Thread: More Than Blood [Saria & Banter]

Dietrich Hall shrugged his heavy pack from his shoulders and shook the rain from his dark brown hair, glancing back at street as he watched the last of the afternoon shower fall from the sky. Of course it had unleashed hell on him, but cleared right up once he was at the front door. He grimaced, unconsciously transforming his face into a menacing scowl as he hadn't taken the time to shave off the dark stubble that shadowed his jaw. He looked rather wild, weather-beaten and out of place, standing sodden outside on the porch of the cozy suburban house. Rick! came the crooning call from inside the house, before the door was thrown open. He opened his arms and enveloped the tiny woman in a warm hug as she stretched to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss his cheek, Hi mom. You've grown again, She remarked after lowering back onto her heels and stepped back to hold him at a distance her eyes traveled over his jacket, casual navy blue t-shirt, dark wash jeans, and scuffed boots. Nah, you've just shrunk with old age, Dietrich's blue eyes sparked with mirth as he grinned, then pretended to rub the sore of his arm where the woman had smacked him. It was true Dietrich had always been tall, but standing at 6'3 and a solid 230lbs, it could be said he had inherited his father's physique. Beside him, his mother looked downright fragile. It had helped that his college expected students to complete P.E. credits as a graduation requirement, something about the college wanting to balance out their highly intellectual body of students. Unlike most, it hadn't been a chore for Dietrich he had fallen into wrestling and dabbled in boxing and jujitsu. He had enjoyed the physical exertion as a escape from the daily grind of his classes. Under the worn leather jacket lay some of the bruises of his last match. Following his mother in, he didn't remove it, knowing her and how much she hated seeing him black and blue. Your brother will be home any minute, so go clean up and then help me set the table. You can put your stuff in his room we moved your bunk beds out, so we'll have to find you a futon, His mother's rambling drifted off into the kitchen, and Dietrich took a deep breath in. It smelled like home and cake. He smirked at the decorations and the balloons and the pile of presents. Kai had always been spoiled as the youngest. His little brother would be turning 17. He hadn't seen Kai in almost a year he had probably grown up as well. Dietrich's hand pushed open the door to his brother's room, the inked wrist of his faded tattoo sleeve peeking briefly out from under the sleeve of his jacket. It was formerly their room before he had moved out. Now it was radically rearranged. Dietrich found himself resisting the urge to bend over his brother's bed and test if it still smelled like he remembered. Nostalgia hit him like a fist to the gut as he set down his bag in the corner of the room. He wanted to lie on that bed. Shaking his head, Dietrich retreated to the bathroom to wash the grime of the long plane ride from himself. Returning downstairs, he fingered the wrapped presents he held before setting them amongst the pile on the table. They were a couple of his brother's favorite comics, two of the books on his college reading list, a gift card, a miniature coffee press, a couple of condoms and a porn mag College essentials. His mother paused in catching him up to date on the family gossip as she heard the door open and close, going to greet his father. Dietrich looked down at the cake, smiling. 18 candles and Kai's favorite flavor. His brother should be walking home from school now. Dietrich's coming had been kept a secret. He wondered how his brother would react, seeing him here. After so long, he was rife with anticipation.