The weeks following Leo’s return to college were a whirlwind of midterms, late-night coffee runs, and the quiet thrill of his evolving confidence. The pink cotton panties with the tiny heart embroidery became his go-to, a private talisman of the shift Chloe had sparked over the holidays. Every time he slipped them on, he felt a flicker of that New Year’s resolution—be braver. Not loud, not flashy, but braver in his own quiet way. Back home, Chloe was navigating her own world of high school drama, part-time barista shifts, and an ever-growing collection of underwear that she treated like a curated art gallery. Their text thread became a lifeline, filled with memes, sibling banter, and the occasional coded reference to Leo’s secret. “Green still your vibe?” she’d text, or “Found a blue pair that screams Leo—want me to send?” He’d roll his eyes but always reply, knowing she was keeping him grounded across the miles.
One Saturday afternoon, Leo was sprawled on his dorm bed, halfheartedly skimming a sociology textbook, when his phone buzzed with a video call from Chloe. He hesitated—Ben was out at a gaming club meeting, but the dorm walls were thin, and he wasn’t sure he could handle Chloe’s unfiltered energy in public. Still, he swiped to accept, propping the phone against his pillow.
“Yo, big bro!” Chloe’s face filled the screen, her room a chaotic backdrop of fairy lights, scattered clothes, and a half-empty iced coffee. “You busy being a nerd, or can you spare a sec for your VIP?”
Leo snorted, pushing his textbook aside. “VIP, huh? What do you want, Chloe?”
She grinned, leaning closer to the camera. “I’m cleaning out my closet, and I found, like, a million bras and panties I forgot I owned. Thought you might appreciate a tour of the collection. You know, for… inspiration.” Her eyebrows waggled dramatically.
Leo’s heart skipped, his eyes darting to the closed dorm door. “Chloe, are you serious? What if someone hears you?”
“Relax, Mom and Dad are at some gardening expo, and I’m home alone. C’mon, it’ll be fun. Like a fashion show, but better.” She was already standing, holding the phone at an awkward angle as she rummaged through a drawer.
Before he could protest, Chloe held up a black lace bra with delicate straps. “Okay, so this one’s my favorite for date nights. It’s super light, but it’s got this underwire that makes everything look, like, chef’s kiss perfect. The matching panties are cute, too—high-cut, so they make your legs look a mile long.” She tossed the bra onto her bed and grabbed another, a soft pink push-up with tiny rhinestone accents. “This one’s for when I’m feeling extra. It’s snug, though, especially during my time of the month when my boobs decide they’re auditioning for a Marvel movie. The cups get so tight, it’s like they’re staging a protest.”
Leo’s face burned, but he couldn’t help laughing. “Chloe, TMI, holy crap.”
“What? It’s biology!” she said, undeterred, holding up a pair of teal boyshorts. “These are my comfy vibes. Soft, stretchy, perfect for lounging. You’d probably like them—similar to your green ones, but with a little bow on the back. Cute, right?” She spun the phone to show the pile of lingerie on her bed, each piece a burst of color and personality. “Okay, your turn. Pick one for me to model.”
“Chloe, no way,” Leo said, but his curiosity betrayed him. “Fine. The teal ones. They look… chill.”
“Excellent choice.” Chloe disappeared from the frame, and Leo heard rustling, followed by a muffled, “Don’t judge my mirror poses!” When she reappeared, she’d slipped into the teal boyshorts and a matching bra, striking an exaggerated pose like a catalog model. “So, thoughts? The bra’s super supportive, but the straps dig in a little if I wear it all day. The panties, though? Perfect. Like wearing a cloud.”
Leo shook his head, grinning despite himself. “You’re ridiculous. They look… nice. You pull off the teal.”
“Obviously,” she said, flopping onto her bed. “Okay, one more.” She grabbed a red satin set, holding it up. “This one’s bold. I wore it under my prom dress last year, and let me tell you, it made me feel like I could rule the world. The panties are a little slippery, though—satin’s not as practical as it looks.” She paused, tilting her head. “You ever think about trying something like this? I could totally hook you up.”
Leo’s throat tightened, a mix of excitement and nerves. “Maybe,” he admitted, his voice quieter. “But, like, nothing too fancy. I’m still figuring this out.”
Chloe’s expression softened. “No pressure, Leo. Just saying, you’ve got options. And I’m basically a lingerie expert now, so you’re in good hands.” She winked, then launched into a detailed breakdown of her favorite brands, fabrics, and the eternal struggle of finding a bra that didn’t feel like a medieval torture device.
Their call was interrupted by a knock at Chloe’s door. She froze, then whispered, “Hang on, it’s probably Mia.” She set the phone down, the camera angled at her ceiling, and Leo heard muffled voices. When Chloe picked up the phone again, Mia’s face squeezed into the frame, her curly hair bouncing as she waved.
