Cruel but Gentle - Herobrine X Steve

Chapter 32

To say that Notch was worried would be an understatement. Steve had suddenly disappeared right after dinner, not a trace left behind. Notch was left to pace back and fourth in the grand entrance hallway of the castle, heart thudding from the nervous energy that kept on building up. Sure, it wasn't that big of a deal two hours ago, but now it was night. And Notch had no idea where Steve could be. Not to mention how long it took to convince Dusky to go to bed.

He could go look for the human and make sure he was safe, but then he might seem overbearing. He didn't want to smother Steve, and he knew Steve was a good fighter who could take care of himself. But he couldn't just do nothing! What if Steve had gotten hurt? What if he'd tripped into a hole and broken a leg? What if he was attacked by someone? What if he'd been kidnapped again?! Granted, he knew that Herobrine would never try that now (he knew his brother didn't want to hurt Steve more than he already had) but that didn't stop other people from kidnapping him!

Notch knew he was getting too worked up, but he just couldn't get himself to calm down. He had been around humans since the very moment they were created and yet - whenever one disappeared like this - he still panicked. Humans were so easily hurt, literally anything could have happened!

Millions of (mostly far fetched) scenarios and possibilities shot though his head. He had to go find Steve and make sure he was okay. But what if he had just wanted to go for a walk? What if he was fine and then started to resent Notch for being too codling? Notch wasn't his dad; he didn't need Notch looking out for him.

But what if he glitched from some bug Notch had overlooked when bringing him back to life? What if he was in some kind of agonising limbo between life and death, where the only thing he would be able to feel was excruciating pain and it would be all Notch's fault and-

The sound of the front door creaking open put a stop to the god's frantic pacing. A familiar human carefully walked in, glancing around in a nervous manner. Notch felt a tidal wave of relief course though his body that seemed to make all his current anxieties wash away. Steve was back.

"Steven, thank goodness you're okay!" Notch exclaimed in greeting, rushing over to the human's side and wrapping him in a tight hug, the sudden reassurance of the mortal being okay causing him to forget himself.

Steve let out a small squeak in surprise, effectively bringing Notch back to reality. The god quickly released Steve and folded his hands behind his back, as if he could pretend that didn't just happen. Notch cleared his throat.

"M-May I ask why you left the-"

That was when he noticed the uncertain god that stood behind Steve, radiating awkwardness. Notch found himself frozen in shock at the sight of his brother, standing once more in what was once their castle (although now it was just Notch's). Herobrine looked different. So very different from the brother he had built this world with. He seemed smaller and withdrawn, not to mention the scruffiness of his clothing. A dull glow came from his white eyes, indicating to Notch that he was either unsettled or bored (his body language heavily suggested the former). Even though the other god had no pupils, Notch could tell he was fighting between avoiding eye-contact and wanting to keep a watch on him.

Notch wanted nothing more than to being allowed hug Herobrine once more.

"Brother-" He cut himself off, remembering how Herobrine now hated that. "Herobrine, it's...good to see you."

Steve kept glancing between the two gods, still giddy from finally having Herobrine back. Although, happy reunion aside, it was impossible to not see the thick tension between Notch and Herobrine. Maybe...he could find a way to help them..? Then again, the conflict between them stemmed back thousands of years and Steve was certainly not qualified to help.