Snippet #2295010

His last customer left laughing, and Sean was grinning as he turned to his brother's touch. He'd held his fist out for the man to collect his change, and with a look of confusion and reluctance the older man had bumped Sean's fist. Their mutual look of shock and chagrin had been enough to set them both to laughing. Closing the register down, he followed James into the kitchen. Despite being six years older than the snake, Sean was comfortable following the more mature Paterson's lead. Odd then that he chafed under others' leads, like the bull or rooster. Too much like a leash, he guessed.

He stepped into the open doorway after his brothers, with his long swimmer's arms hanging loosely from the top of the door frame, revealing the cut of his biceps as he leaned forward precariously until his body was bowed like a harp. With a groan he recollected himself and came to attention. "What's up?" he asked with a note of concern poorly hidden in his nonchalant act. Although Elias handled the many troublesome effects of his zodiac gift with better grace and tranquility than Sean could ever muster, he still felt it was his duty to somehow shoulder the load for his younger brother.