By the time four-thirty hit, Brax finishes off the last of his tasks and gets Kyle to clean up before making their way back home.
"We'll pop into Heath's first so you can grab your belongings," Brax informs as the two begin walking up the driveway towards the house.
Casey, who'd finished his chores and had been resting on the couch, quickly jumps up upon hearing Brax's Ute in the driveway and looks out the window watching his brothers.
Brax knocks on Heath's door then enters when Heath calls out that the door is open.
"How was work?" Heath asks both his brothers.
"It was good," Kyle responds and looks around the flat.
"Is Bianca not here anymore?" he asks.
"Nah, had something on so left a little after breakfast," Heath answers.
Brax indicates to Kyle to grab his belongings and the teen goes to grab his bag.
"Can't believe it's time for you to go Bubs; I've had a great time having you staying here," Heath comments.
Kyle smiles and stands beside Brax with his bag.
"Thanks for letting me stay. I had a good time too," Kyle says, dropping down his bag to approach Heath and give him a hug.
"Anytime Bubs; maybe next time it doesn't have to be on bad terms with our nuisance baby bro, and on that note: if he causes you any trouble again, you tell me and I'll sort him out," Heath states and ruffles Kyle's hair.
Kyle pulls away from the hug, not knowing what to say. He didn't want Heath to deal with things in his way.
"No, you won't," Brax adds firmly, "Come on Kyle. See you later at dinner, mate; should be around seven."
Kyle picks up his bag.
"Wait: are you coming to dinner too?"
"Yup, so you'll be seeing me again real soon," Heath chuckles.
Casey rushes backwards away from the window when he is startled by the front door opening; having been too focused on watching his brothers.
"Casey: what are you doing standing near the door like that? I could have knocked you over," Brax asks.
Casey looks around awkwardly, not wanting anyone to realise his motives of being excited to have Kyle back home.
"Hi Casey," Kyle greets, diverting the tension.
Casey mumbles out a greeting as well and shifts awkwardly in his spot.
"I'm going to take my things back to my room," Kyle announces and carries his bag towards the bedroom.
"Good idea. I'm going to make a start on dinner," Brax says then smiles at Casey and upon walking passed gives his arm a pat.
"You alright, Case?" he asks.
Casey doesn't get a proper chance to reply when Brax compliments him on his efforts on the raked garden.
"Can I go to my room and see Kyle?" Casey suddenly asks.
"Sure; but I want no fighting," Brax replies.
"I promise never again," Casey clarifies.
Brax sighs, doubting Casey's statement as he watches the teen leave.
Casey walks into the bedroom and sees Kyle packing away his belongings and sits down on his bed.
"Hi Case," Kyle greets again.
Casey gives a small smile.
"How was it at Heath's?" he asks.
Kyle stops what he is doing to face Casey.
"It was quite fun. I forgot how great he could be when he's not trying to annoy us or teach us a lesson," Kyle replies and smiles.
"I'm sorry for what I did," Casey admits heartedly.
"That's okay; I understand," Kyle replies.
Casey briefly looks down at his feet; still feeling a pang of guilt.
"How can I make it up to you?" he asks.
"You don't need to make it up to me, I know what you dealt with from Brax and then Heath having a go too," Kyle tells.
Casey thinks for a moment.
"What about if you do something embarrassing to me, like take my undies to school and flash them around," Casey suggests.
"I'm not taking your underwear to school Casey," Kyle says with a frown.
"Well, what about daring me to run naked at school in front of everyone...even Scott," Casey quietly adds; his cheeks blushing at the thought of embarrassing himself in front of everyone, including his idol.
"No!" Kyle exclaims.
"If you won't agree to those, how about I give you a free swing at me; you can even give me a pink belly; I'll let you," Casey states and lifts up his shirt and starts by giving himself a whack.
"Casey: stop it; no!" Kyle snaps and grabs Casey's wrists to stop him whacking his stomach.
"I said, I don't need for you to make it up to me. I don't find the value in revenge," Kyle says.
Casey pulls his shirt back down and grumbles.
"That's stupid."
"How is it stupid?" Kyle argues.
