Duchenne (DSMP Superhero AU)

Chapter 31

Theseus waited. He waited for Icarus to signal him in. Watching the fight below. Ares was ruthless, not letting anyone get close. He hissed commands at Bee, at Void, at Magma, at Merling, hell, even at Icarus and Thanatos. His fingers twitched as he watched Icarus apologise to Bee for hitting him with his wing. This plan had to work. For Wilbur.

He glanced up again, searching the surrounding buildings for Dream. Theseus wasn't sure where he was, but he knew that he would probably hurt his friends if he showed up.

Ares punched Bee, sending him into the wall. That smiling mask didn't betray any of his thoughts as he commanded Magma to take Merling away from the fight, Magma obeying with Merling crying out for Seirin.

Theseus had enough. Ares was being stupid at this point. He jumped off the building, his strings floating him down to land in front of Ares. Ares froze where he stood, their masked faces mere inches away. Theseus leaned forward, pressing a hand to Ares's chest.

That snapped Ares out of his daze. He swiped with his arm, deflecting the touch and punching Theseus in the stomach. As Theseus staggered back, Ares spoke. His smirk was audible in the way he spoke, his voice cruel and uncaring.

"And who might you be? I've gotten lovely introductions from the rest of them."

Theseus used his strings to grab a pipe, holding it as if it was a sword.

"You can call me Theseus, or little brother if you prefer."

Ares nodded, his shoulders tensing for a moment but grabbing a nearby pipe and holding it like he would hold a quarterstaff. He spun it a few times, getting used to the balance of it.

"Alright Theseus..."

His centre of gravity lowered as he readied his stance, the eyes under the smiling mask glowing red.

"Let's dance."

All of a sudden, Theseus was moving. Rhythmically, along to a beat that was playing in his head. Ares dashed forward, bringing the pipe down over Theseus's head. Running on instinct and the rhythm, Theseus swept his pipe to the side, simply flicking his wrist with a little spin for flair. Sparks flew as the pipes impacted, bouncing off each other and swinging around for another strike. Swing, block, bounce, swing, block, bounce, swing, block, bounce.

The rest of the vigilantes slunk away, tending to each other's wounds in the ruined shops nearby and cheering on Theseus. As the pair danced with their pipes that sparked in the setting sun, Theseus attached an emotional string to the end of his pipe. He was getting his Wilbur back, no matter what.

Ares danced out of the way, singing along to his own rhythm, a weird song that seemed to be asking how bad he could be? Theseus shrugged it off, his own soundtrack following along with it as he lunged forward to try and tap Ares in the chest. Ares side stepped it, swinging his pipe up to hit the visor off Theseus's face. Theseus was suddenly very glad his mask had two pieces. His gaze fixed on Ares, stepping back and switching up his fighting style to a quarterstaff approach. Swing, swing swing, clang!

Void watched the fight anxiously, fiddling with his tie.

"Come on Theseus..."

He willed up enough energy and teleported behind Ares, reaching over and snatching the smiling mask. Ares turned away from the fight, temporarily distracted.

Void's eyes met Ares's, a rage filled stare that glistened with tears. The force of it caused Void to stagger back, holding the mask to his chest.

"Give that back Void."

The amusement of the musical fight died down, releasing Theseus from his command. He lunged for Void, snarling. Void flinched, hiding his face behind the mask protectively.

Ares never reached Void. Red strings pulled him back, pinning his arms to his sides. He wiggled desperately, wanting the comforting cover of the mask. He fell on his face, biting back a whimper of pain.

"GIVE IT BACK!"

Theseus walked around to stand in front of Void, his gaze hardening as he saw the state Ares's face was in. Void attempted to push past Theseus but the blond held him back. Not yet. Ares stared up at him, his rage dying out as he cracked.

"Please Toms, please get it back for me, I know you despise me but I just want the mask, you wouldn't be so cruel as to deny that would you?"

Theseus's heart broke at the state Ares was in. Begging, lying on the street. He stepped forward, pressing his hand to Ares's back and securing an emotional string. Ares whimpered, wiggling in the restraints.

Bee hovered over, giving Ares Theseus's visor. The man visibly relaxed, still muttering under his breath.

"Don't hurt me Toms, please not again. I'll leave you alone I swear. You'll never have to chase me away again."

Theseus squatted down, helping Ares to sit up. He grasped either side of the older's face, ignoring the quivering split lip.

"Five things you can see."

Ares gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat.

"You, Void, my mask, buildings, your strings."

Theseus slowly fed calm feelings down the string, continuing the exercise.

"Good, you're doing great. Four things you can feel."

Ares relaxed, closing his eyes.

"The pavement, your hands, your strings, the wind."

Theseus stroked Ares's hair, closing his eyes too to only focus on the man infront of him.

"Three things you can hear."

"You, the wind, my music."

"Two things you can smell."

"Asphalt, your hands."

"One thing you can taste."

"Blood."

Theseus opened his eyes, combing his fingers through Ares's hair. It was greasy and long, but he didn't mind.

"Can you hear me Will?"

Ares shook his head, flinching away from Theseus.

"I'm Ares. I don't deserve the name Wilbur."

Theseus scoffed, pulling Ares into a hug.

"Yes you fucking do. You're my big brother Wilbur, I love you."

Ares shuddered as Theseus poured as much love through the string as possible, leaning into the hug. Dream would be mad. But Wilbur could be fine with that.

His little brother loved him.