[some people have told him such things in the past, and while he isn't too sure on how true that claim could be, it's easy enough to give it some consideration to allow for the idea to cement itself into something that is... more of a reality than not.]

[he nods after he's set his glass down, empty now.]

Don't know about that. I think I'd be biased towards you more. Little brothers get all defensive about their older siblings.

[look, it's not—friendship, okay.]