Casey shrugs, "Just is."
Heath's comment suddenly slips into Casey's mind: how would he like his biggest secret revealed? As much as he didn't want people to know his secret of not liking to sleep alone and resorting back to sucking his thumb at times, which if revealed would definitely cause severe bullying that he was immature and childish, but it was his last plea to make it up to Kyle.
"How about I stand up in the school assembly on the first day back and announce my secret?" Casey announces.
"Will you give it a rest? I certainly wouldn't want you doing that either, because it's just not fair, nor nice to have something so personal exploited. I don't want you having to go through that," Kyle scolds, also knowing that if Casey did that, he'd be forever humiliated, and he wouldn't be able to handle the bullying.
"But I almost did it to you," Casey protests.
"But you didn't," Kyle answers back.
"But I said I would," Casey argues again.
Kyle sighs heavily.
"I'm not arguing with you Casey. I don't need any compensation from you, and I'm done talking about this."
The teens are interrupted by Brax yelling from the kitchen for them to come and prepare for dinner which was almost ready.
Kyle walks out of the room and Casey walks behind with a sulk.
"Why do you have to be so against every idea and be a sap?" he accuses.
"I'm not..."
"I hope I don't hear arguing boys?" Brax demands.
"No; just a disagreement over Casey's idea to try and redeem himself, when I told him I didn't need him to," Kyle replies.
"You're not being fair; I want to make it up to you," Casey protests.
"And I don't want you doing any stupid things just to prove it to me."
Brax shifts his eyes between both his brothers and raises a brow.
"Alright, let's just have a chat about this before dinner," Brax suggests, "So let me get this straight: you want to make it up to Kyle but by doing things that he deems is stupid; stupid how?"
"He wants to tell everyone his secret and other things and was trying to get me to hit him by hitting himself," Kyle replies; not wanting to elaborate too much more of Casey's suggestions but realising it is his responsibility as big brother to tell if Casey is acting in not the best of terms.
Brax looks at Casey with an unimpressed glance.
"I see. Well, I had better not hear that you are deliberately hurting yourself to prove a point, Casey," Brax warns and Casey drops his shoulders.
"And you, Kyle, believe you don't need him to make it up to you?" Brax says and Kyle nods.
"Well, I think that's a good outcome."
"But it doesn't help me fix it!" Casey argues.
Brax sighs and raises his eyebrow at Casey.
"Did you not learn anything from this eye for an eye thing with Heath?"
Casey looks at Brax quizzically.
"What does that mean?"
"It means revenge isn't a way to solve things and you doing things that might deem as hurtful to yourself or irresponsible is not on and if I find out you've done anything of the sort you'll be in trouble," Brax explains, ending with a mild warning as he looks at the youngest.
Casey pouts and stares down at his hands.
"I just feel bad about what I did!" he protests.
"Guilty," Kyle corrects, causing Casey to turn to him.
"What?" he exclaims.
"You feel guilty," Kyle corrects.
"Yeah, whatever," Casey groans, feeling like he really needed to make it up to Kyle and no-one was helping him.
Brax sighs and has a think.
"Very well, Casey, if you feel you need to make amends, what about you do something that Kyle likes?"
"Like what: read a book? That's not going to mean anything and besides I can't," Casey argues.
"Let me finish. No; how about that Science Fair at Yabbie Creek? I know you haven't been able to go for a couple of years due to my work commitments," Brax suggests.
Casey instantly groans; hating the Science Fair and every time he was made to tag along when they were kids and Kyle wanted to go.
"You mean I can go to this one?" Kyle questions and Brax nods.
"Yes, providing you stay out of trouble. It's not until October."
Kyle beams.
"It's meant to be a special event this time with university based inventions and theories."
Casey rolls his eyes.
"I'd really like you to come, Casey. In fact, I'd like us all to go; if that's okay?" Kyle says.
"That's not okay with me," Casey groans.
Brax nods, "I think that's a good idea and a good way for you Casey to make it up to Kyle as you've been pleading to do."
"Yeah, but not like this. Science Fair's are so boring," Casey complains.
