Brotherly Love [The Manne Brothers, Alex]

[Alexander McKenzie]

The antics of the Manne brothers were honestly par for the course. He actually enjoyed watching them mess around. He’d had that kind of relationship back home with his cousin, as he lacked biological brothers. But Conrad was like family to him, as were RC and Jean. And what his parents didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them, so roughhousing with the younger boys was just his version of childish fun. He’d missed out of that kind of stuff when he was Jean’s age, due in part to his parents being protective. Plus, it was hard to play rough with siblings when you didn’t have any.

Yes, RC turning into his liquid form was funny, but only for so long. “Come on Jean, knock it off.” He had no idea what RC and Jean were whispering about, and frankly, he didn’t really care. Those two were like girls sometimes, the secret sharing and plotting they did. But he’d learned quickly that that was what brothers were for. And he honestly couldn’t ask for a better family away from home than the Mannes.

Jean’s excitement was practically tangible. Though he did catch the look from RC, it was a little late to try stopping this train. It had left the station, and there was no way Jean would let it go now. He did manage a tiny, apologetic smile at RC, as well as a mouthed ‘sorry’ before he let his attention be captured by Jean. Alex had to laugh at his enthusiasm. It was a bit of a surprise he wasn’t bouncing up and down, on top of the talking. “All right, all right. I’ll draw you something. But you have to stay still.”

He pointed at the couch before disappearing into his room, grabbing an array of colored Sharpies, both fine and bold tipped. After pulling the door closed again (mostly to hide the disaster area behind it), he settled on the couch beside Jean. “Yes, you can have a dragon.” There was a pause when he yelled at his brother. “... If you can be nice to your brother for the rest of the night.” No, he was not above making deals like that. “Deal?”

[RC Manne]

RC was already discouraged having so many jabs to the kidneys about his power. He glowered slightly, slouching and casting his gaze to the floor. “Rub it in, why don’tcha Jean?” He grumbled as he sulked towards the kitchen. Jean’s demanding a sharpie tattoo didn’t exactly help his mood either. He twitched visible and looked over at Alex like a puppy that’d just been kicked. “Jean, c’mon. Sharpie tattoos are really hard to get off.” He whined, trying to dissuade the enthusiastic preteen.

With a very blatant and sincere look of silent thanks to his older brother, RC quietly moved to the cabinet. RC appreciated his brother more than he would ever say (he had to keep some measure of his masculinity). Conrad was…well, to use Jean’s favorite word, he was cool. Conrad always seemed to know how to make RC feel better, even if it was just by letting him set the table. He didn’t feel so useless when Conrad was around. He also managed to set the tableware out without letting anything slip and break either, which was a rare occurrence.

He beamed proudly at his table setting skills and moved to the fridge to get out the sour cream and salsa. RC scowled, sour cream in hand, and peered out from around the refrigerator door. “Alex, do you really have to enable him all the time?” He chided, though he did manage a weak smile when he listened to Alex finish the deal. "Actually...if that's the deal then go for it."

[Jean Manne]

“What?” Jean asked the crowd at large, all innocence. “I wasn’t doing anything! RC can make fun of my powers, if he wants.” Jean added graciously, the if he can addition unspoken but totally implied. Jean was pretty sure it was impossible to find something to make fun of with his power, but RC was certainly welcome to try. It was a good thing Jean didn’t consider his brother very creative.

At Alex’s deal, Jean heaved a put-upon sigh, “O-kay… I’ll be nice to RC.” He made a face at his brother when RC put in his unneeded input. It wasn’t Jean’s fault RC was so easy to make fun of. Maybe his brother should stop making himself such an easy target. Or tease back. Either way. Velma used to berate him for picking on RC, but since she wasn’t here… RC was lucky Jean really, really wanted a sharpie tattoo.

“Conraaaad~!” Jean yelled from the living room, ignoring his oldest brother’s request to help in the kitchen, “Is the food started yet? I’m really hungry!”

[ooc: omg so late >_<;; I am so sorry DX]

[Conrad Manne]

Conrad put their frying pan on the stove to let it heat up, and quickly chopped up the union, before throwing it into the pan as well. The kitchen was small, but that only made for efficiency as he moved from one task to another, prepping and cooking their dinner. He knew what he was doing in the kitchen, but he was no cullinary expert. All he knew was enough to keep him and Alex fed from week to week and impress the occasional guest. His skills had been more impressive back in college, where being able to tell temperatures instantly was a boon when he was improvising dinners in the shared kitchen in the dorm. The perfect way to charm a college girl was with a proper meal after an effective study session.

As for the sharpie deal, Conrad wasn't thrilled with it, on the off chance that it actually did get back to their mother. But there was only so much influence he had, so he was going to pick his battles. (Sharpie did eventually wash off, though, and he trusted Alex to not draw anything inappropriate on the little boy.) "Just make sure it's not below the wrist, okay? Something you can cover with a sweater, in case pictures end up on facebook." Yes, their mom was his friend on facebook. Now that he wasn't in college any more, that's not so weird, was it?

He had to roll his eyes though, at Jean's shout. What was wrong with that kid? "Did your nose fall off, Jean? Can't you smell it? The entire apartment smells like onions."

[Alexander McKenzie]

Jean and RC were always at it. That was the way of the Manne family. Alex had learned that since he’d first befriended Conrad. As RC sulked off, Alex gave Jean a little elbow to the side. “Be nice,” he warned. “Or we’ll let him tease you about your power.” He was pretty sure, with a little research and encouragement, RC could find a valid argument to tease Jean about.

As RC went to help Conrad in the kitchen, Alex tugged Jean to the couch. “You’re such a brat,” he mumbled, but it was good natured. He couldn’t really bring himself to be a jerk to anyone. Not even Jean, when he was misbehaving. He peeked up at the sound of RC’s voice and just smirked. “I’m not enabling. I’m bartering. Unless you don’t want me to.” He was happy to make other sorts of deals with Jean, like an alliance against Conrad. But this worked, for now. Whether Jean liked it or not, Alex was somewhat protective over the both of them, and that included when one was picking on the other.

“I know, Connie. I won’t.” He had some sense in him. After Jean finished yelling, Alex waited for him to remove his sweaters before taking his arm. “Stay still,” he reminded, before starting to draw. It was by no means professional, but he slowly outlined a dragon on Jean’s upper arm, then colored it in with the green and blue. “There. Done. But no Facebook pictures, or your mom will kill me.” Alex capped the Sharpies and stood up. “It smells good, Connie!”