John's return to Tracy Island was delayed but he didn't particularly care his preference would have been to remain in space but the families protocol dictated he had to return for a short spell for his health. Whether or not it was actually scientifically needed and certainly whether or not he liked it he was coming home.
There were chaste moments however when he loved being back on Earth in spite of the heaviness of gravity and the radiant sunrise was certainly one of them. The house was quiet as everyone slept, it was their enforced down time and everyone apart from John was asleep or at least resting in their rooms, John, alone on the main terrace had set about stretching the knots from his back. Knots that had become established over the long months in space.
John's mind relaxed and focussed only on the sounds around him and the feeling in his muscles as they stretched and relaxed with his movements. He didn't like to call it yoga although when his Mom used to lead him through a session it certainly was and he continued to practise and improve whenever he could as though she were still there.
"I didn't know you could do that."
John practically fell sideways out of balance as the voice projected from somewhere behind him, snapping his neck round he saw Virgil was sat in the sofa area still in his pyjamas eating what John guessed could only be his breakfast, certainly at this hour anyway.
"I didn't know you were there."
"Sorry… I get hungry, all this muscle needs fuelling you know."
John watched Virgil shove another spoonful of porridge into his mouth before replying. "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough to watch you stick your butt in the air." Virgil snorted, pleased with himself.
"It helps me relax, being on Earth is so different to being on TB5."
"I know. I remember you spending time with Mom doing it, I was always jealous but too 'manly' to join in."
John half smiled and crossed his legs gently feeling a salty breeze cool his face. "I could do some with you now if you wanted?"
Virgil seemed to contemplate the offer momentarily before ditching the bowl and walking across to where John was waiting sitting carefully next to his brother, John felt a glow of pride in his brother as he led them both through a basic cycle that required little flexibility, being comprised of mostly inflexible muscle Virgil wouldn't manage the more advanced postures yet.
"Can you teach me what you did before I put you off?"
"What was that?"
"Well you were sat, you had one leg out back like this," Virgil stiffly stuck one leg straight out behind him hovering awkwardly off the ground. "Then you kinda did that…"
"Oh, you mean half pigeon to split."
"It could be a sparrow hawk for all I know, you just looked graceful falling into it that's all."
"I've been practising that one for years it's not something you can generally do first time… Although you're doing a good job trying…"
John watched fondly as Virgil tried and tried to bring his leading leg forwards but he just couldn't, whether through inflexibility or tight muscles it didn't matter John chuckled and demonstrated once more before they both ended up in a crumpled heap on the terrace laughing heartily.
"Maybe I'll leave the acrobatics to you, for someone who spends all their time floating around you're surprisingly strong."
"Mom used to be much better you know, she knew all the names and all the postures… Even when I was little, she would make time to help me."
"I miss her too."
Virgil wrapped an ample arm around his brother and sighed letting John rest his head in his shoulder, together they watched the sun finish rising lamenting their missing family member. There were few moments they spent together these days between John being posted in space and the many rescues they attended but they were constantly bonded by brotherhood and their shared grief for their Mom.