Roughs

Chapter 8: Progress

February 19th 12:40pm

Chase and his brother walked away from the abandoned, tattered house, beginning their walk. The sound of the cool breeze blowing by them as they walked through the snow, it crunching under their feet filled the air. Chase took in a fresh breath of cold air, and sighed, looking foreword.
"Hey can.. I talk to you about something?" Asked Chase, continuing to look foreword.
Michael nodded. "Yea bud, what is it?" Responded Michael.
"Are you.. leery around me? Due to my ability?" Questioned Chase, a black aura beginning to flow around the perimeter of his body. Chase inhaled, his veins becoming black for a second, before turning normal as he exhaled.
"You mean.. your death magic ability?"
"Yea. That." Replied Chase, making eye contact with his older brother as the magic coursed through his veins.
"No, I'm immune to it, remember?" Said Michael, kicking a tuff of snow foreword.
"Yea but, it still hurts you, but it doesn't kill you" replied Chase in a worried tone.
"I know, but I doubt you'd try to attack me with it, I could easily take you down." Said Michael cockily.
Chase nodded, his white hair blowing in several directions due to the wind. "Yea I.. I guess so." Replied Chase, deactivating his ability.
Michael nodded, his hands beginning to shake from his craving addictions. He tried taking his mind off of it, by beginning to fiddle with his golden ring on his ring finger, on his left hand, while his silver dog-tags necklace blew around from the wind. Chase looked over at Michael, noticing that something was wrong, and that his older brother was clearly experiencing something currently. He put his hand on Michael's shoulder, and stopped walking. Michael stopped walking as well, sighing and looking at the ground.
"Can't I have one smoke?" He asked.
"No." Replied Chase shortly.
Michael nodded, and brushed Chases hand off from resting on his shoulder. Chase sighed, before pulling his brother into a hug. Michael hesitated, before hugging Chase back, his trust issues beginning to kick in. Chase continued hugging, with no intent to let go until his brother hugged him in return.
"Aren't you going to hug? I thought you were trying to become a better person." Said Chase.
Michael hesitated with his response, and in turn, he hugged his little brother, replacing his response with a hug. Chase smiled, happy that his older brother is making progress with his addictions, and his compassion.