A/N: I really have no idea what possessed me to do this. Someone shut my mind up.
For some moments in life, there are no words
The world went silent with bated breaths. Everything was still, and no words passed through mouths that hung open. Within these few hours of constant fighting and warfare, there were only a scant few moments that put everyone into shock - the first exchange of words, the signal for battle, the moment of execution.
When he saw the fist coming for his brother [his!], he didn't even think. He just reacted. His brother [the stupid idiot never listens!] was here for him, for someone who should have died long ago. His battle instincts were honed for survival, but buried deep within him, stronger than anything else, is the instinct to protect the one most precious to him.
He never stood down, not even against his own grandfather, when it came to his brother's safety. He would not stand down now, not against a self-righteous arrogant marine dog. When the flames tore through him, he had no regrets. His brother [his precious baby brother!] was safe, and that was all that mattered.
He thanked them or everything - for coming for him, for risking their lives for him, for loving him. They'd never hear the words he never said, but that was fine. He knew he was loved,and he too, loved them all the same.
He felt the blood in his hands. They soaked his hands and chest and body, and he couldn't tell which came from which. All he remembered were flames, the burning sensation on his chest [he couldn't tell if it was his brother or something else], and his brother [his strong, invincible older brother!] was in front of him, smiling as he always does. His brother was hugging him tightly, but was slowly losing grip.
For all his shock, he understood what it meant. For all his stupidity, he knew that this was the end. He didn't want to accept it, but that was all that was left for him to do.
He heard the thank you's whispered to his ear, the gratitude and the lost dreams. He didn't hear the words , but he felt them as his older brother spent his last remaining strength to convey what he couldn't say anymore.
As he looked at his brother's serene, smiling face, his breath was caught in his lungs, but he screamed so loud his anguish was felt all over the battlefield.
[I love you, my precious brother!]