Fear of Mantodea (Yandere Mantis x Reader)

Breaking Barriers

        Running forward, face covered in a fine sheen of sweat and chest heaving as he huffed and puffed, Kaisey grumbled as he caught up with you and the prince. The poor beetle probably hadn't had to run like that since he was a child and seeing the pathetic sight, Luca felt horribly guilty. A cautious hand went to help the doctor catch his bearings while the prince offered some words of apology, however, it was immediately swatted away. 

        "I'm alright! I'm fine! By no help of yours anyways," Grumbled Kaisey as Abel finally caught up as well.

        Concern bubbled to the surface, his face going soft while he helped the ebony beetle to his feet. There, right when your eyes met your brother's, a spark lit. Crackling with tension, the air grew more agitated, palpable enough for you to reach out and touch it. To say it was awkward would be an understatement entirely, though not too far off the mark. Abel looked down sheepishly, an odd twitch in his eye revealing how nervous he felt about meeting you once more. Before the two of you could go back to ignoring each other, Kaisey let out a loud huff, elbowing your brother in the stomach with a bit of force. 

        "You're heading to the market, right (Name)?" Kaisey asked, devoid of anything but annoyance.

        You nodded swiftly.

        "Good, me and Estum will meet you there then, you two," He pointed between you and Abel, "Make up. I'm sick and tired of him whining to me about you."

        Taking Luca's hand, Kaisey dragged him in front of you two; the red head looking reluctantly behind him as they left. Abel stared down at his feet, his eyes twitching when he finally spoke to you. 

        "(Name)," His voice faltered, "I know what I've done cannot be forgiven, but I really do mean it when I tell you this. I'm so sorry about what I said before. I've been sorry for a while. I should have believed the pain you were going through. If I had then-"

        "Hey, it's alright." You answered him, stopping to take his hand. "Really, it's in the past now..."

        "But I said some awful things during the trial and before it. I was an idiot Sis. A big fucking idiot."

        Each little word he said beat down on himself, bashing the beetle's skull in with sharp pinpricks of guilt and sorrow. This sorry wasn't just for you, it was for Sora as well. Sora and Maria and Stella as well as everyone else. You stopped him right there. 

        "Abel, I get it, you were a shit head. We were both being shitheads and due to that we caused a rift in our family." You paused, taking a deep breath as you looked to Kaisey and Luca. Both the Mantis and the beetle seemed to be joking around. "Maria had herself pitted against me from the start, of course she saw me as Sora's killer. I was lucky Stella was there to testify on my behalf. Rather than mull myself over the things you said I prefer to be happy. Can't we just be friends again?"

        A comforting hand pushed forwards, its offer opening up for Abel to choose. Your brother looked down, his eyes hesitant as he took the comforting appendage.

        "Of course we can (Name)."

        You let out a sigh, feeling as if some weight upon your heart had finally lifted. Fighting with your family really wasn't your thing. Knowing Abel for as long as you have, you knew he felt the same, though from the look of him something still weighed deeply on his shoulders. You tilted your head to the side, skipping next to him as you wrapped your arm around his waist. E/c eyes assessed him with a glittering glint.