Brothers, Wings, and Kind Eyes

Sweat beaded down Samuel's forehead, stinging as it dripped into his eyes. His chest moved up and down quickly as it tried desperately to bring oxygen back into his body. His fingers were quivering against the metal sword in his palm. He stumbled on his feet, swaying in the breeze that surrounded him and his brother. The overgrown plants around them reached into the sky, casting shadows onto the two of them. In the hot afternoon, these shadows were a blessing but around them laid various clippings from the herbs and flowers that couldn't help but become in the way while they trained. The better they got at fighting each other, the more of the castle's garden became a place of destruction.

"Do you need a break?" Leonardo's voice was ragged, his body taking a breath in between each word. Samuel huffed and stood up straight, masking the pain that seeped into his bones.

"I'm fine." he snapped. He wanted to rest; he wanted to stop and lay in the dirt and let the breeze carry him into the sky. Samuel took a deep breath, letting the giant black wings on his back stretch out past his own arm span. At this point, they weren't fully grown to their future potential. He knew that. He knew that these wings would become twice the size they are now. Samuel looked to them, watching as the light refracted the deep dark color giving it an almost rainbow shine. He could see each feather shiver as his back ached to hold them up. His whole life was with these wings but never had he worked them so hard.

"You're shaking," Leonardo cut into his thoughts. He flicked his eyes quickly away from his feathers to glare at his brother's still body. Unlike him, Leonardo's wings were sturdy against the sky. Not a single white feather out of place.

"I'm. Fine." his nose flared, and he stepped forward, pointing the sword to his brother's neck. Leonardo didn't move a muscle and looked him up and down.

"We can stop if you need." his voice scratched at Samuel's mind. He needed to stop. There was no need to work himself this hard. Although, just the idea that he was stronger made Samuel's blood boil. Even the way Leonardo was looking at him made his stomach bubble. The way that Leonardo looked at everyone sent Samuel's mind into a spiral. He was kind. Leonardo was KIND. He took a quick step forward and flipped his sword, pushing the hilt into Leonardo's shoulder. He didn't budge. He just looked at him, lips sealed.

"Stop that." Samuel hissed, his breath no longer heavy due to the strain. His anger was coming. He could feel it. He didn't want it, but the more Leonardo looked at him with those kind eyes made him angry. That's how he was supposed to feel, right? Anger. That's what everyone thought of him; that's how everyone assumed he would feel. So why not just let himself release that anger if everyone already expects it?

"Stop what?" with those words, Samuel lifted his hilt and hit him. It dug into Leonardo's shoulder and pushed him to the ground with a loud thud. The dirt around them swirled into the air, filling Samuel's lungs with dust. He coughed heavily, grabbing his shirt and holding it to his face. He should have known this would happen. Especially with Leonardo's wings outstretched so far.

"HEY!" another voice cut through the cloud, and Samuel could feel a body push past the tip of his feathers. He squinted, trying to see with no avail. He pulled taught his muscles, his wing beginning to flap forward. The wind created by his movement cleared the area in a second. Leonardo was on the ground, a gardener who had been close by hunched over, inspecting his face for injuries. Not a scratch was on his body, but the person fussed. They were asking him if he was okay over and over again.

"Yes, I'm okay. Thank you, ma'am," he responded to her in a cool quiet tone. No fear, no anger. Samuel huffed, moving towards them quickly.

"He's FINE!" his voice boomed, and her head snapped in his direction. Her eyes widened, and she quickly moved in front of Leonardo, shielding him from Samuel.

"No! Stay away from him! He's just a child!" he could hear the fear in her words. Samuel froze in his footsteps, his chest feeling as though it was collapsing in on itself. They were the same age. Leonardo and Samuel were the same age, and she spoke as though the other was a porcelain doll.

"IM A CHILD!" Samuel could feel himself beginning to feel the pain he didn't want to feel. The hurt and the betrayal by just his existence. He dropped the sword in his hands, and before anyone could speak another word, he took off into the sky. His wings carried him into the atmosphere, not even giving a second thought to close his second eyelids to protect himself. He needed to feel it. He needed to feel the air rush and dry out his eyes. Samuel wanted to cry. He wanted to run into one of their parents' arms and cry, just like any other 12 year old would. But he couldn't. He was evil. Everyone thought he was wrong. The clouds around him fogged his vision, and he closed his eyes, letting a tear drip down his cheek. He just wanted the same kind eyes Leonardo had.