A Place to Call Home | 家に帰る場所 | Nicolas Brown

| one |

| Before |

Mercenary Commander Gaston Brown led both the deaf little boy and the girl beside him towards another boy who had been leaning against the outer gate of the Arcangelo Mansion. He had been minding his own business, ignoring the aching of his bruises that had been painted across his skin under his almost royal clothing. Nicolas walked slightly ahead of her, keeping some distance between the girl and their commander; who was also his father.

Once the three newcomers stood in front of the blonde, he had looked up at the commander as he started talking, a sinister look upon his face, "Master Wallace- I am Commander Gaston Brown, this here is Nicolas Brown and (Name) (Lastname). They are you newly assigned bodyguards starting today."

Wallace had been staring up at the man with a stoic look, not bothered at all before his lazy eyes reached the other boys but he couldn't see the girl. It was as if whenever Wallace moved his head further to the right to see the girl, Nicolas would also move right to prevent them from making eye contact. The blonde scoffed but nodded anyway and remained in his spot when the commander proceeded to walk away, walking around Nicolas to harshly bump his shoulder into the girl.

She had yelped and fallen back at the sudden contact. Her backside met the floor but she didn't make any other sound when Wallace stared down at her. Nicolas caught his stare and looked back confused, shock over taking him when he was immediately on the floor to help her. Her brown hair was cut crazily- lot's of strands going down to her elbows while other pieces of her hair ended at her eyebrows or her chin. She had bruises across her cheek as well. Nicolas helped her as he stood her up straight, dusting her back off when she bowed down suddenly, "I'm sorry for my insolence, Master Wallace!"

His eyebrow raised and a look of disgust overtook his face, "Don't apologies when he was the one that caused your fall." He didn't like the way your hair covered your left eye as only the half of your face was visible in pinks and purple as scabs with dried blood was seen on your cheekbone too.

Nicolas leaned against the gate and kept a lookout while the small brunette girl had placed herself on the other side of Wallace, to his right. He had been staring at the ground and occasionally looking toward Nicolas before he looked back down again. It was unnerving but the silence was refreshing. Leaning forward with an outstretched hand, the ladybug on the patch of overgrown grass had flown away when the tags on the girls chest fell forward to move with the slight breeze. It caught Wallace's attention and he didn't stop staring, "Dogtags.."

Freezing, her hands wrapped around the two slick pieces of metal to stop them from hitting each other and Wallace squinted his eyes, "B/3 hm.."

He turned to look at Nicolas, finding it slightly odd that he had no reaction to his small interaction with the girl he seemed a little protective of. He wasn't sure if it was protectiveness or just the fact that they had to look out for eachother but he knew there was something there, "Why won't you say anything?"

Eyes wide, the girl couldn't help but watch with a slightly gaped mouth, "Hey! I'm speaking to you!"

"Uh- Ma- Mast-"

"Shut up!" Wallace shoved Nicolas' shoulder causing him to turn in a flash with wide eyes, he found his balance and tilted his head just as Wallace continued his yelling, his brows furrowing in anger, "Why won't you speak to me! It's because of my Father isn't it?! He told you not to speak to me?!"

Nicolas looked towards the girl in panic but his slightly bruised face remained the same and his hand convulsed a little before she caught it and sped to his side, Wallace watched and backed away with a shocked look, "-Gone.."

"What?!" Wallace's yells were getting louder and the little girl holding Nicolas' upper arm with her hand tightly wrapped around his had flinched making Nicolas stare slightly alarmed, "-Can't... Hear- Gone.."

With the arm that wasn't restricted, he moved his hand up to point at his ear, indicating to the boy whom he had to protect that his hearing was no more. The wind picked up and Wallace gaped, his bright blue eyes shining with despair and amazement when the girl's mouth fell open as the harsh breeze blew against the back of her head making her bangs lift and flow wildly, letting Wallace catch sight of the bright green iris that circled around her black pupil as the other eye was just as black as the pupil.