"... It feels weird without Duke here."
"Yeah, well. I invited him but he said he was busy so you're stuck with me."
Neil was leaning back in his chair as he looked across the table at his younger brother. Hayden was poking at his pancakes.
The little cafe was mostly empty aside from the two of them. The weather in Dalaran today was bright and sunny, the streets bustling with the locals on their little floating island.
"So... How you been?" Neil started first, taking a sip of his coffee.
"I'm alright, I guess."
"Thats convincing."
"What? All I said was I'm alright." Hayden's eyes finally met Neil's in an attempt to show he was serious in his words.
Neil simply raised an eyebrow over his coffee mug in silence.
They remained that way until Neil broke it off. "You been getting sleep, blondie? Looking like a raccoon from my end of the table." He casually tore a sugar packet, sprinkling it into his coffee.
There's a sigh in response. "Look, I had a nightmare last night so I didn't sleep great but its not a big deal. I'll just go to bed early tonight. Besides how's you and Roy."
"ShE's AlRiGhT. i GuEsS." Neil slumped his shoulders, exaggerating a sigh.
"I don't sound like that."
"Yes, you do. Who kicked your puppy? What could possibly be going on in your life to make you act like a sadsack?"
"I'M NOT ACTING LIKE A SADSACK, FOR LIGHT'S SAKE!" The paladin threw his hands up into the air. "GET OFF MY BACK."
Neil pursed his lips at the outburst. The emptiness of the cafe only seemingly amplifying the noise. He took a long sip.
Hayden slouched back in his chair, glowering at the red-head across from him.
"If you don't wanna talk to me about it then whatever fine, piss on ya."
"I already told you there's nothing going on, I'm fine."
"And I already told ya Whatever, Fine, Piss On Ya."
Hayden rolled his eyes.
The rest of their brunch remained relatively quiet. It wasnt until Neil's cup was finally empty that he started to stir from his seat.
Neil sat up straighter, rolling his shoulders with a grunt. "Well. I gotta get rolling. Helping with an investigation or whatever." He stood. "If you change your mind, message me or Duke i dont give it a shit." He walked over an pat Haydens cheek and then ruffled his hair. "Don't die. Love you."
Hayden just looked at him tiredly, brushing his hair back with a hand, muttering. "Love you too. Bye..."
Hayden ran a hand over his face.
It was fine. Things are fine.