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[If Tris says that, it's probably true. He's spent all his time since his parents were sent away learning that Tristan is right. Always right. He always has Ariel's best interests in mind, because he cares about him. And Ariel believes that -- has always believed that, and never questioned him. But now something feels wrong, and he's not sure if it's just the fuzzy memory of a dream of tearing Tristan to shreds.]

...I'm old enough to decide for myself now, I think.

[It bothers him greatly that Ariel is disagreeing with him. For the first time in ten years and about this. It scares him. He doesn't know what will come of this. Should he force it? How much better will he be than Ariel was if he goes that route? But what if these dreams... Return his brother to how he was. He's been so careful, so exceedingly careful. This can't ruin what he's accomplished.]

Ariel, come sit with me.

[He pats the window seat, inviting his brother closer.]

...

[Of course he obeys, but he's stiff and tense when he sits. He doesn't remember ever being afraid around Tristan before, but right now there's a definite fear making his hands shake. It shows on his face -- because this Ariel really feels the full spectrum of emotion, and never taught himself to lie and fake. So now Tristan gets to see him looking at him like something intimidating, immensely more powerful than him, who can and apparently has exercised that power on him without consent. Someone to be scared of, no matter how much faith he has in him.]

[That look shocks him. He knows exactly what that is, that mix of fear and apprehension, and it sickens him to see it in Ariel's eyes directed at himself. How... did it end up this way? Why is some part of him honestly thrilled and excited by the rush of power he feels at this reversal, even while he's disgusted to acknowledge that at all.]

[Ariel's been a good boy, a good person, this isn't what his brother deserves. He brushes Ariel's hair back, tucks it behind his ear.]

Oh little brother, don't look at me that way. I would never harm you.

[He flinches when Tristan's hand comes near his face, tightening his arms on the cat -- which, in catlike nature, immediately leaps away and runs off. He starts to turn to reach after it, but stops himself, instead freezing in place and looking up at Tristan with an obvious desire to get up and run himself.]

I don't want to forget, Tristan. I can't learn anything if you do that.

[He leans back and looks out the window, unable to face Ariel's expression without his heart squeezing in pain and savage excitement. It's gross. He doesn't want this to be happening. It would be so easy to catch Ariel's face and weave the spell to take his memories but how many should he take at this point? How long has Ariel been hiding he knows?]

[It's hopeless to keep it up, not unless he wants to severely damage his brother's mental capacity.]

I only wish I could have kept you safe from such things. I won't take your memories Ariel, don't look at me like that, I cannot stand it.

If you wondered, it was only the memories of dreams I took, I did not mean to cause you such alarm.

I'm sorry...

[He folds his hands in his lap, wilting and looking down. He should have trusted Tristan, of course. Now he's gone and hurt his feelings, and that wasn't necessary at all. Still, he can't say he regrets asserting his will to remember.]

Thank you.

I don't want to leave you with such nightmares though, Ariel.

[His voice is gentle, the concerned older brother.]

It's alright. I... They're things I don't understand at all. But it's the same sorts of things, over and over. So I think maybe it's meant to tell me something, and I ought to find out what that is.

I think it's meaningless. Nightmares aren't always a message. I've made enemies, their ill will might be directed at you with this.

You think someone sent them to me on purpose?

It's a possibility I'm not discounting.

Maybe... They're full of things and places I've never seen. So it's possible they're created by someone who has seen them-- But then, to see those things, that person must be...

[Really horrible. Whoever came up with what he's seeing has to be absolutely depraved.]

There are bad people in the world Ariel.

[He reaches over to cup his brother's cheek, if Ariel will let him.]

I want more than anything to keep you safe with me.

[He lets him this time, leans into the touch, and when he looks up it isn't with fear. The same trust and love and devotion he's shown all this time -- that Tristan programmed into this version of him -- is right there, and he smiles.]

I know. I couldn't ask for a better brother than you.

[It's so twisted and wrong and it's a relief. Tris leans over and kisses Ariel's forehead, fond and gentle. Stroking his cheek perhaps more like a lover than a brother but really, it's more or less how he always has.]

If it's too much I can erase them--I know you want to figure it out but I think all they'll do is trouble and hurt you. But I'll wait for you to ask me.

Just stay with me and I'll keep you safe.

[He doesn't have the experience to know that's not how brothers touch. It's how Tristan's always touched him, and no one's ever told him otherwise. So he just nuzzles against his hand, sweetness not at all feigned in this rearranged replica.]

You know I won't ever leave you, Tristan. We belong together, don't we?

[Maybe he should have questioned why him, above and apart from all their other siblings, but he hasn't. He hasn't been encouraged to, and Tristan's never given him a reason. So he just hasn't. This is how it is and should be... right?]

[This is how it should be, this is his. Ariel as he always wanted him, an Ariel that's innocent and sweet and not a monster and somehow it feels empty at times. He loves this Ariel, he really really does, he's a good boy. He's the same Ariel with a new personality that's all. And Tris will never get over the twisted sense of triumph and sick feeling when he thinks about it.]

[Which is more lately, with Ariel growing up and looking more like Tris' memories of him, day by day filling out, face maturing, and Tris doesn't have to wonder how his body is developing and he knows it's terrible that he doesn't, and he shouldn't think about it.]

[He trails his fingers down Ariel's jaw and tilts his head up to meet his eyes.]

That's right, we belong together.

And we are together. So everything will be alright. It's just dreams.

[Even if they're terrifying, traumatic dreams. He's sure he can handle it. It's better than being caught unaware every time, or missing a clue that might lead to something acting against Tristan. He'll just have to be brave for the sake of his beloved big brother.]

[Tristen lifts his other hand, cupping Ariel's face between them. This is his, his his his his his his his his, he won't let memories interfere. He kisses each of Ariel's eyelids tenderly, and then brushes his lips over his little brother's in the gentlest of light kisses.]

They're only dreams, so try to forget them and tell me what you want to do while we're stormed in.

[Tristan's done a good job of sheltering him from reality. He doesn't know that it's odd for his big brother to kiss him, or that Tris's "eccentricity" in that department is a frequent topic of gossip. It doesn't occur to him to be scandalized, or indeed to do anything but throw his arms around Tristan's neck and wriggle his way into his lap. He's just being shown affection, and as always he soaks that up like a sponge.]

We should spend the time together, of course.

Edited 2014-08-22 21:45 (UTC)

[That's fine, Ariel doesn't need to know better. Ariel knows exactly as much as Ariel has ever needed to know, and Tris will wrap his arms around his brother, much more at ease with this familiarity than Ariel's wariness of him. He runs his fingers through his brother's hair (no one would know they were related looking at this scene from outside, but it's how he's always treated him).]

Jupiter wants to play in the snow but it's too stormy for that. He said he'd make cocoa though. So how do you want to pass the time?

However you want to. You should take a break and do what you like.

[Tristan doesn't get a lot of breaks, after all. But he's going to have to dislodge Ariel to do anything but sit, since he's snuggling close and tucking his head against his shoulder. This is just a natural place for him, warm and safe. Tris said he wouldn't do anything without Ariel's permission, and so he believes him. Of course. There's no need to question him.]

[Why would he dislodge Ariel though this is perfectly acceptable. In fact, he can't think of a better way to pass the time than gently petting the teenager nestled in his lap, as if Ariel were himself one of his many cats.]

Maybe I want to just sit here and spend time with you and Jupiter. I'm afraid I have very boring interests.

It's true, you're getting dull.

[ Guess who is here with cocoa now!! He raises a slight eyebrow at Tris and Ariel, but says nothing, used to it by now. ]