Together In the Supernatural: Bjorn and Ollie

The air was thick with the smell of whiskey and pipe smoke. The pungent stench of alcohol and cigars clung to the walls, windows, and furniture of the cottage.

The two families sat around a table watching as the two boys ran up to one another, embracing each other tightly in a hug.

“Bjorn, it’s so good to see you again! Where have you been?” Ollie excitedly asked his older brother as he continued to squeeze him in his arms.

“I-I’ve been at school, I suppose…” Bjorn strained as he tried to breathe. “And what about you? How have you been? We haven’t seen each other all year long!” He finally said, relieved that his brother was letting go of him.

The boys parted from one another and caught their breath. Ollie noticed how much Bjorn had grown over the summer. His once boyish face had transformed into that of a young man’s. His once bright blonde hair had darkened into a light brown color, but it still glistened brightly in the candlelight as if it were still reflecting the sun back onto them. A strange thought went through Ollie’s head; why would anyone want to go to school during the summer? But he brushed it off quickly and returned his attention to his older brother.

Bjorn looked down at himself and blushed at his own appearance. He knew that he hadn’t changed too much since last they saw each other, but somehow he felt different. He realized that it had been nearly a year since he last saw his family, and he was ashamed for not writing more often. He wondered how much they had changed without him there; he couldn’t imagine how hard it must be for them being without him for extended periods of time. The thought made him sick to his stomach; this is what happens when you leave your family behind for something like school… He shook his head as if waking from a dream and turned towards Ollie who was looking on at him inquisitively with an amused grin on his face. “What are you smiling at? You look ridiculous!” He exclaimed, rubbing his eyes vigorously with the heels of his palms, trying to erase any tears that may have formed while thinking about home earlier.

Ollie laughed uncontrollably as he watched his brother get flustered over nothing; it seemed as if they were both back where they started - just like old times!

They could hear their father call out from across the room: “Ollie! Bjorn! Please take your seats so we can start dinner before everything gets cold!” They obliged and took their seats next to their mother at the end of the table closest to the kitchen; this way they could sneak bites from each dish that was brought out before everyone else had a chance to eat any more than what was served on their plates! The two families sat opposite from one another along either side of the table; seated beside them were members from both sides of the family whom they hadn't seen in quite some time.

Dinner went by without a hitch; everyone enjoyed themselves immensely with plenty left over for seconds and thirds (but not necessarily for Bjorn and Ollie). After dinner was finished and cleaned up, everyone began congregating in the living room where coffee, tea, and desserts were being passed around alongside pitchers filled with various liquors and wines: scotch whisky, port wine, rum, brandy… Finally Bjorn's father stood up out of his armchair to address everyone present as they settled in around him on the couch or sitting back in their respective armchairs or wingback chairs while sipping on their drinks: "Thank you all so much for coming out today," he started slowly into the crowd's sound chatter before raising his voice slightly "I'm so glad that everyone could make it!" Everyone stopped talking immediately after hearing him speak loudly: "Now that dinner is done let's all go play some games!" he shouted enthusiastically over at Bjorn's mother who was still standing behind her chair holding her cup of hot cocoa in her hand as she waited patiently for her husband to stop talking so she could begin serving dessert.

“Ugh... board games? Why do we always have to play board games?! Can't we just gamble instead? Isn't there anyone who dares lose some money here!? I'll play against anyone! What about you Bjorn?! We can bet our allowance! What do you say!? Shall we make a wager or are you just chicken!? Do you know what happens when people don't pay their debts!? Everybody ends up losing money because no one wants to deal with someone who doesn't pay up which means nobody will ever lend them money again!! So what do you think!? Ready to lose everything!? Or are you going to run away like a little girl!? Are you going to cry like a little baby!?” Ollie taunted.