"I do not wish to go back", the younger man said. He was lying on his side, and his head was on his brother's lap.
The older man stroke his brother's raven head, ever so tenderly, as if he knew of the fate that would follow this conversation, and replied softly, "I know."
"Please don't make me," a heartfelt plea from the younger man as he shifted and tried to bury his face at his brother's side.
"Shh… I won't. Not ever," came the reply.
The older man hummed a soft melody from their younger years, from a better time. Before they realized the wicked roles that destiny had made them play and subsequently lost. And before long, his brother hummed with him.
"Do not forget that I love you, my brother. And have faith that we will meet again one day," the man whispered as he pressed a kiss on his brother's temple.
The younger man nodded and he continued on with his humming, his eyes closed. He had started with a new tune, a sad tune that sung of death and separation. As if he knew, as if he anticipated his brother's choice. And perhaps he did know. And welcomed the escape.
The older man moved his palm to the back of his brother's neck. He pressed another kiss to his brother's temple. He was hesitant to do what he had decided but he knew he had no other choice. His brother, had no other choice. Anything else would bring a worse fate for the younger man.
The humming stopped at the end of the tune and a small voice asked, "Will you ever forgive me?"
And his response was quick, "There is nothing to forgive, little brother."
The younger man afford himself a small smile. Small traces of that same smile remained as his neck snapped and his head lolled lifelessly to the side.
The other man sobbed and then howled as he clutched his brother's body tightly.
"Go and be free now, my little brother," he whispered into the night.
And at that lingering moment, this man wished for Ragnarok. Just so his family would have the chance to start again, anew.
But for now, his brother is free. And he will have to be content with that knowledge.
~ Fin