Reverie and Nightmares

4

"What do you mean I can't, Sabato? You're acting very weird today, and it's starting to affect my day. Come on, man. It's just Alexander. I need to see her today."

"I know... I know..." Sabato's grin grew like the Grinch. His giggle was contagious, and Ryuga couldn't just walk past him and not smile back, even if Sabato had been prying too much. "I heard you talking with your girlfriend yesterday and the day before. Hehe. Are you going to marry her someday, big brother!?"

"What?! No way! Little guy, where did you hear that? People don't just marry like that, man! That would make things worse for divorce lawyers. Ah, ignore me."

It was just another average morning, another one like the past weeks; only Ryuga's brother had been acting a little more energized. Something was up with him. Ryuga's grandmother had been awoken by not Sabato's surge of energy, by Ryuga's pitch 'what' and so asked what was going on.

"Oh, good morning. Sorry to wake you up so early, grandma."

"Don't worry about it. I'm pleased you have. I have worked earlier today." His grandma stretched her neck, hoping to release a crack, but nothing would sort out. "You're a little red in the face."

"You do?" Ryuga cleared his throat, looking around the room for other places to look.

"Of course, I told you I would the night before, but you walked right inside with this exhausted look. Honey, I don't want you hiding things from me, but are you okay?"

Ryuga turned even redder than before, thinking about the call from Mikan and the serious discussion with Jiro. It was a hot and cold moment, so he stuttered with the words. "I-I'm okay. Just. Struggling to keep some things together."

"Oh, you're an intelligent boy, Ryuga. Just keep your head up, and don't give up on the things you want to happen, but more than that, if you spare energy, help others too."

Ryuga smiled and patted Sabato on the head, implying that he, too, should be listening. "Anyways, you gotta go to school, Ryuga"

"Yeah, big brother. You have a girlfriend now, so see her! Tell her you wanna marry her today!"

"Ugh, no! Stop it, Sabato."

His grandma jumped up like a cat by the words, letting out a calm 'ohh?' and smiled smugly. "Really? A girlfriend now? Is that why you were so tired and late the other day?"

"No! It's just been schoolwork and council; you know that I'm vice!"

"Of course, honey. Still, if you do have a girlfriend, don't be afraid to show love. She commented, "Love when you don't speak it can make you sick."

"And then time passes, and suddenly you're as old as a person like me, oh, but I found an excellent husband, bless his soul. Anyways. I have to get going. The lady got sick, and I got to cover her shift today again. Oh, and Ryuga?"

Ryuga couldn't hide the blush on his face, but he did drop his neck at least. He paused his thoughts, leaving a grin, and asked what she needed. His grandma was finally able to crack her neck, breathing with relief. "I can't take Sabato to daycare... Mind if you can before you head out?"

2

"You're a lucky little squirt. I can't believe she made me walk you..."

"Hehe, big brother mad." Sabato chuckled, playing with his toy plane and swinging it around Ryuga's arm, making sure to rub the plastic enough to anger him more.

"I'm not mad; I'm just more stressed! I got to head to the council room early to do my morning duties with Jiro! And then I got to text Alexander about what we'd be doing today... Ugh, you little boy..."
"Oh, is Alexander a boy? Do you like boys now, big bro?"