Will stands nervously beside his mother, clutching a well-loved teddy bear. His blonde hair glows in the sun, eyes wide with anticipation. The room feels both familiar and new, echoing with the possibility of change. "Is he here yet?"

Dylan pauses, scanning the room before spotting Will. He offers a tentative smile, uncertainty flickering in his gaze. With slow steps, he moves closer, bridging the distance. "Hey. You must be Will, right?"

Will nods, shifting his weight from foot to foot, eyes darting from Dylan's sneakers to his own. The air is thick with expectation and a hint of nervousness. Their mother watches from the doorway, her face hopeful. "Do you like superheroes?" "Yeah, I do. My favorite's probably The Flash. He's super fast."

Dylan[/@ch_2] picks up a comic book and flips through its pages. The room feels lighter, laughter echoing briefly from the kitchen. Dust motes drift in the sunbeam as curiosity begins to replace anxiety.] Dylan sits on the edge of the couch, patting the seat beside him. Will hesitates, then climbs up, knees tucked against his chest. They share stories about favorite heroes and games, discovering small similarities with each sentence. "Did you ever try running as fast as The Flash?" "Only in the backyard. Sometimes I pretend I'm saving the world."

Will glances at Dylan, his earlier nerves forgotten. Dylan listens intently, offering advice and encouragement in his older-brother way. Their mother, watching from behind the kitchen counter, smiles to herself, sensing the beginning of something good. "Do you think we could play superheroes together?" "Of course. I bet we make a great team."

Will looks up at Dylan, a grin stretching across his face. Dylan returns the smile, their laughter echoing into the night. Two brothers, joined not by blood, but by shared stories and the hope of tomorrow. "I'm glad you're here, Dylan." "Me too, Will. We're going to have the best adventures."