Disclaimer: I do not own the Thunderbirds nor do I own the song used as inspiration for this short fic; Unsteady by X Ambassadors.

I recently purchased a medium sized journal that could travel with me wherever I go. I had intended it to be used as not only writing exercises but also an outlet of emotions when life dictated it. One day I was listing to the radio and the song Unsteady by X Ambassadors came on. I would put a few lyrics on here as support for this story but the site generally frowns against such a thing. Kindly go search for this song and you will see my inspiration.

This story is mostly from Alan's point of view; however, I've intended it to be an interaction between any of his older brothers. So pick your brother and enjoy!

Unsteady

Tired eyes and a sore body gazed out into the vast vegetation. The island's jungle a welcomed distraction. So many lives laid on his mind – on his shoulders. Every rescue had its risks, but occasionally an unspoken fear would show itself.

A fear of losing a brother.

Today courage and pure will had been tested and thankfully fast thinking had allowed the unthinkable from becoming reality.

Hearing a knock against the door of his balcony, Alan didn't bother to see who was at his door behind him. He knew it was his older brother. The same brother whose life had been thrust into his wavering hands only hours before.

So much trust and so much responsibility had been placed upon his young hands and shoulders in those short few moments. The youngest of five, he wasn't used to it. When the going got tough there was always somebody else to shoulder the burden. Somebody else with more experience, more finesse - someone with more strength and cold judgement. Four older and able minds to take that burden and make it a success.

Alan wasn't known for his stoic personality. No, that was more John. Alan was known for his emotions. He wore his emotions on his sleeve, always bursting at the surface. That often left him with the ability to act on pure impulse and sheer luck.

Today, the youngest felt every inch of responsibility to save the very people they had been called to rescue but he also felt the responsibility to make sure his family had returned as whole as it had left base. A task he had succeeded in. His family had indeed returned unscathed, but had it returned whole?

Had he returned whole?

No.

Strong arms gripped him around his shoulders, forcing him to turn and meet the concerned gaze of his older brother. The gaze burned a hole in him, breaking any façade he had hoped to muster. His emotions crumbling into his brother's protective embrace. Unsteady legs being guided to the floor gently.

"Sshh…I've got you, Allie. I've got you," his brother comforted, only tightening his hold as Alan shook harder. "Everything is okay now. You did you job today. I'm okay and so is everybody else."

Alan clutched tightly to his brother's shirt as a reminder that this wasn't a dream. His brother was really in front of him. "It was too close. I can't lose any of you. I love you guys too much."

He felt his older brother run a soothing hand through his too long mop of blonde hair. "We love you too, kiddo. None of us are going anywhere. You can't get rid of us that easy."

Alan allowed a small smile to graze across his quivering lip. Looking up, his blue eyes met the soft warm eyes of his brother's. "Never let go."

"Never."

Well there you have it! Not much but a good dose of sugar I suppose. Funny how a song on the radio could produce this little thing. A distraction from my doctor's visit was more likely the culprit. She uttered a seven letter word – surgery. Ugh…

Later!