Past Hidden by a Broken Smile (Being Edited)

Chapter Four: Late Conversations and Meetings

The sins all woke up with hangovers except for Meliodas and Estarossa. Regardless of him being old enough, he didn't drink so as not to influence Zeldris's addiction any further, and Meliodas- well- none of them knew how his tolerance was so freakishly high.

Especially considering the fact that he was technically only sixteen. The captain drank more than Zeldris and Ban combined the previous day and yet he was still as chipper as ever. Much to the others annoyance due to their headaches.

Although the throbbing in the head was absolutely worth it after the bonding they all did yesterday. The group had gotten along great and the sins bonded with their captain's brothers well since they were honestly quite like the blond.

Zeldris was very similar to the teen, funny, competitive, stubborn, liked fights, but he wasn't as much of a goody two shoes as the other. He was much more sarcastic, rebellious, and foul-mouthed. Especially after a few drinks.

While Estarossa, although the complete opposite, still shared some traits with his youngest brother in other ways. He enjoyed literature and learning more than fighting, completely unlike Meliodas. However he was patient, kind, seemed to hold the people around him together with his calming presence. All traits the sins had seen time and time again in their captain.

The behavior in the silervette was revealed to be caused by their family dynamic though during the conversations between him and the sins that night.

They had learned that the brother's parents had gotten divorced a long time ago and they went with their mom, but she got sick after a few years and Estarossa took on the roll of the parent, since their father was abusive and he didn't want his younger brothers having to live in that environment. That was where the more paternal traits originated, but it didn't lessen the respect the crew had for him once learning about that.

They respected how much he cared for his little brothers, and were happy that their captain had such an awesome family who had been willing to take care of him in his early years. After all, if they hadn't raised him in the way they did, it wouldn't be their captain anymore since it was clear where he got a lot of his mannerisms!

The captain hardly ever talked about his past. In fact, they hadn't even known he had brothers to begin with! So hearing all of this was quite the shock, but they all could agree that they were still incredibly glad to meet Estarossa and Zeldris to hear these stories, and were glad that the two felt relaxed enough to share.

By the end of the night, everyone was laughing and joking and getting along very well before Meliodas finally said they all needed to go to sleep, once again offering his room to Estarossa and Zeldris. Although they has only agreed to take it under one condition set by Esta as Zel was drunkenly arm wrestling a just as drunk Ban.

"I'll only take the room if you answer me one question Meliodas. I need to know why you didn't come home. Did something happen? I know what happened upset you at the time, but it was like you disappeared off the face of the earth! And you sent no message, no letter, nothing to let us know you were alright, even as years passed. I.. I know that it's a bit early to ask, but I need to understand what happened after you left. I need to know why we couldn't find you, and why you never came back."

Meliodas just shrugged, seeming unbothered by the question.

"There really isn't much to tell. I ran out into the woods, got lost, and got picked up by a nearby town."

"That still doesn't explain why iou never contacted us or came home. You could have at least sent a letter telling us you were alright, and we looked everywhere for you! How could you have been so close by?"

"The town didn't really like visitors due to monsters attacking frequently and thieves trying to steal their valuables. The only reason they took me in was because I promised them I wouldn't tell anyone where they were located. By the time I got back out it was two years later, and I thought it would be best if I just stayed away."

The elder blinked in surprise at how easily his brother had said that, not much emotion in his nonchalant tone.

"Why would you think that Mel?! We were so worried!"

Meliodas gave a sheepish grin and rubbed his neck. Something off about the mannerism he had in the conversation between the two.

"Yeah.. I guess it was pretty stupid, huh?"

Estarossa sighed and let it go, deciding to let them have the night without any more stress.

"It's.. It's fine. Thank you for answering me. I'll take the bed as agreed, however please promise to rest as well, alright!?"

"Yeah, Yeah, I will Esta. Thanks for the concern and all, but I'm not a kid anymore, kay?"
_________________________________________

Even now, the next morning, that last part left Estarossa's heart aching..

Yes.. I suppose you aren't.

The silverette was shaken from his thoughts by a plate being set in front of him with a certain blond being responsible.

"Here you go, you didn't really eat much yesterday so I thought ya might be hungry."

Estarossa arched a brow at the food.

"You didn't make it did you?"

Meliodas gave a pout at the questionlike he used to when they were kids, but regardless of how endearing it still was, the man knew better than to eat any cooking his youngest brother made.

"Nooo, Ban did. He's actually a really good cook when he's not slacking off."

"Eh shut it! I'm hungover and exhausted! You're lucky I'm cookin at all today!"

"Less talking more frying Ban! Otherwise I'm cutting your pay for this week!"

"Cap'n is so mean sometimes.."

Ban muttered through the kitchen while Meliodas paid no mind to the pouting, focusing his attention back on the man poking at the food as if it had big letters spelling POISON on it.

"Oh come on, I didn't make it, ya can take a bite.

The man's chocolate eyes narrowed suspiciosly before he took an experimental bite of the eggs; and another. Continuing to do so until they were gone and he moved on to the piece of the buttered toast, and then the fruit, until everything on the plate was gone with the silver headed man still scraping off the remains after.

"Please tell that god of cooking that he is amazing."

The captain gave a chuckle.

"Will do. HEY BAN!!! ESTA SAYS YOU ARE AMAZING!!!"

"YEAH I KNOW! PEOPLE SAY THAT A LOT TO ME AFTER THEY'VE HAD TO EXPERIENCE THE CAP'NS COOKING!!"

The sin gave another pout while the rest of them laughed.

He may be a bit older now, however he truly is still the little brother I know and love. Although.. that's exactly why I know he's not telling the full story of what happened that day.

I forgot I hadn't put this up today. ^^"