Back at the restaurant, Casey is wandering around miserably as he clears a couple of tables.
Brax keeps a close eye on him, noticing his withdrawn demeanor ever since they had gotten into work.
As Casey walks into the kitchen to begin washing the dishes he cleared, Brax follows him.
"Case, come here a sec," Brax orders in a gentle tone, flicking his head to indicate Casey to approach him.
Casey leaves the washing up and walks towards his big brother.
"Is everything alright?" Brax asks, placing his hands on Casey's upper arms.
"Why wouldn't it be?" Casey mumbles.
"Because you've been moping around here ever since you started, and I know it's not because you are here doing things you don't want to, because you showed me the other day you've finally accepted your punishment, so what is it?" Brax encourages.
"I guess I'm just thinking about this morning," Casey mumbles.
"You still upset from Heath having a go?"
"It's not just that. I hate thinking of everything I did to Kyle and him being mad at me," Casey confesses and Brax nods in response.
"We'll get it sorted this afternoon, like I told you. Now more importantly, you need to think about what you want me to cook for dinner?" Brax says, smiling as he looks down at Casey.
Casey smiles in return and Brax ruffles his hair.
"Get back to it, huh?" Brax dismisses.
Casey nods and heads back to the sink to do the dishes.
The two finish up at five and make their way to Brax's Ute.
"Have any thoughts on dinner?" Brax asks.
"Gravy beef, and potato?" Casey suggests.
"Good choice," Brax chuckles and lightly slaps Casey on the shoulder.
Upon pulling up at the supermarket, Brax glances over at Casey.
"You coming in; I just need to duck in for a few items for dinner?"
"Nah, I'll stay here if that's okay, Brax," Casey replies quietly.
Brax dashes inside and in less than ten minutes returns with the meat and vegetables.
Casey remains silent for the rest of the way home feeling nervous.
As they pull into the driveway, Casey's nerves intensify; he's been so eager to make things right with Kyle but now that it is almost time, he isn't sure on what to say to his brother and the outcome of whether Kyle would be willing to forgive him weighs heavily on his mind.
He sees Heath's Ute in the driveway and swallows; still feeling a little scared and upset from Heath's fierce yelling that morning.
Deciding it is better to get it over and done with, Casey pipes up: "Can I go and see Kyle now?"
Brax, who is barely out of his Ute, laughs, "Let me get the groceries inside first; I want to go with you to make sure nothing horrible unravels."
Casey nods, feeling thankful for Brax's offer to go with him; at least have the protection of his big brother if Heath was to try any of his promised payback on him.
Casey stares towards the flat as he remains hanging in the doorway as Brax begins putting the groceries away; keeping a close eye on his anxious little brother.
"You could help me unpack and get it done faster," Brax calls out.
Casey turns.
"Sorry," he apologises and makes his way towards Brax and grabs a few items and places them in the fridge but is quick to stop, thinking over his meeting with Kyle again.
Brax sighs and puts the rest of the groceries away and slaps Casey on the back.
"Alright: let's go," he announces.
Casey shifts from foot to foot as they stand outside Heath's flat.
Brax knocks and waits for Heath to open the door.
"Hey bro," he greets, then looks down at Casey.
"What do you want? I'm not having you come here just to cause trouble for Kyle," he grumbles.
"Heath, don't start. Casey has something he'd like to say to Kyle," Brax states.
Upon hearing his name Kyle takes his attention away from his cooking to glance towards the door.
Brax spots Kyle and pushes Heath out of the way and walks into the flat, with Casey right behind him.
"Hey: Kyle, do you mind coming here for a sec; Casey would like to make amends," Brax calls while taking a whiff of the dinner cooking.
Kyle nods and turns off the pasta sauce before walking towards his brothers.
Casey hangs his head down as Kyle approaches.
"Go on, kiddo; you've been begging me for this," Brax encourages and pats Casey on the back.
