((This is the result of a collab between myself and Apollo199199. Sorry, it is so short, but I promise, it will make far more sense later. I hope you will give it a chance))
xxXxx
His eyes bored into mine. It hurt me to see tangled mess of emotions twist the once clear gaze of my brother. I had to look away—this wasn't the brother I remembered.
"You must promise me this," he murmured urgently, his hand touching mine for just a moment.
It didn't make sense; he had done everything he could to keep me out of the war, so why now? I met his gaze and my worst fears were confirmed. I saw the loss in his eyes. As the facts stood now, we were going to lose.
"Why do you need me to promise such a thing?" I demanded. "Brother, you speak as though you are going to your execution."
"Please. I cannot move forward until I know that they will be safe," his grip tightened on my hand, and a strange vulnerability took hold of his voice.
Looking back, I think it was the first time I have ever heard my brother beg.