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[The thing is. Tristan does come to him. He gets up off the floor, shaken, but it's. It can't be what it looks like because his brother isn't like that (why is he even entertaining the thought because his gut and instincts and things he's ignored scream that it's more than possible it's not true). He shakes it off and walks out, actually annoyed, this isn't a laughing matter, Ariel's a brat but he should know when things are serious.]

[He leans over Ariel's chair, takes the plate of cookies with his free hand and shoves it on the table, holding the clasp in front of Ariel's face.]

What is this? Did you do this? This isn't funny.

Of course I did.

[He has no intention of hiding it. After all, he gave more than enough warning. But really, does Tristan think it's a bad joke? Does he really have that much faith in him? What a stupid, naive, fool.

Still, his smile remains genuine and pleasant. He's nothing but pleased at his disposal of that "problem" and and delighted at the prospect of showing his cute big brother the reality he's denied.]

I told you she'd be gone eventually, one way or another.

Ariel that's not funny!

[He refuses to accept it. No way would Ariel smile like that if he really had done something like he's implying. It's not possible. He won't believe that his brother is--]

[His brother is not a monster. He's just a brat who's going way too far for a petty jealous prank.]

That's enough.

Edited 2014-07-30 20:02 (UTC)

You know, I'd expect this stupidity from someone like her, but you should know better. I warned you more than enough.

[He reaches up, taking his brother's face in his hands and pulling it down closer to his. Ariel is still slight at fourteen, only just into that period of teenaged growth, but there's nothing at all innocent in the tightness of his grip.]

You don't need anyone but me.

[This isn't funny this isn't funny this isn't funny this isn't funny this isn't a joke.]

[It's not a joke.]

[It has to be a joke because if it's not a joke the hair clasp in Tristan's hand is covered in real blood and June is... Dead. Probably dead. Definitely dead this is real it's really happening it can't be real he doesn't want it to be real.]

[He goes stiff, frozen, denial desperately clawing at him deny it deny it deny it and it won't be true but that never helps does it? His brother is really screwed up. His brother... Is a murderer. That... That really can't be right though.]

[What Ariel's saying and doing are better suited to a really bad dream.]

[He's forgotten to breathe. He inhales sharply, still not quite accepting reality. He doesn't want to.]

There, that's a good face.

[He just smiles, sliding his arms around Tristan's neck and muttering into his ear. He wants to be right up close, for this. He likes the look and the sound despair, but for his brother, he wants to feel it. Because his brother is his favorite, the one person worthy of staying at his side (and at his feet).]

She made a face like that, before I smashed her head open.

[Tristan flinches, turning his head to look at Ariel like he's never seen him before. He thinks maybe he never has. Is this seriously his brother saying this? With that expression? He's having a nightmare.]

[His chest feels tight, heart hammering in panic. He's not sure--he's not scared, not exactly. He's terrified. But it's also hard for him to process anything, everything is just so surreal. Shock? It could be shock.]

[This is sick.]

Ariel...

[His voice is faint, he doesn't even know what words he's supposed to say. What do you do in this situation?]

Hmm? If you have a complaint, I'll let you say it now.

[He leans back in the chair again, hands gently trailing down Tristan's arms to stop and grip his wrists. He wonders what he'll do. Will he actually do something about it, or will he just accept even this?]

[A complaint? He has a thousand. His brother shouldn't be touching him like that, his brother shouldn't be looking like this, his brother shouldn't be a murderer! Bashed her head in will haunt his nightmares for a long time.]

[But he's frozen, indecisive. Should he yell? Why is Ariel like this? Because of what happened to them at the end of the war? Wasn't he always like this? A little strange? Unsettling?]

[He can't seem to make himself move, to pull back and slap his brother at least, not even raise his voice to yell. It's nothing but his own weakness. His own confusion and indecision holding him fast. All he manages is a strangled, quiet;]

Why?

Edited 2014-07-30 20:55 (UTC)

Honestly, haven't you been listening to anything I've said lately?

[She's below us. People like that will just turn on you, eventually. It's inevitable. We don't need anyone else.

His thumbs massage the insides of Tristan's wrists, then start to press in, hard.]

You belong to me. I won't have you wasting time on commoners. It's as simple at that.

[What does he say to that? You're insane doesn't cover it. He opens his mouth then hisses a little, hands jolting upward, reflexively thing to pull away.]

You're my little brother.

[Almost to confirm it, remind himself. This is his little brother, he needs to protect him, even from whatever... whatever is deeply deeply wrong with him.]

We're both commoners now.

We're playing at it.

[He's not letting go. In fact he's pressing harder, twisting with every intention of pushing them almost to breaking.]

We're something more than they are, Tristan. You might be next to useless now, but even your blood is still pure. Have a little self-respect.