"Hi Casey, how are you?" Kyle starts; knowing Casey always struggles when it comes to talking, especially if he was feeling guilty.
"I should be asking you that. Ky, I'm really sorry for everything I've done to you lately. I didn't mean to hurt you by fighting or blackmailing you like I did; it wasn't fair and you didn't deserve it. I was stupid and wrong and angry and hurt and I know that's no excuse for my actions. I shouldn't have been disrespectful to you because you're my older brother and you're better than me; I won't do it again," Casey mumbles, biting his lip as he is on the verge of tears.
Kyle grabs Casey's hand.
"Don't say that..."
"But I mean it, I shouldn't have..." Casey interrupts, only for Kyle to interrupt back.
"No; I mean don't say you're less of a person than me, that's not true. You're an awesome little brother and I wouldn't change anything about you for the world, Muscles. I forgive you for everything you did and accept your apology, so how about a hug?" Kyle says.
The two teens hug.
"I miss you not being at home, it's not the same in our room," Casey confesses.
Kyle hugs Casey tight.
"I know. I know how you hate being alone. I miss your company too."
"I'm so sorry, Ky," Casey apologises again.
"It's okay. I know how much trouble you got in for everything."
Casey squeezes Kyle for comfort and remembers that he was responsible for preventing Heath from subjecting him to a torturing wedgie or spanking.
"Thanks for sticking up for me, even when you were mad. You're an awesome brother and I promise I'll make it up to you somehow," Casey says.
Brax watches the two youngest while he stands with his arms firmly crossed over his chest, making sure they had space to sort out their differences.
After a few more moments, Brax approaches Kyle and Casey once they pull apart from their hug.
"All sorted?" he asks, giving Casey a reassuring pat on his back.
Both boys nod and Casey steps back towards Brax, who then wraps his arm around his shoulder.
"Well just for good measure, I think Kyle: you should stay here at Heath's for another night, besides by the look of it you were busy making dinner; it smells good," Brax says.
Kyle smiles, "Yeah, I'm making dinner for when Bianca comes over."
Brax looks towards Heath.
"You having a date night?" he asks.
"You could say that, but it's going to be more of a PG rated night with Kyle being here, doesn't give us an opportunity to enjoy ourselves, if you know what I mean," Heath snickers.
Brax rolls his eyes and Kyle scrunches his nose, from what Heath is implying.
"I do know what you mean and that was too much information," Brax says.
Heath laughs, "On that note, she should be here any minute."
"Well, we better go then, let you all enjoy your night; appropriately," Brax announces and squeezes Casey's shoulder.
As Brax and Casey make their way towards the door, Bianca appears in the doorway.
Heath notices her and approaches, giving her a hug and kiss.
"Hey: Babe."
"Hi everyone," Bianca greets with a smile.
"Hey Bianca," Brax greets.
"Hi Bianca; how are you?" Kyle asks.
"I'm good thank you, Kyle, as I hope, so are you, and that you are enjoying your school holidays," Bianca responds.
"It's been okay," Kyle replies.
Bianca turns to Casey.
"And how are you going Casey? Been enjoying your holidays too?"
"Hi Bianca, I'm okay and I've had better," Casey mumbles.
Bianca shrugs off Casey's flat reply and looks to Heath for answers but Heath just wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her close.
"I guess we'll leave you three to it; enjoy your night," Brax announces and gives Casey a slap on the back.
"See ya big fella; Snoopy," Heath replies.
"Bye, Brax and bye, Casey," Kyle calls out.
Casey smiles at Kyle and replies with: a quiet goodbye.
"Lovely seeing you both and I hope your school holidays improve for you Casey," Bianca says sweetly.
"Thanks, but I doubt it," Casey mumbles.
Brax squeezes Casey's shoulder in comfort and encourages him out the door.
"What did that mean?" Bianca asks; feeling confused by Casey's comment, seeing as the young teen is always making the most of his school holidays.
"It's complicated Babe; I'll explain later," Heath says and gives Bianca another kiss.
