There Is More Than What Meets The Eye

Chapter Two: A Brother's Love That Is Rarely Shown/A Scream In The Distance

"Phoenix, are you awake?" Corrie whispered, flicking his tail.

"Ugh. Yes, of course. Something wrong, Corrie?" The black wolf asked sleepily.

"I have an issue."

"Oh, what's that?"

"Jarson has been acting strange." Corrie explained, thinking of his brother.

"I suppose. He hasn't said a word at all today."

"True." Corrie agreed. "Usually he's be going over about how dumb I can be." The cat's nose twitched, sadness glaring in his pupils.

"You know, there's more to him than just the insults." Phoenix pointed out. "He isn't always rude. He has a good side, somewhere. He just needs to find it."

"I guess. Jarson doesn't show his care for others very well."

"He cares about you."

"Not really. He never says, 'I love you'."

Phoenix gave his head a shake. "He does. He said he wants me to tell you that he loves you. You just never believe me when I say that they are his words."

"He's not that kind of cat." Corrie stated simply.

"You know he struggles with emotions and feelings, especially when he's expressing them. He's trying, Corrie. He really is."

"I hope so." The brown cat stared at the stars.

"I thought you got it by now."

"Hm?"

The wolf tried to encourage Corrie. "Jarson is mean because he's worried about you. He just gets carried away often with his concern. And it's passed through anger. He doesn't mean it."

"Really?"

"Yeah, but I'm not even allowed to tell you this stuff. I made a promise to Jarson that I would never share his secrets."

Corrie yawned. "Well, I'm his brother. I should know everything." He chuckled.

"You know there are things even your own brother doesn't want you to discover."

"Phoenix, stop talking to yourself!" Jarson groaned, obviously tired and unable to realize what was actually happening.

Corrie attempted to prevent himself from snickering at Jarson's unawareness.