Broken

What Was

Meliodas couldn't believe what he had just heard. The day went from stressful and nerve-racking, to happy and nice, and finally a mixture of the emotions that was driving him crazy.

Not only had he found part of his previous family again, but they also had figured out he was a slave, pitied him, and then left, only for one of his MASTERS to decide to let them stay so they could stay in touch once more.

He had never in his years of service had a master who was willing to do this, nor had he ever heard of one who would even consider doing something so... against the rules. Though he wasn't necessarily against the decision. He was very grateful to have a master who was kind enough to do something so gracious for a slave like himself. But... it would have been easier for him to go numb without them here. now, he wasn't sure he'd be able to at all anymore. Because their presence was reminding him of a time where he wasn't numb at all. Of a time where he had felt true, genuine, joy. A time where he had been "Meliodas".

"Yaaaay!  We are on our way to cousin Meli's place!"

"Tristan we've talked about this! It is called Meliodas's master's place."

"But why? That doesn't make any sense. Meli doesn't have a master."

"Tristan!"

The boy gave a pout at the lecture he was receiving, still too young- and perhaps a bit too sheltered- to understand the horrible rules of masters and slaves, and the fact that his role model and older cousin had been captured as a slave himself.

However regardless of the fact that his aunt and younger cousin were both unwittingly rubbing in the fact that he no longer had freewill or a life of his own, he didn't really mind. After all, he had learned to accept his fate and had long since sacrificed his dreams and longing of a life of his own.

Chandler was really the only one who has noticed just how different the boy was, and not just in appearance.

Although he did seem quite similar in looks other than the occasional wound, the difference in height, and overall, more defined features, it was the demeanor that seemed completely foreign.

The boy had always been wiser than his years, but that didn't mean he was void of the childhood spirit that would always make the family smile when nearby.

The boy they had known had a bright smile, kind personality, wonderful imagination, and eyes full of wonder and life. However, the boy walking in front of them was completely different.

His smile was gone, replaced by a neutral expression that betrayed no emotion other than the lack of, the kind personality was clearly still there, but buried under fear, abuse, disfunction, and years of mental trauma, imagination also smothered by years of the same treatment mixed with the harsh pull of reality that forced him to grow up far too early, and last of all... his once shimmering eyes...

The life was gone, drained completely and sucking all of the youth and wonder from the rest of him. It was clear those emerald orbs had seen things that a boy his age should never witness... and as a result of the scenes attached to those eyes- a mere glimpse into his soul that echoed the same look- he was no longer a boy, but an old man trapped in a child's body. An empty vessel with his spirit and life trapped in a cage both his mind and body had forced him into.

Of all of the people he had thought would end up with that look... Meliodas had never been on the list.

It hurt him every time he took another glance at the child, especially considering the fact that he could have prevented this...

He had shown up only minutes after the place had been ravaged, Meliodas's parents- and his dear brother- found dead, and no children in sight. They had looked all over the house, even in the little secret cubby they had made so many years ago, but they found no proof of life.