Past Hidden by a Broken Smile (Being Edited)

Chapter Three: Tears of Both Sorrow and Joy

Imagine this image with the two roles reversed. ^

"W-What did you just say?"

Zeldris's voice was choked as he tried to hold back tears he didn't know he had left. Their backs were still turned away from the sins as they faced the door, but the emotion was visible in just that one sentence easily.

While the gears turned in everyone's minds, no one dared spoke until it finally clicked in the giant first.

"W-Wait, are you their little brother!?"

"NO!"

The sins jumped as Zeldris raised his voice.

"He c-can't be... my brother's dead! They couldn't find him. H-He was declared dead. We s-searched EVERYWHERE. There is NO way h-he's... h-he can't be..

He was shaking slightly, whether from tears or guilt they couldn't entirely tell, maybe it was both of those things. Meliodas's bangs were still covering his eyes which made him even harder to read, but there was a distant look about him that no one in that room other than himself could possibly begin to understand.

Without a word, he walked slowly over to the two men with his footsteps echoing as he did so, and stopped right in front of them; his head never rising or his expression being known as he just said one question.

"It's been a long time.. hasn't it big brother?"

He seemed tense, but not from anger, it seemed more like guilt or fear. Fear of being yelled at or scolded for leaving, and guilt at knowing the pain Zeldris went through.

Instead of the yelling he was waiting for though, he got in response a tackle hug from his big brothers as they all went tumbling to the floor with their weight crushing the captain of the sins.

Emerald eyes widened in shock before Meliodas blinked and gave a small smile. He hugged them back before they finally let go of him. Both of the brothers had tears filling their eyes and Meliodas couldn't help but give a small chuckle.

"Miss me that much.. huh?"

"I still don't understand. We looked everywhere for you! What happened?! Were you okay?! Where did you go?!"

They continued to bombard him with questions until Zeldris's eyes widened and he went running to the bathroom.

"Hah! That's what you get when you drink too much."

The blond said the words with a cocky smile before he was pulled into another tight hug by his eldest brother, although he didn't mind. In fact, he had missed this. More than he would care to admit.

I should have just gone back. They suffered so long because of me.. I guess she was right.

Forcing himself from his thoughts, he found himself now sandwiched between Zeldris and Estarossa again.

"You know, I'm glad to see you and all, but what's with all the hugging? You two aren't really the touchy feely types."

"When your brother goes missing for eight years and you find him again, you become a bit more touchy feely."

Zeldris responded as he hugged him tighter from the back.

"Fair enough..."

Trying to turn to look at the tall man lightly petting his hair, Meliodas found sad, mature, teary eyes staring back.

"I-I just can't believe it's you.. You've grown up so much.

"Aw, don't tell me you're getting mushy too now Esta."