Chapter Title: What's the Point of it all?

Series Title: Unlikely Brothers

Ages in this chapter: Tanner (13) Dashen (19)

POV: Dashen

Chapter Summary: Dashen contemplates the state of it all.

Life sucks.

There was my happy thought for the day.

The galaxy sucks.

And another.

What's even the point of it all? I mean, really? What was the actual point?

Yeah, I was in a mood. A string of crap news, crap events, bad luck, you name it. Piled up for this last month, one on top of the other.

There is nothing good anywhere anymore.

"Hi Dash."

Well, there is one good thing.

"Hey, Mouse. I'm cranky. Just heads up."

"I know."

Damn Jedi kid and his damn Jedi magic. Always feeling and sensing.

"I've been watching the news reports. I heard the stories."

"Don't want to talk about it." I said, shaking my head slightly.

"I know that too."

"Is there ever any good anymore?"

"There is. But you have to dig for it. I saved a swamp rat from drowning in the sewers this morning."

Tanner's idea of good news was slightly different than mine.

"Why did you save it?"

"Because it was drowning."

"Tanner, it's a swamp rat. They are nothing but disease-ridden pesky smelly rodents."

"Some say the same about humans. Believe it or not, swamp rats contribute to society more than some people."

Only my brother could find the positive in the bleak. I just wasn't in the mood for it today.

"Whatever you say, Tanner."

"I'll shut up now." He says flatly. Taking my cue. I really was wanting to be alone, but I don't mind him there. Just don't want him talking.

"You're a good person, little brother. Don't let anyone ever rob of you of that. I want to sit here quietly though, okay?"

Tanner didn't say another word. Instead, he slumps down (a big deal, since generally speaking, he wasn't much of a slumper) next to me on the floor. We lean against the wall. Then he punches a shoulder into mine and stays there. I could shift slightly and he'd fall over, as it was me supporting that slumping weight - not that he weighed much of anything.

Stupidly though, it made me feel a little better. The galaxy reeks all around us, but I have this kid who cares about me no matter my grumpiness.

When I have nothing else, when there is no outlook except doom and gloom... I have a little brother that truly gives a crap. Not only about me, but about those minute, everyday things all around him that he has the power to change. Making this darkest of grays galaxy a bit more bearable.

Everyday things like saving a swamp rat from drowning or sitting peacefully against an uncomfortably hard wall in support of his big brother.

So, yeah, what is the point of it all?

Tanner is.

This slumping, supportive kid at my side.

And going forward into whatever, all of that bad that I see every day, he is the one thing that will make it all bearable.

END