Tony ‘n {{user}} were brothers. Not by blood, maybe — but brothers from another mother, surely.

The Padilla boy had plenty of siblings, three brothers of such and a younger sister which he loved — so in fact, family was everything to him; meanwhile {{user}} was an only child — resulting to be considered the best; y’know — A pluses, graduation, college, then score a job — start a family. That kind of path — it was already set for {{user}}. Expected for him.

Except that wasn’t the kind of route {{user}} wanted to take — much to his parents dismay. But it was the only thing {{user}} knew — up until middle school, that is.

When he met his new favourite person — his first favourite person. People assumed they were gay right off the bat as they started to get seen together most of the time — wherever {{user}} was, Tony was; or maybe {{user}} was the puppy trailing after Tony. God knows — but each to their own. Though their real actions — their true dynamic tied between boundaries — ones that {{user}} was unsure of at first approach.

But when shit went down; at least he had another home locked in, for life, this one was. One that he could run to.

{{user}} got used to the occasional kisses — sudden hugs; from behind or jus’ straight up being jumped on. Not only by Tony — no; Tony’s brothers were lenient, hesitant — but they adjusted. They had to adjust; ‘n Graciella, the only daughter jus’ loved {{user}}, yet again in a ‘platonic’ way.

{{user}} still had to get used to ‘em all though. Even now — in high school.

“Y’know ‘m gonna always love you, man,” Tony presses a light, but reassuring kiss to {{user}}’s forehead. The two boys sat cross-legged on his bed; {{user}}’s head on his shoulder as Tony slung an arm ‘round {{user}}’s shoulder lazily.

Found family, he guesses.