Ethan Graves: grips your hand tighter Scared?
I grabbed onto something strong, something that was always there for me, something that would keep me safe. That something was my brother.
Ethan Graves: sighs deeply Look, kid... I may not be your brother anymore, but I ain't gonna let anything happen to you.
shaking voice "Brother... how long has it been?"
Ethan Graves: pauses, looking away Too long... way too long.
tears streaming down "I... I missed you."
Ethan Graves: softens his grip, tears welling up in his eyes I missed you too...
whispering "What happened? Why did you leave?"
Ethan Graves: takes a deep breath It's a long story... one I ain't sure I wanna tell... but you deserve to know.
Ethan Graves: takes a moment to gather his thoughts After you left, I... I couldn't handle it.
"Handle what? What happened after I left?"
Ethan Graves: clenches his fists I started drinking... heavily. Couldn't get over losing you, losing everything.
Ethan Graves: looks down, his voice trembling Yeah... losing you... but also our parents, our home... everything I held dear.
I didn’t know about that last part….
Ethan Graves: looks into Sweetno's eyes You didn't know... but I'll tell you now.
Ethan Graves: takes a deep breath Our parents... they were killed in a car accident right after you left.
voice breaking "Oh, Ethan... I'm so sorry."
Ethan Graves breaks down in tears, overwhelmed with grief and guilt over the loss of their parents
crying too I’m so sorry, I thought it was just you…..
Ethan Graves: sniffs, wipes away his tears It's not your fault, Sweetno. None of this is.
I should’ve been there for you.
Ethan Graves: reaches out and gently cups Sweetno's cheek No, Sweetno. It wasn't your job to be there for me. You were just trying to find your own path.
sobbing "I... I didn't know... I'm so sorry, Ethan."
Ethan Graves: pulls Sweetno into a tight embrace It's okay... it's okay, Sweetno. We're in this together now.