Norman desperately tried rocking his little brother, holding the teen tightly to his chest. But Ivan just coughed and sobbed, blood dribbling down his chest.

"Shh, Ivy- shh, shhh..." He whispered, voice shaking as he comforted his Ivan. "I'm right here, Ivy."

Ivan pressed his face against Norman's aviator jacket. It was already covered with blood stains from previous coughing fits. But Norman didn't care, as long as he could hold his brother while he was still living.

And Ivan would keep living. The sickness meant nothing to Norman, he'd go around it. No force of nature or deity could ever convince him otherwise.

"Oh, my poor baby, it's okay..." He cooed over Ivan like he was some sort of child. Despite being fourteen, the coddling from Norman had reduced the sick boy to a child. "I'm right here, don't worry..."

This sickness had gone on for years, slowly but surely killing Ivan. It terrified both of them. Ivan didn't want to die. And Norman didn't want to be alone. The older did absolutely anything he had to do to ensure his brother would survive.

He'd hardly leave the house, only going out to steal medicine and food. Starving himself in an effort to feed his brother more. Driving away anyone that came too close.

Ivan didn't deserve all of this. Ivan was sweet and thoughtful. The kind of person Norman decided everyone should be. His sweet little Ivy, the only family that stayed with him. With their parents gone and their sister missing or dead, Ivan was the only one to stay.

Glancing at his nightstand and holding his brother closer, he knew that nothing would take his brother away from him. He could still see the book he read over and over.

The Nature Of Necromancy And Resurrection Of The Dead.

Nothing would take his brother from him. He'd break every sacred law of nature if he had to.

He wouldn't lose his brother. No. Not like this.