Past Hidden by a Broken Smile (Being Edited)

Chapter Two: Past Unforgotten.

I do not own The Seven Deadly Sins

The sins all stood in stunned silence at the simply said sentence. It instantly got everyone's attention as all of them became curious for the full story.

"I-If you don't mind, could you elaborate on that?"

King asked, feeling a bit nervous to do so. The man nodded before continuing, looking even more drained just at the thought of whatever horrible memory was playing in his head.

"I suppose that does deserve a bit more context doesn't it? It was our youngest brother's eighth birthday when it happened. I'm unsure of all the details myself to be honest as I was setting up decorations for the little gathering we had planned for that night. However... I do know that there was a fight."

The man took a pause as he seemed to think more about it before he chose his next words.

"He.... had always been the peacekeeper in our family, I suppose. The one that usually apologized and tried to fix things even if it was one of us at fault. That's why I didn't think too much of the argument at first. Although honestly, fights themselves were quite rare to begin with due to his magnetic personality anyone who met him couldn't help but love. Heh.. I still remember how he'd always say on a bad day to cheer up because even if today wasn't good, it just meant that tomorrow would be great to make up for it. I had never met someone who had such a positive outlook on anything that came his way."

The small smile adorning his face at the happy memory faded back to what it was again quickly as his mind wondered to less happy moments.

"I was never as close to him as my brother here, Zeldris, was. They did everything together, and while he looked up to Zeldris, Zeldris tried to be the best big brother he could have been. They bettered each other, and.. I think that's part of why Zeldris fell so hard when it happened..."

All of the sins stayed silent as the man took a breath to continue.

"Anyway, as I said before, I don't even know what the argument was about, nor why it escalated as fast as it did.. but when all said was done and the two started yelling, Zeldris lost his temper and said that he hated our little brother; that it would be better if he was just gone. I could see it in them both how one regretted it instantly and the other was deeply hurt by the words. But it unfortunately was never resolved as the little eight year old ran off out of the house and likely into the woods closeby."

The sins all gasped subconsciously, each shocked and heartbroken over the situation they could all empathize over.

"We looked everywhere but couldn't find him. After calling every holy knight we could and searching absolutely everywhere we could think of, we eventually had to give up as the knights declared my youngest brother as dead. Zeldris had barely been holding on as it was before that point, after hearing that he... he nearly didn't survive it."

The sins could see how badly it had hurt them, and most of them knew all too well that feeling of pain that was associated with the loss of a loved one.

"It would be one thing if we at least knew what happened to my baby brother but...
I just.. I... I wish that I could have done something to prevent it. If I had stopped the fight earlier than.. perhaps I wouldn't have lost both of my brothers that day..."

No one knew what to say once he finished. The air was heavy with the weight of the words just spoken, the depressing mood only cut when the silver headed man spoke again.

"Forgive me, I'm sure you didn't want to hear me rambling. I haven't slept much lately and I suppose its been getting to me. Well, thank you for being understanding of my brother here and not throwing him out like some places would. We won't take any more of your time, we'll head out now."

Going to pick up the ravenette on the floor, the man was interrupted from his action as a voice none of the sins had heard in awhile spoke.

"Why don't you stay the night? It's gonna be pretty hard trying to move him all the way back to your house and you shouldn't be out this late anyway. You can take my bed."

The sins jumped in surprise to find Meliodas standing behind the bar, his eyes covered by his messy hair. He had gone in the storage room for supplies awhile ago and they weren't sure when exactly he had gotten back.

"I-I couldn't. I have to work tomorrow and I really need to get him home."

"No offense, but I think you would've had to call in anyway with the hangover he'll probably have. And besides, it's no trouble, I need to clean up anyway so I wouldn't be using the bed."

With a tired sigh the man nodded and thanked their captain as the blond went over and picked up the boy with ease thanks to his strength.

"Wow, you're really strong. It would have taken me at least a few tries before I managed to get him up over my shoulder like that."

Meliodas just shrugged and headed up the stairs towards his room. The sins were a little shocked by how quiet the captain was. He seemed like he was lost in thought.

Making it to the first room on the left, Meliodas gently and carefully set Zeldris down on the plush bed and left the room quickly, only stopping in the doorway with his back turned to the rest to say something.

"Anyway, you should get some sleep too, it won't do you or your brother any good if one is trying to get home hungover and the other completely exhausted. You're welcome to sleep and stay as long as you want. You... deserve that much after what you've been through."

"Thank you, truly. I'm very grateful for this kindness."

The blond nodded in acknowledgmsnt before he went back downstairs with his usual casual posture, giving the two brothers some privacy.

"I'm sorry.. forgive me... so sorry.."

The man gave a sad look at his younger brother who was talking in his sleep yet again as he usually did ever since their brother's disappearance.

"It's okay Zeldris. Just sleep."

The man spoke gently and put his hand on his brother's forehead while his heart ached at the words being mumbled from the ravenette.

I know it's not easy to move on.. but if you keep doing this you'll die soon. And I know for a fact, if our brother were here right now, he wouldn't want you to throw your life away so soon just because he lost his own. I just wish you'd realize that..

Regardless of how tired the sins had been earlier, none of them slept well as the silver headed man's words kept replaying again and again in their heads on loop, all possessing the same feeling like there was more to this story than being said.
_________________________________________

The morning came too fast for the sleep deprived sins, yet somehow Meliodas still had his usual energy regardless of getting less sleep than all of them.

"Alright! Yesterday went well, but I do have a few pointers for you guys so we won't have some of the issues we did this time around, kay?"

The sins all groaned in unison as they began discussing the details. Although they were saved from it pretty early on as the two guys from last night came out. One almost carrying the other very hangover one.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality."

The silver headed one gave a small bow of respect while the other groaned at the movement. Diane smiled warmly before telling them it wasn't a problem as others agreed.

"I promise I won't forget your kindness here, although we won't take up any more of your time. We'll be off now for home."

Aa the two headed towards the door slowly, the captain said something that made Zeldris and the others stop everything they were doing in shock.

"You know, you should really cheer up. Since yesterday was bad, today has to be great to make up for it. So don't be so sad, okay?"

I was inspired by a fanfic called kidnapped. GO READ IT! Sorry if the editing isn't very good by the way!