"Umm, it smells wonderful in here," Bianca praises.
"That's all down to Kyle's cooking of dinner," Heath replies proudly.
Kyle blushes, feeling all attention on him.
"I hope you like what I made," Kyle quietly says and Bianca smiles.
"I'm sure it will be lovely, and I look forward to tasting it, especially if that wonderful smell is anything to go on," she laughs.
Back inside the house Brax gets the ingredients out and the necessary utensils to begin preparing for his and Casey's dinner.
He glances over at Casey who is slumped on the couch, looking dejected, despite having made up with Kyle.
Brax stops what he is doing and approaches Casey.
"What's up, Champ? I thought you'd be happy now that things are squared between you and Kyle," Brax says.
"I am, it's just...I don't know. I guess I still feel bad about everything I did," Casey admits.
Brax gives Casey's shoulder a squeeze.
"It's good you are showing you have a good conscience, but there should be no more reason to feel like that, especially since Kyle forgave you; did he not?" Brax encourages.
"Yeah he did, but what if he was only doing it to be nice?"
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Casey. You know Kyle is honest enough that he says what he means and if he said he forgives you then you have nothing more to worry about," Brax comforts gently.
Casey shrugs, "I guess."
"Look: why don't you come and help me make dinner; it will be a good distraction for you," Brax suggests.
Casey gets up from the couch and follows Brax towards the kitchen.
He isn't a fan of helping cook dinner and often makes excuses to get out of it, but tonight felt different.
"Why don't you start by peeling the potatoes?" Brax suggests.
Casey nods and grabs the peeler off the counter and slowly starts to peel the skin on the potatoes.
"You know I'm not as good as Kyle," Casey mumbles, referring to his cooking skills.
Brax turns away from putting the diced beef in the pan.
"Hey: no-one is better than anyone else around here; you're good in your own right," Brax clarifies.
Casey weakly smiles and goes back to peeling, as Brax returns to the pan and begins cooking the beef.
He makes gravy and adds it to the diced beef then adds some peas and carrots to the mixture.
A short moment later when Casey is cutting up the potatoes to add to the boiling water, he becomes distracted and slips the knife; cutting his left index finger.
"Ow!" Casey exclaims, startled, and reflexively moves his injured hand away.
Casey's shout alerts Brax who turns.
"Casey, what happened?" he asks and rushes over to the teen.
Casey holds his now bleeding finger up, as it drips blood onto the counter freely.
Brax takes sight of the blood and then notices Casey's finger, instantly grabbing Casey's hand to examine the damage.
Brax pulls Casey over towards the sink and turns on the cold water; shoving Casey's injured finger under the running water.
"Ow: that's enough!" Casey protests and tries to pull his hand away from the water.
"It needs to be properly washed prior to any first aid so I can properly see the damage," Brax replies and holds Casey's finger under the water for another minute.
"Wait here while I get the first aid kit," Brax instructs and leaves to go into the bathroom, leaving Casey with a cloth firmly wrapped around his finger.
When Brax returns, Casey is already nursing his sore, still slightly bleeding finger.
"Go and sit down and give me your hand," Brax instructs and pushes Casey to sit at the table.
Casey holds out his hand for Brax to take and after flushing the wound, Brax gets a closer look and sees the cut is deep but not enough to require stitches.
"It looks only minor so just some disinfectant and bandage should do the trick," Brax explains.
Casey eyes the tea tree oil in the first aid kit and shudders, never having been a fan of the stinging remedy, and always causing a fuss as a kid when having to have it placed on a wound.
"Don't use that stingy stuff on it," he protests.
"It will help make sure it doesn't get infected," Brax replies.
"No; I'd rather it be infected. Just please don't use it Brax," Casey pleads.
Brax rolls his eyes.
"Fine, but I am going to put on some cream though and you still need it wiped with an alcohol swab."
"But those swab things sting too; I hate that," Casey complains.
