The afternoon sun shimmered over Malibu, bathing the coastline in gold. David pulled his car into the long driveway that led up to a familiar, modern beach house. Charlie's fortress of freedom and questionable decisions.
The drive down to Malibu was long enough for David to realize that Scarlett's excitement had officially reached "kid on Christmas Eve" levels. She kept glancing at the GPS, at the ocean, and back at him like she was waiting for a confetti cannon to go off.
"Remember," David said, flicking on his turn signal as the coastline came into view, "my brother's… uh, unique. He loves women. A little too much. Actually, scratch that; he treats commitment the way cats treat bathtubs."
Scarlett laughed, brushing a strand of her red hair behind her ear. "Don't worry, I won't mind. He's your brother. I can look past a little… enthusiasm."
He chuckled. "Multiply that by ten, add a few bottles of whiskey, and you've got Charlie Harper."
Scarlett raised an amused brow. "You mean he's like you, but older and probably worse?"
David grinned at her. "You're surprisingly mature for your age, you know that?"
She gave him a sideways look, soft but steady. "Only after you rescued me that day. I had to grow up fast after that, from the shy girl to someone who had to make sure she didn't let her charming prince escape."
That simple line quieted him for a moment. He smiled back, squeezed her hand, and then got out of the car. The beach shimmered under the California sun, the smell of salt and ocean breeze blending perfectly with the faint trace of cigarette smoke and sunscreen that always seemed to hover around Charlie's house.
David exhaled. "Well, here goes nothing."
They walked up to the door, Scarlett squeezing his hand as he pressed the doorbell. It only took a few seconds before the door swung open, revealing Charlie Harper himself—grinning like the devil in a Hawaiian polo shirt and shorts, the very picture of mid-morning debauchery.
"David!" Charlie spread his arms wide. "Man, look at you! I thought you were still that scrawny kid who used to borrow my guitars and break my strings!"
David smirked, eyeing him up and down. "And I see your style hasn't improved since the Stone Age."
Charlie laughed, pulling him into a quick hug. "Hey, this outfit says, 'I'm successful, relaxed, and not wearing underwear.'"
Scarlett stifled a laugh. David shook his head. "That's… definitely one way to put it."
Charlie stepped back, finally noticing her. "And who's this lovely lady?"
David smiled proudly. "This is Scarlett, my girlfriend."
For once, Charlie didn't throw out a pickup line or raise an eyebrow. Instead, he smiled genuinely and extended a hand. "Well, thank you for looking after my little brother. He needed someone to make sure he eats and showers regularly."
Scarlett smiled back, shaking his hand. "David's very capable. He actually takes care of me most of the time."
Charlie placed a hand dramatically on his chest. "Capable? My brother? Miracles really do happen."
Scarlett smiled, looking at David. "What can I say? I bring out the best in him."
Charlie actually looked impressed, which didn't happen often. "Well, thank you for keeping him in one piece. I owe you a drink."
David nudged him in the shoulder as they all laughed, and Charlie waved them inside. The house was exactly as David remembered it from the show. Wide open, sunlit, with an ocean view and an unmistakable sense that several questionable life choices had occurred within these walls. Charlie's piano was in one corner, and a couple guitars from his younger days when David dragged him to learn the guitar. He gave up halfway; he mostly went to encourage David, who had talent with the guitar.
Charlie handed them drinks and dropped onto the sofa. "So, tell me, little brother, how have you been? Last time I saw you, you were a skinny teenager with a guitar and a bad haircut. Still chasing those rockstar dreams?"
David chuckled as they walked toward the living room. "Let's just say I was in a rough place for a while. But I'm doing better now. You really helped me back then, even if you don't realize it."
Charlie waved a hand. "Forget it. You don't owe me a thing. Unlike Alan, I enjoy your company."
David shook his head. "Nah, I insist. Send me your account details."
Charlie laughed. "Oh please, you don't have to, man."
But David was already typing. "No arguments."
A few taps later, Charlie's phone buzzed. He checked it, then promptly choked on his drink. "What the hell, Davey?! A million dollars? Did you rob a bank or sell both your kidneys?"
David laughed. "Let's just say I've made some good investments. Don't drink yourself to death with that."
Before Charlie could respond, David also suddenly spat out his own drink, because from the staircase came a gorgeous brunette wearing nothing but a lacy bikini, with boobs that looked like they were losing a custody battle with gravity.
Scarlett giggled, patting his back as he coughed. "Are you okay, babe?"
Charlie grinned proudly. "Ah, right, introductions! Davey, this is Jill, my girlfriend."
David managed to recover enough to shake her hand, though his brain was still catching up. Oh right, he thought, Jill… the one who becomes Bill in five years. Poor Charlie's going to have an existential crisis when that happens. He suddenly understood why Charlie had freaked out in that episode. Looking at her now, it was impossible to imagine that twist.
Jill sauntered closer and gave David a quick hug that lingered a second too long. "Well, it's nice to finally meet you, David. Charlie told me about you. You know, it's kind of flattering that both Harper brothers went open-mouthed when they saw me."
David forced a grin. "Yeah, 'flattered' is definitely the word I was looking for." Internally, however, his thoughts were less poetic: Now I can't unsee that transformation. Great, thanks, brain.
Jill winked, then turned to Scarlett. "Come on, sweetie. Let's go get some sun."
Scarlett shrugged playfully at David. "Don't burn down the house while we're gone."
The two women headed toward the deck, chatting like old friends.
Once the girls were outside on the deck, Charlie clapped his brother on the shoulder. "You're lucky, man. Scarlett's adorable. Smart too — I can tell. Don't screw that up."
David grinned. "Thanks, big brother. Coming from you, that's… weirdly motivational."
