Split Personality

Manipulation or Abuse? Neither According to the Father

sorry for that taking so long. here y'all go!

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Britain's POV:

I stand next to Third as he knocks on the door. Second opens the door and sees us. "Hallo." Third says. Seconds eye twitches a little. "Why are you here?" he asks him. "I'm not sure, but I'm here. I think you can manage me being in your general area for a few minutes." Third replies.

"I brought you to get some changes of clothes." I answered. "Ah, thank you. Now, what part of the basement are they in? Or did you burn all my things as soon as you got back?" Third asks in an almost sarcastic voice.

Second sighed. "As much as I wanted to do that, I didn't. Your things are in your room, just as you left them. I still have respect for family traditions." Second responds. "You saying I don't?" Third asked, sounding a little offended. "You speak like an American for starters. Where's your pride?" Second asked.

"To be honest I thought it was an upgrade. I got my first job because I got rid of my accent. Thank you very much." Third replied in a voice ready to argue. "Ok! How about we go inside and get this done in a quick and orderly manner?" I say before things escalated.

We walk in and I see Second grab his son's hand. Third stops instantly. "I know you too well to let you roam free in this house. We will lose you quickly." Second says. I doubt he will try to run off but I can't stop this.

"Britain is really good at both the locator and teleportation to self spells. I think I can have some freedom." Third said as he pulled his hand out.

Second sighs then he lifted his hand and placed it on the left side of his head. In response, Third recoiled and looked scared. What is he doing?

"Now, you aren't being very good. I need you to give me your arm and let me guide you throughout the house. You will let us watch you and you will not complain or show any form of resistance. You will listen and you will stay quiet. Yes?" Second said in a serious yet calm tone. The same you would hear a parent use to a small child if they got in trouble. A strange choice but I wont judge whatever parenting technique he used.

Third lifts his arm up and refuses to make eye contact. "Yes sir." is his reply to his father's words. Second grabs his arm. "Good. you keep acting like this and I might have the ability to call you my son again." Second says in that same tone. This isn't right. Something just clicked and I don't like how this makes sense.

"Are you sure this is ok?" I ask, trying to have Second reflect on what he's doing at this moment. "Of course it's ok. He's perfectly fine. He has a pressure point on his head and it brings him back to a special little memory. He was little when that happened." he responds. Ok maybe different wording.

"It seems a bit, umm, mentally abusive.'' I say in my second attempt. "It doesn't harm him and I'm only doing it so I don't have to get physical with him. It's just easier to do this. I recommend it. He's a lot more compliant like this, trust me." I think he needs to look at the definitions of 'harm' again. This is hurting him mentally for sure. I'll back down for now.

Then we go upstairs to Third's old room. It was a lot different from what I thought it would be. There were maps taped on the door and murals on the walls. There were plenty of books, and little trinkets. It was a nice feeling room. You could tell that this once was a safe spot for him. Second let go of him and he put his hand back on Third's head.

"You will pick out two outfits like the one you are currently wearing and a pair of long sleeved pajamas." Second said in the same tone as before. "Yes sir." Third responds blandly. Then he walks to his closet. "See, look at how easy this is. He's being so nice." Second says.

I was just watching Third. He was moving so differently. His movements are usually fluid and now he just looks like he's dead. "He looks so empty." I say with some form of regret for even bringing him. "So? Wasn't he being annoying earlier? Now look." Second says. "You were also being annoying earlier. The difference is that now the only emotion on his face is subtle fear.'' I say, I think I understand now why some people can't stand Second.

"Is this why he hates you?" I ask, genuinely curious. I would not blame him for resenting this. "That's a bold question. But I guess you could say that. It's complicated. You don't need to know." Second replies, clearly dodging the question.

Second grabs a backpack and walks over to his son. Then he takes his messenger bag off his shoulder and spills the contents onto the bed. Then he grabs his clothes and puts them in the backpack.

"Now to get rid of this bag." Second says as he grabs the messenger bag once again. Third grabs his bag back out of nowhere and holds it close to himself. "What are you doing?" Second asked. "Protecting my stuff." Third replied. "A boy should not have a purse, give it here." Second said, still using that almost demeaning tone of voice. "It's a messenger bag and you know that! BOYS used these all the time when I was a kid!" Third yelled.

"Why do you even like that thing?" Second asked, crossing his arms. "It has sentimental value that I do not need to explain to the likes of you!" Third yelled with spite. "Don't you yell at me!" Second yells. "Nien! I will do what I want! When I want! I'm not your or anyone else's puppet anymore so stop treating me like one!" Third yelled back. This is getting out of control

Second tries to reach for his head but Third slaps him away. "And stop doing that! I hate it when you do that!" Third yelled. "I only do it because you misbehave." Second said with slight anger in his tone now. "Well I'm sorry I'm not perfect! I'm sorry that I'm not what you wanted! But I'm what you got! So stop trying to control me and accept the fact I have flaws! You did it once, do it again!" Third yelled.

"Get out." are the last words said in the argument. Second won this round. Third grabs his things and leaves the room. "See what I had to deal with." Second says with a huff. "Was he always like this?" I ask, looking at the door he just stormed out of.

"No, he used to be the sweetest thing. But he got in trouble and I guess he never fully recovered from the punishment. That's his fault, not mine, it wasn't even that bad." Second says, shaking his head slowly. As if he were disappointed.

"What did he do?" I ask, yearning for an answer. "I won't say." he replied. "What was the punishment then?" I ask hoping for any clarification to the recent compilation. "Nothing too bad. He got what he deserved, nothing less." was the answer I got. "If you say so." I say, giving up. I need to talk to Third about this when we get back. 

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hope you enjoyed that chapter, comment as alwsays,

anyways, toodaloo, 

-Grilly