Brothers Pt 1

An Interview With Tristan Carl

It had been about a week since I finished my interview series with Leo. Time with him is always magical—and sometimes, I have to admit, I might be just a tad bit jealous of Liam. But let’s face it, I wrote Leo in a way that appeals to the part of me that wants to be protected and cared for.

I got up, opened the curtains, and let in the summer sun before going about my routine. Make the bed. Grab my towel. Take a hot shower—then a long, leisurely soak.

Yes, I’m a bit weird that way. But I need to soak these old sixty-two-year-old bones to work out the kinks I hardly want to admit I have.

So when I finally roused myself from my watery cocoon—feeling somewhat human again—and got dressed, I realized I was smelling coffee.

And… bacon.

Now, since I do all the cooking in my house, this was a bit of a shock—because I certainly wasn’t downstairs cooking at the moment.

So as I trotted down the stairs and headed into the kitchen, there he was—chef's apron over his immaculately tailored blue suit, blonde hair perfectly done. As I sit at the table, he drops a plate in front of me and then pours me a cup of coffee.

Tristan: You spent some time with Leo, and I'm sure it was rewarding, but I also know it was work. And you probably didn't eat properly while you were with him and probably drank a little too much.

His look is a bit reproachful—not in a bad way, but more in the sense that I should be taking better care of myself. That was Tristan in a nutshell. Taking care of people was his superpower.

After removing his apron, he sat down across from me with his own cup of coffee. He watched me eat for a moment, making sure that I was thoroughly enjoying the food before he spoke.

Tristan: I want to be your next interview subject.

There it was—the words hung there between us.

I sat there, simply looking at him, considering his words. To be honest, I had always thought it would be Liam who would have been knocking on my door next. The love between Liam and Leo was epic—a whirlwind of emotion. Wasn’t it only natural to think, after hearing from Leo, that Liam would appear?

But here was Tristan—and if there was one thing I learned when I began to write, it was that you can’t dictate the actions of your characters. They will show up and tell you what they need, and when they need it.

And most of the time, they will be spot on.

So I finished my breakfast, walked over to the sink, and began to wash the dishes. It was only fair—he cooked, so I should clean.

As I worked, I thought about what I wanted to know.

2260: How long have you known Leo?

Tristan: My whole life. He was there when I was born, just as he had been when my father was born, and my father’s father before him.

2260: What is that like? To have a connection with a person that spans generations.

Tristan: I haven’t really thought of it in that way. Leo’s presence in my family simply is. He has always had a connection with the firstborn males in the Carl family. When I was born, after my father, he was the first to hold me. On the day of my birth, he was the one who cut the cord, and the first three drops of blood after it was cut—Leo consumed. Then Leo gave me three drops of blood from his thumb, which cemented the bond I share with him. This had been done with my father, and his father, and back through the generations of our family.

2260: Yes, the bond. Is it simply a ceremonial attachment—sort of like blood brothers? A contract of sorts?

Tristan laughed as I asked the question. Getting up and taking a dish towel, he started to dry the dishes that were in the rack. For a moment, it was only him, working silently, as I sat down to wait for his answer.

Tristan: That is an interesting question. The bond is much more than a contract in human terms. It is more than the simple boyhood ritual of blood brothers you might have performed when you were younger, running through the woods with your chosen best friend by your side.

For the men of the Carl family, the ritual of bonding that takes place on the day of our birth is a sacred and spiritual connection. In a small way—I am sensitive to Leo, and I know his needs, even before he speaks.

2260: What was it like growing up with Leo around?

I said as I walked out of the kitchen toward the living room. Tristan followed me and sat down in one of the plush wingback chairs I so adored. I sat in the other, pulling my feet up under me and reveling in the warmth and comfort of the chair.

Tristan: Leo had been a fixture in my family’s life. My father shared the bond with him before me. When I look back at my earliest memories, I remember my mother, my father, and my Uncle Leo. As a child, I thought he was my father’s real brother.

He was always the loving uncle—he carried me on his shoulders up to bed at night, played pony for me in the evenings after dinner, read me bedtime stories, and tucked me in. I always had a feeling of warmth and safety in his presence, as if being near him made everything all right. I know now that part of that feeling is the bond we share—but then, as a child, I could only understand it as love.

There he was—my Leo, in all his Leo-ness. (Mine only in the way any author can say their character is theirs.) Protective, caring, loving, and warm. This was the truth of him—he was the gentle lion who roared only when those he loved were threatened. Oh, he had claws, but they were reserved for those who hurt the ones he loved

Suddenly, the ringing of a cell phone pulled me back into the present moment.

Tristan: Yes, Leo. Right away. No worries—consider it handled.

Tristan turned to me as he hung up the phone.

Tristan: We will have to end here for now. But I promise, I will be back. This evening? Maybe a quick dinner, and then we can talk some more?

I nodded and stood up.

2260: I would like that. What should I cook?

Tristan: Surprise me.

He smiled, then turned as he headed to the front door.

Tristan: Until this evening.

Then he was gone.