Broken

Zeldy? (Full chapter)

The sound rang out through the room, a sickening sound to Zeldris. He had hated doing it, more than any of the other messed up things he had done in his life. However, he knew this was the only way.

It was the only way Zeldris could get him to snap out of it. He needed to show Meliodas that he was really there, but also have him respond to it. And pain was something any imagined version of himself wouldn't do, and also something Meliodas seemed used to responding to.

Although, it was starting to seem like the ravenette had been wrong in his deduction. Several seconds passed, and as each one did, Zeldris began to fear more and more that he had been too late. That Meliodas had already retreated into his numb state once more before the ravenette had been able to act.

Dread filled him as he saw no movement from the teen, he was still sitting up with his head turned in the direction he had been slapped, but no moving followed. Like he was frozen in that position.

Dropping to his knees as the only bit of hope he had left was truly taken, he didn't even move when the door slammed open.

"What the hell happened? I heard a noise an- WHAT THE HELL ZELDRIS!? YOU CAN'T JUST HIT HIM LIKE THAT!"

Instantly the immortal rushed to the bedside to make sure he was okay, all of the others following. However time seemed to slow for the demon boy. Everything was in slow motion and words were mute. The only thing on his mind were six words that continued to repeat in his head over and over again.

I failed him, I failed Meli...

He felt like he was sinking into the darkest depths of the deepest ocean, no air, no light. There had been someone to save him from this before... someone who had saved him from this before, but now his savior, his light, was on the bed unmoving and completely lifeless.

His light was gone....

Or was it?

"Zeldy..... you're really here?"
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This doesn't make any sense... he's not here. Zeldy isn't here. He's dead. He's dead and it's my fault, he's dead and I'll never see him again. So why does it look like he's right there? I can see and hear him talking to me, he's talking to me, please talk to me Zeldris, please be here. No.. he isn't here, he's gone. He's dead. So why does he look like he's standing there beside me? I'm hallucinating aren't I? That must be it. I'm hallucinating. Please stop hallucinating brain... I don't want to see him. I don't want to see this fake, I want my Zeldris back, the real Zeldris back...

He's holding onto my hand... why do I feel that? I shouldn't be able to feel a hallucination, maybe it's a dream. Maybe my brain is trying to trick me. Maybe I'm finally losing it. Maybe I'm dying. I hope I'm dying. Then I'll get to see him again, please let me see him again.

I heard muffled words but could barely make them out. I didn't want to hear him, I wanted to hear the real Zeldris. Maybe if I die, I'll get to hear him again? I miss you so much Zeldris... I want to see you again. I want to see you again so much.

Pain. Why...do I feel pain? My face... hurts. Why does it hurt? It shouldn't hurt, hallucinations can't hurt. Is... he really here? Nononono.. he can't be here. He's not here. He's dead, he's dead and it's my fault. My fault, my fault, my fault. My brother.... my brother is really here, isn't he? I want to see him... I want to see if he's really here. No....If I look and he isn't here I'll break. I won't be able to take! But... aren't I already broken? I need my brother... I need him to be here.... He's really here, isn't he? I want to see him... I want to see my brother. I need to see my brother. I can't wait to see my brother,  but... I need to know he's here. Please be here Zeldy...

"Zeldy... you're really here?"
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It felt like he was pulled out at once. Like the air and light returned to him, like a hand had pulled him out of the cold, dark, depths that he had fallen into. Like his hero had returned.. his brother, had returned...

Instantly he sprung into action, jumping up from his knees and rushing to his brother's side.

"Yes, I'm here Meli. I'm right here."

Instead of the denial or spiraling he got in response to his answer last time.. he got two emerald eyes staring back at him... wide, and full of tears.

All of them were stunned by the responsiveness, especially when days had passed with no movement, let alone words. None of them even wanted to breath for fear that the slightest thing would hurt the boy in such a fragile state.

However.... the need to hug his brother overrode the fear and replaced it with the happiness of a child long suppressed in the young man. Zeldris tackled his brother in a hug, never wanting nor planning on letting go. And he could tell by the way his brother relaxed in his hold, that he felt the same way.

It lasted a few minutes before all of the others gave their own happy cheers at seeing their youngest member doing okay shortly followed by them giving the two some space so they could catch up in the remaining hours they had together.

"How- How are you... alive? I saw your name on that gravestone. I-I saw you..."

His voice was so much more timid and softer than what it used to be. Lacking the confidence or playfulness it used to have as a normal tone. However, Zeldris didn't mind... because it was still his brother. His brother was here again with him.

Pulling away from the hug as the weight of his question hit him full force, he began trying to push past the guilt of knowing he was the cause of the state Meliodas had gone into. 

"Well, after you got... taken, I didn't have anyone else to come find me. I tried to find Uncle Chandler and Aunt Mary, but by the time I went to their house they had already left. So, after a few years of someone else taking care of me, I decided to fake my own death to avoid the danger of being caught. I didn't think there was anyone else alive that would care about my death. I-I should have tried to find you first. I'm...  so, so, sorry."

Tears slid down his face once more, and Zeldris felt a thumb rough from work wipe them away gently. Looking up in surprise at the person responsible for this, he felt his eyes widen as he saw the sibling in front of him.

It was like they were little kids once more when Meliodas would always give him that look when Zeldris was sad or hurting. The look of kindness, patience, brotherly love, protectiveness, and most importantly.. the look of complete attention.

Never once did Zeldris feel like a burden when Meliodas gave him that look. All he received in return for even the smallest, silly little issue he would cry to his brother about was his complete love, patience, and attention.

And here was that look was again. Overshadowing the timid, scared, broken, trauma that his brother was now. This proved one thing to the ravenette that made him tackle the other in a hug once more...

Who his brother used to be was still in there, and Zeldris was determined to bring him back.

Okay, so I was a bit unmotivated for this chapter, on top of being completely swamped with other things so this was DEFINITELY not my best chapter. I will try to update again but it will probably be a few days. Hope this is okay.