INDIVA : ECHOES OF DESTINY
Brothers
The soft light of the morning peeks through the window, casting a warm glow on the small but cozy kitchen. AARON stands at the stove, clearly out of his element. The egg he’s trying to flip looks more like a scrambled disaster than the perfect sunny side up that WILLIAM usually makes. He flips it one more time, only for it to stick to the pan.
Aaron Hope
(grumbling to himself)
Why does this always happen to me?
He sighs, eyes narrowing in concentration, clearly frustrated, as the eggs sizzle more violently than he anticipated. AUSTIN shuffles into the kitchen, his messy hair sticking out in every direction. He yawns loudly, rubbing his eyes before glancing at the stove and then at Aaron, who’s struggling.
Austin Heart
(surprised)
Wait... you’re cooking?
Aaron Hope
(half-embarrassed)
Yeah, I’m cooking. William’s still asleep. I had to take over.
Austin Heart
(teasing, leaning against the counter)
Ah, so the prodigy is taking a break, huh? What’s this? Is it... is it some kind of experimental cuisine?
Aaron gives Austin a sharp look, the eggs sizzling even louder, threatening to burn.
Aaron Hope
(half-trying to laugh)
I’m trying my best, Austin.
Austin Heart
(smirking, walking closer)
“Best?” If that’s your best, I’m glad I’m not the one who’s gonna eat it. Looks like the eggs are plotting against you.
Aaron glares at him playfully, flipping the eggs with a bit too much force, causing them to slop over the edge of the pan.
Aaron Hope
(growling)
You know, Austin, you could at least help me instead of just standing there making jokes.
Austin Heart
(sarcastically)
Oh, I’m sorry, Master Chef. I didn’t realize I was supposed to interrupt the magical process.
Aaron rolls his eyes but can’t help the smile that edges its way onto his face. He turns back to the stove, attempting to salvage the meal.
Just then, WILLIAM enters the kitchen, looking disheveled, rubbing his eyes as he stumbles in.
William Heart
(groggily)
What’s... what’s going on? Why’s it so noisy in here?
He glances at Aaron, who’s now trying to salvage what’s left of the breakfast.
William Heart
(raising an eyebrow)
Aaron, are you cooking?
Austin Heart
(grinning)
Yeah, it’s an experiment. I don’t think we’re gonna survive it.
William Heart
(faint smile)
I had a feeling. How bad is it?
Austin Heart
(squinting)
You know how good Aaron is with knives, right? Now imagine that same level of skill applied to eggs.
Aaron Hope
(defensively)
I’m doing fine!
Austin Heart
(teasing)
You’re doing something. Not sure what, but it’s something.
William laughs softly, his tired eyes scanning the kitchen, a quiet concern flickering across his face. He glances over at Aaron, who looks exhausted, his efforts failing but his determination never wavering.
William Heart
(gently, with concern)
Aaron, why didn’t you wake me up? You should’ve let me handle this.
Aaron Hope
(quietly, focused on the pan)
You were up late. You looked like you needed sleep.
William Heart
(sighs, walking over to the table)
Yeah... I just couldn’t sleep.
Austin Heart
(sitting at the table, casual but with a sharp glance at William)
You’ve been like that a lot lately. You sure you're okay?
William doesn’t respond immediately, but the exhaustion on his face speaks volumes. He grabs a chair and sits, rubbing his temples, his tiredness more evident now.
Austin Heart
(cheerfully, trying to lighten the mood)
Don’t worry, Will. I’m sure your breakfast is... uh, salvageable. Aaron’s just making it... interesting.
Aaron lets out a small laugh, the tension breaking a little. Despite the rough start to their day, the bond between the brothers is clear. They understand each other—always trying to care for the other, even in their own little ways. They’ve been through a lot together, and no matter how much they hide it, they’re all still deeply affected by what happened.
Aaron, though still uncertain in the kitchen, sets the eggs on the table and looks over at Austin.
Aaron Hope
(serious)
Eat it, Austin. I swear I put my best effort into this.
Austin looks at the plate, then at Aaron’s face, and for a second, his usual teasing demeanor softens. He gives Aaron a small, grateful nod.
Austin Heart
(softly)
I appreciate it. Seriously.
William Heart
(smiling, tired)
Let’s just make sure we survive this first.
They all sit down, the table feeling unusually quiet for a moment. But the comfort in the shared space is palpable. Even if things aren’t perfect, they’re together.
Austin Heart
(mumbling)
Well, we’ll be eating something...
Aaron gives Austin a look, and though the food might be questionable, there’s no doubting the love that fills the room. The brothers know, despite the hardships and all the unsaid things hanging between them, that they’ll always have each other. They’ve been through too much to let go now.
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