Turning Back The Clock

Turning Back The Clock: Chapter 9

The blond giggled with delight as both of his older siblings were chasing him around in the large garden. It was rare to have them both in one place at one time, which just made this game of tag so much more fun.

He had forgotten all about the strange people that had been here yesterday due to the excitement of his current activities with hie brother, but soon after being caught by his eldest sibling who attacked him with tickles, both eyes found the pot of now spoiled soup outside.

"What's this doing out here Meliodas? I thought you were going to put it away?"

"I'm sorry Esta. I was using it for a game where I pretended to be a wizard and that was my pot of magic potions. I meant to put it away when I had finished, but then Zeldy called me inside and I got excited and forgot. I'm sorry.."

The man sighed before leaning down and gently rubbing his little chubby cheeks with his hand as a gesture of forgiveness.

"It's alright. Just from now on, leave the food inside and use something else for your game, okay? Now I want you to go clean that pot for me and throw out the food for leaving it."

"Okay!"

The boy did so without complaint as he carried the pot easily filled with the now condensed liquid.

He really is such a good kid. He obeys without complaint just like he used to. Which means as long as we stay on top of this and make sure his moment of meeting humans never comes... there shouldn't be any problems.

He informed Zeldris who was close by of his return back to work after little Meliodas went about his own task before flying off to what he needed to do.

Leaving Mel to feel a bit guilty about his lie.

He wasn't sure why he did it. He rarely lied, he hated doing it and never had much use for it since he was an open book with his big brothers. Yet... he didn't feel like he could talk to them about his encounter.

He felt really weird about it, and honestly was a bit worried for them since the group wasn't in sight and the soup had remained untouched.

The way they had talked, the way they had acted around him, it was all super odd and strange. And.. for some reason, Meliodas was worried about his brothers reacting poorly to it.

They used to leave him in the care of nannies often from work or other activities even if they tried to make time for him, but now they rarely left his side. And although Mel hasn't had said anything about it, he sensed the guards cloaking themselves that always followed him around.

They were so protective now, what if they said he couldn't see those people anymore? That wouldn't be good. Meliodas wanted to at least help them feel better after their long trip. Well, if they were still in the area, that is.

Drying off the squeaky clean pot, the demon put it in its designated place before turning around to see an older maid he recognized looking at him as if he were a ghost.

He usually ignored those looks that were sent his way often now, but this particular maid used to be one of his caregivers when he was younger. He actually really liked her back then. She was very patient and played lots of games with him.

"Hi Sarah! Are you still working here? It's so nice to see you again!"

Her eyes grew wider before she mumbled a few things unintelligibly before excusing herself.

This kind of behavior honestly, really did confuse the boy. Sure it had been a long time, the girl seemed to be older to prove that, but why did everyone other than his brothers act so spooked or alarmed around him?

Feeling the guilt over his fib mix with the worry he felt for the wellbeing of those strangers already dampened his mood enough. This was just a disheartening little cherry on top.

"Hey Mel, what's up?. You look so sad."

The blond in question perked up at Zeldris's voice to see the man himself standing in the door way between indoors and out.

"It's nothing. I just... feel bad about leaving the soup. I know Esta worked hard on it."

Another lie added to the mix, and another lump in the boy's stomach.

Zel had a nostalgic, almost bittersweet, smile come across his face. A common occurrence but still one Meliodas felt frustrated for not being able to understand the cause. He could say something completely random and silly and his brother would still look at him like that.

He was starting to hate it as much as the wide eyes and faces that went pale. Mainly because it always made him feel like suddenly, even if caused by his own words, he was disconnected from his brother in that moment. Like an inside joke someone says with the third party present and just tells them "you just had to be there"

He didn't like being the third party, and for some reason, maybe it was because his mood was already so foul, it lit a fire in him that made his blood boil with irritation and sourness.

Ignoring his brother who was about to speak, he went ahead and walked away now that he was done with his task. He was sick of everything right now.

Sick.

Tired.

Hurt.

Wait, why did he feel.... hurt? He was the one that lied, he was the the one that had disobeyed yet had his brother believe and forgive him immediately. So why did he feel so bitter, angry, and hurt. Like his brother had just done something to really make him mad? Like he had felt before when Zeldris kept ignoring him?

Like he had been betrayed.

He kept walking. Getting angrier and angrier the whole time, with absolutely no reason for it.

Wave after wave of emotion kept hitting him, and he kept walking, stomping actually, as Zeldris's calls for him were ignored.

Until finally a huge, sickening, horrible, wave of feeling overcame his right when his brother caught up and gently turned to get him to look at the other.

Only for both of them to find tears sliding down his face.

"Hey, Mel! Why are you crying? Are you hurting? Did I upset you?"

He couldn't stop the tears from falling just as he couldn't pull away from his brother even as he tried.

"Hey, stop trying to move. Answer me. Come on Mel, stop!"

His grip got slightly tighter before he finally got the child to look at him, a worried, confused, caring look on his face.

"Come on Meli... Why are you crying?"

Meliodas's mind came up blank. There was no memory associated with these tears, with these feelings overwhelming  him so so much. But they were there, and they were strong.

And for some reason, he felt them increase anytime he even so much as looked at his brother trying to comfort him in front of him.

I'm sorry, this is very scattered and slightly late because I lost my charger. However I still hope it's to your liking and you guys feel it holds up!

Words- 1231