Colorado left his room and went to the kitchen seeking a glass of water when he froze in the doorway of the hall. Sitting in the kitchen was California, reading a newspaper at the island, a half eaten bagel sitting beside him. The western state took a deep breath and entered the kitchen, not acknowledging his older brother's presence, and his brother doing the same, as he searched in the cabinet for an empty glass. Colorado grabbed a glass from the cabinet and turned on the faucet, then jumped at the sound of something being thrown down.
"I can't believe you did that to me." California yelled.
"Did what?" Colorado asked.
"Oh don't play innocent, the meeting." California said with a glare and Colorado rolled his eyes and turned around.
"Aren't you used to people ganging up on you? For hell's sake, your own boyfriend does it." Colorado pointed out.
"But not my brother." California hissed. Colorado turned around and filled up his glass, he was not in the mood to deal with California right now. He just wanted to get his water and go back to Connecticut.
"Coco what happened?" California continued. "Up until last year, you and I were close."
"We always fought." Colorado muttered turning off the faucet.
"Yeah but not like this!" California pointed out. "Is it Connecticut? Is he making you hate me?"
"I get enough drama from his brothers, trust me." Colorado said, taking a sip of his water.
"Then tell me Colorado. What did I do? What did I do to make you hate me?"
"Y'know it was fine when it was five!" Colorado yelled turning around. California froze at the sight of tears in his younger brother's eyes. "When you just had five boyfriends, I felt like I still had a place in your life! Then DC came around, and.....you don't have room in your life for me anymore!"
"Coco, Coco no." California whispered jumping up and going over to his brother. "I have room in my life for you."
"Y'know even New York and Massachusetts make room for each other and Massachusetts's has to deal with Penny and Mary all the time!" Colorado pointed out. California bit his lip.
"Coco, why didn't you tell me?" California asked.
"Because it's stupid!" Colorado yelled furiously wiping the tears from his eyes. "We're full grown adults, I shouldn't have to be wanting your attention anymore. I have a boyfriend who loves me, great friends, but I still cling to my brother like I'm fucking eight." He felt himself getting drawn into a hug by his older brother, resting his face against his soft shirt.
"Just 'cuss we're adults doesn't mean you don't need me. DC still needs IDC, New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut still need each other, hell the Dakotas hate one another but still lean on each other." California pointed out. Colorado sniffed and wiped his eyes, drawing back from his brother's hug.
"I'm sorry I've been awful to you during meetings." Colorado whispered.
"I'm sorry too, I should've asked how you've felt about me dating five long ago." California pointed out.
"I do love your boyfriends, even if Texas lectures me." Colorado said with a half-smile.
"And remember, they don't replace you." California said with a smile, patting Colorado's cheek. "Unfortunately though, you're stuck with them." With a laugh, Colorado turned back to get his water as California went back to the island for his paper, when he turned around again.
"DC doesn't like y'know, smoking does he?" Colorado asked.
"I mean he'll do it occasionally if it's me and Florida, but he doesn't ask for it." California said with a shrug looking at his paper.
"Shame it'd really help with....hang on." Colorado muttered before dashing out of the kitchen returning later with a small pink bag.
"Here." Colorado announced handing his brother the bag. "Next time DC is stressed, give him one of these. It'll calm him down." California looked at the bag and then smiled at Colorado.
"Thanks Coco." California said with a soft smile.
"I'm not going easy on you after this." Colorado announced.
"I don't expect it." California smirked. Colorado finally left the kitchen to return to his room and boyfriend, feeling much better about his relationship with his brother. He wanted to be nicer to him, he wanted that relationship they had when they were kids back, and it'd take a lot of work to get there. But he was willing to do it.
And when one day Colorado returned to the Statehouse to find DC actually relaxed, sitting on the couch with California with his head on his shoulder, playing Mario Kart, Colorado knew the relationship with his brother was on the mend.
