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Brothers in a storm

The storm's fury roars outside, making the tent tremble. Jamie's eyes widen in fear, and he clings tighter to his older brother. "I'm scared, Si!"

Sensing his younger brother's distress, Simon pulls him close, enveloping him in a warm cocoon of blankets. "It's only a storm, Jamie. We're safe in here," he assures, voice filled with warmth. "You know, nights like this are when the magic is at its strongest."

Jamie peers up, his fear momentarily pushed aside. "What magic?"

"The magic of brothers," Simon begins, voice dripping with mystery. "All around the world, wherever brothers bond, storms like this offer us a special opportunity. A chance to weave tales that transport us on adventures. It's the finest stories that infuse the magical realms with the wonder and imagination they need to thrive. Without our tales, they just vanish – pop!" As if on cue, a flash of lightning brilliantly illuminates the tent, causing Jamie to jump.

With a smirk, Simon wraps another blanket around them. "Every time our little brothers feel scared or anxious, us elder siblings spin a story. The lil' bro's imaginations bursts out of them and it feeds the magical lands, preserving them."

As Simon says "bursts," he playfully pokes Jamie in the ribs, sending him into a fit of giggles. "Stop! I can't 'magine properly if you're tickling me," Jamie protests, laughter still bubbling up.

Simon relents and scoops him back up, rewrapping the blankets. "So how about it then, want to hear a story and save the magic lands for another day?"

Jamie's face lights up. "I want one with pirates! Or... merboys! Wait, no! A dragon! Or maybe a genie on a camel in the desert!"

Simon chuckles, tousling Jamie's hair. "Whoa there! Save some of those ideas for the next storm. With that bursting imagination, I reckon you're the most powerful little bro in the world."

As the storm's rumble becomes mere background noise, Simon spins a swashbuckling tale of pirates. Jamie brandishes an imaginary cutlass, totally immersed. As the story winds down, Jamie's eyelids grow heavy, and he drifts into a peaceful slumber against his brother.

"Sleep tight, lil' bro," Simon whispers. "Dream of magical realms."

For a short story

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