Past Hidden by a Broken Smile (Being Edited)

Chapter Ten: Gift of You.

Zeldris had been terrified when he heard a crash downstairs, and by how Estarossa also jumped up, it was obvious the elder was as well. They were both much more... protective, of Meliodas after finding him again.

It was like an unspoken truth they both knew and accepted as the slightest sign of distress or potential risk terrified them both. Even if it was something as trivial as Meliodas falling off of a chair while trying to get something off of a high place or a slight bump from him knocking his head on a table while cleaning under it.

It wasn't like they rushed to his side and demanded a medic, but there was always a brief moment of panic whenever seeing their youngest sibling in those situations. Likely caused by some sort of trauma associated with losing the blond, but that was a topic for another day.

The point was, that if they reacted to small things like that.. something as loud as the crash they heard sent them both tumbling down the stairs with their hearts beating wildly in the process.

Only to see Meliodas perfectly unscathed yet with a sheepish smile on his face.

Estarossa went back to sleep after seeing this with relief, but Zeldris didn't. It wasn't because he was still worried, but more out of him still wanting to talk about... what he had seen the night before. Now having an opportunity to since it was a topic associated with concern for his little brother's wellbeing.

"Hey um.. Mel?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Can I.... Can I talk to you about something?"

There was a brief look of what seemed to be concern on the blond's face before his smile was back and he answered accordingly.

"Sure! What do you want to talk about?"

Images of the cloaked figure bounced around in the ravenette's mind paired with the chilling words they had left as well. It was worrying, something that needed to be discussed. For his brother's safety at the very least..

Yet, as he went to speak again, images of what had taken place after filled him and prevented any words to flood from his mouth.

I forgive you...

So why don't we just accept that and move on? Focus on now and try to rebuild a relationship again now that we're older?

Meliodas wanted to try again. He had forgiven his sibling and wanted to start a relationship again. It was only hours before it had happened. What if Zeldris bringing this up caused the blond to shut down? What if it angered him or the two drifted again? The fear from that was even stronger than what the man had felt after seeing that figure.

So even with how selfish the ravenette knew it was... he choked, and instead changed the topic to what he was fiddling with in his pocket.

"I... I um.."

Meliodas looked a little nervous now, although barely noticeable.

"I... have something for you. I meant to give it to you last night at the party, but I guess I.. forgot about it."

The blond blinked, emerald eyes showing the confusion and surprise he felt at the statements.

"You... want to give me something?"

"Y-Yeah. Is that okay?"

"S-Sure! That's fine. I guess it's just not what I was expecting. You looked so serious!"

There was a charming smile on Meliodas's face that looked just like the one from their childhood. It was something that eased Zeldris's nerves ever so slightly.

Taking a deep breath, the man took out the red box in his pocket and handed it to the other.

Understandably so, the blond looked quite curious as he opened it very carefully.

"This- Did.... did you make this?"

It was the most emotion Zeldris had heard in the blond's voice since seeing him again. Normally he was much more aloof, but here he looked like there were so many things he was feeling at once that he was nearly unreadable from them all combining.

"It was.. my gift from your eighth birthday."

Meliodas traced the carefully crafted silver band surrounding the purple jeweled stone in the middle the exact shape of his birthmark with a bittersweet look on his face.

"I see. Is that... Is that my birthmark?"

"Y-Yeah. I noticed it's faded a lot so the gift isn't exactly as meaningful as I meant when you were a kid, heh.. But, I've kept it with me for a long time. Since you left, actually. I always saw it as a reminder. A reminder of my screw up and how I thought you were dead because of me... but now, with you wanting to move foward in our brothership, I hope it can be a symbol of amends and healed bonds. Sorry if that sounds super cheesy, or something.. I'm not very good at this stuff.

A soft, warm, smile made its way onto Meliodas's features before he carefully took the bracelet out and adjusted it to fit comfortably on his wrist.

"Thanks Zel, that... means a lot to me."

The ravenette was relieved his brother liked it, although slightly guilty at the same time for backing out of his original confession.

"So, you want to drink a cup of coffee with me and chat for a bit?"

"Sure, I'd love that.

Ahhhhhh not my best. I wrote this by scratch as well, and was low on both ideas and time to get it out, so although I'll likely edit and change it sometime soon, this is what you all get for now. Sorry! 😞