Omission

Date/Timing: after Russell moves from China to London with Bastien
Setting: Dietrich's office; Geneva, Switzerland
.
[Too early in the day for good news], Dietrich's mobile buzzes on Bastien's number.
Something cold coils around his heart as taps 'receive'.
""Why didn't you tell me?!""
"/Hasi, what—"
""That I'm like Manny! That I'm not Father's!""
Dietrich drags a hand down his face, says softly, "Because we were never sure. Mother brought you home; Father said you were our brother and a normal child." Sighs. "We all decided to take him at his word."
""But why didn't you tell me?"" Bastien demands.
"[We didn't hide the truth to hurt you]. You didn't need the burden of knowing what Mother /might have done to bring you into the world."
""I haven't been a child for decades, Dee. You don't need to protect me from /anything anymore.""
"It was a mistake to keep this from you, I see that now."
""What else do you know about me that I don't?""
Dietrich takes a deep, shaky breath. "You have the same genes as Manny. All of them."
/Hasi's voice is tiny: ""Even ...?""
"/All of them. [I had a uni friend sequence your—and Manny's—DNA and compare your profiles. You are nearly identical twins]."
He's all fire again. ""You knew /that and didn't tell me?! What if I had /kids?!""
"After you came out as ace, I didn't think that would be an issue."
""Ace means 'no attraction', not 'no sex', Dee.""
Dietrich buries his face in his free hand. "Another mistake. I'm sorry, Bastien."
He scoffs, then spits, ""Mother's alive, by the way.""
Dietrich's world tilts frighteningly. „What ....“
""She didn't die. She /left.""
"How ...," he chokes out
""Russell told me. Told me all of this."" Deep breath. ""He saw her in Paris five years ago.""
"You believe him?"
""Of course I do! He doesn't lie, Dee: omit, maybe, but not lie.""
"That's all we did, too," Dietrich says gently. 
A sigh.
"What happens now?"
/Hasi takes a deep breath. ""We go on. We're still family, however few genes we have in common—"" A small laugh colours his voice. ""—and I'll make an appointment to have gel injections.""
Dietrich smiles. "Are you thinking of having children?"
""If I start to, I'll look into fostering or adopting one."" The colour drains away. ""Russell says there are babies like Manny and I."" Swallows. ""I would take one of them in.""
"That's a wonderful idea," croaks Dietrich. "Sabine and the girls and I would help you any way we can, should you decide to."
""Thanks."" Deep breath. ""It'll be a while if I ever do that.""
"Of course."
A few silent beats.
""Dee?""
"Hmm?"
""I think ... I think things were better this way, with me not knowing the truth.""
"That's a comfort. All we ever wanted was for you to be happier than we were."
""I was. Thank you.""
"You're welcome, /Hasi."
Category:Ficlet
Category:Geneva
Category:Dietrich
Category:Dietrich's POV
Category:Dietrich (ficlet)
Category:Dietrich is a doctor
Category:Bastien
Category:Bastien (ficlet)
Category:Conversations via mobiles
Category:Hermann (mention)
Category:Russell (mention)
Category:Lars (mention)
Category:Birgit (mention)
Category:Hermann is part owl
Category:Hermann is a clone
Category:Sabine (mention)
Category:Langlians (mention)