Dear Brother

13. Phone

Hey, so what do people think so far? Id love feedback! I know people are reading...

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"H-Haydrian..."

 "Yes?"

The brothers were sitting at the small round table in the kitchen, both holding a cup of tea to their chests in a similar fashion. It was a Thursday afternoon and the weather outside had made the two brothers sit inside at the kitchen table, slowly conversing about nothing in particular.

"I want a phone." Iyden said simply, snuggling into the cup to keep himself warm. The heating was rarely turned on unless the outside was absolutely freezing, and Haydrian thought it was far from freezing.

"A phone?" Haydrian was taken back. "Why do you want a phone?"

"Everyone has one!" Iyden exclaimed, "And... I have a friend!"

Haydrian felt a small twitch in the pit of his stomach and he leaned back in the chair, clearing his throat and blinking at Iyden stiffly. He was wearing a cotton shirt with a huge blue cable-knitted jumper over the top.

"You have a friend?" he clarified, unsure whether he had heard his brother right.

"Yes!" Iyden said, his face flushing with happiness. "His name's Dale. He wanted my phone number but I don't have a phone. So I'd like a phone. Please."

Haydrian's face lit up a little, and he smiled at his younger brother and took a final gulp of his tea.

"Sure, I'll get you one. Go do your homework, now." he said, and Iyden obeyed.

**

Haydrian felt a warm feeling as he clutched the small box in his hands. He was proud- he'd managed to sort out the contract for him, and had got a suitable phone.

He was hoping Iyden'd actually use it- he had the feeling Iyden wanted to be more sociable, but two years in German cellar hadn't helped his social skils or knowledge of life.  He was afraid of everthing...probably even the bleeps the phone would make would petrify him.

Haydrian would have to explain about the phone, that he had to use it sensibly and that Iyden couldnt just phone people. When Haydrian had explained about 999 (and that he could phone them if he'd cut himself badly. Haydrian thought he might as well talk about it- he couldnt help him forever) Iyden had called them excessively over suicide attempts- it made him feel sick just thinking about it. The thought of his brother bleeding, calling a stranger to their house to help him instead of him...He shivered, even the thought of it made him feel sick, and pushed the image from his mind, returning his thoughts to the new phone.

Haydrian smiled widely and entered the kitchen, hiding the box behind his back: Iyden's head snapped in his direction, making his hair fall into his eyes. He shook it from his face and smiled at his brother as Haydrian sat down, putting the box on the table.

"Guess what it is."

"Um..." Iyden picked up the box and shook it. He placed it back down on the table: the table cloth wrinkled. "Phone."

Haydrian beamed.

"Yep! I got it for you. Hope you like it, buddy."

Iyden picked the box up again and ripped it open hurriedly, pulling out the phone. He turned it in his pale hands, and grinned widely at his brother. He leapt across the table and hugged him. Haydrian smelt of wood and soap.

"Thank you thank you thank you!" Iyden cried, sitting back in his seat. "H-how do I use it...?"

Here the lessons come, Haydrian thought, and smiled.

"I'll teach you in a minute. Let me make some tea." he said finally, and put the kettle on.