"Too bad; it's decided and it's what Kyle wants in order for the slate to be clean between the two of you, so you will attend with the rest of us Casey and you will do so without complaining or ruining Kyle's day," Brax states.
Casey sighs heavily.
"Fine," he grumbles.
Kyle smiles at Casey and nudges his hand.
"This would mean a lot to me," he whispers.
"Now that is sorted, I actually have something to tell you both about a decision I have made. Given recent events and even though you have both made up, I think it is best that you both have permanent separate bedrooms. Obviously, this will be a gradual process and can be discussed at a later time as this is quite a big change for you boys," Brax says.
Kyle and Casey both glance at Brax in surprise, unable to find the right words to say, having not expected such a bombshell.
"I better check on the dinner as I imagine it to be all cooked now," Brax adds and moves towards the oven.
Seconds later, the front door bursts open and Heath walks in.
"Trust you to turn up just as dinner is being served. I was beginning to wonder if you were coming," Brax jokes.
"Very funny," Heath replies sarcastically.
Heath greets Kyle and Casey.
"What are you doing here?" Casey asks nervously.
"Enjoying some of that good food I dropped off the ingredients for," Heath snickers casually.
Casey lets out a sigh and Heath approaches him, grabbing him in the tightest side hug, causing Casey to yelp in surprise.
"Don't panic so much baby bro; we're all good now; just don't forget what I said."
Heath releases his hold on Casey and roughly ruffles his hair.
"Can we just sit down to eat now that everyone is back on good terms, before our meal gets cold," Brax says, as he places the joined mashed potato and pumpkin, roast pork tenderloin, zucchini and carrots over four plates and douses them with the freshly made meat gravy.
"Don't have to tell me twice!" Heath announces and claps his hands together as he takes sight of the meal.
Casey and Kyle slip into their seats and Brax follows.
Heath stays at the house for a few hours after dinner then leaves just before it was time for Kyle and Casey to get organised for bed.
Kyle slips his Hufflepuff Oodie on and Casey looks at his brother guiltily.
"Ky: I'm really sorry for ruining your other Oodie. I know it was your favourite," Casey says sadly.
Kyle weakly smiles at Casey.
"It's not ruined; Brax was able to get the milk stain out, but thanks for the apology," Kyle replies; giving reassurance to his brother.
After getting in their pyjamas, Casey hops straight into bed, whilst Kyle goes to his drawer to pull out his music book, wanting to jot down a song he thought up before he tired off to bed.
Seeing his music book all decorated Kyle stands in surprise and glances over at Casey.
"Did you do this?"
"I was bored and missed you. I hope you like it. I wanted to make it more exciting and maybe help you get thoughts on your writing," Casey informs.
"You mean inspired?" Kyle corrects.
"Yeah, something like that; even if I don't think it's that interesting the stuff you work on," Casey admits.
"I love it Casey, it's very thoughtful of you."
Kyle walks over to Casey and gives him a hug, just as Brax enters.
"I see you saw Casey's handiwork?" Brax asks.
"I did and I love it. I can't wait to write songs in it!" Kyle exclaims.
"Well, that might have to wait, for its lights out," Brax instructs.
"Can I please just write down this one bit of song I thought up before I forget; I promise I won't stay up," Kyle asks.
"Alright: but not for long."
Kyle hops into bed with his music book.
"Goodnight boys," Brax says.
Casey and Kyle say their goodnights and Brax leaves the room.
Casey watches Kyle jotting down his notes as he lays his head on his pillow.
"I'm glad you're back," Casey says with a yawn.
"Me too," Kyle answers and writes the last of his notes before placing the music book to the side.
"Hey Kyle?" Casey asks.
"Yeah," Kyle replies, giving Casey his full attention.
"Do you think Brax was serious about: the own room thing?"
Kyle shrugs, "Maybe, but then he might have just said it, meaning it was good for me to stay over at Heath's and for us to have a break?" Kyle suggests.
"Yeah, maybe," Casey mumbles and snuggles down in his bed.
"Goodnight, Muscles," Kyle says.
"Goodnight, Einstein," Casey replies.
Kyle switches off the light and snuggles down and soon both teens are fast asleep.