Hidden Meanings

At Last, One [Zyibalt]

I hooked my thumbs into my pockets, ignoring the throb of my head. It had gotten worse as I got closer to what I was looking for.

"Nine long years," I murmured, eyeing the building in the distance. From inside, I could hear the shrieks and shouts of people.

Then, a roar; a cheer of triumph.

"And the Rixen's defeat the challengers! Both brothers are still at the top!"

Rixen.

It had been so long since I had heard that name. I took another step forward, my hands closing around empty air near my waist and I sighed.

Old memories. I could still hear the clang of our blades connecting, when I had forced him to use his knives at a short-range.

At the end, his slight smirk as he kicked me aside to advance- but that held a small smile as well.

"What are you doing, Cobalt?" I grumbled to myself, smacking a hand to my forehead- which only increased the dizzying headache.

"Hello?"

A broad-shouldered shadow fell over me, and I scowled at them. "I would've thought that you had recognized me, Zygrado," I half-spat his name.

I had no doubt it was him. Although his hair was shorter by a considerable amount (held back by the same black bang he used before), and he now had two scars cutting through his lip, it was Rixen Zygrado.

He blinked. Once. Twice.

Then he spread out in a wide grin. "Cobalt!" He said happily, cocking his head to the side. "Long time no see!"

I scoffed, peering over his shoulder. "Where's that brother of yours?"

His smile grew. "You finally come to admit your feelings for h- OW!"

I withdrew my elbow as he rubbed at his side. "Hell, no."

"Whatever you say~"

"Dammit, Zygrado, shut up!" I stamped on his foot, but the silver-hair didn't wince.

He merely bobbled his head in what seemed to be understanding before jutting his chin to the building. "He's in there."

I grumbled a few curses as I stalked off.

OoO

Nine words: my headache became worse when I got near him.

Rixen Zyicho had busied himself with rummaging through the cupboard, looking for something to eat as his back faced me.

"Are you just going to ignore me?" I huffed, resisting the urge to kneed my forehead.

He spared me a glance through those new glasses of his. Like his brother, he had gotten a few changes- the scars marring his face and hands as well with the black glasses.

"What, you want me to pay attention to you?"

I glanced at him as he went back to looking before pulling an energy bar out. "You want one?" He offered, holding out another.

I raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you become so...open, Rixen?" Nonetheless, I held my hands out to catch it when he tossed the bar.

"I picked up a few things in the past years."

He met my gaze with bold eyes and turned around, resting against the counter. "And realized some things as well."

I think it was the first time I saw Zyicho smile in my presence. Although it was small, and clearly one of amusement- it was still with me.

I blinked in astoishment once. Twice. A third time. "You just smiled."

It faded, quickly replaced by a frown but he didn't say anything.

"I think this is a record," I smirked, "August 28th-" I glanced at the clock. "5:52 PM."

"Whatever," he replied, facing away from me. I took a step forward, reached over, and picked up a knife that was resting in the sink.

"How about the olden days, Rixen? Care to fight?"

Zyicho shrugged before he plucked it from my hands. "I don't care."

"Fine. Tomorrow, I'd say...2 PM."

"I'm good with that," he tossed the knife in the air, allowing it to sink in the apple that rested on the counter.

I caught the expression flashing across his features. "Don't smirk at me like that, you know I'm gonna kick your butt."

He laughed. He actually laughed. I did a double-take in surprise, wondering what had happened in the past nine years that had changed him from- literally, an asshole- into this slightly-more-open person.

"Yeah, sure," he drawled.

I take that back.

A/N~

Uggggghhhh...nom nom nom here you are Zoe. :3

Whee this placed in the future. Zygrado's, like, 26.