That hurts.

[He says it softly, not moving, voice tight. The pain's frozen him, the fear of more pain. He's been in worse pain than this, much worse, but not since that night, and the memories surface not so much as images but just cold fear closing around his lungs and making it hard to breathe or think.]

[If he asks, if he tells his brother to stop will he? No. He doesn't want to know. He screamed for them to stop when they took his magic and he can't do that again. Endure that callous disregard. It's better to leave a little room for delusion.]

Ariel... That hurts.

[Maybe repeating it. Voice strained. The silent request will probably be ignored but it won't be his little brother ignoring him begging.]

What did you do--with her?

Don't worry, she won't be found. Not for a long time, at least.

[He maintains that level of pressure while he talks, unphased by Tristan's complaining. What's his is his. He'll do what he likes with it. Clearly it's about time his brother realised that.]

Hey, Tristan?

[He is worried about that. He hates that he's worried about that. But he's been looking over their shoulders for a long time and the paranoia is habit. But it's not why he wanted to know. He wants to see her, he wants to...]

[He breathes shallowly, dealing with the pain.]

What?

Do keep the neighbors in mind.

[It's just a considerate suggestion, since he's going to break one of those wrists now.]

Edited (i'm still half asleeep) 2014-07-31 03:50 (UTC)

[He yells. How could he not yell? But he bites down on it, shallow breathes kicking up into quick, rapid panting, face draining of all color at the pain. At the situation.]

[He tries to pull away, just step back.]

[He doesn't let him, just yet. Instead he pulls him in close again, squeezing the broken wrist as hard as he can as his other hand comes up to fist in his brother's hair.]

As you're no longer fit for the position, I am the rightful ruler of this world. That means you, like everything else, are mine. It's best for you not to question me. Do you understand?

[Since when was Airel this crazy? No, he's been... He's had this attitude for a long time but he's only fourteen. He's only fourteen and Tristan is finding himself scared of his own little brother. He can't resist the pull on his broken wrist, it hurts too much to struggle against, moving forward with a small whine of pain, easy to pull around at this point.]

[The words are just so surreal. He doesn't respond exactly, just stares at Ariel in blank non-comprehension.]

Ariel...

I asked you a question, Tristan.

[His fingers tighten sharply in Tristan's hair, pulling him down til they're only inches apart, breath mingling as Ariel smiles like nothing is amiss at all.

There's a definite thrill in this. Something different than the feeling of picking on a stranger or an acquaintance. It's like getting a gift he's been longing for forever -- the special big brother of singular importance, the boy who was always one step above him, is now, finally, descending to his proper place under Ariel's heel. He can't help it if it gives him a rush.]

Do you understand your place now, or shall I show you more thoroughly?

[This is disturbing on so many levels Tristan can't count them. He swallows hard and strains back against the hand in his hair. He doesn't need to be this close to Ariel, he doesn't want to see that look in his brother's eyes, the enjoyment and the twisted pleasure he's getting out of this. He wants to cry, the situation is too fucked up. And his little brother is insane and he doesn't know if he can help him but it's breaking his heart.]

[He straightens, trying to stand up properly despite the hand firm in his hair.]

Something like that isn't where either of us belong, Ariel. We're not--the world's changed. We're brothers. I'm always going to look after you.

Of course you are.

[He lets go, now that Tristan is really trying. He's still quite a bit stronger, physically. Of course that's not the end of it, but it won't hurt to give him a moment of false reprieve. For now he'll just relax, crossing his legs and reaching for the cookies again.]

But are you really satisfied with that?

[Tristan believes it's real, the space he's being given is real, and it's a relief. He steps back, cradling his broken wrist but not going away. Just half collapsing into the nearest chair. Dazed by everything. It's too much to process all at once. June dead, his brother responsible, his brother being like this. It's all out of whack. He can focus on that question--he wants things back to normal. He wants to exist peacefully like they have been. Satisfied? No. It's what he wants more than anything in the world, satisfied doesn't start to cover it.]

Of course I am.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You are simple-minded that way.

[He lets it be casual for the moment, as least as long as he's eating this cookie. After that he'll exert a little effort. It's enough time for Tristan to breathe, and that means it's enough time that he'll be newly shocked and apalled when Ariel comes after him again, which is, of course, the point.]

[Tristan is still holding the hair clasp, clenched so hard in his hand it's leaving marks. His uncurls his fingers, not his broken wrist at least, looks down at it. Trying to slow his breathing. This is closer to normal, as close to normal as things could be in this situation maybe.]

You didn't... Have to hurt anyone Ariel.

[The reality is hitting him, his voice thick with emotion and choked grief.]

Wanting things simple isn't bad. I--there's no way I'd have abandoned you. You're my brother.