"I'm sorry Case, you need something on the wound, and the sting from the swab only lasts a second," Brax says firmly.
"Easy for you to say; you're not having to feel it," Casey whines.
Brax sighs and opens the alcohol swab; rubbing it on Casey's finger then he grabs some Manuka honey based antibiotic cream and applies it to Casey's finger.
Brax finishes up with a bandage and packs away the first aid kit.
"So you want to tell me what happened?" Brax prompts.
"I guess I wasn't paying attention and the knife slipped," Casey confesses, "I told you I wasn't any good. As much of a klutz Kyle can be, he never even does that."
Brax runs his hand over Casey's hair and down to his neck, where he rests his hand.
"It was an accident that was all. Why don't you go get in your pyjamas while I finish preparing the dinner," Brax suggests.
Casey nods and leaves to go to his bedroom.
Casey gets into his pyjamas and while doing so notices Kyle's music book near his bed.
Casey leans over Kyle's bed to grab the book and sits back down on his own bed, having a look at Kyle's song writing.
Reading a few pages of Kyle's music book, and though unable to fully understand the lyrics through the book or even when his brother would be playing on his guitar, Casey realises how great a music writer his brother is.
Casey notices the boring brown cover of the book and has an idea.
He quickly gets up off the bed and goes back out into the kitchen.
Brax smiles as he sees Casey.
"Brax, have we got some old newspapers or magazines?" Casey asks.
Brax quizzically furrows his brow.
"Yes, you know where they are, under the sink, but Casey that's unlike you to want to look at newspapers and the only magazines you like are your surfing ones," Brax points out.
"I don't want to look at them, I want to use them to make something," Casey clarifies.
"Well okay. I'll call you when dinner's ready."
About forty minutes later, Brax knocks on the boy's bedroom door and gently opens it.
Casey stops working on his project and glances towards Brax.
"What are you doing there, kiddo?" Brax asks; standing beside the bed and noticing the mess of cut-outs of magazines and newspapers scattered over Casey's bed.
"I thought Kyle's music book could do with a bit of decoration instead of the boring brown colour so I'm cutting out things to do with music or things Kyle likes and sticking them on the book and a few inside," Casey explains as he glances up at Brax.
Brax smiles and runs his hand over Casey's hair.
"That's a very nice gesture, Case. I am so proud of you," Brax praises.
Casey smiles but then furrows his brow in confusion.
"Why; all I'm doing is sticking pictures on a book," he says blankly.
"Not about that. I'm proud of you because I will always be proud of you: you're my baby brother, but also because of your initiative today with making up with Kyle," Brax explains.
Casey shifts slightly, feeling a sense of pleasure from his big brother's praise.
"Anyway, pack that away for now because dinner is just about ready," Brax informs.
Casey nods and collects up all the magazine and newspaper scraps and places them in the bin before following Brax out into the dining room.
Brax dishes out the mash potato and beef gravy onto two plates and places them on the table.
"Could you get and pour the milk please, Case?" Brax requests.
Casey goes to the fridge and grabs the milk, pouring into two glasses that were on the table, an even amount before returning the milk in the fridge and taking a seat.
The two begin to eat their meal and Brax looks over at Casey after a few moments.
"How is your finger?" he asks.
"It's okay, just alittle sore," Casey replies.
"Keep it rested and I'll have another look at it in a few days," Brax says.
Once they finish eating, Casey immediately stands up, taking his and Brax's dishes to the sink.
"Leave the washing up this time; I don't want you getting your bandage wet," Brax states, "You can dry up for me instead."
Casey nods and moves aside so Brax can begin washing up.
"Is there any other chores I have to do?" Casey asks, putting away the last of the dishes.
Brax smiles and rubs Casey's back.
"Not tonight, so why don't you go and finish that little project you were doing with Kyle's music book."
"Thanks Brax," Casey says, then wanders back to the bedroom while Brax wipes down the kitchen cupboard and finishes tidying up.