Part 1 - The Beginning
~Narrator POV~
Rya is an exact replica of his older brother Laughing Jack. He has red hair; bright blue eyes filled with curiosity, mischief, and fun; rainbow feathers decorate his tiny shoulders; he has a small cone shaped nose like his brother that is rainbow colored. Yep, he is a miniature L.J.
Rya even has a dark side that only showed when angered or upset. He has all of L.J.'s powers as well. He loves being able to give other kids candy, especially when they were sad.
L.J. and Rya are currently in Rya's room. L.J. has laid Rya down for a nap and is now staring off into space. He fails to notice Rya sneaking up on his. . . . . At least that's what Rya thinks.
As Rya is about to tackle L.J., L.J. turns and tackles a surprised Rya. The elder brother then proceeds to tickle his younger brother, making him laugh. Rya is L.J.'s world and he never misses a chance to let Rya know that. No one, who has met them, could doubt they are brothers. L.J. stops tickling Rya before he gets too excited.
Rya has a very weak heart and a hole in it that is half the size of his fist. This causes him to tire easily and cough up blood a lot when overly excited. He worries L.J. constantly.
L.J. never takes his eyes off his precious little brother, for fear of losing him forever. L.J.'s fear only grows when he thinks of how many ways Rya can get hurt and start coughing again. He lost a lot of blood the last time this happened. Rya has to take pills to keep his heart rate low. L.J. makes sure he takes them, even when Rya seemingly refuses to even look at the pill. L.J. looks down at his little brother, who lies beneath him.
"You should be sleeping Rya," L.J. gently scolds while laying his head on Rya's small chest.
"I was," Rya's gentle quiet voice says, "but then I woke up and saw you frowning. You had a sad look in your eyes too. I was worried that something was wrong."
"I'm sorry if I worried you Rya," L.J. says, "but please don't worry about me. Your health is more important to me. Now get some more sleep. You will be too exhausted to do anything later if you don't."
"Okay," Rya says, "but only if you sleep with me. I don't wanna be alone."
"I will always be there so Rya," L.J. says, "I promise that we will always be together. Even if we can't see each other, I will always protect you. We will live together forever, I promise. Now get some sleep, we have a busy night tonight."
Rya falls asleep in his brother's warm embrace with L.J. following shortly after.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Time Skip~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The carnival is alive with lights, music and large crowds of people. Parents run around trying to keep track of their energetic children. Stands filled with games and prizes, candy and drinks, fun around every corner. This is how all of their nights are in the carnival. Rya sits upon his elder brother's shoulders, holding the balloons, and helps hand them out.
L.J. knows tonight is going to be busier than normal because it is the last night they will be in this town. He keeps Rya on his shoulders for two reasons. One, He is trying to keep Rya from getting overly excited. Two, he is being separated from Rya. They had been told not long after they had awoken from their nap that Rya was going to be going to a different carnival, away from L.J. He doesn't like this.
'Rya is mine,' L.J. thinks as he walks through the crowds, 'if they so much as touch him in any way he doesn't like, I'll kill them.'
Rya knows off L.J.'s dark side, mainly because he has one too. He places a gentle kiss on his brother's forehead, startling the elder boy. Rya giggles.
"Don't worry L.J.," Rya says gently, "I will be fine. Remember your promise though cause when I'm older we will be together again. Even if we cannot physically see each other, I know we can feel what each other is feeling. I know you are scared and angry. I am too but our bond is stronger than anything. Nothing can break it. Not even if you turn into a psychotic killer clown. You will always be my big brother and the only one I will ever love."
"Aww," L.J. says, "I know Rya. Our bond will never be shattered. You are my world Rya. Never forget that I will always love you and only you. Now let's go finish packing your things. You leave tonight."
L.J. will never admit but his heart felt as if it were being shattered like glass. The one person that his entire existence, his entire world, revolved around was being taken away from him. Rya will never admit it either but he is just as heartbroken as his brother, if not more. He doesn't feel safe without his big brother's warm, loving, and secure embrace. However, they have no choice in the matter.