7. So close, yet so far

Just as promised, Desmond DID return just in time for lunch. Altair was not amused though. The boy was completely covered in dirt and for a moment he thought about scolding him, but then decided against it. He knew his brother had lived through some traumatic experiences and he did not want to accidently trigger a memory, not when he looked so open and happier than the older male had ever seen him before. So instead of sounding like a disapproving parent, Altair sounded like an amused older brother.

"Welcome home Desmond and I see, you have brought half the forest," he made sure that his brother saw the smile on his face.

"Well..." he shuffled with his feet and looked embarrassed. "I found a tree house and wanted to investigate it..." he cleared his throat, "I fell through the floor."
Altair could not help but laugh at the comical image. The tree house was old, even older than the wooden shelter he and his friends had built. Perhaps he SHOULD have warned Desmond about it, then again, young boys needed to make experiences on their own.

"As long as you have not injured yourself..." there was a questioning tone in his voice and he let out a relieved sigh, when Desmond shook his head. "Good... then go and wash your hands... and as much as you can without showering and then we eat, I made penne with pesto."

"Sounds good," said the teenager and he vanished into the bathroom and while he was scrubbing dirt and whatever else had landed on his face and hands, Altair prepared the table for them.

As soon as the younger brother stepped back out – he could actually be recognized again – the golden haired man motioned for him to sit down and he put a full plate in front of him.

"You know," the undergraduate began between chewing, "how in the world did you get up there in the first place?"

"That was not easy," he said in a serious voice and Altair found himself leaning forward in real interest. "I tried to climb the tree where it was built first, but it did not have enough branches so that I could reach the tree house. I looked around for a bit and found easier spots to climb up. When I was high enough, I could jump into the tree house and at first, it looked solid, but then it just gave up right under me. I was lucky it was not too high, though I KNOW how to fall properly."
A humming sound escaped him. "Do you like to climb stuff?" Desmond nodded almost eagerly, but did not answer, he had his mouth full. "Have you ever heard of free running?"
"Yeah," he sounded hesitant. "I wanted to try it once, but Jean said it was too dangerous and forbid it and my other families..." he trailed off.

"How about we go and make the city unsafe, just the two of us and I'll show you a few tricks. Also, I can show you around a bit."

"I don't know," he did not look too convinced and Altair blamed the memory of his past for that.

"I thought you wanted to go free running, what better place than a town. If you are scared... there is no need to be scared. I will be there the whole time and I will catch you, I promise." His golden eyes were firmly fixed on the younger male, who was poking at his noodles with his fork.

"I'll think about it." That was better than nothing.

"Do that, there's no need to rush. We have the whole holidays after all." His brother seemed to lighten up a bit.

After lunch, Altair leaned back in his chair, hands coming to rest on his stomach and head tilted back. "Damn, I think I ate too much, I guess you have to clean up."

"You are just lazy," complained Desmond, who stood up nevertheless and grabbed his own plate, before moving around the table to take the adult's.

It was a gesture born out of instincts, but Altair reached out with his hand. He ignored the boy's visible flinch and his hand came to rest on dirty brown hair. Affectionately, he ruffled through it and stopped only, when the teenager's body relaxed again.

Dark brown eyes regarded him with an unhealthy mixture of fear and distrust, as well as wonder. He did not understand, realized Altair.

"Come here," he said gently and he moved his hand to the back of the boy's skull and lightly pulled him closer. It was clear that it cost a lot of willpower for the teenager to allow himself to be pulled closer, instead of running away. His eyes were unsure, almost terrified, but Altair would not stop, not now. The older male was holding his breath just as much as Desmond was, but he did not stop until the teenager's forehead rested on his own.

The boy was as tense as a plank and starting to shake. His brown eyes were darting from left to right, searching for a way out. Altair made sure to loosen his grip just a bit and then he closed his eyes.

"Relax," he said gently, "I am not going to hurt you. See? Everything is alright."

He could feel the trembling start to get worse and he was debating on what he was supposed to do. He did not know if it were better to let him go now, or if he should take the risk of pushing the teenager too far and therefore away from him again. It was a great risk and the costs would be great, but it may be worth it.

"Hush Desmond. It's me, Altair, remember? Your big brother... you DO know what big brothers are for, don't you? We are here to protect our little brothers and to make sure that they won't be harmed. I won't let anything bad happen to you." He used his best calming voice, not sure if it would actually help.

Please, don't let this be a huge mistake. I don't want him to get scared of me, not after he had begun to open up.

It took a few minutes, but eventually the frantic breathing eased out again and the trembling stopped. Altair even dared to open his eyes again. His half brother still looked confused and highly uncomfortable, but at least he did not look as if he would bolt as soon as he got the opportunity.

It was Altair who twitched slightly, when he felt a pair of hands against his chest. They were not pushing, instead fisting in the material of his shirt. It was a beginning and a good one at that, especially when he moved his hand from Desmond's head to his shoulder and the said teenager did not move again. It was surprising and unexpected, but also a step in the right direction, Altair could feel it.

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