A/N: Was I the only person thrown when they found out that Hassan was Amir's half-brother? I'm a yaoi girl, so that's probably why I didn't see that coming. I saw something much different. Probably also why I couldn't understand Amir's actions for pretty much the entire book and the movie. Or maybe that's just culture shock.

Amir wanted to be a writer, but without someone to point out the flaws in his technique, how was he supposed to be good at it?

He tried to convince himself that was his reason for teaching Hassan to read. In the darkest corner of his mind, where he shoved his numerous unwanted thoughts and feelings, he admitted that maybe he admired Hassan and his easy smile far too much to be healthy.

As they got older and more exposed to the world at large, it just seemed to get darker and darker, leaving their constant friend appear even brighter in rebellion. Amir was picked on for being a bookworm, small and scrawny; Hassan was picked on for being a Hazara servant in a predominately Pashtun country. The two took comfort in knowing they had at least one friend, even when they fought.

With every word and smile they shared, Amir's feelings seem to grow and expand, like a dandelion that just kept growing back no matter how many times you killed the thing.

Hassan wasn't entirely sure what to feel about the way Amir smiled at him, dark brown eyes twinkling brightly, making him… no, he wasn't allowed to think that. Amir wouldn't—couldn't—want that.

"You won!" Hassan yelled, "you won!"

"We won, Hassan!" Amir corrected, a wide smile settling on his face. "We won."

"I'm going to run that kite for you," Hassan declared.

"I'll come with you."

And the two took off, Amir following Hassan, like he always did when they ran.

Hassan caught it, the pale blue kite drifting into his hands, as they always did for him, the enviable wind-whisperer. Amir couldn't help it; he gave Hassan a hug, pulling him close and bringing his head into his best friend's neck, near his ear.

Trying to contain his breathing (he was ever so close), he whispered, "Thank you, Hassan jan. We won." The smile broke out on his face, changing his voice as he spoke.

Hassan shifted the smallest bit, the answering smile just as large, bottle green eyes shining at the unspoken praise and gratitude beneath his words.