Chapter Text
The half-elves home settled to the rising warmth of summer. Gentle heat poured in through the cracking windows, coming to rest on the brother's faces. They were met with another average day, an average man to pickpocket, an average woman tossing the boys a measly few coppers, and an average day of Katherine doing her best to teach Sylnan baking. As the market-goers hurried to there candlelit mansions, going with the sun, the brothers rested on the warehouse floor.
Br'aad plucked curiously at strings laid over wood. He had no idea what it was despite seeing it before, all the half-elf needed to know was the noise that sailed from it was captivating.
"Any lyric ideas yet?" Br'aad turned his head to Sylnan, his dagger casually chopping away at the bird's nest he called hair.
"Uh- What?" The sharp edge grew dangerously close to Sylnan's nose as his focus shot to Br'aad, strands of hair fell in-between the floorboards. The blonde half-elf took a deep breath,
"Lyrics! Sylly! "
"Ughhh I hate that," Br'aad was met with a halfhearted frown from his brother.
"Angry Katherine didn't think of it first?" His ears perked, setting the instrument aside to squirm next to Sylnan, a sharp grin painted his face.
"Yes! No- Well- BR'AAD STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT!"
"KNEW IT!" Br'aad sprung from the floor, a finger of accusation shoved to Sylnan's forehead, "MY BROTHERS IN LOVE. " The words bounced off the walls sending mice and other creatures scurrying to the nearest hole out.
"I'm- I'm not in love with Katherine Br'aad, I just think she's nice."
"Anddd?"
" And , I think it would be... Nice if we got together but, it's not gonna happen." Sylnan shook his head with an out of breath chuckle to replace Br'aad's yells. He loved Katherine, would he admit it to Br'aad? Absolutely not. One of the many rules in Sylnan's head to having a younger brother, never tell them you might be in love, especially, if they happen to be an overactive fourteen-year-old named Br'aad Vengolor.
"Pft, why not?" Br'aad sat on his scraped knees, the instrument back in his hands.
"Are you serious? Br'aad. No one falls in love in the wharf, you just like, I don't know."
"Have kids n' then... Throw them in an orphanage?"
"Yea, yea, that! Or have kids to work on a farm."
" Or have kids to have them steal things for you?"
"Now we're talkin'!" The brothers couldn't help but laugh at there situation. Easier to joke than it is to confront as Katherine said, "But yea, no such thing as love in this place." Sylnan motioned to the shelter around them, particles drifting on the air, stairs ready to give out at any moment. He looked to his brother expecting a shared grin and yet, he pulled the strings with lowered eyes. Before Sylnan could imagine the words Br'aad rested his hand,
"You... You really think that?" The blonde boy's shoulders fell with knit brows. His brother stared, dark eyes fixed on Br'aad.
"Well... I..." Sylnan looked around, Gods he felt like an ass, "I... No. I don't think that. I think... A lot of the Wharf is bad but, there's still love somewhere, I guess?" He tried to form an embarrassed smile, hoping Br'aad would see what he was getting at. The frown on the half-elf broke into a laugh,
"Pft! That's dumb."
"What! I thought you wanted me to say something sappy!"
"Yeah! But not something that sappy!"
"You-" Sylnan brought a palm to his forehead, "That's gonna cost one brotherly hug."
"Oh no you are covered in greasy hair don't you DARE!" In seconds the two had jumped to there feet, darting through the protesting warehouse. Hopping over the rails, gracefully tripping over bottles and loose planks, the brothers took advantage of every inch of the home. Eventually, Br'aad stumbled into Sylnan, officially caught. He didn't complain as the awkward brother hug was initiated. Even if it was played off for laughs, Sylnan couldn't help but hug his brother close.
"Love you, Br'aad."
"Huh?"
"Nothin' let's clean up."