Just Like Brothers

"Just Like Brothers" is a mini-story that is part of the EMPATH: The Luckiest Smurf story series.

The Story
It was during the time when Empath's fellow Smurfs were still Smurflings and the parent Smurfs were still alive when Duncan paid a visit to Tapper within the Smurfrock Tavern. "Greetings, my fellow Duncan," Tapper said. "What can I smurf for you today?"

"Just smurfing you something that my brother Connor wouldn't wear, laddie," Duncan said as he produced a box that contained a green plaid garment.

"Great Smurfiny Crickets...this is a kilt, just like yours," Tapper said as soon as he pulled it out of the box.

"Now the two of us can be like brothers of the proud McSmurf clan together," Duncan said. "Go ahead and smurf it on...let's see how you smurf wearing it."

"I don't know if I should accept such a gift like this, Duncan," Tapper said. "This isn't something that should be shared with a Smurf of another clan."

"Don't tell me that you're afraid to wear this because you think you're not a McSmurf like me, because I don't see the difference between the McSmurfs and the Ailills," Duncan said. "We almost smurf the same way, no?"

"Well, there is a slight difference in our accents, Duncan," Tapper said. "But if it will make you smurfy, I will at least try the kilt on for size."

"That's the McSmurf spirit, Tapper," Duncan said, punching his friend in the arm for encouragement. "I'll wait here until you smurf on the kilt."

As Tapper headed into the storage room to change into the kilt, his father Seamus came out to see Duncan inside the tavern. "So you've come to smurf my son into a McSmurf because your brother doesn't want to be one, Duncan?" Seamus asked.

"I just wish Connor wasn't so ashamed to be a McSmurf, Uncle Seamus," Duncan said. "I'm glad that he wants to be a miner like my Papa Smurf, but to smurf away his heritage like that makes me feel rather sad for him."

"You see, Duncan, family isn't all about blood relations...it's about what smurfs in your heart for your fellow Smurf, which is part of being a Smurf," Seamus said. "You still care for your brother, don't you?"

"Of course I do, Uncle Seamus," Duncan said. "That's one thing about me that's never going to change."

"Well, as long as you still have that, you still have a brother, even if he decides to become something else," Seamus said. "Just remember that the McSmurfs and the Ailills will always be brothers to one another, despite what differences there may be between us. Do you understand?"

"Aye, Uncle Seamus, I will look after Tapper like he's one of my own," Duncan said.

Then Tapper came out of the storage room wearing his kilt. "I really feel like a McSmurf wearing this, my fellow Duncan," Tapper said.

"And except for the hat, you almost look it," Duncan said. "But there is one thing that McSmurfs do when wearing kilts that will make you blush."

"Really? What is it, Duncan?" Tapper asked.

Duncan motioned Tapper to come closer so he could whisper the answer in his ear. "The McSmurfs wear their kilts without any pants on."

"Without any pants?" Tapper exclaimed. "Great Smurfiny Crickets, that is indeed very embarrassing."

Duncan chuckled. "That's how my Papa Smurf likes to wear his kilt. Of course, my Mama Smurf won't let me smurf that way, because she thinks it's just not proper for a wee one like me."

"You're not going to have me smurf around without any pants on now, are you?" Tapper asked.

"Now why would I smurf that unto you, laddie?" Duncan said. "Of course, you could smurf without the vest, if you're going to be a true McSmurf like me."

Tapper sighed as he unbuttoned the vest he was wearing and removed it.

"Come on, let's smurf out near the woods and see if there are any giants for us to fight," Duncan said.

"Lead the way, my fellow Duncan," Tapper said, as the both of them ran out of the tavern together.