Okay, I think what I initially planned as only a 2-chapter fic is going to be a three or maybe even four-parter. I also wanted to try and write this chapter from Yaman's POV.
I don't own the show or the characters, they all belong to the Yabani writers, producers and the production company. This is only fanfiction.
Time, Distance And Healing (Chapter 2)
Yaman pulls up at the main entrance to the house and kills the engine. He sneaks a glance at Alaz who's looking out of the car window thoughtfully.
"Home, sweet home" Alaz murmurs quietly.
"C'mon, let's get inside, everyone's waiting for you" Yaman says with all the enthusiasm he can master, even though he's panicking on the inside and has been in the state of paralyzing dread all their ride home.
He knows that his ever so perceptive little brother suspects something. That's why Yaman almost spilled his guts several times. He's torn between the desire to be honest and just wanting his little brother next to him. Even though they talked over the phone almost every day, they've barely seen each other over the last 5 years. Alaz came back only once, for the wedding. Yaman's visited him a few times in America, alone as well as with their siblings, and the last time a few months ago with Rüya. Those visits weren't nearly enough, leaving Yaman constantly missing his little brother. So finally having Alaz back home feels like a blessing but Yaman knows it won't last because all hell will break loose once Alaz learns the news.
Will Alaz stay once he learns the truth? Will he ever come back after that? Will he allow anyone to come to him? Will he talk to any of them ever again? Or will he consider keeping everything from him a betrayal? Yaman's so not looking forward to getting the answers to all these questions.
"Is she already here?" Alaz's voice pulls Yaman from the anxious whirlwind of his thoughts.
"Err ... Nope. Not yet. She'll come over a bit later".
Alaz just nods and climbs out of the car. Yaman follows him after drawing in a deep nervous breath. They walk to the front door and open it, only to be assaulted by loud pops of crackers and confetti raining on their heads and some flying right into their faces. Yaman's sure he's swallowed a few.
"Welcome home, Alaz!!!" their mother, sisters, Rüya and Feride Abla all scream together.
Then all of them take turns hugging Alaz. They talk over each other, shooting questions in rapid succession. But beneath the very real happiness of finally seeing Alaz, Yaman can also see everyone buzzing with the same nervous energy that he's feeling. Çağla and Ece are the worst really, both of them have panic and guilt written all over their faces. And of course Alaz catches on it immediately and just when he opens his mouth to say something about it, Yaman jumps in with:
"Alaz, güzel kardeşim benim, we forgot your bags, let's get them out of the car".
Alaz looks at him with suspicion but nods and they step out to get the bags. Yaman opens the trunk when he hears Alaz ask:
"Okay, Abisi, tell me: what's going on?"
Yaman knows it's a lost cause but he plays dumb nonetheless:
"What are you talking about? Nothing's going on".
Alaz just gives him the look.
"I swear nothing is going on".
"Really? First you were being all shifty on our ride home. Now everyone else is acting weird".
"They aren't acting weird, they're just happy to see you. They've missed you".
Yaman tosses the backpack at Alaz and then pulls out the suitcase, slamming the trunk shut.
Alaz follows Yaman's every move like a hawk and Yaman knows that his brother won't drop it. That's why he almost runs inside the house from Alaz's scrutinizing gaze. Everyone's waiting for them in the living room, exchanging nervous glances. Yaman mouthes a desperate: "Play cool!" and adds loudly for Alaz to hear:
"Kardeşim, let's get your luggage upstairs, to your room. Maybe you also want to change and get some rest after the long flight".
"I'm fine. You, - and I mean all of you - on the other hand, are up to something" Alaz says, pointing his signature finger at everyone.
"What?? No!"
"Pfff!"
"Don't be silly!"
"What do you mean? We're just happy you're home!"
Everyone's talking over each other again and playing so not cool that Yaman wants to facepalm. He pats Alaz's shoulder and says:
"C'mon, Alaz, let's go upstairs, I promise we'll talk but after you get some rest, take a shower, maybe unpack. Ok?"
Alaz narrows his eyes at him:
"I knew there's something!"
"Alaz, please, let's go. I'll tell you everything, we'll all talk together, just not right now".
"Is it about her? Is something wrong with her?” Alaz raises his voice and Yaman sees alarm in his brother's eyes.
He sees something else too: the beast that Alaz has spent the last 5 years taming and training - Yaman sees that beast pulling on its shackles.
"I swear to god, Yaman, if something ... Is Asi okay?"
It's the first time Alaz's said her name in 5 years. He's always asked about Asi but for some reason she's become the Voldemort whose name was never mentioned.
"She's okay. She'll be here soon and you'll see for yourself that she's totally fine" Yaman reassures Alaz and hears Çağla mutter:
"You won't believe how fine".
Yaman glares at his sister and focuses on Alaz again:
"She's fine, I promise. Now let's go upstairs, please".
Alaz throws a miffed look at everyone but gives a curt nod and reluctantly agrees:
"Fine! But you're all hiding something. Not for long though!"
He follows Yaman upstairs, to his old room. Yaman enters first, rolls Alaz's suitcase inside and leaves it beside the couch. He turns to Alaz who walks to the bed and drops the backpack. Yaman observes as his brother looks around the room and mutters:
"Nothing's changed. Everything's just the way I left it".
"We thought you'd like it that way. If you want to change something, it's better if you do it yourself".
Alaz just nods and then freezes. Yaman follows his gaze and sees that it's fixed on a picture on one of the bedside tables. The picture of Alaz himself ... with Asi. Yaman remembers the day the picture was taken like it was yesterday. It was him who made it. It was a rare moment of quiet and peaceful happiness that Yaman felt truly lucky to have captured. Because Alaz and Asi were never quiet or peaceful. They weren't really happy either and that was the saddest part. Because they loved each other but loving each other isn't always enough. And it broke Yaman's heart. Especially it broke for his little brother. Who couldn't be with the love of his life but also never learnt to be without her.
"Kardeşim?" Yaman says carefully.
"Hm?" is Alaz's only response, eyes still fixed on the photo.
"I love you. So very much. You know that, right? And I'm so proud of you".
The words finally catch Alaz's attention and he turns to Yaman with raised eyebrows.
"What's up with you, Abisi? Caught a love bug? Or trying to get on my good side so that you won't catch hell once I learn what you've all been hiding from me?"
Yaman lets out a short laugh at Alaz being well, Alaz.
"I've just missed you, that's all. And I feel like I don't tell you this enough".
Alaz narrows his eyes at him but Yaman sees the vulnerability beneath all the suspicion and sarcasm. Alaz's still not used to hearing people say that they love him. He's not used to people actually meaning it.
"Okay, whatever" he mutters and immediately adds:
"You wanted me to get some rest, unpack and change so badly. Why don't you leave me to it?"
Yaman nods quickly and makes a bee line for the door. Once the door closes behind him, Yaman exhales heavily:
"Oh my god, this is so not going to end well".
