Thread: More Than Blood [Saria & Banter]

Happy Birthday Kai! came the chorus as the door was opened. Their mother and father strode forward to smother Kai with a hug while Dietrich stood idly near the end of the table and blew obnoxiously on a noisemaker. His posture was relaxed and amiable, but his eyes were less than warm as they flicked between Kai and the girl hanging off of his arm. Dietrich caught the brief narrowing of his brother's eyes and the way in which he tensed. He raised a pierced brow. A plethora of emotions had flickered over the younger sibling's face as he had laid eyes on him and gone still. Dietrich offered who he assumed to be his brother's girlfriend a good-natured smile, having always been congenial. However, his attention was caught up entirely by Kai as his brother mumbled his nickname, bringing back old memories of their childhood and those of a little blond boy, timid and despondent, pleading incessantly with him to 'play.' Kai, say hello to your brother! their mother chided as Kai asked about dinner. Dietrich waved away her admonition, keeping the sociable smile in place as he watched his brother advance towards the cake, and towards him. Dark blue eyes observed Kai's clothing and the way it contrasted with his pale skin. His brother wasn't looking at him. Kai did that when he was upset. Something deep within Dietrich flared up. A large, calloused hand reached out to capture the slender wrist seeking to bring the swipe of chocolate frosting up to Kai's pale lips. In one smooth movement Dietrich had yanked his brother closer, his smile taking on a darker edge when he forced Kai's wrist upwards, lowered his head, and sucked the the offending sugar-coated finger into his own mouth. Dietrich hummed softly around the digit as he licked Kai clean of the chocolate frosting, firmly holding his brother's hand captive. Steady blue eyes traveled over the smooth face of his sibling, dilating the moment they met and held his brother's. Deitrich released his grip suddenly Kai's finger slipped from between his lips with a wet pop. No you don't no cake for the birthday boy before we've sung until your ears bleed. It's bad luck, he teased, smoothing over the surprising intimacy of his previous actions with the lighthearted tone, as though it all could be chalked up to playful antics between siblings. A cheery grin slid effortlessly into place, though his eyes spoke of something different as he looked down at Kai. His brother had grown up. Dietrich found himself reluctant to step away. Rick's right! You'll need your appetites! their mother tittered, her blond curls bouncing as she emerged from the kitchen with a plate of steak, followed closely by their father hefting various plates of food. Dietrich made towards the table, easygoing manner back in place. The tension in his stance and gaze seemed to have ebbed completely away as their parents reappeared. He reached out a hand to ruffle the wet mess of his brother's hair, cuffing him away from the cake in the process. You've dyed your hair, he remarked casually, then nodded to the girl beside Kai and offered out his hand while they took their seats around the dinner table, I'm Dietrich, it's nice to meet you. His eyes settled on his brother, the question apparent in their gaze. He hadn't known Kai had been seeing someone. He didn't know exactly what he had expected either, perhaps that everything would be the same as he had left it. The girl was a surprise, as was his brother's newfound style. It seemed Kai and he had drifted farther apart than he thought. Let's eat, his father exclaimed, helping himself to a generous amount and passing the plates around. Dietrich took his portion last, eating leisurely as he listened to his parents questioning the young couple about their day. He found himself staring at his brother as he mulled over the questions he'd like to ask Kai himself there was much to catch up on. How's your senior year going? Dietrich interjected in a break in the conversation, are you two looking forward to college? Have any school in particular you're looking at yet? he asked, looking sidelong at the two high school students over the rim of his cup.