Chapter Title: One of Those Days

Series Title: Unlikely Brothers

Ages in this chapter: Tanner (14) Dashen (20)

POV: Tanner

Chapter Summary: Sometimes you just need to take a break.


He was quieter than usual. Stiller. Sitting on the floor in the office of the Rathskeller. It had taken me a while to find him.

"Dash. You didn't answer your comm."

"Yeah, sorry about that, Mouse. One of those days. Trying to hide for a while."

My brother. He sometimes needed time to himself. Much like all of us. Normally though, he'd let me know before he vanished.

"I can go." I started to stand from my kneeling position. "Was just worried is all."

Dashen's hand set on my arm. "Stay. It's good. You are... you're quiet. No one else around here is quiet, not like you are. I should have let you know where I was. Our number one rule, right? Always know where your brother is or is going."

I smiled at the thought. It was one of several unofficial rules we shared between us. All equally important.

"Kossi?" I asked the obvious. Dashen's alone times usually centered around his long dead baby brother. It was the most likely situation here.

Surprisingly, Dash shook his head no. "You'd think, yeah? I really don't know what brought this on. No sad memories or anything. Didn't sleep well, maybe that triggered it. No idea. One of those days."

"I don't like those days."

"Me either, but we all get 'em. Sit with me for a bit?" He asked as I let myself be pulled back to the floor.

"I can do that."

And that was the last of our conversation. Dashen went quiet and I followed suit. Whatever he needed.

My own day had been busy with school and home assignments, a lot of mental learning and stimulation; my eyes struggled to stay open. I leaned lazily against my brother's shoulder. It was easy to rest there. Dashen always made for a nice pillow, even with his thin frame. Maybe I made

him feel better too. He didn't pull away or push me off. Was it the most comfortable place to sleep? On a hard floor, against an equally hard wall, leaning against my bony brother? Definitely not.

Was it important? Absolutely so.

And the next morning when I woke to find myself tucked onto the office sofa, covered in a thick, warm blanket and seeing a refreshed big brother nearby readying for his runs that day, I knew that all of that overnight discomfort had been worth it.

Dashen leaned over me after he dressed, ruffling my hair lightly. "Hey, Mouse. I've got an early run. You've got a couple hours before school. I'll see you for dinner. Thanks for looking after me."

The smile I managed was groggy and lopsided. I was only half awake and I was ridiculously warm and cozy. He caught it though.

And for both of us, it was a perfect way to start a new day.


END