MORE DRABBLES!
89 - She Arin
Noah comes to hate Arin. Not for any good reason, just that she is this girl they've never known and Basch seems to genuinely like her, despite all arguments to the contrary. She is pretty, and feminine, and laughs at the slightest things to compensate for her lack of intelligence.
He knows Basch will marry her because Father told him to, because Father thinks that marrying Basch off is the only way to rectify the sin they committed.
And when Arin is gone, and Basch is quiet and friendly, Noah can't help but hate her for taking his brother away.
90 - It It
The first time Basch says it, he says it in that way brothers have-laughing and hugging Noah, practically screaming the words.
When Noah says it, Basch is sleeping and Noah whispers it into the dark, watching Basch curl around his pillow and mutter in his sleep. He's cute, Noah decides, which isn't something he should be thinking about his brother.
When Basch says it next, it is still in that way brothers have, but edged like a knife. Noah barely catches it, but when he does he holds onto it like a lifeline and can't stop smiling for weeks.
97 - Writer's Choice - Frog Prince
“I found him in the pond!” Ilare says loud enough that people turn and stare at them. Her dress drips. Arin has her nose wrinkled and her face half-hidden by her fan. Basch looks-there are no words for that expression. Ilare holds out the bullfrog and grins. “He's a prince, brother! For you, when Noah's gone away!”
Noah laughs, because he can't say anything. Basch hides his smile behind his hand. Ilare is oblivious to everything but her older brother.
“That's very sweet, Ilare,” he says, “But did you have to get the prince in your best dress?”
78 - Disease Condition
Noah stacked the wood beside the house, and tried to not be resentful of the chore.
“I'm sorry, Noah.”
He was still a moment, before looking up at the window and Basch's forlorn face, barely peeking out from behind the curtains. He pushed his hair out of his face. “It's my fault. I should know, by now-.”
“It got out of hand,” Basch agreed. Noah watched him for a moment, his pale face and the shadows under his eyes. And as his twin screwed up his face with firm resolve and said, “I'll get stronger.”
Noah snorted. “In your dreams.”
5 - Last The End
“Noah,” is what he hears at the last, but not from any voice he recognizes at first, and then by no voice at all, just this feeling of coming home and knowing everything he's done has been right, whether he thought it at the time or not. There is no guilt left for he and Basch going on a hunt, leaving their family to be slaughtered; there is no shame in siding with Archadia; or doubts over his few relationships; or in anything he's done. Now, he is free-no longer Gabranth, for that name is Basch's now. Simply Noah.
and my updated table. Yaaay, drabbles!