Chapter Title: Feeling Bad
Series Title: Unlikely Brothers
Ages in this chapter: Tanner (10), Dashen (16)
Chapter Summary: (Dialogue only). A young Tanner is feeling badly.
"Hey Mouse. What'cha thinkin'?"
"Hi Dash. Just hoping for good things. I shouldn't watch the galactic news."
"No, you shouldn't. I warned you about that before. It's never good news about anything."
"I know, but I wish for it. Master Ayden used to tell me that not everything was bad in the galaxy. That there were still decent people and hopeful people."
"There are. You, for one. This unusually gloomy version of you is unexpected."
"I had a bad day."
"I'm sorry, kid. You need to talk, I can listen."
"No, just… I just want to feel bad and say that's it's okay that I do feel bad."
"Sure it's okay. I can't count the number of days, weeks… hell, months that I've felt bad."
"Everyone expects different from me though. I'm a positive, happy kid. I am. And I like being that. But even the most positive and happy person can feel badly sometimes."
"Then it's okay to feel that way. And if anyone gives you a hard time, I can step in."
"No, it won't be like that and no one is scared of you, Dash."
"Eh, that's true. I'd be lucky if they even knew who I was. Doesn't change the fact that that I'd have your back."
"I know you would. Master Ayden would twist the bad into the good somehow. No idea how he did it, but it always cheered me up. I can't turn to him now and I don't really know how to handle it by myself."
"Not by yourself, Mouse. Never. I may not be a wise Jedi Master, but I'm your brother and you can talk to me or get angry with me or hey, you can even hurl pillows at my head. I know how you love to practice all that magic stuff."
"Maybe tomorrow, and I do like to practice. I want to feel bad for a while though."
"Okay. Tell me what you need from me."
"Just hug me and tell me that everything I feel is normal, even for me."
"I can do that. Come here. There. I even offer back rubs to under-the-weather little brothers. It's all right to have a bad day, Mouse. Or a bad week. I had entire years, you know that. It got better though. It gets better. You may have to dig a little to find that next good thing, but it's there. And I'm here and I won't leave you unless you give me the boot. And… yeah, kid, that's okay too. Crying it out when the galaxy weighs to heavy on you. I understand, I do. Just… let yourself feel what you need to feel and don't think negatively on yourself for it. Us humans are a fickle and emotional bunch."
"C-can I sit with you all n-night?"
"All night."
"You d-don't m-mind?"
"Not when it's my little brother."
"I like that. B-being a l-little brother."
"It's a good thing to be."
"You'll stay with me if I f-fall asleep?"
"I will."
"Okay."
"In fact, since we're already on the couch, how about I put on one of your favorite holo-vids - you know, the ones that bore me out of my skull - and you can just get snuggled right up."
"That sounds c-comfortable."
"It really does. Just me and my little brother relaxing the night away."
"I miss Master Ayden so much, but I have you and I think he'd be g-glad for that. D-do you think Kossi would be glad that you h-have me, Dash?"
"Without a doubt. In fact, If I was a true gambler, I'd put money on it."
"Then maybe it's not so terrible to have a bad day, b-because we have each other to get through."
"I was alone for two years after Kossi died. So, yeah, having you close by is basically a lifesaver. Bad day or good day or any day in between."
"Maybe I don't feel so bad anymore for feeling bad. Huh. That sounds funny."
"Are your eyes closing yet? Because the holo-film is coming on."
"Oh, I like this one about the bantha migration."
"Yes you do. It's about as exciting as watching hair grow."
"There's a film for that too."
"I figured there was. We'll save that for your next bad day, Mouse."
"You think I'll have more?"
"I do. But it's okay, right?"
"Yeah, it's okay to feel bad."
"You just let me know if the feeling doesn't go away, but I think it will tomorrow or the day after."
"You think so? Why?"
"Because I'm getting to know you so well. You have this need inside you to be a happy kid and spread joy and smiles. Kossi was like that. It's born in you, you can't avoid it. You just want people to feel good. You'll get back there. And if it takes longer than a day, I'll be here."
"Because you're my big brother."
"Yup."
"Dashen, did you know that the most massive herd of migrating bantha ever seen was on Tatooine? They counted three hundred and forty seven total. Ten of those were babies."
"That's exciting… well, no it's not really."
"Haha, and it only takes a few months to train a bantha to serve as a riding or hauling animal. I'd like to do that, ride a bantha."
"You can walk faster with your own legs."
"I know, but they are huge and gigantic and hairy and loud."
"Well, maybe one day, kid. Who knows. For now, you get this, watching them on the monitor with me falling ill from boredom."
"They're really fascinating, Dash, really. Do you know what they eat?"
"No, and nor do I know how often they poop. That is information unnecessary to these ears, aren't you tired yet?"
"Yeah. I feel a little better too."
"I can tell, you are rambling on and on about dull bantha facts that only twelve people in the galaxy care about."
"You're funny, Dash. And you don't lie to humor me. You are always just you."
"I could never keep up with lies, they'd eventually run me over. And I've always made a point to never lie to my brother. So, yes, banthas are horribly boring, but for you kid? Anything."
"Dash, I'm glad I found you."
"Same here, Mouse."
"M'gonna close my eyes now, okay? Don't leave."
"Never."
"You think morning will be better?"
"My guess, it'll be a lot better."
"Okay. Love you, Dash."
"Love you back, Mouse."
"Don't turn off the bantha film, okay?"
"Once you fall asleep, kid, all bets are off. Although it may put me to sleep too. Possibly even a deep coma."
"It will. 'Night, big brother."
"Good night, Tanner. Sleep good dreams."
END
