A scene taking place about 4 years prior to the main time of the stories I'll be writing. A 13 year-old Tech decides to sneak into his older brothers' movie night, and learns the hard way that it was a mistake.

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Percy plopped down on the couch, his huge form practically flattening it under him. The brothers always did wonder just how much abuse the couch could take from the two eldest, but for years, the old thing had held up mostly fine. Well, it creaked worryingly every now and then, but at least it hadn't crashed through the floor!

"Alright, popcorn's cooked, movie's in, and Tech is nowhere in sight," Dale announced, settling in. "We are perfectly prepared to watch this movie!"

Dale eyed him curiously. "And you're sure Tech's in our room? With the door shut?"
Percy scoffed. "Of course! I'm not dumb enough to let our kid brother sneak in and watch this. It's rated R for a reason."

"Just making sure," Dale said, raising his paws defensively. "You know Mom and Dad would kill us if he saw this."

The two brothers were about to watch what was considered the scariest movie of the decade. They'd waited until Percy's 17th birthday to watch it together, due to their parent's strict policy on age guidelines (despite both bears thinking it was rather pointless), and both were excited to finally watch. Apparently, there were just the right amount of jumpscares, a perfect level of gore, and divine, actually convincing acting. What wasn't there to love? But it happened to be for the first two reasons that they were not allowed to let their younger, much smaller, brother Tech watch even a second of it. Dale had been left in charge with that being the top rule.

To be fair, he had to agree. Dale didn't think Tech could handle a second of this movie. The guy was 13 and got freaked out over "blood" special effects that were just ketchup packets. He cried over every Disney movie. As much as he loved the guy, he was a wuss. And he wasn't about to get in trouble because his micro-sized brother was in over his head.

"Start the movie already then," Percy said excitedly. "I'm not waiting another second!"

Dale sighed. "Alright, alright!" And with that, he clicked play.

Meanwhile, Tech flew through the hallways of the house as fast as he could, which really wasn't that comparatively fast when you're an inch tall. It usually took him a while to get to the bathroom. But he was a determined little hybrid, and intent on flying down to the living room. "I can't believe he tried to lock me inside," he muttered angrily. "I'm not some little kid! I can watch whatever movie I want!" Luckily for Tech, Percy hadn’t closed the door all of the way, and he was able to squeeze through and free himself. Free to streak down the halls as a tiny beacon of rage.

Finally, Tech arrived. Out before him were his two older brothers, obviously enjoying themselves with whatever they were watching. From what Tech could tell, they were really closely watching whatever was on the screen. Their eyes were practically glued to the screen. What kind of movie were they watching anyway? Not really able to get a good look, Tech flapped his wings and flew a little closer, until he was right over the couch, just out of their range of sight.

Now, he could really see the screen. It was a cat, walking through what looked like an old, dilapidated house. Floorboards creaked with every shaky step. Their flashlight shook as they shined it at every possible angle. Dark hallways lined with cobwebs were their only sight. There was no music, only the suffocating sound of a scared fur.
Now, it was starting to dawn on Tech that there was a reason he wasn't allowed to watch with them. And then, he saw something he knew he'd regret for the rest of his life.

Just as the cat turned into a room, he called out, "Kathy? Come on, this isn't funny anymore," with a shaky voice. His light shined into the room. The same rotting wood greeted him, but as he shone it around, a red puddle oozed into view.

The next shot made Tech's eyes widen. His heart stop cold. He couldn't breathe. What he saw in those next few seconds was burned into his mind. And he screamed in horror. WIthout even meaning it, his wings stopped flapping. He fell.

Hurtling through the air, Tech's heart pounded, a combination of the horror movie and what he was experiencing. He couldn't get his wings to work. He was going to fall and hit the ground! He'd look even worse than the girl in the movie!

And suddenly, his fall stopped. With a dulled WHUMPF he landed on something soft and large, almost like a pillow. After a moment, he peeked one eye open. The first thing he saw was the TV, paused on an even more horrific image. Once again, Tech cried out in childish fear, not even caring where he was at the moment.

He suddenly heard a loud sigh. "See, told you he couldn't handle it," Dale said.
Finally, Tech looked up. In the dull light, he could see Dale and Percy looking down at him in Dale's paw. An embarrassed blush appeared beneath his fur pelt. He'd been caught. Literally.

"This is exactly why I locked you in our room, Tech," Percy said, shaking his head in disappointment. "You can't handle horror movies. This isn't even the worst part."

Tech was taken aback. Things could get worse than that?! What kind of sadist wrote these things? "U-um, I just wanted some popcorn?" he lied. It didn't work.

Dale stood up with a sigh. "Alright, back to the room with you. So we can watch our movie in peace."

"Y-yeah, that sounds good..." Tech mumbled. Dale stomped away back to the boy's shared room, clearing the vast distance in less than a few seconds. Tech was shaking the whole time. He couldn't get that movie out of his head. And suddenly, he felt a towering finger on his back, rubbing him gently.

"It's alright. I remember the first time I tried to watch a horror movie. Almost threw up." Dale smiled a little as he opened the door. "Y'know, I'm kinda the reason that rule exists in the first place."

"Really? You?" Tech asked in astonishment. "But you-"

"Love horror movies?" he interrupted. "Well of course now I do. But you've got a ways to go until you're brave enough to enjoy em." He placed the micro down on the bedside table that served as his "room". "Just give it a little more time." He grinned again, showing off his teeth in a full smile. "Besides, I don't want my little bro growing up too fast. Who else will let me cuddle them when they have a nightmare?"

Tech tensed and pouted. "You said that was our secret!"

"Still is, little bro. I haven't told anyone." He started to leave, but before shutting the door, he turned back one last time. "You wanna sleep with me tonight?"

Tech looked away. "Yeah..."

"You've got it."

And with that, the door closed, leaving Tech to his own devices. It closed completely that time too, no room for him to wriggle out. And this time, the little dragon-mutt was grateful. He certainly wouldn't be doing that again.

Well, maybe when they were watching an R-rated comedy instead of a horror movie. No promises.