Roya shut his eyes tight, taking a deep breath and assuring himself, its just a dream. I'll wake up and georgie will be there, with breakfast in his hands and a smile on his face.

He peeled open his eyes, something he immediately regretted. The sight before him brought a lump to his throat, and he fought back a sob. George, the only adult left in his life, the brother he looked up to, was dying. Pale and shivering, the 19 year old was barely moving, the only noise that escaped his lips was a pitiful cough.

Roya sneaked a glance at his little brother Jonathan, who was sobbing into Roya's shirt. The boy had not yet learned how to manage his emotions, an art Roya had long since mastered.

Roya's attention snapped back to George when a feeble word echoed across the room.
"Come"

Blinking away tears, Roya knelt beside the bed.
"Yes, Georgie?"
He said, his voice catching in his throat.

George gave a weak smile.
"When did you get so tall?" He asked, his tone but a mere whisper.
"It seems like yesterday Mama put you in my arms and told me I had a little brother"

Roya bit back a sob.Instead he gave a weak little laugh, responding.
"Fourteen years ago, Georgie, fourteen years"

George ran a pale hand through Roya's dark hair, laughing feebly.
"Fourteen years,"
He repeated.
"My little Roya is fourteen"
At this moment he let out a sputtering cough, his chest heaving with the weight of each breath.

"Not much time, Roya. Jonathan!"
Had he been in better shape, he might have called to the young boy, but it came out as a croak.
Jonathan stepped forward, kneeling next to Roya.

"Look at how you two have grown."
George said, a fond smile playing on his lips.
"I have gifts for you."
Jonathan looked up, his eyes sparkling excitedly.
George held out a silver necklace. It had a small locket, and a charm shaped like a star. Jonathan held it close to his chest, evidently thankful.
"And for you, Roya."
George held out a pressed flower. It was a white rose, and it glowed eerily in the darkness of the room. Roya examined it, and tucked it into his pocket.

"George,"
He said, his voice shaking.
"I love you"

"Me too!"
Jonathan piped up, a sudden smile on his lips.
"This much!"
He held out his arms so they stretched as far as possible.

"And I love you,"
George replied,
"Even more!"

And despite his cheerful response, within minutes he was dead.

A/N

This chapter took way to long to write. (Even though it's only 400 words)

Expect more frequent updates after this.

The writing will definitely get better in the next few chapters.

👋