Chapter Title: Black and Green

Series Title: Unlikely Brothers

Ages in this chapter: Tanner (14) Dashen (22)

POV: Tanner

Chapter Summary: Takes place after the events of "The Truth about Kossi" (Chapter 26). Dashen settles in to deal with the truth of Kossi's death.


"Green, huh?" Dashen said to me out of the blue. I knew exactly to what he referred though.

"Yeah." On my Jedi braid, I fingered the small green band that lay tightly woven around the already existing black band. Next to those was my original white that Master Ayden had presented to me upon taking me as his Jedi Padawan. I'd attached the black one a year into my life with Dashen. It was for him for all he'd done for me. The color, I'd teased that it matched his dark hair.

The green one I'd added two days ago, not long after I'd seen my brother fall apart with the haunting truth discovery about the death of his brother-by-blood, Kossi. Kossi had been Dashen's reason for living. He was also the reason he fought so hard for me.

Green had been Kossi's favorite color. It was the color of his eyes and of Dashen's eyes. I'd taken the green band and wrapped it with the black. Together. They had to be together. Always.

"He'd have liked that." Dashen said, his words filled with pure unadulterated sorrow.

"His memory, it's a part of my life now. Not as it is with yours, but he's there." I stepped closer to Dashen, my voice melancholy. "And Dash, I'm sure he'd pester you to accept the truth you've learned about him and then to move from it."

A nod. "Yeah, he would. Kossi was... he was a nag sometimes and he was usually right. But damn it..."

I hugged my brother fiercely before he could lose it again and wrapped the Force around us as hard as I could. Calming where possible. We were here, in the town of Cinder at Colton's small seaside cabin. An escape.

Two days ago we'd discovered the brutal honest truth about Kossi's death. He hadn't died from a virus or sickness. He'd been murdered in cold blood and left to die slowly before the eyes of the older brother that relished in his existence. The day after that news, Colton had sent us here. To Cinder. To the cabin. Away from everything.

Yesterday, we'd had a good day. The best of days. Running on the sand, swimming in the clear blue water, lounging in the warming sun. Dashen wasn't better, but for a few hours he'd been able to enjoy reliving memories of what he and Kossi had shared as brothers. Today was more difficult. The coming to terms with the heart-stabling truth and moving beyond that truth. Basically, do the impossible.

The Force helped. I'd gotten better about using it for such purposes thanks to additional training by our Tatooine friend Ben Kenobi, and I wasn't shy about using it when it came to my brother. He didn't fight it this time either as he sometimes did. Me and my 'magic' as he liked to say. This time, he relaxed into it and let me be the one to support him as he'd done for me since I'd landed in his care.

After stretched minutes, I let him go. We walked outside to the porch.

Fifty steps beyond was the majesty of the expansive ocean. Giant and blue and mesmerizing. The foamy salt spray from the waves tossing droplets our way when the wind moved them in the exact right direction.

Dashen was still calm as we stood watching the waves. "You know, I hate this place and I love this place. Not sure how it's possible to have it both ways. But I do."

I got it. I did. He loved it because it reminded him of his brother. He hated it because it reminded him of his brother. He could have it both ways and there was nothing wrong with that.

"Probably not all that unusual, Dash. Good and bad often clash. It's really up to you to determine which one wins out."

"Thanks for the braid thing Mouse. The colors. Black and green. Together. It means a lot that you don't run away screaming when my past comes back to haunt me. Most would. You stay. Time after time."

I kept the Force drawn around us and said, "You're my family, Dash. Of course I stay."

His breaths ran deep and each time he felt the emotion about to bubble up, the Force wrapped in harder. "I feel that too. Your weirdo magic. Still creepy as hell, but it helps. No idea how you do it, but it's nice."

"You don't want to know, it'll just bore you to death."

"I'm sure it will." He was quiet then. Thinking. Wondering. "Tanner, I think... I think I need to stay here a while. Figure out how to deal with this new truth. I'm angry and upset and confused and heartbroken. All of these things all over again. That's not a good combination to be for work purposes or for looking after you. Maybe I need to lose myself for a bit. You understand."

He wanted time alone. I did understand. Completely.

"I do. It's a good decision. Do you have all you need to stay?"

Dashen nodded. "I think so. Colton stocks this place well. You know how he is, never does anything halfway."

We stood together and he stepped to me for one more hug, then away to set his fingers on the newly banded braid. Black and green. Always together. Tears welled in his eyes again.

"It's stupid, but this means so damn much, Mouse. I keep Kossi with me every single day. That you want keep him close too... for me... ugh. Sorry." Green eyes rimmed red as he clumsily wiped at them. I knew then that it was my time to leave. I also knew that he'd be okay. "Just let Colton know, okay? I'll send word for a ride when I'm ready and I'll keep contact. Make sure Colton looks after you. He will, I know, but I need you be safe while I'm not home."

"Promise."

One more hug. My arms wrapped around his waist. I was considerably shorter than my brother, the top of my head barely reaching his shoulders, but I could hug with the best of them.

"I'll see you soon, little brother. Love you."

"Let yourself grieve, Dash."

Chin on top of my head, I felt him nod against me. No more words would come, not without breaking and I didn't want that for my brother.

"Love you back, big brother." I said to him before letting go. "See you soon."

Reluctantly I left him there, tears wetting his face, eyes bloodshot. He needed me, but he needed time alone more.

—-

For ten full days Dashen secluded himself at the sea cabin. When he returned home, he seemed different, as if a crushing wave of pressure had been released from his mind. He wasn't over Kossi's death or the truth of his death. He'd never be over those things. Not completely. But he'd accepted the truth and accepted that at the time, he had done everything within his limited power to save Kossi.

Of course, thanks to yours truly, he got crushed with another colossal hug at his return. One of his hands wrapped around my head and he planted a brotherly kiss on top.

"Missed you, Mouse."

"Missed you back, Dash."

We separated. Another touch to my braid - the black and green melded bands.

"Thanks for this, Tanner, and for giving me time. And also for accepting

me for me. Most don't. I'd be lost as hell without you." He tucked my braid back, concealed into my hair. "Come on, it's late and I'm hungry. Call Vera at the Rathskeller, ask her if our regular booth is available. If not, have Kebrey kick someone out of it. Colton will have extra security there, unseen of course, with you in the house, but we need the time together. Me and you. To celebrate little brothers, both past and present."

Sounded like a good plan to me. After recent events and revelations and an impossibly emotional time, I was ready for whatever passed as normal for Dashen and me.

Late night dinner at a local bar frequented by seedy characters, owned by a large blonde-haired master criminal who doubled as our fake uncle and landlord, flanked by several of the galaxy's most giant security guards... Yeah, that seemed pretty normal to me.

It was a good evening. The best of evenings. Just me and my brother and memories of the one he loved beyond life.

I felt again for the bands on my braid and smiled. Black and green. Together. Always.

This was the perfect evening.


END