How can good memories hurt so much?

The two brothers had grown up a lot over the last few months, along with their views of the world.  Who knew what they would have become had they been able to stay with their real parents and if mom had loved them.  So much more naïve certainly.  Chade was far past the line of innocent youth and could never step back across the line.  Normally he’d aim to be the mature one supporting Ricin.  They had been through all the same terrors together but normally Chade did his best to protect his brother.  How the tables had turned.  Still, even if things were different Chade had never doubted finding comfort in the presence of Ricin.

Ricin was the only one left from his past, the only one who truly knew him.  It was like one soul split into two wolves.  Even when the tears stopped he kept next to his brother.  The stroking of his fur, the tones of both dad’s and then Ricin’s own had offered some soothing comfort.  

He didn’t try to speak right away when the tears were done falling.  Sometimes words weren’t necessary anyway.  There was strength to be found in just the physical touch.  There did come a point after some time passed where he spoke quietly, but the voice no longer had the choked up sounds to it.  “The wolves here are nice.  At least Manea and Alastor are.”  Chade and Ricin had spent longer than normal split up doing their own thing, it was weird and Chade realized they hadn’t spoken through all the recent experiences.

“You know, they’ve been helping me learn how to fight.” It was time for a new subject.  Tears had been spilled in memories of the past.  Now, as Chade pulled strength back into himself, it was time to look at the better future.

"Speech"