“Leo! What’s good?” Mia said, oblivious to the lingerie strewn across Chloe’s bed. “Chloe’s been hoarding you all day, huh?”
“Something like that,” Leo said, trying to sound casual. His stomach twisted, remembering Mia’s earlier probing at the New Year’s party.
Chloe shot Mia a look, subtly nudging her away from the bed. “We’re just catching up. Sibling stuff.”
But Mia, as usual, was unstoppable. She plopped onto the bed, narrowly avoiding the red satin set. “Okay, but real talk, Chloe, I need your help. My boobs have been, like, growing lately, and none of my bras fit anymore. I’m spilling out of everything. I need to go shopping, stat. You in?”
Chloe’s eyes widened, and she made a frantic shushing gesture. “Mia, what are you, crazy? What if my brother hears you?”
Leo’s face went scarlet, but he stayed silent, pretending to adjust his textbook. Mia’s expression shifted to sheepish realization. “Oh, crap, sorry! I didn’t mean—uh, hi, Leo.” She waved awkwardly at the phone. “Forget I said anything, okay?”
“Already forgotten,” Leo said, his voice strained but steady. Inside, his heart was racing. Mia’s comment wasn’t about him, but it hit close to home, stirring the same mix of curiosity and caution he’d been grappling with since Christmas.
Chloe, ever the diplomat, steered the conversation. “Mia, chill. We’ll go bra shopping this weekend, okay? I know a place with killer deals. But let’s not broadcast your boob saga to the world, yeah?”
Mia laughed, clearly relieved. “Deal. Sorry again, Leo. Didn’t mean to make it weird.”
“No worries,” Leo said, managing a small smile. “You guys have fun.”
Chloe ended the call soon after, promising to text Leo later. He sat back, staring at the ceiling, his mind buzzing. Mia’s casual mention of her changing body echoed his own quiet journey—different, but not entirely. It was a reminder that everyone was navigating their own private battles, their own secrets. For the first time, he wondered if he could ever share this part of himself with someone other than Chloe. Not now, but… someday.
Back home, Chloe and Mia’s bra shopping trip became a weekend adventure. Chloe texted Leo updates, keeping them vague but laced with her usual humor: Mia’s trying on a sports bra that looks like it could survive a nuclear apocalypse. Send help. Leo laughed, picturing them bickering in a department store fitting room. He was grateful Chloe hadn’t spilled his secret to Mia, but he couldn’t shake the image of her shushing her friend, protecting him in her own chaotic way.
Over the next few months, Leo’s confidence grew. He started experimenting more, ordering a few pairs online with his carefully saved allowance—simple cotton styles at first, then a daring silk pair in deep navy. Each purchase felt like a step forward, a quiet rebellion against the fear that had once ruled him. He and Chloe kept their “club” alive through late-night texts and the occasional care package from her, stuffed with hand-me-downs she claimed she “didn’t need anymore.” The packages always came with a note: Wear these like you mean it, big bro.
By spring break, Leo was ready to go home again, this time with less dread. When he walked through the front door, Chloe was waiting, her grin as conspiratorial as ever. “So,” she said, dragging him upstairs the second their parents were distracted, “I saved the best for last.”
In her room, she pulled out a small box from under her bed. Inside was a lavender bra and panty set, delicate but sturdy, with subtle lace trim. “I saw this and thought of you,” she said, her tone softer than usual. “No pressure, obviously. But if you ever want to try the full look… it’s here.”
Leo stared at the set, his heart pounding. It was a bigger step than he’d taken before, but the trust in Chloe’s eyes made it feel possible. “Thanks,” he said, his voice thick. “I’ll… think about it.”
And he did. That night, alone in his room, he tried on the lavender set. The bra was awkward at first, the straps unfamiliar, but the panties felt like an extension of the courage he’d been building. When he looked in the mirror, he didn’t see a stranger. He saw himself—tentative, but real.
The rest of the break was a blur of family dinners and lazy afternoons, but the lavender set stayed with him, tucked safely in his suitcase. When he returned to college, he wore it once, under a loose hoodie, just to see. No one noticed, but he felt it—a quiet, powerful shift. He wasn’t hiding anymore. He was choosing.
Chloe’s texts kept coming, each one a reminder that he wasn’t alone. Mia’s still clueless, she wrote one day. But she says hi. Also, I’m wearing the teal set today. Twinsies? Leo laughed, typing back, Twinsies. Lavender’s my vibe now.
The semester rolled on, and Leo kept growing—into his classes, his friendships, and the person he was becoming. The secret wasn’t a weight anymore. It was a spark, one he was learning to carry with pride, thanks to the sister who’d seen him, accepted him, and handed him the key to his own courage.
