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It was night-time and nearing midnight and God they were so tired of fighting.
The rickety carriage rolled along the dirt road, and Manuel could see the twinkling stars above their heads. Across him the General looked sternly forward, right at the path they were on like he was boring a path straight through it, and with every bump in the road, his hat slid down his forehead slightly.
He paid no attention to it.
Their doubts ran through his head.
There was no way they could get enough men to dig that long trench.
There was no way they could even start on Luna’s beautiful plan.
There was no way they could wi—
Jose’s head bumped his shoulder, and he turned to see his younger brother fighting off sleep as best as he could. He smiled softly, and gently led his brother’s head to rest on his shoulder. Jose snorted, half asleep, lightly protesting, but Manuel hushed him, and he relaxed.
The General looked at the brothers, and Manuel smiled at him apologetically. The man simply returned Manuel’s smile with a tiny one and a nod, and turned his attention back to the road.
Humming an old folk song, one he and Jose learned when they were younger, he grew sampaguita in his hands, and began to weave them together. He threaded them absently in Jose’s hair, chuckling slightly. The younger brother smiled in his sleep, and snuggled closer, sleepily hugging his brother’s arm.
“Sleep safely, Jose.” He murmured, feeling the dredges of sleep start catching up with him as well. “I… promise you… I’ll… take care… of… you…”
He nodded off to sleep, his head resting on Jose’s, and Luna looked on fondly.
These two brothers, he thought, smiling to himself. They’ll live a long, happy life together after this.
But they didn’t.