Wormwood flinched when the other spoke in that soft, pained tone, obviously holding back tears of emotion. The lion immediately felt sharp guilt flood his body as Poet spoke of his failed coup, and he said as he slowly shook his head, his name brushing the other's nose softly, [glow=#793B29,1,400]"I didn't prefer those days. I was an awful brother. I was an awful lion in general. All it did was prove I wasn't ready or able to lead the pride."[/glow] It hurt him greatly now to think that he had ever thought about hurting his brother because of his bitterness towards the world. Because, ultimately, it hadn't been Poet's fault that Worm had staged a coup. He'd been furious at his parents and the world for putting him in what he saw as unfair circumstances, and he had taken it out on Poetking instead of those who had wronged him, because it was a chance for power. He had been an idiot, and ultimately all it had done was cost him more days he could've spent with his brother, and a trust that was irreparably broken, no matter how much Worm wished it wasn't so.

Wormwood made a soft surprised noise as he felt Poetking forcibly nuzzled under eath his chin, but he didn't stop the younger lion, just curling in a bit so that his younger brother was tucked securely between his paws and beneath his head. Worm mumbled softly as he closed his eyes, wrapping his paws loosely around Poet's shoulders, [glow=#793B29,1,400]"I'm sorry, I should've kept this all to myself."[/glow] It was just like his Mother and Father had said when they were young cubs: don't bother Poet with your problems, Worm. You'll stress him out and make him sick. Keep it to yourself. He should've just kept following that advice. He should've just come in, told Poet what had happened, and left without showing his emotions. Instead he had just upset his brother and ruined things, yet again.

Eyes widening slightly at the other's words, Worm quickly shook his head, pressing his nose into Poet's paw before mu.bling softly, his voice just a bit muffled,  [glow=#793B29,1,400]"Of course I won't, Poet. Trust me, as long as I am still around, you're safe. We're safe, and happy, okay? You're not going anywhere anytime soon, except for around this swamp."[/glow] And he meant it, too. Despite the fact that he knew he couldn't actually guarantee or promise anything, he also knew that he would lay down life and limb for Poet, and would never let anyone or anything bring him harm, whether it be an outside threat or his fainting spells.

When the other began to cry, Wormwood frowned and slowly nuzzled the other lion, beginning to slowly groom him in an act of comforting. He rumbled softly as he slowly groomed his brother, flattening out the bit of fur against his neck that was the beginnings of a mane, [glow=#793B29,1,400]"We're alright, Poe. We'll always be alright, brother."[/glow] He knew, deep down inside, that this wasn't entirely true. He still had threats looming darkly over his head, and by extension, so did Poetking. Still, Wormwood wouldn't worry the other male with his old problems. If he died, at least now Poet would have people here like Delilah to make sure that the younger lion would be taken care of. So Worm didn't have to worry Poet about anything... even Judith.