Charlie turned toward the kitchen. "Come on, let's make some margaritas. I need a drink before I start questioning my life choices."
"Only one?" David teased, following him in.
They found Berta already in the kitchen, wiping the counter and radiating her usual "don't mess with me" energy. She gave David a once-over, smirked, and said, "Well, well. Who's the handsome hunk, Charlie? He doesn't look like he belongs in this zoo."
Charlie laughed. "Berta, meet my youngest brother, David, aspiring rockstar, newly rich, and apparently built like a Calvin Klein ad."
Berta whistled. "No kidding. Looks like someone hit the genetic jackpot. Are you sure he's related to you?"
David grinned. "Thanks for the compliment, Berta. And thank you for keeping my brother alive all these years. You deserve a medal."
Berta shrugged. "If he dies, I'll lose my job."
David laughed. "Well, don't worry about your job. If you can handle drunk Charlie, I'm pretty sure you will be hired anywhere."
Berta grinned. "You have no idea. So what's your story, kid? You actually work for your money, or are you like this one?"
"Little of both," David said with a wink. "But I clean up my own messes."
Charlie made a face. "You trying to make me look bad?"
Berta barked a laugh. "That ship sailed years ago, hon."
To Charlie's surprise, Berta didn't just stop to insult them and leave. She stayed and actually chatted with David for a solid ten minutes, talking about the house, her annoying daughters, even giving him restaurant recommendations nearby.
Charlie watched in disbelief. "Okay, what the hell? Berta doesn't like people."
David shrugged innocently. "Guess I'm charming."
Berta smirked. "He is. Unlike you, who's just loud."
She then looked back at David. "I'll fix you some lunch, sweetie. You look like you could use a real meal."
Charlie blinked, stunned. "Wait, you're offering to cook for him? You've been here for years, and you've never once offered to make me lunch!"
Berta turned on him with her trademark glare. "That's because you're a drunken manwhore. He, at least, has manners."
David laughed so hard he nearly spilled his drink. "I love this house already."
Charlie just sighed. "Yeah, I walked into that one."
After a round of margaritas and a few jokes that would make their mother faint, the brothers headed out to the deck, where Jill and Scarlett were stretched out on lounge chairs, sunglasses on, enjoying the ocean view.
Jill dropped her sunglasses. "About time you guys showed up. We are thirsty."
Charlie smirked. "I hope not just for drinks."
Scarlett laughed as David sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her. "Mmm, you missed Jill's story about Charlie and some gymnasts from Thailand."
David chuckled. "I can guess already how it ended."
Charlie bit back playfully. "Hey now, I got all your baby stories, you better be careful."
David raised his arm in surrender. "My lips are sealed."
Charie then asked curiously "Alright, so what's next, Davey-boy? You gonna serenade here on the beach or what?"
David leaned against the railing. "About that, Charlie, you got connections in the music scene, right? I'm trying to book a slot in the upcoming Rock Festival."
Charlie sipped his drink, nodding. "You're serious about taking it as your career, huh?"
"Dead serious."
Charlie smiled and reached for his phone. "Alright, let's call in a favor. Elvis owes me one. A long story involving tequila, a penguin costume, and his ex-wife."
David blinked. "I don't even want to know."
Charlie started talking on the phone. "Hey, Elvis! Yeah, It's Charlie. Listen, I got a talented kid here who needs a spot at the next RockFest. Yeah, my little brother. Uh-huh. Yeah, I know it's last minute. Right. Thanks, man."
Ten minutes later, Charlie hung up. "Done. You've got a slot, though it's basically the last one before the closing act. The good ones are taken. Some new band called Linkin Park is the headliner."
David's eyes widened. "Linkin Park? Seriously?" He of course knew Linkin Park, although they werejust starting to make a name for themselves recently here.
Charlie shrugged. "Hey, everyone starts somewhere. You'll be fine. Just don't throw beer bottles at them. "
David laughed. "Thanks, man. Really. This means a lot."
Charlie shrugged. "You owe me a song dedication. Preferably not one about heartbreak."
"I'll name it after your liver," David said dryly.
Scarlett snorted into her drink. Jill laughed so hard she nearly spilled hers.
The mood was easy, effortless. For the first time in years, David felt something warm settle in his chest, the feeling of being home, even in a house full of chaos.
As the afternoon sun dipped lower, the group settled into an easy rhythm—Scarlett and Jill gossiping and laughing, Berta occasionally yelling at someone from inside, and the Harper brothers sitting side by side, watching the ocean roll in.
For the first time in a long time, David felt something he hadn't in years, peace.
Charlie leaned back, sipping his drink. "So, little brother, what's next? You conquer music, settle down, and buy half the planet?"
David grinned. "Something like that."
"Good," Charlie said, smiling faintly. "Just don't forget to have fun on the way. It's kind of the point."
David nodded, glancing at Scarlett , her laughter, the way her eyes glowed in the sunset. "Yeah," he said softly. "I think I'm getting that part right."
The waves crashed below, the brothers clinked glasses, and for a rare, perfect moment, everything felt exactly as it should. David meanwhile was thinking about songs to compose. This world was weird, with some popular bands and singers not existing, or never making thier mark. he can write down those hits and sing them. He already had decided a few songs for the Rock Fest.
And in true Harper fashion, Charlie ruined the moment with perfect timing. "So… about that million bucks. Are you sure you didn't accidentally send me someone else's life savings? Don't tell me you joined the carteland stabbed a snitch?"
David grinned, clinking his glass against his brother's. "Just consider it hazard pay for being my brother."
Charlie laughed. "In that case, I'll need another million."
"Dream on."
They both burst out laughing, the sound echoing across the Malibu coastline, two brothers, a little older, a little wiser, and still perfectly dysfunctional.