs.

He places the snack down on the counter, the apple pie forgotten besides it as well. Without saying much, he grabs ahold of her hand, bringing her to the living room. She tried to pull away, but he kept his hold firm. He just wants to talk. That's all. They'll talk, and if she's honest with him, he'll let her go.

He makes her sit on the couch, the same one they would usually cuddle on while they watch a movie. Where she'd doze off in his arm halfway through, but he never minds it. He shouldn't be like this, he knows, but he was getting tired of how his dear baby sister was behaving. If she'd just tell him what was wrong, then he could do something about it.

He tells her to be honest, his hands on the couch, caging her in so she wouldn't run away. He frowns when she kept her eyes shut, and he leans closer. He knows his baby sister. He knows she would never behave like this, not to him.

It's nothing, she says again, but it's nowhere close to sounding as sure as she was before. He lets out another deep sigh, his hand going to cup her face, the rough glove against her soft cheeks. He used to enjoy squishing her cheeks growing up, finding it cute how puffy it looks. He'd always needed to hold himself back from just taking a bite, a nibble, because he knew she'd whine. The urge never quite went away, even now. He holds back though, as always.

He asks again. What was wrong. A beat passes. Then two. She was stubborn, yes, but he can be much, much more patient. He didn't become the best big brother for nothing.

And then she finally spoke.

It's you, she says. You're what's wrong.

It took him aback, but he doesn't react. He just asks what was wrong about him.

She was hesitating again, and he leans closer once more, asking the same question. She shuts her eyes even tighter, as if trying to block him out.

It's just wrong, she huffs, and he knows she was hiding something. Because he knows her. Because he's her big brother.

"Because... You're a good big brother"

He tilts his head, not quite understanding. Of course he's a good big brother. How was this the reason that she's avoiding him.

"Because I'm a bad little sister"

Now, that made him even more confused. How was she bad? Sure, she's bratty, and stubborn, and needy, and impatient... But that's what baby sister are supposed to do.

She suddenly lets out a sniffle, then another, and he realises very quickly that she was crying. He was now fully cupping her face, gently wiping away her tears, his gloved fingers probably not the best on her skin right now, but he doesn't want to pull away from her face even for a second to take them off. He tells her to open her eyes, to look at him, but she refuses.

He tells her again, this time in his big brother voice. He's not being the scary Colonel right now, so can his baby sister please open her eyes for him?

And slowly, she does.

There she is. His baby sister. His crybaby. His pipsqueak.

Caleb, she hics, sniffling as tears run down her cheeks, wiped away by his gloved fingers.

Caleb, she hics again, like she wants to say something, but couldn't get a word out

Caleb, she hics once more, and he tells her it's alright. He won't run away. He's going to stay, because that's what a big brother does. And he knows she's a good baby sister, no matter what.

Caleb, she mumbles, her eyes finally meeting his. Her face was flushed, her eyes all wet, but this was definitely his baby sister. After being ignored and avoided for so long, he can't help but smile at seeing her properly again.

Caleb... I like you.

Ah... Well, that's nothing to cry about. He couldn't help but chuckle. It's nothing new for a baby sister to like her big brother. But she quickly shook her head, wiping the rest of her tears with the back of her hand, looking very much like the crybaby he knows and loves.

I like you a lot. So much that I can't look at you, because it makes my heart race. Because it makes me wish you weren't my big brother.

Ah... It's starting to click now.

But no matter what, you're still my big brother! And of course I don't want to change that. But... But...

Ah. Seems like his baby sister was growing up faster than he thought. He couldn't help but sigh, even with the smile still on his lips.

Why are you smiling? Shouldn't you be angry? Or grossed out?

He shakes his head. Why should he be angry? Why be grossed out? His dear baby sister just told him that she likes him. That makes him happy. Although, he would've liked it if he was the one to confess first instead of her, but he doesn't mind it.

Seeing her surprised face made him laugh again. Why was she so surprised? Of course he likes her too. No, that's not the word. He loves her. He loves her baby sister so much. He loves all of her.

Before she could even speak, he was already answering the questions she wanted to ask.

Of course he'll stay as her big brother. That was a given, wasn't it? It's just now, he gets to show her more of his love.

He really couldn't stop smiling. And he couldn't help it, leaning closer to her. His lips kiss away her tears, before he goes and kisses all over her face. Enough until she was whining at him, giggling at how his hat kept smacking against her face.

There it is. There's his baby sister.

He smiles, hat on the table now, as he leans close again. His baby sister was cute when she blushes. He leans closer, closer, until he can smell the soap she uses. Vanilla, milk and honey, a smell he could never get enough of. His lips barely brushed against her lips, just a hint of that touch was enough to send a spark down his body. And hers too, judging by the little squeak that left her lips.

And then he pulls away. He sees the confusion on her face as he straightens up.

He chuckles, saying she needs to wash her face. She flushes red, and then he hears the signature whine.

Caleeeeeb!

Ah, he misses it.

He flicks her forehead, saying that if she was really sorry, then she'll have the apple pie with him. She pouts, before she requested him to add more ice cream on top. Two scoops if we're sharing, she says.

The apple pie didn't stand a chance against her. Clearly, she had missed all the treats he would give her, with how she was even telling him to grab some others from the fridge. He lets out a playful hum, saying he wouldn't do it just yet. She pouts, but he holds up a finger, saying he was using his big brother privilege now. That means she has to listen to him now. He rarely uses this privilege, so she should know it was serious. She ends up nodding, even if she was already complaining.

It was simple, really. Due to her behaviour, he was expecting her to make it up to him. It would be unfair if she gets to walk away without facing the consequences, right?

She huffs, crossing her arms as she asks what it was.

Well, he just smiles. What could a big brother like him possibly ask for from his baby sister?

...